REBIRTH OF THE TRUE LUNA

CHAPTER 3: THE LAST RESORT

Leah quickly made her way to Shadow crest Lake, her favorite place where she could be alone and unwind.

The lake was a safe haven away from the packing house, with no threat of attacks in the area. Although, rumors circulated about the Lycan territory being two miles away, but it was a risk no one dared to explore.

Without thinking much, she took off her clothes and jumped into the water. It was cold, but at the same time, it was precisely what she needed to calm herself down.

Suddenly, she felt a strange presence, it was powerful and dominating, but she knew for sure, it wasn't her husband which made her even more alert.

She looked around carefully, and just then, her eyes caught the figure of a black wolf with glowing red eyes observing her from across the lake.

That wasn't a good sign.

So Leah decided not to take any chances and dived underwater, making her way to shore as quickly as she could, running for her life as a loud growing howl followed her.

Soon she was back at her territory. Luckily, she managed to pick up her clothes before she ran away. She put on her dress and tried to zip it up in the back, but her fingers could barely reach it.

“Just hold on, let me help you.” Both hands touched her back as Luke, her husband's beta, helped her to zip up. Leah wondered if he'd been there the whole time.

“What are you doing here?” she asked the man, turning to face him.

“I've been waiting,” he said, gravely. “I found your jacket and thought you were on the run. Why didn't you shift?”

“I did,” she lied without even a glance. If anyone found out she couldn't transform, her fate would be decided in due time. She couldn't afford that. Leah knew she needed time.

“But that's not relevant,” she quickly decided to change the topic, “There's been an intruder at Shadow crest Lake. Send some wolf guards to check it out.”

“Okay, Luna,” he said, his eyes widening in time as he gave the command via mind link.

Leah decided not to wait for him and walked slowly towards the entrance of the house, but Luke soon caught up to her and opened the mansion door, ushering her in.

“Everything will be fine,” he blurted out suddenly, which made her stop. He always told her that a lot back then, but always stood by her husband when he had to make a difficult decision.

This was one of the betrayals that hurt her the most because she was sure that she and beta Luke were always on good terms. However, when they stripped her off her title as Luna, he didn't even object. There were so many things she wanted to tell him at that moment, but she couldn't.

She placed her soft hands on his shoulders and looked at him with a sad smile, “You knew about Nina, right?”

His expression changed as if a light had hit his face, his lips parted slightly.

“Yes, Luna, I'm sorry,” he admitted, looking at the ground.

“No problem,” he patted, “I got it.” You can't go against your Alpha's orders.

“If I could…” he began, but Leah quickly cut him off.

“It's no problem at all,” she shrugged, "You will always have my back, right?”

“Always.”

“Then, I'll be fine.” She smiled and went in. She needed to think about what to do next.

Leah sighed as she walked into the bedroom and closed the door. She already knew that Zev would not sleep with her tonight. As far as she remembers, he did not sleep with Nina during this time, but was drinking and smoking in his private room. In the morning he would bring her flowers and gifts and apologize. But Nina would still be there.

After a long, relaxing shower, she went to her desk and pulled out her old journal. It hadn't been used for many years, but it was good for her and a good place to record all the important events, including those that happened in the year before her death.

She tried to remember and put down everything. She knew too well what she would do with this information. The story had just begun.

Her plan was simple. Since she couldn’t change the main event and get rid of Nina, she would have to leave. But not without her pack.

It would be essential to try to show Zev and the rest of the pack that Nina isn't what she claims to be. Leah was afraid to even think about what would happen if Nina became their Luna because she for sure wouldn’t have the pack’s interests at heart for even a single moment.

Although deep down, Leah’s heart wanted revenge, she didn’t have it in her heart to hate everyone. She rather saved the hate for the ones who betrayed her trust and led to her demise, the ones who promised her respect and protection but gave her humiliation and suffering. Yes, those were the ones she was going to face head on.

There was a knock at the door suddenly, and Zev walked in, making her quickly jolt up as she closed the journal and hid it underneath her pillow. Luckily, he didn’t pay attention to the sudden movements.

Guilt was written all over his face. Who was he trying to fool? Was it the guilt because she put up an argument, and yet still chose his mate? This was something new, and she thought she should be more cautious. In her previous life, he had not come to see her that night.

“Leah,” he moved closely towards her, "Luke told me there was an intruder at the lake, are you hurt? What happened? What were you doing over there?”

“Oh, so you care now,” Leah stood up and folded her arms. Their previous arguments about Nina never ended. He would never believe what a bad person his so-called fated mate was. So it was best to keep the discussions about her closed.

“And just so you know, I am so speechless by all of this.” She began.

“What do you mean?” Zev looked at her in a confused manner.

“We are one of the strongest wolf pack, yet a strange-looking wolf wanders around our territory, watching out for your Luna, as she takes a swim naked in the lake-”

"The wolf did what? Zev growled. If it were then, it would drive her crazy in his cute retort of possessiveness. But right now, she was pissed. He had no right to growl like that in her presence.

“You heard me,” she said, "and instead of looking for that wolf right now, my husband is doing goodness knows what. Not that I'm trying to start a quarrel, but this is exactly what I was talking about earlier today. Your so-called mate has already started distracting you from what is important.”

It was the plain truth, a low blow that could not be avoided. Frankly, she wished he were busy with other things right now. In the past, the closer he got to Nina, the more power and supporters she received.

“You're angry and frustrated,” he said, “Yes, I understand. I broke my promise to you. “I—”

“I would rather you not speak of it,” she stopped him. “It has already happened.”

“Leah, baby,” he nibbled on her neck, right where he marked her years ago, bonding their wolves forever and acknowledging her as his chosen mate. “I know I have hurt you badly, I’m sorry and willing to fix everything.”

“You're the only Luna of our pack, and no one can take that position away from you; you know that, right?” He started planting kisses on her neck, trying to unzip her dress at the same time.

Don't even try,” she said nervously, causing him to stop. “Not today," She didn't want to have any form of intimacy with him. If her wolf Silver was there now, she would be howling from pain as she was attached to Zev's wolf, Farkas. However, she couldn’t feel Silver. But she didn't dare to explain it.

“Leah?” Zev looked at her in shock. They were happier together before today.“Why do you reject my touch?”

“Believe it or not, Zev, after what happened today, I'm not happy at all,” she said, looking into his eyes.

He caressed her cheek softly before he turned to leave the room. “I will make it up to you by morning, sweet dreams, Leah,”

After a sleepless night, she knew what she had to do, and she also knew her first step.

Still in her room, she dialed the number that no other werewolves would risk calling. She was left with no other choice.

“Hello, Beta Boris speaking,” an annoyed hoarse voice sounded on the other end. Leah gulped hard before responding.

“Hello, Beta. This is Luna Leah Sanders.”

“And, how may I help you?” he responded, seeming bored.

“Six years ago, I saved your niece from a rogue attack at her preschool. You gave me this number and told me that you owed me one and to reach out whenever.”

The Lycan paused before answering her.

“So I guess you are calling to collect your reward?” he chuckled.

“I wouldn’t bother if lives were not involved,” she interrupted him.

“Okay, get straight to the point,” the man agreed, “What do you want from me?”

“I need to have an audience with the Lycan King,” Leah replied, her voice filled with determination.