Chapter 67 Kiss of Death
1957words
As Alpha Jaxon and I thanked his mother for her hospitality and said our goodbyes, I reached out to take Alpha Jaxon's hand. I enjoyed holding his rough hand, significantly bigger than mine, which made me feel protected and cared for. Alpha Jaxon took the box of books his mother had written for me in his other hand, and we returned to his office without a word. I had enjoyed my time with the Luna; she had been compassionate, understanding, and helpful.
I knew I had triggered Alpha Jaxon earlier by refusing to leave when he insisted. I was sure he wasn't happy, but I needed the Luna, and I didn't think he understood the pull I felt toward her.
When we reached the office door, Alpha Jaxon acknowledged Theo and pressed his lips against mine, taking me in a deep kiss. Now that the mating announcement was out, neither of us cared much about hiding our relationship any longer. It wasn't like we were doing anything forbidden—we were fated mates. I had only hoped the pack would go easy on me until I became comfortable in my new role, and with the Luna's help, I had the tools I needed to become a great Luna.
Beta Don seemed uneasy inside the Alpha's office; his eyes were focused on me like he was fighting with himself about something. He called us inside and closed the door behind him. When he told me that my father had fallen ill, I felt the walls around me collapse. I knew leaving the pack house was a risk, with another rogue attack possibly looming, but I was determined to go and be by my father's side.
When Alpha Jaxon agreed to let me go under Theo's watch, I didn't care—I was just grateful he was letting me go, and I ran like hell out of his office. I could hear Theo's footsteps rushing behind me. I was positive he had received a mind link from the Alpha with his new assignment. "Luna, wait! I'll drive," he called out from down the hall, but I couldn't stop. All I could think about was my father dying with me by his side.
The shifters in the pack house shot glances at me, curious who Alpha Jaxon's new mate was, but I couldn't bother paying attention to them.
I slowed my pace when I reached the front door of the pack house, debating whether I should shift into my wolf or listen to Theo and drive with him to my parents' house. Beverly climbed up the stairs outside the pack house, a satisfied look pouring from her face. My heart raced in my chest, my wolf ready to lunge at her, but all I cared about was my father and how it would waste time I could've spent with my family.
"Adeline, is it?" she taunted, loud enough that people began to crowd around us. I rolled my eyes; she damn well knew my name.
"Yes, it is, but I'd prefer if you referred to me as your soon-to-be Luna," I said, unsure where the hostility had suddenly come from. The crowd went silent, and I could feel Theo's rapid breathing behind me. I was sure he had already mind linked Alpha Jaxon or Beta Don.
A deafening laugh came from Beverly. "You. Wish," she spat out. "I hereby challenge Adeline Taylor of Midnight Moon pack for her position as Luna and mate to Alpha Jaxon of Midnight Moon," she called out and turned to the crowd, enjoying the attention solely on her. I would be lying to say it didn't hurt to see some of the shifters give her approving looks.
Beta Don ran out and wrapped his arms around me from behind as if he thought I was going to fight her right there at the pack house entrance.
"Was this really necessary? She's his mate, Beverly. If you loved him whatsoever, you wouldn't be challenging his mate to the death. You know it could break him if anything happened to her," Beta Don roared at her.
Beverly placed her hands on her hips. "It's what's best for this PACK, Don," she screeched.
Beta Don bared his canines and stepped in front of me. "That's BETA Don. Know your place before I personally send you the cages for disrespecting a wolf of higher status. Remember that, Beverly?"
I shook my head, my father's fragile health the only thing on my mind. I knew that if I let Beta Don lock Beverly up, I would lose respect when I didn't follow through with my challenge before the pack.
"I a-accept your challenge, Beverly. Tomorrow at sundown, Beta Don—to the death," I spoke softly and nodded at Beverly. I should've pulled through on those training sessions Sophia promised me. This would be it for me—she had waged war—but I would at least keep my dignity and die fighting for my mate's heart.
The crowd went silent at my words, and I bolted into the forest, shifting only when I was sure I was far enough away for no one to see my red wolf.
I felt my fur scrape against the sharp branches of the trees as I pushed through the forest, my heart begging to see my father soon.
"Adeline, where the fuck are you? You accepted Beverly's challenge?" Alpha Jaxon spoke over the mind link. I could feel the fury in his voice.
"Yes, I did, Jaxon. I need to get to my father. Please, let me be. If I die during the challenge, I die. I won't ever become Luna if the pack doesn't respect me," I replied and cut the mind link.
