His Reluctant Luna

Lucian-

I was sitting in yet conference with the task force. Betas from several packs were giving out their reports regarding the rogues.

"I ran background checks on those rogues, one of them was an escaped convict, another one was a local gang member. Most of them were human delinquents who disappeared a few months back. No one knows what happened to them, since they were criminals, the police didn't bother looking for them. However, they somehow turned and formed this rogue group." Damon said.

"So all of these were turned wolves?" I asked.

"No, a few were naturally born rogues wolves who joined them. However, they were also given some DNA altering drugs to increase their speed, agility etc."

This was worrying, a genetically enhanced army of rogues would be hard to counter. This was worse than expected.

"Seems like someone is experimenting. Though it's failing." Daniel said with a smirk.

All eyes turned towards him, expectantly.noveldrama

"Explain," Rick asked.

"A few days ago, we captured some rogues alive, regardless of what we did they didn't open their mouths. They didn't reveal anything about their leader. However, we noticed a strange phenomenon. The rouges turned back into humans."

"What!" There was suddenly an uproar.

"How is that possible?" I asked.

"Well, that was surprising for us as well. We noticed that the rogues were getting weaker, and losing their power slowly. We took their blood samples and sent them to a biotechnologist for testing. These turned humans are unstable."

Daniel paused.

"My pack doctor can explain better." He nodded at the man sitting next to him. The man stood up and bowed.

"Hello Alphas, I am Dr Wood. I am a healer in the Reds pack. As Alpha Daniel said, we discovered that the rogues were losing their power, and they were showing withdrawal symptoms similar to drug addicts. They begged us to give them their dose of whatever they were being injected with. We ran a few tests and noticed a strange phenomenon. For werewolves, like us, and those who are turned. The werewolf gene gets embedded in our DNA. The change is permanent and enables us to shift into our wolves. These rogues had a similar modification in their DNA, but the werewolf gene was altered and injected externally. Like a virus.

I furrowed my brows. This was baffling.

"The new gene is unstable and starts dying after a few weeks. The human body treats this new gene as a virus and starts making antibodies hence destroying the gene. This means these rogues need a regular dose of altered blood to stay as wolves." Dr. wood concluded.

His explanation raised more questions.

"That means the rogues are not wolves?" Someone asked.

"They are, but they lose their power if they are not given their regular dose. And with the altered DNA, they gain increased strength and agility. So, we have powerful rogues who are capable of taking over even the strongest Alphas. In a significant number, they can defeat even the strongest of packs." Dr Wood said grimly.

"But they don't remain strong for long if they do get their dose of this gene therapy ?" I asked.

"Yes, for now. However, once they get a permanent solution to this. They would be undefeatable."

A stunned silence fell in the conference room as each Alpha pondered over the impending danger.

"We need to finish before they find a solution and become stronger," Rick said grimly.

"Do we have any clue about them?" He continued.

"I have been able to save one of their victims. She is injured but alive." I said,

trying to dispel the grim atmosphere.

"Did she say anything?" Daniel asked.

"Not yet, she is traumatized and hysterical, but I feel she will provide a breakthrough in the investigation. My mate would talk to her when she is ready. "I added.

There were some more discussions regarding increased security and raids. My head was reeling after these revelations. The Alpha Council decided to raid all the possible lairs and hideouts of the rogues. My team of computer experts were now busy tracking down the identity of our nemesis. Presently they could try to trace him through the registration number of the vehicles found near the pack. The Alphas had all agreed to move in a synchronized raid. After finalizing the strategies of the operation, I left for home.

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

Alice

"Is that all, Max? Or do you need additional information?" I spoke into the webcam.

"I think I can work with this," Max, my human assistant responded. "When are you returning to work?"

"I will be working remotely for some time Max, hope that's fine?" I gave a cryptic answer.

"Of course! See you then."

I was forbidden to leave the campus. Because of the looming threat; hence I was managing my office online. Thanks to technology. I was anyway working part-time, so it didn't affect my schedule as such. Though I missed the freedom to go shopping, outings and other things.

Lucian was away, going over the reports from his Betas. Hence, I had a lot of spare time on my hand.

I walked into the gym only to find a familiar tittering in the middle of the room, something like a shrill "Ooooooh !" in flawless harmony and also familiar "hahahahaha !"

I stared past the gym floor where the young wolves were busy beating each other up. Closer to the edge of the room. Ahead, I recognized a familiar figure - Zaiden. Two young girls were giggling, before one reached out to stroke his gleaming chest. I stared for a moment, before approaching with a slight clearing of my throat.

"Oh," said the girl, startled. "Madam Luna," she added, bowing, with her friend quickly following suit. Looking a bit embarrassed, they excused themselves and slipped into the throng of juveniles. I rolled my eyes, so Zaiden was the latest chick magnet in the pack!

"Thought they'd never leave," said Zaiden, with a slight grin.

"Does that often happen?" I queried, peering at him.

"More often than you think." The beta offered an exaggeratedly world-weary sigh (though he still could not quite stifle his grin).

"Such a burden, isn't it? To be the object of such admiration." I snorted. I couldn't help a slight smile too. "Doesn't it bother you?"

Zaiden replied. "It depends."

"Depends on what?"

The grin returned. "On who is touching."

I put a quick hand to my mouth, to hide my laughter.

"I should apologize," Zaiden added.

My brows only knit together more. "For what?"

He pointed out. "You and Alpha had a confrontation because of me."

"Oh, that! Don't worry, it's all sorted out," I replied, slightly blushing, recalling Lucian and my morning tryst.

He paused, bowing a little in my direction. "Thank you for helping me, by the way,"

he said. "Wasn't sure if you would, to be honest."

I waved off this gratitude. "You're the one who won me a favour. Do you need anything?"

Zaiden looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"While you're living here," I elaborated, gesturing up at him. "Is there anything you need?"

"Oh," it was his turn to say. "No, I don't think so. I am well provided for in the pack. You people take excellent care of everything. Even for me, when my dad was responsible for many things."

"About that, I have a few questions. Let's talk." I said, grabbing his arm.

Zaiden settled down in the chair opposite of me, in my office.

"This might be an uncomfortable question and Alpha Lucian might disapprove, but

I want to know what happened in your previous pack? Why did you leave?"

His face fell a little.

"They didn't like me!"

"That's a pretty vague answer. Can you be more specific? Are you bound by the Alpha command?

He sighed.

"I have broken the Alpha command, I turned rogue."

My eyes were wide as saucers.

"Wow! What made you do so?"

"The Grey mountain pack, that is my old pack. It's not like here. They are set in

old ways and don't welcome everyone. I was accepted because my grandmother

was part of the pack."

"Was it due to your parents?" I asked cautiously.

"No! They didn't care about it. They are just not very kind towards orphans. The pack is very closed with just one school. Hardly anyone goes to college, as they are forbidden from venturing out of the pack lands. Since they need keepers and lawyers, doctors, builders etc. to survive among humans. A few selected members of the elite are allowed to go to universities, but......"

"But you weren't allowed?" I interjected.

He nodded.

"After my grandmother died, I had no support, and they didn't even treat me like a

beta, I was assigned to work with omegas, wasn't provided with any Beta training.

So, I left....." He said softly.

My sympathy for him had increased by a few notches. But I had a few more questions for him. I wondered if he knew anything about the people involved in my father's demise. I decided to take my chance.