Dominic felt like he was made of stone as he lay on his mattress.
A statue, left there for the rest of time as he processed the event that had plagued him just before he ran to his room,
His mission had always been to find the missing children yes, his son in particular, but he had lost hope it would happen after eighteen years.
Had it been too long?
How could he have been so close and not known it for so long?
He was so focused on his mission of capturing Ayla, so that he could continue his real mission, that he didn't realize his own flesh and blood was right there.
His massive hands were covering his face in shame as the thoughts kept rolling in.
Not just that, but how many times had he been right beside his own son and just walked by him?
'Fuck those evil witches, and the curse they put on us. How do they think what they did was even close to right' he thought to himself.
Was it fate that caused him to walk into that club?
Maybe he had done enough suffering that the Moon Goddess was finally bringing Julius to him.
There was no reason for any of them to be there, yet they were all there.
More than that, there was no reason for the two of them to speak the night before, yet they did.
Was something beyond what he could see pushing them together?
Could it be possible that Ayla, and not the Mood Goddess that was ultimately responsible for them meeting?
No, it was more than possible.
It would have never happened if it weren't for her.
He would have never come to this town had he not been pursuing her.
Ayla was his blessing.
The more he thought about it, the more it made sense.
It was Ayla.
It had to be.
She was a gift, and that's why his Alpha wanted her.
He wasn't aware of it, but subconsciously, he was shifting his loyalty to her, for the gift of his son.
All the Alpha had done was use, abuse, and lie to him.
In his mind, if it weren't for Ayla, the two men would never have crossed paths, not just once but twice that he was aware of.
Would they have crossed paths if he hadn't come to this town, though?
Neither Julius nor Ayla were cursed, they were blessed, to not be near that awful Alpha.
They couldn't be.
She was a blessing.
Alpha Theo and the rest of the Alphas were the ones who were cursed.
Maybe the witches did them a favor without them anyone realizing it.
Was Dominic too quick to curse the witches?
Yeah, Dominic felt like he knew what it was.
They, the alphas, wanted her to break their curse.
That had to be it.
Maybe he had to get away from his pack to see how corrupt they were.
That was the reason her greedy father wanted her back so badly.
Alpha Theo wanted to steal the blessings that had been put on her.
Then the wheels started turning, as he started to wonder if his Alpha was even really her father.
He just wanted the blessings that came from having her in his grasp.
Dominic knew that they weren't the only ones after her.
All of the packs had special units after her.
On the other hand, what would happen to him if he didn't deliver the terrified young girl to his Alpha?
The only thing he had ever known was the Silver Moon pack.
It was his home, Raphael and Phoenix had only ever known it, and his choice would affect them too.
Dominic didn't have anywhere to go if he didn't follow through with his mission, but what about his team?
The poor girl had been through so much, and it was because of her alleged greedy father, but what was he supposed to do?
His wolf was loyal to the Alpha, no matter how thankful he was to her for finding his son, but was he?
Even if it was just a small meeting and a handshake from his son, he knew that he was alive and well.
Would that be enough for him?
Proof of life was the most he had gotten since his son was essentially born.
Knowing that their General was in the suite, Phoenix and Raphael could tell something was wrong.
They had wasted but not wasted at the same time the day away and thought that might be what had their General so upset as his two comrades went to see if they could be of assistance.
Surprised to see the sight that was in front of them, they were immediately concerned.
Phoenix looked at Raphael worried, but he didn't speak in anything but jokes.
"Maybe staying in the human city was not such a good idea. I think it killed him," Phoenix said, sneering.
Joking was his way of dealing with uncomfortable situations ever since he was a kid.
Sort of a learned trauma response.
Dominic didn't move, but words found a way out of his lips.
"I'm not dead" he grumbled, "I just wish I was".
The two men looked at each other with worry.
"Sir, what happened" Raphael asked.
Dominic didn't know what to tell them.
"Honestly, I don't even know where to begin. When the lies started, or now" he said as he exhaled.
Worry was not easing up with his words.
It was only getting worse, as the two onlookers dropped their heads in a slight tilt.
"What do you mean" the two men in the room with him said in unison.
