The Alpha Of The Shadow Pack And His Mute Luna (by Beatrice Putnam) novel Chapter 138

After watching Vanessa get into bed, I took several deep breaths to steady my nerves. I put on shorts, crawled in beside her, and pulled her close. She lay on my chest and quickly fell asleep. It felt like minutes before my alarm sounded at six. I got up, and Vanessa stirred, clearly aching. I started a hot shower, hoping it would ease her pain, retrieved her muscle pain medication, poured a glass of water, and returned to the bed.

Here, drink this and take these.”

This will help with your muscles this morning.”

After kissing her on the lips, I left the room. Mac was in the kitchen making waffles, grinning widely. I didn’t need to ask how his night went; his smile said

it all. I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat at the bar, waiting for Vanessa; I preferred not to eat alone. Eating breakfast with her was always a highlight.

Soon, she emerged dressed in a flattering yoga outfit. I was glad she planned to do yoga; it would stretch her muscles and ease her soreness. I wanted to

join her and Stacey, but work awaited: I needed to finish interrogations and set trial dates. Also, after yoga, we would visit Junior at the hospital. He was expected home in a few days, and we had to prepare the nursery.

There was plenty to do. His crib and decorations arrive today. Vanessa would want to handle decorating herself. Ever since she started, the house had been

bustling with activity. I got her coffee, orange juice, water, and vitamins. She devoured three waffles, clearly ravenous. She looked radiant at the table. Just

then, the front door opened–Stacey arrived early with yoga mats. Vanessa chatted with Mac about his date, pleased with his report.

After last night at dinner, when she reassured me that she was never going to leave me for any reason, I felt reassured. I was falling more and more in love

with her every day. I could tell that Stacey loved her, too, in a friendly kind of way. After Vanessa finished talking to Mac, she turned to me. Stacey went and

helped herself to some coffee and a waffle.

What are your plans for today, babe?”

I have some work to do in the office, then after you get done with yoga, we are going to see Junior.”

She was excited to hear that we were going to see Junior this morning, as any mother would be. I stared at her, and she smiled back at me. Then,

unexpectedly, she got up from her seat, took her plate with her, and sat on my lap. For a moment, I worried something was wrong, but then I realized she

just wanted to be closer.

“What’s wrong, little one?”

“I just wanted to sit on your lap,”

I chuckled and pulled her closer. She belonged in my lap, but that wasn’t always possible. Having her close let me breathe in her scent. I nuzzled the spot where I’d marked her–it brought comfort to both of us. She leaned in. I sensed we would make love later; her arousal was unmistakable, and mine matched hers. But this wasn’t the time. I needed to focus. Stacey’s interruption saved us; if not for her, I’d have taken Vanessa to the bedroom then and there.

Ok, you two love birds, let’s go.”

I let her go; she kissed me goodbye and grabbed her raincoat. Rain had started around three, briefly waking me. This morning, I called Chris to have a car ready; I didn’t want Vanessa to get wet or cold. The yoga studio was only a block away, easily walkable, but she deserved protection. With Chris, I knew they’d be safe. I’d have to ask him if Karen worked at the studio.

Karen was always relaxed and trusted Chris, certain he’d never betray her. If he did, I’d deal with him personally. I watched the girls leave. I sat back for a few minutes, waiting for my arousal to subside. Interrogating prisoners in this state would be inappropriate. Once I finished my coffee, I was ready. I headed to the jail. The toughest prisoner was scheduled for interrogation today; the other two remained locked up. Their fate was uncertain. Death was a real possibility, but their youth gave me pause. I considered persuading them to join my pack in exchange for sparing their families from Alpha Micah. I believed

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Chapter 138

I could send people into his territory without detection.

They were skilled warriors and always did a fantastic job gathering information for me. As I walked to the jail in the freezing rain, I thought about those kids who had been tricked into trying to kill an alpha. Alpha Micah probably expected their deaths. I waited for Chris and Tj to arrive, likely delayed by their mates. If my mate hadn’t left when she did, I would have been late too. Once Junior came home, that would change.

I looked forward to that, and I know she did as well. I walked into the boy’s cell. They seemed to be in good spirits, which I found strange. They are in a jail cell and happy. I will ask them about it. I had Chris and Tj take them to the interrogation room. They did not seem afraid or upset. I walked in behind them. They sat down in the interrogation chairs. Are they under a spell of sorts?

Dexter, why are you two so happy?

We are going to die and be free of Alpha Micah forever.”

What are they talking about, dying? I have no intention of killing him.

What are you talking about?”

“Aren’t you going to kill us?”

I actually wanted to see if you would be willing to join my pack, and we will help save your family.”

“I don’t have any family left. I live in the academy.”

Dante only has a sister, and she is mated to someone from a different pack.”

The look of shock on his face was priceless. I don’t kill children unless they deserve it. These two teenagers don’t deserve it in any way. They were following orders from their alpha. That told me that they were loyal and took being a part of a pack seriously.

So what do you boys say about joining my pack?”

Yes, we would like that a lot.”

I was pleased that they agreed to join my pack.

“Now, boys, I need you to scream like we are torturing and getting you two to talk.”

They told me that the leader in the other cell was named Peter. He’s the alpha’s beta. That would explain why he is so strong and can tolerate what we are doing to him. Betas were trained to endure pain and survive. I hated when Chris went through the training. I did not take part in it because I could not bear to watch my best friend go through it. My father and his beta trained Chris. Chris said it was the most painful experience of his life, but he was grateful to

be my beta.