TRENT
"Alpha, are you sure about this?" My Beta asked, finding my decision troubling.
After the meeting, I came over to share my plans with my Beta, who wasn't pleased with the idea of the pack's Alpha spending more time in a different land than in his.
"I don't think it's necessary for you to stay away from your pack. You can do your work and render all your help to them from here," he said, making a suggestion.
But I don't want that.
"That won't be enough. I have to be there. Besides, this mission isn't for them alone but for me as well. I know what I'm doing," I said, patting his shoulder.
He still wasn't fine with the idea, until the sorcerer came in and backed me up, telling him not to panic.
"Don't you have faith in your Alpha anymore?" Cyrus asked, standing next to me.
My Beta sighed and responded, "I do, Sorcerer. I'm just concerned that's all."
"That's why we are here," Cyrus said, poking my Beta on the arm.
"As the right hand man of the Alpha, it's your duty to stay in charge until the Alpha is back. He's on a mission that will benefit us all, not just his friends. So, pull yourself together and man up."
That's why I like having him around. He knows what to say and how to solve an issue.
His words calmed my Beta, who smiled at me and made a promise to keep watch on the pack until I'm back.
"May the heavens go with you always, Alpha."
"Thank you," I appreciated, watching him exit the room.
Alone with my sorcerer, Cyrus asked, "You've found what you've been looking for, right?"
That question came as a surprise to me.
I had to keep my composure and turn to face the old man at my side, responding with just a hum.
He then smiled and said, placing his hand on me, "It's okay if you don't want to say it, Alpha. I can understand."
"It's not like that. I'm just… trying to handle some things first," I responded, even though I wasn't sure if Cyrus knew exactly what I was after.
That's when he said to me, drawing away, "Just make it snappy, son. Remember you aren't getting any younger. You need a Luna."
Crap! Seems he knows after all.
Cyrus left me alone in the room, while I thought about Derby and the new found goal before me.
This is something I just discovered and I can't help but feel nervous.
I never thought I'd find myself in such a situation after learnig the truth. I assumed everything would be fine when I meet the right lady, but it's the opposite.
It's just like the time I thought Evolet was the one for me. My confidence was on a different level. I was ready to prove myself to her and bring her back here to my pack.
That fire was there.
But now that I know it's Derby… "Since when did you become a weakling, Trent?" I questioned myself, rubbing my face down.
I've lost my boldness.
I can't even act properly around her, unless she does something funny. It's like her presence tames the beast in me without lifting a finger.
My body… It craves for her attention.
Last night, I couldn't leave Derby all alone in her room. I decided to stay and give her the comfort she needed, even though she told me she was fine by herself.
I refused and ended up staying with her, until she fell asleep in my arms, sleeping so peacefully in my hold.
And every minute I spent admiring her beauty, my heart would light up, knowing well that I finally found my piece.
I promised to talk to Derby about my feelings, but when the morning came, I couldn't do a thing.
It became hard.
All I did was smile and hold hands with Derby, hoping to get a chance to express my desire to her.
But I failed.
So, when she agreed to return to the hunt with Evolet, I had to speak up and volunteer myself to be a part of the game.
If Cadell is going to be with Eve, then I'm also going to be at the game with Derby, as her pet.
That way we can be closer together.
I don't want to be away from her.
"You can do this, Trent. You've got it," I sighed out, making my way out of the room.
I went over to Derby's bedroom to see her, but she wasn't there.
A maid said she saw her leaving the mansion with Cadell and Evolet not too long. "I think they are outside," she shared, pointing at the direction she saw them taking.
I went out of the building to catch up with them and found the trio outside, arguing about something.
On getting close… "Trent!" Derby exclaimed out excitedly, rushing up to me. "Just the man for the job. Please tell Eve that we can visit the forest for an hour. It's just for a stroll."
"Trent, don't agree to it," Evolet warned, swaying her head.
Confused, I asked, "Why?"
Derby and Evolet began to give reasons why we should and shouldn't head there, while Cadell, who stood aside, watched on with a smile.
