26.

**Castello dei Lupi (Wolf Castle)**

"Now that frown means something didn't go as plan in your head," A teasing voice filled his office.

"Your majesty!" The royal Delta Avery said bowing to his Luna queen Arabella.

King Landon's face lit up with love as he saw his mate walking in further into his office. Her eyes and smile were bright but her steps were slow and weak. He rushed by her side and she thankfully leaned into him as he led them to a couch across the room.

Avery watched on as his alpha fussed over the Luna while she was getting annoyed with his questions. He chuckled at the scene knowing who will win the minor argument.

"Fine, Ari but you need to eat more" Landon said to his mate who wore a triumphant smile.

"Now tell me what got you two in here so long, Isah won't tell me a thing," Arabella said folding her arms like a two-year-old.

Landon rolled his eyes at her while Avery tried his best not to laugh.

Isah, the Beta was the cliché easy going guy who can't keep secrets even if his life depended on it and for him not to tell Arabella means the secret is major.

"Just don't get too excited, love," Landon said stepping away from her. When she's excited it tends to get a bit loud. Avery stepped further away.

"Just tell me, Donnie, please," she whined.

Landon laughed at her facial expression she still was that sixteen-year-old girl he met at his father's birthday ball. So full of life and always bubbly. His Ari.

"In a matter of three days, our little girl will be coming home," he said cautiously.

Her expression went from shock then excited. She screamed out in excitement and was bouncing on her feet.

"So much to do. Her room needs to be prepared. I wonder what's her style like. What foods does she like. Should I let her do it herself? I don't want to be pushy......." She started to ramble on talking to her self.

"At least she won't be sulking in her room" Avery whispered to his friend.

Landon let out a deep sigh " This year has been hard on her with Emma being here she would be back to my bubbly Ari " he said as he watched his love checked things to do, off her fingers.

"Wait. Why now? Her birthday is in three months," she asked coming over to them.

They both tensed at her question. Arabella knew something was wrong as she felt the tension and anger over her mate bond to Landon. His eyes were getting darker, her mate was naturally calm at all times even in the tensest situations.

The only time his wolf and himself get angry was the mention of...

"No. Landon what did he do?" She shouted. A slight tremor was felt below their feet.

The king quickly held Arabella calming her instantly.

"Ari please calm down. The workers just fixed the hallway way from your last shouting match with your sister," Landon said in her ear. She nodded and allowed him to lead her to a chair.

He nodded to Avery to explain.

"Moon Dust was attacked nearly two months ago and after that attack, nearby packs similar to Moon Dust were targeted. They are imprisoning the high ranking families" the Delta explained in his full commanding tone.

"Becca. Daniel. How are they? The twins have Emma right? Any word of Jack?" she asked anxiously.

"The twins have Emma safe at Dark Moon," Avery said calmly, trying to lower the tension in his queen as he gets ready to tell her the news of her dear friend.

"Becca and Daniel were able to get the kids out of the area before the rogues searched the territory...." He continued.

" Thank goddess. My little girl wasn't hurt, that's great" she said with a sigh of relief.

"Survivors made their way to Dark Moon. We are putting things in place for them to live freely in other packs that are more dominant" Landon said.

"That's great. What of Becca and Daniel I'm sure they would love to be here with the kids. Did they make it to Dark Moon alright?" She asked with an air of happiness.

"Love, Becca, and Daniel won't be coming to the castle," Landon said softly holding her hands tightly.

She looked into his eyes and saw what he was trying to say.

Tears silently rolled down her cheeks as she looked at Avery for confirmation.

"The Beta's son, Mason is part of the survivors, he relayed the news to them. He killed Becca. He has Daniel, Jack, and the others now" Avery said quietly. If it wasn't for their keen hearing they would have missed it.

Arabella tears flowed down her cheeks as her body racked violently with her sobs. Landon held his mate tightly against his chest. He was trying his best to contain his anger so he can console his Luna but it was useless. Every time he had a hold on his uncle he kept escaping or dodging the men sent after him. His knowledge of their appearance was leading him to believe the worse of his own people.

Avery saw what was happening objects began to leave its surfaces, a mirror cracked at the intense anger that filled the room.

"Landon stop!" Avery pleaded. Arabella looked and saw what was going on around her.

"My love, look at me. I'm sure you don't want Emma to know you messed up your own office. The same office you are proud of." She said resting a comforting hand on his cheek.

