The Lunas Second Chance Mate
Chapter 27

Alyson's

POV

Ryan had been gone on the inexplicable pack business for a couple days. After storming out on Dylan and I the other day, I knew that Ryan was worried about the Crowalt Pack, and frustrated that he didn't share more about that with me. I also knew I kept a lot from him as well, but that seemed different somehow. I had missed Ryan; he hadn't come back even at night. I hoped that he was going to be okay, and not doing anything crazy on my account. Dylan was chatting cheerily with Donna that morning, she was serving breakfast at the table. I walked out and sat down.

Michael was in the chair nearest the door, not looking up from his plate of food.

"Michael, why aren't you with Ryan?" I asked.

He glowered at me and then Dylan. "He wanted me to stay here."

"What if he needs you?" I said.

Dylan interjected, "Alyson! You look so lovely this morning, so much healthier." He was smiling ear to ear with his perfect set of sharp teeth.

"Thank you," I sat down next to him, happy to have his warm company, while I was shooting resentful glances over at Michael. I was catching on that Ryan had made him stay to watch Dylan and I.

Donna was humming. "I love visitors! Is there anything else I can get you, Dylan?"

"No, I'm stuffed. It was all delicious." Dylan patted his belly and leaned back in his chair. He watched me as I put more food on my plate, eating hungrily as I hadn't eaten much in days.

"Nice to see you have an appetite," he said.

I was eagerly buttering bread, and reaching for more jam. It all tasted amazing, my stomach demanding more and more.

I addressed Michael again, "Do you know where Alpha Ryan went? And when he'll be back?"

"He'll be back when he has some answers, and who knows."

That unsettled me. I hated that he was away and that we'd been bickering the last time we interacted. At least, I had told him why Dylan had come, but it always seemed like we kept things from each other. Dylan asked, "And how shall we pass the time till he does? What's there to do for fun around here?"

Fun? The foreign concept was a like a distant memory from childhood. I stared at him, unsure how to answer.

"Does no one in the Starstream Pack have any fun?" Dylan was laughing at my perplexed look.

"No, we have better things to do than waste time," Michael said.

Donna said, "Oh hush, Michael, how do you think Dylan will see us?"

Dylan beamed at her, "I like her," he gestured at Donna who was blushing from the compliment, "A maid who's not so submissive."

"Well, I have known Michael since he was just a little one," she said sweetly. "I mean no disrespect, of course."

"Didn't you bring any servants?" I asked, suddenly aware that I hadn't seen any and surely, he hadn't traveled here alone.

"Why, yes." He said. "They're out in the town. Ryan was kind enough to house me here, probably on your account. I don't think he likes me much."

"Clearly and I wonder why," Michael glowered in his chair. Before anyone could react, he added, "Will we be eating breakfast all day, or can I excuse myself?"

"Maybe you could replace Ryan?" I said.

Michael was shaking his head. "No, I'll be nearby. Don't think I wouldn't want to, but Ryan would kill me if I left." He glared again at Dylan as he exited the cabin. "Pleasant fellow," Dylan said sarcastically.

Laughing felt like such a relief, I realized it wasn't something that occurred too often. For all Ryan was worth, he was generally serious.

"He's like that. I'm still not certain he likes me either." I said.

"Nonsense!" Donna proclaimed. "Michael supports you and Ryan."

I was blushing as Dylan's inquisitive gaze intensified on me. "But you two are not mates?"

"Yes, I mean." I fumbled for the words, "No, we're not mates."

"Because you two," He started to say something.

I held up my hand to stop him. "it's complicated."

"Oh, I see," his eyes were twinkling as if he laughed at me. "Well, never mind for now. Let's replace some fun today... while we wait for Ryan." Ryan POV

I had not rested in two days. I was scouting my territory furiously for any more signs of Crowalt Pack members besides the eight I'd already killed. Rupert was too strong inside me, and I knew that I needed to shift back to man form soon, or I could lose myself forever. But I could not. It would endanger Alyson. I had to do anything to protect her.

