Alina

After the meal, everyone returned to their designated tasks. My pack members and I sat there awkwardly not knowing where to go. Jace had still not returned. James and Drake were out of sight as well.

So are they going to make us sit like that? — Neil mind-linked me. I looked at him. He had an irritated expression on his face.

I'm tired of sitting like this. I want to go for a run. — I whined.

By the way, you are not allowed to shift.

Wait why?

I don't want you gaining more attention at this point in time. — He said.

I don't quite understand what you are saying.

Look, Alina, just focus on staying alive. That's all I ask.

You make no sense, Neil!

I'm just looking out for you. Can you please tell your grumpy mate to stop looking at me the way he does?

I snorted.

No, seriously Alina. The way he glares at me, I find that uncomfortable. Almost like a potential threat. — Neil groaned.

I feel Alpha James is just jealous. — Ron added.

Why would he be jealous? — I scoffed.

I glared at Ron. He had a smile on his face. — Because he thinks of Beta Neil as a competitor.

I rolled my eyes at Ron's comment.

Where did they run off to? — Neil asked moving impatiently in his seat.

I had not seen Hailey either and was not sure whether she was with James.

Neil! What if our pack gets attacked while we are here? — I mind-linked him as concern took over my thoughts.

Don't worry about that. I have got it figured out. Moreover, I think the Dark Moon pack is in for a ride at this point in time. We should just sit back and see what happens.

How can we sit and spectate when we ourselves are in danger? — I furrowed my eyebrows and asked.

Let's say the abandon wolves lunge on us while we are here. We can easily rip their throats and guts with no problem whatsoever.

Yes...

Just don't initiate anything at this point. We have to play it safe. I'm certain the shapeshifters won't appear themselves because they are low in the count. They wouldn't risk the last few of their breeding options.

"I'm sorry for making you all wait like that." James appeared with Drake. The sight of his face made my wolf pur again.

"We have arranged rooms for you to rest and retire for the night," Drake announced.

Sounds like they are trying to make us go to sleep and then slaughter us. — Neil snickered sarcastically. Yeah, suckers, like as if we are sleeping.

Ron and I chuckled at his comment and hushed him through the mind-link. It has been a tiring day for everyone. From waking up in James' bed to interrogating two abandoned wolves, I found my mate reek of the woman he is mated to. I was yet to know how much complicated my life could possibly get.

Neil nudged my arm lightly. "Alina, you spaced out again." He whispered. We got up from our seats and followed James and Drake. They were showing us our rooms. I could sense Neil mind-linking our pack members and giving them instructions.

"For you safely we would appoint two guards outside each of your room." James offered.

"No, it's fine." Neil smiled, politely dodging the offer. "We will be fine by ourselves. I'd recommend you to keep guards by your side all the time, Alpha James."

The smile Neil had on his face would fool anyone to think he was being genuine. However, I could tell he was being sassy about it.

James smiled back and nodded. He didn't bother to reply and stretch the conversation further.

"My beta and I shall leave now," James said once he showed us all the rooms, leaving Neil, Ron and I alone.

We watched him walk away. Neil flopped on the bed and sighed. "Looks like we are definitely not getting any sleep while we are here."

I couldn't agree more. The danger that lingered around us had heightened all our senses. I still couldn't get the memory of the foul stench out of my mind.

"All that blood got my stomach churning." Ron groaned. "Hence I decided to become a healer rather than a fighter. I had a hard time chowing down on that food they gave us, with the fresh memory of raw blood."

I tilted my head. "With your warlock genes, you would definitely be a valuable fighter."

Ron laughed. "I was when I was younger. I rather got over that phase, I must say. I just prefer autopsy more now that I am older."

"And herbs," I added. "Even though you have to deal with blood and guts during autopsies as well."

Ron shook his head. "I wouldn't say I prefer making portions but you got to do what you are best at. Plus, with autopsies, it's just a single body and the stench is far better than being surrounded by hundreds of dead bodies."

"I know you have never seen our Ron fight—" Neil started, "—but let me tell you, he is a natural. That's why I brought him here, just in case."

I sat quietly trying to process the new information.

"How're things with your mate?" Ron asked.

"I honestly don't know anymore."

■■■

After spending a couple of hours with Neil and Ron, I went back to my room. I knew none of us was allowed to sleep and I was alright with that. With our heightened senses, we could feel our wolves more active inside our minds than usual. I laid on my bed, trying to restore my strength. I had a lot on my mind. At least we got some answers to our questions. We were yet to find Luke and we knew that was our main target alongside being a spectator of every ruckus that would take place in the Dark Moon pack.

I sat up on my bed at the sound of a sudden knock on my door. James walked inside and closed the door behind him. I stiffened at his sight.

He looked at me and meekly smiled. "I'm sorry for disturbing you at such an odd hour."

"What do you want?" I spat.

He flinched at my tone and walked over to the bed. "You."

I rolled my eyes at him. He ignored my reaction and sat on the bed next to me.

"I am sorry for not talking to you earlier." He sighed. "I feel so bad."

I squinted my eyes at him.

"Don't look at me like that. It makes me feel more guilty." He mumbled. "You have been avoiding me the whole day."

I pressed my lips into a thin like.

Is he dumb or is it just me? No, I'm sure it's him. — I growled mentally.

He pulled me to his chest and wrapped his arms around me.

"Sorry, I just need you close to me right now. My wolf is drained because you were not around."

"You had Hailey." I blurted out.

He looked at my eyes for a second and laughed. "I can't believe you are jealous."

I scoffed and pulled away.

He pulled me close again. "Alina, it's impossible for me to not want to be with you."

Once again we found ourselves cuddling and talking throughout the night.