— When is he going to wake up? — Alpha Dérik asked with attentive eyes on the unconscious man on the mat.
The pack's healer, an old delta wolf, had just entered the small room of his cabin. It was his home and laboratory, somewhat disorganized to the inattentive eyes of visitors, but the old Agar knew where each of his objects were. His cabin was humble and minimalist, lacking even the slightest luxury. It was entirely made of wood with shelves on all the walls, an extensive table in the main room, jars and books scattered everywhere. Although his garments were infinitely patched and stained, he was meticulous and tidy when preparing his "mixes."
He smiled, showing his yellowed teeth, carrying a tray in his hands, containing two small jars of a questionable-colored and flavored drink. He placed the tray on a sideboard in the corner, pushing some empty jars aside with the tray itself. One of the jars fell to the ground and rolled to Alpha's feet, which he crushed underfoot.
The old man raised an eyebrow upon hearing the sound of breaking glass before turning to face the Pack leader.
— That jar was used to store infusions and syrups, it's becoming increasingly rare to find quality jars like that... — The old man mumbled in a heavy voice, sprinkled with a hint of mockery.
— I asked you a question, old man!
The Alpha finally diverted his gaze from the unconscious man to the healer.
— Yes, yes, more than two times, as if I could give a different answer just because you repeated the question. Here, drink this!
Inhaling slowly to try to remain patient with his host, the Alpha accepted the drink and swallowed it in one go.
— What is this shit?
— Something to calm your third form, Alpha, before you destroy my cabin. And about gamma Adanir, well, he lost a lot of blood and suffered a strong blow on the head. We can only hope he decides to wake up before his body weakens too much without food.
— None of your potions can make him wake up, at least for a while?
— Unfortunately not, Alpha. — The old man took a small sip from the jar, glanced sideways at the distressed Alpha, and hid a smile before continuing. — Gamma Adanir being alive is already a miracle from the great Goddess. It must have something to do with the little one you brought to our land...
The Alpha took a step toward the elder, eyes attentive to the expressions on the thin, wrinkled face. The long, yellowed beard, damp from the drink, barely concealed the small mocking smile.
— What do you know about this, old man?
The elder shrugged, sipped another slow gulp before answering:
— Nothing much, Alpha, I just heard the buzz running among my apprentices... Ah... And the distinct energy of a true Luna entering our lands.
— Did you feel her?
— Oh, I did. You don't know how my old heart got filled with joy. That female must be strong and powerful to be felt like that...
The old man was analyzing the Alpha's expressions, curious about the visitor. Dérik, in turn, frowned. That small female seemed weak and fragile to him, not remotely the "strong and powerful" Luna that the healer claimed to feel.
— Be alert, Alpha Dérik, certainly, I was not the only one to feel her energy. I am just a Delta, anyone with noble blood in the pack knows what she is...
Dérik clenched his fists. The old man was right; by this point, the presence of a born Luna must have reached the ears of the pack elders, he needed to prepare for the cunning of "allies", even more so, for the crafty critics of his reign.
Being an Alpha was like walking in a nest of snakes; any misstep could be fatal.
— Don't worry, she is in my quarters, no one has access, except for my Betas.
— Hm... Tell me something, Alpha... How did your nature react to her?
— My beast was drawn to her, of course, she is an unmarked Luna.
— Ah…. I mean your third form, Alpha. — The old man stared at the Alpha with his shrewd eyes.
Although he was born a Delta, he could face any Alpha without being shaken, which was a mystery to the younger ones.
Dérik returned the old man's gaze, without threat or oppression, just a look that said more than words.
— My beast sensed her even before I could see or scent the girl. She is just a pup and he wanted… It was hard to control the instincts to mate…
— I understand… Perhaps she is very powerful and the beast wants to possess her as a substitute. You know how strength attracts our nature…
— Yes…. It could be…— The Alpha's words felt empty even to him. The attraction was stronger than mere power. Besides, the little Luna was the weakest Female he had ever seen.
— Or, perhaps, Alpha, she is your mate….
— It's impossible, I felt my mate die that day…. The pain, the emptiness, the anguish… I still feel… I felt.— The Alpha's voice became quieter as he spoke.
— Do you no longer feel the emptiness? — The old man asked, eyes shining with hope.
— I'm not sure, my third form returned, perhaps that's all it is. She cannot be my mate, she died that day….
— We never found the body… We believed at the time that the ocean gods took it, but what if….
Alpha Dérik ran his hands over his face, distressed. The memory of the suffering that overcame him when he lost his mate was too strong, as if it had happened recently.
— I felt the pain of the loss, old man, don't create absurd fantasies.
The old man sighed, disappointed. He would have loved for the Luna of his pack to be miraculously alive, but the Alpha was right, it was just a fantasy….
— Forgive me, Alpha, for being a foolish old man. Her being alive at this point would be an immense miracle, and I am too old to wish for such things…