Luna Aleksa's Escape
Luna Aleksa’s Escape Chapter 56

*Aleksa POV*

After we had finished chatting at the cottage, Abbey walked with me over to the packhouse. She was meeting Alaric there anyway, so it all worked out. Kingston didn’t want me walking around unsupervised at the moment, after Lachlan’s arrival the other day he had gotten his hackles up a little. So if it made him happy I would play along for now, although I was already tired of having a babysitter.

I wanted to go and replace Jackson, but I knew that Kingston would lose it if he found out that I was running about in the woods alone. I’m sure Jackson would be fine for now, he just needed some time to reign Gray in a little.

I must say that I was curious as to who Jackson’s mate was. I couldn’t wait to ask Kingston who had that cottage last. That should let us know who his mate might be. Jackson and Gray had waited so long to replace their mate. Plus, it might help mellow them out a little, because they could both be a little grumpy at times.

Abbey and I had a nice chat after Jackson had left, I will have to fill him in with the things I had learned about our origins. I know that he didn’t mean to be nonchalant at Abbey’s, he was just consumed with replaceing his mate, it’s totally understandable.

We made it to the packhouse, said goodbye to one another, then went our separate ways. I made my way to Kingston’s office. I wanted to replace out who the mystery sweater belonged to for Jackson. Unfortunately, the office was empty. I tried to mind-link Kingston to ask him where he was, but I appeared to be blocked.

How strange. Kingston had never blocked me before. Perhaps he was just very busy. There was a lot going on around here right now, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

My mind then wandered to Kaia. I tried to mind-link her, but she must have been too far away because I couldn’t seem to make a connection. I sighed when I realized that it will only be a matter of time before I encountered Ezra again. There was something intimidating about him. He had a dark and sinister presence about him. I felt a shiver run up my back just thinking about him. I tried to shake it off.

I began to wander around the packhouse. I felt as if I had so much on my mind right now. I wondered what was happening with Kaia and Asher, where were they, and were they safe? And how long would they be away?

Kaia couldn’t run forever. She had to leave when Ezra first arrived to buy us all some time to figure out how we would manage the situation between me and Lachlan and then Kaia and Ezra.

If I had learned one thing, it is that we need to face our fears and relinquish the ties of our pasts. I was about to do the same with Lachlan once and for all, and then after that, I wouldn’t think of him again. Kaia would need to do the same if she ever wanted to lead a normal life. Especially if she wanted a second chance mate.

The other pressing question I had was regarding the sweater at Abbey’s cottage. The one that set Jackson off. I would love nothing more than to help him replace his fated mate. He deserved happiness. Everyone deserved to replace their fated mate. I was racking my brain trying to think of who might have stayed there but truthfully I had no clue.

I was still learning how things worked at Rocky Mountain. Cordelia and Kai had been picking up the slack for me while I was being orientated to my new pack. This pack was quite different from Evergreen but I guess it was a lot bigger too.

Kai. That’s it, I’ll mind-link Kai. He will know where Kingston is. I tried to mind-link Kai but he must be busy with Kingston because he appeared to have his block up too.

I was starting to feel a little lonely here with Liam and Layla away with Mason, Quinn and her parents, Kaia goddess knows where with Asher, Kingston, and Kai unreachable, Sam and Lily occupied, and Jackson running off somewhere in the woods. So I tried to reach out to Kali but she must be busy with Caleb. So I gave up and decided to head up to my room for a while.

***

After spending some time alone in my room I decide to have a bath. For some reason, I had this overwhelming desire to do so. I figured I should relish this moment as some challenging times were ahead.

I must have dozed off in the bath because the next thing I realized I was waking up screaming in the bathtub.

I got up out of the now cold water and wrapped my plush oversized towel around my body. I was so cold. How long had I been in that bath I thought to myself. I quickly walked over to the wardrobe that I shared with Kingston and chucked on some dark blue skinny jeans, a singlet, and a fluffy turtleneck sweater on top. I then grabbed my favorite tan leather boots.

I looked around the room and realized I was all alone. I looked at the clock on the wall. It was midnight. My goddess, how long was I in that bath? I must have been in there for hours. No wonder I’m so cold. It was strange that Kingston still wasn’t here at this time of night. I walked out to the balcony and looked out around the pack grounds. There was a chill in the air. The silence was deafening. It all felt very eerie.

