Christopher's POV

I watched the days turn into weeks and then into months and my Luna, my mate, my life, my Millicent did not come back. How could she bear to be away from me when I was languishing and agonizing over her?

I had lost appetite for food, had Samantha not used her female tricks to get me to start eating again.

'Millicent, come back to me, I have so much I want to tell you!' I cried silently in anguish.

During the day, I smiled and went about my duties but in the night, Oh, how I dread the night, these days. That is when all the feelings came to the fore. I can't stop remembering our night together. If I had magic, I'd use it to conjure Millicent. Some nights were far worse than others. My wolf would wriggle and wriggle in anguish and frustration. I have never felt Zara distressed this way before. It seemed we were never going to recover from Millicent's flight.

I occupied myself with my duties during the day, trying not to think because my thoughts were always of her. I was slowly going insane. How could I have got all I have ever truly wanted and then it slips from my fingers without any notice?

The day, Millicent went away without a backward glance, the day, we organized a search party for her, a group of people visited me.

'Alpha Christopher', the leader said. 'We are sorry, we brought you this news late, but we have been able to uncover the mystery behind your parents' deaths'.

I was in no mood for that right now. It had been one of the things I had wanted to give to Millicent, the vindication and clearing of her father's name, It was supposed to be a sign of my love and care for her, but she was no where to be found and the interest for that was gone. Since the messengers were here to give the result of their investigation, it was only right that I listened to them.

'I'm listening', I said, disinterestedly. 'Who is responsible?' I asked.

'We found out from a reliable source that a group of rogues were responsible for the deaths of the late Alpha Merryweather and his Luna'.

'Rogues? I should have known!' I said, my interest was piqued. 'But they couldn't have known about the treaty, or that it was about banning them, could they?' I asked.

'They were not working alone, my Alpha', Spade said. 'They had the backing of one prominent Alpha!'

'Who is this Alpha?' I asked.

' It's Alpha...',

'What?' I asked, shocked at the name they mentioned. How could that Alpha do that to my father. I thought they were friends and had similar interests?

'Are you sure of this information?' I asked, feeling happier, because I knew Millicent would be happy to hear that her faith in her father had not been misplaced. Then I recalled that she was gone and my face fell.

'We were attacked by a pack of rogues, and we fought them to within an inch of their lives and they ran, but there was one of them who was too weak to run with them', Spade narrated. 'Before he died, he confessed that they were responsible for killing the late Alpha and his wife. To quote his words:

'We were hired to kill him so that he would not sign the treaty, barning us from from certain territories! When we found out you were investigating the case, we panicked and came to kill you all as well but you caught us unawares. And it was Alpha... who paid us handsomely for the job. We had to kill the Luna because she had seen our faces but the old man's Beta really gave us a tough time before he breathed his last'.

'Are you sure of the Alpha who hired you?' we asked him and he countered by way of response, 'Would you forget someone who fought the battle which you would have been unable to fight yourself?'

We asked him why he was telling us so much without being coaxed.

'My gang is not supposed to leave me here, no matter how injured I am', he said regretfully. ' It is against the rogue rules. Now that they have left me for dead, it is only right I pay them back in kind!'

'So you see, Alpha Christopher that we are sure of our source!'

'What happened to the rogue?' I asked.

'He died after confessing to their crimes. We didn't need to do anything to him! We would have given him a mercy death if he had not!'

'Had not, what?' Sylvester who had just come in asked.

I quickly dismissed them.

'Thanks for your help. I shall call you for another assignment soon enough! And as for the payment, your balance will be deposited into your account soonest, with a generous extra for your hard work!'

The bowed and left, after expressing their gratitude.

'What was all that about?' Sylvester asked.

'I told you to always put a lid on your temper so that you can have a clearer judgement of situations but you allow your anger to proceed your judgement always!' I said angrily.

'We have been waiting for you so you can lead the search and you are here lecturing me on Anger Control and Right Judgement. Are you no longer interested in searching for Millicent?' he asked.

'Of course I am. I shall lead the search as I said I would but these men are the people I contracted to investigate the death of our parents and they found out that rogues murdered our parents. The one they captured confessed to it all before he died due to the injuries he sustained during their fight!'

'That is in the past! Why bring it up now? What will it do, bring Merryweather and his wife back to life?' Sylvester asked carelessly.

'No, it won't but if you had carried out a thorough investigation, an innocent man and his pregnant wife would not have been killed and their pack destroyed!'

I saw the import of my words as the implications dawned on Sylvester.

