Page 26 of A Luna's Revenge (Stone Mountain Shifters)

Charlie

I am not going to sit back and play meek little mate. That's never been my style, and Jenson should have known that. I’ve seen the future, maybe not my future anymore, but I know what is going on here because I’ve done my due diligence. I have a duty to my wolf and myself to not only survive this but to thrive.

I go to my office to review the pamphlet regarding CMS and head down to the clinic. I wave at the nurse on duty at the front desk. "Hey Phyllis, I need to see one of the docs. Which one is available?

Dr. Bridgit sticks her head out of the room behind the nurse’s station. "Hi, Luna. I thought that was your voice I heard. You need to see me?"

"Yes. Can we go to an examination room?"

"Sure. Head to number 9, down the hall; I'll grab my hologram device and meet you there."

I enter the room and sit in one of the chairs. I don't think there is any need for an exam; I just need to have a private conversation. Fortunately, all walls in the clinic and other areas of the pack house are soundproofed to avoid anyone overhearing conversations. Wolves have superior hearing, along with other enhanced attributes.

Dr. Bridgit enters, rolling in her hologram device station. "How can I help you, Luna?"

I hand her the pamphlet about Cheating Mate Syndrome. Her skin pales, and she eyes me warily. "I don't know any other way to say this but to just be direct." I blurt.

"Please do." Dr. Bridgit nods.

"I had a warning dream last night. I don't know where exactly it is leading me, so I am searching for answers. Do you know about Cheating Mate Syndrome.?"

"Yes. We received some preliminary information about it almost a year ago." She hesitates as though she wants to say something else.

After waiting a moment and seeing she wasn't going to continue, I did. "Are you treating anyone currently for CMS?"

Dr. Bridgit drops her gaze to the floor. "Yes."

It appears I am going to have to pry the information from her. "Who?"

"You."

"What?" I stutter. "Explain?"

"You started showing signs of the condition about three months ago when Alpha went to that conference. It was still new to us, but Dr. Shannon and I both recognized it early on. We consulted with Dr. Amaris and Dr. Skye, and I made the executive decision to treat you without your knowledge." She admits. "I began administering the drug Amra to you at that time. It’s the vitamin you take every evening."

Then it all clicks into place. I remember in my vision the drug I had been given to ease my Rejected Mate Syndrome symptoms. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Luna, I didn't know where it would lead. At first, I thought maybe I was wrong or he had made a mistake. So, I just stitched you up and treated the symptoms." She sighs. "Then you continued to experience sporadic symptoms after he returned. There are rumors...so I increased your dosage. I am a professional, Luna, but Alpha can take this all away from me. I am under his control—we all are." She wipes the moisture from her cheeks. "If he would do this to you, what protection from him do I have? Besides, I didn't want to hurt you, Charlie. You don't deserve this."

“So, I’ve not experienced further symptoms because you have been treating me for Cheating Mate Syndrome for at least three months.”

“Basically—two and half months.”

"If what you say is true, and what I believe is fact, Tracy Vincent is Jenson's mistress. Therefore, we know what they are playing at."

Dr. Bridgit nods at my statement.

“Thanks for protecting me and helping me. Honestly, I feel a little hurt that you didn’t talk to me about it, but I understand. Now, this is all strictly confidential and between us only. Mention nothing to Jenson because things are about to change here, and I don't think it will be for the better."

"Changes have already begun, Luna." Dr. Bridgit rolls her eyes. "I can already feel the goddess' displeasure. Illness and population decline is up in the pack; in the last three months alone, we have had six females miscarry. The rumors and what the pack sees have already affected pack morale and standards; I am currently treating ten mated females and three mated males for CMS."

I gasp. "Why wasn't I aware of this?"

"CMS carries a stigma of shame to those who are affected. They feel it’s their fault. They keep it secret until it gets out of hand."

"But it's not the victim's fault, Bridgit!" I rant. "It's the slimeball cheaters who are at fault!"

"I know. Dr. Skye and Dr. Amaris lead the fight to bring understanding and change in the capital but without much success."

