HUNTER'S POV
The dining room was tastefully decorated and Ignis and Garnet were waiting for us. Ignis, with his usual serenity, and Garnet, the Alpha King, with an expression that mixed curiosity and approval.
“Good evening, Hunter. Zora. I hope you enjoyed the celebration,” greeted Garnet, a subtle smile playing on his lips.
“Yes, it was wonderful, Dad,” replied Zora, with a twinkle in her eye. I looked at Garnet, bowing my head in respect.
“Good evening, Alpha Garnet. Thank you for the welcome,” I greeted, trying to sound as confident as the suit I was wearing.
Garnet, with his robust countenance and warm smile, appeared on the trail. “Hunter, Zora, how are you settling in?” He asked, his words laden with a superficial friendliness.
I replied promptly, “We're doing very well, Alpha Garnet. The room is great.”
Garnet cracked an even bigger smile, apparently satisfied with my answer.
However, Ignis' serious expression alerted me to a deeper meaning behind the Alpha's question.
Ignis, with her black dress and piercing gaze, intervened. “I believe Hunter misunderstood the question, Alpha Garnet.”
I realized that the conversation was taking an uncomfortable turn, and I struggled to keep my composure. “I understood perfectly, and the room is wonderful.”
Ignis, impassive, insisted. “We don't talk about rooms. We talk about duties.”
Zora tensed beside me, ready to defend our privacy. “Ignis, that's none of your business,” she retorted, her voice a whisper of defiance.
Ignis ignored Zora and fixed her eyes on me. “Alpha Garnet asked about consummation, Hunter.”
Zora glared at Ignis angrily, but Garnet intervened. “Ignis is right. It's up to all of us to make sure the traditions are followed.”
Ignis remained unperturbed, staring at us with an inscrutable expression. “Garnet asked for a reason. Hunter, you understand your obligations, don't you?”
I shook my head, despite feeling uncomfortable with the intrusive nature of the conversation. “Yes, I understand. I assure you that we will fulfill our duties.”
Garnet, as if it were nothing, changed the focus of the conversation. “Well, since that's cleared up, I think it's time we went to the dining room. I'm starving.”
We made our way to the dining room, where tension hung in the air. The dinner, full of elaborate dishes, seemed more like a formality than a relaxing meal. Ignis continued to watch us, his piercing eyes penetrating our every move.
During the meal, the subject came up again. Ignis bluntly addressed Zora and me. “You both have responsibilities to the pack. Don't neglect them.”
Zora, always ready to defend our privacy, retorted. “Ignis, this is something personal and shouldn't be discussed like this.”
Ignis raised an eyebrow, dismissively. “The affairs of the pack are not personal, Zora. You are the next leadership, and with that comes responsibility.”
Zora, for her part, was visibly irritated. “You don't seem to understand the concept of privacy,” she retorted.
Silence overtook the table, each forkful seeming an act of pure formality. I was caught between the expectations of Garnet and Ignis, while Zora, next to me, tried to ease the situation. The weight of obligation weighed heavily on my shoulders, obscuring any possibility of genuine intimacy.
Ignis, with his impenetrable expression, turned to me: “How would you describe Alastair's pack?”
Pondering for a moment, I chose my words carefully. “Alastair's pack is strong and loyal, but maintains ancient traditions. We are rooted in our way of life, although sometimes this can limit our progress.”
Garnet intervened with a wise smile. “Hunter, do you believe that tradition should be preserved at all costs?”
I felt the tension rise as I chose my words. “I value traditions, but I also recognize the importance of adaptation. Sometimes it's necessary to integrate the human world to ensure the growth and prosperity of our pack.”
Garnet nodded, clearly satisfied with my answer. “You're right, Hunter. We must find a balance between tradition and evolution.”
Intrigued, I asked: “What do you mean?”
Ignis, for his part, gave an intriguing answer. “Garnet achieved this balance by allowing our pack to get involved in human affairs. We opened a lumber mill in Boise, Idaho, and that has brought significant benefits to our pack.”
I realized the weight in Ignis' words. She was implying that Garnet's success was directly linked to his ability to integrate the human world with werewolf customs.
“A brilliant idea,” I commented, appreciating Garnet's pragmatic vision. “But unfortunately, my father, Alastair, would never accept such a union.”
Ignis, looking directly into my eyes, added an intriguing perspective. “That's why you've been chosen to be the next Alpha King, Hunter. Maybe it's time to break a few traditions to ensure the future of the pack.”
Zora tried to soften the conversation. “I believe that each pack has its own approaches, and they all have unique merits.”
The responsibility of leading was not only a privilege, but also a significant burden. Ignis, as if reading my thoughts, continued his analysis.
“The union between the packs and the human world is the future. Alastair may resist, but fate has chosen you to lead your pack beyond the limitations of the past.”
I felt the weight of the prophecy Ignis was suggesting. Accepting the future would mean challenging not only my father, but also the ingrained norms that had shaped werewolf society for centuries. I was being put to the test, not just as a pack leader, but as a catalyst for profound change.
Peeira, with her imposing presence, broke the silence. “I understand your concerns, Hunter. Choices aren't always easy, especially when they confront entrenched traditions.”
I felt Ignis' penetrating gaze on me, as if she could read every thought and emotion I was trying to hide. “You fear confrontation with Alastair, but the prosperity of your pack depends on it.”
When the conversation took a more serious turn, I felt the need to share my doubts and concerns about the imminent confrontation with Alastair. “I understand my responsibilities, but confronting Alastair doesn't seem like something the Moon Goddess would bless,” I confessed, trying to express my apprehension.
Ignis, with her piercing eyes, raised an eyebrow as if analyzing my words.
“Do you fear the disapproval of the Moon Goddess if you confront Alastair, Hunter?” she asked, her voice laden with an intriguing curiosity. “I believe that's not the first time you've gone against the Goddess.”
Zora intervened softly. “Ignis, it's late. I think we should call it a night.”
Ignis tilted her head in agreement, but her gaze was still fixed on me. “I understand, Zora. I just wanted to offer Hunter some guidance.”
Garnet stood up and said. “I think we've had an interesting evening. Ignis, I hope you're satisfied.”
Ignis, however, remained unwavering in her decision. “If you don't mind, Alpha Garnet, I need to talk to Hunter alone.”
Garnet gave him an inquisitive look, but then nodded. “All right, we'll be in the lounge when you're finished.”
Zora gave me a supportive look before leaving with Garnet, leaving Ignis and me alone in the dining room. Ignis waited until the door was closed before he began to speak.
“Hunter, I understand your fears, but the future of the pack depends on your actions. The Moon Goddess is wise, and if she has chosen you to lead, it is because she believes you are capable of overcoming challenges.”
“I'm not questioning the wisdom of the Goddess, but confronting Alastair could have irreparable consequences.”
Ignis tilted his head, his expression serious. “Alastair is not invincible, Hunter. You're the future Alpha, and it's time you started acting like one. Sometimes the hardest road is the only one that leads to true leadership.”
I felt the weight of Ignis' words as she continued. “If you want prosperity for your pack, you'll have to make difficult decisions. And making difficult decisions is not something new for you, after all, it can't have been easy to reject your destined Luna to choose Zora.”