104 - The night of the great chaos, Pt1
104 - The night of the great chaos, Pt1
Marco
Past
“Where on earth is Milton?”
Charles’ scorching anger rises as time passes and on each occasion when the Black Moon is about to visit, it only gets out of control. I’ve tried to be very efficient through the years of our cooperation to keep him grounded, but it’s not simple to cope with men like him. I won’t pretend I’m a saint myself or even an easy-going person, but his resentment against his brother is getting the best of him every time they’re about to meet.
One would think that after defeating Elliot and becoming Alpha by forcing an entire clan to submit to him, he would be satisfied and cool down. I clench my fists at the memory of these days, but I have no choice but to run after him while he’s mindlessly rushing through the corridors.
“Calm down, Charles. What do you need him for? Everything is ready for the ball tonight. And it’s not even his job after all. Just let him be. He’s most probably blowing off some steam somewhere.” I try to reason with him, almost jogging behind him.
“Most packs have already arrived for the Annual Silver Moon Ball. The Black Moon will be here soon as well and instead of getting ready to face them, he’s disappeared Goddess knows where, no doubt fucking one of his whores… What a Gamma I was given… Sometimes I wonder what you would have done if I hadn’t taken over this Clan. How would you manage to keep it going if it wasn’t for me?” he says with mockery evident.
I clench my fists with more strength and press my lips in a straight line to prevent myself from opening my mouth right now. I’m aware of what he’s doing and I won’t give him the joy of taking me out of the way as he did with my brother Ray. After all, I have too many beloved people here to take care of.
Out of the blue, he stops pacing, so abruptly that I almost run into him, and turns on his heels, changing his course, obviously heading somewhere in specific this time. I recognize the direction to Luna’s chambers, not liking the glint in his eyes one bit. Should I warn Cathy that he’s on his way and livid, so he’ll probably attempt to take it all out on her?
“Why are you following me to my spouse’s bedroom, Marco?” he scoffs, but I won’t abandon her to face him alone.
“The Luna should prepare for the Ball, Alpha. And so should we. Why don’t you try to calm down a bit?”
He laughs, but there’s no humor in it, just a crazed frenzy that worries me gravely.
“Don’t you dare mind-link her! My relationship with my wife is none of your business. Just do your job as my Beta and go check the Ballroom and then get yourself presentable. Who knows? You might get lucky tonight as well, with all packs of the area present.”
His fingers are already on the doorknob, but my feet can’t get me to move away even with him using his Alpha aura to command me. Whatever is on his mind, he doesn’t want me to witness it. I pretend to move away, but I only intend to hide in my shadows and lurk around, since I’ve grown pretty good at that.
However, nothing could have prepared either me or Charles for what we were about to face. At least, his earlier question had just been answered. Milton was here in Cathy’s room, the two of them both naked and too close for comfort, entangled in each other’s body in an over-intimate position.
By pure instinct, I bounce from my hideaway and step right in front of Cathy, who crept back on the bed with her face turning white with pure horror, half expecting Charles to finish both of them right now. But instead of the ferocious growl and the infuriated Alpha madness I expected, he’s totally speechless, in a state of deep shock.
If one thing is more terrifying than Charles’ wrath, this would be his silence when he should be enraged. Seconds resemble hours before he finally produces any kind of reaction. And when he does, his loud laughter radiates pure evil.
“You both are so much more stupid than I’d have given you credit for,” he says. Then, turning to Milton, he continues.
“What? You honestly believed I didn’t know? That you could hide finding your fated mate from your Alpha? That you could go behind his back to fuck his wife and he wouldn’t understand? We’re werewolves, Milton, and werewolves smell this kind of stuff from miles away.”
Nobody can produce any sound. After a brief pause, he turns to Catherine.
“As for you, slut… Close your legs and make yourself presentable for the Ball. Oh, and before I forget it… Not a word to the kid. If any of you dare to so much as hint anything to him, I’ll ensure it’s the last thing you’ll ever do.”
And with that, he swings on his heels to leave the room, calling out over his shoulder with a chilling calmness.
“Marco, if you need me, I will be with my mate and… her son. Meet me in my office in an hour to welcome all the Alphas and their Betas before the opening ceremony.”
My own anger is overspilling as I’m about to knock on the door and enter his office. I’m too disconcerted after what happened earlier. I would never have imagined such a thing and I’m furious… at Cathy for not telling me, at Milton for not holding back and most of all at Charles for skyrocketing into our lives and turning them upside down. The son of a biscuit even had the nerve to point out his own mate in order to hurt Cathy. Not giving a damn I was present too, he was straightly hinting towards the time when he didn’t hesitate to send my brother, his first Beta, to his death just so that he could be with his fated mate, who wasn’t fortunate enough to be the previous Alpha’s daughter and therefore couldn’t grant him access to his grand Masterplan. Every time he mentions Ray, I am on the verge of losing it. Goddess, how I wish to dump him, and I would, if it wasn’t for the pack. I come from a long line of Betas. My duty is to protect the clan and its Alphas. Thus, my life is irrevocably tied to Cathy, the female Alpha of the Golden Moon and the only one who is worth protecting here.