Even as a wolf, I was not numb to some of the hurt in our last interactions, she'd returned to more coldness. Had we not just a few days before she was kidnapped become lovers? How had these men hurt her and propelled our story backwards, away from me? I blamed them. I blamed myself for not protecting her, and so I could not stop till every inch of my territory had been examined. I would kill anyone else.

Her blood. The scent of it weakened me. I'd only had a few tastes, and even if she offered more, I was too afraid of myself. Ever since my family had banished me, I'd had survived by maintaining control over my wolf. But the taste, even the smell of her blood ate away inside me, compelling me for more.

My powers were reawakening. I had shown great talents when I was a boy, so I'd been banished. I'd been maintaining my conviction of Rupert by denying many of the Alexander's powers, controlling Rupert, forcing myself back to a man, ignoring the itch to seek blood, dismissing the witch's ability. But it had become louder.

I would drive myself to death if I didn't shift back soon. I was becoming sick. I could tell that I might faint again soon. I needed rest. After seeing all my territory, I followed the intoxicating scent of home on the banks of the river where Starstream pack inhabited. Nothing might be enough. Now I'd killed some Crowalt members, including Jacob's beta at the fight games, I might not be able to avoid them any longer. They must know how I care about Alyson, and I feared they'd use it against me.

I could not wait to see Alyson. I had missed her terribly. I hope she'd welcome me warmly after a couple days.

Painfully, I shifted back to a man. My limbs shook from the effort of treading up the front steps to the cabin when I stopped in my tracks. I heard Alyson inside giggling uncontrollably. I paused. Yes, it was definitely her, Alyson was fully laughing and gasping for breath. I peered in the window at them. She and Dylan were together at the table, and she was clutching her sides as if she couldn't stand it anymore.

Even though it was a beautiful glorious sound, I had never heard her laugh that hard. Jealousy burned my insides. While many of her expressions towards me carried anger and frustration, her eyes were alighting with amusement and her face looked so peaceful with Dylan.

I felt cursed. I could feel it in my weakened bones. I would die early, I would not have much time with my mate, and she didn't even recognize me. What if she never did before my early death? I knew better than the pressure her, but it was hard not to feel the pressure of time when I was sick.

I turned the handle of the door and walked in.

Both Dylan and Alyson looked up, frozen for a few moments in shock.

"Ryan!" Alyson sprung over to me. She hugged me and began pawing all over my body, "Are you hurt? What's wrong?"

Her sweet mate scent carried into my nostrils making me even weaker. Rupert burned inside me like a crazed animal, and I had to subdue my urges.

Dylan was trailing behind her, keeping his distance cautiously, although he gave a warm smile, "We've been waiting for you. Just trying to pass some time."

There must have been murder in my eyes towards him from the way he shifted his feet and lowered his gaze.

Alyson lifted my arm and let it fall back to my side. "Come lay down. Please. You look exhausted." She was pulling me towards the bedroom. "Please, Ryan. You've worn yourself out?"

Her voice was soft at least. My nerves were settled as I looked into her eyes and I saw worry and care. I consented, following her to the back room, where she lay me down.

She tucked herself under the covers with me, sidling up next me. "Sleep. I'm right here."

"What about Dylan?" I said, even though I cared nothing for him, but we had left him out there.

"He's fine." She said. "Shh. Sleep a little. You look like you could faint again."

As I closed my eyes, she pricked her finger. My attention jolted back to alert, and I pushed at her to get away. I needed it, wanted her blood so desperately, I was afraid I might hurt her.

"I want to. You need this." She stuck her finger in my mouth, and gave me a little. It didn't take much. Rupert had been without any for ten years, so even a couple drops soothed me like warmth spreading over my body. I wanted more, but I was extremely exhausted, and slipped into a deep slumber.