Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Five miles into Shadowmoon territory, and I was beginning to wonder what kind of border security these idiots actually had. I was in wolf form-1 didn’t want to make my presence that obvious-but still. I wasn’t doubling back. I was stepping on twigs. I’d done everything but sit up and howl.

If I tried too hard. I knew they’d be suspicious, but honest to Goddess, if this was an example of how things in the Shadowmoon Pack were usually run, I wasn’t too worried about us winning a war against them.

Finally, a group of four wolves began tailing me. They were trying to be stealthy. I could tell, but made about as much noise as I did.

I pretended to not notice their presence for a while. Then, I perked my head up, turned tail, and ran as slowly as I could while still being believable.

One of them skidded in front of me and shifted back into a man. “Halt!” he ordered while two wolves flanked him,

I could hear the other breathing somewhere behind me. Probably undercover, but not well-hidden, in my opinion.

Pretending to be scared, I fumbled a dodge, then let myself be put down by one of the amateurs. It was a blow to my ego, but I had bigger things to worry about than my reputation. Namely my father and Shawn.

“Who are you?” the man asked, leaning down by my muzzle while his wolf compatriot lay on top of me.

I let out a whimper.

The man grinned. “Thought you could just walk in here and no one would notice? This is the Shadowmoon Pack’s territory. Nob*dy just wanders in. And if they do, well, they don’t wander out again.”

I was counting on that second part being a lie. I whimpered again.

“Come on, girlie. Shift back so we can see you,” the man coaxed.

With a frightened whuffle, I shifted back to human form.

The man tapped my nose. “You’re a pretty thing. What’s your name?”

“K-Kora,” I replied in a tremulous voice.

The group looked at each other. I could tell they were speaking via the mind link, but as I was not part of their pack, I was not privy to their conversation.

“Monroe?” the man asked.

I nodded meekly.

All of them groaned I supposed, a moment ago, they thought I was fair game for some fun Max be Ju had gotten in touch with my father and warned him I was coming? At any rate, I sensed I had suddenly become off-limits.

“Get her up. We’ve gotta go see the Alpha,” the man sighed.

The other two shifted, and the third wolf that had been behind me strode out as though he’d been completely stealthy, and I should be shocked. I wasn’t.

Two men flanked me and held me by the arms, marching me behind the first

111311.

“I don’t suppose we’re getting clothes for our little journey?” I asked after we’d walked about a mile.

The leader snorted. “Yeah, right. You afraid we’re gonna do something to you? Relax We have orders from Alpha Ivle. It you show up, we bring you to him directly. Though he did say we were supposed to expect more than you. Where are your friends?

“Not quite st upid enough to walk into Shadowmoon territory without backup.” I replied. “I’m the only one who’s that reckless.”

“Yeah, no doubt,” the leader said.

“Do you know my father?” I asked after the leader fell silent.

“No questions. You got questions, you ask the Alpha,” the leader snapped.

I wondered how Lyle had

I since we last met. In the way someone wonders if

a co ckroach is still living under a dresser.

We walked for another two hours. I suggested shifting at one point, but the leader. had apparently been warned of my wily ways and wasn’t about to risk it.

Finally, we arrived at Shadowmoon Castle. Two clothed guards came forward immediately to grab me. One was holding silver shackles.

I swallowed. “Are those really necessary?”

“Standard procedure,” the guard grunted and slapped them around my wrists. They burned.

I gritted my teeth and went with the guards, nervousness about not being able to shift anymore twisting in my gut.

The stone was hard, cold, and smooth beneath my bare feet. It reminded me of Lyle. A lot about his home reflected him, actually, from the tapestries on the walls to the furnishings in the halls. They projected an air of gilded refinement but were really selfish signs of funds that never made it to his people.

All show and no heart.

We stopped bete a set of large oak double doors. There were two liveried guards posted here as well. They looked me up and down appreciatively before throwing the doors open with a flourish

Beyond the doors was a long meeting hall. Or rather a throne room. Complete with marble columns and… well… a throne.

On the throne sat an older woman who, nonetheless, looked a lot like the blond-haired, elegant Lyle who stood beside her.

Deborah Shadowmoon, Luna Regent of the Shadowmoon Pack.

“Kora Monroe.” Deborah said with a wide smile. “It’s so good to finally meet you. My son’s told me so much about you.”

I very much doubted that. To Lyle. I was just a meaningless fling. Though, when I looked at him, a few questions came to my mind. First, why was it his mother and not him sitting on the throne? Second, why wasn’t my father here to greet me?

And third, why was Lyle grinning like that?

“I’d like to speak to Shawn Norman and my father, please.” I said, bowing slightly. She was Luna Regent after all, and Lyle was an Alpha.

Deborah’s smile froze in place with polite displeasure. “I think, first, you could use a bath and some clothes. I apologize for the cuffs. Je rry, why is Kora wearing cuffs?”

Je rry turned pale as milk. “S-Standard procedure?”

“Hmm.” Deborah turned her head and nodded at Lyle.

After five strides and a sickening, squelching tear. Je rry no longer had a throat. Or a life, for that matter.

The other guard was quick to remove my shackles.

“Excellent instincts, Colin,” Deborah said. “I might just let you live.”

Colin bowed low, his whole b*dy trembling. “Thank you, Luna Regent.”

“Now, get out of my sight. Lyle, do bring Kora to her room. I’m sure you two have

a lot to talk about.” Deborah gave him a pointed glare.

Lyle bobbed his head. “Of course, Mother.”

“My room?” I echoed, confused as Lyle took my hand.

“For now,” Lyle responded, tugging me along with him and out of the throne room. “When you’re ready, we will be sharing a room, of course.”

I blinked. “I… don’t understand.”

“You will.” Lyle brought me up a wide central staircase and down a long hall. The castle was comically structured almost like Fullbright Castle.

I had to suppress a laugh when Lyle brought me to the room that, at Fullbright Castle, would have been mine.

“What’s so funny?” Lyle asked.

“Nothing. You wouldn’t understand.” I stepped through the door as Lyle opened it, and looked around in amazement.

It was even more opulent here than in the rest of the castle!

“Bathroom is through there,” Lyle said, pointing. “Your bed is here if you need a rest. A maid will come in shortly to help you bathe and dress.”

“I don’t… need a maid, Lyle.” My stomach churned. This was a grown-up’s room. But I found myself missing my pink frills and dolls. “I just want to see Shawn and my father.”.

“Shawn’s escaped. I’m sure that doesn’t bother you in the slightest.” Lyle shrugged. “Your father will be around, I’m sure. Dinner is in an hour, however, so you will need a maid.”

My eyebrows drew together in confusion. “Lyle, I don’t underst-”

Lyle leaned in and k*ssed me.

“Welcome home, darling,” he said.