Chapter 45
ACE’S POV
I stood in front of the mirror, my eyes fixed on the full moon mk that had somehow reappeared on my neck after being gone for years.
“What does this mean? Roman asked from behind me. He stood beside Damien, both of them watching my reflection
Does it mean you’re no longer dying?”
“Stranger things are happening.” I mummured. “I don’t even know what to call this yet?
Moon marks weren’t common among Alphas. When a special bed of Alphas were born, they came into the world with a faint moon mark at the side of their neck. It wasn’t always visible at first, sometimes just a shadow under the skin. As the child grew, the mark grew with him, slowly shaping itself until it became a full inoon.
Alphas like that didn’t come often, sometimes once in several generations. They were stronger, powerful and harder to break. Their wolves were louder and more demanding. Packs thved under them or burned under their rule.
My father didn’t have the mark nor the father before him. That was why everyone knew, from the day I was born, that I wasn’t ordinary. The moon mark showed early on me, clearer than most. By the time I was in my early twenties, the elders didn’t hesitate to hand the pack over to me. And since then, I’d pushed the pack further than my father ever did.
“Or maybe the moon goddess has decided to take it easy with you since you found your mate,” Roman tried to explain. Damien and I turned to him at the same time. He shrugged. “It only makes sense if that’s what’s happening. The mark faded as the curse, the pain, and the wounds got worse. Then you found your mate, the pain doesn’t come as often anymore, and now the moon mark is back.”
I pulled a jacket over my head. “Let’s head back to the pack and end this brutal killing. We’ll figure out the mark later.” Damien had reported more deaths this morning and it was starting to piss me off.
I asked them to go to the car first. I needed to see Charlotte before I left. Whatever was going on might keep me at the pack for a few days. I opened the door and found Charlotte by the mirror, struggling to pack her hair with one hand.
“There are some things you can’t do by yourself,” I said quietly. You can always ask for help.” I helped her pack her hair into a messy bun. She liked it that way.
You can start by knocking on the door before you barge in.”
I smirked and crouched down to her level so we were eye to eye. No can do.” She shook her head at me like she already knew who she was dealing with, and I laughed softly, unable to help myself.
“Les has to get back to work and I don’t really have any female around,” she continued, her voice light, almost teasing. “Maybe I should call one of your men in here to help me…”
A low growl ripped out of my chest before I could stop it. Damn it. I knew I sounded possessive, obsessed even, but I didn’t care. I was all of that and more when it came to her. “I’m not letting any guy near you,” I snapped, my jaw tightening. “If you need help, I’ll get as many female staff as you want.” My words came out rough, pushing through gritted teeth.
“I was only joking,” she said quickly, her tone softening. “I wasn’t thinking of having a male…” My eyes locked onto hers, desperately searching her face, needing to hear the rest. “…touch me.”
Something in my chest loosened. I leaned in and rested my forehead against her hand, my wolf instantly calming, purring like it had been waiting for that reassurance. My body relaxed without me meaning to. The thought of another man being that close to her, touching her, helping her, it made something dark rise inside me. I’d kill for her without blinking, without thinking twice, and everyone knew it.
I couldn’t explain the look on her face. She might not like me, not fully, but I was sure she wouldn’t hurt me. At least not yet. Not until she finds out who I really am and how I’ve been lying to her face for weeks.
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Chapley $3
Schindld be with you when you go to the line to get the impudent things your nervi, ban f really can’t stay” 1 caufen slowly. “Til make one my frien don’t leave your side, and 111 send Kathryn to help your since fea has unhest the hospital My wide wanted to make sure she was sate. I would be her personal bodyguard if I could
“You don’t have to bother your secretary she replied. “My testaff called. They’ll join me later
i lined my hand and rubbed her check with my dumb, a quiety of stopping her before she could argue more. “I don’t wont you lifting a finger.” I murmured. “You need all the help you can get right now.” I stood up and gently pulled her with me, wrapping my arms around the small of her waist, holding high closer than necessary. “It might take a few days before 1 see you again, this is already hard enough”
“It’s about the Rongarou that attacked me, right? It attacked you back and killed a few people? I raised a questioning brow at her. “I overheard you talking to your beta and gamma.”
