The last few weeks had passed quickly, the days had been merging as time flew by. We celebrated Gabriel's birthday last week before him and Eli left to visit a bordering pack yesterday morning.

Gabriel had informed me that the Alpha wanted to discuss a potential share of land which we owned between the border of both packs.

Gabriel was debating the idea since it would bring in business for our pack wolves as the land that he wanted a share in was part of our town. Where many of our wolves owned restaurants, shops, and cafes.

Gabriel was still indecisive about the prospect of mixing two packs together; wolves were very territorial creatures and having two packs merge in one area can be explosive. It could also make some of our wolves uncomfortable or wary of the outsiders on their territory.

The benefit of it was the revenue it would provide; we did also have a very secured treaty with Alpha Kane. One that had never been betrayed or broken. It was the same pack that Gabriel had trained with when his father could not train him when his grandfather died due to his grieving.

'We will be confirming all the details tomorrow, but I don't see why I shouldn't accept the agreement. It does bring benefits to both parties.' Gabriel concluded, his voice sounding through my mind since he was still away on pack business.

I was laid up in bed, relaxing before it was time for bed. 'From what you have said, I don't see an issue. We just need to make sure that we reassure the pack and make sure they feel secured. It's an unusual arrangement that wouldn't be made between packs.'

'Definitely. I have set out a few tough regulations which Kane has to accept before we can conclude all the arrangements tomorrow. I should be back tomorrow night at the latest.'

My wolf perked up; she had missed him a lot over the past five days. I had kept myself distracted with Kennedy and I visiting The Blood Walkers Pack. Julian, Grace, and Dylan were all good and I was surprised with the news that Dylan and Sophia were expecting a little girl.

I had also invited them to my Luna ceremony which was set for this Friday afternoon. Usually, they would be completed a week after the mating of the Alpha and Luna, but everything had been crazy hectic with Gabriel and pack business that we did not have the time.

'I hope so, I miss you.' I replied sighing deeply, my bed felt so empty when he was not besides me and the house felt quiet too.

Kennedy had thankfully kept me busy but during the morning and afternoon she was occupied with kindergarten which left me alone unless Charlie or Taylor was available.

We soon said our goodnights before I fell asleep.

It felt like an hour or so had passed by when my phone began to ring, the sound buzzing on the nightstand, the light on my phone causing my eyes to squint.

The caller was calling on no caller ID and I debated answering it for a moment before going against my better judgement and reached for the device.

I accepted and put the phone to my ear, moving slightly so I was laying on my stomach, my eyes still closed from wanting to go back to sleep without being disturbed. "Hello?"

The line was silent until suddenly someone's deep hoarse breathing sounded through the phone, the noise had me sitting up and frowning. It was creepy, and the breathing became heavier and heavier. I stayed quiet for a moment before speaking. "Who is this?"

The person abruptly started humming then began clicking their tongue. It was disturbing and weird and I hung up immediately, only for the caller to call again.

I answered it one more time in case my mind had been playing tricks on me or if the signal had been disturbed but they continued and I instantly turned my phone off and sat up against my bedframe, turning my lamp on.

I struggled to return to sleep, my mind unable to focus on anything other than the call. I felt sleep deprived by the time my alarm clock went off, 7 o'clock flashing as Kennedy bundled into my bedroom.

I decided to ignore the nagging feeling in my mind and made Kennedy breakfast, getting her prepared for school.

After dropping her off at Dan and Charlies house, I walked back home with my phone in hand. Thankfully, I had not received any more phone calls, so I shrugged the calls off and left my phone in the living room as I relaxed for the rest of the day.

It was around 8 o'clock at night when I placed Kennedy into bed, she had fallen asleep on the couch downstairs, so I carried her straight to bed. She had wanted to wait up for Gabriel, but his trip home was taking longer than he had expected.

As I descended the stairs to go back into the living room, the sound of my phone ringing echoed throughout the house and an uneasy feeling flowed through me.

I froze on the last step, my feet still and unable to move. It took a second before I moved into the kitchen, to peak at my phone to see no caller ID again.

I debated but answered to receive the same response, deep heavy breathing which caused me to hang up.

I was originally going to leave the phone calls unknown, to not tell Gabriel of their existence but the calls were becoming too frightening and alarming for it to be ignored.

Gabriel had entered pack territory only 10 minutes ago so he should be arriving within the next hour. I would notify him then.

~*~

Gabriel had tried to trace the calls, but it came to a dead end. We were unable to identify the caller, they had used an untraceable phone. Gabriel immediately changed my mobile number and the calls had stopped since then.

Gabriel was suspicious of Nate, my ex-boyfriend but he could not prove it was him. Gabriel also could not locate him anywhere.

According to my old Alpha Hayden, his Third in Command had left and went rogue. Gabriel felt distrust towards him and had sent pack warriors and trackers to monitor Nightshade Valley Territory. Wanting to catch any deceit.

