Chapter 7

Tara

THERE were so many things going on inside my head that I couldn’t seem to wrap my mind around the idea that somehow someone knew I was in the Dark Mountains Pack. First, it was the revelation that my former pack was concealed by a veil that keeps it away from the rest of the world. Then Irene told us that we must not tell anyone about it as she was still to fix some things there.

I looked at my mate who was sitting on the couch that was on the right side of his office. I remained seated at the chair in front of his table. After telling me that his cousin knew about me being here and that Alpha Thomas was going to visit the next day, my mate mind linked his ranked wolves to meet us in the office.

“How do you think he knew I’m here?” I asked Alpha Connor and stood up to go near him.

He raised his head to look at me. I pursed my lips at his intense stare. I haven’t felt anything from my wolf ever since we left South Forest. It was as if she was contented with just being close to her mate.

“He’ll be here in a couple of hours. I want you to stay in the packhouse when that happens,” he ignored my question.

I frowned at this. It wasn’t as if I was in danger just because another Alpha knew I was here in the pack. Back in South Forest, I was an unranked wolf. I helped in the infirmary. There was nothing special about that.

My mate stood up when we heard a knock on the door. I looked in the direction of the door and saw Luke enter. He gave me a small nod and walked towards Alpha Connor. Two others came behind him; I recognized the other one as Charles.

“Alpha Thomas of Old Oak will be visiting our pack tomorrow. He’ll be here early in the morning,” my mate said when everyone was seated.

I stood behind the couch facing him. Luke and the guy I was yet to be introduced to sat there while Charles sat on the single sofa on Alpha Connor’s left.

“I want everyone to be on guard when he arrives. He’ll probably bring some of his warriors,” he continued.

“Is there a threat, Alpha?” Charles asked looking confused.

Alpha Connor’s gaze landed on me and I gripped the couch in front to steady myself. I gulped and looked at Charles who was also looking at me.

“Leo, I want you to get the best patrol guards and have them stationed around the packhouse,” he said disregarding Charles’ question.

“Yes, Alpha,” the other guy replied with a curt nod.

“Tara, you already know Luke and Charles. This is Leo, Dark Mountains’ lead warrior,” Alpha Connor said looking at me.

The guy, Leo, stood up and faced me.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Luna,” he said with a small bow.

“It’s good to meet you, too, Leo,” I responded and extended my hand to him.

He raised his hand to shake mine but stopped midway. I frowned at this. He cleared his throat and quickly dropped his arm.

“Is something wrong?” I asked confused.

He just shook his head and sat down. I looked at Alpha Connor and saw him staring emotionlessly at me.

“Charles, I want you to take Tara into the packhouse. Give her the furthest room from the entrance. Make sure the guard are there,” my mate commanded.

“Why do I have to leave?” I asked him.

“Thomas will be meeting with me here in the office. You two need to go now,” he responded after looking at the clock on the wall.

I looked up and saw that it was almost midnight. Charles stood up and walked towards me. I gave my mate one last glance before sighing and turned to leave. I stopped when I reached the door. Charles stepped forward and opened it for me. I willed myself not to look back at my mate but I can feel his gaze at the back of my head. I bit my lower lip and continued walking out.

When we exited the house, Charles directed me to where the packhouse was. It was dark outside but the moon gave us a little light.

After a few minutes of walking, we arrived in front of a huge house. The porch light was on but the rest of the house was dark.

I followed him into the house and was greeted by a dimly lit foyer. On the left was a staircase leading to the second floor. Charles walked straight forward and I followed suit. We passed by a huge living room but continued walking. We turned right to a corridor and Charles led me to the room at the end. He opened the door and let me in.

“You’ll be staying here for the meantime, Luna,” Charles said.

I turned to face him and saw that he didn’t enter the room.

“You should get some sleep. I need to check on the guards outside. Don’t open the door if it’s not me or the Alpha,” he said and bowed a bit before closing the door.

I just looked at the closed door in front of me and sighed. I felt like a prisoner. Turning around, I looked around at the room. The walls were covered by wallpaper littered with tiny pink flowers. The bed in the middle looked inviting, making me realized how tired I was. On the left was a door, probably the bathroom. I walked towards the window that was covered by thick curtains and was about to open them when I heard a creak from behind me. Instinctively, I looked at the source of the sound only to find a woman walking out of the bathroom.

My eyes widened. Did Charles bring me to the wrong room?

“I’m sorry. Is this your room?” I asked the woman.

She didn’t answer but instead walked closer to me.

“So it is true,” she said once she was a few steps away.

“What?” I asked, confused by her statement.

“My name is Diana. I’m Alpha Thomas’ mate.”

GAUGING the woman in front of me, I walked towards the door of the room. I have no idea how she got inside, but I was sure she was not here to be friendly towards me. If she was already here, then it means that Alpha Thomas could also be inside Dark Mountains’ territory.

“Where are you going?”

I turned back and saw the woman sitting on the side of the bed. I frowned and was about to open the door when a hand stopped my arm. I flinched and tugged from her grip as she was holding my bandaged wound.

