ALPHA RAY’S POV
I was having a meeting with some of the elders of my Pack. They had come to tell me of their decision for the next full moon which was in a few months. They plan to invite members of Diamond Cut Pack and Black Moon Pack to come and celebrate with us and now, they wanted my approval to go on with the plan.
“I have heard all that you are suggesting. And do you think we have all the necessary facilities for something as big as this?” I asked.
“Actually, alpha, we plan on making it an outdoor event” an elder replied.
An outdoor event for a full moon? I thought. “I have never thought of holding a full moon outdoor,” I said.
“This is going to be the lunar moon, alpha, and it only appears after every ten years. We can hold the full moon outdoor this year since it would involve a lot of divination and sacrifices” a second elder replied.
“Okay, I see. And a very large crowd would be great for it. The moon goddess would be so proud of us if the three brother Packs come together to strengthen our unity” I agreed.
“Of, course, alpha. Now we need to communicate our intention to Diamond Cut Pack and Black Moon Pack and get their approval immediately. That of course is solely dependent on if you approve of our idea” Miller said.
“Alpha” an Omega who had just walked in called.
No one dared to interrupt me during my meetings. But if this omega dared to interrupt me, then, I should know the reason for that. Obviously Scarlet is here to see me and I must attend to her immediately.
“What is it?” I asked the omega.
“Someone needs to see you” he replied.
“Okay, elders, I have heard what you have suggested and I think it is a great idea and I approve of it,” I said.
All I want now is to dismiss them and not Scarlet waiting for too long.
“I will instruct the secretary of the Pack to send the letters today,” another elder said.
“Never mind. I would be having alpha Fred and alpha Jake over this weekend, so I would tell them about it myself” I replied.
I stood up and said. “I think I have to leave now. Miller, you already know my decision on the other agendas for today so please continue with the meeting in my stead”
I hurried out of the room and went straight to my chamber which was where I know Scarlet would be waiting for me.
*
When I got into my chambers, I saw Scarlet and her friend, Lara sitting down quietly and I wondered the reason for the unusual silence between them.
Seeing me, Scarlet got up and ran to embrace me. This too was strange to me and I was beginning to fear that something had gone terribly wrong with her.
I allowed her to hold me until she was done. When she released me, I tilted her face to me and asked her. “Is there a problem, Scarlet? I hope nothing is bothering you?”
She remained quiet and did not utter a word. I led her to the empty couch and made her sit while I squatted in front of her.
“You know you can tell me anything right?” I asked her but still no reply.
I turned to Lara and asked. “Did you girls get into any fight, Lara? You should know better than to make her angry”
Lara was about to speak when Scarlet stopped her. “It is not her, Ray” Scarlet said.
“So what is the problem, dear?” I asked.
“My father got me a trainer,” she said.
“A trainer?” I chuckled but realizing that was not what she needed at the moment, I comported myself.
“Did you ask for a trainer?” I asked.
“Why would I ask for a trainer? Don’t you know that is a death wish?” she fussed.
“But you don’t have a choice, do you? If you do, then tell him you will not go on with the training” I said.
“I don’t have any choice and now Rich is in trouble because of me” she replied.
“Rich” I murmured. “Who is Rich?”
It was almost as if I was talking to myself. I have never heard of any Rich before, and why must he have to suffer if Scarlet does not go on with her training?
“Rich, you don’t know him? That is my trainer you daft” she said.
I chuckled at her reaction. At least now I am happy that I could see the spirit in her.
I stood and sat beside her. “And how was I supposed to know that? I wasn’t there when he was brought to you” I retorted.
She remained quiet and shyly avoided my gaze.
“That is a fine name. I guess the young trainer must be very handsome too. I would not want anyone distracting my lady” I teased.
“And how are you sure that he is young?” she asked.
“Why are you avoiding my question? We both know that there is no way Sir Tim would bring an old man to train you” I challenged.
