Ch. 156..160: Alpha King’s Lost Luna Chapter 156-160

Chapter 156 Loyal to Wegalla ASHER I considered the idea for a moment before speaking up. This decision couldn’t be a careless one, not if Ector Felix’s life were at stake. I knew at once that Silas’ suggestion for royal healers was out of the question. The Felix family had been banished from Anemond. There was no way we could let something this confidential be revealed to healers I didn’t even trust with my own condition. Ector wouldn’t be welcomed back to the Crescent Pack with open arms. I knew well that the people of the capital wouldn’t be satisfied with his return, not when he’d been so publicly banished by my father. But they did matter. Cas sandra and Ector were the only ones I was thinking of Ector needed my help and I wasn’t about to refuse him medical intervention. “I’ll visit the borders in two days,” I decided. “I’ll need your company as well, Silas, but I want this trip to remain confidential. I don’t want this news to get out to anyone else in Merliscire. Is that clear?” Silas nodded. “Of course, Your Majesty. This will remain between us.” Just as I was about to speak, there was a knock at the door, so loud that I jumped in surprise. “Who goes there?” I asked as I steadied my nerves. Between Ector and the bu iness in Wild Crawler, I was feeling a tad bit unsteady. “Lancel, Alpha,” I heard in reply from the other side of the door “Come in,” I called out. Moments later, the door opened to reveal my most trusted guard. I hadn’t seen him in a while; he’d been on a confidental assignment. As of late, he’d been tasked with the job of investigating the Beta family.

As Lancel entered my study, his expression was reluctant as he noticed Silas. “Good evening, Beta Silas,” he greeted him politely anyway. “Good evening,” Silas replied politely. He seemed to notice Lancel’s strangely stiff demeanor, and I could practically see the gears of his mind trying to make sense of the suddenly strange atmosphere of

the room. Meanwhile, my head began to throb as a headache began to manifest. Every instinct wanted me to dismiss both the guard and the Beta so I could lay down and try to rest, but there was too much to attend to. I had to cast my physical illness aside and fulfill my duties as the Alpha King first and foremost. As Lancel stood before me, I could sense he was hesitant to begin speaking, which told me he was going to report something related to the Beta family. I was about to ask Silas to leave, but suddenly, an idea struck me. It was a daring one for sure, but the moment it entered my mind, I couldn’t let it go. “Lancel, please go ahead and share your report,” I commanded with my chin raised slightly. Lancel’s eyes widened in surprise, and he glanced at Silas before looking back. at me. I gave him a nod and a reassuring look. While this was potentially one of the worst ideas I’d ever had, this was also an opportunity to test whether Silas was involved in what Oliver Moses was doing. The guard took a quick breath and then began his report. “Alpha, I have observed the king of Yerene visiting the House of Moses several times recently,” he revealed. “Both alone and with diplomats.” Silas started to frown and glanced at me in surprise. Clearly, he hadn’t expected Lancel to mention something like this right in front of him. It was also immediately obvious that he had no idea what the guard was talking about. 2/4 “Really?” I asked in surprise, and I leaned forward and rested my elbows on my desk. Lancel nodded once. “Yes, Alpha,” he replied solemnly. “I witnessed it on a total of six occasions. I couldn’t gather more information than that without risking being seen.” I nodded in consideration and stared out the window as I thought about this new information. What business did the King of Yurene have with the Moses family? Before my mind could jump to the worst of circumstances, I turned back to

