8.An Alpha's Revenge

Crystal woke up the next morning not remembering the last time she slept so good. As she moved, she noticed Killian was still asleep next to her. Without waking him, she slid out of bed and into the closet. She stared at herself in a floor-length mirror and fingered her mate mark. She loved seeing it there on her neck and knew nothing could ever hurt her again. She smiled to herself and dressed for the day. Once that was done, she checked on Killian and noticed the heavy rise and fall of his chest, and decided to let him sleep. She walked out and went downstairs and headed for the kitchen. No one knew that they had marked each other, so when she came down, everyone noticed. Jake ran into her on her way out the door to head to the bakery.

"Well, what have we here?"

"Good morning, Jake."

"He marked you."

"And he has one similar to match."

"Congrats. It's about time, but I know why the hesitation. We all do."

"Truthfully it happened because I went into heat."

"Last night?"

"Yesterday morning."

"That's what you two did all day."

"More or less."

"Well, enjoy your day today, Luna. Let me know if you need anything."

"Sounds weird."

"What does?"

"Luna."

"It's what you are. You are our Luna and we are sworn to you. More so than our alpha."

"Why is that?"

"Our alpha would lay down his life for you. Without you, he can not function. If he can't function then neither does this pack. Essentially, you are the heart of the pack and without you, we don't beat."

"I've never about it like that."

"Think about it in different ways. Go on to Mrs. Randall's. I know she's been missing you and she will be thrilled to your mark."

"Thank you, Jake. Tell him where I've gone when he gets up."

"I will, Luna."

She smiled again and headed for the bakery. Everyone, she passed just beamed with pride and joy as they saw her mark. This whole pack loved her and she never imagined being the Luna of a military pack but she knows she wouldn't trade it for anything. She walked the streets and found her destination at Mrs. Randall's Bakery. Her husband was in today and she loved seeing the two of them together. After years of being mated and married, they were still so deep in love and she hoped that would be what she and Killian would be like. When Mrs. Randall saw her, she ushered her right in. She gasped at seeing the mark and started crying tears of joy.

"Oh, my dear, look at you. Mated at last."

"Thank you, Mrs. Randall."

"Of course, Luna."

"I have one favor, though."

"Anything."

"I know people will have to call me Luna but I don't want you to. You've been the only mother figure I've had and I don't want you to call me by my formal title."

"Oh, honey."

Mrs. Randall started to cry as she brought Crystal in for a hug. After a few tears and a promise, Mrs. Randall led her to the kitchen for her favorite chocolate muffins and cheese danishes. A few fruit-filled scones and cinnamon rolls were set aside for the alpha. 

Kilian woke up and felt the bed next to him and found it cold. He sat up and looked around the room for her but she was nowhere. Her scent hadn't yet faded so he knew she was just here. He got out of bed and went to the closet. He threw on some casual clothes; jeans and a t-shirt. He went downstairs and found Jake in the main room.

"Jake, have you seen Crystal?"

"Our newly marked Luna went to her favorite place this morning."

"You saw?"

"How can you miss it?"

"She tell you how it happened?"

"Going into heat sucks sometimes. Just be glad you marked her."

"Why is that?"

"Unmarked mate that goes into heat won't be able to stop."

"Well, then I'm glad I marked her. You said she was at the bakery?"

"Yes, alpha. Don't forget Alpha Jones will be here by lunch."

"Right, thank you, Jake."

Jake nodded his head as Killina headed for the door. Since she had been here, Killian's whole mood had changed and he hoped it would continue as such. He shook his head and went back to preparing for Alpha Jones.

Crystal sat in her usual spot in the kitchen talking to Mrs. Randall when she caught the overwhelming scent of rain cedarwood. She smiled and Mrs. Randall laughed.

"In the kitchens, Alpha."

Killian walked in and saw her sitting on the counter. She was dressed in one of his loose shirts, her tight jeans, and the cowboy boots he recently bought her. Her hair was pulled back and he could see the curls teasing in the back. He smiled when his eyes traveled down her neck and saw his mark there. She smiled and blushed when his eyes met hers and walked over to her.

"Any plans today, Luna?"

"I was going to bring you some pastries Mrs. Randall had made and then I was going to go to the library for a bit while you are with Alpha Jones."

"I want you in the meeting with me. I want you to meet the man who raised me, Crystal."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

She beamed with joy and hugged his neck. He took her off the counter, thanked Mrs. Randall for the pastries and they walked out hand in hand. He thought that this was perfect and hoed it stayed this way.

Andrew grew more and more violent as his father continued to do nothing. Finally, he stormed inside his father's office and found both his parents. 

"What are you going to do about Caleb?"

"There is nothing I can do, son. As I hear it, Killian has assembled other packs and plans on confronting us."

"Not good enough."

He pulled out a gun and pulled the trigger. His father stared as he held his chest and the blood pooled out. He looked in shock as his head fell and collided with his desk. He looked at his mother who just stared at him like she didn't believe what just happened.

"Prepare my Alpha ceremony."

She just nodded and rushed out of the room. He would take matters into his own hands. While his mother informed everyone of the change of alpha, she sent a quick text to Crystal.

  'Andrew shot your father. He's alpha now. There is a war coming.'

She only hoped she would get it in time. Andrew wanted revenge for Caleb and would have it. Crystal would die at his hands and he would make Killian watch. He went over to his phone on his desk and rang for omegas to come to clean up his father. After he was gone, he sat and dialed Killian.

Killian was in the meeting with Alpha Jones and Crystal was next to him. So far, the two seemed to get along nicely. They were laughing and cutting up when Killian's phone rang. Crystal looked over at him.

"Expecting a call?"

"No."

Killian answered it and Crystal saw every muscle tense in his body. She walked over to him and he pulled her protectively into his lap. He put the phone on speaker for the others to hear after Jake got in there.

  "Alpha Killian. You have something I want. You have killed my beta. Tell my sister she'll be coming home real soon."

 "Andrew?"

"There she is."

"This is Luna Crystal of Blood Moon Pack. You are not welcome on our pack lands. This is your only warning. Ignore this and we will have no choice than to take action against you."

She slammed the phone down and walked out of the room. Alpha Jones agreed to the alliance and watched Killian go after Crystal. 

She was sitting in their room and she was shaking while sitting on their bed. He walked over to her and pulled her to him.

"He won't get near you. I don't care what it takes. You'll be safe."

"Promise me, Killian. He'll kill me. He probably blames me for Caleb."

"You won't touch you, baby."

She relaxed against him and wondered what Andrew's revenge consisted of. Fearful of her brother still, but she knew Killian would protect her. Now, they both knew they had to wait and see what Silver Thunder would do.