Page 76 of Alpha's Revenge Luna

The packs meet us at Elder Eric’s mansion, their cars lining the gates to the driveway leading in, the mansion itself we can’t see and is obscured by the mountains, the driveway leading between them.

Dion is first out of the car, going over maps of the property that Elder Sloan sent him.

There is nothing showing he has heard what is going on, but nothing saying he hasn’t either.

Although on the drive here, Elder Sloan had told him to expect a visit from us, about information regarding my grandmother.

This has Dion on edge, not having been there to overhear the conversation.

We very well could be walking into a trap but until we are inside, we have no idea.

Listening to Dion, he directs the other Alphas men to the outbuildings of the property to search for Caleb and the missing women from the warehouses.

Kyrio, Dion and I are going straight to head as distraction.

While the pack warriors search for their missing people and my brother.

The mansion grounds are vast, and a lot of ground must be covered, we only hope we can distract him long enough until Sloan organizes the council guards to call in their teams to arrest him.

Yet, despite this I know Dion is nervous.

He has never been confronted with someone just as powerful and strong as him and the fact Elder Eric must be a full vampire has him nervous.

All the old myths of them say they can change their appearance, use what’s called a glamor to hide what they are; not even Dion can do that, but he does have some perks of both sides being a Hybrid.

As everyone is sorted into teams, Dion comes over climbing in the driver’s seat.

Kyrio jumps in the back with me. He approaches the huge gates between the brickwork and presses the buzzer and after speaking to staff, we are let in.

No guards stand or cameras down here so that is on our side as the packs move behind us before the gates swing closed.

This is where my brother is, where the truth behind my grandmother’s lies are held.

“Remember, we need to be smart about this. We can’t just barge in, we need to keep him distracted until the council teams arrive,” he whispers as we park in the circular driveway. I nod, and Kyrio is the first out of the car. I hesitantly climb out after him, and we approach the front door.

Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves. “I’ll follow your lead.”

The door opens before we can even knock, revealing Elder Eric in all his deceptive glory. His eyes are cold, calculating, but he masks it well with a veneer of friendliness. “Dion, Emery, Kyrio. What an unexpected surprise,” he greets us, his voice smooth like silk but with an underlying edge.

“We’re here to discuss the Council’s recent actions,” Dion states.

“Of course, please, come in.” Elder Eric gestures us inside, leading us to a lavishly decorated living room.

I scan the room, looking for any signs of Caleb or a way to sneak away. I feel restless, anxious to find Caleb and get out of this place. Something is off. Where are his staff who answered the buzzer?

“Elder Sloan said you came to see him, that you’d pop in. I just wasn’t expecting it to be so soon,” Elder Eric laughs, and there is a sinister edge to it.

“Yes, we figured time isn’t on our side, so best to take a quick approach.” Elder Eric nods and motions for us to take a seat.

“I heard there has been unrest in the packs, that Bernice was taken care of by you. But those taken and in her care are yet to be found.”

“I believe someone in council is helping her and covering up their tracks.”

“Indeed, that’s why I’m here. You are the only one who can be trusted. I don’t even trust Sloan,” Dion adds and Elder Eric takes a seat in the armchair. I shift nervously as his gaze sweeps over us.

“Oh, how rude of me; I will organize some coffee, perhaps tea?” Elder Eric says and Dion nods. “Tea, please,” I manage to force out and Elder Eric calls a woman in. She is wearing a maids uniform. She steps in silently and Elder Eric tells her to organize drinks when I speak up.

“If you don’t mind the drive was long, we never stopped. Can I use the bathroom?” I ask, rising to my feet.

“Of course, Marianne will show you the way.” Elder Eric motions toward her and she nods.

I follow her out, she doesn’t speak, but leads me to a door by the stairs, motioning to it.

I thank her before slipping inside. Waiting a few moments, I stick my head out only to hear her rummaging around in the kitchen further down the hall.

Slipping out, I close the door behind me.

I hurry down the hallway, my senses heightened as I search for any clue that might lead me to Caleb.

I try to listen for any sound, any hint of where Caleb might be. My heart races as I open doors, each empty room amplifying my desperation. Heading upstairs, I search there while wondering how long I’ve been gone, hoping me being gone hasn’t been noticed or considered odd.

“Try that one,” Elara tells me, and my eyes move to a door at the far end of the second level.

The door is different to the rest, looking out of place.

Nothing overly remarkable about it, but it’s a different color, which I find odd.

Stepping inside, I find it’s Elder Eric’s bedroom.

The room is dark, the drapes heavy, but his scent is strongest in this room.

