Moon Bound

Marisol

I have been walking for about thirty minutes now, but I know I am close to Alpha Kane’s pack.

I had to stop running and walking in intervals and stick to just walking because my feet were hurting and my back felt like someone was stabbing me.

The only comfort I have from walking is that I can appreciate listening and observing the nature around me.

The wind blowing around me, the birds chirping loudly, the feel of the tree’s bark whenever I would touch it.

I just loved it all.

I stopped walking for a moment and picked up a few leaves and crushed them in my hand. I don’t know what it is, but I just love the sound.

Even with all the distractions around me during this walk my mind keeps wandering back to one thing.

How out of all of the unmated female wolves, I was the one chosen to be the Alpha King’s mate. It doesn’t make any sense.

This has to be the moon goddess playing a trick on me.

Though she usually saved the tricks and pranks for Benjamin.

I let out a small groan.

I sound like my own nightmare right now. Dealing with wolves who feel like they are too inadequate for their fated mate feels like a bad dream every time. I always thought that they were ridiculous and would always tell them that the moon goddess doesn’t make mistakes.

Now I am a part of their group as well. I know exactly how they felt.

He is the strongest wolf in all of the pack lands and I am the weakest. It will never make sense.

I didn’t notice how close I was to the South-West pack until I felt the shift in the air when I stepped onto Alpha Kane’s territory.

Not even a minute after stepping into South-West territory I heard footsteps coming my way.

Soon I am greeted by one of the warriors that dragged me to the interrogation room the last time that I was here.

“Hello, Marisol.” He gave me a short wave. “I am sorry about the way that we met before. I hope you understand.” He said with a sad smile.

I nodded. “There’s no hard feelings. Definitely not the worst situation that I have been in.” I said with a shrug.

Unfortunately, I am not lying. There have been some wolves that have gone as far as to attempt to abduct me because they didn’t care for the vision that I had shown them.

Those are always the wolves who assume that Benjamin and I do the pairing and that we must have paired them with someone they hate or are not interested in romantically as some sort of punishment or joke.

He frowned slightly before nodding. “I am here to escort you to Alpha Kane’s office.”

“Lead the way.”

He turned and began walking in the direction of what is probably the main pack house and I followed. We walked in silence until we made it out of the forest.

I smiled as I watched pups run around and scream as they played with one another. Adults stood around and kept their eyes on the children as they spoke with one another.

I am sure that there have been many occasions where a parent has had to run full speed to their pup to make sure that they weren’t doing anything dangerous.

“This is what South-Western normally looks like when we don’t go into lockdown.” I look over and see that he is scratching the back of his neck nervously. He smiled when our eyes connected. “My name is Peter by the way. The alpha wanted me to inform you that after what happened to the South-Eastern pack a few warriors will be traveling alongside you both.”

My eyebrows raised. “What happened to the South-East pack?” I asked.

Whatever happened there must have been the root of all the hostility Alpha Kane’s pack met me with a few days ago.

Now I am really thankful that I didn’t feed into Benjamin’s anger.

“Aren’t you in constant communication with the moon goddess?” He asked.

“No, not really. I can send her a message right now and she’ll probably reply but she’s far too busy to have regular sit-down conversations with.” I wish I was in constant communication. It would probably make what I do so much easier.

He took a deep breath. “Well, the South-East pack was attacked a couple of days ago.” He whispered. He obviously didn’t want the pups to overhear.

I covered my mouth as a small gasp escaped it. “By who?”

“Witches and rogues.”

He tilts his head toward an empty bench that should be out of earshot of the pups.

I nod and we both walk in the direction of the bench.

Hundreds of questions are running through my mind at the moment. Rogues working with witches. Why?

We sat on the bench.

He drags his hand over his face. “All of the alphas don’t want anyone to panic, but Alpha Wren hasn’t woken up since the attack. That’s why Alpha Kane wants to bring a few warriors with the two of you. You’d move faster and have a little more protection.”

I nodded my head, riding on a wolf isn’t my favorite thing to do but it’ll turn a five-hour trip into a two-hour trip.

“That makes sense. Do you think that this is a one-time thing?” I can’t stop myself from asking. I know it’s not, but it’s wishful thinking.

