Chapter 51: In The Air Tonight

Harry

I am waiting.

After so many years of longing and yearning for a mate, I feel so fulfilled by Landon that each day I wake up waiting to find out what is the catch.

What hidden secret does he have or nasty habits that I can't stand? A pet peeve that drives me crazy, something along those lines. Because this wholesome happiness is freaking me out.

In the days that followed our bond completion, we had nothing but great sex and good talk. That's it. I am waiting to find out an alarming flaw he has, but so far the worst thing I found out about him is that he likes to watch TV until late sometimes.

I know, right? What a monster!

He cuddles me, teases me, likes to put his hands under my shorts when I am distracted, and surprisingly grabs me - when we are alone, of course. Not in front of his family or other pack members.

There is the occasional oral sex that he likes to surprise me with, but if that is a flaw... *laughs with a naughty grin*

It's not like I don't think I deserve happiness or love, I do. I just thought there would have been some sort of catch. Because if this is my life as a mated man, then why do I need to return to college? I could just stay here and get amazing sex instead...

Oh right. Education is important. My mate might need a doctor in the future or whatever. As long as it's not because of another shooting. This still haunts me, not going to lie.

Speaking of which, I called Lucas Wilmont. He did clear my brother from the shooting. It really wasn't him, thank Goddess. It's not that I wanted him to be, I really did not. But I was scared for him. He was the prime suspect, so...

Lucas is scouring the internet in search of videos taken that day. He needs the smoking gun because he has narrowed it down to just a few suspects. I cannot wait to find out who shot my mate, honestly.

If I were allowed, I would execute them myself.

Sorry, I can forgive many things but not that. Which is probably why there are so many suspects for the shooting in the first place. A lot of grudges.

Anyway, it's out of my hands. I can only hope for the best and pray he catches the culprit.

For my taste, there is something way more fun to find out. Now that Spencer has completed the bond with Ares, I want to know the tea. I waited until the following Monday to catch him alone.

As soon as we were done having breakfast, I followed Spencer to his bedroom and grilled him eagerly.

"So, how was the warrior dick?" I could have phrased it a bit better, but it was a homage to Spencer. He blushed for a second before starting to spill.

Spencer went on to tell me all about the all-nighter he spent completing the bond with Ares in several different positions and I am baffled by this. Not because I thought Ares was some virginal mate - I mean, have you looked at him?

But he went through a rigorous six-hour patrol shift last Friday and then did all that?

I am already tired just by listening to all their adventures. Honestly, you should have seen the way Spencer's face lit up when he started talking about Ares. It really warms my heart to see him so happy like this.

No wonder they looked so underslept on Saturday. They went to bed at two in the morning. Damn, Ares! I shouldn't be surprised. You definitely look like a naughty boy...

I mean, at some point, Ares even lifted Spencer to get a different... angle. There was some acrobatics being done in this room. And I am glad he has cleaned it since then.

Spencer and I talked for hours and I marveled listening to his mating adventures. He looked so happy and so am I, for him. Honestly, I can't think of a person more deserving of happiness than him. I really mean it.

Landon returned from his training session and I met him for lunch in the dining room. The rest of the people were also arriving inside, ready to eat some good food.

"Is everything alright down at the warriors' den, son?" Felicia asked him in her signature good mood.

"Yes, mom. Though no one can shut Ares up now that he finally completed the bond - he glanced at Spencer when he said that, who blushed - everything else seems to be on par. It's cool to see Mr. Henderson stepping into his new role as the Under Delta." Landon replied, also in a good mood.

"Great, son. I'm sure he deserved the promotion. Speaking of which, I need to book a dinner for Mr. Logan. We need to celebrate that man's thirty year career in our pack." She pondered in her soft but affirming tone.

"You're right, mom. He deserves it. You should book it. You have my full support." He told her, smiling.

"Maybe Harry can book it. He is the Luna now." She suggested it and I gasped in shock.

"S-sure. If you show me how. I have no idea what to do or even how to begin." I stuttered, nervously.

"Of course, sweetie. It'll be my pleasure." Felicia smiled at me.