Landon's eyes lowered to his queen's eyes. Those eyes that showed him how much she loved him after so many years. "No I don't, " he said with a crooked smile.

His smile turned into a frown as he felt his mate's sadness. Becca and Arabella were great friends along with his own friend Daniel. Placing their only treasure in their care was right. Also, it was blessed by the moon goddess.

"Don't worry my love. Malcolm will surely die for this" Landon promised her. She numbly nodded as she stared off in the distance. She wasn't worried that her mate wouldn't execute his promise. She was worried about Daniel and his sons, Becca was everything to them and now she was gone because of a mad man.

'Someone is coming', Avery linked his Alpha.

A knock was heard on the door. "Come in" Landon snapped before focusing back to Arabella.

"Your Majesties. Good day. Delta Avery" the newcomer said.

"Elder Darwin. What is it?" Landon asked somewhat rudely. Something about the old man made him and his wolf restless but out of respect he still had the position of Elder. Avery on the other hand outrightly hated the man.

"I came to see how our Queen is doing?" He said keeping his head bowed.

"I'm fine Darwin is that all?" Arabella asked.

Darwin raised his head "No your highness. I came to confirm if the rumors are true. I've heard of rogue attacks in the south is this true." He asked.

"Where have you heard these rumors?" Landon asked getting up towering over the wolf they seek counsel on pressing matters.

"Word gets around through packs and eventually it gets to our ears," he said smiling.

"Hmm. Then why is it only now you decide to acknowledge your king" Landon calmly asked.

"Why would I bother my king of such unconfirmed rumors among the kingdom?" He countered.

"Because it was rumored that nearly killed your queen" Landon shouted.

The elder bowed his head at the power that resonated from the king. Avery held his steely gaze on the elder watching his actions clearly.

"You're right, your majesty. My apologies. It should not happen again" he said meekly.

"Leave" Landon shouted.

The elder bowed and left hastily.

"I do not trust that man. Never did." Avery growled.

"What can the old bag do my friend. Let's just focus on getting our little girl here safe then we would seek out my dear old uncle." Landon said smiling sadly down at Arabella who in return gave him a weak smile.

******************************************

**Dark Moon Pack**

Noah and Jonah had Emma, Mason, and Michael in the Alpha's office discussing their conversation with the king.

The worry was etched on Michael's face as he realized how soon he had to leave his family again. What would he tell them? He thought. Emma held his hand in a comforting gesture to ease his worries.

She, on the other hand, was nervous and anxious to meet her birth parents. Though the death of their mother who grew her into the woman she was right now still fresh in her mind, Emma felt guilty of being... Happy.

Her pack was captured by a ruthless power-hungry man whose goal was to kill her. Now her mate.

The twins watched the emotions played across their sister's face. They knew what she was thinking and offered her a hug, which she happily accepted.

"She will want you to be happy. Don't think you're disappointing her" Jonah told her.

Noah kissed her head which comforted her.

Mason smiled at the trio, they were always close which he admired since he was younger. "Is Mason coming with us?" Emma asked.

"Of course sis," the twins said

"What did you think? I was gonna stay here with Heather? The only whining I can take is yours. She's another pack's problem" he said leaning back against a bookshelf.

Emma stuck her tongue out at her friend and went back to her mate. The twins and Mason watched the two as Michael kissed Emma's temple gently after sharing a few words over their link. They believe that these two will be great leaders as the present royals. Both were strong, kind, and loyal to the people they love.

"Do you know what we will tell the alpha and Luna?" Mason asked.

Noah ran his fingers through his dark hair getting distracted for a minute by its length.

"Leave that to us. Michael just spend as much time with them as possible. I know this is hard but whatever we discuss here stays among us. We are sorry bout this," he replied. Michael looked at Emma and said, "Anywhere my mate goes, I will follow".

"Good," all three brothers of Emma said with approving smiles.

Mixed emotions of leaving Dark Moon played out on their faces but they all know it must be done. Having Emma there would bring danger to them, their allegiance to her was welcomed by them and the throne but to bring damage to them wasn't what they want.

A knock was heard on the door, Michael sensed his father and the beta. "They need the office now," he said aloud.

All five of them looked at each other and smiled sadly, "Three days till our new lives" Emma said.

"Three days" the twins repeated as Mason and Michael nodded.

It would be a journey for all in that room and those associated with them outside with it. They were hoping for a great outcome and a much needed happy ending.