Chapter 50

Luka’s POV

The next day, as all the alphas were separating into their conference rooms for negotiation, a large brown wolf charged in through the front doors. He snapped his powerful jaws and wounded several unsuspecting alphas.

Cabel and several other Alphas shifted and pursued the rogue wolf as he tore through the building. Biting anyone he saw.

Shocked, I dropped to my knees and tried to help the Alpha nearest to me and stop the bleeding.

“Oh, my. Someone help,” I screamed, pressing hard on the shoulder wound. The Alpha was pale. There was too much blood. I pressed harder. “Hold on,” I said.

I fumbled for my phone and called the hospital. They were across the street.

There, across the hall, was another Alpha down. I pointed to Emma, who was standing there. “Help him. Stopped the bleeding. The paramedics will be here in a minute.” Emma rolled her eyes and walked unhurriedly to the man’s side and pushed on his leg.

“Some organizer you are,” said Emma, looking appalled at having to help. Others gathered around to try to help. “Some security you set up.” She looked around. “Look, there is no one here.”

Anger was rising, scorching my veins. I knew what she was doing. She was trying to make it look like this was my fault.

“They’re Alpha’s. They can shift at will. Do you think that guy is going to get far?”

As the paramedics asked Emma to move, she rose and crossed her arms, laughing dryly.

“You failed to protect the elite. You did this on purpose because you love the omegas more than the nobles.”

I shot to my feet, the paramedics taking over. “That is not true. You lie.”

“If the shoe fits, wear it.”

The other Alphas began to surround me. “You did this,” they began to yell.

“Why you I do this on purpose. I will be your Luna one day. That would be silly.”

Emma growled low. “Not if I have anything to do with it.”

Throw her in the dungeon until Caleb and the other get back. We will see if they can prove you didn’t plan this.”

“You can’t do that?”

“I can do anything I want without Caleb here. I am in charge.” She moved in closer. “He will thank me for getting rid of you for him. He doesn’t want you. You are a toy to him. You will only ever be his concubine.”

Two Elders took me by the arms and led me to a car waiting outside. As we drove away, I saw Noah watching me. Face hard with fury.

What would Caleb do now? The Elders would not let him make me Luna. Tears pooled in my eyes, and I quickly looked out the window.

As they walked me past the Elder’s chamber and deeper below ground, I tried not to panic. The idea of being in a prison cell once more made my skin curl.

When they tossed me into a cell and locked the door, I slammed my eyes closed. I was back in the closet. That was all. I sank to my knees and hugged myself. I rocked back and forth. My wrist burned, and Nela awoke. What is happening?

We are in the dungeon.

No, there is someone close. Someone I haven’t felt in this life, until now.

What are you talking about?

You will see.

Nela was under my skin, ready. I could feel her power pulse under my skin. The hum. It was back. Energy crackled around me. I was on the verge of shifting.

That was when I heard footsteps rushing toward me. I hoped it was Caleb. But I felt it wasn’t. Nela took hold, and I shifted.

Noah came into view for Nela. She scented the air and wagged her tail. She braked. Noah walked over and scratched Nela’s head.

“I am here to take you home.”

Noah shifted into a magnificent Black wolf larger than any ever seen. He knocked the cell door down, and they both ran from the dungeon.

Nela and Noah ran far beyond town and deep into the woods. Once safe, Noah shifted back, and so did Luka.

I dove behind a tree naked. Noah’s playful laugh floated in the air. He tossed clothes at me and I blinked.

Once dressed, I rushed out to find out what was going on. I didn’t see Noah, but I could smell him.

“Noah, what is going on. Nela isn’t telling me anything, and I know she knew something I do not.”

Dressed, Noah glided out from behind a fallen tree and hopped up to sit on it. Looking pleased with himself. I narrowed my eyes, that was never good.

“I had to get you past a point where Caleb can scent you.”

“Why is that important. We are mates. He can find me through the bond.”

“Not where we are going.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m not going anywhere with you until you tell me what is happening.”

He smiled brilliantly at me and patted the spot next to him on the tree.”

“Let me tell you a story.”

I walked over and sat beside him. He swung a leg over and straddled the log. “I’m the beta for an Alpha of an ancient bloodline of wolves that live hidden from the outside world.”

“You’re joking, right. A hidden world.”

“Oh, you better buckle up, sweet cakes, you're in for a bumpy ride.”

Cabel’s POV

I chased the rogue for at least twenty miles before he collapsed in the road from exhaustion and a wound to his back leg.

The rogue wolf shifted, and blood was everywhere.

I grabbed him by the throat and lifted him off his feet. He clutched at my hand.

“Please let me go.”

“I will not. You attacked us. Why?”

The man kicked and scratched, but it was useless. I shook him, needing him to explain before he went unconscious.

“Why did you attack the Alphas conference?”

“I was paid.”

I gripped his neck tighter. The other Alphas that joined the hunt closed in. “Who paid you?”

“A woman called herself White Moonlight. That is all I know.”

I released him, and the rough wolf crumpled to the road. Emma.

I didn’t want to believe that Emma would do this since she worked for the Elders.

As the Alphas talked among themselves about the identity of White Moonlight, I shifted back and headed off for the conference building. When I got there, Luka was gone. I was told she had been put in the dungeon. Anger roared, and Logan howled. My mate must help her.

When I got to the dungeon to have Luka released, I found it was empty, and the cell door was ripped off the hinges. Fear gripped me. Was this another one of Delcan’s sad attempts to trap a woman who didn’t love him? I stepped into the cell and scented the air. That scent was familiar. I froze.

I felt for the mate bond to know she was okay, but there was nothing. There was only one reason I wouldn’t feel the bond: Had she rejected me?