Alpha's search for his Luna

Chapter : The Run

I drove the car towards Priyal's villa, her presence beside me calming the chaos of the evening. Vyom was at the back, still fuming. I couldn’t shake the feeling of stupidity that wrapped around me like a fog; I had made a huge mistake by not removing the thread that had made her vulnerable. Anything could have happened tonight, and I shuddered at the thought.

My phone vibrated with a message from Arav, confirming he was on high alert, while Samar was busy scanning the area for any rogue threats. I glanced at Priyal, who sat peacefully, gazing out the window as the scenery blurred by. I stopped the car in front of her villa, and Vyom jumped out. I called Priyal to follow him, but she seemed distracted, her mind elsewhere.

“Uh... Yes,” she replied, pulling her focus back to the moment.

I handed my keys to Vyom, who drove off to park the car. As I entered the main gate, Priyal led me through a garden filled with blooming flowers. I noticed the stillness of the night, interrupted only by the sound of the monastery bell ringing in the distance.

When we reached the main door, Priyal's aunt opened it almost immediately.

“Oh, my baby!” she exclaimed, engulfing Priyal in a warm embrace. I caught Daksh’s eye; he was signaling to me that Priyal’s aunt didn’t know about the rogue encounter.

“I missed you too,” my mate replied, her voice soft and sincere.

As I watched, I noticed Priyal mind-linking someone. Maya and Daksh exchanged giggles, and a wave of jealousy washed over me. I hated this part—until I officially mated her and marked her, I wouldn’t be able to hear her thoughts or link with her.

Her aunt ushered me inside, and I took in the cozy atmosphere of their villa. The monastery bell rang again, and I glanced at the clock—it was 11 o’clock.

“Does this bell ring at random times?” I asked.

“It has a fixed schedule, but sometimes it rings at odd hours,” Priyal replied.

“Why’s that?”

“Someone is praying,” Daksh chimed in, his tone serious.

“Come sit,” her aunt offered, gesturing to the couch.

I sank into the cushions, and Priyal’s aunt soon presented a steaming bowl of food.

“Is that...?” Priyal couldn’t finish her sentence.

“Your favorite Thukpa!” her aunt announced proudly.

I had never heard of it before.

“It’s a Ladakhi dish,” Priyal explained. “You’ll love it,” Maya added with a smile.

Her aunt insisted I join them at the dinner table. When Priyal mentioned she had eaten in the hostel mess, I noticed her aunt’s disappointment.

“Didn’t you tell her?” her aunt asked Vyom, her brow furrowing.

“I...” he stammered, throwing a glare at Priyal. “Who the hell has dinner in a hostel?” He looked incredulous, and Maya couldn’t help but laugh at the banter.

I observed the camaraderie between them and how they interacted as a family. Daksh remained silent, his expression calm and watchful.

“Is he always this serious?” I asked Priyal, pointing at Daksh.

“Mostly,” her aunt replied, a hint of pride in her voice.

I remembered that Daksh was Priyal’s cousin and felt a sense of kinship among them. It struck me how both Priyal and I had been raised by others, far from our parents.