Rising From The Ashes, The Vengeful Luna

Mysterious: Alpha Liam POV

“How did it go? Is everybody accommodated?” I checked with my Beta Toby who nodded solemnly.

“Everybody has moved from the other pack. As for that rogue,” he paused, while I merely shrugged, not fazed by Alpha Tobia’s run for freedom. “There was no sign of him. He left the territory, and I doubt he’s brave enough to come back” he added as I nodded in agreement.

The pup certainly was lacking guts. There was no denying that.

“I wish him all the luck then,” I said dryly, glancing out the window and seeing the full moon high in the sky.

“What are your orders?” he asked as though he didn’t already anticipate them.

He was like a mind reader when it came to knowing what it was I wanted. He and Autumn were my most trusted allies and I knew that I could trust them with my life if it came down to it.

I sighed. “Toby, join patrol tonight and keep an eye on our new members,” I said c*****g my head at him. “As for Autumn, she can change off with you after your shift. I don’t want complacency” I added as he continued to nod at me, resembling a bobblehead.

I tried not to snort at that wayward thought and made a gesture at him. “I’m going to get some rest. It’s been a long day and I’m exhausted” I said, slightly surprised by it.

“Get some rest. It’s only a few days and we’ll be traveling to that Nightingale Pack, like you promised” he reminded me somewhat touchily.

“We’ll have these new members settled in by then. They all made the blood oath; I don’t foresee any problems” I shrugged.

I did not anticipate anybody trying to challenge me, let alone trying to leave. They were welcome to, but the only option awaiting them if they tried was the same fate that had awaited Alpha Roman. They would be agreeing to become a rogue, something that was not preferable if any shifter could possibly help it. There was such stigma when it came to rogues and rightfully so. Those who did not have a pack to call their own slowly lost sight of who they were, most commonly becoming bloodthirsty feral wolves who would kill their own friends and family for money, food, or in order to survive. Rogues were despicable creatures but sometimes one could not help but feel sorry for them. After all, it’s not as though shifters willingly chose to become rogues. A lot of the time they were given the choice of that or death. They always chose rogue. I think I would prefer death to losing sight of who I was and losing control of my wolf. I had a bond with mine and it killed me to think that we wouldn’t have the ability to communicate properly if we were forced onto another’s territory or had ours taken. It was why I worked so hard to build my reputation. It tended to keep those with thoughts of overpowering or taking my territory away and only those stupid enough to try were often young pups too arrogant for their own good.

“Goodnight Alpha” Toby’s voice was quiet as I turned and walked out of the room, heading directly towards the stairs and making my way up them to my bedroom on the top floor.

I sighed, quickly showering and walking back into the room, a towel wrapped around my waist. I dropped it and got into bed, feeling the coolness of the breeze on my skin, the window partially open. I pulled the bedcovers over me and within moments I was instantly asleep. Of course, I was hoping that my dreams, the ones I had been having the last few weeks would enter my subconscious again.

She was there again. In my dreams, just like before. A girl, one I had never laid eyes on before, stood in front of me, wearing raggedy clothes, her beautiful blonde hair tied back in a simple braid as she blinked big blue eyes at me. She looked petite, delicate and something stirred inside me, some overwhelming desire to protect her. I wanted to reach out and touch her, but she was almost transparent. This wasn’t real, but the girl was so beautiful that I didn’t want to see her go. Not like last time. I wanted to hold onto her, for as long as I could. But this was just a dream....wasn't it? Why did it feel so much though as if it were real or if she needed me?

“Who are you?” I asked possessively.

What was it about this girl that caused such a reaction in me? I longed to reach out and touch her. wishing that she was real and not simply a figment of my imagination. I stared at her, committing her face to memory. She looked so vulnerable. As she moved, I caught sight of some of her bare back and my mouth dropped open in a snarl as I saw the red whipping marks across her creamy flesh.

“Who did that?” I demanded, moving closer and trying to put a hand on her.

She flinched, glancing up at me with tears flooding her eyes. She was like an angel, a doll. I gritted my teeth. Why couldn’t she speak? Why couldn’t she tell me who she was? Some part of me wondered if this was a figment of my imagination or divination. It was said some wolves possessed the ability to see into the future. Was this what this was? Some girl who I had yet to meet from my future?

Her lips softly parted. “Hope” she whispered.

I stilled. This was the first time she had ever spoken in my dreams. The sound was like music caressing my face across the void between us. She had a beautiful voice, suited to her and it gave me shivers down my spine just to hear it.

“Hope” I repeated softly and was rewarded with a soft smile as she nodded at me.

A gorgeous name for a beautiful girl. She was stunning. Even dressed in what looked like second-hand clothes, she was prettier than any pack member I had seen. I could feel my body reacting just looking at her.

“Where are you?” I asked, feeling my chest tighten as she stared down at the ground.

Who was hurting her? Why was she being hurt? I could feel all sorts of questions hovering on my tongue. She looked back up and shook her head. I saw tears beginning to trail down her cheeks but there was also a fierce expression on her face. She looked determinedly at me. I sucked in a breath. I could not take my eyes off her. This girl, was she meant to be with me? Was she somehow connected to me in some way? I wanted to ask her but the words stuck in my throat and left me floundering.

“Save me,” she said, her voice like music in the night.

Save her? How was I meant to save her when I didn’t know where she was? I stared, feeling helpless and even angered. If I could save her, then by no means would I hesitate, but how to save somebody who was like a ghost in your dreams?

If she needed somebody to save her, I was willing. I could feel my hands clenching into fists as I stood there looking at her. Whoever the bastard was, I would make them pay, with their lives if I had to in order to rescue this girl.

“Save me” she said again, glancing over her shoulder, her frame beginning to turn even more transparent as I stood there motionless.

“Wait” I tried, the girl turning around. “Where are you? How can I save you if you won’t tell me? Why me?” I demanded, feeling my wolf begin to growl in his mind, also curious about this dream and the girl in it.

A glance over her shoulder and I saw desperation on her face. “Save me” she breathed, beginning to fade in front of my eyes.

“Tell me how” I shouted, trying to move forward, my hand reaching out to grasp her, only to snatch at nothing but air as she vanished once more.

Damnit it had happened again and I had lost her. It was frustrating. Why couldn't I get a straight answer from her?

“Hope” I yelled and then I felt something on top of me, my eyes shooting wide open as I struggled to see who was there.

A roar came from my lips. Another omega trying to seduce me while I slept. I lashed out and rolled out from under her, and she hit the floor, looking stunned. Before I could say anything more, Autumn came running inside, looking concerned. She took in the scene at once, grabbed the omega by the arm roughly, and bowed her head, looking apologetically at me.

“Forgive me Alpha, I will take care of this…” She looked at the omega, her lips curving into a displeased smile. “Slut,” she finished, dragging the girl away before I could grow even angrier.

She hastily shut the door. I got back up from the floor and then collapsed back onto the bed, my mind going back to the dream and a smile curving on my own lips as I began to remember what the girl looked like and wondered if she would enter my sleeping consciousness again or if my night would remain dreamless for the rest of it.