Evelyn was already a timid young woman, but the situation she was in brought out the natural need to run and hide. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible at the moment as she was still bound and even if she wasn’t, she knew they’d grab her before she could even break away from the car itself.

When they stopped, it was at a gas station. The alpha turned to Riley. “Ask her if she needs to use the bathroom. If she does, untie her, escourt her and I’ll get the gas and something to eat. We will get on the road right after.”

“Alright,” his beta said and climbed out of the car. He opened the car’s back door and looked down at Evelyn. “Yo, do you need to pee?”

Evelyn had to go a little, but not knowing how much longer they had, it would be best if she went to the bathroom rather than upset them and ask later. She knew the position she was in. Evelyn confirmed with a nod, and the beta helped her up, and removed her gag, and then undid the binds on her hands. He offered her his hand, and she took it. He helped her from the car, and took her hand in his, likely trying to not look like he was dragging her along to anyone nearby who might see.

They were around the corner and the bathroom was a unisex one, and he opened the door and let her inside. He left Evelyn and closed the door. She locked it, even though she knew the beta wouldn’t let anyone in any way. She did her business and washed her hands and unlocked the door. The beta male was still standing there and took her hand again, this time with a little more force. She winced, but he didn’t loosen his grip. Evelyn wanted to tell him she would not run. It was going to be suicide if she did that, and she wanted to live. At the moment, silence was her lifeline, and she didn't want to possibly ruin her only chance to see her parents alive again.

Without a fight, she walked beside him, and when they got to the car, she climbed into the backseat without complaint. He bound her hands again and was about to put her gag back on when the Alpha returned with a bag in hand. He sat in his seat and looked back at the two. “You hungry girl?”

She nodded. They had supper ready but had no chance to eat it before the attack happened. She was starving now. “Leave her ungagged, and buckle her up.”

The Beta followed his orders, and Evelyn didn’t make it difficult for him. When the beta got into his seat and buckled up, the alpha gave him a sandwich and a bottle of water. Then he handed Evelyn the same. It surprised her. Even though it was just a simple gas station meal, it was a sympathetic gesture. She was nothing to him but potential information. Who knew how long it would be before he starved her for information? Especially for information that would be unhelpful in whatever he was looking for, or why.

“Thank you,” she offered.

He didn’t react to her, and began driving again into the darkness. And she offered no other words for the rest of the drive. Evelyn ate her sandwich and drank her water in perfect silence. The beta took the plastic wrap and bottle from her when she was done. The rest of the drive was silent, except for when the two up front talked and the beta would send texts with orders and other details.

She learned from listening that the beta’s name was Riley, and the alpha was Kieran. Neither had asked her name, and she planned on continuing to be called ‘girl’ if it kept her alive for now.

They turned off the road and drove up a dirt path that continued deeper into the darkened woods. It was almost twenty minutes of more driving before they came into a clearing, with several houses and even a few small businesses filling it up.

Evelyn looked around and took in the sight. Was this the community for Midnight Moon? It was so large, and she couldn’t believe how much was all here. Her small pack had a pack house, and a few odd houses, but nothing else. She saw a bar, a pharmacy, doctor’s office, clothing stores, and a little grocery corner store. And the houses. So many medium-sized houses. Then several larger ones. Pack houses. She counted at least six. All two floors, and must have had at least twelve rooms and at least five bathrooms. She was in awe of it, and even more when they left the area into another darkened path, and two minutes later came into another clearing, this one had one large house in the center with a few smaller houses at the edges of the space.

The small mansion looked kept, and had a garden on the side of the house, filled with flowers and a seating area. The entire community was welcoming, but seeing this house somehow brought her some ease. She turned to the two up front. “Is this your home, alpha?”

Alpha Kieran glanced at the mirror back at her, perhaps a little taken aback by her bold question, and she noticed Beta Riley giving her a stern look as well, and it made her sink back into her seat, uttering an apology under her breath.

Kieran sighed, but answered. “Yes. It was a pack house, but until I have things settled, I don’t plan to have anyone in my home for now. We built new ones for all the extra bodies we have coming in.”

Her pack. So they’d be here as well. She hoped that meant her parents would be here, too. She prayed that, once everything was settled, they could leave and start a life in a human city. For now, she had little hope of anything else happening except trying to survive. If her old pack was here, then she was at risk of being exposed to them. The Alpha seemed to look for the beta’s daughter. No matter how she looked at it, however, she wasn’t the person he was looking for. She wasn’t even her father’s daughter, not biologically. No situation of clearing this up seemed possible to her, however. She’d end up having to confess her parent’s sin. Her pack’s Alpha used it to control Scott, but who knew what Alpha Kieran would do if he found out the truth?

For now, she’d keep her head down, behave herself and not let herself become exposed by anyone. She considered complimenting the community, but she wasn't sure if it would come across as trying to gain favor with him.

Kieran parked his car, and they got out. Riley once again was the one who got her out, and guided her to the front entrance. The door opened and a beautiful middle-aged woman came outside. She smiled with glee when she saw Kieran and ran to him and gave him the warmest hug. Kieran was just as expressive when it happened and squeezed the woman.

“I’m so glad you are home,” the woman expressed. “Everything go well?”

Kieran’s expression turned sour and looked back at Evelyn with a glare. “The daughter is missing. No idea if she was the one or not. Parents refused to share any information.”

The woman looked at Evelyn with a much softer expression, which took Evelyn aback, but she felt safe with the woman there. She freed herself from Kieran and walked over to her, stopping near Evelyn. The middle-aged woman had a look of wonderment when she looked at Evelyn. “Hello dear, my name is Karen. I am Alpha Kieran’s mother, the previous Luna of Midnight Moon.”

