Luna Aleksa's Escape
Luna Aleksa’s Escape Chapter 27

*Aleksa POV*

I woke up in the middle of the night dripping in sweat. I was hyperventilating, and holding my chest. It was just a bad dream, I told myself. I looked around at my surroundings and realized where I was. I was at Rocky Mountain. I was in the packhouse. And I was safe. I got up off my bed to check on Liam and Layla, they were fast asleep in their matching cots. I walked over to the windows, as the light was reflecting from the moonlit sky. I pushed the doors open to the balcony and walked onto it. I took a few deep breaths and tried to calm myself down. I’d never had a dream like that before. It seemed so real!

As I peered over the balcony I could see the moon shining on the pack grounds, the edges surrounded by dark forest. No one else seemed to be awake at that moment other than myself and my thoughts. The air was cool and crisp. It seemed like a perfect moment. So serene and still.

I leaned against the rails of the balcony and took in the view, my mind kept taking me back to that dream I’d just had. I was at some event that was being held here at the packhouse, and there were Alpha’s here from all over the country, and I was helping organize the event, everything was going well until I saw him. I saw Lachlan! That’s where my dream had turned into a nightmare. He confronted me and demanded that the twins and I come back to Evergreen with him, and when I refused there was a huge commotion. A fight erupted between a group of Alpha’s and b***d was spilled. Liam and Layla were there, the whole pack was present. I tried to intervene and I was stabbed with a silver knife, in front of Liam and Layla. I had started to fade into darkness, and then I woke up. What a nightmare!

I hadn’t had a dream about Lachlan since we moved to Colorado. I was just starting to feel like my old self again. I was getting my independence back. I had gained employment. Sure I had suffered a setback or two in the way of the rogue attack and then the cabin being raided, by a rogue we assume. But I still have high hopes for the future.

It was just a bad dream. I’m just rattled because of what happened at the old log cabin, I tell myself. I decided that I’m probably not going back to sleep again after this, so I decided to jump in the shower. I might even be able to sneak downstairs to make a coffee if I’m lucky.

***

It’s been a few weeks since we moved into the packhouse. I’m still having nightmares, but they are different each time. It seems every-time there is a different outcome. I’m sure they will stop in time. It’s just been a crazy few months, it’s natural to still think about all that has happened and it happens to be that I am sleeping when my mind revisits it, I tell myself.

All the trails had gone cold where the missing rogue was concerned. And we never uncovered anything more about what happened at the old cabin. Although, Kaia and I had decided that we weren’t going back. We had adjusted to pack life, and while we were only here as guests, we had decided that we would pledge our allegiance to Rocky Mountain. As a matter of fact, the ceremony was taking place this weekend. Mason was pledging with us, as were a few others. There was to be a big celebration afterwards, which was tradition for the pack, so we were all busy preparing for that.

Kaia had been spending a lot of time with Beta Asher, not surprisingly. Those two seemed to be on the same wavelength. The chemistry was palpable between those two. They seemed to really enjoy each other’s company, which was refreshing to see. Kaia had started training twice a day, which she used to do when she was training to be an elite warrior. She was stoked to be part of a training squad again. We still see each other at Breakfast and Dinner so that’s nice.

Liam and Layla have started at the pack daycare and they are loving it there. They’ve already made some playmates and the teachers there dote on them, so that’s a relief. As for me, I’ve been back at the tavern, working on the bar. Sierra was really understanding with everything that happened, so she gave me some regular shifts during the day as Kingston was concerned about me having to drive home in the dark. It was completely unnecessary but at least this way I don’t have to burden anyone with babysitting while I’m at work.

Mason and Quinn have mated and marked, and they look so happy together. They are making plans to renovate one of the cottages further from the packhouse, as they are wanting more privacy. The way they have been hiding away from everyone, one might suspect that there might be a little pup arriving soon. Seeing how they worship each other gives me faith in the mate bond. It makes me realize that my situation was unfortunate and not a common occurrence. I wouldn’t let it turn me cynical. I still had faith in true love.

I hadn’t seen a lot of Kingston lately, but that is to be expected as he is the alpha of this pack and is no doubt highly busy. Although I do seem to run into him at mealtimes, and he usually invites me to his table to eat with him. Conversation with him is also so effortless and so interesting. For someone so young he sure has some epic stories.

Kingston has asked me what I might like to do when my joining of the pack is official this weekend. He asked me what kind of role I might like to take in the pack. To be honest I was caught a bit off guard. I had figured I would just continue to work at the tavern. and focus on Liam and Layla. But after hearing Kingston’s suggestions, it piqued my interest. I never had a chance to pursue my dreams. I had done well at highschool, obtained good grades, was even an up and coming athlete, but all of that disappeared when my adoptive parents got ill. Then I met Lachlan. But there was literally nothing stopping me right now. Kingston had offered me the opportunity to get my GED, and even consider college.

There was a lot to consider, but first I just wanted to get through this weekend. Once I had joined the pack officially my connection to Evergreen would be severed, further to that any residual bond I had with Lachlan would be gone also. I was looking forward to that part more than anything. I enjoyed knowing that at that very moment Lachlan would know that I was gone from his life forever, and our bond would be forever severed. I already felt nothing but disdain for him. I was so young and naive and under the pull of the mate bond when I met him, but I was so much wiser now. What we had was so one sided, I only saw what he wanted me to see, and I was oblivious to the constant red flags. Never again.

Today I had the day off work. Kingston had asked me to come on some errands with him, in preparation for the celebration on the weekend. Then he had mentioned he would take me to lunch to say thanks for helping him with the errands. I had just dropped the twins off at daycare and was making my way up the packhouse steps when I saw Kingston walking towards me with a sexy grin on his face. Gawd he was gorgeous! Ahh! Contain yourself Aleksa, I thought to myself. “Are you ready to go beautiful?” Kingston says to me as he holds his hand out towards me, for me to grab. I slowly grab his hand, feeling the heat on my cheeks, I just know my face is bright red right now. “Sure, sounds good” I say shyly, with a huge smile on my face. I take a deep breath in so I can invade my senses with that fresh pine scent Kinsgton emits. “He smells divine.” I hear in my head. I hear my wolf, Amber, finally, for the first time in so long I can’t remember. “You’re back?” I ask Amber. “I never went anywhere, I was just weak, from what our douchebag of a mate did to us, I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you” Amber says sadly in my head. “It’s ok, you are here now, that’s all that matters, but Amber, don’t leave me again, or I won’t be so understanding” I say to her. “Agreed Aleksa”. Amber says to me while making inappropriate comments about Kingston. My wolf can be pretty crass.

“Are you okay Aleksa?” Kingston asks me. “Uh, yes, I’m great. Sorry I was just talking to Amber – my wolf.” I say to Kingston, who gives me an inquisitive look.

“She’s back! That’s great. I’m happy for you Aleksa!” He says to me with a genuine look on his face. Then I see the amber flecks swirling in his eyes, and wonder if his wolf is surfacing.

Kingston holds the car door open for me, and I get in as gracefully as I can in a dress. He then walks around the car and props himself into the driver’s seat, and we start driving out of the pack grounds, off on our errands and lunch date.