The Alpha's Unwanted Luna (by Miss L) novel Chapter 287

Chapter 287

33 – Finn

As we approached the SUV, a piercing scream shattered the tense silence—Finn’s name echoed desperately from behind us. We both spun around just in time to see the child launch herself toward him, her small body wrapping around him with surprising strength.

“No, don’t go,” she sobbed repeatedly, clutching him with all the tiny strength her fingers could muster.

Finn glanced at me, his expression searching for guidance, but I was just as lost. Neither of us knew how to handle this raw, overwhelming emotion. Deep down, a part of me wished Ryker’s assumptions about her parents were wrong. We were completely out of our depths when it came to raising a pup or managing these intense emotional outbursts.

“Hey,” I said softly, stepping closer and gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She responded with a muffled ‘humph’ and burrowed even deeper into Finn’s neck. Taking a steadying breath, I exchanged a look with Finn. Janelle was our immediate problem, but Trinity was our responsibility now. The weight of that truth pressed down on me, and I felt utterly clueless about what to do next.

Finn rubbed her back soothingly. “Trin, why can’t we leave?”

“Because you won’t come back,” she whimpered, her voice muffled against his skin.

I pressed my hand over Finn’s on her back and asked gently, “What makes you think that?”

“Gramma and Grampa didn’t come back. Then Mommy and Daddy didn’t come back. Aunty Jo didn’t come back either. Grown-ups don’t come back when the bad stuff happens.”

“Oh, sweet girl,” I murmured, moving closer to surround her between Finn and myself. Finn’s free arm encircled us protectively. “I can’t promise anything. Pack attacks are dangerous. But I can promise that we’ll both do everything possible to come back to you as soon as we can.” I kissed her cheek softly and pulled back, meeting Finn’s eyes. He looked just as shattered by her reaction—maybe even more so. He had lived this reality before and understood the storm raging inside her.

A cough interrupted the moment. “Sorry, I should have held her all the way down to the falls,” Bennet said quietly, barely masking his sorrow. He held out his hands to take her, and I stepped aside. But when Finn moved to hand her over, she screamed again, inconsolable. Bennet had to pry her off him, her body kicking and writhing. I fought the urge to scoop her back into our arms. Instead, I turned us both toward the SUV.

“Let’s go. Want me to drive?” I whispered.

Finn shook his head, his face hard as stone. We climbed inside silently. He started the engine without a word, and we pulled away. Her screams echoed faintly in my ears, haunting me. I closed my eyes, sinking back into my seat, struggling to keep it together. That was one of the most gut-wrenching moments I’d ever experienced. A tear slipped down my cheek, and I felt Finn’s hand rest gently on my thigh. Opening my eyes slowly, I looked to my left. His eyes were rimmed red, but he stared straight ahead. Holding onto his arm, I whispered, “What did you do to me?”

“Hmm?” He glanced at me, confusion flickering briefly before his gaze returned to the road.

“Before you, I was never this emotional. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve felt anything like this in over ten years. Then I find my mate, and suddenly I’m a blubbering mess every five minutes.”

He let out a watery laugh. “Maybe if you didn’t fight the mate bond so hard, you wouldn’t be this emotional.”

I squeezed his hand. “Let’s kick Janelle’s ass first, then I’ll see what I can do about that.” I relaxed into the comforting tingles spreading through me.

The two-hour drive blurred past in silence until we neared our destination, where business had to take priority. We had a child to bring home. I gasped softly, and my wolf chuckled playfully in my mind.

“What?” Finn scanned the surroundings from the driver’s seat.

“It’s about time, Greta.”

“Shut up, Ryker, you’re one to talk.”

“We can all give Greta a hard time later. Right now, we have a rogue to take down.” I nodded my thanks to Jensen, even though we both knew it was only delaying the inevitable.

Finn and I shifted and followed him. Our wolves ran side by side, close enough that our shoulders brushed as we moved.

“They’re not far from here. They’re not as stealthy as when your group came through, Finn. I just can’t tell if that’s intentional, and we’re being set up, or if they’re really this stupid.”

“It could be either. Janelle never seemed like the planner type, but I didn’t think she was the idiot of the group either.”

“LOOK OUT!” Brian’s shout rang out just before a blur of fur streaked past us, followed by a wolf crashing into me.

“GRETA!” Finn yelled.

“Go! I’ve got this asshole.” I didn’t wait for a response, turning to face whoever had just knocked me down.