Rescuing His Captive Mate: Saving The Future Luna

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Star

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When Artem and I made it back to the room where the Alpha King and Luna Queen were waiting in, we entered slowly. We didn't knock because that would have been awkward but we did enter hesitantly just to be safe. They may seem like nice people but we didn't know what they were like and they were royalty after all.

"Did you get everyone settled?" The Alpha King asked with a smile when we went back into the room.

"Yes we did." Artem nodded and smiled in return. "I had my staff take the luggage to their room. I hope you don't mind but I had yours delivered as well."

"No, not at all. Thank you for your consideration." The Luna Queen answered this time.

"You two seem nervous." The Alpha King looked amused as he spoke. "You know, you really don't need to be scared or nervous around us. Like I said outside earlier, we may be the new King and Queen of the shifters, but we're as new to this as you are. Really." He looked like he was the uncomfortable one now. "Honestly, we just found out about the Luna Queen and Alpha King stuff about four months ago. So that will tell you how new it is to us as well. Though a lot has happened since then and it feels like it has been so much longer than that at times."

"You've really only been the Alpha King and Luna Queen for four months?" I couldn't help myself, I had to ask that question.

"Almost to the day." The Luna Queen laughed as she answered. "In all honesty, I was told that I was Goddess Incarnate and the new Queen on my wedding day. Nice bombshell to receive that day, huh?" Why was the Luna Queen talking like we were friends? I was so confused.

"Yes, Luna Queen, I imagine that made for quite the unique wedding day." I hadn't thought about weddings and all that too much in my life. Though, I had thought that maybe it would be nice to marry Artem at some point, so listening to this was making me think about that even more.

"You don't have to call me Luna Queen. Please, just call me Trinity. We can all be friends here."

"She's right. Neither of us have gotten very comfortable with the whole Alpha King and Luna Queen titles yet. Maybe one day in the future, or when we're meeting people that we need to be official with we will keep the formalities. For the time being, while we're here, we want to just be Trinity and Reece to you guys. You need our help and we're here to give it."

"It is awkward for me to think that you're normal people when we were expecting regal and noble people." I let my thoughts escape absentmindedly and then I realized how it sounded and had to backpedal instantly. "No, that's not what I meant to say. I am so sorry. What I meant was that I was expecting someone older with years of experience being the Queen. I was thinking that the person coming to see us would insist on us using the titles and were people we should fear and respect. I-I didn't…. I-."

 "You don't need to worry Star." The Luna Queen was laughing. "I know what you are trying to say so don't worry. This is all new to me, actually everything in my life has been moving fast lately. In truth I was still just eighteen when I met my mate and from there I became the Luna, was kidnapped and tortured by my father, rescued, married, made into a queen twice, and now I am a soon to be mother. And it has all been less than a year. I mean I am nineteen now at least but other than that it's all way too hectic."

"I never would have thought that you were just a year older than me." I laughed. "You seem like you're so much more mature."

"I imagine we had drastically different upbringings, considering what you went through as a child. I applaud you for making it through that."

"Well, we did have something in common." I giggled. "We were both kidnapped by a crazy warlock." That made The Luna Queen laugh so hard she had to grab her sides while she doubled over.

"Yeah, that is true. Sorry about not taking care of him sooner. If I had known about another crazy family member out there I would have sought him out and eliminated him sooner."

"Well, he had been terrorizing me since I was a child. I imagine you wouldn't have been able to stop him then."

"That is true." I could see the sadness in her eyes as she spoke then. "You endured so much more hardship than me, Star, and I can tell that you are still struggling with it. Don't worry, you will be able to move on soon."

"Actually, whatever your friend did is already making it easier. I don't feel the pain of my past as strongly now. I want to thank her later, if I can."

"I think she would like that." She was smiling at me now while I returned a smile to her.

This was turning into a pleasant discussion, and I was hoping it kept going this well. However, that was when the Alpha King changed the subject.

"Artemis?"

 "Artem, please."

"OK, Artem, I hear you are having trouble with your pack. Can you explain a little of that for me?"

"Well, to be honest, I wasn't given the title of Alpha by the previous head of the pack. I took my position by force."

"You killed him?" There was no judgement in the Alpha King's voice when he heard those words.

"Yes, I did." Artem answered honestly.

"Do you mind telling me why?"

That was when Artem launched into the full story. It was something that I had only ever heard the abridged version of before. It started with Artem and his friends in kindergarten, the group of them that used to play together all the time. It was a story that included Artem's friend Lenny.

Artem went on to detail Lenny's abuse and subsequent death. He told the Alpha king of his first shift and the murderous rage he felt that day. Artem detailed the process he took to secure himself the position of Alpha. The training he did. The deals he made with his father and the securing of the company that would be his financial backing.

It was a tale that sucked you in and held you, but not because of its entertainment value. It was sad and scary. The entire time that Artem spoke the Alpha King and Luna Queen just listened quietly. When he was done with his tale I saw the wise and knowing look in the Alpha's eyes.

"I am amazed by your determination. And I applaud you for what you have done. I agree with you that the pack needed new management and I am glad you are the one that took over."

"Thank you, Alpha King." Artem bowed his head in gratitude and thanks.

"Please, call me Reece."

"Thank you, Reece." Artem was smiling when he said his thanks again.

"Now, I believe you are having trouble getting those still loyal to the previous Alpha to recognize you."

"Yes, that is correct." Artem looked frustrated when he spoke then.

"I think what you need to do is summon them all to a meeting. Is there a central meeting place that the pack would use?"

"Yes, there is. It's out in the woods here on the property." Artem looked like he was thinking about something as he spoke.

"As expected. All Alpha estates should have their meeting place on their property. It's part of the reason the estate exists. What you need to do is summon them all to a meeting while we are here. I am going to guess that they don't know about the existence of the new King and Queen." He grinned now as he looked at Artem, I could sense mischief coming off the Alpha King right now. "We're going to give them all a lesson in obedience."

"Really?" Artem looked excited now.

"Yeah, they will comply or die. It's as simple as that."

I gulped and swallowed reflexively. That was such a dark thing to say. The Alpha King was nice, but he was also scary.

"Don't worry Star, I will try to limit the casualties." The Luna Queen was smiling at me again. She looked a little like an angel just then, innocent and trustworthy. I just hoped it was true.

Following that dark part of the conversation we decided that we were going to send out messengers the next day. We were going to inform the entire pack that there was a meeting the following night and they were all required to show. Anyone who didn't show would be punished severely.

During that meeting Artem would state the next pack rules and standards. He would demand order and obedience. And if they still didn't recognize the new Alpha, then the Alpha King and the Luna Queen would step in and show them all who was boss, literally.

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