Luna Aleksa's Escape
Luna Aleksa’s Escape Chapter 40

*Aleksa POV*

It’s been a few days since we had “the talk” with our pack. It actually went really well. Everyone was a bit quiet initially. I could hear gasps and whispers, but I kept talking, telling my story, and before long, I could sense that the pack understood what I was saying and why I had to leave my previous pack. I explained what happened with Lachlan and Eva, and how I ended up in the pack dungeons. Then I explained how I had to leave with my pups, and mentioned my friends, Mason and Kaia, who helped facilitate that escape. Everyone just stood and listened to what I had to say. Kingston took over and explained to the pack about the bounty placed on me, as well as explaining that what Lachlan had told people about Mason and Kaia was untrue, that they were helping me, not k********g me, and to not pay attention to the lies they might hear. He reassured the pack that he had done his due diligence before we came to join Rocky Mountain,

Since then, everyone has been even friendlier, which I didn’t think was possible, because they were already so welcoming. I feel lighter not having to hide my past, like a weight has been shifted from my shoulders. I feel relieved to know that the pack accepts me as their Luna, because I love Kingston and the pack, and I feel like we have made this place our home. I don’t even want to imagine what might have happened if the pack hadn’t accepted me and my pups.

Due to the news of the bounty, and mine and my pups faces being plastered everywhere, as well as Mason and Kaia’s, pack security and patrols have doubled and the place is like Fort Knox around here, which is making things a little harder for the deliveries and preparations needed for the summit, but as Kingston reiterates, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

I know I need to face Lachlan once and for all. And every day I feel more and more ready for it, I just want to get it over with, so we can all live our lives without having this hanging over our heads.

Asher has been taking the time out to train me twice a day. We meet at dawn and dusk. He is mostly teaching me defense. He’s keeping it short and sweet for now, teaching me how I can use my size to my advantage, as well as teaching me moves that are easy to execute and are highly effective.

Tomorrow, Chase and Cordelia will be taking Liam and Layla away to a lake house in Idaho. Mason and Quinn will be accompanying them, as well as several elite warriors. I know my pups are in safe hands. I am sad that we will be separated, but I know it’s only temporary. I feel confident knowing that they will be further away from Lachlan’s clutches.

We are spending the day at the packhouse today. I want to make the most of my time with my pups before their trip away. I have told them they will be going away with their grandparents and they don’t seem phased. I guess they are too young to really understand. But at least they have fun with Chase and Cordelia, Mason and Quinn, and they are familiar faces for them, which should help alleviate any stress or anxiety that they may feel from being away from their Mama.

I won’t see Kingston until tonight as he has back-to-back meetings with some of the Alpha’s from nearby packs all day, they will be busily preparing for the summit as well as Lachlan’s probable arrival. I have organized a special lunch to be delivered to the conference room for them today. I know what those Alpha’s are like when they are busy talking about business they often won’t eat, so at least they can eat while they work. I know I will feel better knowing that they are being fed.

I hear a knock at the door and I get up from the floor where I am playing blocks with the twins to open it. I was surprised to see Kaia at the door. “Aleksa, I wondered if you and the twins would like some company. I heard that they were leaving tomorrow and I needed to get my cuddle quota in before they leave” Kaia says enthusiastically, opening her arms up for Liam and Layla.

“Aun-ty Kaia! Aun-ty Kaia!” they yelled, barrelling towards her with open arms.

“My pups!” She replies, pulling them into her arms, and snuggling them.

“Perhaps we could go to the kitchen and get some snacks to have a picnic on the front lawn?” I suggested to everyone.

“Yay!” the twins shouted in unison.

“Sounds good to me!” Kaia says cheerfully.

I grab my go-bag for the twins, they each take Kaia’s hand, and we walk out the door, kitchen bound for snacks.

Ready to enjoy the rest of the day together creating fun memories.

