#2 When the Moon Turns Red
Chapter 54

Noah

The ten days I spent without Evie caused me unimaginable pain. The connection between us allowed me to feel that she was still alive, but not in good shape. Not being able to replace her made me feel like I had failed as a mate and an Alpha. I felt like a part of myself had died.

When Cole mindlinked me that he had finally found the Vampire King’s Headquarters, a glimmer of hope made its way in. I was already on my way to the area when he showed me my beautiful mate standing safely in front of him. Remi was a blur as he ran towards our mate and succumbed to her.

When Remi finally gave up control and allowed me to shift, I was overcome with relief as I saw my mate with my own eyes and felt her with my own hands. I hadn’t realized at first that she was shirtless. That image brought on a whole new source of rage. I had only one thing on my mind, replaceing the Vampire King and Russell, and making them suffer for what they did to Evie.

I couldn’t feel or express anything else. I knew I was hurting my mate by not kissing her, I knew our reunion was a disappointment to her. I couldn’t explain what I was feeling and I couldn’t let myself feel the emotions she needed me to feel. All I had room for was rage and relief.

When I finally admitted to myself that Evie was safe and we were together again, I knew what was going to come with it; all the guilt and self loathing I had kept hidden in order to focus on replaceing my mate. I absolutely blamed myself and hated myself for what happened to Evie. We both had a long road ahead of us. For now, I had to focus on my goal: killing Russell Winters.

I led my warriors into the Vampire King’s castle. We made quick work of the vampires inside the compound. We were all fueled with fury and vengeance for our Luna. The Vampire King was hidden in his throne room like a coward. I sniffed the air and immediately determined that Russell was hidden in there with him.

The vampire princess, Gena, suddenly appeared in front of the throne room. We stared at each other, trying to get a sense of where the other stood. I gave her the benefit of the doubt, remembering what Evie had told me. Gena pushed against a false pannal on the wall and a secret door opened up to the throne room. She stepped back from the door silently. I nodded at her and instructed my wolves to take the throne room.

The Vampire King was sitting on his throne surrounded by guards. Russell was standing off to the side in his human form. I happily sunk my teeth into the vampire guards, ripping them apart and chucking their body parts across the room.

My warriors took care of the rest of them as I shifted. I marched up to the Vampire King’s throne. He shrugged out of his velvet robe and tossed it to me. I glared at him and hung the robe off my shoulders, covering up my valuables.

“You have started a war you cannot hope to win.” I growled at the pale, sick looking vampire. He had long black hair that was braided away from his face. He was short and muscular, wearing lavish clothing and jewelry. His eyes were blood red and his fangs were permanently extended.

“I assure you, Alpha, that was not our intention.” The vampire hissed.

“Really? You kidnapped and held my Luna captive, and you didn’t intend for a war to break out? You didn’t intend for my entire pack to come for their Luna?” I snapped.

“I was not aware that she was your Luna, Alpha.” The Vampire King glared at Russell. I knew he was lying, but I also knew that the vampires were cowards. They wouldn’t have acted out against me unless they had a cover story prepared. They were more than ready to throw someone else under the bus to save their own asses.

“What can we do to solve this conflict?” The Vampire King asked.

“I want Russell Winters.” I demanded.

“Done.” The Vampire King replied with no hesitation, causing Russell to look at him in fear.

“And, I want your assurance that you will never come near my Luna or my pack again, on penalty of death.” I added. The Vampire King nodded,

“You have my word, Alpha. We do not wish you any ill will.” He said. I nodded towards my wolves, two of them shifted and grabbed a hold of Russell.

“I hope for continued peace, your highness.” I said.

“Us as well, Alpha.” The Vampire King replied.

I walked up to Russell and punched him square in the face as hard as I could. He stumbled backwards, held up only by my wolves. I grabbed a hold of his face, gripping his chin in my hand,

“You will replace no mercy at Blood Moon.” I growled at him. He had the good sense to be afraid. We dragged Russell out of the compound and back to our packhouse.

We immediately went down to the dungeon. I had Russell strung up by his hands, dangling off the ground. Greyson, Jack, and Sawyer joined me in his cell. They all wanted a piece of him.

“You are hereby sentenced to death for the kidnapping, imprisonment, and harm of our Luna.” I informed Russell. There would be no banishment, no trial, and no mercy. Russell Winters would die today.

