Chapter 126

"Raphael? Raphael, I am sorry to wake you but I am afraid that there is an emergency."

Raph squinted his eyes as he made out his Luna's voice on the other side of the door. He got up yawning and scratching his head as walked to open the door.

He smacked his lips tiredly while looking down at the Luna, "What's the emergency?"

Her eyes were laced with fear as she spoke haltingly, "Th-they found," She took a breath, "They found two other bodies."

He turned and began to put his boots and coat on without bothering to change out of his pjs.

"A Lycan and another Fae." Her voice sounded once again.

He nodded as he laced up his boots, "Where?"

"Inside the Haven."

"What was a Lycan doing in there?"

"I don't know."

He could tell that she was on the verge of tears, he really didn't know what to do. He only really knew how to comfort his mate and he didn't want to offend his Alpha.

He sighed as he zipped his coat up. He walked back to the doorway and held Charm's shoulder, "Don't worry, I'm sure it'll be fine."

She nodded and smiled a watery smile, "Thank you, Raphael."

He smiled and headed down the stairs to see that Ditri and his Gamma were waiting for him, he'd met the Gamma at dinner last night.

Onyx was saying goodbye to her mate and Raph checked his phone once again for notifications, nothing.

He dialled her number anyway, it rang and rang until her voice came on saying to leave a voicemail. He closed his eyes as he thought of what to say, "Brooke, love. There was another two bodies found, I'm going with the Alpha here and his Gamma to investigate, call me back when you get this. I'm worried about you." He sighed and looked out the window, "I love you."

There was no reply and he ended it sadly.

He sighed as he tucked his phone back in his pocket noticing the time was six in the morning.

"Raphael!" He turned when he heard his Luna's voice once again, "Do not forget this."

She handed him a bronze chain engraved with runes, "Thanks." He dropped it over his neck and headed out the door with the Alpha and Gamma.

~~~~~~~

They drove for a kilometre or so until they reached a thick hedge. At first it looked out of place because hedges like this wouldn't grow in this climate and it was well maintained, but as you got closer you could see the old growth of the thick limbs inside and smell a rejuvenating scent emanating from it.

Ditri walked forward and expertly reached into the hedge and retrieved a key.

Raphael watched as he found another hidden compartment and then he heard the distinct sound of a lock opening.

The hedge parted and Raph stood amazed as he saw grass; bright, healthy, green, grass, on the other side.

Ditri motioned for him to enter and he did so carefully. This was his first time entering the Haven. He'd known of its existence almost as soon as he'd become Beta, but he'd never had the honour of stepping through the gates.

He smiled as he breathed in the fresh air and sighed happily. This was the most alive he'd felt the entire journey.

He heart sunk at the fact that he was feeling happy without his mate here. 'No, she'd want me to be happy.' He told himself, knowing that it was true.

He began seeing daffodils and dandelions popping up through the fine, vibrant grass. Ditri came up behind him putting a hand on his shoulder, "I know, you'll never see such a sight again."

Before them lay a town, hidden in a nook of the mountains, all around were butterflies, bumblebees, squirrels and chipmunks, berry bushes ready for harvest, flowering trees and tall, strong evergreens draped with Spanish moss.

The entire place had an atmosphere of magic. It was similar to the Luna's but stronger as if everything here was breathing magic.

He inhaled deeply and could feel strength running through him.

"This way." Ditri said as he turned down a dirt path that looked moist from a recent rain. Raphael noted that he hadn't seen it rain, 'The Haven probably had their own weather.' He concluded.

The path led down to the village and he stopped when he saw the first Fae. A woman that looked just like Onyx, save that she had blonde hair and was dressed in a white cotton dress. The thing that made him stop in his tracks was the wings. They looked like butterfly wings, only larger. Her long hair was draped over her shoulders as she walked before them from the trees.

Ditri and the Gamma continued walking so Raph picked up his pace.

They reached the village and in the centre was a fountain, surrounding it were flowers and small trees.

He wanted to take Brooke here, he was sure she would love it.

A burst of giggles came from his right and he turned to see a rush of children running towards them.

"Ditri!" They called happily.

Raph hopped out of the way as they ran to tackle the large man.

Now he was positive that Brooke would like it here.

Ditri allowed a few of the Faerie children to climb onto his shoulders and neck while he held two others in his hands and the rest all clung to his legs, all the while he was laughing heartily.

"Alpha Ditri." A thin voice said from behind the group. Raphael turned and saw a male Fae, he stood a few inches taller than the females and had darker, less vibrant, wings. His green eyes were much darker than the Luna's and his light, brown hair was just as long as Onyx's.

"Ah, yes. Solar," Ditri spoke up, "This is Raphael, Thresh's Beta."

Solar nodded to Raph who nodded back, "It is an honour to have you here in our Haven, Raphael." The man, Fae, had the same distinct accent as Charm and Onyx, as though they had difficulty speaking the words but yet spoke them with perfect ease.

"No, please. It's an honour to be here." He said with an awe filled voice observing the trees and flowers surrounding them.

Solar just smiled humbly then his expression turned worried and fearful, he spoke a few words in his tongue and the young children dispersed from the area leaving just Ditri, the Gamma, Raphael and the male Fae, Solar.