Keiron and I had almost reached RedFang pack and for some reason I could not quite get rid of the unease I felt in the pit of my stomach. I could not quite put my finger on it but something felt out of place. I hated leaving Violet behind but at least she would be safe there which was the main thing. I did plan on having strong words with my brother though. For him to inform me of her death when she was very much alive made me want to tear his throat out. My son placed his hand on my arm to squelch my anger.

"Your Alpha vibes will frighten the other Alpha's if you continue this way. We didn't come here for a fight". He said.

"You're right son, I did not come here to fight them. But Alpha Dimitri and Beta Richard is another story entirely".

"We should hear them out, there could be a reason for it". He said.

I looked upon him with a new fondness.

"Since when did you get so wise"?

He shrugged and gave me a lopsided smile.

"If I do not like Richard's answer I will challenge him today".

Kieron stopped walking and looked towards me with fear.

"You can't father, we need you in the pack".

Placing my hand on his shoulder I said

"You are the next Alpha for Moonlight, it will be your duty to protect them and your sister. Can you do it?" I asked.

My voice was firm and unyielding.

He nodded reluctantly and we continued our decent onto RedFangs lands. When we reached the bottom of the hill at the location Alpha Dimitri mentioned to be the 'meeting point' I spotted the new Alpha of the IronThorn pack.

"Byrant Forester, my how you've grown. Your father must be proud of you Alpha"

I extended my arm out to him and he took it in greeting.

"Its a pleasure to see you again Alpha Kiron, it has been too long since we last saw you".

I waved off his greeting with a smile.

"You remember my son Kieron".

I motioned towards him and he stepped forward to greet the new Alpha. It was a good thing to start introducing Kieron to the other Alpha's. He needed to create alliances after I was gone. I noticed a petite little thing standing behind Alpha Byrant and my heart beat unsteadily.

"And who is this charming shewolf"?

Alpha Byrant wrapped his arms around her and she stepped forward slightly and blushed a deep crimson.

"My mate and Luna to The IronThorn Pack. This is Farah".

I nodded.

"Its a pleasure to meet you Luna" I said.

She was very small for a Luna I noted. She had silky shoulder length raven hair and her eyes were a deep gold. Her tanned skin complimented her mates. Their pack was blessed with the sun all year round so it was no surprise that they both looked like they had been living abroad for years. They looked happy and it only panicked me even more.

"Did you not receive Dimitri's warning to not bring any of the Luna's"? I asked

"I did, but she is safer with me than anyone else and that's where she will be staying".

His voice was firm and resolute, it left no room for questioning. I couldn't blame him. These were uneasy times.

Stepping away I spotted the other Alpha's present and to my surprise they were no longer the old faces I had come to know over the years. Their sons had suceeded them and I felt awkward that I had yet to pass the torch onto my own son. He himself must have felt embarrassed that he had not yet succeeded me despite being almost 20 himself. I felt ashamed that I held onto the title as long as I had, however, the Alpha's in front of me made no comment on it. If anything they seemed to respect me and looked to me for guidance as we stood around and waited for Alpha Dimitri's arrival. They all mentioned that their fathers felt that this new threat needed younger minds and leaders. Stronger and younger Alpha's to fight it.

The two other Alpha's were Alpha Cane from Clawthaw pack and Alpha Jullian from the WhiteFang pack.

I nodded in greeting and Kieron shook their hands as well.

"I hope your father's are all in good health" I said.

They each passed a few pleasantries between each other until Kieron said..

"Does anyone else feel uneasy on Dimitri's land? I have had a bad feeling since I stepped onto it this morning. His pack are known for their heavy and somewhat unnecessary surveillance and I cannot believe we reached it this far on his land without coming into contact with any of his patrol".

The other Alpha's agreed.

"It is unusual for Dimitri to be late. He always took his role seriously even when he was a part of the council". Chimmed Alpha Byrant.

"You think highly of him then"? I raised a quizzical brow to Alpha Byrant.

It was a well known fact that both of the Alpha's disliked one another right from when they were pups and his comment surprised me. They were well known rivals.

"I respect him. He puts his pack first and I know he is a good Alpha. Far better than his father was". He said.

I mulled this over and pouted. I could not keep my dislike for my fellow son in law that I had not met in years. He treated my daughter abominably and I'll have to teach him a lesson he will never forget as his father in law.

"Its a shame the same cannot be said for his treatment towards his Luna"

Kieron said and I sent him a sharp look.

"I thought Alpha Dimitri was already mated to an Omega.. what was her name again..." said Alpha Jullian..

"Luna Milly, I believe". Said Luna Farah.

I looked to her and smiled. She seemed kind but I am sure that underneath that was a fierce Luna who would die to protect her people just like my daughter would. My chest puffed out proudly when I thought of her.

"Thank you Alpha's for coming here today".

Each of us turned towards the voice which had spoken and when I realised who it was my good mood soured. All of us shifted uncomfortably.

