Chapter 12 12
Chloe’s pov
Right before me, my pack members jumped in jubilation.
There is a lot of merrying going on for they’re so lost in their happiness.
From where I stood, the air was thick with the scent of roasted meat, smoke, and alcohol.
Today was indeed a special day for the Blueblood pack.
A feast was happening to prepare for the hunt, but I wasn’t exactly in high spirits.
I couldn't even tell why,because I had no idea myself, my heart raced not from fear, but from the heaviness of so many responsibilities and thoughts.
I leaned against the pillar watching, observing my pack as they celebrated, but apart from being in a terrible mood, I wasn’t one to dance around, I knew war meant death and death was unpredictable, it could take one at any time.
Especially when it had to do with the upcoming war against the witches, they were never predictive, they always came up with new ways to defeat us but their plan always failed. But then would the moon goddess be with us this time around?
As usual, Antonio was surrounded by the ladies, I rolled my eyes as my mind drifted back to earlier that day.
I sat with Alpha Cain in his study when he proposed a deal to me. One that shouldn’t be a big deal but then it caught me off guard especially with the change of plans.
What do you want me to do, Alpha Cain?” I asked my gaze fixed on him so intensely.
“Nothing new,” he said with a smirk playing on his lips as he leaned back on his chair. “ Just what you’ve always done, lead the battle front. Defeat the witches in cold blood. , Show no mercy, remind them why they should never dare to challenge us,”
I swallowed hard, I wanted to object, tell him he shouldn’t have deceived the witches into thinking he’d accepted the treaty when he planned to attack in the middle of the night, instead, I said;
“Of course, Alpha, I’ll do as you say.” I replied, “As long as it’s what you truly want.” I stood moving forward to take his hands so I could press a kiss to the back of them, it was a gesture of loyalty and devotion to the king. “ I should begin training now, if I’m ever going to win.”
“Are you healed yet, my child?” He asked, his gaze filled with warmth and concern, like the way he always looked at me all these years like he was my true father.
Even my true parents never cared for me the way he did, they only loved Lacey, I was so damn sure they didn’t miss me, at least it wasn’t their favorite daughter who died.
I smiled, touching the side of my head where I was hit. “ Yes, I am, thankfully it wasn't as serious as a silver bullet, it’s barely a scratch now.”
It should have been very serious but we wolves heal faster than mortal beings.
“I'm glad to hear that, Chloe.”
I nod. And he looked up from his paper and paused before saying; “ I’m sorry about Juanita’s behavior, I assure you it won’t happen again as she would not be allowed to enter these premises.”
I waved a hand as if to brush it off. “No sir. It’s okay, I understand why she spoke to me like that… she is probably jealous I was taking over her position.”
“Well, she should have thought about that before abandoning the pack and duty to chase after a human!” He retorted, this was the first time he was openly talking about this, with emotion laced in his tone.
I looked away, “ I understand your anger sir but I think you should someday try to forgive her… everyone makes mistakes, she is just a prodigal daughter who is willing to change her ways….”
“No, “ he bawled. “She hasn’t changed, she’s planning to get married to this same human, which heir does that?”
I couldn’t believe my ears, get married to a human? That was very outrageous! How could she risk everything for a man, of all things?
“She is getting married?” I repeated.
He shook his head. I could sense the disappointment he was feeling, he then cleared his throat, changing the topic. “ We shouldn't discuss her, at this point nothing she does surprises me, one thing I know is that I’m never going to trust her again.”
I nod, “I need to go back now, Alpha, I’ll check up on you later.”
“Wait…” his stern voice stopped me and I turned.
“Yes, Alpha…”
“You didn’t tell me how the visit with Lacey went.”
“It was brief my lord,” I muttered my heart skipping at the mention of her name, then I paused. “ I know you said we shouldn’t talk about Juanita but was she telling the truth? About Lacey behind my accident?”
“What was Lacey’s answer?”
“She denied, she said she would never hurt her sister.”
“Then I guess she might be right.”
I nod, “I guess I should get ready for the hunt feast preparation now, the pack members are waiting.”
“Yes, you can go, my daughter, don’t let me be the one to keep you waiting.”
Now here I was surrounded by the pack as the hunt started. The crowd has increased, with more people pouring into the open space close to the woods, and everyone is anticipating the battle.
Alpha King Cain strides in, standing at the center and everyone goes quiet in respect of his presence. In his hands, he held a bowl of fresh lamb's blood as he marked each member of the pack one by one. With a drop of blood, this ritual was to. Ensure protection and victory.
He announced Antonio, his second in command, his beta, he grinned as Alpha Cain pressed a thumb to his forehead before he moved on to me.
I was the last in line, his gaze met mine and as he marked my forehead with the warm sticky blood, he said a silent prayer.
Then he faced the crowd as he spoke a protective prayer and a word of encouragement to give them courage and unity.
“My people!” He began, his crimson robe flowing and glowing in the dark. “You all are strong trained soldiers, you were chosen to represent the blue blood in the battle against the witches.
“This feast, this ritual will help us win against the witches.” He said raising a glass of wine and the pack erupted in Cheers.
Soon he stepped down and everyone began to dance and were jubilant like the battle had already been won.
I still stayed behind the pillar, my head filled with so many thoughts. Crazy ones. But the. Who am I to advise the king, he was the alpha for a reason.
But there was something off about the night, maybe because I almost died in the last heated battle with the witches, which was a result of the full moon not coming up on time, for us to transform and deal with them. This time there was no sign that the full moon would be out before twelve.
This feeling of uneasiness kept gnawing at my guts like a disease spreading all over my body slowly.
Before I knew it Antonio snuck up behind me, his masculine scent filled the air. “Hi princess, are you okay?”
“Mixed feelings!” I said letting out a sigh, for the first time I was feeling indecisive about so many things. “ I don’t know if we should attack the witches today, how are we sure the full moon is going to come out? The sky is dark and…”
A grin cut me off, “What happened Chloe? You’re not one to be scared of a little battle with the witches.”
“It’s not fear! It’s just uncertainty! “
Maybe Antonio was right, maybe I was just scared coupled with the death threats from Juanita, I was sure she was still on my trail trying to kill me so she could take over.
“Well, you need to get over your uncertainty.” He said winking at me before returning to the ladies who cuddled around him like flies attracted to bad meat.
Once again, I’m alone with my thoughts.
But then I felt something…. It was a scent, at first it was subtle but immediately Antonio left it hit me strongly almost making my wolf wild and my heart stutter.
What could that be?
It was like a magnet pulling me closer.
I turned trying to see if there was anything in the dark, that’s when I saw a tall and broad-shouldered familiar figure lurking in the dark. I almost gasped, it’s Alpha Henry, my ex-best friend and Mate.
My heart beat increased as our gaze locked instantly, and all of a sudden the time seemed to stop around us.
Instantly, people rushed past us, laughter erupting in the air and when they were gone, he’d gone too.
I blinked twice, unable to believe my eyes.
Was he truly there? Or was I just hallucinating?