#5 When the New Moon Falls

Leo

“Dude, this place is weird.” Jacks said as he approached our guest suite. I was about ready to laugh at his observation before an overwhelming scent whirled off of him. It smelt like daisies and citrus.

“Why do you smell like that?” I whispered.

“What?” Jacks looked at me like I was crazy, sniffing his armpits.

“You smell like….” I stopped speaking as Quinn began to whimper.

“Mate. Mate. Mate.” Quinn was pacing in my head, howling and demanding to be let out.

“Who were you just with?” I demanded.

“I don’t know, man, she was just some girl. She came out of the wall.”

“The wall? You better start making sense real quick.” I snapped.

“Alright, alright. I was walking back to our room and this bookcase opened up and hit me. She came out of it. I guess it was like a secret passageway or servant corridors or something, I don’t know. She was really quiet and skittish. She asked for permission to leave. It was like she thought I was going to punish her for hitting me. Something just seemed really off.” Jacks’ explanation made my blood boil.

“Where? Show me!” I nearly yelled. Jacks nodded and quickly led the way down the hall.

Just a few feet from the stairwell was a large bookcase. Jacks felt around and found some sort of handle, pulling the bookcase open. A release of air came from the secret opening and I was taken over by the sweet aroma again.

“I need to find her.” I growled.

“Is she…..” Jacks voice trailed off,

“My mate.” I concluded.

“Alright, come on.” Jacks sighed, shaking his head like he was fed up with something,

“Everyone going crazy. Mates popping up all over the place.” He mumbled to himself as we walked down the steps.

“I saw some servants in the kitchen.” Jacks said. We walked into the kitchen and were greeted by an older woman who was dressed nicely, indicating that she was some sort of head of staff.

“Alpha. Beta.” She bowed her head in respect to us.

“I’m looking for someone, a staff member maybe.” Jacks spoke quickly, describing the girl he ran into.

I hung on to every word he said, drinking in the description of my mate. He painted a picture of a petite girl with short, brown hair and hazel eyes. He told the handmaiden about her dirty, white dress and red apron. He explained how there was dirt on her face and how her lip was swollen. I tensed up at that, feeling a new level of rage inside of me.

“Oh, yes, that must’ve been Austyn.” The woman said and I didn’t like how easily my mate was identified. Did she usually have a busted lip? I shook my head, using the sound of my mate’s name to stay calm.

“Where can I find her?” I asked, trying not to sound too harsh.

“She’s resting.” The woman suddenly turned non-compliant.

“I need to see her.” I snarled.

“I’m sure I can help you with whatever you need, Alpha.” The woman replied.

“No, you cannot.” I said plainly.

“I’m sorry, Alpha, I want to help you, but Austyn has been through a lot today. Can I inquire as to what you need with her?” She was definitely experienced at handling Alphas.

“She’s my mate.” I decided to tell her the truth. The woman’s eyes went wide,

“Wait…really?” She looked startled.

“I need to find her.” I was losing patience.

“This way.” She finally said and led the way to a set of stairs,

“You should know, Alpha, that Austyn has not had it easy. She’s been through a lot. She needs tenderness and kindness.” The woman said as we walked down the steps that led to a dark, damp basement.

I growled under my breath, imagining what pain my mate had gone through and what her life must’ve been like living down here. The woman led us through the basement. I observed the small stalls that were set up like little rooms. They had only a mattress, some blankets and pillows, and a few personal items. In the back of the basement, in the final stall, the sweet aroma of my mate filled my nose.

“Austyn, are you in there?” The women called out. Slowly, the sheet draped over the stall moved to the side and the most beautiful woman I have ever seen crawled out.

She was true to Jacks’ description and so much more. She was petite, but also very tall and lengthy. Her delicious legs seemed to go on forever, as did her tanned arms that wrapped protectively around her chest. She had short, curly hair that looked to be dirty blonde, but I couldn’t tell for sure. She had most of it pulled back in a mess of braids and bobby pins, keeping it away from her heart shaped face and mesmerizing hazel eyes.

“What is it, Fern?” Austyn’s sweet voice spoke to the woman. Her eyes flashed towards us as she realized the woman, Fern, wasn’t alone. Her expression changed again as she recognized Jacks.

“Oh, sir, I’m sorry again. What can I do to make up for my discrepancy?” She bowed her head quickly, like she was afraid of the consequences.

“We’re not here about that.” Jacks said but I spoke over him,

“I’m Leo.” I held my hand out towards Austyn, desperate for her touch. She peeked up at me through her dark eyelashes and eyed my hand questionably.

“Austyn, this is Alpha Leo from New Moon.” Fern clarified.

Austyn shook herself from her daze and accepted my hand. I sucked in a breath at the electricity that shot through my body. I watched Austyn’s eyes widen as she felt the sparks as well. Honestly, I was surprised she wasn’t reacting more. I sensed her wolf which means she should’ve been able to feel our mate bond.

“Alpha, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” She stammered, clearly taken aback by my presence. She bowed her head again. I really wish she would stop doing that.

“Why are you so scared, little mate?” I whispered curiously. Her eyes met mine in surprise.

“I’m sorry….” She mumbled.

“Could we have the room please?” I asked, never taking my eyes off of Austyn. Jacks immediately nodded, already walking away before Fern had even blinked an eye. Fern looked at Austyn for confirmation. She only nodded.

“Do you not feel our connection?” I examined the stern frown on her pouty lips and couldn’t help but be distracted.

“I feel it, a little.” Her voice was small. I tried not to look too offended.

“What happened to you?” I asked, suddenly very concerned about her swollen lip. I stepped towards her but she quickly retreated.

“It’s nothing.” She shook her head.

“It’s not nothing.” I clenched my hand into fists, wanting to murder whatever, or whoever, had my mate so scared.

“Just reject me so we can both move on with our lives.” She muttered, shattering my heart into a million pieces.

“You want me to reject you?” I asked quietly.

“I want whatever practical joke the Moon Goddess is playing on me to be over.” Her expression hardened and I could tell she was holding back tears.

“Austyn….I don’t want to reject you.” I told her. Her eyes scrunched up in question,

“But, you’re an Alpha.” She stated matter-of-factly.

“Yes, I am. What does that have to do with anything?”

“You have no use for someone like me.” She said plainly. I couldn’t resist her anymore, I grabbed her face in my hands and demanded she look at me.

“I love you.” I said.

“You don’t know what you’re saying.” She struggled against my hands. I lightly touched her swollen lip and she flinched away. I released her from my grip.

“Please,” I closed my eyes, trying to focus,

“Tell me who did this.”

“Why?” Her voice was so soft.

“Because I need to kill them.” I replied, opening my eyes.

“That seems like the explosive option.” She observed.

“You are my life now, nothing and no one will hurt you.” I urged her to believe me.