"I'm so proud of you." Landon swooned at me, pecking my cheek.

I am blushing in nervousness but I guess she is right. There is no denying that I really am the Luna of this pack. Though my days in this pack are numbered at this point, I will have to return from college eventually. Hopefully as a doctor.

"When is your next date, Spencer? How are you enjoying your time with Ares?" Landon questioned him with a sunny disposition.

"Unfortunately, he only has Friday off now. But we'll see each other during the week. Even if I have to make an appearance at the training center again." He replied, mildly awkward because of the recent developments.

We all looked at each other wide-eyed and uncomfortable, but Landon brushed it off.

"I'm sure you'll be well received there now. No one will mess with Ares' mate, that much is clear." Landon said, playfully.

"Hopefully not, Alpha. I don't want any more confrontation." Spencer said, awkwardly. He really isn't about conflicts, my friend. And I totally get that.

"Speaking of dates, we should go out next Friday. Make the most of my penultimate weekend here." I proposed to Landon, who grimaced at the timeline.

"I'm gonna be sad to see you go..." He looked at me with puppy dog eyes and my heart broke. I am going to miss him too. So very much.

"Tell me about it! Houston will seem like a thousand miles away from you." I agreed, feeling saddened. At this, even Spencer felt sad, empathizing with the situation he too will face.

"I'm dreading having to leave Regency Falls. I'm gonna miss my mate like crazy." He chimed in, sorrowful.

All of us commiserated over our impending 'break up' and the mood of the lunch took a sad turn. Even Felicia, Clark, and Ella were sad to see me going away soon.

Unfortunately, it's the way the cookie crumbles. There is no going around it unless I give up college and I am not ready to do that - or to abandon Spencer alone in Houston.

I am sure he would understand my decision eventually, but it feels wrong to do that. Plus, though I am not crazy passionate about medicine, I do have a goal set in my mind. And I want to achieve that goal.

Houston is not even that far away from Regency Falls... It's not like I went to college at Harvard. Can you imagine the commute from Texas to Boston, Massachusetts?

My mate and I might have dodged a bullet there.

On Tuesday, I went for a drive with Spencer. We took advantage of our time away from our busy working mates to go sightseeing and promenade around town. It was a short tour, but both of us were raised in small towns so we were fine with it.

He took me to the coffee shop Ares had shown him and the delicious coffees that Beverly, the owner, prepares so well.

It's so good to have this time with him, so carefree and enjoying our last days of vacation. I am going to miss this so much, not going to lie. But it's good to be here and I am mentally preparing myself to travel [away from my mate].

We returned after some shopping and I talked to Felicia about the upcoming dinner in honor of Mr. Logan, the former Under Delta who is now retired from the force.

It's pretty straightforward, really. It's just a matter of securing the invitations and making sure the kitchen staff has everything they need to cook the meals.

Felicia told me there was no secret to being a good Luna, except for being attentive and courteous. She is a smiling assassin, that woman. It's impossible to get mad at her disarming smile.

On Wednesday, we woke up to another hot Summer day. I made my bed, brushed my teeth, and went to the dining room for breakfast next to Landon.

"Good morning, Ares. I thought you had to work today." I greeted an underslept warrior who walked inside the room holding hands with Spencer.

"I do, but I don't start 'til noon." He replied, sheepishly.

"Right. Good for you. I know Spencer has been glowing lately." I snickered.

"Stop with the pregnancy references. Don't make me slap you, Harry!" Spencer threatened me with an amused tone.

"I mean your skin looks nice. That's it." I spoke up, defensively.

Spencer glared at me, suspiciously.

"Plus, I'm too young for children anyway. I'm not even 21 yet." He said, taking his seat next to Ares at the table. We all greet the Barnetts as well.

"When is your birthday, by the way?" Ares questioned him, intrigued.

"It's September 2nd. The weekend of Labor Day." He replied, excitedly.

"Right. That's good to know. At least now I have time to buy you a proper gift. Not like Harry's, who we just found out at the eve." He jabbed at my mate, who gasped at the surprise dig.

"Hey, don't judge me! Even Harry forgot his own birthday!" Landon defended himself, frowning.

