Alpha's search for his Luna

Chapter :The Trap is Sprung

The dense forest where Priyal had been attacked just days before now bore silent witness to two figures moving through it-one in human form and the other a wolf. Tanishq, in his naked human form, carefully studied the ground, his keen eyes tracing the patterns of the footprints left behind by Priyal's wolf. Beside him, his beta Samar stood alert in his wolf form, sniffing the air, catching faint scents of rogue wolves who had crossed the area recently.
Tanishq's sharp mind was busy analyzing every mark and scent, thinking of the rogue patterns and how they might have planned their attack. They had been combing these woods for days now, trying to understand the route the rogues had taken.
Suddenly, Arav's voice filled Tanishq's mind through the pack's mind link. "They're leaving."

Tanishq smirked, the corner of his lips pulling up. "Our men in the admin department informed me that Daksh and Vyom are filling the paperwork for withdrawal from college." Arav continued.

Tanishq straightened up, his eyes narrowing with satisfaction. "Where are they now?" he asked, his gaze fixed on one of Priyal's wolf tracks.

"Still in the college," Arav replied.

Tanishq looked at Samar, who had shifted back into human form. "It seems it's time to put your suggestion into action," Tanishq said, his tone cold but decisive.
Samar nodded, understanding exactly what Tanishq meant.

Tanishq mindlinked Arav again. "Bring it with you."

"Sure!" came Arav's swift response.

*****

The road stretched before them, a narrow ribbon winding through the rugged terrain, with Daksh and Vyom silently navigating their way back from the college. The tension was palpable, each lost in their thoughts. The decision to leave had been hard, but it had to be done, though neither knew what consequences awaited them once they were back with the pack.

Vyom broke the silence first, his voice heavy. "It wasn’t easy, you know... convincing the department to process the paperwork for everyone else too."

Daksh’s hands tightened around the steering wheel, his gaze locked on the road ahead. "Priyal made sure my parents were listed as her guardians. She was thorough," he said, the clipped tone of his voice betraying the weight he carried. His connection to Priyal was more than familial—he had always been in her shadow, destined to follow her until now.

Vyom nodded, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. While Priyal had always been fiercely passionate about her education, Vyom’s path had been different. It had always been about staying close to her, ensuring she was safe. Leaving wasn’t easy, but seeing her dreams halted was even harder.

"I feel for Maya too," Vyom added quietly. "She won’t be able to rejoin the MBBS program in her third year anywhere. She might have to start all over."

Daksh’s jaw clenched, his voice firm. "Maya will have to care for her pups now. That’s her priority."

Just ahead, a boulder had tumbled onto the road—a common sight in the mountains, especially during the monsoon season. Normally, a human would wait for the authorities to clear the path, but Daksh and Vyom weren’t ordinary humans. They were wolves.

Without hesitation, Vyom got out of the car, glancing at the obstacle before calling out, "I need your help with this!"

Daksh sighed, stepping out reluctantly. He moved towards the boulder to help push, but before he could even place his hands on the rock, an arrow whistled through the air and struck Vyom in the neck. A guttural growl escaped him before he collapsed, unconscious.

"Vyom!" Daksh roared, turning towards the direction the arrow had come from. His eyes scanned the treeline, heart pounding in his chest. Before he could react, another arrow flew through the air, embedding itself into his own neck.

He growled in fury but remained standing, stronger than Vyom. His wolf demanded a fight, and Daksh bared his teeth, shouting into the void, "Come out, you cowards! Fight me head-on!"

A sleek, black BMW rolled to a stop ahead of them, its engine purring like a predator in the night. From the passenger seat, Arav, one of Tanishq’s betas, stepped out, his expression unreadable.

"You!" Daksh snarled, his vision beginning to blur from the sedative. "What have you done to us?"

Arav raised an eyebrow, his voice calm as he replied, "Nothing much. Just something to make you and your friend take a nap for a while. Our pack has its own blend of tricks, just like your scent masks."

From the top of the BMW, Samar jumped down, his lips curling into a mocking grin. "Our Alpha needs answers, Daksh. We believe you and your people are endangering the pack."

"We’re leaving! There’s no danger to your pack!" Daksh growled, his muscles tensing as he fought the pull of unconsciousness.

"Not before we get the truth from you," Arav said coldly, his eyes sharp.

Daksh shifted, letting his wolf take control as he lunged at Arav. But before he could strike, another arrow hit him, this time sending his wolf form crashing back into his human body. He lay naked on the road, unconscious beside Vyom.

Arav walked back to the car, where Tanishq lowered the window, his sharp gaze meeting his beta’s.

"What’s next?" Arav asked.

"Take them to the basement at our resort in Jim Corbett," Tanishq commanded, his voice low but filled with the authority of an Alpha.

Arav nodded and gestured toward Rudra and Ishaan, who immediately began loading Daksh and Vyom’s unconscious bodies into their vehicle.

Samar, growing impatient, asked, "What about the others? Their friends?"

Tanishq's eyes darkened. "I’ll handle that personally. Kaya and Misha will come with me."

Samar's face tightened, his protectiveness over Misha flaring up. "Why bring Misha? Why Kaya?"

Arav’s voice was composed as he replied, "There are females in the group. Besides, Kaya and Misha are strong—they’re our mates for a reason."

Samar wasn’t convinced. His voice dropped to a growl. "Did you see what that woman did? Priyal killed six rogues on her own. And Kaya... she’s strong, yes, but too emotional, especially when it comes to pups."

Tanishq cut in, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Enough. I’ll be with them, and Sarika and Advik will join us. You," he said, pointing at Samar, "will stay and keep an eye on these two."

Samar bit back his frustration, stepping back toward Rudra’s car. Reluctantly, he followed the orders, though the tension in his stance remained.

Rudra took the driver’s seat, starting the car with Daksh and Vyom in the back, unconscious and bound for the resort.

Tanishq’s gaze lingered on the road, his mind working through the layers of his pack’s security, the growing danger of rogues, and the mystery surrounding Priyal.

"Is the paperwork for them leaving the college stopped?" Tanishq asked, his voice low.

Arav smirked. "Our men in the administration took care of it."

"Good," Tanishq said, leaning back in his seat. "I have to confirm if Priyal is my mate." His thoughts drifted to the possibility of their bond.