Chapter 48 The Wolf at the Door
“What are you doing here, Alexander?” Kane’s voice was deadly calm, but Luna could see the tension coiled in his shoulders.
Alexander smiled, cold and calculating. “Is that any way to greet family? After all, I’ll officially be your father-in-law soon.”
“We can talk in my office,” Kane said, moving toward his door.
“Oh, I think right here is fine.” Alexander’s eyes glinted dangerously. “Unless you have something to hide?”
Luna’s heart pounded as they stood in the hallway. Alexander blocked their path, his presence filling the space like a predator cornering prey.
“What do you want?” Kane asked.
Alexander’s smile dropped. The temperature seemed to plummet. “I feel insulted, Kane. Trying to find a way out of your marriage to my daughter? Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Kane said evenly.
Alexander laughed, the sound sharp as breaking glass. “Please. Don’t insult my intelligence further.” He pulled out his phone, turning the screen toward them. “Recognize this?”
Security footage played. Luna and Kane in Alexander’s building during the gala. Sneaking through hallways and eavesdropping on conversations.
Luna’s blood ran cold.
“Funny thing,” Alexander continued, his tone conversational. “I wouldn’t have suspected anything if Devon hadn’t mentioned he couldn’t find her that night. Right around the same time Victoria was looking for you, Kane.”
He pocketed the phone. “I went through the cameras thinking I’d find you two… otherwise occupied. Imagine my surprise when I found this instead.”
“We got lost,” Luna said quickly.
Alexander’s eyes snapped to her. “Lost? How fascinating. Did you also get lost at Kane’s mother’s house yesterday? Or were you looking for something there too?”
Neither of them answered.
“I’ll always be one step ahead,” Alexander said softly. “Always watching. Always waiting. Don’t forget I’ve been in this game longer than you have.”
He began to pace, his movements fluid and predatory. “Since we’re being honest, let me share something with you. Besides, upon all your not-so-secret investigations, I’m sure you already know. I’ve been looking for a Moon Healer. Searching for years, actually.”
Luna went rigid.
“Oh yes, Miss Sage. Or should I say, Moon Healer Sage?” His smile was vicious. “I know exactly what you are.”
“You’re insane,” Kane growled.
“Am I? The moon fever outbreak was quite effective, wasn’t it?” Alexander’s tone was casual, like he was discussing the weather. “A clever way to draw out a moon healer. I knew one existed somewhere. I’m sure you already know by now that I created it.”
“Do you know how many people died from that?” Luna’s hands clenched into fists. “You murdered innocent wolves. Children died because of you.”
“Collateral damage,” Alexander said dismissively. “Every great discovery requires sacrifice. Though I’ll admit, I didn’t expect it to take this long to find you. You hid yourself well.”
“You won’t get away with this,” Luna said, her voice shaking with rage.
Alexander’s expression turned amused. “Won’t I? Tell me, how are your pups doing? The twins must be… what, almost four years old now?”
The world tilted. Luna couldn’t breathe.
“Surprised?” Alexander chuckled. “I had a thorough background check done on you, my dear. Very thorough. Two children, no father listed. Tell me, is their father an Alpha? Or some weak omega like the pathetic fool Helena chose?”
Luna’s mouth opened, but no words came out. Kane had gone completely still beside her.
“Nothing to say?” Alexander clicked his tongue. “Know your place, little healer. You’re even more annoying than that bitch Kane was obsessed with years ago. What was her name? Aria?”
Kane lunged.
Alexander sidestepped easily, almost lazily. Kane’s fist hit the wall where Alexander’s head had been, leaving a dent in the drywall.
“Temper, temper,” Alexander said, straightening his jacket. “You should know better by now. You’ll never beat me in a fair fight.”
“There’s nothing fair about you,” Kane growled.
“Fair is for the weak. Save your energy for something useful. Like the wedding. Which, by the way, has been moved up. One week from today.”
“What?” Kane turned, his eyes blazing silver.
“One week,” Alexander repeated calmly. “And before you think about doing anything stupid, I’ll have my armies on standby. Seven territories’ worth of soldiers, all waiting for my signal.”
He stepped back toward the elevator. “I’d suggest you both behave yourselves. It would be such a shame if something happened to those adorable twins. Accidents happen so easily to small children.”
Luna’s vision flared silver at the edges. Kane grabbed her arm, holding her back.
“Touch them and I’ll kill you myself,” she snarled.
Alexander pressed the elevator button. “Brave words from someone so powerless when it comes to her pups. All that power, wasted on healing when it could have created an empire.”
The elevator doors opened. He stepped inside, turning to face them one last time.
“One week, Kane. Have Victoria’s ring ready. And Luna?” His smile was pure malice. “I’ll see you soon.”
The doors closed on his smiling face.
Luna’s knees buckled. Kane caught her, pulling her against his chest.
“The twins,” she gasped. “He knows about the twins. I need to…”
“We need to get to your floor. See if they are okay,” Kane said, his voice granite.
They took the next elevator down to Luna’s apartment. Kane pounded on the door.
Elder Morgana opened it, the twins peeking out from behind her. “Luna? Alpha Kane? What’s…”
“Mama!” Lily ran to Luna, who scooped her up with shaking hands.
Leo followed, wrapping his arms around Luna’s legs. “You’re back!”
Luna crushed them both to her chest, breathing them in. Safe. They were safe.
“What happened?” Elder Morgana asked, her eyes sharp.
Kane pulled out his phone. “Marcus? I need a security detail at my building. Luna’s floor. Triple the normal guard. I want eyes on every entrance, exit, and window. No one gets near apartment 512 without clearance from me directly.”
He paused, listening. “I don’t care if you have to pull them from the territory. Do it. This is priority one.”
Luna held the twins tighter. Lily squirmed. “Mama, you’re squishing me.”
“Sorry, baby.” Luna loosened her grip but didn’t let go.
Kane hung up and crouched down to the twins’ level. “Hey, you two. How would you like an adventure tomorrow?”
Leo’s eyes lit up. “What kind of adventure?”
“The kind where you stay somewhere really safe. With lots of space to run around.” Kane glanced at Luna. “Somewhere no one can bother you.”
“Like a castle?” Lily asked.
“Yes! Just like a castle.”
Elder Morgana’s eyebrows rose. “You’re taking them someplace else?”
“Alexander can’t touch them there. They’ll be safe.” Kane stood. “I’ll have the place prepared. Full security.”
Luna finally set the twins down. Lily immediately grabbed her hand. “Are we in trouble, Mama?”
“No, sweetheart. We’re just being extra careful.”
“Because of the bad man?” Leo asked.
Luna’s heart stopped. “What bad man?”
“The one in Lily’s dreams. The one who wants to hurt people.” Leo looked up at her with those too-knowing eyes. “Is he coming for us?”
“No,” Kane said firmly. “Because I won’t let him. You have my word.”
Leo studied Kane for a long moment, then nodded. “Okay.”
After a while, there was a knock at the door. Elder Morgana checked the peephole before opening it. Three wolves in tactical gear stood in the hallway.
“Alpha Kane,” the lead wolf said. “Perimeter is being established now. We’ll maintain position until further notice.”
“Good.” Kane turned to Luna. “Pack what you need for a few weeks. We leave at dawn.”
Luna nodded, already mentally cataloging what the twins would need. Clothes. Toys. Their favorite blankets.
Kane’s hand found hers, squeezing once. “They’ll be safe. I promise.”
She wanted to believe him. Wanted to trust that they could protect her children from Alexander’s reach.
But Alexander’s words echoed in her mind. “I’ll always be one step ahead.“