Chapter 138

Chapter 138
ONE YEAR LATER

SUN CREST PACK

Beck sat, lost in thoughts as he tried to attend to pressing pack matters. There had been some recent attacks, but despite trying so hard to increase the security at the borders, the attacks still didn't stop.

“What else can we do to stop these minor attacks?” Beck asked, his eyes focused on the papers on his table.

Ben sighed. “Honestly, I have no idea, but I'm quite bothered about something though.” He said with a worried look on his face.

“About what?” Beck inquired, his eyes still on the papers.

“About why the attacks keep increasing despite every measure we've put in place in the last three months.” Ben replied, thinking thoughtfully.

“That's exactly what I'm saying. I'm really pissed, and I think the security team isn't doing what they are supposed to be doing. I guess it's time for a change. They will all hear from me soon!” Beck hissed, leaning back into his chair.

“You know what? Pass the message to all of them. Moving forward, I'm not going to take it lightly with them. If there are any more attacks on this pack due to a security breach, they will all be punished accordingly! Tell them it's an order from their Alpha!!” He ordered, and Ben nodded, taking notes.

Beck then sighed, worriedly, and Ben immediately noticed that he had something bothering him.

“What is going on?” He asked Beck, who was in a sudden sullen mood.

Beck sighed. “It's nothing.”

“We both know that's a lie, man. What's going on? Tell me. Please, talk to me.” Ben urged, his tone concerned.

“I really don't want to talk about it.” Beck replied, trying to dismiss Ben

“Wait, is this about Veronica?” Ben asked, narrowing his eyes, and Beck immediately stared at him, not saying anything.

“So this is about her?” He asked further, and Beck remained quiet still.

“I thought you had gotten over her.” He said, nonchalantly and Beck shot him a cold stare.

“But we searched everywhere, yet we didn't find her, and there was no clue of where she might be.” Ben said, his eyes fixed intently on Beck.

Beck's expression remained resolute, but Ben pressed on. “What if she is dead, and you're just sulking over a dead person?” Ben asked bluntly, shrugging.

Beck's expression turned dark. “Shut it, Ben!” He snapped at him.

Ben raised an eyebrow. “I'm just stating the fact, Beck. You need to consider the possibility.”

Beck's voice rose. “She can't possibly be dead. I refuse to believe that she is dead. So, stop speaking nonsense!”

Ben sighed. “Okay, if you're so sure that she is not dead, where is she? How come we haven’t found her despite searching far and wide?”

“Maybe you didn't search “far and wide” enough, Ben!” Beck responded sharply.

Ben's expression turned skeptical. “What about her bracelet that we found which was stained with blood? And her other belongings?” Ben reminded him. “Is that not a pointer to the fact that she is probably dead?”

Beck's face reddened with anger. “Can you actually STOP?!” He exclaimed. “Just stop talking about death. What is wrong with you?”

Ben shook his head in disbelief. “Sincerely, I don't know what this girl did to you. I don't know why you've been unable to forget her and move on. At this point, it's getting tiring. I'm sure your father won't find it funny if he hears that you're still talking about her.”

Ben’s voice took a cautionary tone, as he leaned forward. “Especially if he finds out that you're still hell bent on finding her, even after he has tried to introduce you to someone else. Someone from a reputable family at that.” He stated, avoiding Beck's deadly stare.

Beck's eyes flashed with offense. “Don't even start, Ben.” He cut in, his voice low and warning. “Don't even talk about that girl. Andrea or whatever her name is. That girl is just one big bag of trouble.”

“Someone from a reputable family who doesn't value or respect the members of her pack-to-be. Is that the kind of Luna you want? Huh?” He hissed with irritation.

“Not exactly, but there is nothing you can do now, is there?” Ben said, leaning back in his chair.

“There is actually something I can do.” Beck said confidently, his gaze fixated on the wall.

“Which is?” Ben inquired, sitting up immediately.

“I won't marry her!” He said, firmly.

“But your dad wants you to—” Ben tried to state a fact.

“I don't care what my dad says.”Beck interrupted, his voice rising. “I won't marry that ill-mannered girl. And I don't care if she is from a reputable family or not.”

“So, what do you plan to do? Are you not going to get married anymore?” Ben asked, his brow furrowed in concern.

“I will… When the time is right.” Beck replied evasively.

Ben's expression turned skeptical once again. “And when is the right time?”

Ben asked, his tone laced with amusement. “Let me guess. When you find Veronica?” He pressed, but Beck remained silent.

“No, man. Think about this. What if she is ACTUALLY dead?” He asked, wide-eyed.

“Well, she is not.” Beck answered sharply.

“I didn't say she is dead, I only said ‘what if’?” Ben protested.

“Well, she isn't!” Beck insisted. “I'm not going to assume that she is, so cut it out, Ben.”

