Midnight Luna
Chapter Twenty One

Zach’s POV

The evening was cool and pleasant unlike the afternoon sun. I really hated the summer. Reaching the cottage at around five in the evening, Hayden met me and led me in the house giving me updates that the Blue Sky pack had arrived. I never held any grudges against them, but was born knowing that they were traitors so I was taught to dislike them. After hearing the truth, I understood the anger but it never bothered me. As long as they don’t cause problems I’m cool with it. And Liam was just the same, but until now I hadn’t meet him so this would be the first time we face each other.

“Hayden, where is everyone?” I asked him noticing that there was no one in the living room. Just then Craig and Levi entered through the back door and following them were two boys I didn’t know, assuming they were from sky pack. They looked around nineteen, with lean and fit bodies.

“Zach meet Kevin and Tyler, warriors of sky pack” Hayden said gesturing first to a boy with brown hair and hazel eyes and then to the other who had short brown hair and twinkling blue eyes. They had identical smiles and shook my hand formally.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you alpha Zach.” Kevin said and the other nodded in agreement.

“Same here and please call me Zach.” I didn’t like being addressed so formally. It made me feel old.

“Well it’s nice to finally meet the infamous Zach.” Someone said from behind me. I turned and came face to face with Liam. I recognized immediately that it was him with the power flowing from him in waves. My wolf jumped up as if sensing danger. Well my wolf was always on the edge. He rarely spoke to me and when he did it was always related to pack business.

Liam came up to me and held out his hand. He shook my hand curtly and just nodded at me. I felt his anger flow towards me, but didn’t know why. I knew he was never one to be pissed for what our dads did. Maybe he was always anger, well not my problem. Shushing my wolf, we headed towards the dinner table were there were few snacks. After I had some, Hayden brought the maps of both our packs and we studied it. We both had the same amount of territory. As we discussed about it, I learnt that Liam was a fine alpha and was very compassionate about his pack.

“Hey Liam, where’s umm Lily?” Tyler asked suddenly. I knitted my brows and turned a questioning look to Liam.

“She is asleep. The long drive back here must have taken a toll on her. ” He said to Tyler and then turned to me, “Lily is our pack warrior.”

My eyes widened in surprise, a female pack warrior. Now I really wanted to meet her and see why she was chosen as pack warrior. She-wolves were strong but never good in taking charge because well the males won’t allow it, not that I was against she wolves but they seldom came forward to be a leader.

“Yea I had that same reaction.” Hayden said smirking, “but trusts me she can be really scary when she wants to be.”

“Well I’d like to meet her soon.” I said in curiosity. Liam lowly growled causing me to stare at him in confusion. What crawled up his ass and died, I wonder.

“You will. Let’s get back to the task at hand.” He replied through clenched teeth. What the hell is his problem?

“Fine. Well as I was saying this clearing here was where the rogues had attacked us. Since it wasn’t near the houses we didn’t have many casualties. I tried acquiring a hostage but none would give up, so unfortunately I slayed them all. I heard that a guy name Logan was behind this. But other than that we have no information.” Liam nodded as I went back to studying the maps.

Suddenly a sweet smell of lavender and pine filled the air. The smell made me feel alive as if the air just filled me with life. It was intoxicating, like my known personal drug. Liam and the rest looked at something behind me but I kept my head down just enjoying the smell. My wolf loved it to, but didn’t make an effort to let me know. I heard someone say something but didn’t pay attention.

“You’re up.” The kid Kevin cheered. I heard a soft giggle behind me. Suddenly the smell intensified and I felt someone pass by me. A girl embraced Liam and snuggled into him. Was this smell from her? I was confused as hell but didn’t let it show. I guessed this girl was Lily. Her black hair was tied in a high bun but I couldn’t quite see her face.

“You must be Lily, I presume.” I said looking at her. I saw her stiffen in Liam’s arms and then look up at him. Slowly she turned to me and it took all I could do to hold the gasp that threatened to leave my lips. She was stunning, beyond gorgeous. Her pale skin looked flawless and smooth, a little hair fell on her face, and she had the most beautiful eyes ever. It was a bright lavender color. Quickly composing my face, I nodded at her.

