Luna's Rejected Vengeful Mate
Luna’s Rejected Vengeful Mate Chapter 66

The Dark Moon pack

Alpha Elias Hunter

I had just returned from Natalia’s pack. Visiting my dear friend Ray was always a pleasure. Now that Blake and Natalia’s relationship was at its peak, I had no more worries and decided I should spend some quality time with Ray.

It wasn’t the same for my old friend, though. Natalia marrying my son left poor Ray without a successor. Natalia could not be the Luna of the Dark Moon pack and the Alpha of the Moon Howler’s pack at the same time.

Ray and I discussed it, and he said he didn’t want to put any pressure on my daughter-in-law, especially since she was pregnant. But Ray had many medical issues and could not hold on to his position for long. James, his brother and trusted Beta, had been helping him all along, but that wouldn’t be a permanent solution. The Alpha position had to be filled by someone else.

Ray had even thought to ask Blake to merge the packs so that he and Natalia could be the Alpha and Luna, solving the problem. The only obstacle was the distance between the packs. I promised my friend that I’d talk to our children and ask for their opinions. Natalia’s and Blake’s sharp minds might come up with something we older men hadn’t thought about.

I entered the packhouse and it was utterly silent, too silent for my taste. Where had everyone gone? I knew Blake had been expecting his partner from Italy and Natalia’s former boss. Did they go out for dinner?

I stood in the middle of the hallway scratching my head. I had forgotten to inform Blake of my return. So even if they had arranged something, my son wasn’t counting on my presence.

“Well, Elias, I guess you will dine alone tonight,” I murmured and took the stairs to my room.

I had just arrived on the second floor when I saw Blake. He was home after all.

“Hey, son, what’s the rush?” I asked as I saw him storming up the stairs.

“Nothing, dad. I wanted to check on Fabrizio. He wasn’t feeling well today,” Blake replied and I nodded.

“Where’s Natalia, son? I haven’t seen her around,” I asked. Blake was here so Natalia should be close by.

“Mm, she went out with Elisa, dad. They might only come back later tonight,” Blake replied and walked away. Why did it seem like he was trying to avoid more questions?

I knew Blake well. Something must have been bothering him. And if it wasn’t Natalia, then what was it?

I never got involved in Blake’s business. I trusted him too much to do so. But this time something told me things were different. Something must have happened while I was away.

I let my son enter Fabrizio’s room and stood by the door. I had to replace out what had happened.

Why did Fabrizio ask about the girls? Was he talking about Natalia and Elisa?

Yes, he was. My son replied that the girls were staying at a motel with Massimo. What misunderstanding?

Who on earth was Teresa and why was Fabrizio afraid that she would see Natalia and Elisa?

Did hell break loose while I was gone?

I left the corridor to avoid Blake. There was only one way to replace out what happened and that was by asking my son.

I didn’t know the man Blake had been talking to and I didn’t want to scare him off with my questions. I went down the stairs and waited in the living room. Blake would come down soon.

And I was right. But before I could call him, Blake had left the packhouse. Where was he going in such a rush? I followed from a distance and saw my son heading to the pack dungeons. Did we have a prisoner I was unaware of?

I watched from afar as Blake approached the dungeons. Where had the guards gone? Why was only Jacob waiting for him? Something was wrong.

I respected Blake too much to follow him without his knowledge. My son must have gotten into some kind of trouble; all I wanted to do was help.

But how? Even if I asked Jacob, he would keep his lips sealed. Yes, I was the previous Alpha, but his bond with my son and his devotion to his Alpha would not allow him to reveal anything without Blake’s permission. I didn’t want to force my son’s Gamma into an awkward position.

I went back to the packhouse and waited for Blake’s return. He would come for sure and I would ask him to explain everything.

I didn’t expect to see Lucas and Jacob come in without Blake. I was in the living room and they took the stairs to the upper floors, walking silently together. What was that? And where was my son?

I followed them without being noticed. Why were they heading to the empty floor? What had Blake asked them to do? I heard a door open and close and guessed where they had entered.

And now what, Elias? Do you just barge in and see what’s wrong or wait for your son’s arrival? I thought to myself and decided on the latter.

I entered a room nearby and waited by the door. I knew Blake arrived when both Lucas and Jacob who had been waiting for him outside the room talked to him.

“Is everything settled, Jacob?” My son asked his Gamma. Settled? What were they up to?

“Yes, Blake. I have informed our men. They will come to your office for further instructions in half an hour and watch over Elisabeth as you asked.”

Elisabeth? What were they talking about? I froze and stopped listening to the rest of their conversation.

“The way he betrayed you…” I heard Jacob’s last words.

Betrayed? Who? What the…

“Jacob. Don’t forget what we said. No one must replace out about this. We will talk after things settle down,” I heard my son reply.

“Lucas, go to my car. I will bring Drake there. Drive him to the company’s private parking lot. He needs to go back to the motel tonight,” Blake said.

Drake? What? My Drake? Were they talking about my son?

I suddenly felt dizzy and a knot in my throat prevented me from breathing properly.

What the hell had happened? And why did Blake bring my traitor son back to the house?

I saw red. How dare he show up after the damage he had caused to both families? How dare he? He had been gone for so many years without apology. Nothing. And now he was back? Why?

I waited until the door opened and closed again. The corridor was quiet. I left the room in a hurry and followed Blake’s scent from afar. A tall, bulky man had been following my son. It didn’t take me long to realise that it was Drake, my son.

