Alpha Vaughan

Chapter 14

"We're here." A nervous whisper.

I couldn't hear anything from behind the doors, which made me assume they were soundproof.

We stood on regal red carpets that had its sides lined with gold thread. A single chandelier hung down, lighting the narrow hall.

Nayla bowed before me, and with a quiet 'Goodluck' she was gone.

Facing the doors, I dragged in a deep breath. And knowing I may, or may not, regret my next action, I shoved open the door.

Stunned gazes instantly reverted towards me. A wide hall filled with wide-eyed Nobles greeted me. They were all frozen in various acts of speaking and movement, one's mouth hung ajar, while another paused in gesturing at the large map on the table.

Walking deeper into the white-themed hall, I said offhandedly, "Oh, don't stop on my account, continue with the meeting."

At the head of the table, Vaughan's baritone stopped me. "What are you doing here?"

Some of the confidence I felt washed away. I faced him and answered sweetly, "Oh, asides from wanting to fulfil my duties as future Luna, nothing."

"Leave."

"No."

Jaws slackened. Eyes grew to the size of hot air balloons. It didn't take a genius to know they were all shocked at someone speaking to their mighty Alpha in that manner. Well, they'd better get used to it.

A female spoke up, her tone incredulous. Judging from her towering height and defined physique, I could tell she was Tabitha. "That's no way to speak to the Alpha."

"That's no way to mind your business," I retorted, then signaled to a frightened looking man. "Give me an account of what was discussed here."

Looking like an antelope caught in bright headlights, his throat bobbed up and down so fast I thought a frog was stuck in there. His eyes flitted between I and Vaughan.

"I command you to tell me all about what went down here; as your future Luna," I added, then reasoned the phrase was going to get a load of whiplash from being thrown around often by me.

His thin lips trembled, and I decided to put him out of his misery.

"I heard Lunas had total control over the amount of food one ate..."

He caved. "The Alpha had some warriors sent to your old pack in case the vampires and hunters returned. And we have a lead now, a seven-centuries-old rogue vampire who's agreed to tell us all about the vampire who'd staged the attack. It had all been planned, you see, somehow they'd learnt you were Alpha Vaughan's mate and had plotted to capture you. But this rogue vampire, we can't meet him just yet."

"Why?" I bursted out.

"We don't know if it's a trap or not, so we have to wait until the pack's Seer returns. She could scry and know of his intent, if it's pure--or if he has other ulterior motives."

The chances of finding Eunice continued to hover out of my reach. "Well, where is she?"

"Her daughter's pack, she just gave birth."

"When is she due to return?"

"About a week from now."

I couldn't wait that long. Eunice was a total clutz, she could trip over her own feet and fall down the high building through the window. Just thinking about that irrational scenario spiked my heartbeat. "The rogue vampire. Do you know where he lives--"

"Enough!" Vaughan's furious voice cut through hall.

My breath hitched. The room went deathly silent.

"You." He pointed at me, rising. "Come with me."