My Princess My Luna

C & L: Chapter 4

Six Years Later...

Cole

For a year after Lilly and I were forced to reject each other her father kept me locked in a cell chained to the wall. He allowed my mother to come and feed me but just enough to sustain me. He wanted me weak and docile. It broke my mothers heart seeing me like that but I made her promise not to do anything reckless to get on his bad side as well. Even though I didn't feel I was in the wrong. The goddess chose for us to be together and I had every right to kiss my mate but her father didn't see it that way. He didn't care about fate he only care about himself and what was best for his gain. I must admit I was half thankful he made us reject each other before sending her off because I don't know if I could live through feeling someone else mate and claim MY mate.

I wished everyday I was stronger and could have fought for her but that could have ended with us both dead which I didn't want. I know that once he finally frees me I am taking my mother and getting out of here. We can find another pack far away to live in or a small town to pretend we are humans. As long as I don't ever have to see that old man's despicable face ever again. Every night I fell asleep in that cell my dreams started out amazing, realizing Lilly and I were mates and kissing her for the very first time but then the reality of her dad finding us and making us reject each other came around and I relived the nightmare over and over again. I couldn't escape it and I hope once I was off these pack lands the dreams would stop. I still prayed to the moon goddess everyday that Lilly was safe and at least semi happy.

The day I turned 19 is when he let me out of my cage and I was indeed malnourished and weak. My mom had to help me up the stairs and out to our small house. I waited a few days got some decent rest and nutrition then told me mom to pack a small bag because we were leaving that night. Everything was smooth until we reached the border and found ourselves ambushed by three guards. I thought I remembered their rotations but being locked up so long they apparently were changed. I thought the one thing I could count on was Alpha Lionel's routine and predictability. I took a defensive stance in front of my mother and fought them off as long as I could. Then out of no where five rogue wolves came to our rescue.

That's how I ended up where I am today. Six years after a forced rejected I am a rogue, a beta rogue to the Rogue Alpha Nicholas. He took my mother and I in and treated us like family. He has an issue with Alpha Lionel as well. He attacked and destroyed his pack, killing his mate in the process. 15 wolves survived the attack and became a rogue pack. He spent the last 8 years building his own rogue army but knowing it isn't enough to take down Lionel himself he gave me the task of scouting other packs for a union. We recently set up camp outside Shadow Rock Pack. There are rumors that the Alpha died leaving his Luna in charge and she has built a strong pack of female warriors. He wants to take her as a chosen mate and join forces.

I make my way around the entire border first trying to get a feel for their patrol schedule. Nicholas wants to know if it would be best to come in friendly or use a little force. I am not one to question his tactics or motives. I also want revenge on Lionel for what he took away from Lilly and I years ago so if an alliance with this pack will get us there I will do what needs to be done. I only notice two wolves going around the border once every four hours which doesn't seem like a lot but then I spot archers hidden up in the trees every 100 feet surrounding the edge of the territory. So it makes sense they wouldn't need to send wolves out every hour like most packs do. I decide to try and sneak in and see how close I can get around dinner time when most members will probably be eating together . Perhaps get a look at the Luna building quite a reputation for herself.

"I wouldn't take a step further if I were you," a woman shouts from behind me after only make it about 250 feet inside the land.

"I'm sorry I just stumbled on to your territory. I didn't realize a pack resided here. I just needed some food," I try lying.

"Is that why you have been spying just outside our borders since before dawn," she asks and I realize I underestimated this pack greatly. "Our Luna will want to speak with you. Will you come willingly or do I need to take you by force?"

"By force," I laugh. "I would never lay my hands on a woman."

"Lucky me," she snickers, slipping what looks like custom made cuffs.

They are thick and have a bit of silver in them considering my skin burns once the are clicked on each wrist behind my back. There is a chance I could get out of them and subdue her but this could work out better. I can get a better lay of the land and see what their pack house looks like. She mentions the Luna will want to speak to me hopefully she doesn't make me wait in a cell too long. I already have anxiety thinking of being caged again like I was years ago. As we finally come out of the tree line surrounding the main open are where the pack lives I see what looks like a five story hotel. I spot a three story house around the back and when the female warrior starts leading me there instead of the larger facility I get confused.

I can't understand why they could take me to a house and not a basement or dungeon type area then again it could be an illusion and the house could be a small prison. I try to brace myself for whatever is inside. A large burly man sits just outside the front door. I heard this pack is mostly females but it would make sense they have some huge enforcers for back up. I don't doubt a women's fighting ability but sometimes pure brute strength can make or break you. He stands and opens the door for us and lowers his head into submission which strikes me as odd but makes me wonder if the warrior escorting me is in fact a beta or gamma. One step inside and my wolf perks up when the faint smell of apples and honey hits me. Lilly smelled just like that and it hurts a little thinking about her again.

She was never far from my mind but I tried my hardest to not dwell on the past. When I first escaped I thought about tracking her down and trying to rescue her from where she was sent but that would have required me asking around about her and that could draw unwanted attention to not only myself but Nicholas as well. My wolf Loki whimpers in my head at the thought of our lost mate. Our wolves take the loss or rejection of a mate harder than we do and he hasn't been the same since then. We trained to make ourselves stronger physically but mentally we were both still a wreck from having out mate at our fingertips and then she was ripped away from us.

We walk further into the house and I see a sitting area off to the right and two offices to the left. Towards the back of the house is a large staircase which I assume leads to the top two floors. I glance around for a basement door where perhaps there are rooms for interrogation but she guides us over and stop in front of the second door. It says Luna on the sign hanging up and the apple honey smell is strongest right where we stand. She knocks and waits a moment before opening the door and stepping inside. I follow suit and notice the shoulder length brown curly hair first. Her head is down as she tucks something in a drawer and I hold my breath waiting to see her face. After turning a key she sits up and when our eyes meet, it clicks back into place just like the first time.

"Mate" Loki cheers.

I feel like all the air has disappeared from my lungs and my brain has stopped working as I just stand staring at her, mouth agape. I see her eyes flash black and her hands grip her desk tightly as I assume she is trying to reign in her wolf.

"Excuse us," she commands.

"Yes Luna," the warrior responds, respectfully bowing her head in submission, then leaving the room.

"Did my father send you," she asks sitting back in her chair, arms crossed, and her lips in a firm line.