His Reluctant Luna novel Chapter 23

Alice (POV) -

"I need to tell you something," I said, looking into his green depths.

"Sure, tell me, love, what is it?"

I took a deep breath and braced myself.

His phone buzzed suddenly. His eyes rolled down to its flickering screen. Then turned up at me. 

"I am sorry, love, but I need to take this call." He said, looking at me apologetically.

I nodded, leaving his hand.

"Yes, Damon," he spoke into the phone.

His brows furrowed. He pinched the bridge of his nose as if dissipating the tension.

"Apprehend their families, and send out the trackers," he said.

I had no idea what he was talking about but, I could make out, he was not pleased. He cut the call, then looked at me. 

"Sorry about that, but we'll have to return. Something has come up, back in the pack." He said tersely.

"Everything alright?" I asked though it was obvious that was not the case.

He looked down at his intertwined fingers for a few minutes, then looked up at me.

"Alice, would you be able to recognize your captors? Those rogues ?"

I was shocked for a few seconds. Had he caught them?

"Yes, I remember their scent. I can recognize them." I replied with a shudder. It was one of those things I wanted to avoid recalling.

"Good, I might need your help when we catch them, those degenerates were from my pack." 

My mouth fell open in surprise.

"That doesn't imply that I ordered your kidnapping, I had no hand in it." He added immediately.

"But they were from your pack?" 

"Yes, and they would be dealt with very severely once I am done quizzing all the direct family members." His eyes shone with anger. "I hate lies and betrayal."

I felt my stomach tie up in a knot. What would he do if he came to know about my fiancée? I was not sure about my confession now.

I wondered what he would do with the families of the rogues. Cast them out or kill them?

Lucian took my hand as he talked further, "do not worry, they will be caught and punished."

 Rogues were the least of my worries, but I just nodded to show my agreement. 

"Today was magical, we should do this more frequently. The date thing." He grinned.

"You were saying something?" He asked suddenly, recalling our previous conversation.

"Alpha, we have scented at least three unknown male wolves near the compound but haven't caught any yet. Is Peter okay?"  Matt, the leader of the trackers asked me.

"He will be fine. Damon is with him. Stay in pairs, I don't want anyone else on their own," I broadcasted to the betas and trackers. "Search the territory in a tight grid. I do not want any of them to slip by. If there are any more rogues, you restrain them and bring them back to the compound immediately."

We wolves searched the forest and the clearing of the compound. The sun had barely begun to rise when every inch of the territory was finally covered. We made our way back to the main house shifting back to our human form, we arrived in the clearing. 

"Damon, meet me with the trackers in the kitchen in ten minutes," I called.

I pulled on a pair of sweats from the supply closet at the entrance. My suit was still in the car. 

I had not slept in 24 hours and exhaustion was catching on me, but I had to check on Peter.

His wounds had been cleaned and patched by Robert, the pack doctor, who assured me that Peter just needed rest and time to heal.

Peter was sitting on the hospital bed, grinning broadly while his mate stroked his chest lovingly. I smiled and felt a twinge of jealousy when the couple reminded me of my reluctant mate back in my room.

"I see you are feeling better," I said.

"Alpha," Peter looked up half-dazed "Yeah, Sarah improved it all," he smiled at her with adoration.

 "And you saved my life. Thank you, Alpha."

"I'm just glad you're okay," resting my hand on Peter's shoulder comfortingly, I nodded to the two wolves that bowed their heads in reverence and made my way to the main house.

I was missing Alice. Usually, after such an adrenaline rush, wolves required physical comfort, especially if they had their mates. However, I was not going to get it. Jake howled sorrowfully.