The Luna's Journey

Chapter 3

Theron

"Alpha, the captive is awake," reported Alex, my beta, as he entered the office.

I responded with a curt nod before draping my leather jacket over the back of the chair. We had no information yet about the rogue we had captured last night. That she-wolf was likely sent by an enemy pack, a matter I intend to unravel today.

"Have you begun the interrogation?" I inquired dispassionately as I made my way down the cold, sterile corridor leading straight to the prison cell.

"We fed her first because she looked very hungry," he explained.

The hissing and growling of the captives echoed through the corridor as I passed by the cells. In just this month alone, we had caught nearly a hundred rogues who had lurked near our borders. They were likely unaware of the invisible fences we had erected, ready to electrocute anyone daring enough to trespass.

As Alex swung open the prison door, a sweet, unfamiliar aroma filled the air. I was caught off guard, freezing in my tracks. What was that scent? The sudden interruption shifted my focus, and if Alex hadn't spoken to me, I might have remained absentminded.

"This is the girl we captured last night, Alpha," he informed me, breaking through my momentary bewilderment.

The she-wolf had her head lowered, hiding her face from my view. Her hands and feet were securely chained, and her clothes were soiled, yet she didn’t smell bad. Alex, my beta, compelled the she-wolf to lift her head by gripping her chin firmly. And when our eyes met, a whirlwind of a hundred different emotions surged within me.

"What's your name?" I inquired; my voice steady, concealing the turmoil beneath.

I saw a flicker of fear in the depths of her gray eyes as Alex tightened his grip on her chin. "Hope Miracle," she replied, her voice barely more than a whisper.

"Who sent you here?" I pressed, studying her face for any hint of deception.

Her expression seemed genuinely perplexed as if my question caught her off guard. Many had attempted to deceive me with feigned innocence in the past, but none had succeeded. Perhaps they had dispatched this she-wolf because of her striking appearance, but I wouldn't be swayed by it. I knew all too well that beneath this pretty facade lay a deceitful nature.

“Answer the Alpha!” Alex demanded.

Hope's body trembled with fear as she shook her head. "No one sent me here. I ran away from my pack," she replied, tears suddenly streaming down her face. For a brief, unbidden moment, my heart ached. It was an odd emotion to feel, especially towards a stranger.

"Why did you run away? And from which pack?" I probed, but she didn't answer, only sobbing.

Alex and I exchanged glances; perhaps this was one of her tricks, an attempt to gain our sympathy. Alex harshly released Hope's chin and reached for a whip, his preferred tool for dealing with rogues. He was on the verge of using it when she remained silent.

"That's enough for now, Alex," I intervened, putting a halt to his actions. "We'll continue the interrogation tomorrow, once she's no longer so emotional."

My gaze returned to Hope. "We'll be back tomorrow, so make sure to answer all of my questions, or else..." I threatened, snatching the whip from Alex and striking the wall with force, causing her to whimper in fear. “You’ll be dead.”

Alex pepper me with questions as we exited the prison cell. "Do you think what that captive said was true? That she ran away?"

"Let's give her the benefit of the doubt," I responded.

If she was truly telling the truth, that would be good. However, if she was lying and manipulating her words to deceive us, then she had better start praying now. Just being a rogue was already a violation, and if I discovered she was lying, I would show her no mercy.

‘Oh, really, Teo? Why did you stop Alex earlier from striking that rogue?’ Cosmos, my wolf, interjected, his tone carrying a hint of malice.

‘Shut up, boy!’

"Which pack do you think that girl is from?" Alex wondered aloud.

I had no specific pack in mind. We had numerous enemies from various packs, making it difficult to guess. Besides, it wasn't the question of who Hope Miracle was or which pack she belonged to that left me bewildered; it was the way she had stirred something within me, a sensation I couldn't quite place.

Her scent, the emotions that seemed to emanate uniquely from her—it all felt peculiar and confusing. Perhaps it was because I had yearned so desperately to find my mate that my mind was playing tricks on me. Maybe it was all just a delusion.

The next day, Alex and I were joined by Hillary and Zach as we visited the rogue—the delta and gamma of the pack. They hadn't been with us yesterday because they were assigned to inspect the borders for any possible damage.

"I heard from Alex that the captive is beautiful. Maybe you'll fall in love again, Zach," Hillary teased as we made our way down to the cell.

"Quit playing, Hillary. I know you like me. Don't be jealous, baby. I'll close my eyes later," Zach chimed in, going along with Hillary's joke, which only seemed to annoy her.

After opening the door to the prison, my gaze immediately fell upon Hope, who sat in the left corner of the room, her long, dark hair veiling her face. Her hands were clasped together tightly, but I could still detect a faint tremor in her form.

"Is this the captive?" Hillary remarked. "She looks like a ghost, so pale."

Hillary was the first to approach Hope. Her gentle touch seemed to make the captive tremble, as if she were afraid of being hurt. I couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with her.

"Hey, stop trembling. I just moved your hair aside to see if what they're saying is true," Hillary teased. "Geez, I'm not going to hit you, so relax. Well, unless you deserve a punch."

“You’re scaring her, Hillary,” Zach noted.

They were preoccupied with scrutinizing Hope while I grappled with trying to make sense of the inexplicable feelings welling up within me. The scent I had detected yesterday had grown more pronounced today, and there was an undeniable pull from Hope that made it even more tangible.

I couldn't shake the feeling that she was more than just a rogue. There was something about her that raised deep-seated concerns within me. It couldn't be.

Suddenly, our eyes met once more, and in that electrifying moment, a certain realization struck me like a bolt of lightning. My heart raced as I whispered, almost to myself, "No, it can't be..."