Still refusing to move, the words came out in an almost hushed tone from Dominic's mouth.
"Don't worry about it. Our mission should stay the same. I don't want Alpha Theo to punish you because I question my loyalty to him. He wants Ayla. You should get her and take her to him as planned".
His words did not miss their ears for a second.
Phoenix and Raphaels' eyes met each other's.
Was his loyalty faltering over the mission?
What happened to make him question his position, and what did it have to do with the girl?
Raphael turned back to Dominic, still lying frozen on the white bed.
"Sir, with all due respect, we follow you. If there is a question with loyalty to our Alpha, we question it too. Should we not take her to him? If she should not be returned, then we will not take her" Raphael stated matter-of-factly.
"You are not allowed to abandon the mission because of me, understood" he barked at them.
He was now pulling himself to a sitting position at the idea of his men putting themselves in danger because of his moral dilemma.
"No, sir" they yelled back, united.
He couldn't believe his ears.
This was the first time they refused to listen to him, but why?
The next person to stand against Dominic's orders happened to be Phoenix.
"Sir, whatever has you so upset is our burden too. If it is enough to have you abort the mission and question your loyalty to Alpha Theo and the pack, then it's enough for us too" Phoenix told him.
Raphael nodded in agreement, showing his support for both men in the room.
Dominic was shaking his head in disbelief.
"Do you understand what you're saying"?
Both men nodded their heads without hesitation.
"We do" they said together.
Dominic was filled with worry at their words and decisions.
"This is punishable by death. It's treason" he looked at them with concern as the words left his lips.
The two young men stood before him and nodded to affirm the choice they had made.
Raphael took a step toward him.
"You are like a father to us, and we would follow you anywhere" Raphael said, "We trust your reasoning and observation of the situation".
Raphael didn't have a father to raise him because his father had perished in a pack war around the time all the kids went missing.
That being said, Dominic took him in like a father and raised him as his own.
He knew that the baby he took in wasn't Julius, but it helped both of them fill a void they both knew they had.
Raphel and Phoenix had been inseparable since they were four, and it didn't look like they had any intention of separating from each other or their General in that moment.
That statement was more true for him than it was for Phoenix, but it still rang true for both of them.
After listening to his men, he was filled with an overwhelming warmth, as it became clear that they weren't going to leave him, and he had full trust in them, just as they had in him.
Dominic decided to make a deal with them first.
"I want to be honest with you, then you can choose what you want to do after that. No decisions will be made before then" and he refused to continue until both the individuals before him nodded in agreement.
Dominic refused to proceed without the men making an informed decision.
It took a minute, but they both found a chair, grabbed it, and placed themselves in front of the troubled man.
They wanted to take a seat in front of him before nodding, then Dominic continued.
"I know that you both are aware that I have spent your whole lives on one mission. Never has a single day passed that I haven't thought about, looked, or dreamed of finding our lost children. Until today, there wasn't a clue about what happened to them".
When the sentence fell out of his mouth, Phoenix's and Raphael's eyes widened.
Raphael got excited.
"Do you mean you found something"!
Dominic gave a gesture that indicated it was more complicated than that.
"More than that. I think I know what happened. Not fully, but I have more on why we can't find them".
The two men look confused.
Phoenix just had to be the smartass he was, and the others knew it would come at some point.
"Yeah, we all do. They were taken and cursed" Phoenix retorted.
Dominic rolled his eyes before continuing.
"No, it's more than that, and Alpha Theo knew it this whole time. He hid groundbreaking facts from us. If I knew all the details, I could have made progress a long time ago. I was fighting all of this with my hands tied behind my back. Plus, I'm starting to think that Ayla is not his daughter".
The other two men felt a jolt in their stomachs at this last sentence.
Raphael couldn't hold back the shock on his face.
"He wouldn't have us kidnap a child that isn't his. That would cause a war if anyone found out" Raphael gasped.
Dominic wasn't so sure they would believe all his thoughts, but he continued anyway.
"Yes, it would. Hence, part of my hesitation to fulfill his mission. I don't know enough about the situation to push forward. What I do know is that I found my son, and he doesn't know who I am or who he is. Meaning, he has no clue that a wolf lives inside of him".