Lancel. “The House of Moses was likely trying to show hospitality to our guests from the North,” I offered nonchalantly. “I’m not sure if that is cause for alarm. But thank you for your information, Lancel. I appreciate it greatly.” My words were hollow, and Silas seemed to know that immediately. It wasn’t normal for the Beta family to have private meetings with a foreign king, especially without informing the Alpha King beforehand. “Of course, Alpha,” Lancel replied politely. “Shall I take my leave?” “Yes,” I said with no hesitation, my eyes locked on Silas. “You are dismissed.” Lancel gave me a small bow and without another word, the guard left the study. When Silas and I were finally alone, the Beta bowed his head. “Your Majesty, I have no knowledge of these meetings,” he swore. “I have no involvement in my father’s business.” I nodded as his head raised back up. I leaned forward and raised an eyebrow in his direction. “How do you feel about this situation?” I asked him directly. Silas seemed a little taken aback by the question and hesitated in his reply. 3/4 After a moment, he spoke again. “I think it’s inappropriate for my father to meet with the king of Yurene in private,” he stated. “I assure you, Your Majesty, that I am not involved. I am loyal to the country and my Alpha King. I would never allow my father to do anything. harmful or treacherous to Wegalla. I care for my family, but our duties to your supersede my feelings.” I stared at him for a moment and looked for any physical indication that he was lying. It was the most prominent Moses family trait. Adalyn lied just as easily as breathing and Oliver was a master manipulator. Even Marco had picked up on his mother’s tendencies to bend the truth. But Silas didn’t appear to be lying. His golden gaze was steady and calm, and his tone emphasized his words without overexaggeration. I didn’t know with the utmost certainty, but I had a strong sense that he was telling me the truth.

“Okay,” I accepted his response and didn’t ask him any more questions about the matter. “Thank you, Silas. Please get to work straight away and arrange our visit to the border in two days’ time.” “Yes, Your Majesty,” he replied, and he rose from his seat. He gave me a simple bow but as he walked to the door, his pace slowed, and he turned back to face me. “Have you heard any news of Becky’s return?” he asked quietly. “When will she be returning to Anemond?” I had to force back a surprised look. I hadn’t expected the serious and guarded Beta to inquire about Cas sandra’s assistant. “Very soon,” I answered. “There’s a dangerous situation in Wild Crawler. Becky uncovered some clues and will be returning to conduct some more research as soon as possible.” At the mention of Wild Crawler’s danger, Silas’ golden eyes widened, but he simply nodded and didn’t ask any further questions. Instead, he just left the room. 4/4

Chapter 157 I like you BECKY After my call with Cas sandra, I had a conversation with Alpha Rayden, and my departure was quickly arranged. This would be my last night in Wild Crawler, and despite my short stay, I had grown fond of the small Pack. The trees, the fresh air, the seclusion, and the general feeling of hominess made my return to Anemond feel all the more difficult. While some patients could be unreasonable or even extremely hard to deal with at times, most of them had been so kind to me. Anemond had a tendency to treat outsiders with scrutiny and mistrust. Wild Crawler had been the opposite. I’d never felt more welcome in a Pack. In Anemond, I was just a poor commoner with no title and no worth other than my scientific mind. Here, I felt valued and cared for. It would be hard to leave, but I had no choice. I had to get the sample from the lake to the clinic in Anemond so I could conduct the proper research and get a step closer to solving the mystery of this terrible illness. I had to break the news to the patients in the clinic, and most of them were sad but understanding about my departure. I assured them they were in good hands with Dic kson and that the Alpha King was going to deploy more help for their Pack. When it came time to say goodbye to Angela and Marina, I felt a particular bit of sadness. I wished I could stay to help them further but I had no choice. Thankfully, Angela understood immediately. “Thank you for your help, Healer Becky,” she said gratefully with a smile. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for us.” Marina offered a nod and a smile. “Safe travels, Healer Becky.” 1/4 “Thank you both,” I said, and then I continued to make my rounds. Word spread quickly that I was

leaving the next morning, and I was surprised at the amount of people who were sad at the news. Even Jasper expressed his disappointment when he came by to assist us with our patients in the afternoon.

