Chapter 167 167
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SEVEN
AURON'S P.O.V
By the time I got to my pack, it was a few minutes past twelve, just in time. As I approached the pack, I could feel the weight of what I was about to undertake and the changes I might make, coupled with the truths or secrets that I might discover. They felt heavy on my mind and felt a bit daunting to me, but knowing that I had people now rooting for me and the fact that I know had my own powers made me feel strong. I reached the boundary and growled to let the men scouting the boundary know that I was the one. They bowed their heads immediately they saw I was the one. I wanted to shift back but there were some women and children walking about, nudity wasn't a new thing to use but I would like to take decency into consideration. So I made my way over to my house, along the way, anyone who saw me bowed with fearful expression. It made me feel bad that they were scared of me. I mean, I know I was hard on them but I was doing it to protect them, but now I know that I don't need to be hard on them or push them away from me. They were mostly women and children who had been left out to die or chased away by their packs, along with men who had also left their packs or had almost gone rogue. That was how my pack was made, a pack full of people that had been down on there luck. I should have made them felt more secure, I hope I did, things will have to change around here. I admire the way everyone is so free and normal around Lucian that even his own beta and best friend can diss him without him getting offended, that is aside from Kieran. Those two are like a ticking time bomb. Once I reached the house, I shifted back into my human form and walked into the pack house, my men greeting me with nods and murmurs of respect, they're plain masks remaining me of what I had tried to shut off from my life.
"Alpha, you are back."
"Welcome back."
KMy two closest in command immediately rushed towards me and greeted, their posture erect and stuff. One of them handed me a pair of pants and a plain black shirt which I put on quickly. Then I stared at them for a while saying nothing. These two have been with me through the toughest times of our packs, never backed out, never showed weakness and I never first once called them by their names. I don't even think I can remember their faces well, its been a long time.
"Alpha?"
"A...are you listening?"
I blinked back, snapping to reality.
"Yes, I heard you...what did you say?"
KThey glanced at each other then one spoke.
"Elder Mikhail is waiting for you in the great hall, he heard of your return."
Elder Mikhail. Just great. I needed to rest first before facing him, but I guess I can just manage for now.
"Alright, thanks for telling me."
Another glance at each other, then they bowed and made to move to my back where they normally stood unless I told them not to. I began moving towards the great hall but I stopped and turned to face them, they also stopped, saying nothing.
"Thank you for sticking with me. Gail, Derek. Both of you." Then I kept on walking, I hope I got their names right.
I think they must have been stunned because they didn't immediately resume walking until I was almost at the great hall. I heard they're running footsteps as they once more came to stand behind me.
"A...Alpha...is anything wrong?".
I quirked up and eyebrow.
"Why would anything be wrong?"
They glanced at each other again, how were they glancing? The masks are plain with no holes to see their eyes. Oh yeah, I forget I had specially designed it in a way that you could see outside easily but no one cold see your face from the outside.
"Well...you have been behaving strange since you came back."
I crossed my arms.
"And how strange have I been behaving.?"
One of them sighed.
"Alpha you said thank you."
I shrugged.
"So? Its not bad to say it "
One shook his head.
"Its not but you don't say it."
"Ever." The other agreed.
I tilted my head, surprised.
"Really? I never...realized it. I'm sorry for that."
They gasped collectively.
"And you...you called us by our names. You never do that."
I let out a chuckle and placed my hands on each of their shoulders, they glanced at it then back at me, I winked.
"Get ready, a lot of things are about to change here. But right now I have to see Elder Mikhail."
They nodded slowly, I turned back and stepped into the great hall.
Elder Mikhail was waiting for me at the great hall, this time his mask was off and placed neatly on a side table as ge sat wauting. As soon as he saw me, he stood up and looked behind me, past my two companions. I could see the question and confusion in his eyes due to the absense of Aurora. I almost scoffed, he will find out soon enough. His eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made me ask myself if he ever looked at like this and why didn't I ever notice it.
"Alpha." He bowed low and respectful, his white hair stands falling over his forehead. "Welcome back. I'm glad that you are safe."
"Thank you Elder Mikhail. I'm glad to be back to." I answered mildly with a smile, taking my seat at the center of the hall.
"If I might ask, what took you so long? And where is Aurora? You were supposed to bring her back with you." He still looked at the door, thinking she might be outside. "Could she be outside or have you kept her somewhere else?"
I shrugged, playing it cool while keeping my eyes trained on him. "Something else came up, and I couldn't bring her back with me."