“Within only a couple of weeks of Rose’s presence, this pack is already flourishing. Besides, you pushed Lissa at me all the time. How is that any different? Rose was forced into a situation without anyone helping her, and made the best of it, for the sake of her pack. I don’t see how that makes her a bad luna. In fact, I think it makes her a fantastic luna. I am lucky I am her mate, and not some other douchebag. Frankly, we benefit much more from her than she does from us.”
His mother sticks her nose in the air. “I just wanted something better for my son! And Alpha Jordan is a commendable, respectful Alpha and—"
“How largeisyour debt?” I interrupt her.
She stumbles backward a little at my sudden, brusque question. “What?”
“You heard me the first time,” I say. “You gambled with him, didn’t you?” I nod to Martin, who steps forward to hand me a folder. “Thank you.” I tilt my head. “You know, Donna, as Jordan’s former luna, I know more about him than anyone else. I know all his dirty little tricks and the type of man he is. He is an intelligent man with no soul in him. Everyone who’s talked to him more than once knows that.” I look at Martin. “Beta?”
“He is known to be ruthless and beds a new woman every week. I have heard of at least two alphas who sell their lunas to him just because they have debts. I verified it only yesterday.”
I stare at him, shocked at his revelations. No way! So, itistrue?!
“So, how large is yours? Your debt?” I push. “You regularly visited a bookmaker.”
I open the folder, skimming it, until I find the correct page and hand it to Forest. What I spotted there is much worse than I expected, and my heart breaks a little for Forest.
Forest frowns when he looks at it, before his eyes widen. “By the goddess, Mother!” he growls. “You sold out half of our pack lands?! Are you insane? What are these numbers?”
“I did not—” she says, her voice high-pitched now. “It’s fake.”
“It’s not fake. I saw some of the transactions as well,” Forest says. “The ones from the account for the pack to your private one.”
I notice that Harry has stood up, now, but instead of coming to Donna’s help, he takes a few steps back. He is definitely not going to save her ass. I’ll bet he will pretend he didn’t know. While it’s a pity I can’t get him now, I am sure he has his own misdeeds we can reveal.
“But we weren’t talking about me,” Donna blurts out. “We were talking about your luna. She is damaged goods!”
Forest’s eyes darken. “You didnotjust say that.”
Before Donna can say anything, someone clears their throat. Some of the pack members step to the side to let Dr. Francis pass through. “That’s enough, Donna,” he says. “Alpha Forest is right with what he’s said. There is nothing to say against the alliance between Luna Rose and him,” he adds. “What that criminal, Jordan, did to her is not her fault. She came here as Forest’s mate and has been nothing but helpful and useful to the pack.”
“Yes,” Nina exclaims before clasping her hands against her mouth. “I am sorry,” she mutters. Some of the omegas have gathered around her and seem to be ready to throw themselves into battle for me.
“Don’t be,” Dr. Francis says kindly.
“I owe her so much,” Elli whispers.
“I have heard from my mate that the situation in the orphanage is already better,” one of the warriors chimes in.
Chatter arises. Most of them seeming to agree.
Dr. Francis turns to Donna. “How Forest and Rose met is none of our concern. It’s their private matter. All that needs to concern us is that we have a capable luna here. One who has already enhanced the future alpha’s strengths as they should have been. Whatismore reason to worry is what was revealed about your gambling. I would like to see what Beta Martin uncovered.”
Forest hands him the folder.
“It was not just me,” Martin says. “I couldn’t have done it without Gamma Griffin.”
Dr. Francis nods. “It’s good that the luna and alpha have such a reliable team around them.” He skims through the folder, his eyes darkening. “Forest is right. This is insane! Did Harry know about this? I will have it investigated properly,” he says, turning towards us and smiling, but there are worried lines appearing around his eyes. “Seeing this, I honestly can’t even tell what it means for the pack.”
“I have some funds,” I tell him. “I’ll need to check the exact numbers, but tell me in advance if the pack is in any immediate danger.”
“We cannot take your money from you,” Dr. Francis exclaims.
“Of course you can,” I say. “This is my pack now. I have no intention of leaving.”
Dr. Francis lets out a breath of relief. “Your words make me a little more optimistic about this, Luna. Thank you.”
The pack members whisper loudly. I don’t really like buying favors with money, but this time, I’ll make an exception. Mainly because I meant what I said. I want to use what I have to build something up together with Forest.