***

It’s the day before the summit, which means my pups are about to embark on their first holiday without their Mama this morning, and I am feeling a little anxious. I woke up super early today. I had the twins’ suitcases packed last night and had taken them to the front door, ready to be loaded into Chase’s SUV this morning.

I have already had two coffees and I’m considering my third one already. I’ve just been sitting here watching Liam and Layla sleep for the past few hours. Just thinking about how fast they are growing and wondering where the time has gone. It seems like only yesterday they were in my womb. Now they aren’t far off their third birthdays.

We have all been through so much over the past six months or so. But I wouldn’t change a thing because it has got us to this point. To Rocky Mountain, to Kingston, to our beautiful friends who have become our family. To this kind and caring and protective pack. We are all so blessed.

I am disrupted from my thought process by a sleepy Liam, “Mama?” He questions me.

“Good Morning Liam, yes it’s Mama, how did you sleep?” I asked my big boy.

“Good.” He says to me,

“Mama?” He asked me.

“Yes, Liam?” I said, trying to hold back my chuckle at how cute my little boy looked half asleep and trying to communicate with me.

“Pancakes?” Liam asks.

“Yes Liam, you can have pancakes this morning, let’s get you changed while we wait for your sister to wake up, shall we?” I said to Liam.

“I’m awake!” Layla called out.

I laughed out loud. Layla never missed an opportunity to have pancakes.

“Of course, my princess, let’s get you dressed too, and head down to the kitchen,” I say to my pups.

They both smile and start clapping with glee.

***

After breakfast, I got Liam and Layla cleaned up and we made our way back downstairs to the main entrance of the pack house. Kingston and Mason help strap the twins into their car seats and I give them big cuddles and k****s goodbye. I then say thank you to everyone and wish them all a safe trip.

I waved continuously with a big smile on my face, holding back the tears until Liam and Layla were out of sight. I feel tears flooding my eyes, and I try to contain myself in front of everyone. I end up laughing at myself and overcome with emotion. I wipe my eyes and take a few breaths trying to settle myself down. Kingston pulls me into his chest and tries to console me.

“It’s for the best, Aleksa, they will be safe with my parents, and with Mason and Quinn, I promise,” Kingston tells me.

“I know, I don’t doubt that, Kingston. I’m just sad, it’s my first time away from the twins, well, with the exception of my time in the dungeons.” I replied.

Kingston growled at my mentioning the dungeons. Well, it was probably more Sabre growling in all honesty.

I wiped my eyes one last time and took a big breath and exhaled. It’s time to pull myself together. I am doing this for my pups. I need to focus on the summit, on confronting Lachlan, and ensuring he is no longer a threat to me or the twins.

Kingston looks at me proudly, as if he knows exactly what I am thinking. Asher clears his throat.

“Alpha, Luna.” He starts.

“Border patrol has told me that some of the Alpha’s have already started to arrive for the Summit,” Asher tells us.

I had a shocked expression on my face, “But the Summit doesn’t start until tomorrow?” I replied to them both, suddenly wondering if we were actually ready. Although if they are already here, we will just have to be ready.

“It’s okay, my love, it’s not unusual for some packs to arrive a little early. We have already anticipated this. Let’s quickly refresh ourselves, then come back down to greet our guests Aleksa.” Kingston gestures for me to follow him.

“ OK, sure, good idea,” I said in reply to him, feeling a bit dazed, but following his lead. We left Asher at the main entrance, waiting to greet the guests and direct them once they arrived, as well as stalling for time as we made our way back.

***

The first pack to arrive was from North Dakota. Alpha Logan and his Luna Louise looked to be in their late thirties, their Gamma Joel, who I imagine was of a similar age and accompanying them, were four elite warriors. Their Beta was at home leading the pack in their absence. They were a lovely pack, very friendly. After some small talk, Asher accompanied them to the cottage they would be residing in for the entirety of the summit. We had suggested they get settled and meet us back at the packhouse for lunch if they wish to. Which they happily accepted.

As we were about to leave to head back into the packhouse, another pack was arriving, so we decided to wait at the main entrance for them, as Asher was busy with the North Dakota pack.