The room was silent.
If a fly landed on the window, it could be heard.
There was no right or wrong answer at that point.
All they could do was process what their General had just told them and see if there was more.
Dominic was a wise man, and he was pretty spot on when it came to gathering information and using it correctly.
When he had a feeling, it was best to follow it, but in this case, his emotions were involved.
Mixing emotions with missions was strictly prohibited, and the young men were beginning to see just why.
Could a person think clearly if they were their judgment was clouded with anger, sadness, and abandonment?
Raphael had a face covered with concern and questions.
"Are you sure it was your son" Raphael asked timidly.
Dominic didn't have an ounce of hesitation when he responded.
His voice was firm and confident.
"I'm positive, and I think Ayla is the one who brought us together. It was rumored that one of the children was supposed to be a gift or have a gift or some mumbo jumbo like that. I'm assuming that's the reason Alpha Theo wants her. Somehow, he has a suspicion it's her, or he figured out it was her and set his sights on the girl. I'm starting to wonder if he even has a daughter like I said".
Phoenix was serious for what felt like the first time in his life.
"Do you know where to find him, your son"?
Dominic looked offended.
"Surely, you don't think I would be that bad of a tracker. Of course, I know where to find him, some of the time. Yet, it still tickles my brain a bit that he and Ayla are able to lose me the way that they can so effortlessly" he said with a smirk.
He really wanted to know how they did it, but his face showed pride.
"If we go to where he is tonight, you have to be on your best behavior. Now that I know who he is, I don't want to chase him away. I can't lose him" he almost sounded like he was begging them to behave.
The two men nodded in agreement, more so because they needed more information.
Curiosity had them wondering if the old man had lost his marbles or if what he was telling them was real.
Dominic took a deep breath.
"The club. It should be called the Devil's Temptress, but that's where he will be. He will be at the club because he is one of the guards" he said, looking defeated toward the smiling men staring at him.
Troublemaker one and two looked like their luck couldn't get any better as the news reached their ears.
They were standing in approval before anything else was said.
They had no problem assisting him with his new mission, now that they knew where they were headed.
Now they only hoped the girls that just left them would be there again.
"Get out! now! Both of you. I need to think before I have to encounter all of that mayhem again" he said as he closed the door behind them.
Grumpy grandpa was back, so Phoenix and Raphael had no problem retreating so they could get ready for their night of fun in the human town they appeared to be vacationing in.
Dominic couldn't figure out why they seemed to show so much loyalty, care, and devotion to him over their own Alpha.
More or less, it was because he was the only person to show them care, compassion, and appreciation when they did anything.
People don't tend to bite the hand that feeds them, so to speak.
In that moment, he didn't mind.
He was thankful for it.
Time seemed to disappear faster in the human town, even though it didn't actually move any faster.
Maybe it had something to do with them resting, relaxing, and having a little fun for once.
Before Dominic realized it, darkness was all around them.
He couldn't help but lie there on his bed, looking through the sliding glass doors at the nearly black sky.
All of the stars appeared brighter that night, and the moon felt like it gave off a happy glow.
If it didn't, it was just him, and he was okay with that, too.
Begrudgingly, he got to his feet and pulled himself through his wide bedroom door, mustering the energy to bring his hand toward his mouth for the round-up whistle when he froze.
None of it was necessary because thing one and thing two were standing right there waiting for him.
They knew this would be hard for him because he might have known that this boy was his son, but it was one-sided.
Support, that was what they were there to give the man who had always been watching their six.
Well...they also wanted to have a little fun and be slightly nosey.
Moonlight was dancing across the sky, landing on everything that lay under its bright glow, and it wasn't just waking up the three guards in the hotel room.
Just across town, Alexander and Ayla had drifted off for a nap while lying on the couch when the moonlight started to penetrate their skin.
It wasn't that it necessarily did anything, at least to their knowledge, but there was a sense of calm present in them as the beams soaked into their skin.
Ayla didn't know much, but she knew that she didn't feel like staying in for the night, even if that was the plan.
What was the worst that could happen?
