Page 2 of Moon's Call

The younger wolves shuffled their paws in the soft earth, their excitement crackling through the pack link like static electricity. Draken could sense their eagerness to discuss what this meant, but he needed a moment to process it himself.

A Luna, Chuck whispered through their link, awe coloring his mental voice,after all this time.

Scorpio’s tail swished against the forest floor.The earth hasn’t resonated like this since your father found his mate, Alpha.

Draken paced a tight circle, his claws leaving deep impressions in the earth. The energy signature still thrummed through the ground, weaker but persistent like a distant heartbeat calling to his own. His carefully maintained control wavered as his wolf strained toward that pull.

Well?Scorpio prompted, a hint of curiosity in his mental tone.Any thoughts you’d care to share with your advisor?

You mean besides wondering how this will complicate everything?Draken shot back.

Heaven forbid something disrupts your perfectly scheduled life,Scorpio chuckled through their link.Though I suspect she already has.

The truth in those words made Draken’s fur bristle. He’d spent decades building the Moonshadow pack into a powerful, respected force. Their territory was prosperous and their pack bonds were strong. Change wasn’t something he welcomed easily, especially not one this significant.

The Goddess doesn’t make mistakes, Scorpio reminded him gently.If she’s chosen now to reveal your mate, there’s a reason.

Draken drew himself up to his full height, his massive gray form towering over the younger wolves. The pack’s excited energy buzzed through their mental link like lightning in a bottle. He needed to get this under control before speculation ran wild.

Listen up, he projected through the pack link, his alpha authority threading through the command. The mental chatter ceased instantly.Tomorrow at dawn, I’ll track down the source of this energy signature. Scorpio and Chuck will accompany me.

Just the three of us?Chuck’s mental voice held a note of disappointment.The whole pack could help cover more ground.

Draken’s tail lashed against the forest floor.No. Small group means stealth.

He’s right,Scorpio added, his amber eyes glinting in the moonlight.Besides, our alpha’s internal compass will lead us straight to her. No need for a search party.

The younger wolves shifted their weight restlessly, their disappointment leaking through. One of them, a copper-colored female named Maya, ventured forward.

But, Alpha, what if-

The decision is made. Draken cut her off, though he softened his mental tone.The rest of you will maintain our regular patrol schedule. Business as usual.

Business as usual?Chuck snorted through their link.Right. Because finding your mate after centuries of waiting is totally routine.

Draken turned his head to fix his beta with a stern look, but Chuck just wagged his tail, unrepentantly. The other wolves tried to suppress their amusement, failing miserably as their mental chuckles rippled through the link.

Dawn, Draken repeated, ignoring the pack’s barely contained excitement.And not a word of this to anyone outside this circle right now. Clear?

A chorus ofYes, Alphaechoed through their minds, though he could still sense their bubbling anticipation. His own wolf paced restlessly, eager to follow that compelling pull toward his mate. But first, he needed a plan. Strategy before action - it was how he’d always operated.

Now, he projected,let’s finish this run. I believe someone was about to lose spectacularly to their alpha at Miller’s Creek.

The pack’s collective howl pierced the night sky, a harmonious sound that made Draken’s chest swell with pride. His own deep howl joined theirs, carrying both joy and authority across their territory. The sound echoed through the trees, sending small creatures scurrying for cover.

Last one there buys drinks at Pack Night!Chuck’s mental voice rang out as he darted past, kicking up dirt in his wake.

Draken launched himself forward, his powerful muscles propelling him through the forest. The familiar path to Miller’s Creek stretched before him, but his mind kept drifting to tomorrow’s search. What if his mate didn’t understand their ways? What if she couldn’t handle the responsibilities that came with being Luna of the Moonshadow pack?

The younger wolves whooped and cheered through their mental connection as they wove between the trees, their excitement infectious. But even as Draken led the pack through the moonlit forest, part of him remained distracted by that persistent energy signature thrumming through the earth.

Getting tired there, Alpha?one of the young wolves called out as they pulled ahead.

Draken’s competitive nature kicked in. He surged forward, his gray form becoming a blur as he overtook the pack members one by one. The wind rushed through his fur, carrying the scent of victory – and something else. That new energy signature pulsed again, stronger this time, making his stride falter for just a moment.

Chuck darted past, his mental voice teasing through their link.Getting slow for real this time, boss?

The challenge snapped Draken into action. The creek’s rushing water grew louder as they approached. Draken pushed himself harder, his wolf reveling in the physical challenge even as his mind churned with tomorrow’s implications. The pack’s joy flowed through their bond, a current of excitement and celebration that helped steady his own unsettled thoughts.

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