“The name’s Zach Erickson, Alpha of Blood pack.” She looked at me with a blank face, then at my hand. She stepped back towards Liam and then nodded back at me.

“It’s nice to meet you.” She replied softly. I let my hand fall by my side, and looked at her. Her voice was a little horse as if she had a cold. And then she just turned and left, with Liam behind her, who was followed by Kevin and Tyler.

“What was that abut?” I wondered out loud feeling a little sad she wasn’t in front of me. I could spend every minute just looking into those eyes. She brought up feelings in me that I had buried deep inside for three years.

“No idea.” Hayden shrugged. “Well Zach come on let’s get you freshened up.” Craig said walking towards the stairs. Nodding I followed him but turned to look at the back door which was half open, but sighing I turned back noticing that smell had gone too, missing it already.

It had been two days since I came here and all I could do was watch her, Lily. I just couldn’t get her out of my mind. There was something different about her. Every time I saw her, I got a weird feeling that I knew her, yet I didn’t. I didn’t know what was happening to me. Waking up in the morning and seeing her in the kitchen making breakfast for all made me happy for no reason. I had’t poken to her much because well I have a feeling she is kind of ignoring me. I mean she speaks only when spoken to, if I enter the living room she politely excuses herself and leaves. And she is always followed around by the sky pack alpha.

I knew they were a thing but every time I saw them smiling or laughing or kissing each other all I could do was clench my fists in anger and pure jealousy. This was so new to me that I hate to admit I was scared. For the past three years I haven’t felt this feeling and I had no idea why was all this happening suddenly towards someone I barely know.

“Hey Zach, come on; we’re having a drink out back.” Hayden called out. I looked up from my book giving him a blank stare.

“Not interested.” I grumbled.

“Zach, get your ass out of that chair. Enjoy with us mate.” He cheered wildly.

“Who’s us?” I asked looking back in the book.

“Me, Levi, Craig, Liam, Lily---.” My ears perked up and I smiled. Hiding it and putting on a blank face I faced him. “Fine, let’s go.” I faked annoyance but in reality I wanted to see her. God I am acting like a stalker now. What is about this girl that’s making me like a love sick puppy? It’s just maddening and I hate it but can’t help it too.

“Oookkaayy that was quick. Usually it would take hours to convince you.” He replied in confusion. I shrugged and passed him heading down the stairs. Suddenly he laughed loudly and I turned back eyeing him in confusion but he just continued laughing pointing at me.

“Oh man Zach. You got to be kidding me.” He yelled. I knitted my brows but he just walked forwards and smirked at me knowingly. “You have the hots for Lily?” He whisper yelled and I was grateful for that. I swear he can be loud mouth sometimes.

“Shut up.” I growled and turned back making my way to the backyard with him sniggering continuously. I ignored him and sat on the chair that was placed near Levi and opposite Lily. She was busy giggling at something Liam said and that made my blood boil. She looked up as I sat down and her smile faltered.

I hate that I can never be the reason of her laughter. I just wanted to listen to her laughing as if it was soft music to my ears. Levi handed me a beer and I sipped it while listening to Kevin and Levi speak about some girl named Stacy in their pack. I kept stealing glances at her and noticed she had her head on Liam’s shoulder and her eyes were closed. She had a sad expression on her face and I just wanted to hug her and bring back that smile.

“Have you found your mate?” Tyler asked Hayden suddenly. Hayden chuckled, “No I haven’t. I really do wish I’d find her soon. Among us only Zach has mated.” Hayden said and I heard a tinge of sadness behind those words.

Hailey was always on his mind. Sometimes I caught him holding her photo to his chest and crying softly. I never told him I saw him like that because I was sure he would deny it. I on the other hand never looked at her photo, the pain was too much. I had given up hope she would ever come back to me. She hates me and has every right to. Just thinking she was happy some place was enough for me.

But my wolf wasn’t it. Every time he would make the pain grow so that he could punish me for losing his mate. For him she was everything and I know for sure she was for me too. I was an ignorant stupid teenager back then and all that was important was my reputation. But that felt useless to me after she left and I welcomed the pain because it was all I had left.

“So Zach how is life with a mate?” Liam asked with an angry tone. I was going to tell him to watch his mouth when my gaze shifted to Lily who looked at me with so much hatred.