He didn't even make an attempt to support anyone of them.
He's just enjoying the show!
"I came up with the idea of sauntering into the woods to have a better view of the moon, but Eve says it's a bad idea."
"It's a bad idea because that idea was planted into her head by someone sneaky!" Evolet directed her gaze right at Cadell, who gave out a wide grin, shrugging back at her.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he denied, annoying Evolet.
"Do you see that, Trent? Sneaky." Eve groaned, crossing her arms.
That look was enough to show that Cadell was up to something. I bet he's looking for an alone time with Evolet.
But the idea isn't that bad.
A stroll into the woods would be fine. And Derby looks desperate with this idea.
It might just be the perfect place for us to be alone without any interruption.
"Just say Yes, Kitty Cat," Cadell whispered into my ear, almost startling me with his presence.
How did he get here?
"We all need this, trust me." He smirked, wrapping an arm on my shoulder.
Evolet saw this and immediately sparked, "Hey! Get away from him! Trent, don't listen to him. Think of something better than the forest."
"Not cool," Derby frowned, poking Eve.
Scoffing, I asked Cadell, "What if my answer is no?"
He chuckled, patting my head.
The best he can do is chase me around and try to kill me, but I will not allow him to put me in Evolet's book of…
"This little trip won't just benefit me, Alpha. That's if you know what I mean." His lips came spreading cunningly, making me wonder what he meant by that.
That's when he said, using Evolet's own words, "She said think of something better than the forest. What else can you think of, if not Derby?"
On hearing her name from his mouth… "You crazy bushman! Can't you do without spying on me?!" I groaned, dragging Cadell aside.
He was laughing and enjoying the moment.
"How I wished I spied on you, Trent. Maybe I would get to see more than just your exciting fingers grabbing Derby's hand, and your eyes stuck on her without a break," he teased.
But that statement is just a narration of what I was doing with Derby throughout our tour.
That means Cadell saw everything!
"I didn't spy on you, Kitty. Your action was out in the open, and no one noticed except me."
"Dammit!" I bet he's going to use this to make fun of me.
"Hey, listen," He said, pulling me further away from the girls, while Evolet shouted at me to block my ears.
"We're both guys. I've seen how you struggled to have a peaceful moment with Derby throughout, and it didn't go well. You want an alone time with D, and I want one with Eve. If we both work together, we get what we want. Easy-peasy, both side wins!"
I hummed, reasoning what what Cadell just said.
We both want the same thing. Well, not the same since big man here has other plans for Evolet in that eyes of his. Still, I'll get to have a quiet moment with Derby without any disturbance.
"Goodness! I hope Evolet forgives me after this."
"The least she can do is shout. You'll be fine," Cadell said, getting all excited.
As we went back to meet the girls… "Well… The moon is lovely tonight."
"Oh Come On!" Evolet sparked out, understanding the message.
Derby cheered and ran up to Cadell for a high five. "We won!"
Her arm came wrapping around mine, as she laughed at Evolet, who was distancing herself from a naughty Cadell.
With a swollen face, Eve glowered at my point, frowning at me.
All I could do was give her the apologetic gaze, saying, "He's good when it comes to arguing. I still don't know how he does it."
"You boys are going to get it from me." She growled while being dragged by Cadell.
Derby pulled me along, getting thrilled.
She couldn't wait to get to the woods, and I felt the same.
When we arrived, it didn't take long for Evolet and Cadell to go missing.
The first thing I heard was Evolet screaming from behind.
When Derby and I turned around… "And they are gone." I swayed my head, almost laughing.
My eyes fell on Derby, who was chuckling at her friend's disappearance. She turned over to me and said, "I didn't plan this, I swear. Cadell was the one who pushed me. He just wanted an alone time with Eve and he told me about the forest."
"I believe you," I uttered, seeing I wasn't the only one who got hooked by that naughty wolf's words.
"I wasn't expecting you to join us though. I thought you were busy," She said, walking ahead of me.
"Not really," I said, following her. "It was just a brief conversation, then I came over to your room to stay with you."