Three SUVs drove up to the entrance. A burly man, probably in his early twenties, ran up to the door of the SUV and opened it for his Alpha, a very tall and muscular man who looked to be in his late twenties. He then opened the door on the other side and a gorgeous woman with red hair and green eyes walked out. She had a shy smile on her face, she joined hands with her mate and they walked up to us.

After introducing ourselves to them, we learned that they were from Nebraska, Wyatt, and Willow Robinson. They seemed like a nice couple, they seemed happy to be here, and I had a really good feeling about Willow specifically, there was something about her. I look forward to getting to know her better over the next week.

Kai arrived at the entrance, he promptly introduced himself to Wyatt and Willow and offered to take them to their cottage so that they could get settled in. They also agreed to meet us at the packhouse for lunch.

Kingston and I took this as a chance for us to spend a little time together while welcoming our guests. It was looking like the summit might be starting a bit earlier this year, so Kingston sent out a mass mind-link to the pack, informing them of the guests that had already arrived, and reminding them to make sure they all felt welcome.

As we walked inside the packhouse, I told Kingston that I needed a quick word with Rose. I said I would be quick if he could just wait for me. I made my way to the kitchen, leaving Kingston to check his emails on his smartphone in the lobby.

I needed to let Rose know our guests had started arriving and that we would be making a special lunch today for our guests. I wanted to give her a heads up numbers-wise but to also potentially prepare for even more guests, as we were not sure who else might arrive early and we didn’t want anyone going hungry.

Rose was excited to hear that our guests were arriving and she got to work organizing food. I asked Rose if she would like some help, but she just started shoo-ing me out of the kitchen. So I took the hint and made my way to Kingston.

“My love, you still haven’t told me what you and Asher have decided to do about Lachlan? What’s this grand plan? I don’t mean to pressure you, but I would really like to know what the plan is, considering it will involve me.” I told him, pouting and looking into his eyes.

“How about we get through this afternoon, and then tonight after dinner, I will call a meeting with Asher and some of our elite warriors, then we can all talk about it then and there. Does that sound fair?” Kingston asked me. Although it was more of a statement than a question if you ask me.

“I guess I can wait,” I said, feeling unimpressed that he seemed to be stalling me.

“So uh, if we have some free time now, would you like a massage?” Kingston says with a cheeky grin on his face.

“How about we get through this afternoon, have dinner, and then after the meeting we can spend some quality time together. Does that sound fair?” I said smugly to Kingston, trying to stifle my laugh.

“I see what you did there. Touche.” Kingston says, trying to suppress his laughter.

“It’s ok. Come to think of it I should really go over everything one last time, and check in with security.” Kingston says matter of factly.

“Ah, yes, and I will touch base with the planning team for the festivities, to ensure everything is on schedule,” I said to Kingston, leaning on him to k**s him on the cheek.

“I love you!” I said to Kingston as I looked into his eyes sincerely.

“I love you too!” He replied back to me. And we go our separate ways.

As I was walking down the hallway, I realized I had left my phone in the kitchen, so I turned back and headed toward the kitchen. As I walked through the door, I saw that Rose and some of the kitchen staff were busy preparing lunch. I could hear a commotion outside, so I quickly grabbed my phone and made my way outside.

As I opened the door and walked down the steps of the packhouse following the raised voices, I saw some of our pack members preparing to direct our guests. One of them has a checklist, and the other is trying to communicate with the driver of the first SUV. A total of two SUVs have arrived at the main entrance of the packhouse. I am surprised there are no ranked wolves down here to greet them, so I quickly mind-linked Kingston telling him we have more guests arriving. Then I started to confidently stride toward the SUV. I’ve got this thought to myself, it’s just meet and greet, how hard can it be.

I then see a tall and muscular man in a fitted black suit step out of the first SUV and as he turns towards me I gasp, stopping in my tracks.

“Aleksa? Well, this is a pleasant surprise.”