Stripping for the Alpha

Chapter Twenty-Three (NALA's POV)

I woke up in my bed alone. "Theo?" I asked slowly.

"He's not here Luna. He's in the dungeon sorting out a bit of a problem." A voice said. I turned to the door and saw a girl standing by the door, in a posture that made me think she was a security guard.

"Who are you?" I asked hesitantly. At first she didn't do anything, just smiled slightly. "I'm Rainy, the youngest warrior in the pack. A.K.A the most considerate. At least that's what I'm trying to convince myself. That the Alpha sent me to look after you because I'm nice, not that he was worried I was going to get hurt." She said shaking her head.

"Hurt? Why would-you get hurt? Would Theo-get-hurt? What's-going-on?" I asked, hurrying my words.

Why would she get hurt? How could she get hurt?

"Rainy, can I see him?" I asked quietly. She thought for a moment frowning. "Well I don't see why not. They are only questioning the doctor, so.... I guess you could." She said opening the door and letting me past.

She led me out the back door and over the fields. "Where are they?" I asked. "The dungeons. Not too far now." Was all that came as a reply.

We travelled through the trees and down a hidden stair case. "Dungeons?" I asked slowly. "We have dungeons?"

We stopped at the edge of a room. "Alpha." Rainy acknowledged Theo's position in the pack as she bowed her head. Theo spun in the spot and spied me and Rainy at the edge of the room.

"Rainy?! What were you thinking? She cannot be here. She is your Luna! Keep her safe!" Theo yelled his eyes darkening. "Theo?!"

His eyes turned to me. "Nala get back to the pack house, stay there and be safe." He yelled. I flinched instinctively. "Theo? What is wrong with you? Why are you acting like this?" I asked shaking my head.

I had never seen Theo looking so angry. Why would I get hurt? If I could get hurt, he could get hurt. 'Unless I would get hurt because I'm weak...' I thought miserably. 'I want to talk to him!' Nina growled, pushing forward. 'No, I don't ever want to shift again.' I linked to her in a disappointed tone. But she growled harder 'First of all it won't hurt at all next time. Second, I just wanna talk and third, I won't shift.' she mumbled taking full control.

"Theo, you know the rules of a pack. An Alpha cannot order a Luna around. They share the leading title..." she said glaring towards our cocky mate who was raising an eyebrow as we spoke. "Nina, this is dangerous." He said glancing through the glass.

Nina stepped forward and looked through the glass.

The doctor sat in a steel chair grinning. As if he noticed my presence, he looked up, directly at me. Still grinning.

"F**king creep." Nina growled. "Who is he?" Nina asked out loud without giving her stare-down up. Theo cleared his throat. "The question is, what is he?"

Nina glanced around the room and made eye contact with an old woman. "Nala, Nina, future Lunas of ParkView Pack, I am honoured to finally meet you.

She stood beside me and Nina started at her as if she had grown a second head. "James is dead. The doctor's skin has been bewitched to make this vampire look, smell and almost act like the doctor." She said looking at the man.

"Vampire?"

None of the books I had read ever gave a description of a constantly smiling guy... 'Control...' I thought pushing forward and regaining my control.

"So what, he's a Vampire?" I asked the woman standing close but she shook her head. "No my Luna, this creature is a Vlitch. These creatures are often hidden in Vampire clans or Witch colonies but never in my six hundred and forty eight years have I seen a Vlitch without his family or friends. He was sent my Luna. You must find out by whom." She whispered.

I looked to Theo who was staring at the old woman intently. "Vlitches have not been thought of since the seventeen hundreds Camila, you must be mistaken." Theo whispered now cocking his eyebrow at the grinning doctor.

Hold up! I'm definitely missing something.

** ** ** ** **

"What is a Vlitch?" I asked quietly while the warriors were distracted with Theo. Obviously not distracted enough because no sooner had the words left my mouth than all heads turned in my direction.

"A Vlitch, my dear is an uncommon Hybrid. When a vampire breeds with one of my kind we create such a creature that no one knows the appearance of. They are commonly known as 'impatiens' which means a mirage in Latin, or illusion."

Her voice reminded me of an old record that told creepy stories that had you scared of the dark for years.

No wonder I was freaking out.

"They are referred to as illusions because they appear as what you want. Or more likely, what they want you to see, but when they do that, they don't always smile. This Vlitch killed the doctor."

I stepped back involuntarily. "What do you mean? He's sitting there." I said, forcing a laugh.

"Vlitches most commonly steal people's skin. When they do that they have one defining feature. They smile. When a Vlitch takes and wears someone's skin, they take their traits, their smell and can freely entre their pack or community." She said still intently staring at the grinning doctor... no he's a Vlitch... he's not in the pack... do not. Feel. Sorry. For him!

"Well what are you waiting for? Kill it!" I said quietly. Theo shook his head and wrapped his arms around my waist. "It's not that easy pancake. When in someone's skin they are nearly impossible to kill. We will have to um, well, really make sure he's dead. I don't want you in here for that." He said kissing my cheek.

I nodded in response. I could do that. I'll just go to Mia's room and hang with her. I could do that, no not really, what if Theo got hurt. I would sit in there and freak out. Argh, at least try...

"Okay..." I said hesitantly. "Why are they so hard to kill?" but Theo held his hand up. "A story for later... go baby, I'll come up to you later okay?"

I turned on my heel and sauntered out of the room. Argh. I always had to wait.

Rainy accompanied me back to the pack house and to Mia's room.

I glanced around the room and screamed.

"MIA?!"