CHAPTER 72 Purpose

Drew

I took my father near the edge of the territory where a hill stood. There, the ancestors of the pack laid buried, including the most prestigious and first ever Alpha of our pack, Huang.

After telling my pack to wait until the Vampire King called before making any rash decisions, the High Elder followed us. As we passed the mansion, Alexander fell in step beside the High Elder without a word. I felt he knew where we were headed.

My father collapsed on his knees in front of my mother's tombstone, tenderly dusted the snow off of it and bent down to kiss it. He took out a small black velvet box from his pocket and laid it down on the tombstone.

"I promised you a human wedding and I bought the ring to propose, Jade. I was supposed to arrive the night before your death, but business got in the way. Every day I ask myself what if I had come home that night? Maybe you would still be with us until today," my father said, his voice quivering from the emotion he felt. "Jade, please forgive me. I should have been with you."

I placed a hand on my father's shoulder as he wept in front of my mother's tombstone. They were fated mates and when your mate dies, so do you... in a way.

"Let's give your father some privacy," the High Elder said, then pointed at a fresh grave. "I would like to pay my respects to Priestess Meilin." I nodded my head and allowed him to go to Priestess Meilin's grave while I went to stand beside Alexander.

"Jing's dad said you guys would be here," Fire said from behind us. "I'd like to pay my respects to our fellow wolves who are not here with us too."

"Sure, sweetheart. The High Elder is visiting the Oracles grave," I said. "How was your visit with Priestess Mei?"

"It was fruitful," she said, smiling. "I'm ready to face the Blood King." She gave me a kiss on the cheek and walked to where the High Elder was standing.

"I'm worried, Alexander. The High Elder said she has to face him alone," I whispered to Alexander.

"Well, you can have her touch the Jade Box before taking the sword out," he said. "That's what I would do. Anyway, Fire has trained for this all her life. If there's anyone who knows what to do, it's her."

"You're right, Alexander. But I just have this gnawing feeling that we're about to step into a trap."

"Well, then we just have to set up a trap too. Something your uncle doesn't know," Alexander said.

"I agree with Alexander," the High Elder said. "The Vampire King has just called. He wants Fire to meet him at the Pink Meadow of the Moonlight Forest at noon. I need to speak to your priestesses, Alpha Drew. There is someone among them who will help us set up a trap. Tell them to meet us at the cabin beside your territory. Make sure to tell them to be out of sight and out of mind."

"I'll go ask Priestess Mei to help us," Fire said.

The High Elder smiled. "Hurry, Luna Fire. We don't have much time."

______________________

Marchioness

My phone rang. Finally, the Eldest has called.

"Albert, what are the plans?" I asked.

"Noon at the place you requested. Is she ready?" He asked.

"She is. We will make the hike to Pink Meadow as soon as we have packed the necessary equipment," I answered.

"Have you given her something to hide her scent? She will be the only anomaly among us. If our vampire kin do not get to her, surely the wolves will."

"I doubt that, Albert. She has a heartbeat. Unless she becomes a threat to them, the wolves will not harm her," I said. "And what about Ling? Is she ready?"

"Of course. She has saved her energy for this day," the Eldest answered. "And you what are your plans, Marchioness?"

"I think it's time for me to show myself to my dear husband. If the Vampire King falls, I want to be there when it happens. I know Fire will protect me from him, if he tries to kill me for leaving him all these years."

"Are you sure of that?"

"I am her aunt. She will protect me. I know she will."

____________________

Michael

I was outside Drew Long-Dragos territory. The orb I had with me glowed from time to time to tell me someone with magic was near. There were many priestesses in the area, but they weren't the one person I wanted.

I noticed Fire talking to the High Elder after paying their respects to Priestess Meilin. When I directed the black orb towards their direction, it glowed to my utter surprise. She was ready. After I suck her essence, she will die, leaving Drew to take over the pack. We would no longer need to hide and stay in that awful place near the waterfall. We could finally roam free among the humans and flaunt our own riches.

As for me, I would head west to the Americas where I would steal the power of the so-called Shadow of Ula and search for the golden-eyed wolf. It was my destiny to fulfill the purpose of my ancestors and make the wolves the supreme beings of this world.

But first the Blood King must fall for the wolves to rise above before I could take my place as the Alpha among the Alphas.

I hid my orb in my pocket and headed towards Moonlight Forest. I would wait for the Enchantress to defeat the Blood King, then I will take her power without them even knowing.

"Michael," Tyler's voice from behind me stopped me in my tracks. "We've been looking all over for you. Where have you been?"

After delivering the body of Priestess Meilin, I had told Kai Long I needed to return to Beijing to meet my Alpha. He just nodded his head without even looking at me.

I turned around and smiled. "I just arrived from Beijing. I went to the airport, but I found the hangars empty. Since it was dark, I waited until the morning to get here. Sorry, if I missed you."

"No problem," Tyler said warmly. "Luke and Mason have agreed to join our army and are preparing with the rest of the pack. Would you like to join us?"

My smile widened. "Of course. Anything for Alpha Fire."