"Greetings Beta Richard. It is good to see you in good health. Especially in these troubled times. We were wondering when Dimitri would greet us" said Alpha Cane.

His tone was soft but his words were meant to be a reprimand. It was disrespectful to leave Alpha's waiting and we all felt the weight of the slight the Alpha afforded us. RedFang was indeed the largest pack but I could not believe Dimitri to be so arrogant which only left me with more questions than answers. I looked my 'Brother' up and down and had a hard time restraining my anger towards him. He had left our pack years ago when I was announced as Alpha. We had not spoken much over the years but I had believed him to still be my family despite his disappointment over not being our packs Alpha.

"It has been a long time brother" I said.

Richards head turned towards me and he offered me a welcoming smile.

"It has brother".

I didnt like he way he said 'Brother'. He continued...

"Alpha Dimitri sends his apologies, we had a rogue attack on our northern border earlier today and that is the reason our warriors were not able to greet you formally. If you will follow me I will lead you to him". He said.

"A small question if I may Beta Richard". Said Alpha Byrant which stopped all of us I our tracks from following.

"I had heard through a friend of mine who resides in RedFang that there was recently a small change within the higher archy of your pack."

We all looked to one another questioning where this was going. I noticed my brother looked uneasy for a moment and my eyes remained fixed on him in suspicion.

Alpha Byrant continued...

"Her cousin 'Matthew' was said to have succeeded you in becoming the Beta of RedFang. Should it not be him who greets us today"?

Silence.

All of the Alpha's heads turned sharply towards Beta Richard, waiting on his response.

He laughed..

"Beta Matthew is still in training, he is however completing a small task for Alpha Dimitri and is therefore unable to join us".

"What task would that be exactly"? Said Alpha Cane.

"What task could be more important than greeting all of the Alpha's here present. Anyone would think this was a slight against us". Said Cane.

"Not at all" said Richard.

"He is protecting the Luna of RedFang. With the Rogue King's threats my Alpha didn't want to take any risks".

Now I felt even more uncertain about his motives. Beta Matthew left our pack two days ago after finding Violet. He should already by all accounts be back on RedFang lands which meant my brother was lying or did Matthew never reach home?

I frowned.

"Which Luna would that be Beta Richard, the false one or the real one"? Asked Luna Farah.

We all remained still and none of us appeared to be in any rush to follow the Beta. This only seemed to anger him even more.

"Yes Beta Richard, which 'Luna' are you referring to"? I asked incredulously.

His eyes were the only indication that he understood what I was implying. Now he knew that I knew his face seemed to drop its facade.

"Luna Violet of course. She ran away early last year. Caused quite a stir you see, we have all been quite upset since she left us, we have worried for her safety".

Lies. I thought.

"Well there is no need to because Violet is safe in our camp" said Kieron and I could swear that my stomach dropped.

I slapped him over the head and he yelped.

I sent the link into his mind and he bit his lip. Looking back to Richard his face held relief.

"That's good to hear. I am pleased she is safe and well. I'm sure Matthew will find her very soon".

Kieron looked to me with a panicked expression as he realised what he had just said. Just as wolves began to surround our group Alpha Byrant put Luna Farah behind him and the other Alpha's and myself created a defensive circle around her.

"You see, Alpha Dimitri couldn't make it today. He... is sort of hung up on something". He held an evil glint to his eye and for the first time since I came here I feared for my daughters mate.

Alpha Jullian spat onto the ground towards Richard.

"You bastard, you turned on your own Alpha. This is treason".

"How dare you join with this filth" said Alpha Cane as he pointed towards the Rogues who continued to circle and crowd us.

"What is your plan Alpha Kiron" said Alpha Jullian. All three of them including my son looking to me for guidance.

"If you fight, Alpha Dimitri dies and you know what will happen to your daughter if he does, don't you Kiron". Said Richard.

I bit my lip. We were trapped. If Dimitri died then Violet would become a walking corpse. She would loose her ability and will to fight and she would need it. I cursed myself for the situation we were in. With 5 Alpha's and one Luna it would not be difficult to reduce this rabel of mutts into ash but I could not afford the loss of Dimitri. The cost was too great!.

"We cannot fight him" I said in defeat.

The other Alpha's faces were that of complete shock at my words.

"Follow me now, the King will see you shortly, especially now you have brought another Luna to us. Tonight we will have a trial to look forward to".

The other Alpha's looked confused and

My own eyes widened whilst Byrant growled. Now I was privy to these 'trials' I was terrified for Luna Farah. The other Alpha's were still blissfully unaware of the threat they posed.

This was bad.

Very bad.

Every remaining Alpha was now captured and each of our warriors and packs were in camps set up miles away.

But now that Richard knew where Violet was, she was now in danger and there was nothing I could do about it.

I failed in my promise to her.

My promise to keep her safe.