Chapter 188: Vůdce's Prophecy - Part IV

A cold-blooded barbaric beast he is but at times he resembles that of a misconceived precious pup to me. But this truth shall be a secret of mine forever, I want this side of Phobos to be only mine till the end of our days. And if I tell him this it would only get his masculine pheromones all ruffled up, he would want to prove to me that in no way is he a pup which he will certainly do so with his body.

"I understand. You know best but you trust my words, yes?"

"Of course I do. It is only because you continually speak well of them and of that male's rule that I am willing to discuss more on this with Deimos and Drakho." Alpha males usually dislike having their females offer them advice on such matters but my male is different, he allows me to do so. He thinks that females possess a better thought process than males and are not much impulsive. If we do end up having females I am certain that Phobos will bring them up to be assertive warriors who will pave their own way for respect.

"The second matter that I wish to speak with you is on what you are stressed about."

"I am not stressed about anything, my freesia." He mutters with a deep frown of puzzlement settling amid his thick brows.

"You are, perhaps you do not recognize it but you truly are Phobos. Even our wolves see this, Tadeas is picking up on it too. He has been crying a lot lately have you noticed this?"

"It is because of me?"

"Yes. And the key reason for your stress is this year's winter hunt yes?"

"It is not that I am stressed about it more of worried I suppose. I have already delayed our departure for too long because of Tadeas's birth and the harsh winter that has begun. I am torn Theia. If I take my males for hunting now many will not survive but if I do not leave for the hunt our pack will not survive. Tadeas and you will starve and I cannot witness that -"

"I have spoken with Cronus on this," I state quickly swallowing with nervousness knowing what is to come as he snaps his questioning eyes up to regard me. "He will provide us with everything we need for this year including the share of the hunt that you must deliver to the Alpha with whom you have the hunting agreement."

"What?" Phobos snarls unveiling his pointy canines at me his orbs a raging typhoon one that I have knowingly provoked. I knew he would get incredibly upset with me for this. In other words, I have just questioned his authority and his essence as Alpha.

"Please listen to me-" I beg my voice shaky as I attempt to caress his cheek but he seizes my frail wrist in an unyielding grip arresting any further movements.

"What do you mean by this? Do you not find me to be capable of leading the hunt as an Alpha this year?" His voice is harsh yet carries those bitter discouraging traces of doubt in them. He is fearful that I do deem him as such.

"It is not like that, you do not understand."

"What do I not understand? You have asked another Alpha to perform the duties I must for my pack."

"It is just Cronus, there are no such things when it comes to family. We help each other."

"You know how I am, Theia. I do not take aid until I feel that I absolutely need it and you know how our wolves shall look at me if I do choose to be weak this way."

"It is not being weak! It is too late to depart for the hunt, we will lose wolves this way or I will lose you. I am making it easier for us. You need help this winter, Phobos. And also every other winter."

"Every other winter? What have you done, Theia?" He asks cautiously with a hint of disbelief coating his voice.

"I-I asked Cronus to form a trade pact with you. He will deliver everything our pack needs in bulk every few months and in return, we give him something from our lands that he wants. You can end your hunt agreement with the other male for this would be more suitable for us and I-"

"Stop." He gnarls preventing my words his chest heaving as he strives to reign in his growing rage. "You want to change generations worth of traditions of our ways just with a blink of your eyes? Have you thought about how our wolves will feel? Hunting and providing for our females runs in our blood but you expect us to be lazy and take produce from a wealthy male?" This conversation was always going to happen from my side I only procrastinated it for I was terrified of the consequences of my actions but to hell with this, I am going to put some sense into him for the sake of my future for our future.

"We need change. This winter hunt needs to end." I raise my head jut out my chin and show him my decisiveness.

"For what reason? This is our tradition how do you expect me to put an end to this just like that?"

"Because I as the Luna of this pack find it to be unnecessary when we have better ways to acquire produce. Take Cronus's offer, this will be good for us."

"I am the Alpha here!" He roars boisterously slamming his fist against the wooden table in an aggressive manner that has me cringe back from his warmth. It is swift the way I look away from him the way my lips quiver and the way tears brim in my nordic blues. I meant no harm by my actions I merely meant to make things better for us.

It takes a few seconds for him to let go of my wrist only to lift his palm and cradle my right cheek turning my face back to encounter his searching eyes that seek to read my emotions. When the first tear slips out to trickle down my cheek his eyes soften further and he gives me a slight shake of his head. "Do not cry, you know I am weak to your tears. I apologize Drahá, forgive me." He whispers leaning forward to sit upright keenly studying my face for changes in emotion whilst he wipes my cheeks with his thumbs.

"Why do you think I did this you beast?! How do you expect me to stay seven months or more without you? How do you expect Tadeas to sleep without your chest you know he prefers yours to mine? I do not want to live the rest of my life worrying if my male will return to me or not!"

"Theia." His voice is pacifying as he combs my dishevelled locks with his fingers delicately driving them back to rest behind my ears.

"No you will listen to me this time, you keep asking for a bigger family but there is no way I will bear our pups again without you by my side. Have you not thought about what if I get pregnant while you are away, I may even birth our pups before your return! I will not and can not do that a second time. Do you not wish to witness their birth or support me during my pregnancy?" I weep shrilly punching his chest with my fists and my male calmly captures my wrists and draws me down to him. Wrapping his arms around my quaking being he guides my head towards his neck and clasps onto me tighter.