He’s grown into a fine man, I thought proudly.

What the hell am I thinking? I reprimanded myself with rage. Before Drake turned the corner of the corridor; I dragged him and pulled him into one of the empty rooms. I turned him to face me and sent him flying to the floor with a punch.

I turned my back to him and switched the lights on. I then faced a stunned Drake.

“Dad?” he whispered.

“Hello, son,” I growled taking two steps closer ready to punch him again.

“Dad, stop,” I heard Blake say. He had entered the room.

I turned to my eldest son. I was so furious with him.

“How dare you bring that traitor back into our house, Blake? Have you forgotten what he did to you, to us?” My body shook with anger.

“Dad, let me get him out of here and I promise I will explain everything to you, okay? Trust me on this one. I know what I am doing,” Blake said calmly.

Why was he so calm? How could he?

“Get him out of my sight,” I growled and turned my back to them.

Alone in the room, I let the unshed tears run down my face. Punching my son was not the ideal way to welcome him home, was it? But considering what Drake had done, it was the right thing to do. He deserved it. And Blake? What on earth was my elder son thinking bringing him home in secrecy?

And then it hit me? Didn’t Blake mention Elisabeth? What the…

Blake interrupted my thoughts as he entered the room and stood by the window.

“I am listening, Blake. What the hell is going on? Why is Drake back?” I was angry with my son for the first time in my life.

“Dad, you’d better sit down. I would have waited for everything to be resolved before telling you anything, but the way things turned out I can’t avoid it anymore. I know how upset you are right now, but please let me finish what I am about to say and then you can ask me anything you want. Okay?” Blake was tense.

He had me sit down on the sofa and sat across from me.

My son was right. It was good that I was not on my feet when he told me about Ace Jones and Emma. Not only that, he explained who Teresa was and what part she had in the charade.

I didn’t expect to see Lucas and Jacob come in without Blake. I was in the living room and they took the stairs to the upper floors, walking silently together. What was that? And where was my son?

“And where does Drake fit into this plan?” I couldn’t help myself.

Blake’s bitter smile sent chills down my spine.

“Drake was the rogue leader, dad. With Ace’s help he planned to attack our pack and take me down,” Blake said calmly.

“And you brought him back to our house? Blake, are you crazy?” I roared.

“Dad, it was Drake who exposed Ace and his plans. He backed out of the plan a long time ago. It will take me ages to explain but when Elizabeth found out about my brother’s plans she threatened to take their baby and leave him. And his love for his wife and baby brought my brother back to his senses,” Blake replied.

“What baby?” I asked and a sudden pain near my heart made me clutch my chest.

“Dad, are you all right?” Blake panicked.

“What baby, Blake?” I whispered nodding.

“Elisabeth is pregnant. She will have her baby in a few days. And since Ace has planned everything I explained before, I thought it was safer to bring her here until we take down that bas.tard and his associates,” my son replied his eyes not leaving mine.

“And you trust him, Blake? After being the rogue leader, do you trust Drake has changed that much?” I asked in disbelief shaking my head.

So much disappointment! I felt so disappointed by Drake’s behaviour.

“Dad, listen to me. It wasn’t easy for me to trust or forgive him for what he did to me. But his actions have proved his repentance. His primary concerns are Elisabeth and their baby, dad. As soon as we deal with Ace he will take his family far away from here. Both he and Elisabeth want a quiet life with their baby,” Blake said calmly.

“Dad, did you know that Drake always felt neglected? He confessed it to me. My brother felt I was the son you loved dearly and he was an accident that happened after a one-night stand with his mother. He confessed to me that everything he did he did out of jealousy and because he was feeling neglected and abandoned by you, dad.” Blake’s words were like a stabbing knife in my heart.

“But I never said I didn’t love him,” I protested in a low voice.

“Did you ever tell him how much you loved him, though?” Blake asked and I lowered my head.

“I thought he knew,” I whispered. Another stab in my heart.

“Dad, since Drake was little, you were always busy with work. And I was looking after him. So, you never took the time to connect with him or spend quality time with him. And then, I was the next in line and you had to teach me everything. And Drake was left alone. I am not, and I repeat, I am not justifying my brother’s actions but aren’t we to blame as well, dad? Think about it,” Blake patted my shoulder.

“As I said, it wasn’t easy for me to forgive him. And deep down I still hold a grudge against him. But I witnessed how much he loved his wife. He would do anything for Elisabeth and his child. And protecting them is Drake’s priority. They are his only family, dad. He will take part in our plan to take down Ace Jones,” Blake continued.

Blake kept talking, but all I heard was “they are his only family, dad.” Was I so wrong while raising Drake? Blake was right. I never paid the necessary attention to him. It wasn’t because I didn’t love my younger son. I had so many things to deal with and with my mate’s absence, all the workload was left to me.

And Drake grew up thinking that I never loved him. How could I do that to my child?

Overwhelmed with guilt, I stood up, ready to leave the room.

“Dad?” Blake stopped me.

“Please keep everything to yourself and do not reveal Elisabeth’s existence to anyone. And that includes her father, my father-in-law,” my son asked me.

“I need to be alone for a while,” I replied, nodding and stepping out of the room. On my way to my room, I passed the room Elisabeth was in. I stopped and touched the door handle.

What right did I have to enter that room? As Drake’s father, I failed my mission. What would I say to the poor girl?

I dragged my feet and left the floor with my head lowered and my heart full of guilt and remorse.