The next morning I open my eyes, expecting to see my mate. However, he was gone as if blown away by the wind. My heart immediately sinks, good feelings now gone. Where did he go. My heart sinks as the red haired thot comes to mind.

As I get up and get dressed I think back on last night. Did we really do that last night? Did we officially seal the mate bond? Or was that all just a dream? When I walk down the stairs I find none other then Bentley. He sits nervously twiddling his thumbs till he notices me and he looks pale.

"What happened?" I ask, seeing the serious look on his face.

"She was found."

"Who?"

"Calla, she was found. In your room." He says and I immediately understand.

"You know it wasn't me. I've been here with Hunter."

"I understand that but the rest of the pack is on edge. I've been told by my brother that you are not to return till this is settled."

"If you don't mind, I would rather be with my pack. If something happened then I should be there, regardless of circumstances. Shall we?" With that said I turn and I'm about to walk out the door. But Bentley grabs my arm.

"That's not a good idea. Right now the pack is in turmoil and they think you are the one behind this. Between the attacks starting when you first arrived, you being 'targeted' yet never attacked, the fact that all victims are former lovers of Hunter's ,and Calla being found in your room, you're considered a prime suspect in this. I don't believe it's you, but that doesn't mean the rest of the pack thinks the same way. They might attack you on site without consulting Hunter."

"I'm not scared. A Luna must address her people with dignity and grace no matter the scrutiny or backlash. And a Luna must be there for the pack in times of need. If you won't come with me then I'll go alone but I'm still going either way."

Bentley sighs. " Fine, get in."

I climb into Bentley's car and start to silently pray to the Moon Goddess. For her to give me strength and to help me find the true culprit of these heinous deeds. I can only pray that I can gain back the support of the pack.

As we drive up to the house all eyes are on us, slowly following the car with their gaze. I feel my stomach twist but but I take a deep breath and step out of the car. And with a steady breath I walk through the crowds as they glared and whispered amongst themselves. Lilac comes running out of the house.

"You don't want to go in there, it's awful." She wraps her arms around me in a tight embrace. "I thought you were supposed to be staying back with your originating pack till this blows over. It's not safe for you here."

"Yeah, you've got a lot of nerve showing up back here. Do you know what we do to those who kill members of their own pack." A woman with medium brown hair and gray eyes glowers at me, forming ridges on her forehead.

"Yeah, tear her apart here and now! Make her suffer through it all!" The growing crowd swarms in, ready to fight.

Moon Goddess, please help me now. I hold my head high and try my best to seem strong-willed and strong-minded. "I am not guilty of the crimes in which you speak. I stand before you not just as your packmate but as your Luna. I stand here to declare my innocence. If you attack me you attack an innocent person and play right into the trap in which the real culprit has laid. Is it not clear that I am being set up?"

"You'll say anything to spare your life. Who else could it possibly be?" Autumn growls.

"The person could just want me out of the picture, meaning they want to get to Hunter and the best way to do that is to turn him and the rest of the pack against me. If you ask me, Autumn, there is only one person here who has shown a clear disdain for me since I arrived here. You're the one I think is behind this, after all, you have a motive. Out of the countless women my mate has been with, you've been with him the longest. After he ended things with one, he would come right back to you. You were the number one prize in his life but when I came along you lost that spot. You become number two and it ate away at you. If I hadn't come along he might have made you his Luna but now you're obsolete. His real Luna came and you couldn't bare losing your position. So you devised the plot to have me framed and make everyone turn against me after the failed poison attempt. No matter what you could not let someone tear you away from Hunter and the prospects of becoming Luna. But let me tell you, not just anybody can be Luna. It takes someone who is strong enough to overcome any challenges that come her way. Luna's are born, not made. It takes more then anything you've got. I came knowing the predicament I was in, knowing that you could turn on me without a second thought but I came anyway because I'M YOUR LUNA AND IM NOT AFRAID." After my speech I hear I lone, solitary clap come from behind me on the porch. I turn to see Hunter standing their. How long was he listening?

"Spoken like a true Luna but your interference was unneeded." He walks up and puts his arms around me. The swarm begins to disperse as they all go pale and I don't even have to look at him to know that he is staring them down like a border collie in a sheep pen.

"You don't need to come to my defense. If this person is trying to intimidate me than I have every reason to be here. Now how bad is it?"

"Terrible, you can't go into your room right now so I will have someone collect a few of your belongings and have them moved to my room." His lips brush my forehead.

"Alright."

As I walk past my room I notice that it has been sectioned off by caution tape. My room, but how? How did they get in, and with a body? I hope this can be resolved before any more casualties can occur.

With Mated to a Bad Boy coming to a close, I would like to introduce my next story. Dragon's Lament. Look for it this late December.