The Alpha's Run Away Mate

Allegations and Arguments

Alpha Lucas of Howling Tribe pack stood with authority, confidence, and intimidating poise at the front of the room, facing his pack. By his side, flanked were three of his closest advisors, including his best friend and second in command, Alexander Hitsch.

“It has come to my knowledge that most of you have concerns and whereabouts regarding our newest pack member, Emily,” he began, already gritting his teeth in creeping irritation due to the topic he has addressed a few times already, but to no complete discretion of agreement among the majority, “I have annotated this before, and I will assure you all again. I can attest, Emily is not an enemy or a spy from Light Venom, our rival pack. The lady has just sworn her oath, she will not deceive me and bring the pack to destruction. She has proven her loyalty time and time again, and I, as the pack's alpha, trust her completely.”

There were murmurs of dissent from the crowd, and Lucas could feel the pressure mounting. He knew that some of them don't trust Emily still, he knew that they were looking for any excuse to banish the girl.

"Emily used to be a wild rogue, Alpha, a possible criminal from somewhere. One we are not even sure where exactly came from, and nobody can attest to her own made story. Who can say if she is actually a spy from Light Venom?" A pack member said, "Sorry, Alpha, we just can't give her our full trust."

Lucas grunted, displeased. "I'm asking you all to calm down. Do not let your emotions take over your morals. Stop accusing someone of being a traitor without solidly presented evidence. Emily has proven herself to be faithful, multiple times at that, since she arrived and wished to join in," he replied firmly, "She has followed all our rules, abided by each of our regulations, and embraced our traditions. She has done nothing suspicious to suggest that she is anything but loyal to Howling Tribe."

"But what if she's just biding her time, Alpha? Waiting for the right moment to betray us? Manipulating you into thinking she will do nothing wrong, and then sink her fangs behind your back when she finds the perfect chance?" Another pack member chimed in.

Lucas felt a surge of frustration, instantaneously piling up the more he listened to their ‘valid’ concerns.

He knew that there was no convincing some of his members, no insisting his trust to Emily and forcing everyone else to feel the same way. Even with several evidence he presents as proof of the lady's faithfulness...

On the other hand, Emily deserves better— not one unfair judgement just because she used to be a rogue, considered outcast of the society. Emily deserves better than being accused of something she did not do— something she probably could and would never even pull to ruin the pack who accepted her when she had nowhere to go.

"Enough!" Lucas barked, now truly pissed off, silencing the room in a second, "Emily has done nothing to warrant banishment like you please. The woman just found her home, and I will not take the happiness of finally being able to belong somewhere away for your stupid reasons. However, to ensure a two way fairness, if anyone has concrete evidence that she is a spy, that she has spilled secrets and operations to Light Venom, then bring it to me so a just judgement is made. But until then, Emily stays."

For once more, there were audible grumbles of dissent, without even intentions to be kept in secret. But the pack members knew better than openly defy their alpha and torment a girl, even with as much as they suspect her of executing one of the worst crimes— betrayal.

As soon as Lucas called the assembly off, they all began to file out of the room, casting wary glances at the Alpha and Emily, who stood outside the hall as they passed.

Emily, unknowledgeable of what has just transpired in the meeting, even greeted them with a warm smile and a cheerful tone, “Good morning!”, before she proceeded to pick up vegetables to cook for lunch by the nearby farm.

Once the hall is finally abandoned, Lucas turned to Alexander, who was watching with concern and a look in the face Lucas could not quite differentiate from his own. Lucas then asked, his voice laced with frustration, "Alex, what am I going to do? They will not leave Emily alone, the poor girl could not even enjoy her stay here like I promised she would because they all hate her..."

"I do not know for sure, Alpha...” Alexander patted the Alpha's shoulder and flashed a sympathetic little smile, “But I can especially keep an eye on Emily, if you would allow me to. At least while the situation is on heat. I promise you, we will make sure that no harm comes to her.”

“That is enough for me,” Lucas smiled “Thank you, Alex.”

“It is my duty to ensure the pack's stability, too. You are not the only one handling this, Alpha. But you need to stay strong. You are the Alpha, and you need to stand up for what is right, even if it is not popular. And that is exactly what you are doing, so know that as your best friend and Beta, I am proud of you for protecting Emily the best you could.”

Lucas nodded, taking a deep breath. He finally flashed a smile. Thanks to his best friend's kind words of persistent encouragement.

He should have nothing to fear because if anyone among the pack would know that Emily is innocent, it would be him.

While Emily does not look like she is weak enough to protect herself, Lucas still has to stay vigilant and look out for her. He swore he would protect Emily at all costs, even if its in exchange of his own reputable position as the alpha.

~~~

The night after that assembly, Lucas came back to his room and found a rather disturbed Emily sitting down the bed they usually share.

“Hey there, gorgeous,“ he smiled widely as he walked towards Emily, then gave her a peck in the forehead, “I have missed you today, too. What is bothering you?“

“Lucas, I know what the pack thinks of me...” Emily mumbled with a sad tone, chewing on her lips to prevent a sob from coming out of her mouth, afraid of eventually making Lucas worry. “They think I am a spy, a snitch, someone who is alerting the rival pack of your businesses.”

“I do not think so, Emily.”

“But they do.”

“Who cares what they think? I know you better, Emily.”

“Will it... not be better if I walk away from here for the mean time? I mean, I would be fine living nearby. Just for a while. That way, they would stop suspecting me and I could clear my name, as well as yours...”

“Do not mind them, Emily. I promise, I, and Alex, will do all it takes to protect you and prove them that you are innocent. You do not need to worry. The pack members just do not know what they were talking about back there,” Lucas argued back, pulling the woman toward his chest and embracing her shaking frame as close as he could, afraid he would lose her if he did not, “Please, do not say that, hmm? I love you. So much. I can not live the same without you here by my side. I need you with me, Emily.”

“But Lucas...”

“Just... have some rest tonight, hmm? Come on, let us go to bed.”

“It is taking a toll on you, too! Not just on my mental state, but you are slowly losing the trust of everyone in YOUR OWN pack. Lucas, they think a rogue like me is making you go insane you have stopped making decisions that truly benefit the pack, they think I am capable of manipulating their Alpha and you are just a weak child who follows whatever his boss says. Lucas, if this goes on, you might actually end up losing even this possession and title!”

“But—”

“I've had enough of this day. I might use some time to clear my mind.”

Without letting Lucas finish his sentence, Emily stood up and left.

The Alpha could only grasp his head and clench his hand around a fistful of his hair as he let out a frustrated sigh.

If only Lucas knew that that night would be the last...