Chapter 2

Alpha Orion’s POV

Jess, please show me where she can rest, also send a mind link message, and call for the doctor; get him here immediately,” I ordered, nestling Luna Raven close to my chest.

“I have beckoned on Doctor Williams; he will be here shortly as requested. I will show you to her room now, Alpha.” Jess replied as she gestured for me to follow her.

I looked down at Raven’s teary-eyed face and nestled her closer. Clearly comprehending the pain she was in, I couldn't help but admire her courage, strength, and dedication to both her chosen mate and the pack. I could see the stares of respect and looks of admiration from the faces of the Alphas throughout the meeting, and rightfully so; she had earned her place.

Everyone saw her support in encouraging her chosen mate to speak with his fated mate; no one would have objected if she decided not to go ahead with the meeting; however, the manner in which she handled it has shown her strength and grace.

People were quiet as though it was the Alpha speaking, which was really an almost unachievable sight in a room full of hot-headed Alphas, but she was able to pull that off with so much dignity like a true Luna.

I followed behind Jess agilely as we headed up the flight of stairs and down a passageway. Raven began to groan loudly in my arms, and I instinctively tightened my hold on her; tears began to stream down her face anew as her entire being contorted with a seething pain.

“It’s here, Alpha. I have already requested some cold towels; I can see she is burning….” Her voice trailed off and was interrupted by the loud moans coming from behind the door. Her eyes widened in shock and were quickly replaced by anger. “How dare he? How could they do this?” She yelled.

Unbelievable. I managed to mutter, Jess, can you point me to my room? I will lay the Luna there for now. We can come up with somewhere for me to sleep later.

Jess nodded, unable to hide her disgust at what she had just witnessed as she glared one last time at the door before moving sharply down the stairs and making her way for the room just beside a corridor. "The scent of fresh flowers greeted us as Jess opened the door to the room. The soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminated a space that should have felt warm and welcoming, but the air was thick with the weight of Raven's agony."

Placing Raven on the bed, Jess sat beside her, battling with tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. Her love for the Luna was evident and couldn't be obscured as she stroked Raven's hair gently.

A few moments later, there was a hasty knock on the door. “Come in,” I instructed, not wanting to move an inch away from Raven. Doctor Williams immediately bent beside her, checking her pulse as he went ahead checking her other vitals. I could feel Hades unsettled, pacing back and forth restlessly.”Are you alright, Hades?” I questioned.

I feel troubled; I'm becoming protective of her. The dang Alpha has lost my respect; he has shown no dignity or self-control. This is not how an Alpha should behave; this is totally unacceptable.“ Hades growled in response to me, I know Hades; it is such a disgrace. Let’s see what the doctor has to say. I said, shifting my attention back to Raven.

“Luna is suffering from an illegal mate bond severe, quite a betrayal as you already may have guessed.” Doctor Williams began, “We are aware of the rituals that bind the chosen mate bond and the rules one must follow to break it, but these conditions can only arise when one has known another after marking his chosen mate without properly breaking the chosen mate bond.

It causes extreme pain to another; if he continues to burn passionately for another at this intensity, this could lead to her demise, especially if he marks the other. I can only hope that Alpha Damien was just caught up in a moment of passion and was fated to not consider what pain he would be causing to the Luna.

She needs to drink a lot of water and rest. This is the time that she must take care of her body because she would be burning up frequently. All praise to the moon goddess that her wolf is extremely powerful; I do not believe I have encountered one as strong as hers. She had given strength to the Luna at a time like this. However, there is not much I can do for them now, but if this persists, please let me know, and I will be back in a heartbeat.” He said as he exited the room.

“f**k, fuuuuuck!!” Jess screamed as tears gathered in her eyes, staying stagnant, refusing to fall. “I will head to the kitchen now and see if they can scavenge anything there for us. Will you be okay here, Jess?” I asked, wide-eyed.

“No, Alpha. You can't do that; it is my duty. What would you…?

“No, Jess, you stay here with Luna. She trusts you; she needs your support. The least I can offer is to get us some food.” I quickly left the room with my nose in the air as I trailed the kitchen.

“Having to help out and look after Luna Raven is not such a good look for a visiting Alpha, is it?” I heard Hades mutter in my head. I shook my head, ignoring his sarcastic question, as I geared on towards the kitchen.