Before I make my move to enter, I’m essentially swept by a brown-haired tornado. With an amused fascination, I take in my sister’s flushed appearance. Her hair is messy and unruly, her eyes shine bright with a wild impatience, her teeth are troubling her lips so much they will soon draw blood and her index nail picks at her thumb with an almost manic nervousness. I raise a brow, waiting for her to speak, but she looks both ways, still fidgeting with her nails, and then pulls me further away from the office door, down an empty corridor.
“Frida, the Alpha is awaiting me. The other Al…”
“I found my mate,” she interrupts my words, not caring at all for my excuse.
“Wow, that’s great!” I exclaim. “Wait, why aren’t you looking into my eyes?”
“He’s…” she hesitates.
Why do I have the suspicion I’m not gonna like what’s coming?
“He’s the Head Fighter of the Black Moon,” she finally says, confirming my darkest concern.
“He’s what?” I almost shout. “You can’t be serious…”
No, that’s not something we would want… A female of the most prominent Beta family mated to a high ranked wolf of the enemy… Well, shit! Her eyes are full of unshed tears. Finding your mate should be the happiest day of your life. My sweet little sister is a powerful person. She doesn’t deserve the sadness I see pooling in her expressive brown orbs.
“He didn’t harm you in any way, did he? Does he want to reject you? I swear, if he hurts you, I will…”
She’s taken aback by my outburst and shakes her head with fervor.
“What? No, Marco, Alex wouldn’t… It’s just… How do I tell Charles? What if he doesn’t allow this mating?”
Hell, for sure, he won’t tolerate such a thing for several reasons. We have to gain some time.
“Don’t do anything foolish, Frida. Keep your mouth shut for the time being. We’ll work this out, I promise. But right now, I gotta go back there.”
She nods, engulfing me in a hug and kneads our fingers together as we return to where we came from. When we’ve almost reached there, a familiar aura surrounds us. We both turn in its direction and, sure enough, the Black Moon Alpha and Beta are walking our way. Steven and Charles share so many common characteristics that it’s impossible to mistake their connection.
A weird gleam crosses his glance as he noticed Frida, making me subconsciously hide her behind my frame. Her confused big eyes analyze the situation warily.
“Who would this fine lady be, Beta Marco?”
“My sister, Frida,” I answer reluctantly.
“Is that so?” he says with a satisfied smile, but adds nothing more. He just sends us a slight nod and proceeds to join the rest of the crew in the office with his Beta hot on his tracks.
The main hall is full of people when we enter. The Chandeliers almost transform the night into day. Its unique crystals cast a playful, almost colorful light. The most expensive carpets have been laid on the floors for the occasion and the Omegas are serving our finest wines and food. All four packs of the South are present in this year’s Ball. No one would miss such an opportunity to form new alliances.
I hate Balls, especially official ones. Everyone pretends to have fun, but they are all stealing small glances at the exit. They are just here for the politics, not the celebration of an event as important as the Silver Moon, one of the most sacred days for all werewolves in this country. It’s the day when we get to celebrate our ancestors and their sacrifices that provided us with all the privileges we have today.
When we approach, everyone in the whole vast hall goes silent. First, Charles and Cathy enter, holding their little guy, Nicholas, between them. They both smile at their guests, but it’s so fake that anyone would understand it with ease. Not that they would care, but…
Behind them, I accompany Laureen, my late brother’s wife and her son, Matt. Everybody admires Charles for consistently showing his respect for his fallen, first Beta, by having her present on all occasions, which is even more disgusting on his side, if you know his actual motives. She has her hand loosely touching the crook of my elbow, but dares not meet my gaze. It’s something she does every time we see each other ever since Ray died. She’s never had the courage to face me eye to eye. Too many questions flow unanswered between us, but we are on purpose never left alone with each other. This way, we can’t have any sincere talk without prying ears around us. Our smiles are even more fake than those of Charles and Cathy. The only ones who seem to be genuinely happy are the little fellas. As we walk down the stairs, Matt is all the time trying to trip up Nicholas, who stumbles twice. They bicker and giggle, not paying any real attention to us or the people gathered in the Hall.
Charles has been dangerously quiet and composed all evening, despite what happened earlier. It’s terrifying to think what that means. There’s no way he’ll just let this slip. For sure, he has some plans, and I’m pretty confident that whatever they are, he will ensure to tear both Cathy and Milton apart in the most slow and painful manner possible. Which only makes me wonder… What on earth will he do?
The first part of the Ball goes as planned. He welcomes everyone, allows all Alphas to say some words about the day and the celebration. A bunch of all too common bullshit, if you ask me, and he keeps his turn to talk last, as the host of this year’s celebrations. His steps are slow and measured as he ascends on the makeshift stage. His entire stance emits a piercing coldness, and that’s when I know he’ll make his move. I follow his words with my terror rising as he goes on and on with pleasantries and other official nonsense. And my dread is sadly confirmed when he reaches the final section of his speech.
“... And as we’re all gathered here tonight for this important day, I will only use a little more of your time to make an announcement that’ll add one more reason to celebrate. It is a great pleasure to inform you that in a week from now our Gamma, Milton, will get engaged to the sole female of our Beta family, Frida. The date of their mating ceremony is to formally be sent to all your packs. We are looking, of course, forward to your participation in such a significant pairing of our pack. But let’s not delay any further… Let the celebrations begin!”
His nostrils flare with the scorching fury he’s concealed deep inside, and despite all the music and dance commencing, he just pivots on his heel and leaves the ballroom…