THE BROKEN LUNA

Chapter 8 : Mate in the Cabinet

"Who is he?"

“What? You don't know? He is the youngest Alpha in the world! Only 26 this year and has already shaken up his pack. The Nightfall pack has been quite an agitated place these days.”Someone whispered in a group to educate the person who didn't recognise the young and handsome man seated among the group of Alphas.

The hall was decorated with countless golden lights and classy decor. The Alphas and people of the upper echelon gathered together to start the pack summit. A place where the Alphas get to know the new additions among their title and the rich get to establish their spot among the others.

Every year there are new faces to see. While some are known, some are not.

Asael Nightfall wasn't even a topic of discussion among their circle until a month ago when he took over the nightfall pack and decided to shake it up to remove the dirty things it was hiding.

His endeavours were barely covered in the news but it did send a wave of shock within the circle.

His invite to the packs summit this time made everyone else interested in him while also being cautious of his arrogant and willful nature.

Asael sat at the table with his newly appointed Beta who looked as young as himself. They chatted very little and in such a low voice that not either the neighbouring table was able to hear them.

The Alpha of Silver Howl pack approached the young Alpha's table under the scorching gaze of those who were watching Asael closely.

"Asael nightfall, pleased to meet you." He greeted with a polite smile.

There was a lack of warmth when addressing the younger Alpha. Asael lifted his long lashes to look up at Alpha Philip. His eyes were a shocking bright green.

Asael stood up to shake his hand in an equally polite manner.

"I've heard a lot about you. Being young is nice." Alpha Philip made a subtle jab at his recent activities.

"It sure is, Alpha Philip. Being old comes with its own perks too. I can only hope to be as stealthy and experienced as you."

Asael made such a remark without fear of offending the Alpha.

"Haha, you are interesting." Alpha Philip laughed it off.

The eyes and ears of other Alphas were on them. He wouldn't let this young lad get the best of him. Asael obviously didn't have the same idea.

"I recently heard about your plans for entering the mining industry. The north is a bit far out of your reach it seems. Would you ever need help, you can reach out to me."

The provocation in his tone couldn't be more obvious. Alpha Philip wasn't able to smile anymore. It was true that the mining industry has been booming recently. It was already hard enough that his territory did not produce anything useful and his hands have been itching to grab something from the northern pack territories.

However, those were just thoughts that were never put into action. Asael talking about it in the open would not only reveal his plans to venture into a new industry but also make the other Alphas who were situated in the northern side more vigilant of him.

The peace among the packs was only a facade after all. When the time comes that an Alpha falls, the other Alphas gather around the pack like ants to sugar.

"You know quite a lot, Alpha Asael." He finally addressed him with the title.

Asael shrugged a shoulder nonchalantly but the breeze of satisfaction could not be hidden in his bright green eyes.

"I do like to read."

Such a roundabout way to change the topic shocked those who were listening. An Alpha on the neighbouring table wiped his sweaty hands on his trousers.

From this it was easy to decipher that Asael knew quite a bit about the Alpha's present.

The host Alpha just laughed it off to ease the atmosphere but did not linger around the young Alpha anymore. He couldn't help but leave a few glances at the isolated Alpha.

Initially, he thought Asael was sitting alone because the others were isolating him. They were stronger and saw him as a young pup. He finally understood why he was sitting alone. It was because his glowing green eyes shot glares of unwillingness whenever anyone approached his table. Soon, that table became a seat for him alone.

He wasn't weak in any sense.

"Alpha, how long are you planning on staying at the party?" His beta asked.

The sense of presence of this Beta was little to none. He was so forgettable that no one paid attention to him and the Beta took the utmost advantage of this skill. One of the many reasons why Asael chose him over the old bones his father left behind for him.

"Not long." His leg crossed over the other, he tapped the table and looked around.

All of these people were familiar faces to him. Although they never met, it was easy to figure out most of their life just by reading a few files. That's what these people were to him.

Files. A pile of information he needed to know in order to not be underestimated. A show of strength wasn't equal to the size of their muscles. Sometimes a battle of wits can also defeat a man who never lost a match.

