The Alpha Of The Shadow Pack And His Mute Luna (by Beatrice Putnam) novel Chapter 132

Vanessa POV

Stacey and I went to the track to work out. Alfred was leaving as we arrived, which relieved me because I didn’t want to talk to him. I was still angry with him for making Stacey cry. Although I understood how serious the situation was, everyone has bodily functions, and I could sympathize with her. I was distraught with him and even considered childish revenge, but decided against it. Maybe I’d feel better as the day went on. Truthfully, I just wanted comfort after last night’s events–they’d left me shaken, especially imagining they might have been outside the tent while we made love.

On the track, I ran as hard as I could and cried; it felt like being violated again at home. I pushed through burning legs and lungs, running until 1 collapsed. Sitting on the ground, I bawled. Stacey joined me, wrapping her arms around me and stroking my hair.

Luna, it is OK.

“Alfred will get to the bottom of it.*

I was sure he would get answers. I was certain he’d figure out all the details. I had never seen him interrogate anyone and didn’t want to. What I knew was that interrogations were brutal. My father interrogated people, and they rarely survived. Sometimes, remains were left out for the birds. Sometimes, they were left alive to suffer. I tried to help once, until I got caught. Many of my father’s victims were innocent–he just wanted something to do. I’m glad he’s gone and can’t hurt anyone now.

We got up and started to walk around the track. I needed to stretch and cool down. My calves and thighs burned from running. I’d never run like that before -I’d always been too weak. Now, I felt like I could do anything. We walked the track five times, then went to the pool.

* I want to focus on building your muscles.”

That sounds interesting.”

I admitted my muscles were weak from inactivity, malnutrition, and lack of training. We entered the pool, and Stacey had me tread water to strengthen my legs. After what seemed like forever, my legs felt like jelly getting out. I could barely pull myself onto the pool’s edge.

“Let’s go get into the hot tub and relax.”

I was all for that. We got into the hot tub, and the water felt amazing. I felt my knots relax. My stomach and legs hurt, and I wasn’t sure how I’d move the rest of the day. We’d exercised for at least four hours; I had no idea what time it was. When we left the pool house, it was getting dark. Had we really been out that long? I wanted to shower off the chemicals; I knew they were harsh and could feel my skin drying. When we entered the house, Alfred sat on the couch. He got up and kissed me. I didn’t resist; I was too tired to argue. I returned his kiss.

* Babe, I’m going to go take a shower.”

“Alright.”

I walked away from Alfred and Stacey, listening as it seemed they made amends. Part of me wanted to jump in and share my opinion, but I chose to keep quiet for now; I’d talk to Alfred later, once I felt more composed. Hunger and exhaustion pulled my mind away, and when I checked the clock, I realized it was already six in the evening. With fall settling in, darkness was arriving early, amplifying my sense of how much had happened today. I longed to visit Junior in the hospital, but uncertainty about the day left me hesitant. These thoughts mixed with a lingering sadness about the nursery, which I hadn’t seen since coming home. I didn’t want to enter until I had a baby to bring home, highlighting a mix of hope and heartache.

Everything since the explosion–almost losing Junior, and his near–death in the hospital–left me emotionally exhausted. Searching for comfort, I picked a cozy blue lounge outfit, wishing my new nightgown were clean so I could indulge in something special Alfred had given me. I thought about asking him for more, feeling a small moment of contentment amid the stress. In the shower, the hot water first stung, then soothed, easing tension from my back and mind. Taking the shower head down, I let the heat massage my aching legs, combining self–care with a sense of recovery. Shaving and washing my hair felt meditative, and when I finished, wrapping up in a towel and applying Alfred’s vanilla lotion, I was briefly comforted, feeling both vulnerable and renewed.

After putting on lotion, I felt renewed. I was sore, but it felt good. I knew I’d ache tomorrow, but it would be a satisfying ache. I wasn’t looking forward to it, but it was part of the training and required using muscles I hadn’t used before.

When we got to the track, I ran as hard as I could. Emotions overwhelmed me, and I felt like I was reliving old trauma. My legs and lungs burned, but I pushed on until I collapsed. Stacey sat beside me and comforted me, stroking my hair.

1/2

Chapter 132

Luna, it is OK.

“Alfred will get to the bottom of it.”

I was confident Alfred would uncover the truth. I’d never seen his interrogations, nor did I want to. From what I heard, they were brutal—a lesson I’d learned from my father. People seldom survived his questioning, with some left to suffer. I tried to help his victims until I was caught. Many were innocent; my father just wanted something to do. I’m glad he’s gone–he can’t hurt anyone again.

We eventually got up and walked around the track so I could stretch and recover. My legs burned from running, but now I felt more capable. After five laps, we headed to the swimming pool.

‘I want to focus on building your muscles.”

That sounds interesting.”

I had to admit my muscles were weak from lack of use and no training. In the pool, Stacey had me tread water to work my legs. It felt endless. When we finished, my legs were like jello, and I could barely pull myself to sit on the pool edge.

“Let’s go get into the hot tub and relax.”

I was ready to relax in the hot tub, and the warm water eased my sore muscles. I realized we had been exercising for hours; it was already getting dark. I wanted to shower off the chemicals. When we returned inside, Alfred kissed me, and I didn’t resist–I was too exhausted to argue.

Babe, I’m going to go take a shower.”

*Alright.”

I walked away from Alfred and Stacey. It sounded like he was apologizing to her, and they were making up. I was not going to interfere in their conversation. I wanted to voice my opinion; however, I decided to keep my thoughts to myself. I will talk to Alfred later, after I have showered and eaten. I felt like I was starving. When I walked into the bedroom to get some clean clothes, I checked the clock. It was six in the evening. It was fall, and the days would grow dark sooner than later. I still wanted to go to the hospital and see Junior.