Chapter 103 103

Chapter 103 103
Draven's POV
I made my way to the living room, where I had already been expecting a not-so-welcome visitor from the werewolf clan.
I had informed the makers and servants that no one was allowed into the living room for the main while, as I didn't want anyone to sniff out that she is a witch and attack her. Not that she'd be in trouble, but that servant wouldn't leave to see another day.
I walked into the living room and saw that she was on the couch with her legs crossed. She immediately sensed my presence and got up from the couch, a beautiful smile playing on her lips.
"Long time no see, Alpha Draven." She greeted me well.
"Oh, with the formalities now, have you suddenly developed etiquette and grace?" I teased.
"Well, Alpha Draven, if you must know, then on the way here, I had to tranqulize a few werewolves that had spotted me." She said it nonchalantly.
"Oh, come on, Rachel." I sighed, and she began apologising.
"Any way, it's fine; at least you were not spotted, so that's the most important thing. Now let's discuss this more important situation." I began.
"The witches are unwilling to believe that one of our kin could be helping a werewolf, and a rogue one at that. But I do know the leader of the coven would most definitely look into it, as she is always on the edge and is very anxious about the safety of us witches." She explained. 
We were in the middle of the conversation when I heard a sudden commotion erupt outside. The distant sounds of urgent footsteps and raised voices reached my ears. My eyes narrowed, and my instincts were on high alert.
"Have you done it?" I asked her.
"I used your wolf essence to cover me up. So we're good to go." She said it with a smile. I rose swiftly from my seat, and Rachel calmly followed my lead.
Without a word, we rushed out of the house, and the pack members were gathered right in front of my home. The worried expressions on their faces mirrored the gravity of the situation. As the pack members gathered around, their faces were etched with concern.
I looked to an end and saw Hazel approaching Maddy, and I gave her a small smile, which was reciprocated. Jason stepped forward. His voice was steady and swift as he spoke up for the pack.
"Alpha Draven." He began, his voice filled with urgency. "The rogue werewolves have launched a brutal attack on our borders and are now invading our territory. They've left a trail of destruction in their wake, harming innocent lives and challenging our authority."
My jaw tightened, my fists clenching at my sides. I took a deep breath, my gaze sweeping across the faces of my pack members. 
I knew they were waiting on me to give the order and to help in defeating these rogues, and I knew that, just like Jason had advised, I had to rally their spirits.
"Pack members," I began, my voice projecting strength and determination. "We stand at the precipice of a battle that will test our resolve, but we will not falter.”
“The rogue werewolves may think they can tear us apart, but they underestimate the bond that holds us together. We are a family, united by loyalty and love."
I paused, my eyes locking with each member of the pack, ensuring my words reached deep into their hearts. "We will not let the fear of striking out consume us.”
“We will embrace the challenge before us with courage and resilience. Our home, our loved ones, and our pack depend on our unwavering commitment."
The pack members straightened their postures, a fire igniting within their eyes. My words had reached them, rekindling the strength and determination that resided within each of them.
However, as I prepared to lead my pack into this inevitable battle against someone who used to be like family, a sense of unease washed over me. I suddenly received a note, discreetly slipped into my pocket by a messenger I hadn't seen. 
It was from Richard, my long-time friend and once a trusted member of the pack. The note contained chilling words, expressing Richard's bitterness and his belief that he was destined to be the alpha, not me, and he planned to prove it tonight.
My heart sank, torn between the loyalty I felt towards this pack and the pain of the betrayal from someone I had once considered family.
I made a difficult decision to keep the note hidden from Hazel, not wanting to burden her further with worries amidst the impending danger. I turned to Rachel and shared the contents of the note with her before finally passing it on to Jason.
“Rachel, I have to go and see him tonight; I'll fix things once and for all," I confided in a hushed tone. "It seems to me that there is no need for the talking stage because he has already been completely reformed into darkness.”
“He seeks to disrupt the pack and challenge my authority as alpha. We must remain vigilant and protect the pack from both external and internal threats."
Rachel's eyes narrowed, but then she was replaced by her usual playful nature. "External being Zac, right? I have a feeling once you go one-on-one with Zac, you won't kill him but beat him up to a pulp until he is half dead." She said it with a smile.
I leaned in with a smirk and said, "Why only half?" Once I moved away, I took notice of Hazel; she seemed to be blazing up in anger as she turned away and left with Maddy trailing behind her.
I was just about to go chase after her when Rachel suddenly held me back. "I'm with you, Draven," she declared, her voice laced with determination. "We will face the rogues head-on, and together, we'll deal with Zac and the blood moon pack."
With renewed determination and the knowledge that our bond would withstand any trial, I and Jason dismissed the pack members. The impending battle seemed to be larger than I had expected, but at least we were all prepared. 
The hearts of my pack members were fortified, their resolve unshakeable, and they were ready to face the rogue werewolves and the blood moon pack head-on, guided by the unwavering strength of the pack and our unbreakable determination to protect what they hold dear.
After the meeting, I spoke to Jason about everything, and he was also on board with us. We would all have to be careful, as Richard is a cunning and manipulative man. 
And now, with both his werewolf gene and witch powers, he might be a force to be reckoned with. But then we still have no idea about the extent of his own deadly powers.
I went back to my room to discreetly prepare for tonight, but what I found was an angry Hazel Arranging clothes and cleaning up the place restlessly. 
I ignored her first, but then, as I thought about the fact that she shouldn't be using up too much of her energy, especially now that I know I won't be around for a while,
"Hazel stop." I walked closer to her and said, but she didn't listen to me and just walked over me like I wasn't there. "Hazel, what's wrong? Tell me? Drop this." I grabbed her by both arms and made her look at me.
"Wh-..." She wanted to speak but seemed to be having difficulties spilling it out. "Who? Who.. what?" I asked in confusion.
"Who was that lady? At the meeting with the pack members, huh?" She was referring to Rachel; she began poking me in the chest as I moved backwards.
"I am your mate, but I can't even stand next to you while you address your pack. And she stood next to you. Do you have any idea what the other pack members were saying?”
“They said you two look good together, and everyone referred to her as a mystery beauty. It's annoying."
"Calm down, Hazel. Are you jealous?" I asked. "Me?  Jealous?  Ptffth. Like I care." She said that and turned away.
I walked closer to her and wrapped my hand around her waist from behind, and she suddenly went stiff. "Rachel is just a friend, and she stood next to me because we were discussing pack security-related matters in the living room when the pack members arrived
“But I am sorry about that, okay? The only woman ever allowed next to me will be you, and always you." I reassured her, and she finally became calm.
She turned to face me and then wrapped her hands around my neck. "I know..." she said cutely. I stared at her lips for a while, having the uncontrollable urge to kiss her, and as though reading my expression, she reached out and pressed her lips against mine.
A few hours later
\-
As I, Jason, and Rachel slipped out of the mansion, the night air was thick with tension. I clutched the piece of paper tightly in my hand, its contents burning into my memory.