The Rise of The Royal Rogue

Absent

I looked up. My hands were covered in the breather's blood. My Luna instinct kicked in and I checked if everyone was okay. There wasn't a single scratch on anyone from our pack. Thank the moon goddess!

"I told you to go home, you could have been hurt! ", Xander spoke with a a bit of aggravation.

"But I wasn't. ", I gave him a reassuring smile and he calmed down.

Liam stepped forward.

"Any idea why breachers tried crossing the border? ", he asked Xander.

"No. But whatever just happened tells us one thing - the bleacher's leader is close. As of now I want doubled security at the borders. ", Xander ordered and guards nodded on agreement.

"The king of rogues. Here? ", I asked myself aloud.

Xander told me to get cleaned up and rest. I listened and went inside.

I had a bath and got into bed.

I drifted off to sleep after waiting many hours for Xander to come to bed. He never did... duty calls.
-------------
I woke up the next morning to an empty bed. He didn't come to bed as his side was still neat. I went into the bathroom and looked at my reflection on the mirror. My mark was beautiful! It was my wolf and Xander's. Grace was laying her head on Blaze. A small crown was on their heads. I rushed downstairs to show Xander. I was ecstatic.

He was in his office with multiple embers of the council. They bowed and I acknowledged their presence.

"Lets break for 30 minutes. ", Xander ordered and they left.

There was bags under his eyes. I touched the side of his face with my palm.

"You didn't come to bed.", I gave him a weak smile.

He inhaled a deep breath and then smiled. "My mark is beautiful. You are beautiful. ", he kissed my mark and trailed his fingers on it making me gasp.

I smiled and he looked at me worrigly and nervously. something was wrong other than last night's attack.

"This attack was unexpected... This isn't something alphas are taking lightly. The leader is here. I must be ten steps ahead of him and figure out why he has come. My crown and head is one of the reasons but something is missing. ", he spoke.

The king has many threats.

"What's the plan of action. "

"Rebecca... I need to leave for a for a week... it's serious pack business. I have to go to an alpha gathering at Toga pack to discuss last night's attack... ", he spoke carefully trying to analyse my reaction and facial expression.

"Toga pack? that's in not in America. That's in Africa. I'm coming with you. ", I spoke.

"No. My queen must stay here and look after the pack. They need you. Duty calls. ", he kissed my forehead.

"When are you leaving? "

"In two hours... "

I looked at him with wide eyes and a shocked expression.

"You're leaving now! You know what... I understand. ", he's protecting his kingdom. Kings must sacrifice for their subjects.

I gave him a hug and a kiss.

"Rebecca... I'll be back for your heat in case you were worried. ", he smirked.

What is it with him and this heat thing? I mentally rolled my eyes.

"It's ok. I don't think we have to worry about that right now. I will wait. ", I tried to change the topic. I didn't even know what a heat was. I made a mental to-do-list to read up on a heat.

He gave me a confused expression.

"But last night-", he couldn't finish his sentence as there was a knock on the door.

"You majesty - Luna,"a guard bowed and then faced Xander, "We're ready for you. "
Xander nodded and the guard left.

"I'm going to miss you. I'll call everyday and I have guards all around the border and within the pack... you're safe - the entire pack is. You will be fine. ", he tried to reassure and comfort me.

I hugged him and took in his warmth and scent.

"I love you. Be safe. ", I whispered to him.

"I love you too. I feel horrible to leave you...", he began to trail of.

"You have to.. for the protection of every wolf. ", I pulled away and kissed him. He nodded and walked away.

I am going to miss him so much. A single tear let loose as the door shut behind him.

I went to do my Luna duties. After the long meeting I had to go and do some paper work since Xander was not here. I thought my job was tiring -his was a hundred times worse.

I finished what I could and went to visit Storm as Liam went with Xander.

"Hey, beautiful. ", I said with enthusiasm.

Storm was now one month. Her pup wasn't due for another 8 months.

She gave me a big smile and I hugged her.

"Rebecca, my gorgeous friend. How are you Crazy-Pants? "

I laughed at my nickname and plopped onto the couch.

"Missing my mate but I'm pushing through. "I smiled and she laughed.

"Me too! ", she began to sob. The mate bond and pregnancy hormones was making her an emotional mess.

I got up and hugged her. I pushed her hair away from her face.

"There, there... it will be alright. Liam will be back in a few days... "

"I know. But I miss him... can you give me some chocolate ice-cream with fruit loops. ", she cried while asking.

I handed her the ice-cream and fruit loops. She stared at it and began sobbing.

"These are the same fruit loops Liam eats. ", she cried and sounded like a love-struck teenager.

"We can't eat this. No! No! put it back in the box. ", she began to cry louder.

This pregnant friend of mine. I put it away and she cried even louder.

"What now? ", I asked.

She started laughing and crying at the same time.

"I don't know. I'm just hormonal. Bare with me. ", she cried and laughed.

I couldn't help but burst out laughing. She was so comical. She wore two different socks and a baggy t-shirt. she sat on the couch and laughed while crying.