His Reluctant Luna

Alice

"Can you please explain what is going on ?" I asked Lucian, as soon as he arrived in the Jade moon. Packs are generally very protective of their territories, it's unusual for another Alpha to get inside the pack boundaries without prior notice and security clearance. There are enough ambitious Alphas ready to attack and conquer other packs. But, Lucian was always welcome at Jade moon and the Reds pack. They were family.

"Where is Rick?" He asked quickly.

"Infirmary I guess."

He was suddenly calm and gently patted my cheeks. "It's nothing serious."

"Wait! You are here because of the bodies, isn't it?"

"Yes, but all this could be just a coincidence. You don't have to stress yourself, dear."

"Hey, Lucian. When did you arrive?" We were interrupted by Linda, who arrived, chasing after the twins.

"Aunty!" Clara squealed and grabbed my leg, wrapping herself around it. She had become my number 1 fan ever since our ordeal. I was glad she was doing well. One of the rare true-born witches. I picked up the squealing girl.

"Hello Linda, how are you doing?" I smiled at my sister-in-law.

"Busy with these monsters as usual. They started kindergarten, did you know that?"

"That's wonderful," I smiled at the twins, who beamed at me proudly.

"Why don't you catch up with the kids while I speak with Rick? We'll talk later." Lucian suggested.

I nodded.

************

Lucian

The tension was so thick in the hospital room, it was almost palpable. Rick and Bobby stood on one side near the panoramic windows. Their usual features now displayed a myriad of emotions, ranging from anger to concern. Dr Jones, on the other hand, was looking with uncured interest at the body of the girl. She seemed to be in her teenage.

It was clear that she was murdered similarly, apart from a clean cut on her neck. It was done by a claw.

"She has been badly violated, several times. Seems like she was raped to death. Her bites and cuts are done by were. However, the lack of scent proves those criminals are masking their scent, which means they are organized, and they have access to masking potions." Dr Jones concluded.

"I had similar bodies dumped near my pack boundaries, some days back. The autopsy reports are rather frightening." I said.

Rick and Dr Jones turned towards me curiously.

"These women were bitten by the were, but they didn't turn because of it. Humans experience their first transformation, on the first full moon after being bitten. But these women were turned by injecting them with werewolf DNA."

There was a gasp in the room and Rick furrowed his brows.

"I am sure you would get similar results in your autopsy report. This person, or a group, I am sure it's a group. They are experimenting with humans. I have no idea what they are trying to create. But, it's not looking good. They might attract attention from the law enforcement agencies and our identities could be revealed. Their DNA analysis would reveal the anomalies in their physical appearance, and it would lead the government to dig deeper. We cannot afford to compromise the secret of the Shifter community now. Maybe in the future, we could reveal ourselves and all live peacefully with humans, but presently, I don't think the humans are ready to accept our existence." I added.

There was a spate of silence in the room as everyone contemplated the repercussions of my words. Then Rick spoke up.

"But why are the bodies being dumped near the pack? And is it a recurring phenomenon?"

I shrugged, "I have no idea. Perhaps, we need to have another Alpha meet to discuss this."

"But what if this is the works of some Alpha?" Bobby interjected.

"He has a point. They would become alert and turn hostile." Rick added.

"I believe whoever is doing it wants us to find them. Throwing these bodies near our packs, not attempting to hide or bury them. It looks like the person is either challenging us or mocking us." I explained.

It was difficult to contain my anger. Both due to the current situation and also because I had to face someone from my sordid past soon.

We discussed further informing the Alpha council and scheduling an Alpha meet as soon as possible.

It was late evening when Alice and I returned to our home. Alice had sensed my restlessness long back, so I was prepared for her flurry of questions as soon as we were alone.

"Ok now spill out. What's bothering you? You kept me blocked throughout our stay at Rick's," she had folded her arms.

Today she was dressed in a peach polo neck blouse and snug jeans which covered her perfectly sculpted legs like a second skin.

Ankle-high boots completed her look. Even though I couldn't see any skin. I was turned on.

I walked up to her and grabbed her face. I placed my lips on hers and kissed her to my heart's content. She responded as usual and placed her arms around my neck. We kissed for what seemed like hours. When my lungs seemed to burst from the lack of oxygen. I broke the kiss and looked into wide eyes. She was breathing hard, just like me.

"What the hell was that?" She asked.

"Nothing, I hadn't kissed you all day! Because you ran off to meet your best friend,

first thing in the morning," I grinned.

She pouted her lips.

"Are you jealous of Emma now? Seriously?"

I laughed.noveldrama

"No, I was just missing you and....... let's just get into bed," I whispered.

"Umm, no, I am not falling for your seduction tricks unless you tell me what's wrong. Is it because of those bodies?"

"No," I released her and started pacing. "It's just that I am in a dilemma."

"Explain?"

"Years ago, when I had executed my dad's beta and his mate. They left behind a child. A son, to be precise. He was 11 years old then." I ignored Alice's shocked look and continued.

"Of course, he was spared. He was an innocent child, after all. He was sent to live with his grandparents, who lived in another pack, on the West Coast. I received a letter today from Noah, that pack's Alpha that his grandparents have died and Zaiden, that's the boy's name, wants to return to his home pack."

"Oh!" She said in a subdued tone.

"I... I don't know how I should respond."

"He must be a grown-up now, about 21 years old," Alice mumbled.

I nodded.

"Why does he want to return? Any specific reason?"

" No, just that he belongs here and wants to redeem his father's image and pay

for his mistake. Whatever that's supposed to mean." I replied.

She wrapped her arms around me, and she held me tenderly, trying to comfort

me.

I rubbed my hand slowly up and down her back while she hid her face in the crook of my shoulder.

"I know, you must be feeling conflicted," Alice murmured, "but that boy is innocent. You can't blame him for his parent's mistake. And don't feel guilty, you just punished the wrongdoers..... it's not your fault that his parents are dead......."

I loosened my grip on her and broke the hug, forcing her to look at me.

"I am not feeling guilty or conflicted. That boy wants revenge, that's why wants to

return." I said, looking straight into her eyes.

She opened her mouth to say something, then closed in again.

"That's ridiculous! How can you think so?

"I don't see any other reason. Why would he want to return to a pack which would

be hostile to him? His parents betrayed me, he would do the same." I said with

finality.

"Lucian, that's somewhat rude. You can't assume such things." She looked perplexed.

"Why not? That's been my experience, I am not falling for such tricks. Anyway, I have already decided to refuse. I was just sharing this information with you.

"

She folded her arms and sighed.

"You are making a mistake. "

"Maybe, I didn't ask for your opinion. This is not a freaking democracy! My word is

the law."

"Then why share anything with me? Just do whatever the heck you want." She replied defiantly. My anger was rising.

"I can't believe we are fighting over this," I sighed.

"Look, you won't understand how it feels. You have never been betrayed! I have. I

know how it feels when the person who is supposed to protect me tries to poison my entire family. Or when my close friend, someone whom I had relied on, schemes to kill my mate. You will never understand!" I snapped.

The stab of pain in my chest ascertained the fact that she was hurt. I had crossed a line.

"You are right! I won't understand," she mumbled.

"Alice....." I started to say, but she stopped me by raising her hand.

"I am tired, Lucian. I want to avoid talking." She said and walked off into the

bedroom.

"Damm." I cursed myself.