That night, I went to dinner with Dic kson once more at the restaurant he had previously taken me to. I decided to use this opportunity to ask the healer what was on his mind, as he had appeared unfazed and nonchalant since I mentioned my departure. I wanted to treat him to dinner to lift his spirits. I would likely need his assistance even after returning to Anemond, so I wanted our friendship and partnership to end on a positive note. I couldn’t leave things fractured, not when he was under so much pressure here. As we were seated at a table by the same waitress from the other night, I expected Dic kson to continue to remain silent, but to my surprise, he cleared his throat and then turned to me. “I hope you can figure out more about this disease and find a cure, Becky,” he said kindly. “You’re far more skilled than 1 am and I think you’re capable of saving all of these people.” I was taken aback by his statement. “Thank you,” I replied, and I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “That’s very nice of you to say, Dic kson. But for the record, I don’t consider myself better than you. You’re an excellent healer with great compassion and work ethic. In fact, if we’re being honest… you’re better than most of the royal healers in Anemond.” Dic kson smiled wistfully at the praise and removed his black-rimmed glasses. His sky-blue eyes were warm and bright, and his smile was genuine. “I have to be honest with you as well,” he began, and he glanced around before continuing. “My reasons for staying here in Wild Crawler extend beyond simply wanting to uncover the truth about the disease and help the patients here. Of course, I want to help them, that goes without saying, but I… I hope this experience can enhance my chances of becoming a royal healer myself. Is that selfish to 2/4 admit?”

I shook my head. “No, not at all. I understand your ambition entirely. Aspiring to become a royal healer is a common goal among healers. Truth be told, I hope my own experience as Cas sandra’s assistant will help me achieve that goal as well. I’m just as ambitious as you are.” Dic kson laughed softly. “That makes me happy to hear,” he acknowledged as he ran his hand through his reddish blonde hair. “I was worried that it was a terrible want.” “No, not at all,” I swore. The waitress appeared with our food, and she walked away after setting the plates in front of us. We dug in happily, and as I savored my burger and mashed potatoes, I wished I could extend my visit here. As silly as it was to admit, the hospitality and food here were unmatched, and I loved having this chance to just share a meal with a friend without the expectations Anemond placed on me. Mother would love this place so much. Once we discovered a cure for the dreaded disease, I would bring her here. Once our meal concluded, Dic kson offered to walk me back to the clinic. This time, I accepted his kind offer. Now that our prior silence had been breached, we discussed the people we had encountered in the mountain area. “Alpha Rayden believes it might be appropriate for him to visit the area,” Dic kson noted. “He hasn’t been there in a long time and wants to get an idea of the situation himself.” “Having an Alpha present could encourage more honesty from the locals,” I agreed. “Refusing to answer questions from a pair of strangers is understandable, but dodging the questions of an Alpha… that would be highly unlikely. If you speak of it again, encourage Rayden to wear a mask. The last thing this Pack needs is for 3/4 their Alpha to fall sick.” “Agreed,” Dic kson said with a nod. “I’ll be sure to pass that information along. Luckily, I think Rayden understands the risks well.”

Once we reached the clinic, Dic kson stopped in place and turned to face me with a strange expression. “Becky, do you plan to visit Wild Crawler again?” he wondered quietly. I stopped in my tracks and stared back at him in surprise. Dic kson spoke again. “I was… I was just wondering if I would ever see you again,” he said, his gaze focused intently on me. Even in the darkness of the night, I could see his cheeks had flushed a deep pink. on? Stunned by the depth of his stare, I was rendered speechless. What was going Dic kson approached and once he was in front of me, he reached out and gently tucked a lock of my short hair behind my ear. Much to my surprise, I didn’t step back. He drew so close that I could smell the rich scent of his woody cologne. “I like you, Becky,” he admitted softly. “I know this might be a blunt confession, but I don’t want to miss the opportunity to tell you. I think you’re wonderful, Becky, and I want to see you again.” 44

 

