What he holds, he lets slip from his hand. He's still standing in the same position, very much rigid. The disconnection between us truly worries me and I can't explain how much.

It is something to frown upon but I know, my focus being on him, will remind me that I need to help him return to me. Despite the disgusting smell of dead flesh around us and ofcourse the blood splattered around us, I make careful way towards him.

My heart beats fast but I do all I can, to display calmness, in order to gain trust in his weary and distrustful eyes. He is distracted, mostly by what he'd encountered and what he'd done, to really take in my scent and consider my presence to be the calm he needs.

" Mica...." I whisper out his name.

A rough groan grumbles from his chest and I know that he isn't pleased, with me calling him by his first name.

He is in alpha mode and it is the way, he wants me to address him by.

" Alpha Mica...."

His response to me is him locking eyes with me.

The sudden sound of feet coming from behind me, makes us both to tense up. It is no longer us both, but someone else has joined us. Mica's eyes snap behind me and I know that I've lost his attention.

He growls in warning, with his canines showing.

" Beta Travis, please, stay where you are." I speak up, letting out these words through authority, as a Luna.

I glance over my shoulder and I now see that he didn't come alone. He is with two of the pack warriors.

" I could feel that something wasn't right and now, I know that I was right to come." He says, glancing from me to Mica.

" He isn't himself right now and anything can happen, so please, whatever happens, keep your distance."

" Luna, I don't think that's a good idea." He disagrees, keeping a close eye on Mica with the corner of his eye while looking at me.

" Don't speak about me as if I am not here." That very deep and gruff voice has my head snapping to Mica.

No, he is not Mica right now. Ryker has taken over.

This is the first time I've heard him speak, he has taken over and that alone is a problem. He is dominant and he might just enforce this on us. I need Mica's senses now more than ever or we might stay for quite a long time in this night, trying to get back Mica.

" The alpha is not in his best senses right now, so it is only fit that I as the Luna, take control."

" You as the Luna, you don't feel like my mate." He scoffs, narrowing his eyes at me.

Those words hit me hard and I have to take a second, to recover.

" Luna -" I hold up my hand, silencing Travis from saying anymore.

He knows that the alpha has just thrown insult to his luna, but I need to remind him that the alpha is not in his best senses. The cold and almost inhumane part of him, has slipped out. This is the part of him, that has been a mere rumour to those who have heard of him and a well known display of him, to those who have had an encounter in the line of war.

" Strong words alpha but not nearly enough, to the mark I bear. The same you gave me." I say in levelled tone, tilting my head to the side and pushing my hair out of the way, so it is on full display.

I watch as curiousity takes over his features. His gaze is quite burning due to how much, the mate mark has captured his attention.

" I can come closer, for you to have a better look, if you permit me ofcourse."

His feet moving and walking towards me, are answer enough for me. I try calm my hard beating heart, telling myself to remain calm and not let my mind open to unwanted memories, of the alpha, I had my first encounter with.

I force myself to see my mate, despite the indescribable disconnection between us.

I can sense the concern coming in waves from behind me, Travis along with the two men are greatly troubled by the urge to protect me, but my instruction is holding them back.

My lips part when he roughly grabs me from the back of my neck, forcing my head closer. He tilts his head to the side so as to run his eyes all over my skin, doing a thorough inspection of the mate mark that I bear.

The seconds pass by excruciatingly slow but I remain patient. I let out a gasp when I feel his finger trailing along my skin and that's when, those pleasurable tingles return back to me with so much force.

I hear a low groan come from him and I know that he feels this too. I reach out my hand and rest it against his chest, right where his heart beats.

His body shudders at my touch and I feel his heart start to race.

" I need eyes on my baby, Beta Travis." I speak out without moving an inch from the alpha.

I have been careless as to leave my baby alone for too long.

" They can go, I'll stay." He responds, his tone revealing his disagreement.

He still believes that he needs to be here right now.

" I will be fine Beta. I am present with my mate, who I have no reason to distrust in regards to my safety." My words make it clear out loud, for mostly the alpha to be aware that I am allowing him to be alone with me, despite what just happened.

"As you wish Luna." He says in resignation, knowing that he can't argue anymore.

There is no reasoning to be done, after my words.

The alpha is too intuned with what is happening right now, he is still familiarising with the mate bond, which has returned into him.

Our connection has resurfaced and I am more then relieved by this. It has held him captive that he ignores the movement happening behind us. Once we are alone, I remove my hand from his chest and that's when he groans in protest. I ignore that and touch his wrist, removing his hand from my neck.

I look up at him.

" Look into my eyes alpha, I want to feel you with me again." I say, almost in a plea.