'I have been torturing Millicent for so long, for no just cause after depriving her of her parents presence and love', he said regretfully. 'This is the more reason we have to find her, and tell her father's name's been cleared!'

I shook my head. It was not as easy as all that, did Sylvester not know that? But there was going to be time for all that later.

Also, I had withheld mentioning that an Alpha had mobilized the rogues to take such an action, if I had, he would have stopped all else and waged a war against the him and we still needed to search for Millicent.

That Alpha who had acted behind the scenes, the Alpha who was the real back stabber and betrayer of friendship, was unbelievably none other than Alpha Blake!

Millicent's POV

You are being too cautious and suspicious, I thought to myself. What other interest could Alpha Blake possibly have in you or your story, other than as a pointer on how he could be of help to you?

'I served Sylvester for about ten years his maid but he rejected and exiled me, once he found out that I was his fated mate!' I said looking at Blake as though it answered all the questions.

'Go ahead!' he prompted, rejection of mates was not new to him, obviously.

'I accepted his rejection and went on exile but you now know that he came for me, taking me back with him to his pack under the pretense that he had turned a new leaf and wanted me back in his life but he just wanted to use me to secure his position as one of the Alphas of The Moon Ville Pack.

'I was so hurt and angry that I decided I was going to make him pay but then Alpha Christopher came home and I knew he was my fated mate. I was fated to the both of them, apparently. There was no way to resolve it except one died for the other. But they are still looking for a lasting solution that will benefit all parties', I concluded, 'Does that answer your question of whose Luna I am?' I asked.

'Hmmm...', he said, seemingly deep in thought. 'I now understand and this gets more interesting yet'. Then to my surprise, he smiled and asked. 'So are you choosing them both? You are a very lucky young female to be mated to two of the most powerful men. Or do you prefer one? If so, which do you prefer?'

'I have been told that, almost at every turn but I do not consider myself lucky to be burdened with such. I think it's a curse. I cannot be with the one I love as a result!' I lamented.

'And who is this one that you love?' he asked.

'Christopher!' I answered. 'I will choose Christopher anytime. Our mate bond is too powerful!'

'Great choice!' he smiled broadly. 'You have a great taste in men!'

I felt flattered and smiled back at him.

'There's one more thing I'd like to know though', he said. 'Is Moon Ville your birth pack? Or did you come from another pack?' he asked.

I had always hidden this part of me from others, but the time had come to start opening up. I needed help and it would do no good to hide it anymore. Who knows, he might even know the pack and what had become of it.

'I am from the Crescent Pack. That was where Alpha Sylvester captured me after destroying the pack!' I said and I found that the smile that had been on Alpha Blake's face froze at my response.

'The Crescent Pack, you said?' he asked, sounding as though he was distracted.

'Yes!' I said, 'Do you know of it?'

'I know Harry O'Brien. He was a great friend', he said. 'A pity what happened to him', he sighed. 'I have been angry with Sylvester since that incident. Little wonder I do not attend his functions.He should have investigated the matter further before slaying the pack, but that's all in the past. You must have forgiven him!' he said, looking at me as though searching... for something.

'I have not forgotten', I said, feeling like I could trust him. He had treated me well in the past. And was going to help me now. The least I could do was to open up to him. 'And I will avenge my parents' death if I could!'

'But how can you still habour such bitter and resentful thoughts when you are mated to both brothers? Will your feelings not interfer with your supposed vengeance mission?' he scoffed.

'I do not allow my feelings to cloud my judgement!' I said vehemently. 'If I did, then, rather than take flight like I did, I'd be there enjoying every luxury they provide me with!'

'That's true but you also spoke of a strong mate bond you have with one of the twins', he said logically. 'Could it be that your bitterness against Sylvester is the reason you did not feel the bond with him? And if that is so, what if you start to feel the bond, will it not deter you?' he asked.

'Why are you asking me all these, sir?' I asked.

'Well, maybe because I would like to help you with your quest if I were sure your resolve is strong enough. That you won't change your mind at the last minute. Women are fickle human beings!'

'You will help?' I asked happily, hope coming alive.

'I promise you, I will help you with it, for the sake of your father who was a great friend of mine and a great warrior. When I heard of his demise and the brutal way, he was killed, I thought, 'What a waste!''

'Indeed!' I said excited. 'How do you propose to help me?' I asked excitedly. Finally, my parents were going to be avenged!

'Not so fast!' Alpha Blake said. 'I have to have your word to keep this discussion between us and that you will not melt like jelly when the time came to act?'

