Chapter 20 - Alice the Reluctant Luna

“Depends on your definition of everywhere, I have travelled entire Europe, and parts of Asia.”

“What about South America, are there wolf packs there?”

“No, South America has only shape-shifting cats, and they are very territorial, they hate us as well.”

The girls giggled again. I could see a look of respect in their eyes when I explained my qualification, my job. They were nice girls. The conversation was not just one way, I learned a few things about the Crimson shadow pack as well. Historically, the Alphas of this pack was not known for their kindness, Lucian was no exception. The pack location was midway between the businesses held in town and a dockyard. It was convenient for all involved. They had a giant territory of land, most of it was a forest, so it allowed plenty of room for the wolves to run around. Everyone had a job, either in the city, under various businesses owned by Lucian or back in the pack.

Sexual behaviours varied in different packs, depending on the Alphas. Some packs were very puritans, some hypocrites, where they allowed the males to screw around but put restrictions on females. Sex was far from a taboo subject with this pack. They lived to fuck was the impression I got. No one cared who was going out with whom unless they found their mates. Mates usually do not cheat, they just cannot because the partner would come to know, and it would hurt them. That hurt would be felt by the one who cheated as well, so it just did not happen. There were rare exceptions, but generally mates stay loyal to each other. Same- sex relationships were not looked down upon, here.

“Alpha Lucian is very accepting of gay wolves,” giggled Katherine. “He’s welcomed in several pack members who have been cast out of other packs. Not all packs accept homosexuality.”

I smiled, I was glad we agreed on that. At least Lucian was not a conservative Alpha like I had anticipated.

Lucian (POV) –

I watched and heard Alice talk about her life. I could not help listening to her. She was fun, witty and when she laughed……it was everything. The youngsters seemed to hang on to her words. Most Lunas came about to be extremely, sheltered. Trained to become wallflowers. Alice was different, agreed she had more dominant human tendencies, and sentiments than her wolf, probably because she had kept her wolf under control most of her life.

It was something I could live it. I was falling more and more in love with her.

“So, madam Alpha, why were you sent away from your pack?” Eliza

There she goes again, I thought. Eliza was playing with fire, I had to stop her…

I strolled towards Alice, to stand behind her. I know she felt my presence because her shoulders relaxed.

“I lost my father in they were wars, and my mother died of grief, I was just nine and couldn’t bear the trauma, my aunt Flora offered to take me away for a change, she is a keeper. And that is how I went to live with her.” She explained.

I knew her history in parts, they were war was devastating for many, including me.

I felt a surge of sympathy for her.

“How unfortunate, but you could have returned earlier, I mean why did you continue to stay away?” Katherine asked.

Even I was curious about it.

“My brother wanted to call me back after I shifted for the first time, but Aunt Flora is very fond of me, she didn’t let me go,” Alice explained with a smile.

“I just continued to live with her, and that’s how I liked it.” She added.

Something was missing, Rick and I might not be on good terms, but I respect him as an Alpha. He would not leave his sister alone unless there was a reason. I needed to find out why.

“That’s somewhat unfair, had you stayed here you would have met Alpha Lucian earlier, and we would have got you as our Luna much earlier.” One of the juvenile girls commented.

I could not help smiling, the kid was right, had I known my mate was a continent away I would have searched the world for her. I looked at the watch, it was about time to break the party. But before I could interrupt, Eliza had fired another query. “If you don’t mind, can I ask you how did your father die?”

My head snapped towards her and I glared at her. She took the hint and bowed, but it was already too late. Alice was upset, I could tell. Her breathing had become short. I placed my hand on her shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze.

“I don’t remember much; I was in New York with my father before…. when the war started. Somehow, I had run out of my room, and I was found unconscious under a pile of rubble, protected by a table. I do not remember anything else. “Alice said while I looked on in shock!

That little girl was Alice! She was there, we had met before, but she did not remember me. She had no idea that we had hidden under the table in a conference room trying to survive in that mayhem, I often wondered what happened to that little girl. I looked at Alice in a new light. That girl was all grown up, and she was my mate.

Alice’s POV –

I felt Lucian’s presence behind me as soon as Eliza had spoken up. I admit I was glad he was there. Lena, my wolf was suddenly on the edge, and Eliza’s questions did not make things easier. Somehow, I was never comfortable talking about dad’s death. The people in my pack knew it, but here it was a different ball game. People were going to ask a question.

“Sorry to interrupt, but your Luna is now tired. So, it’s time we break the party.”

Lucian announced as he placed his hand on my shoulder, gesturing me to leave. Though I enjoyed the dinner, I was glad to leave. My eyes were drooping. I did not realize I was tired. I was ushered back into the Alpha quarters soon after.

“You were great! ” Lucian said while smiling at me.

“I enjoyed it too,” I beamed, which was a genuine answer.

“Did you meet vampires in Europe?” He asked while sitting on the couch and pulling me next to him.

I laughed.

“Aunt Flora has many friends, including a few vampires, those I met were the friendly ones. One of her neighbours is this 600-year-old Baron who is a vampire.” “Interesting,” he looked genuinely curious.

We talked about general things, He was quite nice when he was not trying to dominate me or get into my pants.

“About Eliza, I am sorry you had to face those prying questions. I know you were uncomfortable.”

“It’s ok, I am not upset,” I leaned back against the backrest.

“It’s just that I don’t remember anything.”

He turned to look at me with a slanted face, “nothing at all? Someone you met or who saved you?”

“No, I wish I did, I just recall running through the smoke, and then nothing. The psychiatrist who counselled me said I have repressed memory.”

For some reason, he looked quite disappointed.

“I am sorry for whatever happened to you,” he said quietly.

What was I supposed to say? That your dad was involved in killing my father? But it is ok, I am forgiving you.

‘Yes, please forgive him and ask him to fuck you, I am getting desperate!’ Lana said to me.

I jerked away from his hand from his and stood up immediately,” Umm I am tired, I am going to bed.”

He gave a sly smile and leaned back into the couch, placing his hand behind his head.

“Sure, you know where the bedroom is, I will join you in some time.”

“Wait what? We’ll sleep in the same bed?”

‘No, no no… this was not going to end well.’ I thought.

“I was not aware that England was still Victorian. Where else are you going to sleep, love?” He asked sarcastically.

I looked around; he did not have a spare bedroom. One of the rooms was converted into a study and another one into a gym. It was a typical bachelor’s pad.

“I don’t know, you don’t have a spare room in this giant mansion?”

He stood up and towered over me, “there are 100 rooms in this building, most of them unoccupied, but you are going to sleep here, and that is an order.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, “and who are you to order me? You are not my Alpha”.

“Will that make any difference? “He cocked his head to one side.

And I realized how big he was, how his biceps bulged out of his tee sleeves…

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