Legend Of The Moon Princess
Episode 17

Luca’s POV

We got back to the pack house. Terrence was already waiting outside with Beta Rico, Beta Sasha, Gamma Nathan, and Sabrina. I was surprised that the alphas and the luna were not out there as well. They had extra clothes and Sabrina was holding something that looked like a first aid kit. Then I remembered that one of those rogues had dug their claws into Melody’s back. I felt so useless and angry with myself. She was my mate, and I was to be the next king of all werewolves in North America. Yet I could not do anything to protect her tonight. I simply froze and did nothing.

She on the other hand. She was amazing. She showed them how powerful she was and gave them a chance to back down. I was glad most of them did. Then she fended off and even killed one of the remaining rogues before her brothers showed up. They fought so easily with their wolves that I felt even embarrassed that young pups like them were better fighters than I was right now.

‘Don’t be so hard on yourself, Luca. You may be older than they are, but they have had more training with their wolves than you have. We just finally connected after that b***h sealed me away all those years ago.’ Remus said to try and ease my mind. I knew in my head that he was right, but in my pride as a mate and alpha it was hitting home. The rogues that followed us back shifted first and dressed in the shirts and shorts that Terrence and Beta Rico were holding. There were three males and four females.

“Now as you might know, you will be placed in a holding cell until the alphas and luna have spoken about what to do with you. Alright?” Terrence spoke clearly for them. They nodded. “You will follow Beta Sasha and Gamma Nathan to the cell. There is some fruit and bread down there. You will get something for breakfast tomorrow before meeting with the alphas and luna.” They looked shocked that they were getting meals and a meeting with the pack leaders. I guess they must have run into some meaner alphas than the ones here in Raven Moon. I know my father would have just killed them on site.

Once the rogues were gone, Ethan shifted and tossed on some shorts. “Mel, follow Aunt Sabrina to the infirmary then shift. That way she can treat your back.” Melody’s wolf nodded and followed Sabrina into the pack house. “You can shift back Luca.” Terrence called out. I stilled for a moment. ‘Remus, how do I shift back?’ ‘Just think of yourself on how you looked as a human.’ He said. I closed my eyes and did what he said. I felt my bones snap and reform like they did before, but not as painful this time around.

I felt the cool night breeze on my skin and opened my eyes. I was standing there naked as the day I was born. Beta Rico tossed me some basketball shorts and I slipped them on. “Why didn’t you guys just kill the other rogues?” I asked. Any other alpha I know would have killed them and been done with it. Though the Raven Moon pack was a never ending of surprises. I mean pack runs every full moon, vampires living among them, and now taking in rogues. This pack and it’s leaders were truly how I wish to rule, that is why I wanted to understand it more.

“Because they submitted to Mel when she and Artemis gave them a chance to back down.” Ethan said. “Aunt Shianna used to tell us stories about how most of the rogues that her father would gather to build his pack never had a choice in becoming what they were.” Terrence said. “What do you mean?” I asked, tilting my head to the side. “Most of the wolves that are rogues didn’t become rogues by choice, and my father forced them to do horrible things as rogues.” Shianna said as she came out of the pack house. She stood next to her mate and looked at me.

“What do you know about rogue wolves, Prince Luca?” She asked. I thought for a moment. “Honestly I thought all rogues were just wolves that refused to follow anyone but themselves, and would fight and kill to stay as free as they believe they are.” Shianna nodded. “Yes that is how most packs see them, but I was born as a rogue so I have seen the other side of the coin.” I was shocked. “You were born as a rogue?” It was surprising because now she was mated to Beta Rico. She nodded. “Let’s go somewhere to talk” Shianna said as she turned and led us into the pack house. “My parents became very dark and corrupted, and completely destroyed their pack. Causing those who survived to scatter and become rogues.” Shianna said.

