THE PERFECT LUNA OF RED MOON PACK

Chapter 5

FOUR

Liana had only been to the Alpha's place a few times. She hardly ever left their house. She wasn't exactly welcome outside and so staying inside all day and all week suited her just fine. She wondered why the Alpha had called for them. Maybe it was because Jake would now be appointed as Patrol leader immediately, since their father was dead. This brought on a gust of pain that hit her right on the chest with twisting force and Liana promptly put a stop to her thoughts.

The Alpha's place was impressive with oak doors and panelled walls. The Alpha had recently celebrated his fiftieth birthday, and the floors that were polished since that time still sparkled. The main room was the biggest and was where meetings held. Jake ana Liana went inside this room. The Alpha stood beside his window, looking out. He had scratches and injuries from the fight all over his body. Clearly, he was very tired.

Without turning round to look at Jake and Liana, he said

"Keeping the pack safe has been and will always be my top priority. My father did it. His father did and I will not fail either." He now turned to face them.

"Jake ," The Alpha went on, "I'm sorry about your parents, but such is life and well, we must go on."

"Your father is gone and you are to fill his position. However Carrillo will occupy that position till you're ready."

"I am ready" Jake interrupted.

"Allow me finish" The Alpha said emphatically.

"I'm sorry Alpha"

"You are bereaved and moreover still too young. The pack is under attack, we've won today. But we suspect the rebels will we back. We lost a few men and others are injured. Now we absolutely need total vigilance. And I'm afraid that is something you cannot do as of now. So for the next four years, Carrillo will be the patrol leader and you'll continue your training under him."

"But Alpha, that's too......."

"You may leave." The Alpha said, cutting him off.

Liana who had been dutifully quiet all the while turned to leave also.

"Liana, wait." It was an order.

Jake nodded assuringly to her and left.

Now faced alone with the Alpha, the very inviting room, now seemed a courtroom. The Alpha it's judge. When they had been invited, she assumed Jake was the primary concern and now that it has been proved, she couldn't imagine what the Alpha had to say to her.

"When Bilan brought you to the pack as a baby, I expressively objected his decision. I told him it would be dangerous if you were from an enemy pack. But, he said you did not have the scent of the enemy. What he didn't tell was ..... you had no scent at all. " As if to prove it, the Alpha sniffed the air.

"Nothing" he said. "And when I found out, I told him to rid of you immediately. But he refused and moreover Eulenda was taken with you already. I had to drop the matter. Oberon was a good and invaluable leader to this pack, the only sin he ever committed against the clan is bringing you into it. I watched my dedicated patrol leader get distracted. Through the years, I've watched him get distant as you became more and more of a burden to him." At this point, Liana wished to simply disappear. But the Alpha wasn't finished.

"I let you be because of Bilan and Eulenda. However now they are dead, you may leave."

"Yes Alpha" Liana said gratefully about to leave.

"Liana " The Alpha said, "I meant you should leave, leave Crystal moon park. You can wait till after the funeral, but after then, you leave."