The Chronicles of Moon
Chapter 45

Omegas Always Know

Colin, you need to stop. Chris links Colin and Colin growls, pushing on through the dark. You need to stop. This is what he wants you to do, and you know it; you don’t even know he has her. Just fucking stop before we both end up in some stupid trap. I can’t even smell her scent.

Colin finally breaks his stride, Chris’s words sinking in. Fine. Colin links him back. They turn and head back to the horrible scene of dead warriors. Colin is still so angry and scared that thinking clearly is hard for him and Farrell.

He will pay for this. Farrell growls: he’s pissed, and he is convinced Caleb is behind this attack. Farrell also agrees with Chris; they can’t rush into a stupid trap. That is what Caleb would want.

Colin and Chris shift at a stash of clothes. There are several emergency barrels of clothes throughout the woods. People add to them every now and again. It’s more convenient than carrying clothes with you most of the time. They slip on some loose shorts and walk the rest of the way.

“We will replace her, and if Caleb is behind this, he will use her as a bargaining chip.” Chris tries to comfort Colin, who just grunts. Colin is well aware the only thing Caleb would want to bargain for is Moon.

“She asked me to adopt her today. Moon even said there was no reason Bells shouldn’t just live in the packhouse. She didn’t even hesitate to accept that little girl. She only just met Bella, and Moon loves her.”

“That seems to be something Moon does. Finding lost and broken people just to love them.” Chris responds. Colin had never thought of it, but Chris is right. Moon ended up with Mark when he was alone. Moon is Colin’s mate, and he knows he’s broken, now Bells. Moon has a way of replaceing people that seem to need her.

“I still need to tell her that Bella is missing.” Colin sighs.

They reenter the clearing, and the bodies have been removed. Colin picks up the stuffed rabbit and brushes it off. He can still smell Bella on it, and Moon; they smell like home and family. He feels sick and angry, but he has managed to hide his pain away behind his blank, emotionless mask. Being around Moon and little Bella is the only time he has let his guard down. Even with

Chris, he has always been distant. Bella reminded Colin of his little sister Callie, so he took to her quickly, but he loves that little girl and has only ever wanted what was best for her. He just didn’t think that would be him, but now if he could just replace her, he is never letting her leave the packhouse again.

They reach the packhouse, and they start to head up the stairs, and Colin sees omegas everywhere. They look like they are looking for something going in and out of rooms.

“Did you tell them to search the packhouse?” Colin questions Chris, and he shakes his head.

“No, I had some guys do it but not the omegas. Honestly, I should have had them looking too.” Chris feels a bit stupid not thinking of it. “I’m going to change. Then I’ll see if they have found any sign of who did this. We need to know how they got so close to the packhouse. We have to have a breach somewhere for them to get that close.”

Colin nods but doesn’t say anything. He’s thinking of what to say to Moon as he heads up the stairs to the Alpha floor. Moon is coming out of the attic with something wrapped in a dusty blanket. Colin can’t think what she is doing up there. His heart breaks a little more when she smiles at him until she says the sweetest words he has ever heard.

“Colin, I found her,” Moon whispers, but her excitement is evident. He runs to her, and Bells is wrapped in the old blanket in Moon’s arms. She is sound asleep. Her face is dirty and tear-stained, like she cried herself to sleep.

“She was here?” Colin almost can’t believe it, and he scoops the girl out of Moon’s arms and hugs her close. He relaxes for the first time since he found out she was missing.

Bella stirs and wakes up being hugged and jostled around. Moon had been more gentle, trying to let the poor child sleep.

“Colin,” Bells says, a little sleepy. “I’m sorry I hid. I was scared. I lost the stuffy Moon gave me, and I thought she might be mad, and then I saw wolves I didn’t know, so I ran away, and Ms. Rachel was mad that I ran off before, so I didn’t know where to go. I just didn’t want to be in trouble because I didn’t go to the orphanage like you said to.” Bella is sniffling and starting to cry, thinking she might have made trouble for herself again. She is always in trouble with Ms. Rachel.

“You are not in trouble for anything.” Colin hugs the girl. “I do need to tell Rachel that we found you. She was worried. Did you see anything other than the strange wolves in the woods?”

“No, I was playing, and I dropped Bunny. I went to replace it when I saw the wolves. I didn’t know them, and I ran away because they looked scary. I was sad I didn’t listen and lost Bunny, so I hid. I’m sorry.” Bella says, still thinking she might be in trouble.

“Hey, I have a fun idea,” Moon says. “How about you stay the night here?”

“Can I please?” Bells begs.

“Yes, you can. I have just the room for you too.” Colin says. “I found this too.” He holds up the stuffed animal so Bella can see it.

She gasps. “Bunny,” and he gives it to her. She hugs it tight.

“I’m sorry I lost it, Moon. Do you want it back now?” Bella asks.

“Nope, you should have him. Let’s get you cleaned up, okay. You are covered in dust.”

“Okay,” Bella says, happily unaware of how afraid everyone had been for her.

Colin has already linked Chris and told him Bella had been found. Chris is so relieved and tells Colin he will also let the others know. They still need to replace out who those wolves are, and clearly, they know Bella is important to Colin, and that is her stuffed Bunny someone is watching them, but Colin just doesn’t know who or how.

When Moon holds out her arms, Bella happily goes to her.

“Have an idea.” Colin starts, and Moon looks at him thoughtfully.

“Why don’t we all stay in the Alpha, suite? Please.” Something in his voice makes Moon pause. There is something she doesn’t know about yet. She nods, and Bella giggles.

“I want to stay with both of you. Yay, it’s like a slumber party. Can we have popcorn oh or ice cream? I like ice cream. She wiggles out of Moon’s arms and dances in the hall with Bunny.

“Sure, kiddo,” Colin says, watching Bella. He can see Moon still eyeing him. “I promise I will tell you everything.”

“You better. Also, can you link Ann? She was worried about Bella and ask her for some clean pajamas for Bella?”

“Wait, Ann knew Bella was gone?” Colin seems a little shocked.

“Omegas always know everything. Didn’t you know that?”