"A bunch of hypocrites." He mumbled under his breath. His tan complexion brightened under the light. The alcohol on the table was untouched.

His Beta, Silas, pushed up his glasses and got him a new glass with normal fruit juice. It was the only thing he let his lips touch in the few hours he spent at the party.

The party had three parts. The first one was simply the dozens of Alphas and others mingling with each other. It passed slowly as Asael had to put some effort into creating his own space. There was also a small confrontation with Alpha Philip.

The second part started with a speech and continued with a couple of musical performances.

"Tacky tastes." Silas commented on what had been on Asael's mind.

"I'm going out for some fresh air." He stood up abruptly, catching the attention of many.

"Follow me." He ordered Silas.

Alpha Philip stopped him by the door of the hall.

"Is the party not enjoyable, Alpha Asael?" He asked. His salt and pepper hair danced along with the light breeze outside.

The night sky twinkled with stars. It was a beautiful night. Asael was even more eager to go outside for free.

"It must be. Everyone is focused on the performances." He answered, "I want to get some fresh air."

"Let me send a guard to guide you. In case you aren't able to make your way back."

A guard trotted over and saluted the Alpha, then stood behind Silas.

Asael's sharp green eyes blinked and he nodded. This tactic was rotten but still worked. Sending a person along to make sure he speaks wander around his territory while also expressing concern was too outdated.

Asael pocketed both hands and let the night breeze brush over his face. It cooled his blood and made him less agitated.

The guard was not as quiet as Silas. The crunching of his feet as he walked behind them was the only annoyance left.

Or that's what he thought. Ever since he stepped foot into the Silver Howl pack, his wolf wouldn't sit still. It kept jumping in agitation as if someone had stepped on his tail. However, no matter how much Asael asked, he never said anything. He kept pacing around, swinging its tail and growling in his head.

Not all of the pack members were in attendance at the party. Most of them were going about their life like it was another normal day.

Asael walked past them on the street with his Alpha leashed. He wasn't a fan of showing off his Alpha status where it wasn't needed.

Soon, they reached the end of the bustling street and ventured into a low populated area with several houses lined up one after the other.

"Alpha, that's the residential block ahead!" The guard said.

Asael was about to turn back when suddenly his wolf went crazy. It stopped pacing but howled like a crazy beast.

"Ugh!" Asael held his head and pressed hard.

Silas immediately held him up, preventing him from falling to the ground.

Then, a scent as pleasant as flowers and pure as the morning dew drops numbed his senses. The pain from his wolf going mad stopped abruptly.

The moon uncovered herself from the curtain of clouds and smiled at him with a sharp curve.

Asael blinked repeatedly to gain clarity. He gripped Silas for additional support and turned around, trying to figure out where the scent was coming from.

It made his mouth water. It was like nothing he knew. It was a combination of everything he liked.

Disregarding everything, he took large strides towards one of the houses. The source of that pleasant smell.

"Alpha, you cannot go there! That's the residential block!"

Silas blocked the guard with one hand. He twisted his hand back and knocked him on the back of the head. Before he knew what happened, the guard was already unconscious and placed in a sleeping position on the sidewalk.

Beta followed right behind his Alpha. They stopped in front of a normal looking house.

The look in Asael's eyes was maddening. Silas held back everything he wanted to say once he saw it.

The thought of conquering whatever was giving off that scent made him go crazy. If he couldn't have it, then this pack might as well be burned to the ground.

The house emitting the scent was locked. One kick from the Alpha was all it took for it to give in. The house was dark and gloomy. At first glance it looked like no one was inside. However, there were voices coming from the top floor.

The scent grew stronger. Like a flower that bloomed in the most beautiful moment. However, the petals were stained with something else.

"Alpha, there is a strong smell of blood coming from the top floor." Silas confirmed his suspicions.

Silas heard heavy breathing best to himself. Frowning at the strong smell of blood, he turned to see the green irises of Alpha Asael were now a dark red. A sign of his wolf taking over.

