#5 When the New Moon Falls
Chapter 9

Leo

Three of my best warriors were on guard at Austyn’s cabin. I was struggling with the idea of leaving her alone at all, but this way I would at least have eyes and ears on the place. Quinn whimpered in my head as we walked away from our mate. The cabin I chose for her was only a five minute walk from the packhouse, which helped ease our discomfort slightly.

I had my work cut out for me with Austyn. She was damaged and broken, her life far harder than it ever should’ve been. But, I didn’t care how long it took or how much patience Quinn and I would need, I was determined to make her trust me.

I returned to the packhouse to see what fires I needed to put out. I was sure our abrupt return caused some sort of reaction, not to mention I hadn’t informed my father of Austyn, yet.

“Alpha, is she okay?” Jacks was the first person to greet me, eager to hear about his Luna.

“She’s fine. She’s in the closest cabin with a guard detail. She just needs a little space. Where’s Nick?” I asked as we walked towards my office.

“He’s not back yet.”

“Get him back here.” I ordered. Jacks nodded and quickly mindlinked my Gamma.

“He said he’s on his way with Amber. Apparently there were some issues with her family.” Jacks said.

“I don’t give a damn about that family.” I nearly growled, throwing the door to my office wide open.

“This really puts Nick in a hard spot.” Jacks mumbled to himself. I groaned and plopped down on one of the overstuffed chairs.

“Amber is mated to our Gamma. Her loyalties beling here now. This is now her family. There’s no other option.” I stated.

“I know that.” Jacks replied but there was still worry in his expression.

“Nick’s most important job is to look after my mate. I won’t allow anything to compromise that.” I said.

“Nick won’t either. I just wish he didn’t have to be in the middle of all of this.” Jacks sighed.

“Me too, trust me.”

“Anyway, what do we know about your mate?” Jacks sat in the chair across from me.

“Her name is Austyn-Rose Merriweather. She was the previous Beta’s daughter, the one who was killed in the rogue attacks 12 years ago.” I explained.

“Oh man.” Jacks shook his head.

“Yeah, turns out the rogue attack was for her. I’m not sure about all the details yet, but Austyn told me that she was injected with something that night that took her wolf away.” I said. Jacks eyes grew two sizes,

“She doesn’t have a wolf?” He gasped.

“She does. She can talk to her. But, she can’t shift and doesn’t have any wolf abilities.” I told him. Jacks rubbed his face with his hand, trying to comprehend what I was telling him.

“What does this mean?” He asked.

“It doesn’t change anything. She’s my mate, she was chosen for me. Wolf or not, nothing is going to change that. She’ll be the next Luna.” I replied sternly. Jacks nodded repeatedly,

“Good.” He approved of my decision to keep her as my mate. Jacks valued the mate bond at least as much as I did, Nick, too. It was good to have him on my side.

“Not to ruin the mood, but, what about your father?” Jacks grumbled. I rolled my eyes dramatically,

“I’ll deal with him.” I said.

“Have fun with that.” Jacks said, pouring both of us a glass of whisky from my private stash. I tapped my glass against his,

“Thanks.” I downed the whiskey, using it as liquid courage,

“I’m going to mindlink my father and get him down here. Go wait for Nick and make sure that Austyn gets her things.” I said. Jacks nodded and left the office. About twenty minutes later, my father arrived.

“What happened at Dark Moon? Alpha Victor said you called off the dinner and took his son’s mate?” My father started in on me immediately. I sat behind my desk and glared at him,

“First of all, his son rejected his mate so she was not his. Secondly, yes, I met my mate at Dark Moon and I claimed her. Kayden threw a fit about it and Alpha Victor ordered a duel. I beat him and took what was mine.”

“So, you brought her here?” My father asked.

“Of course. What else would I do?” I asked.

“Alpha Victor had some things to say about her.” I growled dangerously at my father.

“I don’t give a damn what he says. He and his son treated my mate like garbage. They beat and abused her. She’s the daughter of a Beta! A Beta that was murdered in their terrotiry.” I shouted.

“She’s a Merriweather?” My father’s expression exposed his curiosity.

“She is.”

“I didn’t know they had any children. Well, I suppose a ranked member will do just fine as a Luna.” My father actually smiled at me with approval. Oh boy was he going to hate this.

“I don’t care if she’s ranked or not, I don’t care what bloodline she comes from. She’s mine and she will be the next Luna.” I snapped. Father raised in his hands in mock surrender,

“I approve son, no need to get defensive.”

“I need you to understand that I don’t care about your approval and I don’t care what you have to say about it. This is going to happen, it’s done. Austyn will be the next Luna whether she has a wolf or not.” Those final words made my father’s smile freeze on the spot.

“What does that mean?” His voice was suddenly quiet. I explained about the serum and her inability to shift.

“Are you out of your mind! A Luna who cannot shift? She mindswell be a human!” He dared to shout at me.

“I wouldn’t care if she was!” I stood angrily from my chair as my voice boomed over the room,

“A Luna doesn’t need to be able to shift to be successful. She was made for me and that alone makes me and the pack stronger. You will not speak a word against her, you will not stand against her, you will not do anything. Do you understand me?” I growled, jabbing my finger in his chest to make a point.

“I won’t stay in a packhouse shared by a human.” My father spat.

“Good, then leave. You aren’t needed here, anyway.” I dismissed him, failing to mention that she wasn’t actually living in the packhouse currently.

“You would turn your back on your own father, your Alpha, for her?” Father was standing now, his red with fury.

“You are not my Alpha. No one and nothing is more important than Austyn. I will turn my back on anyone who dishonors her.” I answered coolly.

“I’m disappointed in you, son.” He said, shaking his head.

“You’ve always been disappointed in me, Dad, what’s knew?” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. His expression remained unchanged, not showing a single emotion as the final remnants of our relationship shattered to the floor.

“Don’t come calling when your human has failed you and this pack is in shambles.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t.” I replied as he began to turn towards the door. He shot me one last glare before leaving my office with a slam of the door.

I smashed my fists into the desk, breaking it in half. I picked up my computer and threw it across the room, watching it clatter off the wall and land on the ground in a thousand pieces. I ripped out of my clothes and lunged out the first story window, shifting into Quinn midair and racing across the grounds.