The Guardian Wolf And Her Alpha Mate
The Blessed Ones – A Blessing Or A Curse? Chapter 23

Nova POV:

"Well." Alex starts with an unreadable expression on his face. "That was not what I expected."

"What did you expect?" Jax asks with a frown.

"A false sense of calm among them, a pack believing they were strong and not in the wrong, one that looked up to their alpha. If anything I expected more aggression" Alex states. "Did you ask about the warriors?" I ask them.

"Yes" Jax replies. "They said they were busy running training camps in other parts of the territory, and then they have border patrols running as normal. But nothing struck me as normal during that visit." "Why didn't we push more?" Axton growls.

"Because, Bruno is clearly playing a bigger game. His Beta definitely didn't know the complete truth, and when we asked if he was safe he didn't answer. Doesn't that strike you as a pack that is simply following orders with no understanding?" Alex explains to Axton with raised brows.

Also, if we push too far we don't know how it could affect Mila. I know you're anxious to get her back, but we don't want to risk her more in the process."

"True" he says quietly as he looks deep in thought.

"What do you think is happening?" He asks Alex áfter a moment.

"My best guess..he's been slowly moving the pack over the last few months. The majority of warriors were definitly not there. I mean that pack is incredibly hostile normally and thier warrior presence would be sensed as soon as you've passed over their territory lines. My visits never go smoothly there, but then again Bruno has always been there so that will be why. I need to speak to Rebecca, I'm going to contact her home pack and speak to her father" Alex tells us.

"That was a pack that is suffering greatly, noone was happy" I interject quietly.

"That is what I'm going to address at the Alpha meeting"

Alex nods. "I want Wilson there so he is aware of the severity of the level of my concern I have for the pack members.

"Were they scared?" Jax asks me next.

"Yes they were, definitly. But I've been thinking as well, they seemed lost... like they've been forgotten" I murmur. "I should have asked more but with Jack and Donald there noone was forthcoming with their opinions and I didn't want to make them too uncomfortable."

"| I spoke with Ophelia" Alex says, swiftly moving on as all our eyes snap to look at him. "Why didn't you start with that?" Jax asks in disbelief.

"Because my mind was on how fvcked up this all is" Alex snaps at him. "None of this is normal, none of it is a typical response is it? Yes Bruno taking Mila could have been seen in its own right as a fvcked up but relatively expected thing to occur considering what he like. But alongside his attitude to us, his lack of physical presence in his own pack and the lies...its fvcked up!"

With a heavy sigh Jax nods his head in acceptance as he purses his lips. "It makes sense" he says quietly. "But what did Ophelia have to say?"

"That there is a lot of movement near the Dark Moon Pack that borders the Red Sun Pack, Rebecca's home pack.

Coincidentally the Alpha of the Dark Moon Pack is her cousin" Alex says coldly. "I believe she has more involvement in this than we thought, or perhaps her father does. Now what we need to figure out is if it is Bruno's doing or theirs. They're normally good at staying under the radar, they're successful but not enough for everyone to watch them, they don't get involved in too much pack drama and there are very little rumours about them that do the rounds."

"So do you think Mila will be there?" Axton asks hopefully.

"No" Alex replies slowly. "Ophelia also caught wind of some private building taking place in neutral territory deep in the heart of the Oxferks area. About 50 miles north of Red Sun Pack. Some travelling wolves have mentioned it over the last few months when they stopped in a local diner where one of Ophelia's sources work. It's a good place to pick up or over hear random facts."

"And you think this is something to do with Mila?" Axton asks in confusion.

"I have a good feeling about it yes" Alex agrees. "Now, I know what you're going to say. Lets go there now, but... have a plan in place already. Or actually Ophelia does, I'm asking you to wait until the end of tomorrow once we have got the Alpha meeting finished with."

"Why?" Axton growls, "I need to find my mate."

"I know" Alex says calmly as he steps closer to Axton. "But we need to ensure that we don't risk tomorrow. It is of the utmost importance that we see as many Alphas there as possible, especially of the southern territories. If Mila is there and we are able to extract her before the meeting, it could ruin everything. We dont know if Mila has learnt anything since being away from us, if she had for example heard names of those involved then I would imagine once they've learnt she has escaped, they would not come. It may even speed up whatever is going on that we aren't aware of. We ve seen it before with Novas grandfather, taking the time to gain information can be valuable."

"I HATE this" Axton growls.

"Look, for now, please trust in your Luna Queen when she says she has a plan" Alex says seriously, his eye full of confidence for his mate. "Alpha Axton, I need you to speak to your mother. Find out if its true you're related to Bruno so we can nip the shock or the lies in the bud early...yes?"

With a deep sigh, Axton nods as his face hardens. "I hope I'm not" he mutters moodily. "I'm going to speak to her once I get back, that way I can fill you in tomorrow."

"Good" Alex replies in relief. "Keep an open mind."

"I've been warned already" Axton mutters rolling his eyes. "I am an Alpha you know."

"We are aware, but you have been through a lot. I'm surprised you're not reacting more extreme to be honest" Nova tells him quietly.

"And I know you haven't been able to rest much, its easy to react in anger when you're tired" Alex adds on.

"Trust me, our Alpha King would know" Jax mutters under his breath as Axton smirks slightly before replying.

"What good is that going to do" he says quietly. "doesn't get me any closer to Mila."

"Good you're using your head" Martin says in approval from where he has been quietly watching. "Your warriors are arriving Alpha Axton. If you need to call anyone after speaking to your mother then do so, but I'm sure your Beta will be just the person you need. Let us head back to the Midnight Sky pack before I go on to the council buildings, we will see you tomorrow anyway."

"Yes Elder" Axton replies with a bow of his head.

"Tomorrow it is, if you hear anything..."

"Then I will contact you immediately" Alex finishes quietly for him. "Drive safe."

With a silent wave, Axton jumps into his car by a door that one of his warriors has open for him, and the cars move away slowly.

"Lets go back then" I say quietly, my voice sombre as the memories of the children's downcast faces come to mind.

"Yes lets" Alex says eagerly, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

"Do I want to ask?" Jax asks with a quiet huff as he eyes

Alex curiously.

"Its time to discuss what you need to do Jax" he says with a wide smirk. "After all your path to becoming the next Alpha King starts tomorrow."