He consciously stepped back. It was the right thing to do, as the very next second, the Alpha rushed up the stairs and what followed was horrified screams of people.

-----

Stella wasn't dead yet. A rather depressing news for her.

Stella groaned in pain inside a small cabinet inlaid with dust. A pungent smell of blood and rodents filled her nose. The air inside the cabinet was thin, it was already hard enough to breathe as it was and the smell only made it harder.

She was wrapped with a bedsheet and tied into a ball. The goal was to suffocate her inside this cabinet? Was it to leave her in there to starve.

Either way, it was a cruel method.

Stella opened her blurry eyes to see only darkness. Nora and Austin's voices were distant due to the already closed door of the cabinet. She caught a few words here and there. It broke her spirit further.

Something about running away. Probably to make an excuse for her disappearance. They really wanted to end her like this. What a shameful way to die.

Stella's called out in her heart, "Serena? Am I going to die?"

This time Serena answered. Her voice came sad but not as broken as Stella.

"No. You'll live. Don't worry. Help will come." She assured.

"No, nobody will help me. Everyone wants me gone."

What was hope at this point? She was going to meet her father soon. If only she didn't put up with life for so long, she would be with him this whole time. Away from the nightmares at night and the hellish life during the day.

"Don't say that! There is still -"

Serena's voice came to an abrupt halt as a loud crash interrupted her. In her head, Stella felt like Serena heaved a long sigh of relief.

"Stella. Hope is always there. You have to keep believing." She said softly.

Stella's barely conscious state didn't allow her to believe anymore. She was vaguely away from the crash. It sounded like the door was broken down.

"Who was that?!" She heard Nora say.

"Wait, it might be a burglar." Austin guessed.

"Burglars don't break down doors so loudly!" Nora pointed out.

"Then who -"

The surprises didn't end there. From inside the cabinet, Stella heard their screams.

"Who is this?!"

"Let me go!"

"What's the matter with you?!"

"An Alpha?!"

The hope that Serena kept raving about lit up inside her heart. An Alpha? What Alpha? Was it Alpha Philip? Did he come to save her?

It didn't matter who it was as long as Stella had a chance to live. She wouldn't make the mistake of staying like a burden anymore. She'll leave in the dead of the night even if she had to crawl out of the border.

She needed one more chance. Just one last chance.

Tears of desperation filled her eyes. She lifted herself up. The body that was beaten black and blue didn't heed her command easily. It took everything in Stella to move forward. Her limbs were packed in the bedsheet, so she lifted her head and banged it on the door of the cabinet. The cabinet was locked. Stella banged her head a couple of times.

Please help me. Please get me out.

I'll never trouble anyone again.

I want to leave. Please.

She pleaded in her heart.

The screams stopped. Hurried footsteps followed and a man's voice was heard this time. Calm and collected.

"Alpha, the cabinet."

The door of the cabinet rattled. Seems like someone was trying to open it. Stella's heart tightened. She stopped banging her head and waited with crying eyes.

"It's locked."

"Move!" Another voice commanded. The sound of his voice was deep and hoarse. It restarted the slowed down heart in her chest.

Stella took a deep breath to avoid suffocating. While doing so, she was met with a scent so nice that the disgusting stench in the cabinet was completely gone.

Stella felt intoxicated in that moment. Her swollen eyes grew large as the cabinet door opened. A large air flow suddenly met Stella on the face and in came the scent that made her want to cry even more.

A man she didn't recognise had directly ripped open the cabinet door without a key. His red irises were scary and so was his heavy breathing.

Stella watched with open eyes as he blinked away the redness. A faint green emerged from the deepest pits of his eyes and gradually darkened.

He reached inside to touch her cold skin. His lips moved, but the sound of his voice didn't reach her ears.

Stella wasn't a master of lip reading but she was able to make out the word his lips formed.

"Mate."

Relief washed over her like cold water over a burn. Before she had the time to think about anything, her eyes dropped and the adrenaline left her body, leaving it limp in the cabinet.