The Concealed Luna

Chapter 3

Being grounded was a joke to Aly. Confined to the house, she spent most of her time in her room - not much different from her everyday life. Two weeks dragged by in boring silence. She hadn't been able to train with Bruce, and she didn't want to get him in trouble. Everything remained calm and normal until two days ago when her wolf started acting up. Restless and agitated, she felt like she had an itch she couldn't scratch. The atmosphere in the house shifted too. Her parents seemed on edge, radiating anxiety. Curious, Aly resorted to her trusty investigation technique: eavesdropping. She learned that another alpha was visiting the pack, but that was all she could glean from the hushed conversations.

Aly's agitation grew as the mysterious alpha's visit approached. Her wolf was restless, clawing at her skin, begging to break free. When her parents left early that day, Aly seized the opportunity to escape. She snuck out, her heart racing with excitement and a hint of fear. The crisp air hit her face as she ran, carrying the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves. She didn't notice her own scent leaking, a potent mix of sweat and wildness, as she made her way to the bush where she would take off her clothes.

Shifting was a rush of sensations: the prickling of fur erupting from her skin, the stretching of her limbs, and the thrill of her brown irises transforming into silver. Her paws dug into the leaf-covered ground, and she stretched, arching her back and extending her claws. The forest came alive around her: birds chirping, leaves rustling, and the distant howl of another wolf. She listened, and her ears perked up before taking off like the wind.

Sticking to the familiar path, she ran with a delinquent's ease, avoiding the border patrol with practised grace. The air was sizzling, like a live wire humming with electricity. The pack was on edge, and Aly's wolf revelled in the excitement. She ran for two hours, the wind ruffling her light grey fur, her paws pounding the earth in a steady rhythm.

On her way back, she caught a whiff of an unfamiliar scent, intriguing and alluring. Though tempted to follow it, she resisted, knowing she couldn't risk getting caught. Shifting back brought some relief, but the agitation lingered, simmering in the back of her mind. With her parents still away for the meeting with the guest alpha, she decided to shower, washing away the forest's earthy scent and any lingering traces of her secret run.

***

Alpha Henry Grey sat in the back of the SUV as they drove onto Snapdragon pack territory. He rolled his eyes as some wolves ran alongside the car, their enthusiasm a stark contrast to his own scepticism. His vehicle was one of two SUVs in the convoy, a symbol of the official pack business that brought him here. As the representative of the alpha king, he had been sent to inspect Snapdragon pack's affairs. Alpha Harris Spencer, the pack's leader, was a secretive and cunning man with a history of disregarding rules. Notably, his pack had failed to submit an audit for the past two years. Alpha Henry's close friendship with the alpha king had led to this favour, one he hoped to discharge with swift efficiency.

"We're here," Nathan, Henry's beta, announced from the passenger seat as the SUVs pulled up in front of the pack house.

The imposing structure towered above them, its seven stories of grey brick façade exuding a sense of solidity and strength. A sturdy portico with a pitched roof sheltered the main entrance, its wooden beams weathered to a warm brown that contrasted with the cool grey of the walls.

Henry's gaze swept over the building, his expression unenthusiastic. "Good. Let's get this over with so we can leave," he said irritably.

Nathan chuckled sarcastically as he opened the door for him. "Two years' worth of audits? I doubt we'll be leaving soon."

Henry huffed at the statement, his eyes rolling heavenward as he stepped out into the crisp air.

"Alpha Henry, welcome to Snapdragon," Alpha Harris Spencer, a middle-aged man with a distinguished air approached Henry, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in his imposing presence. Alpha Harris' dirty blonde hair, parted to the side, was streaked with grey, giving him a seasoned and wise appearance, but his bright blue eyes seemed to hold a hint of wariness as he forced a tight-lipped smile. The corners of his mouth twitched upwards, but his eyes didn't quite match the warmth of his greeting, betraying a sense of discomfort and unease.

"Alpha Harris," Henry nodded, shaking his hand firmly.

Alpha Harris introduced his companions. "This is Cynthia, my mate and Luna of Snapdragon." Cynthia stood at about 1.6 meters tall, with a slender yet radiant presence. Her sandy blonde hair fell in soft waves to her shoulders, framing her heart-shaped face and bright blue eyes that shone with a hint of nervousness.

"And this is my beta, Kevin," Harris continued. Kevin towered at 1.8 meters, his bulky physique exuding strength and confidence. His dark brown hair was cut in a crisp buzzcut, accentuating his chiselled features and piercing deep blue eyes that seemed to bore into those he met.

"Nice to see you again, Alpha Henry," Cynthia said, her voice dripping with false bravado as if trying to mask her underlying unease with a superficial confidence.

"Likewise," Henry nodded curtly, his smile a thin, polite disguise that failed to reach his eyes.

"Please, this way," Harris led the way into the packhouse, his footsteps echoing off the high ceilings and polished wood floors of the lobby. He guided them past a grand stone fireplace, and up a sturdy wooden staircase with ornate carvings of wolves and foliage. On the second floor, they walked down a long hallway adorned with vibrant tapestries depicting the pack's history and achievements. Finally, they arrived at a sturdy wooden door with a bronze handle shaped like a wolf's head. Harris pushed the door open and led them into his office, a spacious room with a large window that bathed the space in warm natural light. Comfortable leather armchairs and sofas in earthy tones were arranged around a large wooden desk, polished to a warm sheen. The room was comfortably accommodating for Henry and his beta, Nathan, and the two delegates from the royal pack.

"Would you like something to drink?" Harris offered, gesturing to a beautifully crafted wooden sideboard with an assortment of drinks and glasses.

"I'd rather we got down to business. We have a lot to discuss," Henry declined the offer, his eyes scanning the room with a hint of impatience.

"Right, where shall we start?" Harris asked after taking a seat in his office chair, his eyes fixed on Henry with a guarded intensity, his smile a thin veil that failed to conceal his apprehension.

***

After hours in Harris' office, Henry finally completed his work. With all the necessary information gathered, the royal delegates would take the reports to the Alpha King.

"Thank you for coming, Alpha Henry. Too bad you can't stay longer," Harris said, his tight smile betraying a hint of insincerity.

Henry raised an eyebrow, his expression sceptical. "Right," he replied, his tone neutral, but his eyes narrowing slightly as he gazed at Harris. He squinted at the sun hanging low in the sky, its warm rays casting a golden glow over the scene. "We will be on our way now," He said, his voice firm and decisive.

"Safe travels," Harris replied, his smile faltering for a moment before he regained his composure.

Henry and Nathan entered one of the awaiting cars, while the royal delegates entered the other. As they drove away, Harris and his mate exhaled a sigh of relief, watching the Alpha of White Oak disappear into the distance.

"It's okay, it's over now. They're gone," Harris reassured his mate, his voice laced with a hint of conviction.

Cynthia's eyes still held a trace of worry, "Do you think he noticed anything?" she asked, her voice laced with nervousness.

Harris shook his head, "No, I don't think so. He's gone now," he repeated, his words meant to comfort. But their relief was built on fragile hope.
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