Her Secret (part 1)

Reo’s POV

I’m waiting for Jerica to come out of the bathroom. I changed my shirt cause she cried pretty hard on my other one. She cried because I told her to take a bubble bath and I got her new clothes. It’s going to take all my restraint not to beat the ever living shit out of Hunter and every other member of this damn pack. When I hear the bathroom door open I look up and the site before me is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. An angel. That’s what she is. My beautiful angel. She looks down at her feet. I hate that she doesn’t know just how gorgeous and important she is.

“Baby, you look beautiful. Don’t hold your head down. You’re a luna. No one here can hurt you anymore.”

She looks up at me and smiles. Goddess, I’m so lucky.

“Thank you. I love my clothes, they’re perfect.”

“You’re more than welcome. We’ll buy you a whole new wardrobe once we get home.”

“Oh, that’s ok. This is plenty.”

That’s plenty? She can have everything she ever wanted now but she says that’s plenty. She’s perfect. Humble, and sweet. She’s going to be a great Luna.

“You’re getting new everything. And I won’t take no for an answer.”

She’s blushing now. She’s cute when she’s blushing. I take her hand and lead her out the door. Caleb is waiting for us. He bows his head to Jerica.

“Good evening, Luna. How are feeling?”

“I’m good thank you. It’s going take a while to get used to being called luna.”

“You’ll be a perfect luna, Darlin.” I tell her. I squeeze her hand and we start walking to the hall.

“It’s weird that I wasn’t there to help make dinner. It’ll be even weirder eating with everyone.”

Caleb and I stop walking which startles her into a stop.

“What’s wrong?”

“You don’t eat with the pack?” I ask.

“No. After everyone gets their food I clean the buffet table then make a plate with whatever is left and eat in the kitchen.”

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me! Red is clawing wanting me to release him.

“Luna, is that why you seem malnourished?”

“I don’t always get a lot. I have one friend though. She sneaks me fruit when she can.”

“That’s not going to happen anymore. And tonight, you eat all you want and sit at the table with me and Caleb and all the other wolves. You’re higher ranked than all of them now. Keep your head high as well. You are mine, and NO one will ever hurt you again.”

‘They don’t care if she eats or not?!’ Red really wants out.

‘He’s getting his due tomorrow Red.’

‘Not. Soon. Enough.’

We start walking again and go into the the eating hall. Everyone stops and stares at Jerica.

“They kept me plain so I wouldn’t stand out. This is new to them,” she whispered to me.

They know her beauty and tried to stifle it. No more of that bullshit. I walk her to the buffet and hand her a plate.

“You get all you want Baby, you hear me?”

“Ok.”

We fill our plates and head to a table to sit. A couple of she-wolves head our way and sit in front of us.

“Hi. I’m Whitney and this is Tiff. We’re so glad you could come to our pack for a visit. But tell me. Why do you want her when you could have someone like me?”

She’s trying to be seductive. Main word there is trying. She’s not half as beautiful as Jerica. And that’s not just the mate bond talking.

“Well, luckily for me, the moon goddess decided to bless me with Jerica as my mate instead of condemn me to hell by mating me with one of you. She’s 100 times more beautiful, inside and out, than you will ever even dream to be. Now leave. You’re ruining my appetite.”

With a huff they get up and leave, giving a death glare to Jerica.

“Don’t let them bother you. People like that know they’re not worthy and over compensate.”

“Thank you for sticking up for me.”

“You’re my life now.”

While we eat she asks questions about our pack and about me.

“I have a little sister. Her name is Blair and she is mated to my best friend and beta, Kevin. She’s pregnant with their first pup. Mom and Dad are ecstatic. They’ll be happy to meet you as well. We were starting to get worried I would never find my mate. I’m proud to get to show you off to everyone.”

“I can’t wait. How about you Caleb?”

“Only child and found my mate two months ago. Her name is Val. You two will get along great.”

After a while Hunter decides to show his ugly face. I stare him down and I see the fear in his eyes. Good. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

“The fighters will be ready for you at training tomorrow morning. We start at 8.”

The kings men will be here by no later than 7. But I nod my head to keep the ruse. Can’t have him hiding before he gets what’s coming to him. He gets the hint and walks away. Then some other she-wolf walks our way. I swear to goddess if this bitch says something negative to Jerica I’m gonna lose it.

“Pam. Please sit,” Jerica says.

Huh, this must be the friend. Ok then. That’s much better.

“Jerica, I’m so happy for you. Yesterday I heard that Alpha Hunter was going to sell you to some old man in the city on your birthday. I was freaking out on how to get you out of here. I’ve let enough happen to you as it is.”