He listens and knowing that he hears me and doing all this, under the influence of my voice, calms me and my heart. Our eyes lock and the connection grows deeper, parts of that side of Ryker melt away and the Ryker I know and Mica, I love, return to me.

Parts of Ryker linger for a little while and I patiently wait for him to allow Mica to take over.

" Belle." He breathes out.

I know it then, that Mica has fully returned to me.

His beautiful green eyes stare down at me and he can't help himself, from just staring at me. He is looking at me as his mate now, not the luna who invaded the alpha's space.

" You have returned alpha, I am well pleased by this." I say.

A frown appears on his face.

" Not alpha, but Mica. "

" I sensed trouble some time ago and it called out to me, now here I am."

Before he can respond, I hear someone approaching us. It's beta Travis, he returned too soon. He just couldn't help himself.

" Kylie has her eye on Ulana." He explains quickly before I say something.

I take a step back from Mica, who hasn't taken his eyes off me. The frowns only deepens due to my actions.

I've created distance between us.

" There's a needed discussion meant for the alpha and Beta right now. I'll excuse myself and return to my baby." With those words I turn around and walk off.

I feel Mica's eyes watching intently as I walk away. He tries to push through the mindlink but I've drawn up my wall.

                           ********

" Let me touch you." My eyes close at the sound of his voice. " I can feel the distance." The sadness and concern in his tone hurts my heart.

I turn around to face him. I see that he's all cleaned up now and there's no trace of blood on him. We hadn't seen each other after I left him with Travis. I'd been in Ulana's room eversince.

" It's been a long night, we should get some rest hmm?" I touch his arm before walking past him.

I gasp when I feel a hand on my wrist, I'm jerked around and pulled to his chest. His arm wraps around me while his other hand buries itself through my hair.

" This is not us my love, talk to me please. Talk to me Belle." A shaky breath slips out when he starts peppering kisses on my face.

" Mica..." I let out when I feel his kisses trail down to my mate mark.

" Gosh, your skin is cold." He breathes out in surprise.

" I felt a disconnection with you." My words make him to tense up and his movements to stop.

" That's impossible." He mutters.

" I have no reason to lie about this." He pulls back to look at me.

I see his eyes desperately searching my eyes, wanting to desperately believe that he heard wrong.

" How is that possible?" He lets out in a whisper.

" I have no explaination for this, I'm troubled by it as of now."

"Mica..." I trail off when he pulls back from me, a deep frown now making its way onto his handsome face.

" No, we are mates, end off." He says, holding up his finger in a ' wait a minute' motion.

He shakes his head before walking back inside.

I sigh before following him inside. I close the sliding door and the curtains before turning to face him. He's now seated on the edge of the bed, with his head hung low.

What I've just told him is hard to digest and he's found a challenge in letting the words, to sink in. I walk over to him and then get down to a kneeling position between his legs, before touching his face and tilting it up so our eyes meet.

" We are mates and there's no question about that." I say.

He doesn't say anything back but continues to stare down at me.

" Tell me what happened out there?"

" How is it possible that - "

" Mica, I need to know what happened out there."

" And I need to know about this!" He snaps, making me to jump slightly.

Having seen my reaction, he sighs and I watch him run his fingers through his hair.

" I'm sorry."

I look away from him and say, " you weren't yourself out there. You showed me a glimpse of that part of you, in which men in war have encountered, the same in which I came across -"

" Stop..." He whispers out in a plea. " Please, stop."

" Something set you off." I turn to him again. " What was it?.....Was it that man, in which you wripped his heart out?"

" Intruders, that's who they were. It was four men and the last....." He closes his eyes, his words trailing off.

" Look at me Mica." I demand, causing his eyes to snap open.

" Talk to me with your eyes on me."

I watch him frown and I know what he's thinking, but I continue to stare up at him.

" I trust you." I say, wanting to calm his thoughts. " You killed all of them didn't you?"

" I dealt with intruders the way they deserved."

" They weren't rogues."

" No, they weren't and it's quite hard to determine from which pack, they came from."

"They came with a message, for either one of us."

He shakes his head. " I'm the one who'd made an act. I showed a sign of distrust to my allies by my actions. This is part of one of their response, they want me to know that they are aware."

" Someone wanted our attention."

" Well, they've got it." He says quickly, almost cutting me off. " No harm had been inflicted on any of them by my actions."

" In their eyes, you've undermined their authority and trespassed into their lands. That's more then enough reason for a visit from them."

" Hmm." He tilts his chin up slightly, looking ahead. " I see your point."

" What are you thinking?" I ask.