“I think it was a warning.”

I don’t miss the fear in his voice.

If a warrior of this pack is scared that means that I should definitely be scared. Even though he is a warrior in a minor pack, I know that he is still a force to be reckoned with.

“May I ask you a question?” He asked.

“Of course.”

“You said that you can ask the moon goddess a question, and she’ll respond. Do you think that you can ask for her guidance?” He asked me.

I smile sadly at him. “She prefers for Benjamin and I to stay out of things like this.”

He leaned back and sighed. “I understand. The goddess doesn’t make mistakes.”

“I’m sorry. I could still ask, but I’m not sure what she would respond with.”

“It’s fine.” His eyes glaze over for a few seconds. “The alpha is requesting you now.” He stands from the bench.

He leads me throughout the pack house, and people watch us as we walk through it.

They probably have heard about what happened the other day.

My cheeks flush at my thoughts and I turn my gaze to the ground so I don’t have to meet their curious gazes.

How embarrassing is it to be an assistant of the moon goddess and be accused of being a rogue who is trying to attack them?

When we reached Alpha Kane’s office door Peter knocked softly before we were called to enter.

I noticed that two more of his pack members were in the room as well, probably more warriors who were escorting us on the trip.

“Hello Marisol, are you ready?” Alpha Kane asked as he stood up.

I nodded my head. “I hope you have an apology fit for a king ready for her.” I teased.

He blushed but I pretended not to notice. “Are you going to show her the vision that you showed me?”

“Yes, let’s hope she is more willing to hear me out.”

Something tells me that this isn’t going to be a smooth process.

-

I hopped off of Peter’s back

I would rather walk for ten hours straight than ride on that wolf’s back again.

It is just too unpleasant for my liking.

I almost fell off a few times, and I had to keep my head down because the wind was slapping me in the face.

One hour.

It only took these wolves one hour to get to the North-Western pack.

To say that I am jealous is an understatement. I knew running in wolf form was always faster but this was just incredible.

“I think you should let me talk to her first, you know? I’ll show her the vision and tell her about how mates belong together and a bunch of stuff.” I was attempting to convince myself more than him. I truly have no idea how she is going to react.

He nodded then turned to his warriors. “You all come with me. I need to be respectful and greet Alpha Grayson, and thank him for welcoming us on his lands.” I watch them all turn in the direction of the pack house to find Alpha Grayson.

I am very familiar with Alpha Grayson’s territory. Even though I have never met him, the warriors have always been very welcoming and accommodating. I have even paired a few of them myself.

The pairing that I am most proud of? Their beta, Levi, and a she-wolf who has now become one of my closest friends outside of Benjamin and Izumi. Aria.

I head into the direction of the flower shop that she owns. She makes it her goal to know just about everything about everyone a part of this pack. So if she doesn’t know Willow, I am sure she knows someone who knows her.

I quickly find the little store that has dozens of sunflowers planted in the front.

I can’t help but smile at it, Beta Levi’s favorite flower.

When I told Beta Levi that in some of the visions that I had of his mate, she was usually surrounded by flowers, he went out of his way to build the small building and fill it with flowers for her.

I step into the shop and there isn’t a spot that isn’t filled with flowers, Roses, Tulips, and Peonies. She probably has every flower known to grow in the pack lands in this shop.

I look at the counter and see that she has my favorite roses in a vase sitting on the counter.

I can’t help but smile seeing the blue roses.

Every time she knows that I’m coming she goes out of her way to cut a few of her roses and place them in dye so they’ll become a powdered blue.

“Marisol! Levi told me that you would be here today!”

I turned and saw Aria walking from the back. She had her dark hair pulled back into a ponytail, and she had a bit of soil stuck to her clothes and on her face.

“Yes, I am looking for a female named Willow Ives. I was hoping that you would be able to assist me in finding her.” I request.

“Oh my gosh! So is she the alpha’s mate? I heard that he is here.” She says her lips tipping up in a smile.

“Yes, and he has some groveling to do,” I said with a little laugh.

“From what Levi told me he has a lot more than some, but I can mind-link her here if you would like. I know traveling on foot can be a lot for you.” She said.