“But come to think of it, he might as well get you an old man,” I said and began to laugh.
I think my laughter infuriated her and she stopped me angrily. “This is not the time for jokes, Ray”
“But then tell me about Rich” I pleaded.
“I am not going to say anything to you” she declined my request.
“Okay, just one thing, is he handsome?” I inquired.
“I said I will say nothing more to you” she blasted.
Feeling dejected, I turned to Lara. “Do tell me, Lara, is her trainer handsome?” I asked her.
“I am yet to set my eyes on him, but it is whispered that he is very handsome and charming too. They think that Sir Tim has brought him personally for his daughter if you know what I mean” she replied.
I got up immediately. I will never allow Tim to do that to Scarlet. He has done enough to her already and I will not sit back and watch him marry her off to someone that she does not want.
“I won’t let that happen. Tim might have gotten away with so many other things, but I will not stand by and let him implement such a crazy idea” I said.
“But then what can you do? He is her father” Lara asked.
“But I am an alpha” I flared.
“Yes, you are an alpha, but only here, in Crystal Realms,” Lara said.
Yes, she was right. I am an alpha here in Crystal Realms. But an alpha somewhere is greater than a beta anywhere, not even the beta of the strongest Pack. Moreover, for my friend, I will do anything.
“I can always get alpha Fred for that” I responded.
I turned to Scarlet and asked her. “So tell me, Scarlet, are they forcing you to marry anyone?”
“You guys have completely changed the subject. That is not why I came here, Ray” she replied.
“But it makes no difference now, does it? Tell me if anyone dares to give you out against your consent, I will come for them” I said.
“And what will you do, marry me?” she asked.
“Of course not” I immediately rebutted.
“You see” she murmured.
“No, not in that way. I mean... I can’t just take you like … no marry you… see, I will bring you here to live at the Pack with me and no one would dare to treat you anyhow” I tried to explain.
Sincerely, I did not know when I said that. Now all she would get is the wrong message, she would feel that even I rejected her just like the rest. But she should understand that we are werewolves and the mate thing is very important in choosing a partner.
“No need to explain, alpha Ray. I understand. But I don’t intend to leave my family just like that. They mean the world to me and they have done so much for me. The shame, the pain, the sacrifices, just name it. They did all those for me and even more” she said.
There she goes again always feeling like she owes her very existence to people who had done nothing but treat her like trash right from the very time she entered this world. But then, there was no need to go over this with her again as she would not believe that she was more than they made her feel.
“So you are ready to be married off to just anyone?” I asked.
“No one is marrying me off” she replied.
With these words, I breathed in relief. Now I know my greatest fear was not true but her next words almost ripped off my soul.
“Sam already said that they are looking for someone that will be willing to accept me, but no one has been found yet” she murmured.
“What!” I and Lara exclaimed.
So even Lara does not know about this too? Why is Scarlet like this, why would she keep such vital information to herself? I understand her love for her family, but then she should stop and think of herself too.
“But I already said that is not why I came here,” she protested.
“Then why are you here? Why were you so worried when I first saw you today? And tell me what would be more grievous than what you have just told me?” I asked.
I looked at her in pity. She is so young and naive and even her life has been taken away from her by the very people who were supposed to protect her and yet she would do all she can to protect and defend them even when it is to her detriment.
“My father threatened both I and Rich that if I fail to learn, he is going to deal with us severely. You both know that I will not be able to learn anything and now, Rich’s life is in danger. My father is going to kill an innocent man” she said with fear written all over her.
“And what about you? You just said that he threatened the both of you so why are you not afraid for your life?” I asked.
“No, there is no way my father will kill me” she replied.
“Okay, I will teach you how to go about your training since that is your worry” I volunteered.
“Really!” she exclaimed. But her spirit dropped as soon as it has risen. “But then that would make no difference,” she remarked.
“Leave that to me, I know what to do, don’t you worry” I assured her.