" They've been comfortable in their seats, fully confident in their business being underwraps. They never expected a bit of digging to be done in their own territory. Many feed off the power they carry and would do just about anything to remain in one seat, for as long as possible."

" You're turning your direction off focus and purpose alpha."

He looks down at me and I know that me calling him alpha, has caught his attention. He's grown comfortable with me addressing him by his first name. Addressing him as alpha, is still something to familiarise ourselves with, there's a lot of weight in which me addressing him as such is still left.

" Must I remind you that I am also a Luna?" I raise my brow.

He nods, accepting that I am speaking to him as the luna and not his mate right now.

" I haven't forgotten my purpose for all this. I just -"

" Your curiosity weighs deeply right now." I finish for him.

" Along those lines, yes." He nods. " Someone wanted to shut me up."

" Someone wanted to send a message across. Anything above that is something worth strategy and thorough personal planning, they know of your capabilities and who you are, the man in the battlefield I mean."

" Do I hear praise within the Luna's words?" A teasing glint twinkles in his eyes.

" I'm not so sure, did I ?" I raise my brow teasingly.

" Mmm, I think you did." He plays along, resting his chin on his hand.

I rise to my feet. " The Luna would like you to take her seriously right now."

He pulls me to his lap and wraps an arm around my middle.

" And what makes you think I'm not?"

I look at him.

" The alpha is way too distracted."

" Or maybe I'm taken by the sight of you, your great mind and how much I know, without a doubt that once you step into your office as Luna, you're gonna make a grown man cry."

" Shh, don't let them hear you." I pretend to be looking around us as if someone might show up and hear.

He chuckles, kissing my cheek.

" Aren't you playful this evening?"

" Under the influence of my mate." I lean my face towards his but stop within inches from his lips. " We were still talking."

He groans in protest when I pull back.

" You're not being fair on your mate."

" Neither are you on your luna." I challenge.

He sighs, knowing that he can't win on this.

" Someone made a poor attempt at sending me a message."

" Or they wanted to make you think they have a poor hand at planning."

" It's too early to conclude anything."

" That would be us showing a weak hand...."

" Because we assumed." He finishes for me and I nod.

" What bothers me amongst other things, is the fact that intruders were considered to be sacrificial lambs and nothing more. There simply was no value for them."

" The person above them has no regard for life. Neither did they think of my mate or child."

" I'm not worried about me Mica, I'm someone's mate, that already makes me a target, but my baby, now that needs no discussion." I say strongly.

" Hey...." I feel him turn my head to look at him and I realize that I'd gone off into my thoughts. " Don't disappear on me, be present with me."

" It's our baby Mica."

" I know." I wrap my arm around him and rest my chin on his shoulder. " I know Belle." He repeats, returning my embrace.

We remain in this embrace, feeding off each others comfort. We don't say anything in that moment but just being present with each other, in the silence. I close my eyes as I feel exhaustion weigh on me, adding to how good it feels to be in my mate's arms right now.

" You're falling asleep on me my love."

" That's because I'm too comfortable in my mate's arms." I say, opening up my eyes and pulling back.

I notice him already watching me and his eyes are smiling at me. This causes a flip to my heart and I can't help but to lean in to connect our lips. I let our lips linger against each other.

" The things you do to me dear mate." He murmurs against my lips. " They should be illegal."

I chuckle, getting off his lap.

" And the playfulness of the alpha returns." I say, heading over to the closet for a change of clothing.

" Under the influence of the Luna." I glance over my shoulder and poke my tongue at him, he shakes his head in amusement and I continue my way.

" I'll go and check on Ulana." He says on his way out.

I change into my pjs before heading to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. After I'm done, I head back into the room and get under the covers. I let out a tired sigh as I relax and let sleep to take control.

In the midst of actually falling deep into sleep and blocking out my surroundings, my ears catch movement around me, this announces Mica's return. It's not long when I feel him get under the covers and his arm around my waist pulls me close to him, where my back connects with his chest.

" She's still sound asleep."

" That's good." I murmur.

I feel his lips at the back of my neck.

" This is a night I never want a repeat of. You have been greatly affected by tonight's events." He suddenly says.

" I'm okay now."

I roll over and now face him. He takes advantage of this and starts playing with my hair, I close my eyes and let him have his way.

" I love you Belle, never forget that." I hear him say.

" Never." I murmur before drowning into sleep.

                           ******

It's around the lunch hour and I wanted to spend it with Mica. A spare of 30 minutes or so would be enough for us before he focused on work again. I wanted to make his last days here good ones,  before he went to that meeting. I don't want him to leave while stressing and having lots in mind. I believe that it's best that he be clear in mind when he is amongst other alphas.