Opening the kitchen doors, my stomach rumbled loudly. I was met by an older lady with cheeky smiles and a youthful glow who stood over the oven with a pan; she lowered her head to me in a show of respect for my position as Alpha.

“Can I request that some food be brought to my room for myself, Jess, and Luna when she wakes? There's a dinner meeting at the defining hall at 7:00 pm. Lina was on her way to pass that information when something urgent that needed to be attended to came up, and she's resting now.

However, if you could quickly wind up something small as quickly as you can, I'm sure everyone will be understanding and very appreciative.”

“Of course, Alpha. It is no worry at all. Something will be brought to your room shortly. I will include Luna’s medication; Jess will know what to do with it.” She replied with a faint smile. With gratitude, I left, my head ravaged with questions, as to what medications the chef was talking about and why would Raven need it but realizing it wasn't in my place, I quickly made my way back to the room, knocking quietly before letting myself in without a squeak.

I see Jess, wiping Ravens forehead with a wet towel, while whispering softly “it is going to be okay, you are alright Raven.” Aside from the weird whimpering escaping her lips, she seemed stable and in much less pain.

"I could strangle him," Jess muttered, her voice tight with fury. "What he's put Raven through today… It's unforgivable and unacceptable. And to do it in their bed? The nerve of him! How could he be so heartless? Like he's forgotten all about her, completely, in just one blink. If he wasn't my Alpha..."

She trailed off, realising she'd let her anger get the better of her. "I apologise, Alpha Oriom," she said, her voice softening. "I shouldn't have said that. I'm just… I'm so worried and scared for my Luna and friend."

I flash a smile to let her know it was okay to rant, and feeling exactly how she was right now was acceptable. “I get you, Jess. Believe me, I understand the pain your Luna is in right now; it is one I do not wish on anyone, not even my enemies. You have stood by her in solitude; she's so lucky to have you by her side. I'm afraid Alpha Damien will have to deal with the consequences in the long run; if only he had thought this through as an Alpha earlier.”

As I finished speaking, Raven’s voice rang out with a loud cry, "Her body trembled violently, a sheen of sweat clinging to her pale skin. Each ragged breath she drew felt like it might be her last."

I jumped without giving it a second thought; I sat beside her, lifting her onto my lap, nestling her close to my chest. Holding her felt both natural and forbidden, a line I knew I shouldn’t cross. But how could I ignore her pain when she was falling apart before my eyes?

I saw Jess’s eyes widen as she stared at Raven; slowly Raven's breath steadied, and her body stayed still in my arms. “Take care of her; keep her safe,” Hades said in a low tone. I stroked her back gently as I sat there until she started squirming in pain.

“Alpha, her shoulder. Look!” Jess shouted.

“Something is wrong; something is definitely wrong; her body is burning up this time way hotter.”

I stared in confusion as a growl escaped from me. The room spun as Hades roared within me, demanding release. My claws threatened to emerge, but I forced them down. This wasn’t my battle—yet. But damn it, he’d pay for this."

““He marked her,” Jess hissed, her voice breaking. Her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. “He didn’t even unbind her first. He… he’s killing her! She yelled in anger, and I snarled. He has no acceptance for the laws and no iota of respect for the Luna. He has not only put her through tremendous pain, but at this rate, she—she could die!”

"The door slammed open, crashing against the wall. A towering figure stormed in, his presence filling the room with raw, unbridled fury. His sharp gaze darted to Raven's trembling form, and in an instant, his rage softened into anguish."

“You must be the Beta.” I snapped. “Where the hell have you been?”

He brushes past me and moves straight to Raven's side.

“Raven, Raven? What’s wrong? He cried out, “What is happening here, Jess?” He questioned in tears.

"I clenched my fists, biting back the urge to let Hades take over. My focus had to remain on Raven—on saving her."

“It’s Alpha Damien… He has met his fated mate, and without unbinding the Luna from the bond, he marked his fated…”

“What!!!” The Beta screamed, his fury doubling, “Why could he do this? How could he do this to my sister?” He asked in a low tone, tears almost obscuring his vision.

He reached for her, and I let him have her. He sat on the bed cuddling her, murmuring words to her. “I am here for you, Raven. Your brother is here.” He said, cuddling her close to himself as we all waited for Doctor Williams to return.