9. Vericus

The sound of the door shutting behind me was like the last sound you hear before the executioner cut off your head. When I left for Asheville just this morning I had hoped to finally get a lead on the Lunar eclipse pack. While it's true I did get a lead in the form of this female, if her memory loss was real then I was still at square one.

My mind went back to my fight with the black and white wolf. If what Owen said was true and he was the alpha then what happened to Keary? Could he maybe be Kearys son? I growled in frustration. Keary was the one who took her, he was the one who killed my parents. If he was dead I could live with that but the fact that he died by someone else's hand made me furious.

Then there was this female. Four years Slo had kept her from me. The first time I saw her I couldn't believe my eyes. The blonde hair, the blue eyes they were so similar. I shook my head. No it's not possible. I'd used my alpha voice on her a few times now and every time it had worked. There's no way this female could be her no matter how much she looked like her.

"Judging by that look your thinking the same thing I am."

I didn't need to turn around to know It was Owen behind me.

"I don't know what your talking about."

I turned to face him my face a mask. I wouldn't let him fall for her trap. Because this has to be a trap. For someone to show up looking like her around the exact time she died....I refused to believe it. My mate was dead this impostor was just a ruse to get me to drop my guard and I would not allow that to happen.

"You can't deny it Vericus the timing fits."

I shook my head not wanting to hear any of this. I knew first hand what hopeing for something that will never be could do to a man.

"Owen it's not her she may look like her but that's probably what they want us to think. The lunar wolves are patient you know that. What's four years of waiting to them when this war has been on going for ten years."

I could tell in his face how desperately he wanted to believe that by some miracle Rix had survived. That his niece had somehow find her way back to us. He wanted so much to have even just one other with silver moon blood to be alive that he believed what he saw in her face. As much as I hated to hurt him I had to make him understand. Lifting my head I touched his shoulder.

"She follows my orders."

His eyes looked pained like he'd lost Rix all over again. I hated myself for doing this to him but it was the only way to make him understand. Rix was special she was my mate she could not be ordered by any wolf not even an alpha. The fact that this she wolf could be ordered was prof that she was not Rix.

"I'm sorry my friend but you mustn't let your guard down around her. Not ever."

I left him the look of a grieving man still plastered on his face as I entered the trees. Lifting my head I howled into the sky.

I didn't have to wait long until Ty appeared before me. His grey coloured wolf bowing its head then waited for my orders.

"Call off the search whoever the new alpha is he's probably long gone by now."

Ty lifted his snout letting out a long series of howls before his grey eyes turned back to me. Shifting into human form he pulled pants out of his bag to put on.

"I'm sorry Ver he must be using some kind of spell to cover his scent. There was no trace of him any where."

I sighed waving my hand dissmissing what couldn't be helped.

"Never mind seems we have bigger problems."

Ty's eyes lifted in curiosity.

"We do?"

"Yes the female that the Lunar eclipse alpha wanted I'm taking her back with us. It will be your job to watch her. If you notice anything suspicious inform me immediately. If she even thinks about trying to loose you lock her up. We can't give her any chance to meet up with them."

"Are you thinking the attack was staged?"

I nod pensively.

"It could have been."

Ty whistle his eyebrows rising.

"That's one hell of an act if it was, she did almost die after all."

"In any case if it was an act she will regret it. Now go back inside and get some food. Your mission starts now."

Ty bowed his head then started towards the diner to follow out my orders. Ty was one of my most loyal wolves. Rough around the edges to be sure but he never failed in a mission. I knew he wouldn't let me down.

Now that that was out of the way there was one more thing I needed to take care off before we left. Stripping down I shifted and made my way towards the cabin.

The second I passed the wards the cabin came into view. The stench of blood less potent within the wards then where The female had been attacked but strong enough to tell me it started here. Shifting back I eyed the ground where small footprints human then wolf ran towards the forest. The door to the cabin was still open from the stairs to the door there was scuff marks. I followed them inside. On the edge of the bench there was blood as well as splatters of it on the floor. A smudged print of blood from her hand hitting the floor.

Closing my eyes I sniffed the air, just by the smells and everything here it's was like I could see what had happened. He'd surprised her slamming her head against the counter. Then he dragged her outside she fought him off then made a run for it. My fists clenched just thinking about it, the scent of fear was everywhere. As was the scent of lust. Was his desire for her real and this whole thing staged? Or was he merely enjoying her pain? There was no way to tell. Sure the smell of fear seemed real but if the lunar alpha is using magic to mask his scent faking the smell of fear wouldn't be that far fetched. There was just no way to tell for sure.

I started to sift through her things, well what was left of it anyway, but apart from books and and easel in the corner there was nothing here. Who was this female? Approaching the easel I stared at the forest scene she had painted to perfection. She had talent I'd give her that. Picking up one of her paint brushes I brought it to my nose.

Orchards and cherry blossoms. Despite myself my cock hardened at the scent. Her smell drew me in as her blue eyes entered my mind. Just like Rixs.

