Luna's Rejected Vengeful Mate
Luna’s Rejected Vengeful Mate Chapter 54

The Dinners Inn motel, California

Drake

I had been working long hours at the reception, attempting to earn as much money as possible. I wanted to buy everything the baby and Elie needed and have enough to take my family back to Mexico City as soon as Elie and the baby could travel. There was no reason for us to stay in California any longer. If it weren’t for my stupid ideas, we would never be in the kind of trouble I put us through and Ellie’s and the baby’s lives would not be in danger.

Tia introduced me to Teresa, a new tenant and my replacement, at the reception on my day off. She was from Italy and around my age. There was something about that young woman I didn’t like. Maybe it was how she looked at me from time to time. I could tell she was attracted to me but kept her distance. It made me feel uncomfortable around her. When she stared at me, even Gunner was upset.

“She is hiding something,” my wolf warned me. “Be careful around her.”

So, when she volunteered to keep Elisabeth company after meeting her at a dinner Tía had arranged for the staff, I was the one to refuse politely. Elisabeth had a different opinion, though. She liked Teresa from the start and felt sorry for her when she mentioned her ex-boyfriend and how they got separated. So, she accepted Teresa’s offer and invited her to our place.

There was nothing I could do to change Elie’s mind. I didn’t want to upset her with the theory Teresa liked me and tried to get closer by keeping my wife company. She had not done anything to confirm my suspicions. She was friendly and nothing more. Still, that weird feeling I had around her kept me on alert.

I asked Ellie what they talked about every time Teresa visited and Elisabeth replied that they always discussed Teresa’s ex and his family who were not supportive of their relationship.

That put me at ease because I didn’t want Teresa to manipulate Elie in any way and upset her. Gunner had a bad feeling about her and that only made me more restless. So, from time to time, I would leave reception with the excuse that I needed to check on Ellie and rush to our place, where Elie and Teresa were watching movies or playing cards.

“We shouldn’t worry that much, Drake. If anything happens, Alie will let me know,” Gunner proposed after we entered the house a few times and found Elie and Teresa chatting happily.

I decided to follow Gunner’s suggestion, so when the phone rang at the reception, I was surprised to hear Natalia on the other side.

“May I speak with Drake Hunter, please?”

“Speaking,” I replied.

“Drake, this is Natalia. I need to talk to you about something. Could we meet sometime later today?” Natalia sounded anxious on the phone.

“Talk about what, Natalia? I told you I would never try to harm Blake or anyone. I have been trying to gather as much money as possible to leave California after Elie has the baby. So, why talk to me?” An unsettling feeling warned me that something was off. Did Natalia talk to my brother and did Blake want to take revenge on me? Was that the reason she wanted to speak to me?

“Drake shut up and listen to me. Find an excuse and after you finish work, meet me at a place. Give me your mobile phone number. I will send you the address. Who’s staying with Elisabeth?”

“One of the motel’s tenants, Teresa. Why?” her question confused me, and I replied spontaneously, giving Natalia my phone number.

“Ask someone you trust to go stay with my sister, Drake. Do it NOW!” Natalia barked on the phone.

“Natalia, what…”

“Just do as I told you, Drake. Don’t ask anything more and remember to act normal when you ask your trustee to care for my sister. The rest you will replace out when we talk.” Natalia disconnected the call, and I stood rooted to the floor, holding the device near my ear, trying to understand what had just happened.

Why did Natalia ask me to replace someone I trusted to stay with Elisabeth? Was my brother planning to do something to my mate? The turmoil of thoughts made me dizzy and confused. The tone of Natalia’s voice, full of anxiety, had me worried. Not losing more time, I called Tia and asked her to meet me at the reception.

“You must control your anxiety, Drake. Do as Natalia told you. If you let Tia see how upset you are, she might tell Elisabeth. You don’t want to upset her, do you?” Gunner advised me, although he was as upset as I was.

“You are right, Gunner. Elie must stay calm,” I replied and saluted Tia, who came rushing to me.

“Is everything all right, Drake? You sounded nervous on the phone,” Tia asked, her eyes full of worry.

“Tia, I need you to stay with Elie for a while. I have to leave the motel. It’s an urgent appointment,” I explained.

“Isn’t Teresa with her, Drake?” Tia asked, confused.

“Yes, but I might take longer than expected, and Elizabeth will be more comfortable around you. And I would be at ease knowing you are taking care of her until I return, Tia. Teresa is a stranger to me,” I explained and Tia smiled.

“Don’t worry, Drake. I will go to her now,” she replied.

“Oh, if Elisabeth asks you, please tell her that you sent me for some errands and I won’t take long. You see, her doctor needs to talk to me in private. I don’t want to upset her, Tia,” I lied. I had to replace a good excuse to convince Tia of my abnormal behaviour to avoid asking Teresa to spend more time with my wife.

“Don’t worry, Drake. I will keep her busy and she won’t notice your absence,” Tia comforted me.

When my shift was over, I returned to our place to see Elie and have a quick shower. Tia was with my wife and when she saw me enter, she asked.

“Drake are you okay with going where I asked you? I can replace a replacement if you can’t go.” She kept up the charade and I was grateful.

“No, Tia. Give me five minutes and I will be on my way,” I replied.

“Don’t worry about Elisabeth. I will stay with her until you come back,” Tia continued and I smiled at her, nodding in acknowledgement.

“Yeah, baby. Take your time. Tia will keep me company,” my wife chipped in, smiling. I went to her, kissed her forehead and headed for the bathroom. Ten minutes later, I was on the road in one of Tia’s cars.

I texted Natalia, telling her I was on my way. Shortly after, I got an “okay”.

