Ryder POV::
Reese took the Luna to introduce the beta, then Chance and finally came to us.
I bowed.
While Reese was introducing me, the Alpha called for him.
He excused himself and left.
The Luna turned to us and smiled.
The next words were simply not what I imagined to hear from her.
"Please accept my well wishes, future Alpha."
I was horrified and Livi was stunned. Thankfully, there were only two of us standing there or chaos might have begun.
"I don't understand what you mean, Luna?"
Is she trying to test our loyalty?
"But I meant what I said, Ryder."
"I am the Gamma of this pack and I am happy to be a Gamma."
"What does that even mean?" Livi was as confused as me.
"I know he will have to become an Alpha. Just like Alissa knew that you two are each other's protectors."
Livi and I shared a look.
"Can you speak to the moon goddess?" Livi asked.
"No." She smiled.
I saw Reese coming towards us after being done with the business with Alpha, but I wanted to know what she meant.
I wanted to understand how she knows about us being protectors.
Only Alissa, Livi and me know about it.
But I cannot ask it in front of Reese.
I controlled myself and not said anything, even though the curiosity was killing me.
She turned around right at the moment that Reese was exactly behind her.
"How did you know he was right behind you." I asked.
She turned to me again and smiled. "You have clear eyes."
Reese's POV::
I was angry, and losing it. My mate is complimenting another man in front of me. She even smiled at him. How could she?
I wanted to wring Ryder's neck. But I restrained myself. He will face his punishment very soon.
"My mother wants to talk to you." I said to my mate. "Let's go."
She then waved towards Ryder and Olivia, "I hope you never lose your essence, even in the face of a calamity."
I saw their confused faces behind my back. What were they even talking about?
"So, the next full moon is in three days. I want to get to know you within these three days. We are going on a date tomorrow at nine. Be ready."
I had planned a day at theme park. Then a dinner at the most expensive hotel. She would be impressed. I know girls love it.
But she was not paying attention. She did not react and wasn't even looking at me.
Why is it so impossible to talk with her?
"Is something bothering you?" I tried again.
"I am begging you to let me go. Say the words Reese. Or it will be bad for both of us." Her eyes were shining. The first time I see passion in her eyes, she is asking me to leave her.
Ouch. I knew something was wrong. But you never let me talk to her. But she can't leave us. She can't leave ME.
And my wolf was fighting with me to take over. And he was ruthless. So I let him. Even though I will take over the first chance I get. But for a moment, I let him take control.
And the first thing he did was to grab her and kiss her and almost succeeded but at the very end, she made a move. And nearly had me flying to the end of the hall.
How is she so powerful. A human? And she could flung a werewolf across the hall. Alpha of the pack. Impossible. Utterly unheard of.
But that was the moment. I regained the control from my wolf.
"I won't ever reject you. NEVER. You are my mate and I will fight for your Love towards the very end. You are stuck with me. Whatever is wrong with you, come around. And how did you manage to kick me that far away?" I said walking towards her.
She just looked at me with her tranquil eyes. "I have been practicing since childhood."
But it is still different than fighting with ordinary humans. Werewolves are stronger and more agile than a human. I was confused.
Meanwhile, everyone was watching us. I could just imagine Chance's happy face as if he would plan to take revenge using my mate. My parents were frowning. The Beta had no expression on his face.
I forcefully held her hand and took her to my mother.
"Are you alright? I was going to ask you what you want to eat." My mom was trying to make her comfortable while I was trying to control my anger.
I have to be patient with her.
"I am alright, Luna."
"Oh."
And I was angry again. Mom was trying hard but Tasha didn't even give her a proper answer.
"Tasha, you should not disrespect your Luna." My father chastised.
Tasha looked at my father with her bored look and then smiled.
"I don't know what to say, Alpha. I did not mean to disrespect anyone. I just want to leave."
"Why are you so impossible?" I almost shouted. I wanted to carry her to my room and chain her there.
My mom smiled. "Everything must be a bit overwhelming to you. It's not everyday that you come across someone saying that werewolves exist. I suggest you take a nap."
"That won't be necessary, Luna. Because I am leaving by hook or..."there was a weird glint in her eyes. As if a joke was being played. "By crook."
And that's when I saw and felt it.
Pain.
PAIN.
She was stabbing herself with a knife. A stab in her stomach.
She took the knife out and another stab to deepen the wound.
I ran forward. To stop her. To stop the pain.
It was a blur. Everyone ran towards her to stop her. I took the knife away from her. But the knife started burning me.
SILVER. It was of silver.
I dropped it. But unknowingly it fell within reach of Tasha. She grabbed the knife and slit her throat.
I felt numb.
Arms stretched out to grab her. Support her.
She was trying to say something.
Everything was buzzing.
The sound around me was like a buzz of the bees.
I saw him. Tasha's husband.
That sissy. He was holding Tasha. They were crying being covered in blood.
Ryder's POV::
Our Luna's human husband was here. I didn't know whether to throw him out or not.
He was holding her and wanted to take her to the hospital.
Luna was trying to say something urgently. "Th...that....letter........Give to.....Ryder... Olivia.....read..i...in ..... front....of....ev....every....everyone."
"I will. I will read it front of everyone. I promise. Let's go to hospital. Come."
"I w....was true to y......y...you. I ne.....ver NEVER allowed h ..him to touch m..me. I ful....fulfilled a....all my promises ex...cept except to take care of you wh...when we gr...gr..grow old. I...i...i am so...sorry.....sorry."
"Tasha. Listen. I will take you away. I will protect you. I am strong. You know it. Just First let's go to a hospital and...and.....Tasha.... Tasha........... TASHA."
The Luna went limp in his hands. She had her eyes open. And her mouth parted. And she was covered on blood. Her dress. Her face. Hands.....blood was everywhere.
"Tasha wake up. Wake up. Tasha. You can't do this to me. I am alive. You can't leave me alone. You have to stay."
But he knew. I knew and everyone knew that she had gone. To never return.