#5 When the New Moon Falls

Leo

A pain ripped through my chest, taking my breath away and causing me to bend over my desk.

“What’s wrong, Alpha?” Jacks’ voice sounded far away. I gasped, clutching my chest.

I knew this pain. I felt this pain once before, when I had sex with Madeline. Austyn was cheating on me? No, this was different. It was worse. I felt nauseous and afraid.

“Something’s wrong with Austyn. Where is she?” I growled at Jacks.

“Nick said they got back home about 30 minutes ago. He’s with Amber. The entire patrol team is guarding the house. She’s there with Fern and Emma.” Jacks’ answer was way too long winded. I took off towards the cabin and burst through the door.

“Where is she?” My voice was low and dangerous. Fern and Emma were sitting alone at the kitchen table and I knew, without a doubt, that Austyn wasn’t here. Her scent was old and disappearing quickly.

“Alpha!” Emma stood up quickly, looking guilty.

“She’s in trouble. Where is she?” Quinn’s voice came out of my mouth. If they made us ask again, things weren’t going to end well. Fern and Emma glanced at each other, and I realized I already knew the answer.

“She’s gone to meet my father, hasn’t she?” They both nodded and I tore out of the house, ripping the door off its hinges.

“With me, you useless fools!” I screamed at the guard wolves.

I ran towards Mary’s cabin, following my mate’s scent the whole way there. I yanked open the door and nearly died at the scene before me. My mate was in her underwear, being forced against the wall by Frank. His hands were touching my mate, touching what was mine. A growl more murderous than I had ever heard before escaped me.

Quinn took complete control without asking. He demanded we shift and he stormed the house. He grabbed Frank by the shoulder, using his strong jaw to throw him across the living room. Quinn wasted no time, he didn’t even let Frank shift. He ripped our father to pieces right then and there. And I let him.

Once Frank was a mangled mess, dead on the floor, Quinn let me shift so I could comfort our mate. I was heartbroken when Austyn retreated from me, when she reacted so violently from my touch. She wanted Fern. She was supposed to want me. Quinn whimpered when I let her go.

After ordering those useless guard wolves to clean up the mess, I went to find Austyn. I stepped over the discarded door and into her house. I followed her scent up the steps. Emma, Mallory, and Amber were sitting in her bedroom.

“Where is she?” I demanded again. The girls stood in front of the bathroom door, refusing to move.

“She doesn’t want to see you right now, Alpha.” Emma said in a soft tone, the urge to protect her Luna overriding my Alpha command.

“I don’t care. I need to make sure she’s okay.”

“She’s not okay and she doesn’t need to be around an angry man right now.” Amber actually dared to glare at me.

“I am your Alpha…..” I roared,

“And she’s our Luna and our friend. I’m sorry, Alpha, but protecting her is more important than listening to you.” Mallory, quiet little Mallory, snapped at me.

The bathroom door opened and I was disappointed to see Fern on the other side of it.

“All of this yelling isn’t helping.” She said with her hands on her hips.

“I need to see her.” My voice pleaded. I heard the sound of water sloshing around and then my completely naked and soaking wet mate was standing in the doorway. Emma, Amber, Fern, and Mallory stared at her with their mouths hanging open. I glared at her instead, knowing that she was only doing this to get a reaction from me.

“I don’t need you here right now.” She said.

“I’m your mate, you’re supposed to need me.” I was aware that my voice sounded pathetic.

“You’re the reason this happened to me.” Her eyes were cold. I stumbled back at her words.

“Me?” I whimpered.

“Just leave me alone, Leo.” She bit, slamming the bathroom door shut. I felt blown away with pain as my mate basically rejected me.

The girls turned their once angry eyes on me, now looking at me with sympathy.

“Just give her a little time. She’s in a lot of pain right now, Alpha.” Fern said.

“Just….look out for her. She’s your sole job right now.” I told them in a broken voice.

“Of course, Alpha.” Emma nodded. I dropped my head and left the cabin.

All five of the Luna Guard wolves were standing on her front yard, kneeling before me.

“You have all failed.” I growled at them. They bowed their heads,

“You are stripped of your duties. You are stripped of your rank. You are not worthy of being on any guard details if you cannot keep your Luna safe. Get out of my sight before I throw you in the cells.” I showed no sympathy, no compassion, as I disciplined my useless, pathetic patrol wolves. They bowed their heads again before running off.

“What about me?” Nick stepped up to me and dropped to one knee, begging my forgiveness.

“Get up.” I said, gritting my teeth together. Nick stood, but avoided my eyes as a show of submission.

“You failed, too. Your duty is to the Luna before your mate. You knew she was pissed, you knew she was determined to see my father. You never should have left her alone in that house.”

“Yes, Alpha.” His tone was defeated.

“It will be a long time before you regain my trust, Nick.” I growled.

“Yes, Alpha.”

“You need to select five more wolves to be on the Luna Guard. You damn well make sure to pick a better lot than the last one. If you fail again, I will remove you as my Gamma.” Nick looked up at me in shock,

“You’re not going to…..” I cut him off,

“Don’t make me change my mind. You’re still the only male I can stand to be around my mate. Fix this, Nick, fix it now.” I grabbed his arm and forced him to look me in the eyes. Quinn was making himself known.

“Yes, Alpha.” He nodded once, sternly. When I released him, he ran off towards the grounds. I heard him mindlink the entire pack, calling all the Warrior wolves forward for tryouts.

I went back to the packhouse and towards my room. I was too pissed to be around anybody. Right now, the entire pack was incompent for failing to protect my mate. But, none of them were a bigger disappointment than me. I failed at the most important job I had ever been given. I failed at protecting my mate. Worst of all, I let my own father hurt her.

I growled, punching my door open aggressively. If it wasn’t for the reinforced hinges, it would have been on the ground like Austyn’s door.

“You have no idea how bad your timing is, Madeline. Get the fuck out.” I didn’t even bother to raise my voice at the sight of Madeline, naked, on my bed.

“I know that your mate isn’t giving you what you need. Let me do it, Alpha, let me help you.” She curled her lips back in a disgusting smile. I grabbed her arms and yanked her off the bed,

“I said, get. Out!” I screamed, tossing her behind me. I heard her hit the door, but I didn’t care.

Her hands snaked up my back. This bitch really couldn’t take a hint. I spun around to tell her what a slut she was, but not before her lips hit mine. It was only a second, but I knew it would be enough for Austyn to feel the effects. I shoved her away.

“What the fuck!” I yelled. I opened the door and hauled her out of my room. I drug her the whole way down the steps to the cells. I chucked her in the first open cell.

“Fuck!” I growled to myself, running back towards Austyn’s cabin.

Emma, Fern, Mallory, and Amber were standing on the front lawn. They had terrified expressions on their faces and I knew exactly what was wrong. I didn’t want to admit it to myself, Quinn didn’t want to admit it, either.

“Where is she?” I was breathless as I stood in front of them. I was never breathless.

“Alpha, she’s gone.” Fern’s words dropped me to my knees.