The Alpha's Unwanted Luna (by Miss L) novel Chapter 401

Chapter 401

60 Ben

A faint, muted light filters up from somewhere deeper in the basement, casting long shadows across the narrow staircase. The silence is almost complete—no creaks, no distant voices. That’s to be expected; most packhouse basements are soundproofed carefully. They don’t want to unsettle the Omegas with the harsh noises of an aggressive interrogation. I’m trailing the faint but distinct scent of Sam and Junior, the only fresh odors in this otherwise stale, cold space. Behind me, about five steps back, I can hear Owen and Damon’s footsteps, steady but cautious.

At the bottom of the stairs, I find myself in a root cellar—a simple, utilitarian room designed for practical storage of food through the winter months. The walls are lined with plain doors, each likely leading to separate compartments. Suddenly, a scuffle behind the door farthest from me catches my attention. My heart races as I nearly sprint toward it. Junior is in trouble—I can feel it deep in my gut.

When I swing open the door, the sight before me stops me cold. Luna Sam sits slumped on a cot, her back pressed against the cold wall. Her head tilts upward, eyes closed, as if lost in some distant, painful memory. She looks utterly worn down—disheveled in a way I’ve never seen before, not even during the hardest times of mourning for her mate. But my gaze quickly shifts away from her to the cage nearby, where a snarling, feral wolf paces restlessly.

“Junior?” I whisper, barely daring to breathe. Damon and Owen flinch beside me, as if the name itself carries weight. “What happened to you?” I ask, though I don’t expect an answer.

Junior’s wolf is a pitiful sight—matted fur, raw and mangy from repeatedly ramming himself against the unyielding silver bars of his cage. His eyes, normally a warm chocolate brown, blaze a terrifying crimson, filled with pure rage. The wolf stalks back and forth, muscles tense, as though wrestling with some inner torment.

“And you? Who’s looking after you?” I kneel down before her, feeling a surge of protectiveness I didn’t expect. This Luna, so strong and composed before, now looks fragile and small. My Beta instincts kick in hard—I want to shield her from this nightmare, but I’m not sure how.

“Hey, Ben,” Owen’s voice breaks through my thoughts. “Are you picking up anything on your shadow marker senses?” I glance over my shoulder, momentarily forgetting they were there.

I pause, tuning in to my own senses. “No,” I say after a moment’s thought. “I’m fine right now. Why?”