“I can’t believe I missed out on banana cake,” I say, shaking my head. “Damn Luna duties.”
Grace pauses, laughing. “You’ll get used to it. Though, I can’t say I’ve been in your position. The traveling must be exhausting.”
“It can be,” I admit. “But it’s also nice being able to just run. I could do without the attacks though.” Grumbling, I straighten up some abandoned chairs as toddlers take off from their half-eaten snacks to play.
“Hopefully that will stop soon,” she murmurs. “Dax reassures me that you’re on the right path to rectifying this.”
Internally, I laugh. Because while I know she’s using the term as a general referral to all of us, I can’t help but think of the irony.
“I have a strange question,” I start, remembering back to the attack on Darius. “Have you ever…glowed?”
It sounds absolutely unhinged. To my surprise, Grace doesn’t seem confused, so I can only assume Alpha Daxton filled her in.
“No,” she confirms. “That’s not something affiliated with Lunas. Perhaps it’s to do with your ancestral background.”
Well, at least there’s no avoiding the elephant in the room. “I asked Cade to bring back some of Ophelia’s journals,” I tell her. “I’m hoping there might be answers in there.”
Grace nods. “That’s a good idea. There’s too much misinformation in the history books.”
“Imagine what they’ll write about me one day,” I remark. “Maybe I should keep a journal—set the record straight.”
Someone collides with my leg, tiny arms latching onto my knee. I peer down, surprised to find Leon. “Oh, hello. I think this belongs to you,” I joke at Grace.
Her face softens, eyes brightening as she looks at her oldest. “This is how I want them to be. Innocent, carefree while he still can.”
I nod. “If it helps, I think every alpha has their own personality. They’re not all stressed and …uptight,” I whisper, glancing around cautiously as if Alpha Daxton might appear at any given moment and throw me through the wall.
Thankfully, Grace just laughs at the comment. “I suppose you know all about different alphas. I have to admit, I was a little worried for a moment there about you and Maverick.”
“Me too,” I confess. “Nothing like a near death experience to really seal the deal.”
Pausing, I straighten up. “Well, not near death, I guess. Mate-napping?”
She shakes her head. “Men are complicated. Alphas even more so. Sometimes their decisions only make sense to themselves. That’s why they need Lunas. Someone has to keep them in check.”
After I finish work, I stop by the library and borrow a few more books from Mrs. Lyon. They won’t be as helpful as the journals, but at least this way, I feel like I’m still contributing.
I take them to Alpha Daxton’s office, happy when he allows me to enter and take my usual seat.
The room feels empty without the other three, but to my astonishment, it doesn’t feel as awkward anymore toward my Alpha and I. Maybe being mated to three alphas has its perks.
Oh, who am I kidding? I’m not immune. Maybe I’m just growing on my alpha like a sentimental rash.
We work quietly, relaying small bits of information here and there. I bookmark and highlight parts of Ophelia's history that I think could be relevant, while pivoting occasionally to study the map.
I know it as well as the back of my hand now, but I want to be sure and not miss anything. There’s no room for error as the clock counts down. I’m horribly aware of the impendingdeadline. And maybe even a little more so about the tiny tidbit of information that I could perhaps die before it.
“When the others return,” I say, breaking the silence after a long reading sprint. “I’d really like to contact Alpha Wyatt and Luna Eve.”
Alpha Daxton glances up casually. “I’ve already spoken to Wyatt. He’s aware and on-guard. Nothing to be concerned about.”
“I know. But Eve is important to me.”
That seems to grab his attention, finally pulling away from the laptop to fully acknowledge me. “I’m not sure now is the best time to travel, Stevens.”
I shrug. “Has there ever been a safe time?” I argue back. “The truth is Alpha Wyatt has come to us whenever we needed. Honestly, I know he has it under control, but it would just be nice if we could check the area at least once. We know first hand what it is like to have large pack numbers and still, somehow, miss undetected rogue wolves along boundary lines.”
Alpha Daxton stares at me with his usual hardened face. “That would unfortunately make it too obvious. Orson’s land borders with his. If we suddenly showed up, surveying the area, it would give away our advantage that we know he’s responsible. Orson isn’t one to be rational. If he thought for a moment there were a number of packs plotting against him, he’d immediately react.”