"Dr. Amaris is the alchemist that developed Amra, right?" At least, that is what I remember from the pamphlet. I will need to see her.

"Yes." Dr. Bridgit replies. "And, unless or until you no longer have a mate bond with Alpha, you must continue taking Amra to protect your health."

"Can you give me a 90-day supply to tide me over?"

"Sure." She leaves the room briefly and returns with a small bag in her hand. "Here you go. It’s totally safe, so if you see an increase in symptoms, just up the dose by 5 mg daily until you get relief."

"Thanks. And, Bridgit, where can I get a refill if I am not here?"

"Any clinic should have access to them by now. There is a big push for awareness. And, Luna," Dr. Bridgit stops me from leaving the exam room. "I know I am breaking all kinds of protocol here, but in a prior meeting, Jenson claimed that Tracy Vincent drugged him and sexually assaulted him at the Alpha conference three months ago. He also had a tea that she had given him to ‘help with infertility.’"

Oh, goddess! They had discussed infertility, and he probably blamed it on me.

"I’ve analyzed it, and it’s not a fertility supplement," Dr. Bridgit sneers. "It contains wolfsbane and a black magic spell cast on it. The only thing Wolfsbane will do is injure or subdue his wolf. I'm not sure what the black magic does."

“During the meeting earlier, Asher mind linked Lana and me. He said that Jenson was drugging him to subdue him when he is unfaithful.”

“Interesting,” Dr. Bridgit ponders.

"Do you believe his claims about the SA?"

"Maybe if you hadn't exhibited CMS symptoms, and then the rumors."

"These rumors you keep mentioning, what are they?"

"Just rumors about Alpha's infidelities."

"Elaborate, please." I grit out. "I've already heard about some."

"He picks up females at local bars and meets others at the motel in town. Some are shifters from here, and some are humans. Then of course, his actions at the Alpha's conference."

"So, there are females within the pack?"

"I'm sorry, Luna, but yes."

"No wonder morale is down. Does everyone know?"

Dr. Bridgit nods. "If they don’t, I am sure they suspect it. You know how shifters love to gossip."

"I’ve been too trusting." I hang my head so that my hair hides my face. Taking a deep breath, I say. "Where is this tea?"

Dr. Bridgit leaves the room, comes back with a glass jar, and hands it to me. I open the lid and sniff. "Wow, that's revolting." I loosen my grip on the jar a bit, and it slides through my fingers and shatters on the floor. "Oops!" I mock. "Guess Asher will get a bit of reprieve from the torture Jenson is putting him through with all his cheating. Sorry to you, though, Bridgit."

Dr. Bridgit just smiles. "Oops. Someone accidentally dropped it, and now the contents are undrinkable." She retrieves a dustpan and broom. "I'll just put this in another container for evidence."

I nod and give Bridgit a hug. "Thank you, Bridgit. Take care."

"You too, Luna."

I leave the clinic level and head toward my rooms. "Lana?" I address my wolf. "Are you okay?" She is currently curled up and silently crying as we realize our relationship with Jenson and Asher really is doomed. "We will get through this!" I promise.

After showering and changing, I get to my office. Lou's eyes are averted. I pass her by and enter my office. Sitting down at my desk, I look out into the main room; Jenson's office is directly across from mine, with Lou's desk between. Through the open doorway, I watch as slimeball ushers skank into his office and closes the door behind them.

I recall the camera in Jenson's office and decide to pull it up. Jenson normally keeps that footage cleared unless he needs it for some specific reason. Getting into the security system through the program I control on my hologram device. Within minutes, the screen flickers, and Jenson comes into view. I turn the volume down and quickly jump up to shut my office door. When I sit back down, I feel a twinge of nausea shoot through my stomach. As I look with disgust at the scene playing out on the screen, I turn to my trash can and vomit. I am not sure if it’s the revulsion I feel or the CMS acting up, but skank is currently wrapped around Jenson in a vulgar position on the top of his desk.

