Tango with the Alpha's Heart

Chapter 23 - Strong and fair

Emily's POV

The beeping sound of the heart monitor was driving me insane, and Alex had been unconscious for almost eighteen hours. I was pacing up and down like a mad woman, worried that something serious was wrong with Alex.

"How is he?" Luke asked, entering the infirmary room. He was running the pack in Alex's absence.

It spread like wildfire that Alex was in the hospital, and before long, his room spilled over with flowers and get-well-soon cards.

The pack members loved him, and it made me so proud, but that didn't calm my nerves. He lay way too still for my liking on the hospital bed, and even his scent had lost its intoxication.

"The doctor says that Alex will wake up soon," I replied, yet I didn't believe a word I had just uttered. "His body is just taking the needed rest to heal himself."

"Mmm," Luke said, pulling a sour face. "Alpha hasn't slept much the last couple of weeks. It is expected that he will take the needed rest."

I flinched upon hearing the hidden messages behind Luke's words.

"This all happened because of me," I asked, feeling guilty.

Luke sighed.

"Don't beat yourself up about it," he said, squeezing my shoulder. "Alpha has always been like that when he worries about something or someone. He isn't much of a sleeper."

Did this happen before?

A painful pinch crossed my heart, and tears welled up in my eyes. I never thought seeing Alex like this would stir up feelings in me. I thought I would be able to ignore the mate bond between us, but now it seems like I was fighting a losing battle.

"How did you know?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

I wanted to know more about Alex—the boy I knew from afar had grown into a man, one that I didn't necessarily know anymore, but I didn't want to make it obvious.

Luke looked at me all confused, not knowing what I was asking.

"Know what exactly, Luna?" He asked.

"That I was the one who crossed the border?" I asked, ignoring the title he used to address me.

"I'm a Lycan myself," he said proudly. "I have special gifts, too."

"Gifts," I said, feeling the word roll off my tongue.

Only full-blooded Lycans were blessed with abilities, and I was surprised to find out that there were more than originally recorded. How many are still alive? How many were hiding in plain sight?

Was it possible that Xavier didn't have all the facts and that the Lycans hid among the packs to try and save our species?

Something about that thought bothered me, yet I just couldn't put my finger on it.

"What kind of special gifts do you possess?" I asked.

"For starters, my senses are more heightened than the rest," Luke said, smiling. "I can see shadows, smell the faintest scent, and pick up vibrations that normal wolves cannot."

"I guess you can read between the lines as well?" I asked, finding Luke's gaze.

"If you are referring to matters of the heart," he said. "I can't, but I am trained to read a person and pick up on their emotions and mood changes."

"How did you know what the warrior said wasn't true?" I asked. "You could have easily taken his side. I have intruded after all."

"Sam linked me," he said. "He told me that he had found an unknown female who looked familiar in the Alpha’s office."

Luke shifted his head to the side.

"I had already picked up your scent and knew you kept your promise to visit," Luke said, and a cocky smile formed on his lips. "I tried to send everyone on a wild goose chase, giving you two time to talk."

My face warmed. We never got to talk.

"That doesn't mean I didn't come to assassinate your Alpha," I said.

Luke sighed and brushed his hand through his blond hair.

"Luna," he said, seriously, as he pinned my gaze. "You might be a badass she-wolf in your pack, but you are not a cold-blooded killer. Except for that, you were more concerned about Alpha Alex's well-being than trying to complete the assassination."

"What will you do with the warrior?" I asked, the bruises on my wrists already vanishing.

I was so concerned about what was happening to Alex that the thought of extending my aura or extracting my claws didn't cross my mind. I could have easily taken both the warriors down, yet I haven't. I wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing, yet Luke believed it was a good thing. Now he had proof to get rid of the warrior.

"I will have the Alpha decide the warrior's fate," Luke said. "You are his mate, and it only seems reasonable that he decides on the punishment. I have already asked the council to investigate the said warrior and bring me more proof."

Luke had asked me what the warrior said to me; he only heard part of the conversation when he came down the hall, which is why he was so angry when he entered.

"Do you think there are other girls?" I asked. I wasn't able to say the words, but Luke seemed to understand.

"I don't doubt that," he said.

I nodded in understanding.

"Your parents wish to see you," Luke said after a moment of silence.

"I'm not ready to face them," I said. "Why did you inform them of my arrival?"

"I haven't," Luke said. "Sam did; he recognized you."

"Sam? Sam Ranger?" I asked.

Luke nodded.

Sam was part of my group of friends; he was also the first one to turn his back on me when I didn't shift on time.

"Sam became a warrior when you disappeared," he said.

Yet again, there was a hidden message in Luke's words, and I turned my head to look at him, finding his gaze.

"Things weren't easy when you disappeared," Luke said, going toward the window. "Alpha Alex investigated your disappearance. He didn't take your absence well."

"What does it have to do with Sam?" I asked.

"Sam and the group you and Mila moved with were part of the investigation," Luke said, looking out the window. "Alpha Cole informed Alpha Alex on his return that you hadn't shifted and how the pack was treating you. He was outraged about that even before he found out you were mates."

"Did Alex blame them for my disappearance?" I asked.

"No," Luke said, shaking his head. "Alpha Alex has always been a fair alpha. He would work through reports and differentiate between fact and fiction before drawing a conclusion or making a decision. He couldn't find any foul play, yet as punishment for treating his mate badly, he gave the group a choice: leave his pack or join the warrior program. All of them decided to join the warrior program and defend those who were weaker than them."

My gaze moved back to Alex. He looked so peaceful sleeping. It seemed that he hadn’t changed much; he was still strong and fair, like a true Alpha.

Should I take a leap of faith and give Alex a chance?

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