Chapter 74 Abduction

Chapter 74 Abduction
Kael’s POV

Chaos erupts, and my heart pounds.
“LET GO OF ME!”

Luna’s voice echoes in my head, like she is right beside me.

Then screams surround me, slowly fading.

I act, rushing out of my suite only to find Alpha Rowan doing the same. We exchange glances, and run towards her.

Gale and Calla are at Luna’s door, pounding on it with loud thuds.

“Alpha Kael,” Calla greets with wide eyes. “Did you hear her voice too?”

My jaw clenches.
If they too heard Luna’s voice, then this is not normal.

A thud from the inside makes all of us tense. A growl leaves my lips.

“Move aside,” I command, and with one kick, the heavy door is forced open, hitting the wall with a loud clang.

A faint scent pervades my nostrils and I cough, recognizing it. My blood runs cold.

“Poison,” Rowan and I say at the same time.

Fvck!

Luna is on the ground, breathing heavily. Her silver hair is disheveled, covering her face. Then I spot two girls on the floor, blood pooling around them. Unmoving. Dead.
This scene is one I am not unfamiliar with, so I focus on more important things.. 

Calla gasps loudly.
“Luna,?” She softly cally, bending down to reach for her friend’s hand, but a deep, guttural voice stops her.

“DON’T.”
It echoes in the room, through my head, enveloping everything.
Lightning flashes outside, and thunder rolls in the distance, sending a spike of intense trepidation across all of us present.

When she raises her head, I clench my fists, frozen to the spot.

Her eyes are completely white, pupilless, full of power that is unworldly.
Powerful.

“By the Goddess,” Gale mutters. “What happened to her?”

“It’s a layer of protection.” I venture. Having acquainted myself a little with the secrets and mysteries of our kin for Luna’s sake, it is a theory that is likely true.

It is not Luna, not truly.

“KILL THEM.”

The Voice echoes again, Luna’s lips not moving an inch. Before our eyes, Luna’s claws extend from her nails, dragging against the floor, leaving deep gashes on the wood.

Calla takes a step forward, softly saying, “Luna. They are… gone. We’re here. You don't have to be afraid. Moon, I'm here. We can take care of everything else. All you have to do is rest.”
Her own voice trembles, full of fear.

Slowly she reaches her hand out to Luna’s face, and trepidation takes center stage.
But as her palm makes contact, Lua closes her eyes, her knitted brows relaxing, before slowly falling.

I move to catch her, feeling her breaths ease, asleep finally.

A command form me, and guards surround the place. A crowd is gathered outside and they are dispersed with my command. I know it would not take long before word of this spreads. Another weakness to exploit.

My heart clenches. Not out of pain but rage.

I have been careless.

The Pack doctor arrives, and I summon the head maid.
“Someone will answer for this.”

As Luna sleeps, Calla walks over to a corner, eyes aghast.

“This incense,” She rushes to pick up a still lit incense burner with trembling hands. “I recognize it from my books.”

“So do I,” Gale mutters. “It’s one of my usual tools.”

“Your maids are attacking Luna now?” Rowan asks with anger.

My expression turns grim, watching the maids open the windows, airing out the room.

“Report.” My voice is cold, the head maid bows before me.

“Alpha, we do not recognize the girls. They must have arrived with the new intake of slaves a week ago.”

The tattoo on one of the girl’s wrists already has told us the truth. The Hounds are behind this. Infiltrating MY Pack.

“Last night was a distraction,” Rowan speaks, and Gale nods in agreement.

“Likely, their target was her all along,” Calla adds.

“Alpha,” the Pack Doctor bows. “Lady Luna is alright. The poison is fast acting and dissipates quickly. She will require only a few hours of rest, and to stay hydrated.” He pauses, eyes twitching before he continues. “I have discovered the breakfast presented to the Lady also bears traces of another poison. A hallucinogenic that also causes long bouts of fever.”

Rowan slammed his hand on the table, and I scowled at him.

“She’s sleeping,” I warn, despite my words coming out as hisses. “It would not make you to lose your mind over this.”

“Not everyone is as heartless as you, Kael,” he retorts. It is obvious he intends on goading me.

“So they’re after Luna. But why?”

“Why else?” Gale snorts, although from the look on her face she is neither amused nor happy by the turn of events. “They want something from her. The top tribute of the Luna Trials.”

Something lingers in her voice, an understanding of a deeper meaning.

I clear my throat.
“You two go,” I tell the girls. “The festivities will continue.”

Calla looks frustrated at my words and opens her mouth to argue but Gale grabs her by the arm.
“Yes, Alpha kael. I hope you figure out what is going on,” She bows without looking both of us in the eye and rushes out. My gaze follows her. She has a connection with Luna, and I do not doubt she has a solid idea of the truth behind this.

I give a silent signal to Kaia, knowing she is somewhere close by. Getting information from the two closest to Luna will make the puzzle easier to complete.

“What do you think?’ Rowan demands as soon as we’re alone. Luna’s bedroom is finally clean and I glance at the girl sleeping peacefully. Her chest rising and falling slowly, body entirely relaxed.

“We have a mystery to solve, Alpha Rowan. Why do you think the Hounds want her, truly? They did not use any poisons or methods meant to kill or maim. They wanted her whole, healthy enough.” I fold my arms. “I doubt they would employ this method if it were a plain attack.”

Rowan seems to have already come to the same conclusion.

“Abduction.”
My lips quirk up into a mirthless smile.
Today is only the beginning.
…