I decided that I will take a walk around the packhouse and see if I can replace my mate.

I make my way out of my room and I head toward the staircase. It’s so quiet, usually, there are skeleton staff working, cleaning staff or maintenance or a cook or two, but tonight there didn’t seem to be anyone around. Perhaps they finished the preparations for the festival and everyone decided to have an early night. Although that doesn’t seem like the right answer either.

I walked in the direction of Kingston’s office and it was all dark, there was no lighting on, no noise whatsoever.

Amber pushed through, “I have a bad feeling about this Aleksa, keep your guard up,” Amber advised me. Maybe that’s why I was feeling so cold like chilled to the bone, and what about that nightmare? I can’t seem to remember it, which is unusual for me.

“Oh, it’s up” I replied to my wolf.

After about forty-five minutes of wandering around the pack house, I was feeling even more determined than ever to replace my mate or anyone at this point. I decided to expand my search outside of the packhouse. I know I wasn’t supposed to be walking around by myself but I was starting to wonder if there was anyone else around.

I made my way down the steps outside easily enough thanks to the solar lights that lined the steps, and I began to walk around the side of the packhouse making my way to the conference room, strangely enough, there was no one there.

I continued to walk through the pack grounds towards the training grounds because that’s the most logical place for the guys to be at this time of night. They were probably going over strategies or having a late-night training session. As I made my way there I heard shuffling in the bush next to me.

I suddenly had the feeling I was being followed or watched.

“We aren’t alone are we Amber,” I asked my wolf.

“Nope,” Amber said shortly.

I started to pick up my pace slightly, trying not to make it obvious that I was aware that I was not alone. And then I felt my arm being yanked backward aggressively. I let out a loud gasp. I turn to sidekick whoever had grabbed my arm but they pulled my leg and pushed me backward. I fell to the ground, with my back hitting a large rock hard.

“Ahh!” I screamed in pain. I could feel the pain searing through me. Well, that’s gonna bruise I thought to myself.

“Just the person I wanted to see,” a snarky voice called back at me.

I recognized the voice. It made my skin crawl.

“Ezra!” I called back to him.

“You lied to me the other day. Do you think I’m f*****g stupid? I could scent my mate all over your f*****g pack grounds. Where is she?” He spat out maliciously.

I stood up. Subtly rubbing my back with my left hand, as I pulled myself together. I was feeling a little cornered and at a definite disadvantage. But I couldn’t let him know I was scared.

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” I said faking confusion at his question.

“Look b***h, I want my mate and I’m not leaving until I get her,” He threatened.

He looked me up and down and I saw a glint in his eye.

“If you don’t want to tell me now, that’s ok. I can think of another way of getting it out of you,” Ezra said snickering.

“Don’t you f*****g touch me!” I yelled at him, changing my stance to one that appeared more threatening.

“I’m gonna show you what it’s like to be with a real man. Then you can tell me where that b***h is,” He said advancing towards me.

“Come any closer and you will regret it!” I yelled at Ezra.

He laughed mockingly and continued to advance toward me. I closed my eyes to concentrate on my energy and visualise what I wanted to do to him, to stop him from hurting me.

At that very moment, I felt a hard slap across my face, so hard that I lost my footing, and fell to the ground again. It hurt so much. I wondered if I might have just lost a tooth or two then. But I managed to hold my pain in.

I tried to get up but Ezra was already forcing his bodyweight onto me.

“Focus Aleksa!” Amber called out to me. I could feel her giving me strength. I tried to channel all of my energy and focus.

I was trying not to get distracted by the overpowering stench of whatever his cologne was. I could sense his excitement and arousal.

Ezra ripped my jumper off me in an instant. I closed my eyes again and blocked everything out. This was not happening.

The fear of what this creep wanted to do to me fueled a fire inside me. I felt myself burn up. Everything was so hot, and before I knew it a huge force of energy consumed me and I felt Ezra being pulled away from me and towards a large oak tree. I heard him hit his head hard and fall to the ground.

My body starts to regulate and I don’t feel so hot anymore.

I picked myself up and walked over to him. I’m still shivering in shock at what had just happened.

I heard Ezra g***n. He was making incomprehensible sounds. He didn’t seem to be responding. I watched him lose consciousness.

I guess he was more of a threat than Kingston and I had thought. He needed to be held somewhere. I knew that I couldn’t lift him. I was feeling drained from using my power.

