Chapter 17: ; A Propecy

"Matthew! Stop this nonsense!" Cheska exclaimed, trembling in fear as she attempted to remove Matthew's hand from Edison's neck. Even her mother, Eunice, and the council stood up to mediate between the two, but it was a difficult task to keep them apart. Although Matthew eventually calmed down, he was still visibly agitated.

"As I still maintain my authority over the Thunder pack, I've figured out a solution to the issue regarding my daughter," Cheska's mother declared, hoping to ease the tension.

"There is no solution! Cheska Macbride can only be given to one person--her mate!" Matthew retorted, clenching his fists and staring directly into Cheska's eyes.

"Matthew, not everyone is blessed with a mate. Like Cheska...ever since she came down two years ago, her partner is still nowhere in sight," Edison interjected.

"Therefore, invitations will be sent to the alphas who have expressed their interest in having Cheska as the Luna of their pack, and we will hold a tournament," Cheska's mother declared, her expression serious as she looked at everyone in the room.

Matthew glanced at Cheska as if wanting to claim that he was her mate, but she immediately shook her head in protest.

Eunice, who had long been suspicious, quickly agreed with Cheska's mother's decision. "That's an excellent idea, Luna Maurice! With this tournament, we'll see who's the best match for Cheska. I'm sure that Alpha Matthew wants only the best for her," she said, walking over to stand beside him.

Cheska's mother smiled at her. "Then it's settled. As the Luna of the Thunder pack and mother of Cheska Macbride, I propose that we hold a tournament to determine her companion."

The room filled with joy, a clear sign that everyone agreed with Cheska's mother's decision. Even council members who were not familiar with her rejoiced at the prospect of a tournament to determine Cheska's, future mate.

"Is that the only requirement for the council to honor her mother?" Cheska wondered to herself as she observed the proceedings. She wished she had paid closer attention earlier. Nevertheless, helping her mother and Matthew refine the Thunder pack remained her top priority.

"Hey Luna Maurice, can anyone participate in this contest?" asked Edison, a broad smile on his lips.

Luna Maurice informed him that anyone interested could contact the council directly, then turned to Matthew. "Alpha, can I speak with you for a moment?"

Matthew appeared displeased, but out of respect for Luna Maurice, he followed her away.

Cheska couldn't help but notice Matthew's dissatisfaction as he walked away with Luna Maurice.

"I've never seen Alpha Matthew lose his cool when Edison teases him."

"Eunice, you know Matthew's patience is limited, yet you still went against his wishes," Edison remarked glumly.

Cheska glanced at Eunice and Edison, who were already seated, seemingly unfazed by the earlier events.

"Edison and Matthew have been friends for a long time, even before Matthew took the train to Paragon City. That's why he knows him so well."

"Yep, they were the best of friends, so they know each other inside and out. But this is the first time Matthew has given Edison a warning that he ignored. Maybe he has fallen for Cheska," Eunice teased.

"Haha, I'm just messing around. I see Cheska as a little sister, but Matthew..." Edison trailed off, letting out a meaningful laugh.

"He almost killed you earlier," Cheska interjected involuntarily.

Edison acknowledged her comment, saying, "Yes, he would have killed me if you hadn't intervened."

"I couldn't believe this. The beta of the Paragon Pack seemed to have a suicidal mindset," Cheska muttered to me, shaking my head in disbelief.

As soon as the welcoming of Eunice was over, the council wasted no time and headed straight to their office to finalize their plan. They quickly sent a message to the alphas of other packs, knowing that having two packs in Sapphire City would be good for the city. This was something they had wanted for a long time, as it rarely happened.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the mansion where Matthew and Luna Maurice were—Matthew continued to strongly reject her decision.

"Aunt Maurice, didn't you say that you wanted Cheska to find her mate? So what happened to that? Did you change your mind?" Matthew exclaimed in fury.

"There's something you should know regarding Cheska," Luna Maurice said.

The concerned look in her eyes made Matthew halt his movement. He sat down and listened intently.

"Have you heard the story about a long-awaited she-wolf? One who possesses healing abilities... This she-wolf is said to be the mother of the King of all Alphas," Luna Maurice said, her voice echoing off the shelves of the office.

Matthew's brow furrowed as Luna Maurice grabbed a book and opened a hidden cupboard. From there, she took out a thin book and handed it to him.

"What is this, and what does it have to do with Cheska?" Matthew asked, looking at the cover of the book.

"Look at the pictures in the back of the book," Luna Maurice replied sternly.

Although skeptical, Matthew obeyed her command." What the-is this-?" his eyes widened as he couldn't find the right words while looking at the picture in the book.

"No one documented the future father of the alpha king, except for the single one I'm aware of... "

"And the other pack knows about this prophecy?" Matthew asked.

Luna Maurice nodded. "I'm not sure if this is something many people are aware of. But when I observe the alphas attempting to gain Cheska, possibly... they know about this prophecy."

"Then why did you suggest this plan?! You’re putting Cheska in danger!" Matthew became even more enraged. And to release his fury, he hit the table hard, causing it to wreck.

Luna Maurice smiled at Matthew. "Because of you—You can also join the tournament... I'm sure you won't refuse my request. If you win, the other packs won't make a fuss."

Matthew didn't respond immediately, not from a lack of desire, but because he perceived his mother had other intentions.