“None of that is your fault. You brought me school books growing up so I could still learn, you snuck me fruits and books so I could eat and have some sort of entertainment. You’ve been a great friend and I’ll always be appreciative of that.”

“Hang on a minute. Did you just say he was going to sell her?” I didn’t think I could get more furious but here we are.

“Yeah, I heard Whitney and Tiff talking about it. It’s one of the rich men in the city. It doesn’t matter now though. Thank goddess,” Jerica says.

I put my arm around her. She’s been through so much and she’s not even 21 yet.

After we eat we head to the living room. I heard that some of the pack were going to get together and watch a movie. I want Jerica to be able to show these idiots that she’s allowed some enjoyment too so I tell her we should join. She’s hesitant but goes. She tells me she hasn’t watched a movie or tv of any kind since she was 10. They really treated her like shit. They’ll be lucky if I don’t burn this pack down before the king’s guards get here. Everyone is standing in the living room debating what movie to watch when Hunter ask Caleb and I to talk for a second. I tell Jerica to stay by the couch and I’d be right back. We only walk a few steps away. I won’t leave her alone in a room with these people. I see Pam come talk to her so I feel better.

“What?”

“I just wanted to put everything about to Jerica to rest. I’m sorry for her treatment. I really don’t want that to influence what you tell the king about my fighters. I hope that tomorrow you’ll have unbiased eyes on them. I need the king to know that we’re prepared for anything the vampires can throw at us.”

I want to strangle him but again I can’t let him know the truth. Don’t need him running. Though, the chase and kill would be fun.

‘Yeah it would. Make him run and let me out.’

‘Tempting, Red.’

“I’m not forgiving what you did to my mate but I’m a fair alpha. Have no worries about that.”

As Caleb and I turn to go back to Jerica the lights go out. I run to where Jerica is but she’s not there. The lights turn back on and she’s gone. There are a few wolves down, including Pam. They have darts in their necks. I bend and get the one off Pam.

“Wolfsbane,” I tell Caleb. “Caleb, shift and sniff around. Find where Jerica went!”

“Yes sir.”

Caleb runs outside to look. I’m glad I chose to bring my best tracker with me. I stomp over to Hunter and grab him by the neck. I squeeze till his eyes bug out.

“Where the fuck is Jerica?!” My eyes are going black with anger and Red trying to get out. We’re ready to tear this fucker’s throat out.

“I don’t know. I wouldn’t wolfsbane my own pack just to do something to her.” He’s struggling to talk and grabbing at my hands to let him go.

I throw him down and look around the room.

“Did anybody see anything?!” I’m in full alpha mode and I want blood.

A chorus on no’s and people shaking their heads greet me. Hunter is ordering for people to help get the injured to the clinic. Then one of his men comes in and tells us that multiple guards are down.

“Fuck! Anyone else missing?” Hunter ask.

“No sir. Just the human.”

I growl at him and he turns and runs away. JUST the human. Just? And he said human like he’s talking about a bug. I’m about to explode, I’m so angry.

‘Who would kidnap Jerica?’ Red ask.

‘I don’t know. Hopefully Caleb gets a scent.’

My heart feels like it’s being ripped from my chest. I’ve never felt so much pain and anger in my life. Red starts to howl.

Caleb runs in at that moment and says one word that makes my blood boil.

“Vampires.”

Fucking vampires. But why come on to a pack for one human? Just go to the city. Unless they were trying to prove something.

“Caleb, shift and find any clues you can.”

“Yes Alpha.”

He’s out the door again. We have to find Jerica. I can’t let anything happen to my mate. I call Kevin and tell him what happened and ask him to send Tabitha. After we hang up I get a link from Caleb saying that they’re long gone. He lost the tracks. Damn them and their super speed. We’re fast but they’re faster. They probably had a demonic witch’s help as well covering their tracks. I decide to go to the clinic and see if Pam saw anything. I’ll bring some of the healing tea Tabitha sent with us to help her. She’s awake when I arrive but weak.

“Here, drink this tea. It’ll help.”

She sits up and drinks it. Once she’s done I ask her what she remembers.

“I was hit the moment the lights went out. I’m so sorry. Please find Jerica.” Her voice is quivering and she’s starting to cry. I know she’s truly upset.

I leave and meet Caleb back at the pack house.

“Tabitha will be here in two hours. I’m going to call the alpha king and let him know.” I say. Caleb bows his head to me. Jerica hasn’t been marked and officially announced as Luna but he still feels his protectiveness for her and is sad. I’m upset too and Red is very angry as well. We’re ready to tear this place apart. I call and let the king know. He’s sending more men right away. Now I just have to figure out where do go from here.