I tried to mind-link Kingston again, but there was still no reply. What on earth is going on around here, I thought to myself. There were no guards patrolling the grounds. I couldn’t seem to mind-link anyone. It was almost like a ghost town.

Then I thought of Jackson. Perhaps since we are both Crescent Moon wolves we could mind-link one another. It was worth a try at this point.

“Jackson, I need your help,” I mind-linked.

“Aleksa, what’s wrong?” Jackson responded immediately.

“Ezra. He attacked me.” I replied, trying to sound strong and unaffected.

Jackson growled. “Where are you?”

“Near the training grounds, between the bush and a huge oak tree,” I told him calmly.

“I’m on my way,” Jackson responded.

A minute or so later Jackson arrived in his wolf form.

“Hello Gray,” I said to him, with a small smile, trying to remain strong while holding my arms against my chest. I was still shivering and that bastard had ripped my sweater, so I was standing there in my singlet.

Gray growled loudly and stalked toward Ezra.

Amber pushed through to talk to him.

“Gray!” Amber called out.

Gray stopped, and turned his head back toward me, he took a sniff, then started to walk toward me.

“You’re hurt!” Gray replied to us, looking enraged.

I pushed Amber back. I wanted to retain control. Luckily we could communicate in both wolf and human forms.

“A little, I’ll be ok,” I reassured him.

Gray looked at me, then he looked down at my ripped sweatshirt and Ezra’s top on the ground next to it.

“I’m gonna rip him to shreds!” Gray roared.

“It’s ok, he can’t hurt me now. I called you because I need help getting him locked up,” I told Gray.

“Of course, but, where’s your mate?” Gray asked confused, and then mad.

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen him since lunchtime yesterday, and he has blocked me. I can’t get hold of Kingston or Kai. Something weird is going on,” I told Gray.

Then I think about how Gray arrived almost immediately after I had mind-linked him.

“Hey, how did you get here so fast?” I asked Gray.

“We’ve been out searching, for our mate,” Gray responded.

“Aww Gray, we will replace her. I promise!” I tried to reassure him.

“I’ll mind-link my warriors to help me move this trash, give me a minute,” Gray declared.

*Aleksa POV*

After we had finished chatting at the cottage, Abbey walked with me over to the packhouse. She was meeting Alaric there anyway, so it all worked out. Kingston didn’t want me walking around unsupervised at the moment, after Lachlan’s arrival the other day he had gotten his hackles up a little. So if it made him happy I would play along for now, although I was already tired of having a babysitter.

I wanted to go and replace Jackson, but I knew that Kingston would lose it if he found out that I was running about in the woods alone. I’m sure Jackson would be fine for now, he just needed some time to reign Gray in a little.

I must say that I was curious as to who Jackson’s mate was. I couldn’t wait to ask Kingston who had that cottage last. That should let us know who his mate might be. Jackson and Gray had waited so long to replace their mate. Plus, it might help mellow them out a little, because they could both be a little grumpy at times.

Abbey and I had a nice chat after Jackson had left, I will have to fill him in with the things I had learned about our origins. I know that he didn’t mean to be nonchalant at Abbey’s, he was just consumed with replaceing his mate, it’s totally understandable.

We made it to the packhouse, said goodbye to one another, then went our separate ways. I made my way to Kingston’s office. I wanted to replace out who the mystery sweater belonged to for Jackson. Unfortunately, the office was empty. I tried to mind-link Kingston to ask him where he was, but I appeared to be blocked.

How strange. Kingston had never blocked me before. Perhaps he was just very busy. There was a lot going on around here right now, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

My mind then wandered to Kaia. I tried to mind-link her, but she must have been too far away because I couldn’t seem to make a connection. I sighed when I realized that it will only be a matter of time before I encountered Ezra again. There was something intimidating about him. He had a dark and sinister presence about him. I felt a shiver run up my back just thinking about him. I tried to shake it off.

I began to wander around the packhouse. I felt as if I had so much on my mind right now. I wondered what was happening with Kaia and Asher, where were they, and were they safe? And how long would they be away?

Kaia couldn’t run forever. She had to leave when Ezra first arrived to buy us all some time to figure out how we would manage the situation between me and Lachlan and then Kaia and Ezra.

