Royal Secrets & Beastly Desires

14. Lunar Echoes: The Gift of Life After Death

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Dakota woke up the next morning smiling. As she sat up in bed, she looked for Draiden but saw that his side was untouched. She tossed aside the blanket and tiptoed to the bathroom, where Draiden's scent greeted her as she opened the door.

Just then, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She rushed to grab it, smiling at the sight of Calebs name. "Hi Caleb, how are you and your mate?" she answered.

"Fine, but that's not why I called. The Midnight Moon pack just attacked Blue Moon," he said.

"What? Why?" Dakota asked.

He sighed. "You knew it was coming with how shady Alpha Jacob was. But there's more, baby girl—Jacob's kidnapped Victoria. Sweetie, she..." He paused, choking back a sob.

Dakota's heart raced. "She what? Caleb! She is WHAT?" she yelled into the phone, terrified.

"I'm so sorry, baby girl. She was killed in front of Alpha Draiden," he cried.

"No, no, no! She can't be!" Dakota screamed, dropping the phone.

Visions flooded her mind.

"Let's play hide and seek. Run and hide, and don't come out until I come for you."

"No, stop!" she screamed.

"Daddy!"

"I promise I won't ever leave you."

Covering her ears, she cried, "You promised me! You promised you would never leave me!" She collapsed to the floor, her heart shattered.

"I'll visit all the time."

"This is how much I love you."

"You will never lose me."

"Draiden, I need you!" she screamed in the empty house, but he was gone. She wanted the visions to stop. Feeling a tug in her mind, she opened the link.

"Luna, Draiden wanted me to check on you. He's in the middle of a war and can't contact you yet," the man said.

"Is it true? Is Victoria really gone?" she asked.

He hesitated, then sighed. "Yes, Luna. Draiden is dealing with her killer, and then he will come home to you."

"He better. I've lost too much over the years. You tell my mate he better come home to me," she said, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her heart ached, and she struggled to breathe.

"He will, Luna, I promise—"

She cut him off. "No! Don't promise me anything! Everyone who promises me they will come back, ends up dead. Just make sure my mate comes home, okay?" she pleaded, sobbing.

"I will, Luna. I'm very sorry for your loss," he said.

"Thank you," she replied before cutting off the connection. She dropped to the floor and cried until exhaustion took over, and she fell into a deep sleep.

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Alpha Jacobs smirked when Draiden finally arrived. "Nice of you to join us," he said mockingly.

Draiden scoffed, narrowing his eyes. "I didn't need to leave my mate. My pack could have taken care of you themselves, but as their Alpha, I wanted the honor of ending you."

Jacobs laughed, a cruel sound that hung in the air. "I'm glad you're here. I have something very special planned just for you, Alpha Draiden." He gestured to two of his pack warriors, and Draiden's heart sank as they brought a woman toward him.