Chapter 158 Her answer BECKY My eyes widened in surprise and a lump formed in my throat. Had Dic kson really just said that? Did he actually like me? I hadn’t expected the healer’s confession at all. I’d thought our relationship was purely professional, but judging by the seriousness of his tone, he saw me in a different light. His intense gaze made me feel dizzy, which prompted me to take a step back to create some space between us. “I think you might be mistaken,” I managed as I stumbled over my words. “Your feelings might not be what you think they are. We’re in a dangerous environment with a high amount of tension. This might be a case of misattribution of arousal.” I’d read much on the subject in a book I’d found in the library in Anemond. People in situations such as ours often found themselves dealing with emotions they weren’t used to because they were under duress. Surely, that had to be the case with Dic kson. But he shook his head. “It isn’t a false feeling,” he said slowly with fierce determination. “I’m genuinely attracted to you, Becky. I’ve never felt this way about any woman before. But I’ve contemplated my feelings for an entire day and I’m certain about them.” He stared up at the moon above us and took a long, deep breath. “I don’t deserve a woman like you,” he admitted sadly. “I’ve always considered

1/4 myself to be nothing more than an unattractive nerd. The Moon Goddess hasn’t blessed me with desirable features like she has with other men. I’m grateful for my scientific mind, but when it comes to my appearance… I know I’m not much.

Nevertheless. I want you to know my feelings, Becky.” I studied Dic kson and observed a vulnerability in his demeanor. Most of the men I’d encountered back in Anemond hadn’t ever expressed things like this aloud. I was used to men who treated me like objects. It was clear that Dic kson wasn’t one of them. He was kind and gentle. “Don’t demean yourself,” I reassured him quietly. “You’re a kind, considerate, and truthfully attractive person, despite your outward projection of being hard and reserved.” “You’re just saying that,” he muttered. I shook my head. “No. I’m not a liar. I’m being honest, Dic kson.” A glimmer of hope flashed across his lovely eyes at the sound of my words and his lips curled into a smile. “Would you… accept my feelings?” he asked. “Do you feel the same way, Becky? Be honest with me. I can handle it.” “With everything going on in this Pack, I haven’t given it much thought,” I admitted, and I offered him an apologetic smile. Luckily, he didn’t seem hurt by my response and simply took a step closer. “Can I ask why?” he wondered. I hesitated and struggled to find an answer. Truth be told, during the duration of my stay, I hadn’t considered Dic kson as any more than a decent colleague. I’d come here to cast aside my thoughts and experiences with men. Sure, Marley had practically encouraged me to shift my affections to someone new, but I hadn’t thought of Dic kson as that person. I considered whether the image of Silas Moses in my mind had something to do with my hesitation. The mere thought of him began to intrude my brain and I shook my head in an attempt to banish him from my mind. After I glanced up at the moon, I took a long, deep breath and shifted my gaze. over to Dic kson. “I can’t give you an answer at this moment,” I said. “I appreciate your sentiments and I appreciate that you like me, but I don’t know how to respond to it.” I half-expected the healer to blow up at me or make some snide remark to hurt me, but instead, he

simply nodded and appeared vulnerable once again. I felt awful. This was a complete and total mess. I wished Ca ssandra or Marley were here to help provide support to me. All of my experience with men came from the ones in my district that Mother had tried to set me up with. Outside of them, I had only ever interacted with Silas, and clearly, that hadn’t ended well for either of us. What could I do? I didn’t want to lose Dic kson as a friend but I couldn’t lead him on if I was so unsure of my feelings. As I studied him, I had to admit he was quite handsome. Though his glasses were a little on the nerdy side, his wavy reddish-gold hair was thick and very nice. I loved the s at tering of freckles on the bridge of his nose, and his smile was brilliant. Sure, he had a tendency to be quiet and hardened, but underneath that surface, he was intelligent and kind. Any woman would be lucky to have him. I just wasn’t sure if I was that woman. “I promise I’ll visit Wild Crawler again once I solve the mystery of the disease,” I said after a moment of pause. “And when I do… I’ll give you an answer then.” “What happens if you can’t figure it out?” Dic kson said with a sad smile. I smiled back and answered playfully. “Well, you’re just going to have to pray that I succeed.” 3/4 He didn’t speak at first and then he relaxed and laughed lightly. “I’ll wait however long you need,” he said, and he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Have a good rest of the night, Becky. I’ll see you in the morning. before you leave.” I nodded and tucked my hair behind my ear. “Good night, Dic kson.” After he gave me one last lingering smile, Dic kson left and I entered the clinic. Although I tried to maintain my composure as I headed to the office, my heart raced in my chest. Dic kson was unlike any man I’d met before. He wasn’t like the others I’d had the displeasure of knowing in Anemond. He was quiet, almost too quiet, but I could sense the depth of his emotions when he confessed his feelings to me.