I feel my eyes water a bit at her kindness. I don’t usually form emotional ties with the wolves that I help, but it was different when it came to Aria. Even though she wasn’t a runt, she just felt similar.

“Yes! Thank you, that is really kind.”

I let my eyes roam a little more around the shop as she mind-linked Willow.

Aria waved me over behind the counter. “She’ll be here in like ten minutes, she’s just gathering a few things. She’s really big on helping others and donating.”

That’s amazing, she’ll make an amazing luna for Alpha Kane.

“Hey, Aria. Beta Levi tells you just about everything right?” I asked.

She smiled brightly at me. “Yes, he does. He knows that I live for gossip!” She gushes.

“Do you think you can tell me what he told you about what happened to the South-Eastern pack?” I asked.

The air between us shifted a little bit, and I could feel how nervous she had become.

“Well, they were ambushed by witches and rogues. From what Levi heard the magic that the witches were using was dark magic but nothing the witch from the Alpha King’s pack had seen before. She touched something that had been hit with the magic and was put into a coma. Alpha Wren and some of his warriors are in comas too. They’re confident that they are all gonna wake up, but they think that this is just the beginning and this attack is a warning.” She explained.

I couldn’t hide my shock, I’ve always heard about the Alpha King’s witch Scarlet, and how vast her knowledge was when it came to witchcraft.

She grabbed my arm. “Do you think you can send a message to–”

Her question was cut off by the door of her shop opening, but I already knew what the question was. I doubt the moon goddess would be pleased to learn that rogues were on the witch’s side if she doesn’t know already, but I don’t know if that would be enough for her to help.

Willow walked into the shop and looked at Aria and I a bit suspiciously. Probably because she and I were whispering about the attack and sending messages.

“Hey Aria,” She turned to me. “You must be Marisol, it’s lovely to meet you. Aria told me that you have a few questions for me.”

Aria patted my shoulder before getting up and walking towards the back of the shop, her silent way of telling me good luck.

“Well, not so much questions, I was thinking maybe we can have a conversation,” I said as I hopped out of the stool and dragged it closer to the one that Aria was just sitting in and patted the seat.

She was looking at me like I was crazy but sat down anyway.

If she thinks I’m crazy now I really fear her reaction when I tell her what I’m about to tell her.

I turn to face her. “I work for the moon goddess. She gives me visions and guides me to help mates who might have a hard time finding each other, or who might be a little reluctant to be with one another.”

“You’re the one who helped Aria and Beta Levi!” She said very excitedly while pointing her index finger at me.

I smiled at her reaction. “Yes, I am.”

Maybe this won’t be as hard as I thought.

“I don’t know how I didn’t recognize you sooner. Your white hair, really big pretty eyes,” she reached out and brushed her hand against my hair twisting it around her finger before letting it go. Her eyes narrowed on me before she let out a small laugh. “Let me guess, you’re here to tell me that Alpha Kane is my mate.”

My entire body froze, she wasn’t smiling, but she didn’t look angry either.

“Yes, I am.”

She smirked at me. “What was his reaction when you told him?”

That was not the reaction that I was expecting from her, but I will take it.

I let out a nervous laugh. “Well I showed him the vision that I had, and he was very remorseful when he told me the reason you left his pack.”

She laughed a little bit more. “It’s nice to know that I wasn’t the delusional one. Let me guess my parents told him to come find me here?” She rolled her eyes before they landed back on me.

I nodded.

Her smirk got even bigger. “Well I can’t wait to see him, I wonder exactly what he’ll have to say to me.” She hopped out of the chair and made her way toward the shop door.

“He’s here already, he went to greet your alpha,” I called out.

She didn’t turn but still responded. “Thank you for your services, I have an alpha to torture.”

She laughed as she exited the shop.

Aria walked up to me. “That went better than expected. I thought she would at least be angry.”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Honestly I think she’s gonna revel in him being remorseful. Probably pull his strings, debate in front of him whether or not to reject him.” I’d rather have her rub her arrogance in his face than get angry with me.

Aria laughed. “Now that I would pay money to see! An alpha on his knees begging for forgiveness!”

I would pay money to see it as well.

“Can we talk more about the attack?” I asked.

“Yes, of course, but can you come with me? I need a little help with something.”

I nod. “I’d love to help.”