“Fine, I guess.” I replied nonchalantly, confused as to why she is looking at me like that. Did I say something wrong? She suddenly stood up and walked into the forest. Liam got up but she turned and shook her head at him. He sat back down reluctantly and looked at her as she disappeared deep into the dark forest. I notice he had a torn expression on his face as if he just lost something. Then he turned and looked at Kevin and Tyler, who had seen her go and they just signed in sadness.

Liam then turned to me, nodded blankly and went into the house. Tyler and Kevin excused themselves and followed him.

The rest left after sometime but I couldn’t leave. My eyes were glued to that place where she disappeared. Why hasn’t she come back? What was the reason she was so sad? My mind was racing and nothing could stop me from getting up and walk into the forest. Something was not right and I just had to make sure she was alright.

“I will just find out if she’s alright and then leave immediately.” I told myself.

Walking deeper into the forest, I suddenly got a faint smell of lavender and pine. Following it, I came to a small clearing with a soft pasture and sweet smelling flowers. But this smell was stronger than the rest. The moon’s rays fell and lit the ground making it look magical. At the center I saw a figure lying on the ground.

Walking cautiously, I reached and looked down at it. The moon made her face so beautiful that my breath got caught in my throat. Her hand was resting on her forehead and her eyes were closed as if she was asleep. I took this time to study every inch of her face. How could someone be so beautiful? She looked like a goddess with her perfection. Her long eyelashes, her small cute nose, her soft kissable lips all this made me weak on my knees. She had a lean and slim body with curves n all the right places. She looked stronger yet fragile. Suddenly she opened her eyes caught me staring at her.

Our eyes locked and I thought she would either slap me or tell me to go away. But all she did is sign and look at me with hooded eyes. Why do I get the feeling that she is trying to tell me something but I can’t seem to understand. In the back of my head I have this nagging feeling that I know her. I need to know her but it doesn’t make sense. I was lost in thought that I didn’t notice her get up and face me.

“I am going back.” She said softly in that delicious voice. I nodded because words failed to leave my mouth. I was an alpha and for the first time I was left breathless and speechless. She walked past me and my hand had a mind of its own. I couldn’t let her leave; I wanted her and that heavenly smell next to me 24/7 so I reached out a held her forearm.

A loud gasp left my mouth and heard the same from her. Big shots of electricity passed through my arms and shook me from my core. It felt like thousand watts of electricity was flowing through me. There was so much pain yet there was much more pleasure. My wolf howled and for the first time he was alive. And all this could only mean one thing.

I slowly turned towards her and saw that her eyes were closed with tears flowing and she was trembling profusely. Seeing her for after so long I was scared that this was a trick of nature and if I blinked she would vanish. My Hailey has come back. How I have dreamt of this day. What an idiot I am for not recognizing her, but she has changed since then.

“Hailey.” My voice broke. I haven’t said her name out loud for three years and now it felt so foreign on my lips. She opened those pretty eyes of hers and glanced at me with tear filled eyes. So many emotions crossed her face that I couldn’t understand any of them. Suddenly she stiffened and pulled away from my hold. I whimpered loudly and reached out for her again but she stepped back and started shaking her head again.

“Hailey please, listen to me.” I begged.

“No. I have to go.” She turned to leave but I held her shoulders and pulled her into me. Those amazing shots came back and I swear I heard her moan. God, that moan was making me crazy. Quickly controlled myself but my wolf was going wild. He wanted her right now.

“Don’t leave me again please.” I pleaded with her. I was so vulnerable now and I couldn’t let her go when I just got her.

“Don’t follow me.” She said with great determination and before I could fathom what she meant she pulled from my hold with great strength and ran into the woods at full speed. I was glued to that spot wanting to go after her and beg her for forgiveness but my legs were rooted at that spot.

My beautiful Hailey, she was al that I ever wanted. She left me again and I just wanted to crawl and cry my heart out. I could feel my heart tear into pieces but deep down I knew I deserve this. As she disappeared the pain of losing her intensified and I dropped on my knees, threw back my head and howled loudly letting my wolf free.

"I am not going to let her go this time.” My wolf growled in anger and determination.

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