The lost mate

Chapter 147: A celebration

Anne arrived at the scene, breathless and filled with a tense curiosity. The scent of blood still lingered in the air, mingling with the heavy atmosphere. She spotted Jackson’s lifeless form on the ground, Jessica standing nearby, her face pale and hollowed with shock, while Malcom held her arm with a possessive grip. The scene was chaotic.

"Malcom, think this through," Alpha Falcon’s deep voice echoed through the crowd, his tone simmering with disapproval. "Jessica cannot be Luna of the Red Moon Pack. Not after what she’s done, and not with her reputation. The pack would never accept her."

Malcom’s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. "She’s my mate, and that’s final. The pack will come to accept her once they see what she means to me. I don’t need their approval to claim what’s mine."

Anne watched the clash between father and son, her eyes widening at the sheer mess that had unfolded. It was hard to believe how quickly things had escalated. Just a day ago, this pack had been intact, and now they stood on the precipice of disruption, their Alpha dead, and Jessica—shamed and burdened—bound to a mate who faced his own resistance from his pack.

Besides her, Nicky appeared, her voice barely a whisper but laced with a hint of dark satisfaction. "Jessica’s going to have a hard time fitting in at Red Moon," she muttered, folding her arms across her chest. "They’re strict. Not forgiving. And they’ll see her as nothing but trouble."

Anne gave her a sharp look. "You think she deserves this?"

Jessica had schemed, caused endless chaos, and now it was as if her actions had come full circle.

Nicky shrugged, glancing over at Jessica, who stood in silent misery, staring at her father’s body. "Karma’s a real thing, Anne. She’s been playing with people’s lives for years. And look where it got her."

Anne sighed, watching Jessica, pity stirring despite herself. Jessica’s shoulders were slumped, her gaze hollow, and she looked as if she’d aged years in a matter of hours.

Alpha Falcon’s voice cut through Anne’s thoughts as he continued his argument with Malcom. "You would bring her into the Red Moon Pack despite everything she’s done? What message does that send to the wolves who rely on you? You know our pack’s values. You know what we stand for, Malcom."

Malcom’s eyes blazed with frustration. "And I know the power of a mate bond," he shot back. "I can handle Jessica. And whatever the pack throws at her, she’ll either rise to meet it or prove herself unworthy. That’s her choice now."

Falcon’s expression hardened, and for a moment, it seemed he might openly defy his son. But then he sighed, shaking his head. "Don’t expect the pack to make it easy on her—or on you. She’ll have to earn her place, and if she doesn’t, the Red Moon wolves won’t hesitate to let her know."

Jessica’s face grew paler, but Malcom’s grip on her arm tightened, steadying her even as his own resolve set like iron.

"Yeah, whatever, dad. I can always get someone better if she can’t measure up."

Anne glanced at Nicky, who was watching the scene with narrowed eyes. "She’s not going to have the easy life she wanted. They’ll make sure of that."

Anne’s gaze flicked over to Liana, who wore an unmistakable expression of satisfaction. Despite the chaos, consider it a victory.

A presence at her side made her look up. Damien stood there, looking a mix of tired and strangely at ease, as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

"Well," Damien said with a sly smile, "everything turned out better than I’d hoped."

Anne’s brows arched, curiosity lighting in her gaze. "Are you really that pleased? Jackson’s dead, and Jessica’s off to a future that... well, I don’t think even she was prepared for."

"Better her problem than mine," he replied, his tone unapologetic. "Besides, it’s not my mess to deal with anymore. Malcom’s choices are his own, and I can finally breathe without the shadow of this whole ordeal looming over me."

Anne’s eyes narrowed as she caught the glimmer of something along Damien’s neck. She stepped closer, reaching up to brush her fingers lightly across his skin, where only days ago Jessica’s mark had branded him.

"It’s gone," she murmured, a flicker of relief sparking in her eyes.

Damien’s grin widened. "As if it were never there," he said, with a confidence that made her laugh softly. The connection had been severed, freed from Jessica’s manipulative hold, and now he stood as his own wolf once more, unbound to anyone.

"This calls for a celebration," Damien suggested.

"But Elara and Blaze are still missing. Who knows what they might be planning?" Anne said.

"They will be dealt with in time, but we can have a small celebration after all."

"Alright, you have any ideas ?"

"How about going to a club ?"

Anne tilted her head, surprised by Damien’s suggestion. "A club? You mean the loud, crowded kind where everyone’s packed together like sardines and there’s music blaring?"

Damien laughed, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Exactly. It’s where people go to let loose, have fun, and forget about all the madness for a while. Think of it as a chance to blow off steam after... everything."

Anne couldn’t help but laugh. "You’ve actually been to one before?"

He shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "A few times. You’d be surprised what wolves get up to outside of pack lands. It’s not all hunting and training, you know." He leant closer, his voice dropping into a teasing whisper. "So? You up for a little adventure?"

Anne laughed, a sound that felt like a release from the night’s tension. "Alright, fine," she said, giving in to the sparkle in his eyes. "Can I call Emily to join us ?"

"Of course, you can invite whoever you wish." Damien smiled.

Anne spotted Nickey and suddenly recalled that she had promised Nicky that she would help her find his mate. A lot of wolves had found their mates in the mating party. Even though there was chaos, Eveb managed to find her mate. So where was Nicky’s mate ?