I growled throwing the brush against the wall. No I will not give into this magic. Whatever it is that pulls me to her it's not real. Did I find her attractive? Of course any man with eyes and a working cock would, she was beautiful. I shook my head my wolf bursting out. The scent of the alphas lust was strong in wolf form and it made me furious. Angry that I cared angry that I couldn't tell what was real. Angry that I'd missed my chance to kill him.

My rage had my wolf destroying everything in the cabin. By the time I'd finished it was unliveable. I padded passed the wards my head much clearer. It was always easier to think when I gave in to my wolf even if only for a little while. It doesn't matter who she is because she is not Rix. As far as I'm concerned she was planted in my path by those bastards that started this war and I will not let them break me. One day she will slip up and when she does I'll sink my teeth into her flesh and watch as her heart beats for the last time.

By the time I got back to the diner Owen and Sloane were out the front seeming to be having a heated discussion. Finding the clothes that I'd left behind I shifted back and put them on. As I got closer both of them went silent. My eyes watched them wearily. I growled when they didn't say anything.

"What is it now?"

Sloane's eyes flashed in anger.

"Your having Ty keep tabs on her?!"

I sighed after my outburst at the cabin I was too tired to fight him on this.

"I know you think you trust her Slo-"

"Think I trust her? I do trust her Ver. She's my friend, after what that arse hole did to her she doesn't deserve to be treated like she's the enemy!"

By the time he'd stopped talking he was only inches away his wolf bursting at the seams. Owen tried to pull him back but Sloane merely shrugged him off.

"Sloane she needs to be watched, we can't take any chances with her. My decision is final and nothing you say is going to change that."

Sloanes eyes flashed again he was loosing control. His wolf was challenging me and my wolf hated it. Without warning I pushed him up against the wall of the diner my canines extended.

"Get it through your head Sloane as alpha I can't always make decisions just because my little brother asks me too. As alpha it's the pack that matters and as this packs next alpha it's something you need to come to terms with. Sometimes you must hurt those closest to you to keep them safe. Because that's what matters not some female you barely know!"

I held him there his eyes staring daggers at me but his heart rate had slowed as my words sank in.

"You don't get it Sloane this thing inside me it's a curse. It makes every one you love petrified to even be near you and one day it'll take over completely. You need to figure out how to be the next alpha because it won't be long before you are the alpha."

His eyes softened at my words worry etching in the creases in his forehead. The weight of my words making his shoulders slump.

"Ver-"

I pushed away from him retracting my canines avoiding his eyes. I hated telling him but it was the only way to make him see that my time was running out. He needed to step up as alpha before the darkness within took over. He needed to keep the pack safe. He reached for my shoulder but I shook my head stepping away.

"Save it Sloane I don't need your pity all I need is for you to start acting like an alpha. You have it in you Sloane your capable of so much more then this. For once in your life put at least a little bit of trust in me. Trust that I'm doing this to keep everyone safe."

Turning away I headed for the door.

"I'm sorry Ver."

I didn't look back my hand on the handle the door half way open. Taking a deep breath i shrugged.

"Don't be."

I left them behind as I entered the diner. My heart heavy with the weight of what I'd just told Sloane. I didn't even notice Ereni standing before me. I flinched when her grey hair flashed.

"Fucking hell Ereni you should know better then to sneak up on me."

She was silent and by the look in her eyes she'd heard every word I'd said outside.

"Is it true?"

I groaned this was why I didn't want to say anything. I'd rather people hate me then pity me but as I looked into her hazel eyes there wasn't pity only sadness. She pulled me into a hug her head reaching to my shoulder I cradled her in my arms. Ereni was like a second mother to us. Even though she was apart she always rang to see how we were. It was nice to see her after so long even if the circumstances sucked.

"I suppose your going to tell me to have hope just like Owen?"

She chuckled pulling away, when her eyes met mine again her smile disappeared.

"I'm not Owen Vericus I know there's no stopping it. Why didn't you tell me she was dead?"

I shrugged.

"I didn't want you to worry."

Her eyes took me in grief showing in her eyes. Quickly she tucked her grief away. She hadn't met Rix always staying in Charlotte when I went to see her but she knew of her. Sighing she touched my hand giving it a quick squeeze.

"I only regret not realising it earlier for not being there for you more."

I shook my head resting my hands on her shoulders.

"Don't Ereni you had your reasons for moving here. You've given enough of your life to the pack you deserve to be happy."

I looked to Grunter who was in the kitchen cleaning up but I knew he had heard it all as our eyes met.

"Even if your husband hates me."

For the first time a hint of a smile ghosted his lips as he stared back. Ereni forced me to look back at her both her hands pulling my face down as she kissed my forehead.

"I'm sorry you've had to carry such a burden Vericus. You didn't deserve any of this. I only wish that you could've found your happiness too."

I smiled trying to lighten the mood before the darkness started to build again.

"Thank you Ereni but I'm fine as long as my pack is safe that's all that matters."

She nodded returning to her husbands side while I made my way upstairs. After all that I was glad the others were still making their way back to the diner. id have hated for them to hear that I would soon be gone. I took a moment to gather my thoughts before I opened the door to the office where the object of my new torment lay. The one good thing about my impeding doom was that I would finally be free of this curse.