If I had learned one thing, it is that we need to face our fears and relinquish the ties of our pasts. I was about to do the same with Lachlan once and for all, and then after that, I wouldn’t think of him again. Kaia would need to do the same if she ever wanted to lead a normal life. Especially if she wanted a second chance mate.

The other pressing question I had was regarding the sweater at Abbey’s cottage. The one that set Jackson off. I would love nothing more than to help him replace his fated mate. He deserved happiness. Everyone deserved to replace their fated mate. I was racking my brain trying to think of who might have stayed there but truthfully I had no clue.

I was still learning how things worked at Rocky Mountain. Cordelia and Kai had been picking up the slack for me while I was being orientated to my new pack. This pack was quite different from Evergreen but I guess it was a lot bigger too.

Kai. That’s it, I’ll mind-link Kai. He will know where Kingston is. I tried to mind-link Kai but he must be busy with Kingston because he appeared to have his block up too.

I was starting to feel a little lonely here with Liam and Layla away with Mason, Quinn and her parents, Kaia goddess knows where with Asher, Kingston, and Kai unreachable, Sam and Lily occupied, and Jackson running off somewhere in the woods. So I tried to reach out to Kali but she must be busy with Caleb. So I gave up and decided to head up to my room for a while.

***

After spending some time alone in my room I decide to have a bath. For some reason, I had this overwhelming desire to do so. I figured I should relish this moment as some challenging times were ahead.

I must have dozed off in the bath because the next thing I realized I was waking up screaming in the bathtub.

I got up out of the now cold water and wrapped my plush oversized towel around my body. I was so cold. How long had I been in that bath I thought to myself. I quickly walked over to the wardrobe that I shared with Kingston and chucked on some dark blue skinny jeans, a singlet, and a fluffy turtleneck sweater on top. I then grabbed my favorite tan leather boots.

I looked around the room and realized I was all alone. I looked at the clock on the wall. It was midnight. My goddess, how long was I in that bath? I must have been in there for hours. No wonder I’m so cold. It was strange that Kingston still wasn’t here at this time of night. I walked out to the balcony and looked out around the pack grounds. There was a chill in the air. The silence was deafening. It all felt very eerie.

I decided that I will take a walk around the packhouse and see if I can replace my mate.

I make my way out of my room and I head toward the staircase. It’s so quiet, usually, there are skeleton staff working, cleaning staff or maintenance or a cook or two, but tonight there didn’t seem to be anyone around. Perhaps they finished the preparations for the festival and everyone decided to have an early night. Although that doesn’t seem like the right answer either.

I walked in the direction of Kingston’s office and it was all dark, there was no lighting on, no noise whatsoever.

Amber pushed through, “I have a bad feeling about this Aleksa, keep your guard up,” Amber advised me. Maybe that’s why I was feeling so cold like chilled to the bone, and what about that nightmare? I can’t seem to remember it, which is unusual for me.

“Oh, it’s up” I replied to my wolf.

After about forty-five minutes of wandering around the pack house, I was feeling even more determined than ever to replace my mate or anyone at this point. I decided to expand my search outside of the packhouse. I know I wasn’t supposed to be walking around by myself but I was starting to wonder if there was anyone else around.

I made my way down the steps outside easily enough thanks to the solar lights that lined the steps, and I began to walk around the side of the packhouse making my way to the conference room, strangely enough, there was no one there.

I continued to walk through the pack grounds towards the training grounds because that’s the most logical place for the guys to be at this time of night. They were probably going over strategies or having a late-night training session. As I made my way there I heard shuffling in the bush next to me.

I suddenly had the feeling I was being followed or watched.

“We aren’t alone are we Amber,” I asked my wolf.

“Nope,” Amber said shortly.

I started to pick up my pace slightly, trying not to make it obvious that I was aware that I was not alone. And then I felt my arm being yanked backward aggressively. I let out a loud gasp. I turn to sidekick whoever had grabbed my arm but they pulled my leg and pushed me backward. I fell to the ground, with my back hitting a large rock hard.

“Ahh!” I screamed in pain. I could feel the pain searing through me. Well, that’s gonna bruise I thought to myself.

“Just the person I wanted to see,” a snarky voice called back at me.

I recognized the voice. It made my skin crawl.

“Ezra!” I called back to him.

“You lied to me the other day. Do you think I’m f*****g stupid? I could scent my mate all over your f*****g pack grounds. Where is she?” He spat out maliciously.