I want his days to be nice and memorable.

" Ulana's growing fast each day as it passes." Cara says, entering into the kitchen. " Not to mention how much more of her mother she has taken after. She really is a beautiful baby."

I glance at her as a smile takes over.

" That's one thing to make the alpha be extra protective. He has a crazy thought of saying that Ulana must date when she is way old, and I mean old."

She shakes her head in amusement.

" He might get a heart attack if she meets her mate very early."

" Hmm, I hadn't thought of that. It's something for both of us as her parents, to have to think over." I say, closing the picnic basket, being done with packing food inside.

" Luna, can I ask you something?"

" Yes ofcourse. Ask away?"

" Has it ever crossed your mind, you know, about having more children?"

I freeze in place, having not expected such a question.

" I-I'm s-s-sorry Luna, I was just -"

" It's okay Cara." I quickly cut her off before she starts assuming that she's offended me.

" Children are a beautiful gift and ofcourse, growing up around the age I was ready to meet my mate, I've let myself dream of being with my mate, having children and living in a nice house. But, I learnt to be accepting of the chance I've been given and things that were required of me.

Being Ulana's mother has been the most fulfilling thing in my life and I have no regrets. She is my greatest miracle and she has made me see so much beauty in the world. She is a dream come true for me." I say the last part, with my gaze on Ulana, who is busy with her pacifier in her mouth.

When I look back at Cara, I notice her smile sadly at me and I frown a little at her.

" Cara, don't let your heart be troubled." I tell her, knowing full well where her thoughts had gone.

She is thinking about earlier, when she'd first arrived. Unfortunately, she beared witness to my shaking hands and thus, it has caused her some concern. Her natural reaction was to start fussing and I had to calm her down. She worries that this maybe her dream becoming a reality, that something is affecting my health.
I had to agree with her to some extent, that something is amiss with my health but I need to know exactly, what it is that has been happening to me.

I don't want to be overly concerned over the unknown.

" If what happened continues, I ask that you visit the pack doctor." She says.

" Cara -"

" Luna please." She quickly says, her eyes pleading.

I sigh and nod.

" Okay."

" Thank you."

" Now calm down."

She nods, getting off the stool and taking the basket while I head out with Ulana's stroller.

" Soon, I will be in my office as Luna, are you ready?" I ask her on our way.

" I was ready to go anywhere with you, when you asked me to come with you here. So in other words, yes, I'm ready to work beside you."

A small smile touches my lips and I accept her answer.

" I can't help but wish so badly, for happiness to be upon you in every turn." She suddenly says.

" My wish to you too dear Cara." I respond.

It feels like a long time has passed since I've been around my people and the pack house. As I was passing by different people, I could see the surprise flicker onto their faces, I made sure to acknowledge those I could and it was so sweet, to see some ask to look at Ulana.

I'm relieved that she didn't cry or show signs of being overwhelmed, by different people being around her. We met Travis along the way and he is the one, who is helping us to take the stroller inside.

" He's thinking of not going anymore."  He mindlinks me.

" He's thinking about last night isn't he?"

" Amongst other things."

I frown at his words.

"It's a good thing that both of his favourite people are here, he'll have a reason to step away from work for a little while."

I nod, understanding his reason for changing the subject. We are much close to his offfice right now.

" Well Ulana and I have a little date planned for him."

The office door opens just as we're about to knock. I smile when I see Mica and though his eyes glance at us curiously, he returns my smile.

" Now this is a good surprise." He says, opening the door wider and standing aside, letting us in.

" We thought you could use a break." I say, entering into his office.

" And I can steal this little munchin for a little while." Travis says, crouching down to Ulana's height.

" Don't even think about it." Mica says.

Travis pouts at him. " But I've never had time to spend alone with my Ulana."

" You mean my Ulana?" Mica scoffs.

" No, my Ulana. I knew her mother first, I'm the best friend and....." He takes a dramatic breath before continuing. " I'm her godfather."

" Well I'm her father and that tramples over everything."

" No, you think it does but in actual fact it doesn't. I mean, I'm Ulana's favourite."

" Says who?"

" Me."

" Actually I'm Ulana's favourite." I speak up, raising my brow and challenging them to argue with me.

" Argh, you're her mother, so duh." I laugh when Travis says this, pretty much rolling his eyes at me.

" You mean you're her favourite for now. She's still growing."

" That's right."

Now I'm the one who rolls the eyes when they high five each other.

" Get out of here Travis, before I change my mind about letting you babyseat Ulana."