'I promise! ' I said eagerly.

'See how earnestly, you make the promise?' he asked. And I nodded. 'Do not go back on it, else I shall not forgive you!'

'You can count on me!' I said solemnly. 'But I have a question'.

'Ask away!' he smiled.

'What about my pack, what has become of it? You must know where it is located', I said. 'It's been so long, I do not think I can recall where it is'.

'Many Alphas have wanted to settle there or make what remained of the pack theirs but have not been able to. So the area is virtually like an empty piece of land but not to worry, first things first. After we get your parents avenged, then we will do something about that!'

'You are too kind', Alpha Blake. I shall forever be grateful to you!' I said.

'That's okay', he said, looking at me thoughtfully. 'It will not be wise for you to come back to my pack with me. Sylvester might look for you there. Stay here for awhile. I shall send for you when the coast is clear!' he said, patting my shoulders. 'I shall speak to my friend to ensure you are comfortable here!'

Third Person POV

While Alpha Christopher was busy trying not to think about Millicent but failing miserably, as he went insane with his need for her, missing her terribly and torturing himself for not being smart enough to know what she had planned and stopping her, Alpha Sylvester was doing almost the same.

The news that he had murdered Millicent's parents for nothing kept weighing on his mind. He recalled Millicent's words, 'You murdered an innocent man and his pregnant wife and I shall never forgive you for that!'

The thought of how he had maltreated her when she was a maid, kept replaying in his mind. When he thought about that time, he shuddered at the beast he had been. How could he have been so blinded by rage that he had not cut her any slack?

And recently, he had almost raped her. Was there no end to the list of his atrocities against her? How then did he expect her to love him. All these were bothering him because his love for Millicent had increased since hearing of her father's innocence.

Alpha Christopher could not help thinking about the information he received concerning those responsible for his parents' deaths. Rogues!

It was still rogues who teamed with vampires to kill him had Wendy not intervened...

Wendy! Ah! Christopher thought. It had been quite a while that he had thought of her. And it had been longer since last he saw her. He allowed his thoughts to wander to after his recovery from the rogue/vampire attack....

Wendy had not told Christopher what she wanted as payment for saving his life but had asked him to be her friend.

Then she had tried to seduce him. He resisted at first, not because she was not beautiful and desirable, she was all that but he could not say why he felt reluctant. He accepted later that they become lovers only on the condition that there was going to be no strings attached, no commitment.

'Why's that?' Wendy asked. 'Do you have someone waiting for you back home? Someone special?'

'Not exactly!' he replied, 'I am not just ready for any commitments. I'd rather we remained friends but if we must go further, and I am obliging you because you saved my life, then there shall be no commitments,!'

'If that's how you want the relationship - no strings attached, I think I'd accept, rather than not have you at all', she smiled. 'Zero commitments in the relationship is fine with me. Who wants commitments? It will tamper with my work!'

Christopher was not sure but since she had accepted, he had no choice but to fulfill his promise to her and so, started a relationship between a werewolf and a witch.

Things went well for a while but three months into the relationship, Christopher started noticing that Wendy was becoming too clingy and possessive, getting jealous if he as much as looked at another woman. He dared not stay alone in discussion with a woman without Wendy throwing a fit.

Christopher called her one day when he could endure it no longer.

'Wendy', he started, 'I am grateful and will forever be to you for saving my life'.

'But?' Wendy asked smiling.

'But, I shall not tolerate you trying to control my life', he added, looking at her with all seriousness.

'The same life I saved?' she asked, frowning.

'This relationship is not working', he said, ignoring her statement. 'It has become toxic. I like you very much Wendy and not just because you saved my life but as a person. I do not want this relationship to end with us as enemies. Please, let's end this and part as friends'.

'But I do not want to part with you', she said.

'You will have to, Wendy, for both our sakes', he said, taking both her hands in his and squeezing, his eyes imploring. 'I do not want resentment to set in and neither do I want to lose your friendship'.

Wendy said nothing, just looked at him expressionlessly, sighed and removing her hands from his gently, she left. Christopher felt that she needed time to get used to the idea and that she was going to realise that what he had said was the truth and come around.

Two months later, he came home, thinking it was going to be a short visit but met Millicent and his heart was overturned.

'Thank goodness, Wendy and I were done before I came home', Christopher thought, 'Though I'll have to tell Millicent about Wendy, but that will be when I find her!'

******

While both Alphas Christopher and Sylvester were busy with the affairs of the pack and with grieving and pining for Millicent terribly, Millicent was busy making her plans to avenge her parents' deaths.