Finally, I hear a faint sound, a muffled whimper, coming from behind a heavy oak door off the side of the ensuite bathroom. Spinning around, I almost miss it because it’s hidden inside the walk-in.

I push the clothes aside, my gaze going to the bathroom attached to the walk-in, trying to find something to break the lock.

Moving into the bathroom, I peer around, looking for anything, but I only find a small nail file on the edge of the sink.

Desperation fuels my determination as I grab it and rush back to the locked door.

With trembling hands, I insert the nail file into the keyhole, praying my amateur attempt at lock picking will be successful.

After a few nerve-wracking seconds, I feel a click.

I gasp, twisting the knob, the door swings inward.

And when it does, it reveals a sight that sends shockwaves through my entire being.

My hands tremble as I push it open, revealing a dimly lit room.

And there, tied up and gagged in the corner, is Caleb.

My little brother, pale and frightened but alive.

“Caleb!” I rush to him, quickly untying him. He collapses into my arms, sobbing. “You’re safe now, I’ve got you.”

Caleb is there, his body curled up on the floor, battered and bruised. His once vibrant blue eyes are now dull and lifeless. My heart aches at the sight. He is naked and his body is littered in bite marks. Elder Eric has been using him as if he were his personal blood bag.

I cradle his fragile form in my arms. Tears well up in my eyes as I gently brush his disheveled hair away from his face. “Caleb,” I whisper, my voice choked with emotion. “I’m here. I found you.”

His eyelids flutter open, and a flicker of recognition lights up his gaze. “Emery,” he murmurs quietly like he thinks he is imagining me.

“Right here, I’m right here. We are going to get you out of here,” I tell him. Taking in his naked form I peer around the tiny space before letting him go. “Don’t leave me,” he panics.

“I’ll be right back, I am finding you some clothes, hang on,” I whisper to him when he suddenly freaks out.

I clamp my hand over his mouth to muffle his cries as I quickly scan the room for anything that could provide him with some modesty.

My eyes land on a pile of discarded clothes in the corner, tattered and stained, but better than nothing.

I grab a crumpled shirt and pants, hastily throwing them toward Caleb.

He fumbles to put them on, his trembling hands struggling to navigate the unfamiliar task.

As he slips into the clothes, I take a moment to assess his injuries.

Bruises blooming across his pale skin, cuts and scrapes marking his body like cruel tattoos.

The sight fills me with a white-hot rage, but I know we must focus on escaping this nightmare before seeking revenge.

“Can you walk?” I ask Caleb, my voice steady despite the chaos swirling within me.

Caleb nods weakly, determination flickering in his eyes.

With great effort, he pushes himself up from the floor, leaning heavily on me for support.

His body feels frail beneath my touch, when I hear footsteps approaching and panic sets in.

I need to get Caleb out of here—now. As I turn toward the door though, Elder Eric stands there, his true nature revealed in his menacing gaze.

“You really thought it would be that easy?” he sneers, blocking our only exit.

“Where’s Dion?” I ask, shoving Caleb behind me.

“Distracted, by Marianne,” he snarls, his teeth bared, and he lunges at me, Elara, though, is quick to react, forcing the shift.

With a growl, I shift into my wolf form, Elara taking over.

Elder Eric’s eyes widen in surprise, but he quickly recovers, shifting into his own monstrous form which is nothing like the man I saw before.

No, he is pale, his skin almost translucent and I truly understand why Dion was nervous; to be able to change your appearance in such a way is horrifying.

Vampires are nothing like werewolves or Hybrids and I am glad Dion is Hybrid because this fucker is ugly.

His fingers elongate, his nails turning to sharp hooks and Elara barely manages to dodge them as he swipes at her.

We collide with a force that shakes the foundations of the mansion. Teeth and claws clash. We fight with everything we have, driven by the need to protect Caleb.

But Elder Eric is powerful, his strikes precise and brutal as he backhands Elara sending her flying through the wall into the next room.

Caleb screams a shrill and blood curdling scream as she is forced to shift back, my entire body hurting when I feel him grab me.

The next second, I feel his teeth sink into my flesh, his venom seeping into my veins.

The world starts to spin, my strength fading, and my blood feels like it is on fire.

“Dion?” I breathe out, my vision blurring. Just as darkness threatens to consume me, I see him. Dion bursts into the room, his eyes filled with horror as he takes in the scene.

He lunges at Elder Eric, fury and fear etched on his face. I try to hold on, but my consciousness is fading. Dion’s name on my lips just as Eric moves to toss me away but not before gripping my head when I feel the sickening twist.