WILLING TO LOSE

Episode 2

* Drake’s POV*   

I woke up to a hysterical headache, checking the alarm clock on my bedside table to realize it was 3:15 in the morning. Never too early for a morning run! I woke up and put on some loose joggers. I was not bothering to put on a top. I quickly descended the stairs and made my way out to the garden. I let the breeze wash through my skin. It was nice and cold, still, although it was already May. I let a deep breath cool down my head. I have been thinking all evening about our little fight with Megan. We were constantly on each other’s throats last few years. But I had never even once lost my cool towards her before.  Chosen mates, my ass! Even the stupidest werewolf knew that one is not to stick their nose into Moon Goddess’s business. Or you will suffer all your agonizing days on earth and beyond. How dare she! I reached the woods, not bothering to even get into it much as no soul would be up this early -or late. I got rid of my joggers and tied them loosely around my hip before jumping to turn. Leonard was purring in my head. Very much content with the breeze in his fur and me putting my foot against Megan. You made me proud, you know. I had been worried about what we’d become a hot minute. 

Don’t be a pain Leo, you know me better than I do. 

Indeed. Although, you haven’t been so eager to listen to what I had to say until yesterday. 

I always thought you would cause my lifelong misery if I turned out to be mates with Megan. I thought you wanted her to be. Not in my wildest dreams. She has always been like my sister. My pain in the ass! I never looked at her as a woman. It was disgusting to me.

Proud of you anyhow. he said in my head. We took off into the forest, manoeuvring around the trees with incredulous speed. I thought we were flying. It was fast, even for a wolf. I realized where he was headed and smiled internally. It was the clearing where we first switched sides. First time I met Leonard. 

He was a very handsome wolf, had burgundy fur and turquoise eyes, a massive one at that; we were almost the same size as Alpha. Mighty wolf! No wonder I was going to be Beta. 

Will we now? Leo asked. 

Maybe they’ll spare me and let me become a rogue! I laughed internally. We were able to feel the burn in our muscles as we ran with all our might. Soon Leo reached the clearing. Always so beautiful. I said.

You needed to calm down. Leo justified. Yes, I did need to calm down. I had been on edge for weeks now. It was my first mission, and I wanted to make it a success to shut my father up, mostly. I like that attitude! Leo joked with me. 

You know it’s true, though. I have no interest in the management of this Pack! I don’t even want to be involved with my dad! All I want is a peaceful life. 

You say that, but you never stand up against their doings.  Leo argued. 

I am trying to save your ass, you know. I told Leo. You will get us executed in no time. 

What they impose on you is wrong. You need to learn to stand up against those good-for-nothing losers who call themselves a pack! 

Where we go, I told you, I listen to you, and we will be granted with our execution tomorrow. I said, grinning metaphorically. 

How naive! Do you not know, it will take more than those stupid pups they call warriors to take me down? he growled. 

Come on, Leo, I don’t want to listen again to how incredibly awesome you are! 

The sun started to rise. The scenery before us was beautiful. There was a small pond at the far end of the clearing, and the sun made it sprinkle with beautiful tones of red and yellow. This place was where we first shifted. It hurt a lot, yes! But also, it was a pure blessing too. When I finally regained my senses, the scenery looked pretty much the same as now. 

Look at you, getting all sentimental! 

Shut up, Leo! 

It’s not going to happen! He bickered back. Since I heard his voice in my head for the first time two years ago, we have been like this. He felt like a very irritating older brother to me. He was constantly giving me a piece of his mind when all I did was ignoring her probably wise opinions. I was young, and my inexperience clouded my judgment at places. 

Leonard was a very rational wolf. He hated the doings of our Alpha from his heart. I knew he had a point, but I was just too afraid to admit it even to myself. 

Leo, you know, I like you, but could you please stop messing with my head?  We will be going to that Red Crescent after breakfast. I don’t know how long it’ll take for me actually to find the damned Pack. To top it all, I have to go on foot because the invitation couldn’t let me bring a driver either!

