Chapter 7
Lisa Pov:
I tossed and turned all night as Angus's words and Feeler's texts kept echoing in my mind. Trust him when he is keeping a secret from me. I know I'm keeping something from him, but it is not that deep. Why would he lie to me, Zreel growls? I could feel her pacing back and forth. The scent of feelers still lingered in our bedroom. Disgusting to the extent of Neausa. Removing sleep from my eyes.
They said once you meet your mate, you suddenly feel possessive over them. "Why would he lie to me? She burst out, finding it difficult to put her emotions under control.
As the first rays of dawn crept through our curtains, I decided to run. I needed answers.
Slipping out of bed, careful not to wake Angus, I dressed quickly and silently. The packhouse was quiet as I made my way downstairs; most of our pack members were still fast asleep. Perfect! I don't need an audience right now.
The chilly morning air pricked at my skin as I went outside, but I didn't notice. My wolf was restless, lurking just beyond the surface of my awareness. She wanted to run, to hunt, to confront the threat to our mate. I took a deep breath, reining her in. Now wasn't the time for brute force. I need to have a talk with Angus, but I have to clear my mind.
I shifted, letting my wolf form take over. In seconds, I was racing through the forest when suddenly I noticed the faint trail of Feeler's scent. It led me deeper into our territory, to a part of the woods I haven't visited. As I approached a small clearing, I slowed, my ears pricked for any sound.
There. A soft rustle of leaves, the quiet murmur of voices. I crept closer, staying downwind.
"I can't believe you screwed it up," a male voice hissed. "I told you I would help you.Why did you take that kind of action?"
"What if he decides to cut your head off?
"You are lucky you both had a relationship earlier."
"I'm sorry! How was I supposed to act? Knowing he is about leaving me for someone else." Feeler's voice was defensive, but I could hear the underlying fear.
"Patience is what you should have to remove our target. In a few days from now, I am sure Alpha Angus will fix the date for the Luna ceremony. You have to be careful of your actions from now on, so the entire plan doesn't fall apart."
My blood ran cold.Plan? What the hell was going on?
I'd heard enough. As silently as I'd approached, I retreated, my mind reeling. Once I was far enough away, I broke into a run, pushing my wolf to her limits. I needed to get back to the packhouse and have a serious discussion with Angus.
The sun was fully up by the time I burst through our bedroom door; Angus was nowhere to be seen.
I decided to take a look at his study room to see if he was there.
"Noah I need you to make this announcement that there will be the new Luna ceremony in the next 3 days. Everyone should be present." He said.
"Alright, Alpha," beta Noah response.
My blood ran cold. It was the same voice I'd heard in the forest not long ago. As I stood there, paralysed with indecision, the study door began to open.
"Luna! It's been too long," said Noah, giving a devilish smile.
"Yes, it has." I pushed past him into the study. "Angus, we need to talk." Noah closed the door behind him at the Angus signal.
Angus's brow furrowed. "What's wrong, love?" I have been looking for you since. Then one of the guards told me you went for a run.
Ignoring him, I went straight to the point. "There is a message on your phone, from Feeler. Are you lying to me?"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "That? It's nothing. Feeler's just trying to stir up trouble."
"Are you sure about that? Because I also heard her in the forest., where she was planning something bad with someone."
"What are you talking about?"
I took a deep breath. "Angus, I think you need to be careful. I have a bad feeling about Feeler. I think she might be planning something against us. Since she made it, obviously she wants you."
"What exactly did you hear?" he enquired.
"I'm not sure, but—"
A sharp knock interrupted us. The door creaked open, and Noah poked his head in.
"Sorry to interrupt," he said, his eyes darting between us. "Alpha, your mom requests your presence."
He looked at me, then back at Noah. "Tell her I'll meet her shortly."
"She insists that you must come with me," Noah insisted. "It's about the ceremony."
"We will continue our discussion later," I said.
Angus hesitated but responded, saying, "Okay.".
Angus pov:
Approaching my mother's room, I pause outside her door, her footsteps echoing from within. I take a deep breath, bracing myself. Come inside!" Mum's voice breaks before I can even touch the door.
I step inside. "You wanted to see me?" Mom turns to face me, her eyes sparkling. “Three days? Three days, Angus! You're having the Luna ceremony in three days, and you didn't think to inform me?"
I pinched the bridge of my nose, suppressing a snarl. "Mum, please—" "Don't say 'Mum, please' to me! How could you have not told me? I'm your mother, for goodness sake! And why do you believe you can't just—?"
"I can, and I will," I interrupted her, my voice low and firm. "I have made my decision.
"Do you understand what goes into preparing a Luna?" "There are rituals and traditions!" She throws her hands up. "No, you make your own decisions.
"The moon goddess blessed our union herself," I exclaimed, losing patience. "We don't need archaic rituals to prove our worth."
"Angus, you are making a huge mistake. You are an Alpha, and any female werewolf who is your mate must follow due norms to become a Luna."
We're so focused on our argument that neither of us notices the soft knock at first. Only when the door creaks open do we both turn.
Lisa, my future Luna, enters cautiously. Her gaze darts between us, a nervous smile on her lips. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't help overhearing..."
Mom's face softens slightly, but I can still feel the storm gathering behind her eyes.
Lisa draws a big breath. "Greetings, Luna; please do not be angry with Angus. This hasty ceremony was not completely his idea."
I give her a surprised expression, but she presses on.
"You see, there's another werewolf named Feeler, Angus' childhood friend. She's been... Well, she's had her eye on Angus, which he only confirmed a few days ago. We figured if we moved quickly with the ceremony, she'd finally move on."
Mom raises her eyebrows. "Feeler? "Kura Jeff's daughter?"
Lisa continues, her voice calm yet strong. "Yes.. We meant no disrespect. We really wanted to handle things ourselves to show that Angus and I are dedicated to one another."
For a moment, the room is silent. I hold my breath, watching emotions play across Mum's face—anger, understanding, and something else I can't quite place.
Finally, she speaks, her voice low and measured. "I see. Well, that certainly changes things. But still, there are traditions to uphold, rituals that cannot be rushed."
I open my mouth to argue, but Lisa beats me to it.
"Of course, you're absolutely right. What if... what if we postponed the ceremony by a week? Would that be enough time?"
Mom considers this, tapping her finger against her chin. "It would be tight, but—"
Suddenly, a howl pierces the air, and the door bursts open.