His eyes light up. " Wait, are you serious?"

I don't say anything but point to the door. " Fine, fine, fine...But I'm holding onto that." He says, leaning over to kiss both Ulana's cheeks before heading out, followed by Cara.

" You heard her right?"

" Nope, I didn't."

" Oh come on Cara."

That's what I hear as I close the office door.

I turn around to see Mica take out Ulana from her stroller and how happy she wiggles her feet, being in her daddy's arms. A smile instantly takes over,  watching him walk over to the window and both watch the activity happening outside.

I decide to get busy while they stand there and start taking out food and putting it on the coffee table, close to the couch.

Mica soon comes over to join me, making sure that Ulana is placed comfortably in his arm. Once I'm done, I lean comfortably on the couch and face both of them.

" I surely wouldn't mind visits like this." He says, grabbing a few grapes and throwing them into his mouth.

" We wanted to spend the afternoon with daddy, didn't we Ulana?" She moves her arms around as if she can hear me.

" You haven't stopped thinking about last night." I mention, looking up at him again.

" Neither have you."

I nod.

" Well it's harder not to now."

I sigh when I see the deep emotion in his eyes. It hits me that he is aware of the rest that happened last night.

" It's passed now."

" I threw insult your way, I can't just let it pass."

" Mica -"

" When Travis told me....."

" You mean forced it out of him maybe."

He sighs, knowing that I've caught on to how he found out.

" I just couldn't get rid of the feeling that there was more I was missing. Maybe I shouldn't have forced it out of him but I needed to know. You know what, I'm relieved to learn this. I now understand why you just couldn't look at me."

" I shouldn't have -"

" No, Belle please....What I did -"

" Was something done at a state where you were not in your right senses."

" Still.....I wish it didn't happen."

" I know."

" I'm sorry."

" I know." I say with a small smile.

He sighs. " I meant what I said last night, I really don't want a repeat of last night."

" We can hope but such things aren't planned."

I watch him turn Ulana around to face him and he plays with her.

" Last night shouldn't determine your decision for the meeting."

" Like we said last night, that they wanted our attention. Well they have it."

" True, but this shouldn't be a delay to your plans."

" I should be here, to keep watch and protect my family."

" The words of a man, wanting to protect his family. I am in full agreement with where your mindset is."

" But...."

" But for an alpha, who needs be somewhere his presence is needed, I say go."

Disagreement shows in his eyes but I know as he looks at me, he is open to listen to my view.

" Alpha, you have men capable of keeping a close eye on your family. I know that within you, no one can come close to keeping us safe than you. But I say go to that meeting, because thinking deeply about how things happened, it's pretty clear to see that this was used as a distraction, to keep you away.

Whoever is responsible, wants to paint a picture of you as a shaken alpha, at a mere visit from intruders. No, this was a simple play of delay and distraction, they know what importance the alpha's mate and pup is to him.

I say go and show up there, let them be the ones shaken, I mean, Travis is here, if you want to rest your worries about our safety."

" I hear you."

" You mean you see the whole picture that I'm painting for you alpha."

" I mean that the Luna makes total sense."

I nod, feeling pleased that he understands what I'm saying to him.

" Your mother is one heck of a Luna, isn't she Ulana?" He says to Ulana.

" I haven't even started yet." I say, throwing a strawberry into my mouth.

He raises a brow at me over Ulana's head and I shrug, grinning at him.

" Well, Luna, to prove how much I hear when you speak, your office is almost done and soon, I'll be watching my Belle, take her seat."

My cheeks warm up when he winks at me.

" Look at your mommy Lu, she's blushing." He says teasingly, turning her to face me.

" Oh hush, come on Mica, Ulana and I have places to be." I gesture to all the untouched food.

" Aren't I invited?"

" No, sorry."

" Meanie." I poke my tongue at him.

" You know, it's been quite some time since the pack has dined with the alpha, I think they miss that moment."

" What are you suggesting?"

" Maybe you can make possible time with them before you leave."

" I've thought about it too, you know, our first dinner with everyone and Ulana."

" Soon, maybe when you return."

He nods. " Let me guess, one of the members came to you instead of me?"

" Maybe." I shrug, dishing up for him.

" Wow, and already, they are taking advantage of having a luna."

I chuckle, watching a cute frown take over his features.

" You know, I think you're being a  little too lenient towards their demands."

I laugh at that.

***********************************

I can honestly say that it has been a long time since I've posted a chapter. I'm sorry that it took so long.

So both the alpha and luna's minds were working over time, trying to think of the meaning behind what happened. Tell me your thoughts and what you think, all of this might mean?💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

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