"Your presence that night was the gift, Ares. But I loved what you gave me, nonetheless." I interjected pleasingly. He was the only person who brought me a gift that night, aside from my parents.

"Trust me, Harry. I was the one who got the greatest gift of all time." He said, melting at his mate. Everybody swooned at his loving words, especially Spencer who was enamored by him.

Our breakfast was going so well, little did we know in another part of town, someone was about to get a very important phone call.

Inside the training center, Beta Carillon was talking to Delta Saunders when his phone rang. Mr. Henderson was overseeing the warriors' training. Those who are not on patrol, naturally. There is always a patrol going on around the perimeter of the city limit.

"Hello, this is Javier." He answered the call while Kurt was standing next to him waiting. Because of his duties, Beta Carillon is almost always inside the training center. He has an office inside the pack house, but his office hours are erratic.

Javier gasped in shock at the news he just heard. He hung up the call and told his Delta:

"That was Beta Wilmont. He knows who shot Landon." He informed him, gobsmacked at the surprising information.

Literally, the entire room full of warriors stopped what they were doing and stared at him in shock. I mean, of course they would listen to that statement, they are werewolves with an acute sense of hearing. There are no secrets in this place unless it's mind-linked.

"Who did it?" Kurt asked him, but everyone else wanted to know. They just couldn't ask him directly.

"He didn't say. He only called to tell me he's coming here to tell Landon in person." He said and the entire room gasped in shock at the same time, including Kurt Saunders.

"Delta, I need ten warriors on me to go to the pack house and welcome him. If push comes to shove, we'll arrange for a trip to their pack when the execution takes place. Goddess knows Landon is gonna want to watch that and nothing will stop our Alpha." Javier told him, apprehensively.

"I volunteer!" Literally, the entire room raised their hands all at once, eager to go along.

No one wanted to be left out of this action. This has been a couple of months in the waiting, but it's the news everybody has been waiting for.

Back at the pack house, we were leaving the dining hall laughing and having fun when we were surprised by the massive arrival. Even Felicia got worried suddenly. She sent her daughter and Clark to their rooms immediately. She is a mother first and foremost.

"Good morning, Alpha." He started, bowing his head to Landon. All the warriors and Delta Saunders did the same. Ares was startled by seeing his father's presence, but judging by the bulk of warriors together, something big had happened.

"Good morning, Beta. What is the meaning of this? Why have you come here with this many warriors? Are we under attack?" Landon asked him, sounding and looking troubled.

At this, Spencer, Ares, and I gasped in utter shock. Nervousness takes over us.

"No, Alpha. We're not in any immediate danger. Beta Wilmont called me. He knows who shot you and he's coming here to tell you in person." Javier informed him and we all gasped in shock.

Felicia hugged her son. Memories of that day are still fresh in her mind. In all our minds, to be frank. Landon looks nervous and apprehensive.

"I appreciate the gesture, but he didn't need to come all this way just to tell me that. I could have come to him." Landon spoke, ever so humbly.

"That's how this whole mess started in the first place, so no. He is right." Felicia interjected in a dead serious tone.

We all gulped awkwardly. My nerves are flying high this morning.

"Well, let's wait for him to arrive then. I'll be at my office if you need me." Landon said after a moment. But before he stepped out, I hugged him.

I know I wanted to discover who did this to my mate and I still do. Really.

But I have a feeling that this answer is not gonna be so easy to hear.

I can smell it in the thick air that whoever did it, I doubt it was anyone we were expecting. Honestly, if it's not my brother - and it really isn't - I'm at a loss here.

I'm shaking right now in anxiety. I can feel Landon is too. We all are.

After all, we are just about to find out who shot my mate. And life would never be the same again after that.

A|N: Who Shot Landon?

The shocking answer comes next. Grab the popcorn.

"I was there and I saw what you did. I saw with my own two eyes. So you can wipe off that grin, I know where you've been. It's all been a pack of lies."

It's eerie how this song is perfect for this chapter. I did write it with this in mind, but still... You're in for a show. The twists are gonna keep you on the edge of your seat.

Love,

Léo.