Chapter 67 She's Still His Luna
The soft hum of the manor was punctuated by the occasional chatter of pack members passing through the halls. Derek stood near the window of his office, sipping a cup of strong coffee as his eyes lingered on the pack grounds below. His mind was restless, caught between the looming rogue threat and Kael’s unsettling presence.
A knock on the door pulled him from his tnoughts.
“It’s open,” Derek said without turning around.
The door swung open, revealing Alpha Moore. He leaned casually against the doorframe, but there was an air of intent behind his relaxed demeanor.
“You’ve been hard to pin down lately,” Moore began, stepping inside.
Derek glanced over his shoulder, offering a faint smirk. “You make it sound like I’m avoiding you.”
Moore shrugged, shutting the door behind him. “Can you blame me for thinking it? You’ve been scarce—more than usual. What’s going on, Derek?”
Derek sighed, his smirk fading. “It’s not intentional, Moore. Kael’s presence in the pack complicates things, and with sightings of rogues near the borders, I’ve had my hands full.”
Moore crossed the room and sat in one of the armchairs. “That explains part of it. A rogue Alpha in your pack isn’t a small matter.”
Derek shrugged. “I’m keeping a close eye on him. It’s too early to say whether his presence will be more trouble than it’s worth.”
“But you’ve faced worse before without disappearing into your own head. What’s really bothering you?”
Derek didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he walked back to his desk, pouring himself a glass of water. After a long sip, he met Moore’s gaze.
“I’ve been preoccupied,” he admitted. “Kael isn’t just some rogue we can dismiss. There’s something about him—something that doesn’t sit right with me.”
Moore crossed his arms, studying Derek. “Fair enough. But you know you don’t have to handle everything alone, right?”
Derek shrugged, his tone light. “You offering to take Kael off my hands? Because I’d gladly let you babysit him for a day.”
Moore chuckled softly, but the humor didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“You don’t trust him.”
“Would you?” Derek countered.
“Fair point,” Moore conceded. “But you’re not the kind of alpha who loses sleep over one rogue, no matter how suspicious he is. There’s more to this, isn’t there?”
Derek leaned back in his chair, scrutinizing Moore. “You’re pushing for answers, Moore. Why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind first?”
Moore hesitated, his fingers drumming against the armrest. “You’re deflecting.”
“And you’re stalling,” Derek shot back, a small edge in his voice.
Moore exhaled heavily, leaning forward. “Fine. I wanted to check in on you—not just because of Kael and the rogues but because of… everything else.”
Derek’s expression tensed slightly. “If you’re referring to Clara—”
“I’m not bringing her up to pick a fight,” Moore interjected quickly. “But you can’t ignore that her position as your Luna complicates things—for both of us.”
Derek’s jaw tightened. “I don’t need you to remind me of that.”
“I’m not trying to make this harder,” Moore said, his tone softening. “I just want to make sure you’re not letting all this—Kael, the rogues, Clara—cloud your judgment. You’ve got a lot on your plate, Derek. Let me help.”
Derek’s gaze softened slightly. “How’s your recovery going? Are you sure you’re ready to get involved again?”
“I’m getting better,” Moore replied. “Still not at a hundred percent, but close enough. If you need me, I’m ready.”
Derek nodded. “I appreciate the offer, but right now, your focus should be on getting back to full strength. The situation here is… complicated.”
“Complicated doesn’t mean impossible,” Moore said firmly. “And you don’t have to do this alone, Derek. Moore leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Still, if you need help dealing with Kael or the rogues, I’m ready. My pack and I can lend our support.”
The room fell into silence, the air between them thick with unspoken words. Derek leaned back in his chair, studying Moore closely.
“You’ve got something else on your mind,” Derek observed.
Moore hesitated again, his eyes flickering to the window. “I do. But now’s not the time to get into it.”
“That’s the second time you’ve said that,” Derek pointed out, his tone sharper. “If it’s important, don’t keep me in the dark.”
Moore sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s not about importance—it’s about timing. And with everything you’re dealing with, this doesn’t feel like the right moment.”
Derek’s frustration was evident in the way he leaned forward, his hands clasped tightly together. “You know I hate when you do this.”
“I know,” Moore said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “But trust me on this one, Derek. It can wait.”
Derek leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “That’s unlike you. Since when do you tiptoe around a conversation?”
Moore chuckled dryly. “Since the topic isn’t as simple as I’d like it to be.”
Before Derek could press further, a sharp knock on the door interrupted them.
“Alpha?” Alex’s voice called from the other side.
“Come in,” Derek said, his irritation evident.
The door opened, and Alex stepped inside, his expression tense. “Apologies for the interruption, but something’s come up that needs your attention.”
Derek shot a look at Moore, who held up his hands in mock surrender. “Go handle your pack, Derek. We can finish this later.”
“This conversation isn’t over,” Derek warned as he stood.
Moore leaned back in his chair, giving him a casual wave. “I’ll be here when you’re ready.”
Once Derek was gone, Moore stayed seated, his eyes fixed on the empty doorway. His casual demeanor faded, replaced by a flicker of something deeper—something unresolved.
“She’s still his Luna,” Moore muttered to himself, his voice barely audible.
The truth of Clara’s bond with Derek was a constant weight between them, one that neither man seemed willing to fully address.
Moore leaned back in his seat, staring at the ceiling. Whatever he needed to say, it would have to wait for now.
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he tried to push the thoughts away. But they lingered, persistent and unwelcome.
When the door finally opened again, Derek returned, his face unreadable.
“You handled it?” Moore asked, his tone light but his eyes serious.
“More or less,” Derek replied, sinking into his chair. He eyed Moore carefully. “So, are we going to talk, or are you going to keep stalling?”
Moore stood, brushing invisible dust off his pants. “Not today, Derek. But soon.”
Derek frowned, watching as Moore headed for the door.
“You’re frustrating, you know that?” Derek called after him.
Moore turned back with a small smirk. “That’s why you keep me around.”
And with that, he was gone, leaving Derek alone with more questions than answers.