I took all of my rage out on Russell. Smashing his face to pieces with my fists. I ripped off his shirt, like he had done to my mate, and grabbed a knife. I gave him a set of scars of his own, mimicking the claw marks on Evie’s body. Russell screamed and withered in pain. I handed a whip to Sawyer and gave him and my brothers permission to enact their own revenge.

When everyone was satisfied with Russell’s consequences, I ordered his execution. Greyson, as my Beta, would carry it out. He shifted and I released Russell from his restraints. I ordered him to shift. Russell’s wolf Gage was just as weak and defeated as his human. Greyson made quick work of his execution.

I left my Beta and Gamma to clean up the mess. Thankfully, Sawyer had made a quick recovery after being attacked by vampires. The highly skilled team of medical professionals we had in the pack infirmary were able to save his life and his wolf healing took care of the rest. By day three, Sawyer had joined the search mission. He felt almost as guilty as me at losing Evie. I was too mad at myself to have anger left over for Sawyer.

I slowly made my way up the stairs to the top floor. I knew I needed to see Evie and make sure that she was okay. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. I felt dread about seeing my mate. She had been gone for so long, I should have been chomping at the bit to be with her. It was almost like Remi and I had prepared so hard for the inevitable death of our mate, we couldn’t bring ourselves to accept the fact that she was still alive.

I quietly knocked on Evie’s door and pushed it open. She was sitting in the middle of her bed, freshly showered and in her comfy clothes. She looked up at me but didn’t move. Her face was puffy and her eyes were red, she had been crying.

“Are you okay?” I asked her weakly. She stared at me blankly,

“No.” She said.

“I’m so sorry, Evie, I should never have left you out of my sight.” I was frozen in the doorway, unable to bring myself to her bedside.

“Did you take care of him?” She asked, her voice hard.

“He won’t bother you ever again.” I promised her.

“Are you satisfied now?” She glared at me. I hung my head. I knew my interaction with her in the bayou had hurt her, but I didn’t know how much until now.

“No, I’m not. I’ll never be satisfied knowing I wasn’t able to protect you. I had promised you from the very beginning that no one would hurt you, that you would always be safe. I failed at my job.” I growled, angry with myself.

“You found me.” She stated.

“I should never have lost you.” I argued.

“Noah, I wasn’t mad at you before. I wasn’t upset or disappointed in you when I was kidnapped. It wasn’t your fault, you hear me? It wasn’t your fault. But, now? After you left me in the bayou? Now I feel all those things. I’m mad and upset and disappointed in you. You left me alone, something you promised you would never do. You abandoned me then and that’s the only time I’ve ever felt let down by you.” Her words cut through me like a knife, but I knew I deserved them.

“I don’t know what to say but I’m sorry.” I mumbled. Evie rolled her eyes at me, she was in so much pain.

“Just leave, Noah, and don’t come back until you’re my Noah again.” She waved her hand, dismissing me. I felt the last of my resolve crumble at my feet. I stared at her as she ignored me, looking at anything to avoid looking at me. I let out a frustrated growl and stormed out of her room, slamming the door shut behind me.

I collapsed outside her door, not willing to leave her unprotected. I already had a guard detail outside her window, ensuring that no one would ever be able to sneak into her window again. I also posted three guards at the front entrance of the packhouse, something I never felt the need to do before. I always had faith enough in the border patrol not to have guards so close to the packhouse. Now, I knew we had weaknesses.

I ordered a complete renovation of the front gate and for a security fence to be built around the entire perimeter of the packhouse compound. I also had a security company come in and add cameras and alarms to every single window and door along with the elevator. You now needed an access code to use the elevator and a separate code to reach our floor. Each entrance to the packhouse was now guarded with three patrol wolves along with a patrol detail on either side of the packhouse to guard the windows.

Sawyer, Greyson, Jack, Lucy, Molly, and Mack were the only ones who had the access code to our floor other than me and Evie. The elevator opened and Sawyer stepped out, having dealt with the mess leftover from Russells execution. He was committed to guarding Evie every second he was allowed. He said nothing to me, just took his command post in front of the elevator.

I leaned my head against the wall and stared at the ceiling. I would sit out here for as long as it took to keep Evie safe. I wasn’t the mate she deserved right now, but I would ensure her protection.