Crimson Moon Redemption: My Alpha's Brutal Mistake
Chapter 85: Then wait for me (Annabelle)

Chapter 85: Then wait for me (Annabelle)

Waking up without Zach was disappointing. I couldn’t say goodbye, but I hoped he would bring Mom safely to me.

The first thing I did was check on Zeke, who appeared calm and normal, just as Zach had predicted. Zeke seemed more experienced with these situations, but I couldn’t stay as calm as him until I heard him say,

"Mom, I’m fine. Since I didn’t give in, the craving stopped. Perhaps I will be able to completely erase it as I develop a strong resistance," he informed me. I was impressed.

Joining training at the Crimson Moon tribe felt strange, but with Zion, I tried to imagine how it used to be at the Lunar Echoes tribe.

No one knew that Zach was away, so they kept addressing Zion as Zach, and he responded without correcting them and though I didn’t blame him much because Zach didn’t want his absence known, I couldn’t help feeling a little uncomfortable.

Instinctively, I was tempted to suspect he might try to take over the tribe again, but I kicked against it. Zion had changed so much, including dropping his womanizing behavior.

Zeke was a familiar face at the pack house due to his towering height. Despite his appearance, his true age would surprise many, leading them to discover that he was a chimera so we kept that information hidden, allowing them to think he was Zion’s son.

Perhaps at the right time, Zach would clarify everything when the tribe was put together.

After training, I reviewed the tribe progress report, a routine I had with Zion for his tribe because he considered me a sister, and after checking half of the documents, I must commend Zach for his exceptional work.

Everything in the tribe was going smoothly until I retired to bed after a shower. A sudden discomfort enveloped me, followed by a sharp pain in my heart, then a sense of peace.

I felt a profound change within me, as if a part of me had vanished. With May and Sai constantly communicating in my mind, it indicated that they were both alive, leaving only my vampire side in question.

Instantly, I sensed that Zach had won. The next morning, there was an early knock on my door. When I answered it, I found Zeke standing there with a worried expression on his face.

"Mom, the Lycan King’s heir and his beta are here to see you. Please, Mom, don’t leave Dad," he pleaded. I reassured him, "It’s okay, Zeke. I promise not to let anything or anyone come between me and your father."

Relief flooded over him, and I noticed how vulnerable he looked when worried. After all, he was only five months old, and I had to keep reminding myself of that fact.

"Annabelle," warm arms enveloped me as I descended the stairs, and it felt comforting. May was shouting, "Mate, mate, mate."

However, Sai was upset. ’You and Zach have already marked and mated. You can’t give him a chance.’ Sai was right. I chose Zach from the moment I saved him and already paid the price.

Someone like him would live the rest of his life making it up to me, unlike the one I didn’t know. somehow, I felt like I made the right decision.

"Excuse me, who are you?" I quickly pushed him away and asked, disappointment evident in his eyes. "Did you not feel the bond?"

There was no point in denying it, so I spoke honestly. "I did, but I’m already marked," I informed him. He looked like he had just died. "No, I’ve been searching for you since I turned eighteen, but it was just impossible to find you."

"Well, it’s too late because Zach and I share a special bond, and we already have a pup together," I informed him directly. He sank to the floor in despair.

"But your mother gave me your name and told me to find you. I first went to the Lunar Echoes tribe and was told that you were here. How could she not have done this if she knew you were already mated?"

The mention of my mother made me happy, but the fact that my vampire instinct died meant that Zach had found her too and most probably, forced Drave to accept my rejection.

This was something even Zion could not do but the fact remains that the made bond could drive a person crazy.

"I haven’t seen my mother in years, so you should understand that she’s probably just too worried to have contacted you to find me," I informed him. He kept shaking his head in despair.

"As long as I feel the bond, I will fight for you. Where is Alpha Zach? If he’s man enough, he has to face me in a fight to win you," he declared. I felt a little fear creeping in.

Lycans are stronger than werewolves, so Zach wouldn’t stand a chance. "I’ve already made my choice. Fight or not, I will reject you."

"No, you have to understand that I’ve come too far and won’t leave without a fight. My uncle is dying, and you are her daughter," he revealed, leaving me stunned.

"What? You know my father?" Mom never gave me the details of her and my dad’s separation, so I was always at a loss with matters like that.

"Your mother revealed it herself to my father, the Lycan king," he paused and shrugged. "Well, your father should have rightly been the Lycan King, but when he rejected your mother after finding out she was a vampire, he has been sick for years and longs to see you. But your mother hid you well."

My heart was pounding with every word he spoke, and I was grateful that both my wolf and Lycan were quiet for once, giving me the peace of mind to think.

I couldn’t help but wonder who my mother hid me from. Was it just my father or somebody else? "You haven’t asked for my name, but I’ll tell you. I’m Thaddeus, but you can call me Thad. I’ve already mind-linked my uncle and your father.

They will be here soon to bear witness to everything I’m saying," he said seriously, as Zion moved to stop them. "This is a werewolf territory, and Lycans aren’t allowed."

There was fear in his voice, and I could understand why. "He’s right. You can’t bring them here without permission. I will verify everything you have said with my mother when she arrives before deciding what to do," I informed him, only to be met with a scoff.

"That’s impossible. She’s being kept prisoner at the vampire castle and is only worried about you. Now that you are fine, she wouldn’t mind remaining a prisoner," he informed me, but something didn’t feel right. Mom wouldn’t want to be held captive. So why did she send them here?

"No matter what, you need to leave now. This is werewolf territory, and you’re not welcome here."

"I’m not leaving, and neither is my father’s beta until you agree to come with us or we see Alpha Zach. Where is he? Is he avoiding us?"

Thaddeus, the Lycan King’s heir, was a bit taller than Zach but not as attractive. Perhaps it was because he had been kept in the shadows and not exposed to the finer things in life. His fashion sense was also a bit outdated, evident in how he accessorized his belt and boots.

However, in terms of strength, I was certain that Zach wouldn’t stand a chance but I couldn’t let him know that.

"Zach fears no one, but I don’t want your tribe to lose you, if you catch my drift," I hinted, but he was far from understanding my point. If any of your warriors are strong enough, then let them try to face me. But until I see Alpha Zach, I’m not moving an inch," he retorted, I fumbled for words.

Zion was equally helpless but before I could come up with something, a familiar voice roared from the entrance.

"Then wait for me. I’ll be right back." It was Zach and my heart warmed when I saw him and Gaius, but Zach was carrying someone in his arms before hastening past me up the stairs.

It felt strange that he didn’t even acknowledge me, but I followed him. "Excuse me, I’ll be back."

Reaching our room, he wasn’t there, but as soon as I stepped out, I saw him coming out of one of the guest rooms, and he quickly embraced me.

"Belle, I miss you so much, but we have a problem. Your mom is thirsting for blood, so we can’t let anyone see her now."

So, that was the person he was carrying? Her case was most delicate but why didn’t I ever see her drink blood when I was a child?

"It’s okay. Let me talk to her," I said softly. He pulled away and kissed me briefly on the lips. "Go ahead. She mentioned the purchase of blood, so I will perform some checks on how to get some."

I quickly pulled him back. "Wait, what do you mean by the purchase of blood? And Thaddeus won’t leave without a fight," I reminded him, amazed by his response.