I quickly retrieve a bottle of water and reach into the bag Dr. Bridgit gave me. My dosage instructions are handwritten on a sticky attached to the first box. Swallowing down the pills, I sit back and stare at the ceiling waiting for the nausea to subside.

I hear a roar coming from the flickering image and watch in horror as Jenson is fighting a transition to Asher. Jenson is still in his human form, but Asher's elongated jaw protrudes as he snaps at the skank, barely missing her throat. He is foaming at the mouth as he rages and bites at the homewrecker, hate glaring from his eyes.

Thanks to the soundproof offices, I don't think anyone else is aware of the conflict going on in Jenson's office. I look at the screen again, and Jenson has composed himself and is sitting at his desk. A very terrified-looking skank has backed against the wall, visibly panting while pressing a hand to her chest. I hear Jenson speak to her. "Sorry. My wolf disagrees, as you know. I need you to make me another batch of that tea to suppress him."

So that's how he does it. There's the proof that poor Asher is being drugged. I hope Asher finds peace. It tears at my heart to know that even though I can no longer stay with a cheating Jenson, my poor sweet Asher is stuck in that living hell. Jenson had better stop the abuse of Asher; if it continues, he may lose him, too. I push the record button on the device to save that scene for later; I may need it for backup.

This stops now. Even if just for a while, I will give Asher relief. I transfer a video feed access to my cell phone and close down the hologram. Rising to my feet, I open my office door and trot over to Jenson's office. I open his door without knocking and find Tracy collapsed on the floor in the corner with Jenson sitting at his desk gripping the arms of his charm for dear life. The slimeball hadn't even locked the door.

"What's going on here?" I ask stiffly, knowing full well what is going on.

Slimeball shakily replies, "Asher isn't happy with our guest."

"I would say not, poor Asher." I coo. Directing my thoughts and intents solely toward Asher, I approach Jenson and softly caress his shoulders and back. "My poor Asher. I am so sorry, I truly, truly am. I love you."

Jenson turns his head toward me, and I see Asher's soft golden eyes staring back at me, tears shimmering in their depths.

"Jenson, call for someone to take Ms. Vincent to the clinic for a check-up," I instruct. "We need to have a conversation."

"I am about to go into a meeting."

"It will wait." I insist. "You will make time for me." My Alpha aura envelops the room to the point where it even reaches skank, and she tilts her head right along with Jenson. This surprises me; Jenson is getting weaker. He glares at me angrily but still complies.

After Beta Ben comes to take skank down to medical, Jenson turns to me. "What's this about?"

"It is my understanding that Tracy Vincent drugged, used black magic on you, and then sexually assaulted you at the Alpha Conference three months ago. And now, she has shown up here to blame a pup on you that was conceived during the act of a crime." I pretend to go along with the lie. "I have no qualms about you getting custody of your pup, but she’ll be prosecuted for her crimes."

"Now, now, Charlie. Let's not go overboard."

"Overboard?" I huff. My acting skills are top-tier. "So, it's not true? You are telling me that she is your mistress?"

Jenson immediately throws it in reverse. "No! No! That's not what I said at all." His jaw begins working while his eyelids begin fluttering over his golden eyes. Yes, Asher is definitely trying to out Jenson.

"Then do it. I want a report filed with our lead enforcer, as well as with the pack where the attack occurred." I demand. "And, I want an arrest warrant for her to be incarcerated immediately and sent to headquarters for prosecution."

His mouth hangs open. Of course, he has never seen me use my Alpha power before, so he is shocked. I’ve always been submissive to him as my mate, my Alpha. But the gloves are off. If I can ease Asher's suffering, as well as my own for just a little while I will. I'm still not sure where we go from here, but at least Tracy Vincent's skank butt will be in a cell where she can't create more poison to subdue Asher.

"I-I..." He stutters.

"Unless there is something you are not telling me? Do you and that woman have some type of intimate relationship? Are you just lying to everyone about the assault?"

"No! No! I assure you, sweetheart." He reaches for me but I sidestep, pretending I don't notice. "Uh–um, I will do it immediately. We just wanted to gather more information first."