When I finally reached the forest edge near my parents' house, I shifted and put the clothes I had carried in my mouth back on. I knew I didn't need to, as most of my pack knew I was a red wolf, but the Luna had made it clear not to expose myself until the mating ceremony. Oh fuck, I thought. I now had no choice but to fight Beverly for my position as Luna. If I fought her, I would have to shift, and that would expose my red wolf to the entire pack.
I rushed toward my parents' house and burst through the front door. "Dad!" I screamed, my voice echoing through the hallway.
Leah turned the corner from the kitchen, her eyes bloodshot from crying. "Adeline," she choked out with a quivering lip. "Where's dad? Is he actually—" I whispered and paused, unable to say the words.
Leah sympathetically nodded. "Doctor Raymond is with him right now. He told us all to clear out and give him some time to examine him again."
I moved to sit at the kitchen island, my head resting against the cold stone of the quartz countertop. The doorbell rang and made me jolt up. Leah raised a hand at me. "Please, I'll get it, Luna," she said with a smirk. She opened the door, and I heard Theo's voice at the doorway.
"Good day. I am deeply sorry for your father's illness. He is a valuable enforcer to Midnight Moon. I have been sent here to watch over the Luna, Adeline," he said.
"My sister's in the kitchen. Come in, and thank you for your kind words," Leah said and returned to the kitchen.
"Coffee or tea?" she asked Theo and me.
"Coffee," we both said simultaneously, which caused Theo to chuckle and lighten the atmosphere.
"Not surprised you drink coffee, Luna. I didn't expect you to be that fast. I had to follow your scent the entire way here," he admitted.
I nodded as my sister passed me a cup of coffee, and I reached for the sugar she had placed in the middle of the island.
"Fast. Yes. Strong. No. Agile. Sometimes," I rhymed off.
"She means very fast, quite agile, and somewhat strong," my mother said as she entered the kitchen, catching the last part of our conversation.
"Hi, baby," she said and wrapped her arms around me. "You shouldn't have come. It's still dangerous around pack borders, apparently."
I watched my mother's expression. I knew she was trying to put on a brave face for me.
"I would never leave Dad, you know that. I'd fight those rogues myself if I had to, if I could see him one last time," I admitted and closed my eyes to keep the tears from falling.
"She's always had a heart of gold," my mother announced. "Hello, I'm Linda, Adeline and Leah's mother," she said and extended her hand to shake Theo's.
A sad look crossed Theo's face. "It's a pleasure, Ms. Taylor. My name is Theo. I am also an enforcer for Midnight Moon, like your husband. I haven't had an opportunity to work alongside your husband, but I've heard many impressive things about him and your family. Alpha Jaxon has requested that I stay with Adeline and keep her safe. I hope that won't be an issue. I can wait outside if you wish."
My mother scowled at Theo's words like it was the most ridiculous idea she had heard. "Of course not. I appreciate your presence here for my husband, and I appreciate you keeping watch over our future Luna."
I drank half my coffee and stood up, leaving the three of them to chat among themselves. I climbed the stairs and stood at my father's closed bedroom door. I had been told that the pack doctor needed space to assess my father, but my anxiety was running high, and standing outside his door gave me some sense of peace.
"Adeline," my dad's hushed voice called out to me. I could hear the struggle in his voice to speak; he was using all his energy just to say my name.
I pushed against the door and froze when I saw his pale skin and shriveled body lying on the bed.
"Daddy," I ran and took his hand in mine. His hands were cold as ice.
"We could smell you standing there. You should have just come to see your father when you arrived," the doctor chastised.
"I was told you asked for space to examine my father. It wouldn't have been right to distract you from your work," I explained and clenched my father's hand.
Doctor Raymond chuckled. "Yes, but you're our Luna. I could never keep you away from your father."
I pursed my lips. Luna for a day, I thought. With tomorrow's looming challenge, Beverly would soon become the official Luna of Midnight Moon, and I would be six feet under because I couldn't keep my mouth shut and accepted her challenge.
The doctor looked up at me with a smirk. "You've healed nicely, Luna."
"Thank you for saving me, Doctor Raymond. Is there anything I can do to help with my dad?" I asked hesitantly.
He adjusted the opening of his white coat and joked, "Let's see if you were a doctor in a past life."
I let go of my father's cold hand and reached for the bag of medical supplies.
"Stethoscope," he called. I reached for the long, flexible wire in the bag and passed it to him.
"Well done, Luna," he smirked.
"Thermometer," he called next. I pulled out the long glass tube and passed it to him. He glanced at the numbers for a moment, and I struggled to ask, "Is he going to be okay?"
The heart monitor my father was hooked up to went flat, causing a loud monotone pitch to play from the screen. Doctor Raymond yelled, "Step back, Luna," and reached for his bag, forcefully yanking out the silver paddles of his defibrillator.
