Chapter 44 Bloodlines and Boundaries
Zayne's POV
“I can't believe we failed to think about Bloodroot Fern.” Tristan said, after Xavier filled him in on what happened.
I had been so worried thinking that Red wouldn't be able to handle hearing about the attacks…or maybe it was just my dear talking. But that ends now, she was stronger than I have her credit for.
“It says here that the Bloodroot Fern only grows under the full moon…tomorrow and we'll need to travel to the northern ridge which is a half day journey.” Xavier said, "which means we don't have to leave early.”
"Get some of the warriors ready…we don't want any surprises." I ordered, and Tristan nodded before standing up to leave. “And the rogues in the dungeon, did they talk?”
He shook his head, "they didn't,” he replied, "but only because the warriors did a number on them. Once they're awake, I'm sure we'll get something out of them.” And he was gone.
Xavier gathered the rest of the reports that were scattered all over my table. “Are you coming along?" He asked, “it's your first full moon with Luna Alyssa, are you sure you're okay with that?"
I thought about it, if it was before I marked her, my answer would be an immediate no. Unmarked females who had found their mates but were still unmarked usually became uncontrollable during the full moon. But now that I didn't have to worry about that, I couldn't let my warriors embark on a journey I knew could turn out to be dangerous.
“You know I can handle it right?" He asked.
“Yea," I replied, “I know…I'm going to come up with something before it's time to leave."
I assured him.
“What's there to think about?" Kael asked, “we're not leaving our mate behind."
I ignored him. It wasn't like I wanted to leave her either but being an Alpha means constantly thinking about the well being of the Pack as well.
“Yes, Alpha." He said.
Once he was gone, I took another look at the book Xavier had found in the library on herbs and their uses, my eyes skimming through the pages until I got to the Bloodroot Fern, where the method of preparation was written. If we played our cards right, we would be able to catch whoever this person was and also get to the root of whoever he was working for.
“Alpha…” Tristan's familiar voice called through our mindlink, jerking me back to the present.
"Yea, wassup?”
"I should probably inform you that your d–”
The door creaked open and my dad's familiar scent filled my nose before I saw him. “My dad?"
He paused, “I didn't think he'd get there that fast. And I did try to warn you." He said before ending the mindlink while I stood up to greet my dad who looked like he was getting ready for war. But I didn't expect less from someone who spent his entire life training to become a perfect Alpha and he succeeded.
“Dad," I called, stretching my hand to him but he pulled me into a hug, the facade finally crumbling.
“Now that's no way to greet your father.” he said, laughing loudly, catching me by surprise. His traveling must have done him a lot of good.
“Tell me what I've missed," he said, when he finally pulled away. “You look stiff…you need to travel the world like your mom and I.”
I nodded, “I'll think about it, once I'm settled." He just shrugged as he settled on the couch while I took the one opposite him.
“I heard you found a second chance mate." He said, the smile disappearing from his face. “And I heard you used your Alpha command on her…how dare you?” His voice was low, all the warmth gone. And in front of me wasn't my dad but an angry mate.
Kael pushed himself to the surface, ready to defend our mate as well. “She called my mate names, and my wolf got defensive."
“Don’t you think she had every right to?" He asked
I stiffened, Kael snarling inside me at the implications of what he meant. "Every right to disrespect my mate? The current Luna of this Pack?” I scoffed, now equally angry, my hand forming a fist.
"If you had picked a better mate, we wouldn't be having this conversation.” He snapped, his voice coming out higher.
“You can say all that you want to,” I started, struggling to remain calm and remind myself that he was still my dad…even though I was so close to forgetting that. “Red is mine, and that's not going to change whether you fucking like it or not."
At this point, I was standing up. “Maybe I should remind you who's Alpha now."
The silence that followed was deafening, my dad looking at me like I just said a forbidden word. “You're willing to throw everything for a woman who can't contribute anything to the Pack.”
I took a very much needed breath, “I didn't accept her because I wanted her to contribute…I accepted her because she's mine.”
Something flashed through his eyes but it was gone before I could place it. And for a few minutes, we had a staring competition. The air thickened and the room suddenly felt smaller…and it wasn't out of fear but the thought of how I'd do anything to protect what was mine.
“Then you better protect her." He said, and without another word, he stomped out of the office, leaving me to ponder on his last words.
“Then protect her." I repeated.
Kael let out a loud growl, the sound vibrating off the walls. I was seething, that he would even mention her.
“Are you okay, baby?” Red's soft voice broke through my thoughts, calming me down a bit. I needed to run, let Kael take over. "I can feel your worry through several walls.” She joked, but i couldn't bring myself to laugh.
“I'm going for a run." I manage to say hoping she would but it. Then I ended the mindlink.
But as I bolted out of the door, instead of the forest, I found myself running to the childcare. It didn't take long before I was standing in front of Red, throwing my arms around her.
“I love you.”I whispered, arms tightening around her. I didn’t say anything else, just held her, needing to feel of everything about her… and for now, being in her arms was better than anything else.