I stood up. Subtly rubbing my back with my left hand, as I pulled myself together. I was feeling a little cornered and at a definite disadvantage. But I couldn’t let him know I was scared.

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” I said faking confusion at his question.

“Look b***h, I want my mate and I’m not leaving until I get her,” He threatened.

He looked me up and down and I saw a glint in his eye.

“If you don’t want to tell me now, that’s ok. I can think of another way of getting it out of you,” Ezra said snickering.

“Don’t you f*****g touch me!” I yelled at him, changing my stance to one that appeared more threatening.

“I’m gonna show you what it’s like to be with a real man. Then you can tell me where that b***h is,” He said advancing towards me.

“Come any closer and you will regret it!” I yelled at Ezra.

He laughed mockingly and continued to advance toward me. I closed my eyes to concentrate on my energy and visualise what I wanted to do to him, to stop him from hurting me.

At that very moment, I felt a hard slap across my face, so hard that I lost my footing, and fell to the ground again. It hurt so much. I wondered if I might have just lost a tooth or two then. But I managed to hold my pain in.

I tried to get up but Ezra was already forcing his bodyweight onto me.

“Focus Aleksa!” Amber called out to me. I could feel her giving me strength. I tried to channel all of my energy and focus.

I was trying not to get distracted by the overpowering stench of whatever his cologne was. I could sense his excitement and arousal.

Ezra ripped my jumper off me in an instant. I closed my eyes again and blocked everything out. This was not happening.

The fear of what this creep wanted to do to me fueled a fire inside me. I felt myself burn up. Everything was so hot, and before I knew it a huge force of energy consumed me and I felt Ezra being pulled away from me and towards a large oak tree. I heard him hit his head hard and fall to the ground.

My body starts to regulate and I don’t feel so hot anymore.

I picked myself up and walked over to him. I’m still shivering in shock at what had just happened.

I heard Ezra g***n. He was making incomprehensible sounds. He didn’t seem to be responding. I watched him lose consciousness.

I guess he was more of a threat than Kingston and I had thought. He needed to be held somewhere. I knew that I couldn’t lift him. I was feeling drained from using my power.

I tried to mind-link Kingston again, but there was still no reply. What on earth is going on around here, I thought to myself. There were no guards patrolling the grounds. I couldn’t seem to mind-link anyone. It was almost like a ghost town.

Then I thought of Jackson. Perhaps since we are both Crescent Moon wolves we could mind-link one another. It was worth a try at this point.

“Jackson, I need your help,” I mind-linked.

“Aleksa, what’s wrong?” Jackson responded immediately.

“Ezra. He attacked me.” I replied, trying to sound strong and unaffected.

Jackson growled. “Where are you?”

“Near the training grounds, between the bush and a huge oak tree,” I told him calmly.

“I’m on my way,” Jackson responded.

A minute or so later Jackson arrived in his wolf form.

“Hello Gray,” I said to him, with a small smile, trying to remain strong while holding my arms against my chest. I was still shivering and that bastard had ripped my sweater, so I was standing there in my singlet.

Gray growled loudly and stalked toward Ezra.

Amber pushed through to talk to him.

“Gray!” Amber called out.

Gray stopped, and turned his head back toward me, he took a sniff, then started to walk toward me.

“You’re hurt!” Gray replied to us, looking enraged.

I pushed Amber back. I wanted to retain control. Luckily we could communicate in both wolf and human forms.

“A little, I’ll be ok,” I reassured him.

Gray looked at me, then he looked down at my ripped sweatshirt and Ezra’s top on the ground next to it.

“I’m gonna rip him to shreds!” Gray roared.

“It’s ok, he can’t hurt me now. I called you because I need help getting him locked up,” I told Gray.

“Of course, but, where’s your mate?” Gray asked confused, and then mad.

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen him since lunchtime yesterday, and he has blocked me. I can’t get hold of Kingston or Kai. Something weird is going on,” I told Gray.

Then I think about how Gray arrived almost immediately after I had mind-linked him.

“Hey, how did you get here so fast?” I asked Gray.

“We’ve been out searching, for our mate,” Gray responded.

“Aww Gray, we will replace her. I promise!” I tried to reassure him.

“I’ll mind-link my warriors to help me move this trash, give me a minute,” Gray declared.