Evelyn bowed her head, feeling as though she committed a great sin by looking upon the woman. Karen used her hand to raise Evelyn’s chin, forcing her to look upon her again. Karen looked at Evelyn as if she were an equal. “What is your name?” Karen asked.

“Evelyn,” she whispered.

Karen beamed even more and brushed a piece of Evelyn’s hair behind her ear and looked upon her like an old friend. She turned to Kieran with a smile. “Is this the person you asked me to prepare a servant’s room for?”

“Yeah, because she was a servant in the Beta’s house. Their chef,” Kieran responded.

Karen chuckled. “Well, she is of importance, then. Good thing I ignored that and prepared a guest room.”

“Mother!” Kieran cried with annoyance. “She is here to help me find the Beta’s daughter, for no other reason.”

“Then you better treat her nicer and maybe you’ll find the information you are looking for. The poor young woman looks terrified. I can only imagine how you two-man handled her.”

It was Riley who spoke up. “We treated her just fine.”

Karen illustrated her point by lifting Evelyn’s hands, still bound. “Was this necessary? You two couldn’t keep a young human woman in check? You’re both so handsome. Maybe use those charms to get what you want.”

Both men were silent, and Karen reached for the bounds and undid them. She took Evelyn’s arm and smiled at her with fondness. “Now you come with me. Just because my son has put you to work to earn your keep doesn’t mean that I won’t show you some dignity.”

“L-Luna Karen…,” Evelyn said with awe. “T-thank you.”

Karen gave her a pat and helped the human woman inside. The home was welcoming and beautiful upon entering. There was a fire going in the fireplace and the house smelled of candles. Evelyn couldn’t keep her eyes in one place as she took in so many wonderful sights.

“So, you were the chef?” Karen asked. “Must have been very good.”

“Yes, I love cooking, but I specialize in baking,” Evelyn explained. It was interesting to her how safe she felt to talk to Karen like this.

“Wonderful. I have been doing most of the housework myself, but help with meals will be of great help,” Karen explained.

That was surprising to Evelyn. She was the previous Luna, and the mother to the Alpha. Did her son not want her to have extra help around the house? Karen didn’t explain, and Evelyn didn’t want to pry. So she let Karen guide her into the kitchen to show her around. Her eyes fell from her face when saw the kitchen. It was like her dream kitchen. The counters were large slabs of marble, and there were several ovens to cook several meals at once. A gas range of industrial size and a massive matching fridge, and a walk-in freezer next to it. There was a door was beside it, and written with its own plaque it said ‘Pantry’. She was stunned and left Karen’s side to look around the kitchen.

She’d seen kitchens like this online, and knew only the richest had kitchens like this. Even if she had gotten a job in the human city, she’d never see a kitchen like this in her lifetime. Yet, here she stood, not only standing in one, but she’d be cooking in it herself.

“You seem excited,” Karen mused

“Y-yes, I’m sorry, Luna Karen,” Evelyn bowed. “I just have never seen such a kitchen.”

Karen wasn't offended and moved into the kitchen. She walked to the fridge door, where she saw two lists hanging. “One of these is the schedule for Kieran’s day. Unless he is away on business, this is his meal schedule. You can adjust your schedule to how you see fit, as long as he gets his meals around these times.”

Evelyn’s hand traced the other list and noticed they were meals. Preferred snacks, wines and other liquors he liked and suggested matching. Karen seemed pleased that the human took notice of this one as well. “My son is picky, but he won’t turn down much. These are the meals that I have noticed have left him in the better mood. He doesn’t like sweets much, but I like to treat him in the afternoons to a little something. You said you specialized in baking. I suggest dark chocolate snacks.”

“I can handle that,” Evelyn replied. This was her element, but even she knew she couldn’t let her guard down.

“You sound like you will be a lot of help,” Karen gushed. “Just what we need around here.”

Evelyn was glad that it seemed as if she’d find a usefulness here. Something to keep her alive for now. Long enough for the Alpha to realize that it didn’t have a use for her and set her free. The sooner they dumped her in a human city, the better.

“Now, for your sleeping arrangements. You’ll be upstairs, across from Kieran's and I’s rooms,” Karen explained.

“Is it alright if I am that close to you two?” Evelyn questioned. “I am only human.”

Karen brushed it off. “The moon goddess never makes mistakes, and Kieran found you for a reason. If he thinks you will help us find the daughter of the Beta, then we will not mistreat you. We have no reason to. My son may seem scary, and maybe even a little hateful, but let me assure you, he is protective of his family and such a kind young man under that prickly surface.”

“What about his Luna?” Evelyn asked. “Will I meet her?”

Karen sighed and shook her head. “I’m afraid not. Our Alpha hasn’t found his mate yet.”

“He hasn’t?”

Karen tried to not look as sad as she was. “That is why he is looking for your Master’s daughter. The Moon Goddess herself gave him a prophecy. She is the daughter of a Beta, and she is in danger. He needs to find your Master’s daughter to discover if she is his mate or not.”

“Oh,” she spoke. She shifted nervously, and wanted to tell the kind she-wolf that he could look elsewhere, because the Beta’s daughter couldn’t be his mate, because she was human. And Beta Scott didn’t have a daughter. He may have raised Evelyn and claimed her, but no one else in her pack ever accepted her. If any of them ever heard her say otherwise, they would've torn her throat out.

Karen took Evelyn’s arm and guided her to the upstairs. “You’ll love the bed. The finest you have ever slept on, I’m sure.”

Evelyn did her best to hide the worry she felt once again, smiled at the mistress of this beautiful house, and carried on, pretending she wasn’t as scared as she was.