The Predator

Out Of Place

"I'll let them stay here till I get more information about them. If they're proven to be guilty then—"

"Then we will take them back," Luna Evelyn cut off Alpha Cassian.

Alpha Cassian looked at her. "You can take them back but I should warn you that I might lose my temper if the crime they committed is anything serious. You know I hate traitors. Especially the rogues." He glared at me.

I clenched my fists. I felt so small in front of him. It was irritating.

Alpha Keiran assured that we wouldn't be any problem for the pack and somehow managed to calm the persistent beast.

"We will question them again later." He said to Alpha Keiran. "You can talk to them too. It's better for them if they confess now rather than us finding it out later." He threw a sharp look at me before walking out of the room.

I was frozen in place while everyone around us stared at us. How am I going to defend us? The evidence they're gonna find is all going to be against us. How will I prove my father's innocence?

"Hey…" I heard Luna Evelyn's soft voice as she placed a hand on my shoulder. "It's okay. Don't worry. We believe you," I looked up to see her smiling at me softly.

Why?

Why is she trying to help us? How does she know we're innocent? Isn't she skeptical about us like Alpha Cassian?

"We will stay here today but we will have to go back to our pack tomorrow. Don't worry, we will make sure of your safety before returning," She gave a soft pat on the back.

I gave her a forced smile in reply. My mom was beside me. She was quiet and had her head down. It broke my heart to see her like that. It must be hard for her to hear Alpha Cassian's words about my father. He was a good man, a loving mate, and an incredible father. He doesn't deserve this. He definitely doesn't deserve this.

I'm sorry, papa…. I couldn't defend you properly…

*

*

*

Lunch was awkward. I felt like me and my mother didn't belong at that table. Everyone who came with us to join the Darkwood pack was accepted except for us. They were looking at us weirdly and talking in hushed whispers. It made my skin crawl. I just wanted to finish lunch and go as soon as possible.

The awkward silence at the table was broken by Mrs. Ansaldo, Alpha Cassian's mother. "Evelyn, how're your kids? It's been so long since I last saw them. They must've grown a lot," She asked with a cheerful smile.

I saw Luna Evelyn's face lit up at the mention of her kids. I've only seen them once. They were beautiful and both of them had all the good features of their parents. I'm sure they're going to be powerful alphas in the future.

"Andrian and Aron are ten now. They started their training a few months ago." She beamed.

"Really? Who's training them?"

"Keiran's parents and some trusted warriors of our pack. They're improving a lot now."

"Impressive." Mrs. Ansaldo said. "Usually, people don't train their pups until they're 15 but it's good to hear your pups are doing well," She smiled.

"I was against it at first. I didn't want it to be hard for them. It's them who begged me day and night just to get me to agree." Luna Evelyn shook her head.

"She's right," Alpha Keiran nodded. "Our pups are very determined. Once they decide something, they won't rest until they get it." He chuckled.

Mrs. Ansaldo smiled before turning towards the beta and his mate. "What about you Calvin and Rain? How's your life?"

"It's good. Better than it ever was," The beta smiled, hugging his mate and bringing him closer to his chest. His mate blushed as a small smile crept into his face.

"We're planning to adopt a baby," The omega said with a wide smile. That guy is so beautiful. He looked like an angel with his silver blonde hair and blue eyes. He and Luna Evelyn both mesmerized me when I first met them.

"Really? That's amazing,"

"Yeah, it's a kid from our pack. His parents recently died in an accident. He's two and has no one to take care of so we thought we should take him in." He chirped excitedly.

Calvin, his mate, fondly looked at the guy before placing a kiss on his head.

"You both are so pure and cute. May the goddess be always with you," Mrs. Ansaldo said with a bright smile.

"The kid doesn't have grandparents or any other relatives?" Alpha Cassian asked suddenly.

"No, his parents were rogues before we took them in. We don't know about their relatives," Alpha Keiran replied.

"You sure take a lot of rogues into your pack, Keiran. I hope it doesn't get you in trouble later,"

Alpha Keiran sighed. "You sure know how to kill everyone's mood, Cassian." He said to which Alpha Cassian only replied with a chuckle.

"So, how's the baby doing now? Who's taking care of him?" Mrs. Ansaldo asked the Beta's mate.

"He's staying in the pack house. Some older omegas are taking care of him right now. We visit him a lot and we're trying to figure out if he likes us too." He replied.

"Rain is basically with the baby all the time. He never shuts up about him. Right now, I have to fight for my share of attention." The beta chuckled.

His mate gasped and hit his chest softly. "That's not true. I take care of you too. It's just that the baby is too cute." He blushed.

"I'm just kidding, angel," The beta replied before placing a kiss on his mate's head.

"What's the baby's name? Or does he not have a name yet?" Mrs. Ansaldo asked as she took a sip out of her juice.

"He does. His name is Rome."

"Oh, that's an amazing name."

"It's rare. I haven't heard that name before but it sounds beautiful." He nodded in reply.

It was calming to listen to them talk. Both Luna Evelyn and Rain have loving mates. I'd be lying if I said that their love life didn't make me envious. I really crave for someone to love me like that.

How would it feel to be someone's priority?

I hope I get to know it in the future.

We finished lunch after a few minutes. People were going around to meet and mingle with the pack members. My mother went back to our room and I couldn't do anything but awkwardly sit in the living room.

I want to meet and know the members of the Darkwood pack but I wasn't an official member yet. Since I wasn't an official member, the pack members avoided me like a plague. Some even glared at me and I don't know what they think I did to be not accepted. I hope they're not thinking that I murdered someone.

After a few minutes of waiting around and with zero luck in making a new friend, I decided to go back to my room.

Sleeping is better than this so I'd take a nap.

But I guess luck wasn't on my side this time because I once again bumped into the last person I wanted to see right now. I tried to ignore him and walk past him but he stopped before I could do that.

"Feeling out of place?" He asked.

I sighed. "I'm not an official pack member. Of course, I feel out of place." I scoffed.

Alpha Cassian crossed his arms and leaned on the wall. "You amuse me, kid. For a rogue and an omega, you really have a sharp tongue. Aren't you afraid of what I could do to you?"

"My father told me never to feel weak for being who I am. I'm a rogue. I survived in the wild with my skills. I'm proud of it. And I've never seen my second gender as a weakness. Why should it hold me back from speaking my mind?" I rolled my eyes.

I wanted to glare at him but I couldn't.

His eyes.

I couldn't look into his eyes. They were so intense.

"If I hadn't found out he was a traitor, I would have thought that your father is some kind of a Saint." Alpha Cassian laughed, causing me to look at him.

"Don't call him that!" I snapped, glaring at his face.

I saw his eyes darken as he took a step forward. I was hit with a wave of dominant pheromones as he hovered over me, making me feel small in front of him.

"Or what?"