Alaric's POV
From the tower, I have a clear view of Chelsea's bedroom. It is a full moon, six months to the blood moon and I have been staring at her ever since the howling started. Even with her catching my gaze, I still can't seem to keep my eyes off her.
The way I am affected by her presence aggravates me. The exact way I used to feel around Saira is how I feel around her, and in a way, it feels like a sort of betrayal to her.
Saira. It's been a while since I thought of her name, talk more of speaking it out loud. I still can not say her name out loud but there's a sense of comfort that comes from just thinking about it.
I return my focus to Chelsea's bedroom window. She is now standing by her window, and from what I can see, she is trying to see who I am clearly.
We just stand at our spots. Still and quiet. A mixture of two opposite people. Her, with her innocent looking features, strong interior, and a healing heart and mind, with zero worries. And then there is me. With my hardened features, a shattered heart, and a lot of responsibilities.
Some minutes run by with us just standing at our different spots, unmoving when she does the most unexpected thing ever. She waves. Not a little shy or unsure wave, but a bold and enthusiastic wave. Smiles and all.
At this show of unpredicted reaction, my heart constricts against my chest and I force out a laugh. It can not be. She can not be the one. She can not be my mate. Why does my life have to be so complicated? How can I have two different mates in just one lifetime? It has never been heard of. And why does all this drama have to come up when we are in the middle of a war against the vampires?
The frustration is too much, making me turn back and head for the inside of the tower, leaving Chelsea at her window.
If Saira were here, she would turn this into some comedic scene and have us both laughing our butts off. She always had a way of making me smile, and she was the only one who could outright make me laugh.
I grew up in a strict family, under the strictest father that ever walked the face of the earth. The household I was brought up in was always gloomy and void of laughter and happiness. Everyone was always living by the book, trying to please my father and get in his good graces.
But the thing with my father was, he was never satisfied. No one and nothing ever pleased him. He always uniformed for some version of perfection that does not exist. Both for himself and me.
My mother on the other hand was a very quiet woman. So as long as she never argued with my dad, or opposed his authority, he was content. And in a way, I think she was too.
The only time my mother was ever out of her housewife character was when she was with me. She would, at odd moments or in between conversations, encourage me to only seek after things or people who made me genuinely happy, not things or people that made me more powerful or influential.
After my first encounter with Caira, she was the first person I said a word to. Of the annoyingly cheery girl who was so nice to me and made my heart pound fast. That was the first time I ever saw her genuinely smile.
And the first time I ever had to oppose my father's decision was when I bought Caira home and introduced her to them, also mentioning she is a witch.
My father disagreed with our relationship and outright banned me from ever having anything to do with her, even though we were obviously fated mates. My mother on the other hand surprised us both by countering him, and even going as far as to threaten to leave him if he did not let me be happy.
I am on my way to my bedroom when I see Cain rushing toward me.
"Alpha," He starts when he finally reaches me, "they know." He says.
"Cain, I'm not a mind reader. Who knows and what do they know?" I ask impatiently. I'm already frustrated. It would do us both a lot of good if he stopped wasting my time and brain cells with incomplete statements.
"The vampires, Alpha. They know you are alive." He says.
I breathe out loud.
"How is the soldiers' training coming along," I ask.
"Still very operational." He says.
"And how many are ready?" I inquire.
"About 500 Alpha." He answers meekly.
"Dammit," I say and punch the wall in front of me leaving a huge dent. "That is not nearly enough."
"I know Alpha but we are working as hard and as fast as possible.."
"Clearly not hard enough!" I bark.
"I'm sorry Alpha." He apologizes bowing his head.
We stay silent for a while. This is the worst possible timing ever. We are not ready. At all. And I know my soldiers are doing their best. I've seen them train me. But time is not on our side. The vampires could strike at any time.
I look towards Cain and he looks like he wants to say something.
"Spit it," I demand.
"Uhmm.." He looks scared and worried. I let him take his time. I also try to brace myself for whatever bad news he has.
"Alpha, they know about the girl." He says quietly.
"What girl..." I start to ask but then I realize who he is talking about. Chelsea. It is already tough enough that my whole pack is in danger, now I have to ultimately add her to the mix.
"Double security. Also, increase training hours by two." I order. "Don't overwork the soldiers. Their curfew should be earlier. I need everyone strong, healthy, and ready in one month. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Alpha." He answers.
"Also, send two guards to watch over Chelsea. I need a report every two hours."
"Yes, Alpha."