“What happened to your arm?” she said, looking at me.

I squared my shoulders and faced her.

“That’s none of your business. Did you arrive with your mate?” I asked back.

I saw her scowl at what I said. She walked back and sat on the bed.

“He’s on his way,” she answered nonchalantly.

“Then what are you doing here? How did you get past the patrol guards?” I asked.

“I used to be a part of this pack. I was one of those patrol guards so I know how it works,” she replied and then laid down on the bed.

I was confused by her actions. She seemed to be so unconcerned about what she just did. I was already dreading the time that Charles, or worse my mate, would find her here.

“So what are you doing here?” I asked again.

She turned her head to face me and pouted a little bit.

“Thomas didn’t want to bring me with him, but I really wanted to see if you’re real,” she responded and then got up.

She proceeded to go around the room inspecting the decor but came back to stand in front of me seeing that there were really none to look at.

“This room was never used when I was still a member of the pack. No one was allowed to enter. You must be special.”

“Are you really from South Forest?”

“What?” I asked, shocked that she mentioned the name of my former pack.

“That’s the reason why my mate decided to visit Dark Mountains. He believes someone from South Forest is here.”

“South Forest doesn’t exist,” I answered in a low tone.

I hoped my voice was convincing enough. I was never a good liar. I tried to look her straight in the eyes, willing her to believe what I just said.

“It used to. If you're not from South Forest, what pack are you from?” she probed even more.

“I’m a rogue.”

“Was a rogue,” she answered.

I frowned at this but didn’t respond.

“You're Luna now. I can see the mark on your neck. Alpha Connor already claimed you.”

My hand automatically went to my mark to cover it. I dropped my hand when I saw the knowing look on her face.

“You don’t know that,” I said seriously.

“What? I don’t know that you’re Alpha Connor’s mate? I don’t know that he’s the one who put that mark on you?” she asked, clearly amused by my response.

I sighed, giving up. She seems to see right through me or I was just really bad at lying.

“Fine. I am Alpha Connor’s mate,” I answered after walking towards the plush armchair on the side of the room.

I sat down and Diana followed me sitting on the other chair. A small table was between us. She looked at me closely and then sighed.

“Well, this is boring. Are you really not from South Forest?” she asked again.

“What is your obsession with that pack?”

“My grandfather was from South Forest. He did seven years ago when that pack was attacked by rogues,” she answered looking at the bed.

She had such a sad look on her face; I started feeling bad about lying. I bit my lip and decided if I should tell her the truth.

“What’s your grandfather’s name?” I asked.

“Herman.”

“Herman Black? He’s a healer. I -”

I immediately stopped when I realized what I just said. I am so dumb.

“I knew it! So he’s alive!” she said happily.

I just shook my head and didn’t answer anymore. I was for sure going to say more things that were going to get me into trouble. Irene told us not to say anything about South Forest to anyone. I looked at Diana and I knew I was already in too deep.

“You can’t tell anyone about this,” I pleaded.

Her eyes widened and she nodded. I sighed.

“I am from South Forest. I stumbled in this pack when I was running away from some pack members who were chasing me,” I said nervously.

“Thomas was right. South Forest does exist. I almost didn’t believe him. But you knew my grandfather. I thought he was dead. Is he fine?” she asked and I could see tears welling in her eyes.

I nodded. Herman was a healer back in South Forest. He was one of those who taught me about medicine.

“But how? You were supposed to be extinct. You were murdered,” she said.

“I don’t really know how to explain it but Irene was-”

“Irene? Alpha Connor’s mother?” she asked, interrupting me.

“She’s also a healer in South Forest. From what I know they put a kind of enchantment around the pack to keep us away from naked eyes,” I explained to her.

“What? No way!”

I just looked at her not really knowing what else to say. I got up when I heard a commotion from outside. I quickly drew the curtains to the side to investigate.

It was dark but I saw a couple of men running from the right. I then saw my mate running as well.

“What’s happening?”

I turned back at Diana to see her standing, too. I walked towards the door and locked it.

“I’m not sure but I just saw Alpha Connor running outside,” I said to her.

“Why do you call your mate Alpha Connor?” she asked with a slight frown.

I stiffened at her question. I used to just call him Connor in my mind. I don’t remember when I started referring to him as Alpha Connor.

I was about to answer her when the door started shaking. Someone was trying to get inside the room. I gripped Diana’s arm when she was about to walk towards the door.

“Don’t worry. I know who it is,” she said gently and removed my hand from her arm.

I watched fearfully as she unlocked and opened the door. A very tall and very muscular man came barging in and held Diana by her shoulders lifting her off the ground. I stepped back feeling the immense power from the man.

“Put me down please,” Diana said patiently as if not affected.

The man growled before putting her down. Diana then patted him on the chest and faced me. She opened her mouth but then frowned as if she forgot something.

“I never got your name,” she said almost apologetically.

“I’m Tara,” I answered in a low voice.

“Ok, Tara, this here is my mate, Alpha Thomas of Old Oak.”

The guy my Mate wanted me to avoid was standing right in front of me...