Half an hour later, I entered a building and headed to the twentieth floor. I found the apartment number Natalia had sent me and knocked on the door. I wasn’t surprised to see my wife’s sister open for me. What shocked me to the core when I entered the apartment was to see my brother standing by the window, facing outside, a stony expression on his face.

I turned to leave, but Blake’s growl had me frozen on the spot.

Cold sweat ran down my whole body at the thought of Elisabeth and our baby being harmed by Blake out of revenge for my previous actions.

I turned to face my brother and growled back. There was no way I would allow him to hurt my loved ones. I saw the hatred in Blake’s eyes while exposing his fangs and prepared myself for his attack. My fangs came out, and my claws replaced my fingers, getting ready to strike back.

A louder, dominant growl had us both rooted to the floor, a confused expression on our faces.

“Enough!” Natalia growled again and Blake and I turned to face my wife’s little sister, who had shifted mid-way, revealing a white wolf with the darkest blue eyes I had ever seen.

“Baby, you… ” Blake started, but Natalia’s wolf cut him off.

“Yes! I had to shift to stop your stupidity, you jerks. If anything happens to my pup, none of you will be alive to apologise to me. Now, stop being assholes, forget about your enmities, and listen to what Natalia will say to you. Blake, I warn you, this is your last chance. Don’t screw up again, or else…”

She then turned to me and angrily said, her eyes glowing, leaving me stunned.

“And as for you mutt, you’d better listen carefully and cooperate or else, Moon Goddess is my witness, I will not think twice before putting an end to your miserable life. Do you understand?” Another loud growl from her and I could feel Gunner submitting to her power and backing down. What was it with my sister-in-law’s wolf? How could she be that powerful? She was not a normal Alpha wolf, of that I was sure.

I lowered my head and noticed from the corner of my eye that Blake’s face had gone back to normal, his face focused on Natalia’s pale face when her wolf backed down, giving Natalia the lead.

“Natalia, baby here, let me help you sit down,” he offered, but Natalia turned her face to the other side and walked to the sofa. Taking a seat, she looked coldly at Blake and me.

“Take a seat and behave,” she ordered. What we are dealing with right now is more crucial than your hostility toward each other.”

What was so important as to force my brother to come face to face with me and obey his wife’s order? Natalia piqued my interest, and ignoring my brother, I sat on the chair opposite her, whereas Blake sat next to his wife.

Natalia turned to me.

“Drake, what I’m about to tell you will shock you, but I need you to stay focused and answer my questions. It all depends on your answers now.”

“I don’t like her introduction,” Gunner growled and circled uneasily, waiting for Natalia to continue.

“How well do you know that woman, Teresa, who has been keeping my sister company for the last few days?” Natalia’s question dropped like a bomb in my ears.

I jumped from my seat and paced around the room, ruffling my hair nervously. The feeling of unease arose inside my heart once more. Why was Natalia asking about Teresa? And how could I speak freely under Blake’s murderous gaze?

“Drake, what I am asking you is crucial. Stop thinking about your brother and tell me,” Natalia growled and shocked me when I realised she had read my mind.

“Not that well. Teresa arrived where we live a few days ago, and proposed to keep Elisabeth company while I am working. Your sister likes her,” I explained, trying to understand Natalia’s persistence for Teresa.

“Why do you say my sister likes Teresa? What about you, Drake? Don’t you like her?” Natalia asked, and I locked eyes with her, ignoring my brother’s gaze.

“No, Natalia. I don’t like Teresa. I have the feeling she is hiding something from us. But I couldn’t convince your sister to avoid her. Is this what you want to hear?” I asked, irritated and gained another growl from Blake.

“Watch it when you talk to my woman you mutt,” my brother cursed me and Natalia warned him with her eyes. Blake kept silent and that surprised me. The Blake I knew was arrogant and never submitted to anyone, much less to a female. And now, Natalia had him silent with only one look. Wow!

“Blake, did Massimo send you the photo he mentioned?” Natalia turned to my brother.

Blake nodded and gave Natalia his phone. She showed me a photo of Teresa in a scarred man’s arms. She was smiling happily. Was that her ex-boyfriend?

“Is that her, Drake?” Natalia asked and I nodded.

It was Natalia’s turn to jump from the sofa and startle Blake. He rushed to her and guided her back to the sofa. Her hands trembled and her eyes filled with tears.

“Blake?” she asked and he sat next to her, holding her in his arms.

“Don’t worry, baby. I will take care of everything,” he coaxed her.

“Will someone tell me what’s wrong?” I protested, forgetting my enmity with Blake for a moment.

“Teresa is a psycho, Drake. That’s what the problem is,” my brother growled. My eyes widened and my jaw dropped when he told me who Teresa was and why she had come to California.

“What?” I spluttered, placed my hands on the chair and held tight to it so as not to fall. I didn’t trust myself. Was the woman looking after my wife and unborn child all this time a psycho who wanted to harm Natalia’s friend and her unborn child?

I turned and rushed to the door. I had to go back to my wife and baby.

“Stop!” Blake growled and I obeyed my brother’s command without realising my action, I turned around and locked eyes with Blake.

“Natalia called you to let you know about Teresa and ask you to work with us and set a trap for her,” my brother explained.

“And why would I do that?” I asked, with a cynical smile on my face.

“Because I just found out who picked her up from the airport. It was Ace Jones, you mutt, your former partner,” my brother gritted his teeth, hatred in his eyes. “And he most probably placed Teresa, his new accomplice by your wife’s side to force you to join him and the rogues, and help them attack my pack and me.” If looks could kill, I would have already been dead.

Not that it mattered to me. When I realised that a living time bomb was walking freely inside my house ready to explode and hurt my wife and baby, I was already dead inside.

“Tell me what I need to do,” I said breathlessly and sat on a chair, my face hidden in my palms.