You realize we shouldn’t have a distraction during our stay, don’t you? That way, we will not try to babysit the goons your Alpha calls warriors. I never understood why Leo hated everything our Alpha did, but I never paid much attention to that. I thought it was his way of acting since he was a free soul. 

We need to get back, Leo. I don’t want to miss breakfast, and we need to head out as soon as possible. I don’t want to be late. He started running once more towards the packhouse. We quickly changed, and I put on my joggers to run up to my room. 

After breakfast, I quickly put together my travel bag and was ready to go. My mother gave me a tight hug, with a strange melancholy in her eyes I couldn’t quite understand. I interpreted it as her realization that his little boy was all grown up now, ready to attend business for the Pack. I hugged her back sweetly. 

“Mom, it’s alright. I am required to attend this extraordinary Luna Ceremony and get back with as much information as possible. It’s not a mission one would choose the call a dangerous one.” I said, trying to assure her. I was her only boy, so she was concerned, alright. 

“Dear, please be careful. Do not interact unnecessarily. I would prefer it if you didn’t have to go!” she said. 

“It’s alright. I’ll be back in one piece.” I smiled and kissed her cheeks. I just shook hands with my dad before turning to leave. Unfortunately, Megan didn’t come to see me off. She probably has forgotten that it was today that I would take my leave; it was also possible that she was sulking because I will leave during her birthday. To tell the truth, I was extremely tired of her antics. I was glad she missed this morning. 

A guard took me to the south gates of the Pack. After that, I was to make my way on foot. It suited well with me. I liked going to a run, and my wolf loved finding prey for food. I received a map and a list of directions on behaving there and what I should look for. After all, I was to represent our Pack. I started running southeast. According to the Gamma, I had two days run in front of me. Leo was very fond of our surroundings already, enjoying his rare freedom, while I made the most of the extraordinary laziness. 

We turned twice on our way to check on the map. I realized we were closing in on the Red Crescent territory rather quicker than anticipated by the Gamma. Leo certainly was very fast. Maybe we will be able to sleep in a proper bed this evening. After Leonard’s lunch break while passing a river, we took off again. Although tiring, we wanted to get to our destination as soon as we could. Leonard was very enthusiastic about reaching the territory of Red Crescent, probably because it will give us more time to observe this eccentric Pack. It seemed like we needed a tad more time until we reach our goal.

*Unknown POV*

I have been going all around the place all day, frantically checking arrangements and trying to make the ceremony perfect. I wanted to make it a success. It was my first mission, after all, and a critical one at that. Of course, our former Beta family has been checking my work over to ensure I don’t embarrass the whole Pack. Representatives from packs all over the continent were to attend the ceremony to top it off. It held the utmost importance internally to our Pack as well.

I was checking everything at least 5 times like a crazy person. Was it tiresome? Yes. Would I complain about it? No! It was an honour, and I was given a chance to fulfil it! I was too excited to complain. That’s when I saw her, our Luna, to be… always so joyful and kind. I adored her in my own way. I was never too friendly. I was never too cold. Our relation was basically a business type of relation. I knew my place, and she didn’t push me to become her friend. I was completely satisfied only by being granted her right-hand position. The job itself came with its advantages and disadvantages, although I welcomed them all with open arms if it meant I would be fortunate enough to work with that person.

“Matt, how are the preparations coming along?” she asked with a distressed smile.

“Everything is wrapping up rather quickly, Luna,” I say, bowing my head.

“That is ‘Luna to be’ still…” she trailed off.

“All pack members, including your mother Luna Melody, have already acknowledged your title, Luna Claire,” I said. “With all due respect, I think at least I can call you with your soon-to-be title.” She sighed.

“I think you are so sweet, Matt. I am quite overwhelmed with everything going on a tad bit too quickly.” She smiled with apparent distress visible through her features. I knew she had an honest personality and a very humble nature, which, in my opinion, were the best features of our Luna to be, making her unquestionably eligible for becoming an outstanding Luna, even without her mate.

