Liam

I sat in my office reading through some patrol reports waiting for Missy to return. Azalea and I had been letting her leave the packhouse to go out for runs but she was only allowed out for 3 hours. I trusted her not to break our rules and be meeting Vlad but just to be giving her wolf some exercise.

Damien was tracking down information on the packs on the east coast so we could verify the story the rogue group had given us. Of course, my father had to barge in today and try to force his hand into the situation. I had been Alpha for almost 10 years now and he still wanted to come in here and demand I comply with his wishes. I set the papers I was reading down and rubbed my hands over my face, trying to push away the tension.

A soft knock sounded from my door. It pushed open gently and Azalea’s soft face appeared. I gave her a warm smile and my mood immediately picked up. She came over to the desk, walking around towards my chair holding a mug in her hand. I turned my chair to face her, and she moved to sit in my lap immediately. I didn’t care how childish it was, I would never tire of holding her on my lap or carrying her close to me. I had spent far too long away from her after trying to reject her to ever take her presence for granted.

Azalea handed me the mug and gave me a sweet k**s on my cheek. “You look tired,” she commented quietly.

“I’m okay. Missy should be back any time,” I told her.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

“Well, swimming wore the kids out. Lily and I put them all to bed a while ago. I also think our guests had fun. They have all retired as well,” she said. I sipped from the mug, letting the warm, dark coffee slide down my throat. I rubbed her back gently.

“Go on upstairs and wait for me, Little Luna. I won’t be long,” I pleaded. She had been bouncing between work and entertaining the rogue group all day. She was always the perfect Luna.

“Oh, but My Alpha, I believe you made me a promise the last time I was in the office today,” she said, her tone becoming sultry as she gave me a small giggle. I raised my eyebrow at her. “I believe we were right over there,” she said pointing towards the wall next to my office door.

“I almost forgot,” I said, realizing what she meant. She gave me another small giggle. I leaned forward capturing her lips. She smiled, kissing me back. I set the coffee mug on my desk, so I could wrap my arms around her, pulling her curvy frame closer to mine. My hand went from her back and tangled into her messy tresses as I held her head close to mine. Her small hands roamed my chest.

She broke our k**s giving me a coy smile. “Are you going to take your time here or upstairs?” she asked breathily. A small laugh escaped me.

“As soon as our daughter gets home, I am going to peel you out of these clothes and k**s every inch of your delicious body,” I told her. My voice came out with a low growl. Her face lit up in excitement. “Go wait upstairs for me,” I said. She nodded her head then kissed me once more.

We were interrupted by my office door banging open. Azalea jumped in surprise, but I clutched her tighter. My eyes went to the doorway in ire as I looked at who interrupted us. One of the wolves tasked with guarding the prison stood in the doorway panting.

I growled angrily and Azalea tried to calm in my arms. “Why are you barging in here?” I shouted.

“Sorry, Alpha,” he said, bowing his head. “There is a problem, and we need you immediately.” He sounded scared and panicked.

“What is it?” I asked. The guard looked at Azalea before his eyes came back to me. “She is your Luna and can be told anything that I can be. Tell me, now!” I said.

“I think you should lock down the pack house and come see for yourself, Alpha,” he said. This confused me.

“Why did you run here instead of linking me?” I asked. I stood up, setting Azalea on her feet next to me. I kept my arm around her protectively.

“Sir, this is…. Complicated and we have no way to explain what happened. We tried to link you, but your block was up. We didn’t think we should tell this to anyone until you were aware of the situation,” he said quickly.

Gavin was ready to go in my head, telling me to go now. I turned to Azalea. “Where is Felix?” I asked her. I didn’t even need to as he appeared behind the guard. We locked eyes and I nodded to him. “Azalea, get the kids and take them to our room immediately. You stay there with Felix until I return,” I commanded. I could feel her ready to fight me. “No arguments. Go, now.” Felix stepped around the guard, waiting for Azalea. She looked at me with a combination of worry and frustration.

“Go so I know you are safe. I will tell you as soon as I know what is going on,” I linked her. Her eyes softened a fraction as she nodded her head. She went to Felix and he followed her from the room.

“Has the Beta been informed?” I asked the guard. He shook his head.

“Not yet, Alpha. We were not sure if we should given the situation,” he explained.

“So, this has to do with Gwen?” I asked. The guard nodded his head. I sighed.

“Jacob,” I linked. He responded almost immediately.

“Yes, Alpha?”

“Are the rogues in their rooms?” I asked. He was still tasked with watching them overnight until we were sure they were not a threat.

“Yes, sir. They have been for an hour,” he replied.

“Good. Do not let them leave their rooms until I say so,” I instructed.

“Does anyone else know what is happening?” I quickly asked the guard.

“No sir. The prison is locked down until I return with you,” he said. I nodded. The rogues were contained in case they were the cause of this, and Azalea and the kids were safe with Felix.

“Austin, we need to lock down the pack house. Something has happened at the prison and I am going to handle it,” I linked him quickly.

“Alpha, Missy isn’t back yet,” he replied immediately. s**t.

“Get someone to find her now. She is supposed to be back in the next hour from her run. Make sure she is safe,” I told him.

“Right away,” he said.

“Let’s go,” I told the guard coming around my desk. We hurried from my office. We walked silently until we were outside the packhouse, one of the omegas locking the door behind us.

“So, what is the problem with Gwen?” I asked as we approached the solitary entrance to the pack’s prison cells. It was kept near the pack house, but pack members knew to avoid this area. Most of the building was underground to keep attention away from it.

The guard was hesitant to answer as we arrived at the entrance. The door was opened for me and we walked in. I headed right for Gwen’s cell. There were guards everywhere, far more than we normally kept on anyone shift.

“I’m sorry Alpha but…” he hesitated. “Gwen was killed in her cell.”