"No! I will not have poor Asher, and you, subjected to this torture a minute longer. She goes into a cell and the reports are created within the hour, or I leave before dark." I hold my head high. "Ball is in your court, Jenson." Literally.

"Why don't you believe me?" Jenson whines. He actually whines.

"Oh, honey, what makes you think I don’t believe you," I placate. "What I am saying is, choose me or her? Now!"

"My heir–" He stutters.

"I didn't say to choose between your heir and I." I snarl. "I said choose between me and that female, NOW!" Little does he know, but he already chose, and that takes me out of his reach.

"You, Char, always you! No one else before you ever." He pleads.

"Then do as I say!"

"Okay. Okay. Please cool down." He takes me by surprise and secures me in his arms. He begins caressing my hair and speaking softly. "Shhhh. It's okay. I'll do as you ask, immediately." His touch repulses me, now that I know what he has been up to, but a couple of tears slip down my cheeks at everything we have lost because of his selfishness.

I rip myself from his arms. "Good. Let me know when it’s done." I tear open the door and stride to my office, slamming the door behind me.

"Going to our apartment, I put on my workout gear: a pair of leggings and a sports bra. I go into the basement gym. Even though it’s still morning, the gym is pretty empty."

Due to my strict regimen, I have abs and a butt you can bounce a quarter off. There was a lot of good that did me, as my partner still strayed. It just goes to show you that it isn't my fault. It never is the cheated-on partner's fault. It’s a character flaw in the cheater.

I do my normal set in the gymand then work out on the bag. I notice some of the Enforcers are giving me the side eye. One brave Enforcer I am particularly fond of approaches. "Luna, uh, Charlie. Can I have a private word with you?"

I stop beating the bag, breathless I reply, "Sure. Did you want to walk outside or go to my office?"

"Um, I guess just somewhere we can have a private conversation that won't be overhead. If you don't mind."

"Sure." I grab my towel. "Let's go to my office. I can be finished." He grabs a towel and follows me to my office.

I close the door and offer him a chair. Instead of being so formal, I sit across from him in the other chair.

"How can I help you, Reggie?" I’ve always prided myself on being a Luna that anyone can come to any time they have a problem.

He swipes at his sweaty hair to pull it from his eyes. It’s obvious he takes great care of himself. He is strong and handsome. He shyly smiles. "I hope I am not being too presumptuous or forward." He pauses, "But everyone is saying that Alpha cheated on you with the new she-wolf that’s following him around. If he is—cheating on you, I mean. I hope you leave him. And I just want you to know that I’ve always found you incredibly beautiful and kind. I would love to get to know you better."

I am speechless. "Reggie", I begin kindly, "I am so flattered. I don't know what to say. I am not sure what is happening; I just found out some things today. But at this point in time, I am not open to starting any new relationships. Let me assure you that you are very handsome, and if circumstances were different, I would love to have gotten to know you better, too."

"Oh, Luna, I am so sorry. Everyone is speculating because of the rumors, and I was just so hopeful..." He drops his gorgeous head awkwardly. "I thought you knew."

I shake my head. "Reggie", I tilt his head back with my fingers. Looking him in the eyes, I say, "Don't let this change our friendship. We are good. I am flattered." I smile and give him a chaste kiss on the cheek.

He turns to leave, glancing back and winking, "If you change your mind..." he smiles sexily. Oh girl, Lana pants. First time I've heard more than crying from her in a while. Maybe there is hope. I laugh, fanning myself.

Then I have a thought! "Wait! Reggie?" I stop him as he is going through the door. He looks back, hopefully. "I do have a small favor to ask—and I think you may find it—enjoyable." I giggle.

He closes the door and sits back down. "Anything, Charlie."

I move to my desk and open up the program on my device to the camera feed in Jenson's office. Jenson is currently at his desk doing what looks like the warrant and statements I demanded. "You mentioned the rumors before. I know you know what Jenson has been up to."

His face flushes. "Again, I am sorry about that. I thought you knew."

"Anyway, have you heard of Cheating Mate Syndrome?"