“But some wolves just go rogue to be left alone, especially if they lose their true mate and don’t have anything to keep their sanity in check.” Terrence said. I nodded and as we entered one of the libraries, I turned back to Shianna and asked. “What caused your parents to become dark and corrupted?” She gave a sad smile. “My mother was a witch and Sabrina’s younger sister. She was mated to a warrior wolf, but when tragedy struck… She couldn’t let go of her grief of losing her mate, so she was consumed by her own magic. She then used a forbidden spell book to bring my father back from the dead, but magic like that comes at a cost.”

“What cost?” I asked. “She needed to kill special wolves everytime she needed to bring him back, but the more times she brought him back the more corrupted both of their souls became. Making them more and more cold and full of nothing but hate. My father was the one that gave me this scar on my face.” She said, as she touched the scar going fully across her face. I was dumbstruck. I know I have made my father mad a few times as a pup, but he never struck me or hurt me so bad that it left a scar clear as day.

“Whatever rogues my father encountered in the forest, he would force them to join him or he would kill them. Though not before tormenting them by killing their mates and children if they had any.” She said, taking a deep breath. “Most of the rogues that my father would replace, either already wandering the woods as rogues or the survivors left after he destroyed an entire pack. Some became the savages that most packs see them as, others just kept their heads down to not draw any attention to them or their loved ones.” I nodded. I could not imagine how it would be to live in a constant state of fear. I was an alpha and even with my wolf sealed, I was a stubborn and prideful alpha.

“So not long after Jess, Leo, Zero, and Hero helped me in laying my parents to rest and all that. Jess persuaded her alphas to hear any rogues out and give them a chance to join the pack.” Shianna said with a kind smile that actually reached her eyes. “What if they didn’t want to join the pack?” I asked. “If they were deemed as not threatening to our pack or any other, then we would let them leave.” Beta Rico said. “But if they were thought of to be a threat to anyone in any way, then they would be executed here. Quick, painless, and private.” Terrence said.

“Private?” I asked and Terrence nodded. “Yeah because a public execution is only for those that need to be made an example of.” “Think about the rogue we took to the cells tonight. He not only trespassed on pack territory, but was low enough to use someone’s mate as a leverage to get that wolf to fight for him. Once we get the info we need from him he will be killed publicly.” Eathan said, with no emotion. “So if you have to kill them, then what do you do with the bodies?”

“The rogues that get killed in a public execution are burned in front of the pack. Those that are killed in private, we bury them up on the mountain that Aunt Shianna’s parents are buried on.” A soft voice answered. Then I was hit with the sweet scent of lavender and honey. I turned to see Melody walking in with Sabrina. I jumped to my feet and rushed to her side. “Melody, how are you feeling?” I asked, full of worry. She smiled at me. “Of course I’m fine Luca. If anything, I need more training. That rogue should not have gotten the drop on me like that.” She said. “No kidding. Looks like you and I need to review some lessons.” Another voice came from the door.

Melody stiffened and everyone turned to the door. Alpha Leo, Zero, Hero, and Luna Jess were standing by the door. Alpha Leo looked quite upset. Luna Jess placed her hand on his crossed arms, in an attempt to sooth and calm her mate. Then she turned to us. “We will talk more about the rogues and lessons tomorrow. For now let us all got to bed and get some rest.” Everyone in the library nodded and agreed, soon we were all filing out to head to our rooms. I followed Melody to her room. I wanted to hold her close after I failed as a mate and forze instead of protecting her.

“Hey, Mr. Grumpy Alpha… no feeling like that.” She said as she wrapped her arms around my waist. “Like what?” I said, playing dumb. “That you failed as a mate, just because I got hurt. You are still new to your wolf form, you never had to fight in it yet. It takes time and practice to get better at it.” She nuzzled into the crook of my neck. I sigh and flop down on her bed with her still in my arms. She giggled and kissed my neck sending a shiver down my spine. “Be Careful baby girl. I am only a man and at your mercy.” She giggled some more and held me closer to her. She was so soft and warm to hold. Inhaling her scent deeply and I was out like a light.