Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Kaeleen's POV

I walked out of the bathroom, feeling a little lost. Astrid was finally safe, but I couldn't shake the feeling that more trouble was coming. Leon wouldn't just let her go. He was too possessive, too controlling. I knew he would come looking for her.

I found Alex waiting for me in the living room, his face serious.

"What's up?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual.

Alex sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's Leon," he said. "He knows Astrid is gone."

I gave hima nod. We already knew that he would find out sooner or later. The fact that it took him this long was laughable.

Alex explained. "He sent a search party after her. They haven't found her yet, but it's only a matter of time."

"Does he know she's here?" I asked.

Alex shook his head. "Not yet. But he's suspicious. He knows she wouldn't just leave without a trace."

"I had spies in the Moonshade pack," I said, thinking out loud. "Leon has no idea, but every move he makes gets reported back to me."

"It won't be long until he links her to us," Alex said, his voice grim. "He's not stupid, Kaeleen. He'll figure it out eventually."

I frowned, deep in thought. What were we going to do? We had to protect Astrid, but we also had to protect the pack. If Leon attacked, it could start a war.

"What do we do then?" I asked Alex.

Alex looked at me, his eyes serious. "We claim her," he said.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"We claim Astrid as your mate," Alex explained. "That's the only way to protect her."

I stared at him, my mind racing. He was right. If Astrid was my mate, Leon couldn't touch her. She would be under my protection, a member of the Emerald Glade pack.

"Leon could claim that Astrid is still a member of his pack because she ran away," Alex continued. "He could call her a rogue and collect her back for discipline, according to the rules. But if she was your mate, with the ritual complete, then that wouldn't work. She'd no longer be a member of the Moonshade pack, but a member of the Emerald Glade pack, and our Luna."

It was the perfect solution. But there was a problem. A big problem.

"The only problem is, I don't want to pressure Astrid," I said, my voice low. "I like her, Alex. I'm in love with her. The connection I feel towards her can't be described with words. But what about her? I don't want to rush her into anything, especially after what she's gone through at the hands of Leon."

I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of responsibility on my shoulders. I wanted to protect Astrid, but I also wanted her to be happy. I didn't want to force her into a relationship she wasn't ready for.

"I know," Alex said, his voice gentle. "But we don't have a choice, Kaeleen. This is about her safety. If we don't do something, Leon will take her back, and God knows what he'll do to her."

He was right. I knew it in my heart. We had to claim her, even if it meant rushing things a little.

"I'll think about it," I said, my voice noncommittal.

Alex didn't push me. He knew I needed time to process everything. He was a good friend, always there to offer advice and support.

"Okay," he said. "Just don't wait too long, Kaeleen. We're running out of time."

He moved on to other business, his voice lightening. He told me with a smile that the members of the pack were throwing a welcome party for Astrid, and that it had been Rebecca's idea.

"A welcome party?" I asked, surprised. "Is everyone okay with that?"

Alex gave me a nod. "They're excited to meet her," he said. "They know what she's been through, and they want to show her that she's welcome here."

That made me feel a little better. At least the pack was accepting of Astrid. It would make things easier for her, knowing she had their support.

He also informed me about the bet going on with the guards about who would be the first to meet the Luna.

I rolled my eyes. "A bet?" I asked, shaking my head. "Seriously?"

Alex chuckled. "What can I say? They're bored. Besides, it's all in good fun."

"Who's winning?" I asked, curious.

Alex grinned. "Shadow," he said. "He was the one to instigate the bet, and he didn't tell anyone he had been tasked with bringing Astrid back."

I laughed, shaking my head. Shadow was always up to something. He was a loyal friend, but he also loved to stir up trouble.

"I'm thinking of entering the bet too. Then I'll win him because obviously, I met her before him." Alex said with a smirk.

I laughed. "God knows Shadow wouldn't let you enter the bet."

"No. But who said I'll enter by myself?" He asked me.

I stared at him then burst laughing as it dawned on me. "You'd use Becca?"

"She enjoys stuff like this. And besides, she's been pretty down these past few days. You don't know how much I appreciate that Astrid is here. She has a new friend now." Alex said.

I gave a sad smile. After our return from the moonshade pack, Rebecca's best friend passed away in an accident. It was a case of drunk driving. I still felt like it was too much of a coincidence but it put my sister in a sad mood. At some point, she didn't even want to speak with anybody, thinking it was her fault.

Her best friend, Rachel, had gone to the mall saying she was going to pick the best gifts for Rebecca's baby. Rebecca had jokingly told Rachel that Serena had won in getting the best baby gift and Rachel, not one to let things like that sit well with her especially when it came to her Godchild, decided to get another gift even if she has gotten one for the baby before.

She hadn't even gotten there before she passed. The news had wrecked Rebecca but seeing her happy now with a smile on her face as Astrid came was at least a look in the positive direction that things would get better.