I didn’t want to let him down, but there was something in the back of my mind, an annoying image that kept intruding. Silas’ golden eyes in the garden. The way he’d held my chin and stared at me under the silver light of the moon. I pushed the image away just as quickly as it arrived. No. No, I couldn’t think about Silas, not now. So, instead, I decided to focus on my work. I picked up some supplies from the office and then began my evening rounds. I made sure my patients were comfortable and took their vitals. I chatted with them happily and did my best to assure them that they were in good hands with Dic son. I I completed my tasks quicker than I wanted to. When I returned to the office, I stared at the couch. Part of me wanted to lie down, but the other part knew I wouldn’t sleep too well. So, I decided to take a walk outside to clear my mind. Surely, a stroll in the moonlight would relax my nerves.

Chapter 159 Foolish decision SILAS My decision to leave Anemond to visit Wild Crawler territory wasn’t a rational one, especially at such a late hour. But I couldn’t remain calm after learning that the remote Pack was in a dangerous situation. In fact, ever since I’d left the Alpha King’s study that afternoon, the image of Becky kept flashing in my mind. I had initially planned to check on the night training of the royal guards at dawn, but changed my mind upon reaching the training yard. I asked the captain to oversee the training session instead. The captain agreed without question, but I could sense some confusion behind his gaze. He was a good and loyal man, but right now, his concern t didn’t matter much to me. I needed to leave. Instead of taking a car, which would have attracted too much attention, I made an impulsive decision. I decided to shift into my wolf form and run. While it may have seemed foolish and impossible to others, I was an impossibly fast runner. I had trained countless hours to build my muscles and agility, which made my wolf form stronger than most my age. Before I shifted into my second form, I slipped out of the castle grounds and made my way out of town through the back roads. It would have been faster to slip out through the market, but my face was too easily recognized there. Once I was out of the city limits, I shifted into my wolf form and began to run. Through my experience and vast study of the borders of Wegalla, I knew exactly where to go, even without a map. Though the journey was normally quite long, I was impossibly fast, and I managed to reach the Pack within a few hours. Darkness had fallen by the time I made it to Wild Crawler. I slipped into the trees undetected and once I shifted back into my human form, I took a moment to 1/4 catch my breath. My heart raced in my chest and a sheen of sweat broke out across my forehead. I

wiped it away and combed through my hair with my fingers. Once I was decent, I made my way down the paved road and began my search

for the clinic. Unlike the bustling streets of Anemond, Wild Crawler was quiet, and there were few people outside. After a while of struggling to find my bearings, I decided to approach a trio of unassuming villagers. “Could you tell me the address of the clinic?” I requested. I understood the villager’s panic as they looked at me with varying degrees of concern. Just as the Alpha King had said, the disease was rampant in this part of the country as well as dangerous. Everyone likely feared the clinic. The youngest of the trio spoke up and gave me directions, and without any hesitation, I headed down the street. I figured it might be a foolish decision to go to the clinic so late, as Becky might not be there. For all I knew she could be resting in the Pack House or at a hotel. nearby. But as I approached the clinic, I spotted a flash of dark red hair as a figure walked by and all of my doubts vanished. Becky was there in front of the building and she appeared lively and well, which was a massive relief. Even from a distance, I could detect a sparkle in her reddish brown eyes, and skin was luminous in the silver light of the moon. I longed to kiss her full pink lips and kiss every freckle on her nose. Yet, much to my dismay, she was in the company of a young man, which was not a comforting sight. He was tall and conventionally attractive, but wore a pair of dark rimmed glasses that did him no favors. He didn’t seem like much, but when he reached out and touched her hair, a knot formed in my stomach and jealousy swelled within me. I had an overpowering impulse to intervene and confront the man who stood 2/4 too close to my mate. However, I managed to keep myself under control, as I was well aware that Becky would not appreciate such an outburst.

