Chapter 46

Tara POV

I really hoped I had done the right thing in telling Lumos that Sam was in my home. I could see how angry she was, i didnt know why she should get this livid all because sam had run away? No, it was more than that. When I told her, I saw a moment of fear in her eyes before she managed to hide it.

I knew she would go straight away, hoping to find Sam, and I wished I could go with her, but the Alpha had ordered me to see him first thing in the morning. That was why i was in the large packhouse. I had been staying away from it since I discovered Lulu was my mate. It was the most difficult thing I had ever done, pulling against the mate bond, but I couldn't see Lulu in trouble with her brother. Not just because he was her Alpha, but because I didn't want to come between family.

not long after Lulu he sped off in the direction of her room i heard the Alpha's office door open, Brett popped his head outside and gestured me forward. In my mind, via the link, I heard him say 'Careful, he's in a filthy mood'. I nodded once to affirm to him I had understood, then walked in with my head held high.

"Tara, please, have a seat'' the Alpha was nothing but polite in his actions and his tone. But knew different. What lay beneath was not a wolf, anyone stupid enough to enrage a Lycan got what they deserved. I held my gaze about a foot away from his face, i didnt look straight at him. I respected my alpha.

"You wanted to see me Alpha?'' I enquired quietly.

''Yes. I want an explanation from you as to why you were not on border duty last night. I happened to be running in the vicinity and noticed someone else there so i went over. Only to find you not there at all. Would you care to explain?'' He asked, still in his light tone, but there was a gruffness to it now, warning me I was on thin ice.

''Alpha, I have always done my job, I have never slacked off in my training, or the way I have led the patrols for you since I was promoted. I honestly didn't think it would be an issue if I took a personal day. I covered my shift, there was no breakage of the border link. Or there shouldn't have been. I made sure that all was covered sir'' most of this came out in a rush, thank god for enhanced hearing. I could see Alpha Knox frown at my words, but choose not to respond straight away.

Brett shuffled his feet, and when I looked at him, he hid the smile on his face.

''I don't need to know the ins and outs Tara. I simply would have liked to have been informed about the staff changes'. At least he had the decency to look a little ashamed at the way he had questioned me.

''I'm sorry, Alpha. I should not have swapped myself out of border watch. I apologise'' i said with my head lowered and my neck exposed. To my surprise, the Alpha told me not to do that and said ''You don't need to be sorry, Tara. I am the one that is sorry. You are right in what you say. It is not my business what you do on your personal days''.

I lifted my head and thanked him. I asked quietly if there was anything else he needed, preparing to stand up.

Alpha Knox held out his hand to stop me and asked ''Have you seen Samantha. Was she in the forest when you completed your sweep of it this morning?'

I could answer honestly and say no, I hadnt. I sent up a silent prayer to the goddess. Please dont let him ask me if i know of her whereabouts. I cant lie to My Alpha. Everyone knows that. When I heard the next question, I swallowed the spit in my mouth, hard. My throat was so sore dealing with all this tension.

''Do you know where Samantha is?''. Fuck, what the hell do I say now? Then a thought struck me, I could answer honestly without given myself and the Luna away.

''I saw her last night, sir. She was heading out. I've not seen her since' OK, it wasn't the exact truth, but it was good enough. As i hadnt seen the Luna since she went to bed and Melody and myself stayed up. So technically it was true, at least I hoped it would be true enough. I let out a sigh of relief when the Alpha took me at my word. He dismissed me after that, and I went to do my job on The Border Watch. Time went by very slowly, I hadn't seen any more sign of Lulu, so came to the conclusion that she was still at my home. If she had come back to the packlands, I'm sure I would have been told what had happened. I was itching to get home, to see my Lulu.

When it was time to go home, I had to remember that I was driving, as Ruby wanted to run all the way home, and then complained the whole way home, saying the car wasn't fast enough. I remained her that we were going 20km over the speed limit, and then laughed at her sulky attitude.

I finally pulled into the drive, my heart was already hammering as I had seen Lulu's car when I rounded the last corner.

I bounded out of the car and was through the door in seconds. I looked on as the Luna stood over my adopted mother, but worse, she stood over my mate. Something in me snapped. I knew I should have asked what was going on before I reacted, but it was just that. A reaction. I lunged at Samantha, knocking her to the ground. The sound of her head hitting the unit counter brought me out of my rage. When I realised what I had done, I started to cry. I looked around at Lulu and Crystal, who just stared back at me in shock.

''I just killed the Luna'' was all I stated before I too hit the ground in a dead faint.

Lumos POV

'What the fuck was with everyone today' was the only thought in my head at the moment. having to deal with an irate Knox, then finding out Tara had been called to the main office. to then coming here, finding Sam exactly where Tara had told me, finding out that she wanted to fuck off to the Lycan realm. finally getting to meet Jet, and what an arsehole she turned out to be! to this very minute, standing over Sam's body. Not even sure if she was still alive, but hoping more than I ever had, that she will be okay.

And to top it all off, I now held the unconscious body of my mate in my arms. Looking at crystal, my eyes manic with worry, I asked "Do something, please?". I didn't care that I was begging. Tara, my sweet Tara was not conscious, and I honestly didn't know what to do.

Crystal stepped over to me, careful to mind the bodies on the floor, and placed her hand on Tara's forehead. ''She is in shock, we must keep her warm and comfortable. Take her to the room and get her settled. Then come back so we can deal with Luna Sam''. Although I was concerned about Sam, Tara was my mate, and every pore of mine was screaming out to stay with her.

I rushed Tara up stairs and kicked her door open. I placed her on her bed and gently touched her face. As I did this, I stroked her cheek with the backs of my fingers. I loved touching her so much. Seeing her this vulnerable brought out my protector in me. I knew Sam was my Luna, as she was mated to my Alpha. It would tear me apart to do it, but I would challenge her for the Luna title. If I thought for a minute that Tara was in trouble.