She had two men protecting her, and they had a lot of friends, right?
Tapping on Alexander's shoulder, he quickly became aware that she had a mischievous idea of some kind.
Maybe it was the devilish grin that was plastered to her face.
It was different, and not one he had seen on her before, and he liked it.
He was really hoping it was sex because otherwise, he would potentially end up somewhere worse than a cave this time.
Alexander reluctantly looked over toward Ayla, one eye nearly squinting, to see what the angel next to him was eagerly awaiting to ask him.
Before he knew what was happening, a warm pair of lips landed on his.
She was clearly up to something, but how big of a something?
He could tell she was setting him up, but he wouldn't resist a little Ayla in his system.
Then, her tiny hand wrapped around his neck and pulled him in closer, allowing her better access to deepen the kiss.
She knew what she wanted alright, and she was going for it.
Without a moment of hesitation, she was pushing herself on top of him with one leg, while guiding her other leg over him.
Immediately, she started grinding her hips over him, rubbing on him just right to arouse him.
Honestly, it didn't take much.
He was right where she wanted him, as she straddled him seductively, kissing him with fire.
Within seconds, her warmth radiated to the point that he could feel it, and it caused him to grow to his fullest form with anticipation.
With her only wearing an oversized t-shirt and him in boxers, there wasn't much in her way as she used her free hand to pull his boxers out of the way and put his massive, hard cock precisely where he needed to be, applying just the right pressure on the way down to feel him enter her all the way.
Slowly, but not too slowly.
Alexander let out a small moan as she continued moving up and down with a slight swirl to her hips.
Her hand moved to the front of his neck, applying just enough pressure that he didn't pass out as squeezed.
She wanted him to know she was in control.
Instinct told him to grab her hips in an attempt to guide her for his own optimal pleasure, but she grabbed them and held them above his head.
"NO" she demanded, "only if I get what I want".
He knew he could only get what he wanted if she did.
Ayla would never admit that every time to lowered herself, he hit her G-spot, and she nearly broke and gave in.
Alexander could only sit and enjoy the ride because he had no clue what it was, but it had to be big.
With begging eyes, he looked at her because she paused her motions, as if to inquire about her request.
"Don't stop" he begged.
Ayla couldn't admit that she had to stop to maintain control and stop herself from orgasming too soon, but she would use it to her advantage.
If she started to orgasm, shaking, and losing control, he wouldn't give her what she wanted.
Being in control turned her on way too much, though, and almost got her off immediately, sending waves of pleasure through her body.
Alexander grabbed her breast forcefully, now that she wasn't moving.
She began her ride again before the words fell off her lips, grabbing his hands, pulling at them, which only made it worse, as the pain was pleasurable.
"How much of a problem do you think it would be if we went to the club" she barely got out.
It was hard to manage as she moaned, and a gush of liquid came down through the up and down motions she made, covering his cock as her inside sucked on him like a vacuum, pulsing.
"Really. You like it that much"?
His face showed every bit of shock that he couldn't manage to hold back, so he had to look away as she continued her swirling motion up and down, because she didn't stop, even after orgasming.
Ayla was determined to have another one.
He knew he didn't have long before she would stop again, so he attempted to grab her hips again.
To his surprise, he wasn't stopped.
She was confident she would get her way.
It was just a matter of time, or orgasm more or less.
Everything that he and Julius were attempting to do to keep her safe, and she was asking to go right into the middle of it!
What was running through her mind right then?
He knew what was running through her mind: thrill, sex, him.
There was no way she had forgotten the conversation that they had before they fell asleep on the couch.
He knew it was a great nap, but THE CLUB.
Every time he thought about the words, it was like he thrust himself harder into her, and she let out a louder moan.
Ayla was going to be the death of him; he just knew it.
It was starting to feel too good; he couldn't think anymore.
She was too tight, too warm, too wet.
He was done being under her, as he flipped her over.
She was not the one in control, not anymore, he thought to himself.
He was in control, and he proved it as he pushed into her, harder, faster, deeper, and there it was, simultaneous release.
All she could do was smile, and he knew why.
"THE CLUB, of all places", he said as he flopped backward.