“Besides, I thought I just told you to stop talking about death. Please don't get on my last nerve, Ben.” He added.

Ben rolled his eyes in frustration. “Okay, let's assume that you eventually find her. Do you think she will ever want to come back to you?” Ben asked him.

Beck fell silent, completely lost in thoughts.

“Have you ever thought about it?” Ben pressed further.

Beck remained silent, his thoughts hovering about like a whirlwind.

“Do you think that she will see you and just jump into your arms, happy that you are back in her life again after everything you put her through?”

“But it wasn't my fault!” Beck protested.

Ben raised an eyebrow. “Really? “Is that the best you've got?”

Beck's expression turned defensive. “But it wasn't my intention and you know this.”

Ben's gaze was unyielding. “Well, she doesn't know this, does she?”

Beck sighed, frustrated and devastated.

“If she ever sets her eyes on you, I bet she will never want to have anything to do with you again.” Ben said, brutally honest in his words.

“You're not helping matters, Ben.” Beck sat up, uncomfortably.

“But it's the fact. I can only tell you the truth.” Ben stated, sincerely.

“Well, I don't care what she thinks of me, but if I find her, I'll make sure I do everything I can to make her take me back. Even if I have to follow her to the end of the earth, I'm never letting her go again.” Beck answered, his tone firm and serious.

“And your family?” Ben asked, thinking about the possibility of Beck's family turning against him because of his decision.

“They'll be fine.” He said neutrally. After all, I'm the Alpha already. They can't strip me off that position and title.” He added, shrugging.

“And what if she has found someone who accepted her for who she is, and is already married to that person? Have you ever thought about that fact?” Ben dropped a bombshell, and Beck immediately slumped backwards in his chair, becoming speechless. “Are you going to snatch her from her husband too?”

Beck had only thought about getting Veronica back all this while, but he had never for once imagined the possibility of her being with someone else already.

He was still in a state of absentmindedness when his father walked in. Seeing Beck's father, Ben immediately got up.

“Good day, sir.” He greeted, with a slight bow.

“How are you, Ben?” Beck's father asked, with a slight smile.

“Very well, thank you sir.” Ben replied, but Beck was still lost in his thoughts and his father soon noticed.

He turned to Ben, and asked, “What is wrong with him?”

“Nothing really, sir. He just has a lot on his mind.” Ben answered, and swiftly cleared his throat loudly, snapping Beck out of thoughts.

Finally noticing his father, he sat up, and said, “Hey, dad. I didn't know you were here.”

“Well, you had travelled far away in your thoughts, that's why you didn't notice.” His father teased as he took his seat.

“Why were you so lost in thoughts? What were you thinking about?” His father asked him.

“It's nothing.” Beck lied, trying to get his father off his back. “Anyway, why are you here? Do you need anything?” He asked.

“Well, I have great news.” He said, excitedly.

“Oh, really? What is it, father?” Beck inquired too.

“So, there is this particular pack, with whom we have been trying to form an alliance.” His father explained. “They are very large and strong. And they have capable hands. The Alpha is a great king too, so they are very good for us. They can be of great value and help for us in case we get into a situation where we need help.”

Beck raised an eyebrow. “Okay?” He pressed, seeking for more information.

His father smiled. “The Alpha's daughter is turning…. Well, it's her birthday next weekend and I want you to attend.”

Beck's eyes narrowed. “Dad, I hope this is not a ploy to get me to meet that Andrea girl, because if it is, I won't hesitate to—”

“Calm down, will you?” His father shot him a stern stare. “She is not the one. This is a different person and a different pack entirely. So, calm down.”

Beck's expression remained skeptical.

“Although, I have never been to the pack or met the alpha in person, we've been speaking over the phone.” His father continued. “He seems like a great leader, with a clear vision for the future.”

“He is looking forward to meeting you, though, because I told him that you, as the Alpha of the pack, will be visiting. And what better time to visit than during this special occasion?”

“And like I said, it will leave a very good and lasting impression about us.” He spoke with so much intentionality.

His father's eyes sparkled with excitement as he said. “If possible I'd want you to meet his daughter and talk to her. Who knows you two might make a great couple and will one day lead this pack together.”

“Dad!” Beck cautioned him. “Please don't get ahead of yourself.” He shook his head, dismissing the idea.

“Where is this pack anyway and why haven't I heard anything about the alliance before now?” Beck asked curiously.

“Well, like I said, I and the Alpha just started talking recently. You'll know more about them when you get there.” He responded.

“Can they be trusted though?” Beck asked further.

“Absolutely. They are very trustworthy.” His father answered confidently.

“Okay then.” He said, and turned to Ben, who had been standing there all along. “You heard him, we have a party to attend next weekend.”