Gabriel had reassured me about the calls and Nates abrupt disappearance by organising more border patrols and had doubled the rounds over the past few days.

It was Friday now, and the afternoon of my Luna ceremony and he had relaxed slightly on the patrols due to this.

Gabriel's mother Lilly had helped along with a few pack women to organise the BBQ and they had set it up beautifully. The stage was massive, and the clearing was filled with tables and chairs, close to the pack playground.

Flowers and fairy lights lit up the stage, and the crowds of people were making me nervous. I stood to the side with Gabriel, Dan, and Eli along with their mates. Our table was located on the stage to the side besides Gabriel's parents.

Julian, Grace, Dylan, Sophia, and their son Riley were amongst the crowd. They could only stay for an hour, but I was grateful they managed to spare an hour to be here for Kennedy and I.

I looked down at my dress, it was white and flowed gracefully around my legs. The straps of my dress were thin, and I paired it with small heels.

Gabriel looked undeniably hot with his black suit, his muscles were noted and on show through his white shirt. His stubble and jaw line prominent, his lips a light pink and completely kissable.

Gabriel noticed my intense staring and smirked, his laugh stopping it.

"You ready?" He laughed, his dimples appearing as he grabbed my hands.

"No," I laughed which caused him to chuckle as he looked at the busy crowds. "But I'm as ready as I will ever be."

"You'll be fine." He smiled before he ascended the stage stairs, his hand still in mine as we approached the microphone. I stood beside him, my anxiety kicking in as he began his speech. Gabriel noticed and rubbed his thumb across the back of my hand, comfortingly settling my nerves.

I focussed my attention on the crowds, watching them as they stared at Gabriel adoringly and completely entranced with their Alpha's words.

They were captivated by him and their eyes soon found mine.

I had already met most of them but there were quite a few I did not recognise.

I could barely concentrate as Gabriel continued to speak, my attention elsewhere, the nerves getting the best of me. I had never been one for speeches, public speaking was a huge no no for me.

Once Gabriel had finished, I made a short speech before Gabriel began the joining ceremony.

"Do you, Lara Jackson, accept the Luna position and full responsibility of the Black Moon Pack?" Gabriel asked, both his hands holding mine as we stood opposite each other, the whole pack in view.

He had sliced a small cut between my thumb and index finger along with his own, the bond and connection to the pack would be created once our bloods mixed, but only after I had accepted my alliance.

I stood straight; my eyes boring into his as I confirmed my intention. "I, Lara Jackson accept my title as Luna for the Black Moon Pack." My voice was strong and fierce, my Alpha tone seeping through as our blood combined.

Gabriel grinned at me widely then kissed me on the lips. The whole crowd erupted in cheers and excitement as our pack began to celebrate and holler. Their sudden voices and my link to the pack created in my mind as my thoughts tried to gather themselves together.

A blush creeped up on my cheeks, turning me bright red and I tucked myself into Gabriel's chest, hiding myself from view. I was bombarded from the new link to my pack including the attention we were receiving. It was an overwhelming emotion.

Gabriel chuckled at me, holding me close before dismissing the pack and telling them to enjoy the rest of the evening. Everyone immediately disbursed and started dancing and talking in their groups as we walked down the stage stairs.

We were swarmed by pack members who I had not yet had the chance to meet, they were all very complimentary and friendly, but I felt swamped. Gabriel soon saved me, and he excused us to sit back with the Alpha, Beta and Third in Command families.

Kennedy had been playing with Charlie, they were being looked after by two pack warriors. They were taken to the pack playground to play; it was just hidden behind the line of trees. It provided coverage and enabled us from seeing through the shadows.

Two hours had passed when I noticed Tilly running into the clearing alone and with a frightened look across her face. I stood up immediately, my chair flying backwards as I watched her running, her little legs unable to carry themselves.

A dark chill blew down my spine, my body tense and full of fear.

I raced down there with Gabriel and Dan in toe, the clearing going quiet from the scene unfolding. Tilly was crying and calling for her mommy, and Dan instantly picked her up as I rushed into the woods, into the shadows of the trees.

Two warriors were laid flat on their faces, blood dripping from their heads as the smell of death and iron invaded my senses. Panicking I turned around in circles, desperately searching for my daughter but unable to locate her.

I could not hear a sound or even acknowledge the growls of Gabriel as I internally come apart and fear fuelled my entire being. "Kennedy?" I screamed, my voice hysterical and terrified.

Fuelled by fear and dread, I continued to scream her name. Hoping that she would appear from behind the trees or a hiding place, but I was met with silence.

I ran towards the swings, breathing in deeply as I tried to trace her scent only for hers to be faint but replaced with other, one I recognised instantly.

"Nathan." I whispered.