Page 89 of Alpha's Revenge Luna
The pack shifts uncomfortably under my gaze.
“From this moment forward, if I hear of any further mistreatment of Emery, the consequences will be severe.You either respect her as your Luna and my mate, or you face my wrath.”
They glance around, no one willing to step forward and take any of the blame or admit wrong.
“Have you got anything to say for yourselves?”They remain quiet, turning their necks out for me, and I snarl.
“Fine,” my voice sliced through the quiet, sharp, and cold as ice.“Those involved in refusing their Luna basic needs step forward.”
Nobody moves.The cowards.The traitorous bunch stands there, paralyzed in fear and uncertainty.
“The choice is yours,” I continue, my tone unwavering.“You either run laps until I say stop or those responsible step forward.”They need to understand the gravity of their actions, the depth of the cruelty they’ve shown toward her.Emery’s actions may have gotten my men killed, but I know that wasn’t her intention.
My heart thunders in my chest as I scan their faces, hoping–foolishly, perhaps–someone will have the courage to own up to their deeds.But my pack remains still, paralyzed by the weight of consequence.
“Very well.”My eyes hardened, and I can feel the barely contained rage threatening to overflow.“Run.”
“But, Alpha, a storm is brewing,” someone calls out from the crowd.Glancing at the clouds darkening the sky, I shrug.“I said run, and anyone who dares to stop before I say so will find themselves cast out, or killed,” I warn them.
Lightning flashes overhead, illuminating the darkening sky as I stand before my pack, their gazes flickering between each other as the tension hangs heavy in the air.My eyes blazewith a fury.The scent of wet earth and fear fills my nostrils as I address them.
“Either you all run or those responsible for involvement die,” I declare without hesitation.Gasps ripple through the crowd like a sudden gust of wind, their eyes widening with shock and disbelief.They need to understand the severity of their actions and the consequences of betraying not only their Luna but the entire pack.
I square my shoulders, fixing them with a steely glare.“So what will it be?”I challenge them, my voice echoing across the field.And then, a voice from the back calls out, almost swallowed by the growing storm, “We’ll run.”
“Begin!”I order, my voice a whip crack.As if propelled by the force of my command, they break into a run, their feet pounding against the sodden ground as they begin their laps around the clearing.I watch them, every muscle in my body taut with anger and disappointment.These wolves are my family, and yet they would treat my mate like that.
“Double your pace!”I shout the command over the howling wind.They must learn that betrayal will never be tolerated.As they pick up speed, I catch the scent of Kyrio approaching, his concern evident in the slight furrow between his brows.
“Alpha, the storm is worsening,” he warns, glancing up at the churning sky.“We should seek shelter soon.”
“No, they’ll run until I say otherwise,” I reply, my voice low and unwavering.“They need to feel the weight of their actions.They need to understand their loyalty lies with their Luna as well as their Alpha.”
Kyrio nods, understanding I won’t change my mind.”Do you still want me to cancel visiting Farren’s pack?”
I pause, trying to remind myself he wasn’t in on it and had it not been for Tara I wouldn’t have even realized.
“Where is Tara?”I ask instead.
Kyrio shifts uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze.“I locked her in the room.I will deal with her when I return.”
“See that you do.”
The rain pelts down with the intensity of a thousand tiny hammers, each droplet stinging my skin as I watch my pack members run.“Don’t cancel our visit to Farren’s pack.Let me check on Emery first, we still have time before we are scheduled to leave.”Kyrio nods, his jaw tight.
As I stride toward the packhouse, the icy wind bites at any exposed flesh, but I barely notice it.My thoughts are consumed with Emery, her pain, and how she feared coming to me over this.The door creaks open at my touch.And there she is, sitting on the stairs, her back hunched over and her hands trembling.
“Emery,” I say softly, shutting the door behind me.She flinches at the sound of my voice, a clear sign she believes she is in trouble for not telling me.Her eyes fill with unshed tears as she peers up at me, the corners of her mouth downturned.“I’m sorry, I should have told you, but I...”she starts, but I don’t let her continue.
Instead, I scoop Emery up into my arms, her body trembles against me.“You should have told me,” I growl, unable to mask the frustration and concern that lace my voice.
“I have been feeding off you,” I growl.She’s too weak to protest, her body just accepting her fate.
“I knew you’d be mad,” she murmurs as I wrap her legs around my waist and begin walking toward the kitchen.Emery peers around, and I hear her heart rate pick up.
“Where are you taking me?To the dungeons?”she asks, her voice tinged with panic.
“What?No,” I retort, feeling her relax slightly.
