"Alpha, your plan worked," Gerald said on the phone. "Luna Aria took Michelle in, without suspecting anything.
"Good!" Came Alfa's reply.
He had made this plan after thinking it through. Michelle was his last hope in getting his mate back before she made her third sacrifice.
It would be too late to stop her from making the first sacrifice, which would be in less than twenty-four hours from now. It was already ten at night.
Alfa felt a hesitation in Gerald's breath. He hadn't cut the line but wasn't saying anything either. Alfa knew that he was definitely hiding something.
"Gerald, is there something else you want to say?" He asked.
He heard Gerald take in a deep breath. "Alpha... there's something... Luna, she looks older than her age. It's almost like she has aged ten years!"
"What?"
"Yes, Alpha. We saw her and stood staring at her for a good minute before realizing that she's really luna Aria," Gerald continued.
There was a long silence. Alfa then told them to return back and rest before cutting the line.
If what Gerald said is true, then Alfa assumed that the witch is too weak to retain her youth, so she's taking Arya's life and energy to stay alive.
What had he unknowingly done? By deleting Bella out of her life, Alfa had forced Arya into a life of depleting youth.
This could mean only one thing; Arya is slowly dying, and without making those sacrifices, she will slowly wither away.
What has he done? He has doomed his own mate and forced her to go to her death bed, all because he didn't trust her wolf. Alfa missed Bella. Braxen missed Bella.
The ringing of his phone pulled Alfa out of his thoughts. He took a deep breath before answering.
"Yes, Yalandro?"
"Alpha, they were able to abduct two girls before leaving."
"I see!"
"And Alpha, there's something else! Luna looks different. Like she has aged ten years in these past few days. I thought you should know!"
"Thanks, Yalandro. Stay in contact with Marius, and change shifts with him so that whatever info Michelle gets, she can give you!"
There it was again. She had aged.
No one knew what hell he was battling inside after he realized that Bella was his actual mate. He had signed her up for sleeping himself, and he knew that if anything happened to Arya, any hope of getting Bella back would die with her.
"Yes, Alpha."
As soon as he put the phone down, it rang. Tonight, his phone was busier than anytime of the day. Maybe because most times, he spoke through mindlink.
"Yes, Marius?"
"Good news, Alpha, I just saw Michelle in the van going into the rogue territory."
"That's great. I have spoken with Yalandro, and he will change shifts with you so each of you can get enough rest."
"Thank you, Alpha... oh... there's a huge commotion going on in the pack house," Marius was saying, relaying live news. "The pack is buzzing with excitement...."
"Marius, it's almost eleven thirty. They're probably happy because there's a new member of the pack," Alfa said, his voice tired. He wanted to sleep, and get fresh information from the pack about what Arya was planning in the morning.
Maybe while he waits on any news on Arya, he can find out how to reverse Bella's sleep.
Yalandro, following his Alpha's orders, showed up where Marius was stationed outside of the rogue pack and told him that he should rest for a bit while he keeps an eye on things.
They both knew that nothing interesting would happen right now, since Michelle will have to settle in, gain their trust, then get information on what's happening, but Yalandro said he'll stay awake incase Michelle needs them.
Marius filled him on all the excitement buzzing and that something big was happening.
They both could hear the guards at the gate also wondering what was happening, as most of the pack had woken up and lights were turning on, and there were talks of a party. They never had a party for as long as they lived here.
"The new rogue is a girl!" The first guard said.
"And our Alpha is throwing her a welcoming party? He never did that for us!" Said the second one.
Marius, who had just layed on the grass, sat up so fast that Yalandro jumped.
"Goddess! One day, you will give me a heart attack!" He exclaimed.
"Relax, Yalandro. You're a wolf. Wolves don't get a heart attack!" Marius replied.
"What is it? Why'd you get up like that?" The short man asked the taller one.
"Did you hear what they were saying?" The other one answered with a question.
"What?"
"That the Alpha is throwing Michelle a welcome party. And that he never gave any other members a party!"
"Um.... so?" Yalandro asked, now clearly annoyed.
First, this guy wouldn't take a rest, then he's talking in riddles, knowing that Yalandro didn't like beating around the bush, especially when he was on a job.
Usually, Marius also took his job very seriously, but there was something about Yalandro that he couldn't pinpoint, but he felt safe around him.
"Why would Rodriguez throw a welcoming party for a strange rogue?" Marius replied, his eyebrows going up and down, as if Yalandro should understand what was going on.
"You know what, you're right!" Yalandro said enthusiasticly. "And you know what, why don't I go ask him myself, since you'll just be answering my questions with questions!"
Yalandro took a few steps in front, not enough for the guards to see him, but enough to make a point.
"Stop, stop, stop!" Marius whispered loudly, pulling his arm backward. "I'm sorry. My point is, what if Rodriguez and Michelle turn out to be long-lost friends or family? I mean, think about it... why else would he throw a parry for a complete stranger!"
"Let's just hope that he's happy to see a new rogue, that's why. If it turns out they know each other, Alpha will be devastated!"
"Yalandro, I have a bad feeling about this. Why does it feel like Alpha just made a huge mistake sending Michelle here?"
Both men stayed silent for some time. This did feel odd. The entire atmosphere had changed, and the entire pack seemed to be rejoicing.
"Christoph, Emmet, you won't believe what news I've brought!" Came a voice.
Yalandro and Marius saw a young man running towards the two guards, calling out happily.
"Our Alpha just found us a luna!"
Marius and Yalandro stared in shock. Then slowly turned to look at each other.
Realization settled in like a piece of puzzle in its place. Michelle was the only one to go in. She's their Luna.
"Will you call, or shall I?" Marius asked Yalandro, and they both knew what he meant.
Alfa's phone rang just as he was falling asleep. "Aarrggghhh," he groaned, when he saw Marius name flash on the screen. "What is it?" He screamed into the phone.
"Rodriguez just found his mate."