"Oh, you did?" Her head went low. I could see a smile creeping across her face because of what I said.
When we stepped into the moonlight, her eyes came glowing, adding to her beauty.
I got lost instantly and stared at Derby.
She soon noticed the silence and turned to face me. Her eyes shimmered when she caught me staring. Then she asked, "What? Is something wrong?"
"You look stunning tonight," I commented, taking Derby's hand in mine.
She couldn't reply back but giggled out shyly, tucking her hair to the back of her ear.
"Thanks," I heard her mutter when she lowered her head again, trying to hide the grin my words brought to her face.
The moment is right. I can't keep it in anymore.
"Derby."
"Yes?"
I came to a stop right under the moon, taking hold of Derby's hands in mine. She stared into my eyes confusingly, probably wondering why I made a halt.
"Once we're done with everything at Wolf Fall… I want you to come back to my pack with me," I said, caressing her hands.
Derby shrugged and said, "For another break? I can do that." She chortled, failing to get the message.
"No, not for that." I swayed my head, causing Derby's smile to fade slowly.
Then I made it clearer to her, "To stay with me permanently."
Hearing that, her body shivered.
She thought I was joking and asked, "Wait, I… I don't get. Like you want me to leave Wolf Fall forever and stay with you?"
And I nodded, confirming her question.
This time, Derby wasn't smiling.
Her hands came pulling out of my hold in shock, as she drew closer to a tree with her back against me.
"Derby," I called, drawing nearer to her point.
"Come on, Trent. Don't play like this," She said, giving out a laugh. "Just tell me you're kidding and I won't eat you."
"But it's not. I really mean it. I… want you to stay with me."
Derby went silent for a few minute, before sighing.
"Derby," I called, getting worried on seeing how quiet she went.
As I made my steps towards her… "Trent," she called, causing my feet to halt right behind her.
Wrapping her arms across her body, Derby said, "Trent, you're such a great guy, honestly. I'm really happy that we are friends despite differences."
"You made my responsibility your duty and you gave me no reason to feel lonely."
"Derby listen…"
"I'm not against the idea of staying in a different land. In fact, it's a wonderful plan. We'll get to see each other all the time, and I know you'll want to make sure I'm doing well and all that… But isn't this too much on you?" She asked, still keeping her back at me.
The aura coming from Derby felt dull. I could sense the troubling energy flowing around her.
It got to me deeply.
"Won't you get tired of me and… and maybe…"
"Derby, I'm not complaining," I interrupted, pulling closer until no space was left between us.
Her body reacted when she felt my arms coming around her waist. I held her closer to myself, feeling her warmth.
"I will never get tired of you," I promised.
She didn't pull away from my hold. I felt her back resting on my chest, burying herself in my embrace.
"You mean a lot to me. I am ready to take care of you no matter what."
Her body quivered. It felt like she was struggling to suppress something from bursting out of her.
"How long do you plan on watching over me, Trent?" She asked softly, turning her head to look into my eyes. "How long?"
I stared into her gaze and saw the fear that hid behind those glowing balls.
She's worried about everything.
She's worried about us.
With my heart and soul, I said, "Forever. As long as you'll agree to spend your entire life with me as your mate."
"What?" Derby's eyes came large.
"Yes," I said, turning her over and cupping her face.
"I'm not taking you away from your pack just as a friend, but as my Luna. I want to make you mine forever and ever. Derby… I love you."
A soft gasp escaped her lips. I saw her eyes welling with glittering tears over my confession.
She didn't expect it.
My feelings are true. I do love Derby and want her all to myself. I just didn't realize it sooner.
But I'm glad I finally saw the light.
Engulfed by this intense feelings, I gave in to my desire and took Derby's lips in mine, sealing it with a kiss.
She gave out a gasp amidst our kiss and succumbed to this beautiful spark, pressing her lips back on mine passionately.
I held her tight, feeling the warmth all around her.
Her aura no longer felt dreary but strong and lively.
I've done it.
She's finally mine.