She had been invited by Alpha Blake to come to Moonlight Pack. He sent a team of warriors to escort her back to his pack.

She visited Raph and his aunt Mildred, saw Hugh and the youngest boy.

Millicent saw another person that day, an older woman. The meeting changed her life significantly.

'Millicent, this is a friend of my mother's, and the mother of Hugh, Mummy Cara', Raph introduced. 'Mummy Cara, this is Millicent, the female I told you who refused to be my mate but went away to become the mate of some Alpha' he joked, but all could still see that he pined for Millicent.

'You are welcome, ma', Millicent greeted the woman smiling, and hitting Raph playfully on the shoulder, causing him to chuckle, holding the shoulder she had hit.

'Oh, great moon goddess!' Mummy Cara said looking at Millicent. 'You remind me of a great Luna'.

Millicent smiled, not knowing the 'great Luna', she could possibly look like.

'Child, which is your birth Pack?' Mummy Cara asked.

'The Crescent Pack!' Millicent said before she remembered that she had not revealed this to Raph and Mildred.

'Millicent, I thought you were from the Moon Ville Pack?' Raph asked, his chuckle stopping abruptly as he stared at her.

'Raph, it's a long story!' Millicent explained.

'Do you know Amelia?' Cara asked, ignoring what Raph had said.

I was shocked to hear that name. It was not a common name. In fact, I had not heard anyone referred to by the name since I was captured by Alpha Sylvester.

'The only Amelia I know is my late mother', I said sadly.

'Thank you great Moon Goddess!' Cara said.

Millicent looked at her not comprehending. 'Did you know my mother?' she asked.

'Did I know Luna Amelia O'Hara?' Cara asked laughing hysterically. 'She was my Luna. A great Luna', I must say. You were young when it all happened. I doubt you will remember!'

'Remember what?' Millicent asked, heart thumping.

'You were about ten when Alpha Sylvester of the Moon Ville Pack attacked our pack. We thought you died in the attack. We searched and searched but did not see you, princess!'

'Princess?' Raph mouthed, eyes wide.

'She is the lost daughter of Alpha Harry of the Crescent Pack!' Cara explained.

Tears fell from Millicent's eyes, unbidden.

'But I can't recall your face', Millicent said. 'Who are you?'

'That's why I said you would not remember. I am the younger sister of Luna Amelia's Omega. I was - am - a mid - wife. I was one of the trusted mid - wives of the pack'.

Millicent got up and hugged the woman. Cara was the link to her pack.

When she got a hold on her emotions, she asked, 'What became of the pack, I have wanted to know and none has given me a satisfactory answer till date!'

'Before I say anything, I heard Raphael say he thought you were from the Moon Ville Pack. Alpha Sylvester who wrecked havoc on our pack and took the lives of our great Alpha and his Luna, captured you, didn't he?' she asked.

'Little wonder we could not find you to bury with the rest!' Cara said.

'Do you know where my family was buried?' Millicent asked.

'Know? Of course I know because I was one of the people who put them in their final resting place!'

'Can you take me to the place?' Millicent asked, her voice tremulous.

'I will but you must answer me this. Did Sylvester hurt you in any way? Do not be shy to answer the question!' she said.

Millicent knew what manner of hurt she was referring to.

'He tortured me very well, I was his slave but not his sex slave, thank goodness', Millicent said, a little embarrassed and blushed when she remembered Christopher and the night they had spent together.

'Is he the Alpha, Raph was referring to, the one who came here to take you back as his Luna?'

'He is!' Millicent answered simply.

'And are you thinking of being his Luna? Being the Luna of the ruthless Alpha who murdered your parents without batting an eyelid?'

'I did not forget what he did and have been plotting my vengeance. Infact, that's the reason I am here and Alpha Blake is going to help with me with it!'

Raph looked at her in astonishment. Millicent was becoming more of a stranger with each passing day. He realised that he had not really known her. She had kept a lot away from him and he was hurt, very hurt. This was not how true friendship should be. He was prepared to give her benefit of doubt though. She must have had her reasons for keeping such a things away from him. Raph was dazed, Millicent nowas a greater person than he would have imagined. She even had the support of the prominent Alpha Blake!

'Raph, there was a lot I kept from you and Mildred', Millicent said, looking first at one and then the other. 'But I had my reasons. It was pertinent at that time to keep my identity a secret. I shall tell you more later'.

Then looking at Cara, she said, 'You must tell me everything you know about my parents and my pack. But first, take me to where my parents were buried.