INFINITE NIGHT

9. Second thoughts

I went back to our bunker alone, Moonlight Shadow was close enough that I didn't have to involve anyone to drive me there. Good, less chance of anyone noticing my presence, especially now that the mission has been canceled.

I reached our corridors, now full of bunk beds and right away Ink was by my side.

"So how many? My equipment is all set, but you probably need to see Pops first." - he asked me.

I stopped and met his eyes, not sure how to explain what I just saw. It's nothing like what I experienced before. Seeing that Alpha and his human Luna made me question my previous missions. Maybe Alpha of the Moonlight Shadow wasn't an exception, but rather I didn't watch others long enough. I'm more than sure that most of them are simply monsters, treating us like subspecies, but what if I had sentenced someone like that Alpha from today to death, not even giving him a chance to see who he really is. Or even worse I killed someone decent who was then replaced by a ruthless r****t.

I suddenly felt so tired. I would have to watch my targets closer from now on.

"That was just a reconnaissance, but I haven't seen any high ranked wolves today. Maybe tomorrow I will have better luck." - I answered to Ink's question, not ready to include him in my new discovery. After all, that one today could be a one time thing that proves the rule.

I made my way to Pops's study. This time the bunker was big enough that he didn't have to share his space with Dennis. We were able to set a small office like space for our leader and even something close to the infirmary for Dennis, where he was constantly mastering his sutures making.

I knocked on Pops's doors and went inside to find my chosen father sitting on his bed with a book in hand.

"Tamsy! Have you introduced yourself to our new neighbors?" - he asked with a warm smile.

"Yeah, about that… something happened, and I need to talk to you about that."

Pops put his book down and looked at me concerned, showing me with his hand gesture to sit on the opposite chair.

"What is it, Baby Girl?"

"Pops, is it possible that Alpha chose a human Luna? I saw them today, they looked so happy with each other and she didn't seem to be a slave there. Everybody showed her respect and she looked really comfortable there, it was simply strange to watch."

Pops was watching me for a while thinking about my words.

" Did you kill them?" - he asked me finally.

" No, I couldn't. She reminded me so much of my mother. She even had the brothel branding on her arm."

He nodded and started thinking about that case.

"Well, it's rare, but not impossible. He must've fallen in love with her, but we can't be sure she was his Luna. Maybe a Mistress."

"No. I'm more than sure she was Luna, you told me that Alphas bite their partners as a sign of their union. She definitely had a mark on her neck, and her child was called Alpha by their warriors." - I explained what I saw.

"So maybe he's a really progressive leader. Back in my days it was almost unheard-of, human women were considered too weak to be suitable for a Luna post."

"Pops? Tell me once again how Alphas choose their Lunas?" - I asked him feeling that something isn't right. Every Luna I ever saw and I came across few dozens of them always looked so sickeningly happy.

"It's a really individual approach. Love, politics. Depends on what's the most important for Alpha. If he wants a strong Mate he choses strong she-wolf, someone from a prominent home. But if he's more concerned about his own happiness he is free to follow his heart." - Pops said with absent gaze. Like always when I ask about hypothetical Luna. He really loved his own, when she was still alive. And because he's not afraid to admit it I respect him for it even more.

" And once he bite her, she becomes the only woman he wants, right?"

"That's right." - he confirmed.

"So this Alpha from today won't harm his human Luna?"

"Probably not. What are you thinking about, Tamsy?" - he asked me and by the tone he said that I knew that whatever I would decide he will support me.

"Many things, Pops. But most of all, if I were ever wrong to take someone's life, you know. Like maybe I killed someone, who was like you or that Alpha from today. Until today I really thought you were an exception, the only supporter who is still secretly rooting for humans, but now I… I just don't know." - I finally expressed my true concerns, and he placed his hand on my shoulder. Support. That's what I always got from him.

"Tamsy, it's good to doubt sometimes. That only proves that your mission hasn't become a mere job to you, that you are not a killing machine, but you are actually compassionate and trying to make the world a better place. I'm proud of you, Baby Girl." - he said with a soft smile on his tired face.

"So you wouldn't be mad if I would take longer before each mission, just to make sure that I target truly bad guys?" - I asked with a pout.

Pops started laughing.

"Tamsy, you always used that look when you wanted another bedtime story or sweets before dinner and you know what was my answer each time."

I sent him a happy grin because I knew exactly that I got what I wanted. Pops always had a soft spot for me, and he indeed never denied me of anything that was in his reach or wasn't too unreasonable. We may not be connected by blood, but there is nothing different in our relationship than the usual Father and Daughter's bond. He taught me how to read, swim and fight. He was the one who took care of me when I was sick and couldn't count on my Mom. He is everything that a parent should be for all of us, but I think that my Mom's condition brought us even closer as I didn't have anyone else to look after me.

"Thanks Pops! I just feel that this is the right thing to do. I don't want to feel guilty for killing a potential ally."

"That's your personal mission, Tamsy. I'm simply an informant in all of this, if you feel that something doesn't sit right with you it's your call." - he said calmly and I suspected that much, but the respect I have for him forces me to have his approval. - "Now go get some rest, Baby Girl. Tomorrow we'll start over."

I kissed his cheek and left his little office, returning to my own cot. Before I fell asleep I kept thinking about that peculiar Alpha who chose a human girl for himself. I can't deny that I would really like to speak with him, to know why is he acting against all wolf's rules. As the girl is branded, I can only guess that her story wasn't perfect, and I can't help but to picture different scenarios she might have been through.

I don't know when sleep took over me, but when I woke up some of my comrades were already up doing their usual chores.

I went to our small canteen and took a piece of roasted deer from yesterday. Ruby and Ink entered the room when I was wiping my hands, readying myself to leave.

"Mo, do you want me to drive you today?" - asked Ruby.

"No need. I'll shift and run. I agreed with Pops that from now on I will spend more time observing my new target. I want to know who they are first."

My friends exchanged glances, and Ruby crossed her arms, like she always does when she's getting suspicious.

"Why?" - she asked simply.

"It came to me that Pops may not be the only one that gave a crap about humans. After all that was our main goal, to punish those who came up with all this Infinite Night s**t or play any role in enslaving humans. That's why we came up with the Flare, to give humans hope. Am I right?"

Ruby's frown softened a bit, getting my point. Lately I didn't gave a f**k about my targets, only getting to them mattered but yesterday's events were kind of eye opening experience.

"Alright, but when you're done with your little spying I'll be driving you to an actual mission, deal?" - Ruby asked and her innocent question was really far from asking, but I nodded anyway.

I prepared my Hecate knowing I won't be using it today, but I need the optical sight from it, so why the hell not. I put on my black outfit and head towards the entrance to the bunker.

When I opened the main doors I already knew something was wrong. That damn animal in me started pacing with worry in the back of my head. I put my head up and inhaled deeply seeking for anything suspicious but the only scent I caught was Abi's. She probably went early in the morning to hunt for fresh food. I followed her smell a little further away from the entrance and then I saw her. She was sitting on the ground, with tears in her eyes.

"Abi, what's wrong?" - I asked running towards her. She locked her eyes with me and she shook her head almost unnoticeable. Like she was saying something that I didn't get.

I was just a few feet away from her when I heard a manly voice from behind me.

"Who would have known that Moray is a Girl."

But before I was able to turn to that voice and see him properly someone put a sack on my head blinding me in that instant.