Rise of the Crescent Moon

Chapter 9 August

Josephine looked up at me with horror in her eyes. I tightened my grip on her arms, begging her to tell me what's wrong.

"I'm scared." She whimpered.

"Baby, nothing is going to keep us apart now, you don't need to be scared." She shook her head,

"Not for me, I'm scared for you and what you're going to do when you find out." I tucked her hair behind her ear and cupped her face,

"What do you mean, love?" I asked, trying to remain calm for her.

"Your father knew I was alive." Her words stopped my heart. No, that can't be true.

"He sent me a letter on my birthday every year for 12 years. He told me to never come back here no matter what. Even when I told him about all of the dreams and feelings that called me back here, he said to stay away." She confessed, biting her lip. I made a mental note to come back to the dreams.

I stepped away from Josie, clenching my hands into fists. Calm was out the window. If my father knew Josie was my mate and he kept her from me, there was no place on heaven or Earth that would keep him safe from me.

"August...." she reached out to me but I kept my distance. I wasn't in control of my anger, Arlo was snarling in my head, threatening to come forward. I saw my eyes darkening in Josie's reflection.

"August....Arlo....please." She begged me, she begged my wolf, but I couldn't let it go. I felt my mate reaching out to me emotionally, trying to calm me down, but even that couldn't settle me. I ripped off my shirt and went running out the front door. I lunged off the front porch and shifted mid air. I looked behind me to see Josie on the porch, her hair moving in the wind and her hand covering her mouth.

"Ace, Shaw, Blaine, surround this house and protect your Luna." I ordered Dru, Theo, and Ty's wolves. They were three of my best men who were already on patrol nearby. I heard their shock in my head at the announcement of my mate. I would pay for that later.

"Yes Alpha!" They barked in unison. I heard their paws pounding the ground as they raced towards the cabin. I pushed Arlo faster, calling out to my Beta and Gamma,

"Ethan, Hayden, where is my father?"

"He's at the packhouse, Alpha." Ethan replied.

"Get him in my office, now!" I ordered.

"Yes Alpha!" Hayden and Ethan said together.

I shut off the mindlink and closed in on the packhouse. I could feel my mate calling out to me, her pain and worry vibrated through my chest. I hated that I was causing it, it physically hurt me, but I needed to confront my father and he needed to face his consequences.

I shifted before walking through the front door of the packhouse. Ethan was waiting with shorts and a T-shirt. I grunted my thanks and got dressed on the move.

"Alpha...." Ethan started but I held up my hand, silencing him.

Ethan and Hayden were my best friends, and had been since childhood. They were the obvious choice for Beta and Gamma when I found out I would be the Alpha. They trained at the Warrior pack with me for a few years after my father took over for Josie's father, Alpha Johnathan. They were ready to step up and they wanted to be prepared. But, even they knew when to shut up.

I nearly ripped the office door off its hinges. Ethan stayed outside and I ordered Hayden out. My father was standing against the back wall, examining my library. He turned at my voice and his entire expression changed.