It was difficult to control myself in this situation. My instincts told me to behave one way and yet my thoughts urged me to be more rational. So, I waited behind a tree near the clinic. Its trunk was large enough to shield me from view but I could still overhear everything they were saying. The conversation was simple enough until the young man took a deep breath and confessed his feelings to Becky. My hands balled into fists as my eyes widened in surprise. This was a shocking moment to walk into, but I couldn’t leave, not now. I needed to hear what this young man had to say and I needed to know Becky’s response. There was only one truthful part to the man’s confession: he didn’t deserve her. A wave of satisfaction crashed over me as the statement left his mouth. No, he didn’t deserve a woman like her at all. What infuriated me, though, was that Becky didn’t outright reject him. As I hid behind the tree, I waited as they conversed for her to cast him aside, to mention she had a mate, a boyfriend, anything that would spurn his advances. And yet, it never came up. In fact, she said something to the affect of she would give the man answer when she returned. Returned? To Wild Crawler? I didn’t understand what was happening. A surge of rage coursed through my veins and I didn’t know how to handle this sutyatuin. I was usually adept at handling any challenges that came my way, but I felt powerless when it came to Becky. She remained beyond my control and it was frustrating. 1/4 As I leaned against the trunk of the tree, I studied the path leading to the clinic. I knew I should leave; if I stayed any longer, I might lose control again and risk losing Becky for good. The young man departed a minute later and as he left, I let out a sigh of relief. His absence would only

put me more at ease. Becky went inside the clinic and I debated how to proceed. I couldn’t deny that I had an intense desire to rush into the clinic, kiss her, and even claim her as my mate. But I couldn’t act on those impulses. Not now, at least. I needed to be rational. So, I sat down on the ground for a while and admired the wooded area around me. There was a calmness here that didn’t exist in Anemond. The fresh scent of pine filled the air and as I breathed it in, I felt my muscles relax My hands stopped shaking and I rolled my shoulders back. I was tense from my temper and sore from my run. Once I was at ease, I rose to my feet and stood up straight. I decided I should return to Anemond after all. Becky was safe and I needed some time to think. I stepped out from behind the tree and just as I was about to leave, I heard a familiar, beautiful voice call my name. “Silas?” It was Becky. I turned toward the direction of her call, and when our eyes met, Becky’s lower lip trembled. 474

 

Chapter 160 He missed her BECKY I blinked my eyes three times to make sure I hadn’t mistaken Silas’ presence. Despite my disbelief, though, his c innamon and clove scent lingered in the air and filled my nose until my mouth began to water. He looked just as handsome as ever. His golden eyes practically glowed with warmth and his dark brown hair was swept away from his face. His tanned complexion was as perfect as ever, and as my eyes fell to his full lips, I noticed a small birthmark there I’d never noticed before. Before I could lose myself in the beauty that was Silas Moses I forced myself to focus. Why was the Beta here in Wild Crawler? Had he followed me here? The thought was amusing enough for me to ask it aloud. “Did you follow me here, Silas? Have you been here this whole time?” Much to my irritation, he didn’t answer my question and instead uttered a simple greeting. “Good evening, Becky,” he said softly. His gaze was strange and unwavering, but I couldn’t help but get lost in his long-lashed eyes. I managed to regain my composure once more and sighed. “Did the Alpha King send you here?” I asked. Cas sandra had told me during our phone call that the king of Wegalla was going to be deploying more healers and soldiers to help Wild Crawler get back on their feet. Was Silas merely one of those aforementioned bodies? Was he here out of duty or because he was here to see me? Stop it, Becky, I urged myself before I could get too carried away. Don’t fall into that kind of thinking. 1/5 Silas remained silent for a moment and then spoke again.

