Page 4 of His Loved Lycan Luna

“I am solely here to retrieve Abbie,” I state.

“You mustn’t force her; you know the consequences if you do,” Damian reminds me.

“Perhaps I am willing to accept those consequences,” I confess.

“And what becomes of Abbie if she chooses to return to him? You would be banned from entering his pack, leaving her trapped there. The king would have no choice but to administer one thousand lashings and imprison you, as per the law. Don’t make him do that. You witnessed what happened last time; it nearly destroyed one of our own,” Damian counters.

“But that imbecile forcefully claimed the girl. I am not seeking to claim her; I only wish to take her away,” I argue.

“Semantics matter little, Gannon. Don’t force my hand in ordering you to retreat,” Damian warns firmly.

“This is Abbie we’re discussing, Damian,” I breathe, desperation tinging my voice.

“I am well aware, but our hands are tied. Kade is the only Alpha with whom we have a genuine alliance,” Damian reminds, his tone laced with resignation. I glare out at the forest beyond the windshield, frustration coursing through my veins.

“So, what’s your decision? Shall I command you to return, or can you restrain yourself?”

I snarl. “Fine, I won’t force her. But if he has harmed her in any way, I swear I will kill him,” I vow vehemently.

“The king mentioned that he saw Abbie, and she appeared to be in good health, aside from Kade’s infidelity,” Damian interjects.

“And that is still hurting her,” I counter sharply. “There’s no way it can’t.”

“Gannon!”Damian’s voice rises, reprimanding me.

“Fine, I will keep my hands to myself. Just give me the address,” I concede, fearing he will order me back home after driving all this way. As a mere Gamma, alongside Dustin and Liam, I hold little power compared to Damian, who holds the rank of Beta. If he commands my return, I will be powerless to resist. With haste, I jot down the address before ending the call and inputting it into the GPS. The destination is indeed located outside of town, miles away. I had expected Abbie to be at the packhouse, for that was where an Alpha’s mate should reside – not hidden away in some secluded cabin. Kade has isolated her from everyone and everything, including the town itself.

A growl escapes as I realize she is out there alone, especially with hunters on the prowl. Starting the car, I drive to the nearest town before stopping at a general store to fill a basket with items. I carefully select all her favorite fruits and candies, products I have persistently encouraged her to try since she was initially hesitant to accept anything from me back at the castle. Toward the end, however, she had let her guard down, and I had managed to convince her to be with me, only for that wretched Kade to intervene and shatter our fragile connection.

Surveying the store for additional gifts, I find that even flowers are absent from this meager establishment. Perhaps Abbie will appreciate a book, I muse momentarily before remembering her inability to read. A comic book might suffice; maybe she could interpret the story through the illustrations. If she were to return with me and reject her mate, I could take it upon myself to teach her how to read.

Thirty minutes later, I arrive at the outskirts of Kade’s territory. Abbie’s dwelling is barely on the border, and I navigate down a long, winding dirt driveway. The place before me hardly deserves the title of a house; it resembles more of a shack – a structure that seems poised to crumble with a mere gust of wind.

I catch sight of Abbie at the clothesline, her gaze shifting toward my approaching car. Shielding her eyesfrom the sun’s glare, she squints to discern my identity. Swiftly parking the car, I send a text message to Damian as per his request. Abbie gazes apprehensively at the vehicle, her worry evident. I wonder why a random car would cause her concern. Nevertheless, she appears unchanged – save for a slight tan, as if she has spent ample time outdoors. Her cheeks bear hollow contours, more pronounced than when she departed, and her skin wears a wearied pallor. Despite these signs of fatigue, she seems to be holding up well, or so I hope.

“Oh, it’s you,” Abbie states, her tone laced with nervousness as she approaches. “Why are you here?” she asks, her lips caught between her teeth.

“What? Is that all you have to say?” I inquire, raising an eyebrow in surprise. A small smile tugs at the corner of her lips before she rushes toward me, and I swiftly enclose her in my embrace.

“God, how I’ve missed you,” I confess with sincerity. Abbie nods, her thin arms wrapping around my neck. She lets out a relieved breath, and I can’t help but wonder why she was anxious about an unfamiliar vehicle. But for now, she is safe, and that is all that matters.

“Why are you here?” she murmurs.

Chapter Four

My face nestles in the curve of her neck, seeking solace in the delicate intermingling of scents. The familiar fragrance of her skin, a sweet blend of vanilla and lavender, wraps around me like a comforting embrace. Her question hangs in the air, dripping with skepticism and a hint of longing.

“Why are you here?” she repeats, her voice wavering with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

“To see you,” I reply, my words laced with an undercurrent of urgency, trying to hide my disappointment that she isn’t more excited to see me. “Why else? You haven’t been answering my calls.” Gently, I guide her back onto her feet, my gaze fixed upon her. It’s impossible not to notice the weight she has lost, a feat that defies logic given her already slender frame. Her pants, rolled at the hips to keep them from slipping off, appear several sizes too big. Even her white shirt, a piece borrowed from Kade’s wardrobe, hangs loosely on her fragile form. And as I observe her, I can’t help but notice the nervous glances she steals down the driveway. Instinctively, I turn my head to follow her gaze.

“Expecting someone?” I inquire, a note of caution creeping into my voice.

“Kade hasn’t been by for a couple of days,” she confesses, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “He said he was out of town, but...” She leaves the unspoken words to hang between us.

“But what?” I press, my curiosity piqued.

“Nothing,” she dismisses with a forced laugh. “Probably just me being paranoid.” She gestures toward the kitchen. “Coffee?”

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