"No."

I pass him the CMS pamphlet that has seen a lot of action today and explain to him about the condition.

"I didn't know about this. I am not mated." Reggie heaves. "This is serious; it can cause death."

"Yes. But there is treatment." I reassure him. "Anyway, from what I’ve read, the symptoms are immediately tied to the physical act of kissing, touching, and sex." He nods as he reads. "I’ve experienced some of these symptoms." I raise my shirt to show him the scars on my stomach where the wounds had once been. Normally, we wolves heal quickly and completelyunless there is emotional trauma, the wound is too severe, or the wolf wants to keep them. In my case, I experienced emotional trauma. I guess even if my mind didn't know Jenson was cheating, my heart, soul, and body did.

"Charlie!" He jumps from his chair and places his fingers on my stomach. touching the scars softly. His gentle touch evokes butterflies. "I am so sorry."

"Thanks, Reggie." My breath hitches. "My point is, if you are willing, I would like to treat Jenson to a little bit of revenge."

I point to the hologram screen where the feed shows Jenson working at his desk. "I am going to press record on this video feed, and then I would like you to kiss me. I realize that is asking a lot, but..."

Reggie must be a computer guru as well as a mind reader because he taps the record button on my device and has me in his arms before I take my next breath.

His strong, fit body presses me up against the wall and I can feel every hard inch of his muscles where we meet. My legs instinctively wrap around his waist. One of his hands is in my hair, pulling while protecting my head from hitting the hard surface, and his other hand is on my hip, caressing and stroking, moving benignly up my side to my back.

But his lips...goddess, can he kiss—those soft pillowy lips are gliding across mine as if he owns them. His sweet tongue runs across the seam of my mouth, and they part with a gasp that he promptly swallows as he licks and sucks. I don't know how long we engage in this enticing revenge, but when Reggie steps back, and my feet touch the floor again, we both gulp lungfuls of air.

Reggie goes to step toward me again, but I put out my hand. "I think that is enough for now." My chest is heaving, still gasping for breath. He doesn't advance any further, but neither of us really wanted to stop.

While Reggie and I are staring at each other with longing, the sound of screams finally penetrates the fog that has engulfed my braindue to Reggie’s heart-stopping kiss. A look of confusion crosses Reggie's face and we both quickly look at the video stream on the holographic screen. Jenson is writhing around on the floor, screaming in pain and clutching his stomach; a stain of red is blooming through the white dress shirt under his hand.

"Wow. That was a steamy kiss," I whisper. "I guess I should get him some help." I walk past Reggie toward the door. He loops his arms around me and pulls me to him; bending down, he devours my mouth again as Jenson's moans turn into screams once again. "Oh, goddess, Reggie. How have you never ever found your mate?"

"I did,"he whispers against my throat as he licks and kisses. "She rejected me for a Beta. She didn't think I had enough power." His lips trail up my jaw and back toward my mouth.

"What an idiot." My breath hitches as he covers my mouth with his again. "Maybe I can understand the appeal of—this." I pull away and shake my head. "Reggie, you are—delicious, but we have to stop. At least for now." I mentally check on Lana; the hussy is lying on her back, panting.

"Yeah." Reggie agrees as he swipes his hand through his hair and rests it on the back of his neck. "I'll go, but if you are ever single again, please come to me?"

“Mm-hmm.” I nod, thinking wickedly, o h, I’ll be single again.

I shake my head to clear it as Jenson's screams again enter my consciousness. "I have to get him some help."

Before I can get out the door, I hear Jenson's Beta come across the video feed. "Alpha! What happened? Were you attacked?" I don't hear anything else as I watch Reggie's fine behind walking out of my office, and I collapse into my desk chair. Running my finger across my swollen lips, deep in thought, I am vaguely aware of images flickering across the hologram screen.

When I finally come to myself, EMTs have Jenson on a stretcher and are taking him out of his office to the med bay.

"Oh! I need to make sure Jenson is okay." I exit my office and follow the gurney down, still touching my lips, my mind miles away.