“Do you care about why I’m here?” he asked. I found his lack of responses frustrating. Given our history, I genuinely didn’t care about his reasons for being in Wild Crawler, and I was tired of the constant mind games. I wasn’t a plaything to be messed

around with by men. I was a human being and a woman worthy of genuine connection and concern. So, I simply huffed and attempted to walk past him and ignore him. I fully planned to give up on the idea of a moonlit walk and return to the clinic and get some rest so I could feel better in the morning and make one final round of visits to my patients before returning to Anemond. However, before I could get away, Silas caught my wrist suddenly and prevented me from leaving. “Let me go,” I sighed, and I struggled against his grip, but Silas held on tighter. It wasn’t tough enough to hurt me, but I couldn’t break free. “Who was the man?” he asked, and when I frowned, he clarified. “The young man with the glasses that you were speaking with earlier. Who was he?” It took a moment for me to realize that he was referring to Dic kson. “He’s a healer in the clinic,” I explained. “His name is Dic kson. He’s a colleague.” Silas’ eyes narrowed slightly. “He told you he liked you,” he said in a tone that was eerily calm but still had undertones of jealousy. Heat rushed into my cheeks at once. “You were eavesdropping on our conversation!” I accused him. “What, were you spying on me or something?” Silas remained calm but glanced down at the ground for a moment. 2/5 “Are you going to give him a response?” he asked softly. “Are you going to tell him you share feelings for him?” “That’s not any of your business,” I reiterated as anger filled my belly. What did Silas care about any of this? He publicly rejected me time and time again. Sure, he had shown up to help me when Frederick was getting too intense with his advances, and then spoke kindly with my mother at my house, but we were still at odds with one another. “Do you like him,” he pressed further. Just as I was about to reply and tell him again that it was none of his business, Silas pulled me closer until I was practically up against him. For a moment, I thought he

was about to kiss me, and instinctively, I raised my hand up and slapped him. Silas was completely taken aback and sta ggered at the motion. When he frowned, I expected him to become angry, but instead, he released his hold on my wrist and took a step back. “I’m sorry, Becky,” he apologized. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I won’t force you anymore.” For a moment, I couldn’t believe what I had heard, but I was relieved that the Beta wasn’t going to push the matter any further. I chose not to say anything more about it. We stood opposite one another in silence until Silas spoke again. “I came to Wild Crawler because I missed you,” he admitted softly. “Our last encounter left me… longing for you. I don’t know how else to explain it. When I heard that things here were dire, I wanted to ensure everything was fine.” His eyes glanced skyward, and when he looked down at me a second later, my heart nearly sk ipped a beat. “I’m going to be visiting the border again soon,” he continued in a tone I had difficulty reading. “I won’t be interrupting you anymore. Good night, Becky.” 36 Without another word, he turned away to leave. As I watched him walk away, I wanted to say something more, but I found my throat was too tight with emotion to say a word. I considered chasing after him. I was short but I could run quickly. But even if I managed to catch up to the Beta, what would I say? Would I confess that I’d been thinking of him too? That being away from him was so difficult it was almost painful? That most of my dreams involved him and my daydreams consisted of my lips against his? No. None of that would go over well. Once Silas was gone, I didn’t feel like taking a walk anymore. Instead, I quietly slipped back into the clinic and returned to the office. Once the door was closed, I let out a deep exhale and lay down on the

couch. I sunk back into the large cus hions and tried to sleep, but my mind raced too quickly for me to relax. Everything felt so chaotic. First, there was Dic kson’s sudden confession of love and then there was Silas, my mate, showing up out of the blue to tell me he missed me. This was all so crazy. When Silas had mentioned missing me, I was sure my heart had ski pped a beat, but I couldn’t be certain if the feeling within me was truly love or just the effects of our mate bond. Though the stories were few since mate bonds were so rare, I knew the connection between mates was incredibly strong. So was our connection just purely based on that? Or did Silas Moses truly care enough about me to miss my presence? Either way, I couldn’t do this anymore. I nestled back into the cu shion and closed my eyes tightly.