I leaned in and touched our noses together, my wolf stirred hart the feeling it sent through me. My hands tightened around her waist without me meaning to. “I hate that I’m leaving you when you’re not fully healed, I admitted quietly. “I’m going to miss you.” I brushed a soft kiss over her lips and, just like always, my senses slipped. I always lose control around her.
“You need to handle pack matters,” she said softly. “The safety of your pack members comes first.”
“Wrong.” My voice became serious. “Your safety comes first. I’ll make sure those animals never get close to you again.” I loved my pack, I cared for them deeply, but she came before everything. “I’ll call you and I hope you pick up.” I kissed her again, longer this time, then forced myself to walk away.
Inside the elevator, heading down to the parking lot, I pulled out my phone and called Kathryn. I told her to stay with Charlotte. They had been friends before, and even without her memories, Charlotte was still the same kind soul she had always been. I knew they would get along. I trusted Kathryn to keep her safe. Charlotte was strong, stronger than most, but right now she wasn’t at her best.
We got to the pack hours later and ten elders were already waiting outside my office. That alone told me something was wrong. They usually wait in the boardroom, not here.
“It must be really urgent if you’re waiting for me outside my office,” I remarked as I walked past them and pushed the door
open.
They followed me in. My office was big enough to hold more than thirty people. “What do you have?” I asked, leaning back against my table.
They settled on the sofas, all eyes on me. Elder Simon was there. He was always the first to speak, always loud and confident, but this time he was quiet, avoiding my gaze.
“The people are talking,” one of them finally said. “They’re asking questions.”
“Talking about what?” I pressed.
“The killings,” Elder Dave cut in. “It’s getting out of hand.”
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years as an Alpha, it’s that when a pack is under attack, the members don’t just sit around waiting,” I said. “They all go into action, they investigate. They try to figure things out on their own. And when it gets too hard, they come to the Alpha, but never empty–handed. They come with ideas, leads, or at least possible solutions.” I paused, letting my eyes move over each of their faces. “But it’s always different with the elders of my pack. Just because I handle my pack down to the smallest detail doesn’t mean you can’t contribute anything.”
The room went completely quiet. No one spoke, not even Simon “So you all walked in here this morning,” I continued, “looking serious and worried, talking about the killings, yet not one of you thought it was important to bring a single suggestion.” I leaned forward slightly. “Do any of you even know what has been attacking those people?”
The door opened then, and my father walked in. “Son, you don’t speak to the elders in that tone,” he said in a strict voice. “They’re only voicing their concerns.”
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10:42 Tue, Feb 10
Chapter 45
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I drew in a slow breath, holding back my irritation. “Everyone concerned. Everyone is worried. We all want the deaths to stop, but they came in here with nothing. No ideas, no direction veti a suggestion would have shown they were thinking. instead of walking into my office to question me without informing me prior to this ambush of a meeting
“Alpha,” Elder Frank called. He was one of the newest elders, still rying to find his footing. “Your son is becoming more arrogant with each passing day. I may not have supported the offers when they demanded Gavin become Alpha, but at least Gavin is humble and respectful. He wouldn’t speak to us this wa
Before I could stop myself I was already laughing out loud. “So is is about Gavin,” I said. “It’s always been about Gavin
“You’re pushing it, Ace,” he warned.
A low growl rippled from my chest. The walls trembled, the air came suffocating, and Frank stumbled back in his seat, fear flashing across his face. “The looks on your faces tell me everything,” I said coldly. “You’ve gone behind my back to speak with Gavin.”
Beside me, my father’s breathing turnetl heavy. “Is that true, Frak?” he demanded.
Frank stood up again, clearly nervous but still bold enough to speak. “I didn’t,” he said quickly. “But two of the elders already did.” He hesitated, then added, “There are rumors going around They’re saying you’ve lost your powers. That you can’t fight anymore. That the Moon Goddess took back the gifts you were born with, the very things that made you powerful and special. They’re saying you’ve lost everything.”
The room fell silent.
I couldn’t believe my ears. What rumor? “I can’t believe I lost all of my powers without my knowledge. How was that even possible?” I muttered, my voice dripping with pure sarcasm.
“They want to confirm if you’ve truly lost your powers and strength.” Frank continued. “Gavin is challenging you to a fight and when he wins, he might end up becoming the next Alpha King.”
“Elder Frank!” Elder Gaius, one of the oldest elders, snapped sharply, shooting him a warning look.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