“My Luna,” I bowed my head “, if there is anything I can do to ease some of that tension for you, I am at your service anytime,” I said with respect, and I meant every word.

“Yes, Matt, you can start by calling me Claire for the time being.” She said with a smile. “Let’s do our best. The ceremony is nearing, and our guests shall start checking in today. Do we have accommodation enough for all guests?” she asked, entering into business mode quickly.

“Yes, Claire,” I said with difficulty. Although we were grown up together as kids, Claire has studied overseas for the last 4 years, and when she returned, she was all grown up and a whole other person. I respected her. She has been managing two companies that belonged to the Pack for the last year, and the turnover of both companies have doubled in no more than 6 months. We were making more money, our Pack members had more jobs, and all was thanks to this petite young woman before me. “I have closed the 3rd, 4th and 5th floors, so the 6th and 7th floor will not be interrupted by the guests, and it will be easier for us to assign guards to the floors 24/7 for the next two weeks to ensure no one tries something funny.” I specified, earning a sigh from her.

“I can always depend on you. Thank you, Matt! But please, don’t be excessive with the guards. I understand your concern about our safety, but we don’t want our guests to feel like they walked into a prison.” She said, smiling softly.

“Yes!” I bowed, and she went on towards the kitchens, probably to check on the food stocks and menus for the upcoming event. We hired 10 additional chefs and 20 serving staff only for this event. We are expecting 50 guests from all over the continent. Some of them would come from our allies; some couldn’t much be called our allies. Since we had no conflicts with any Pacts last few decades, we didn’t really have any enemies. Our former Alpha and Luna were very capable of ensuring peace for our Pack, internally and externally. I did not doubt that Luna Claire will also do anything within her power to maintain the peaceful atmosphere of the Pack.

*Claire’s POV*

After checking the kitchens and listening to my Gamma’s reports on the preparation progress of security settings and patrols, I finally entered my office. It has been hectic, and I felt like I needed my time to cool down. I linked the kitchen staff to bring me some Chamomile and Passiflora tea with honey on my way up. It was already sitting on my table. I took a smell of it, letting it calm my nerves, only then taking a sip to allow it to warm me inside and out.

This whole “Luna Ceremony” thing has been excessively tiring on me. I am turning 20 this year, and yes, I have been working on the business for last year, and yes, I graduated college too early, even for wolves… I may seem capable, durable and rigid from the outside. But when it came down to it, I was just a 20-year-old girl. It was too much. To top it off, I was expected to rule a whole pack, ALONE.

I know my mother and father have been here for a hot minute, and I am a very late child. So, they are tired and wish their retirement comes soon. But I am just too young. And, I do have a younger brother who just turned 18. Why wouldn’t he be eligible to become Alpha? I have no idea what my father and mother are thinking. I sighed. I knew they believed in me. I did too. But as the time closed in, I was getting more nervous, unsure of my abilities and conscious of what surrounding packs will think.

Thanks to my parents’ “abilities”, neighbouring packs have diverted going to war against us. But with the change of management here and in the others, the rumours were soon to fade. Then, our pack will be open to any attacks. I was no warrior, and I had no idea what my abilities were; I wouldn’t until I find my mate and fully undertake the mating process. So, what we were about to do within the next 83 hours, was very close to suicide.

I sighed and went to the main entrance, as some of our guests started to enter our pack-grounds one by one. I had to be the host and welcome them to our little kingdom.

*Drake’s POV*

I introduced myself to the guard at the gates led through Red Crescent. The smell obviously belonged to another pack, which made me almost sick to my stomach normally, although here, it wasn’t even unpleasant, only different. I waited while they confirmed my attendance and let me through the gates, explaining how to reach the packhouse. To my convenience, it was the massive chateau, visible from anywhere of the lands, so I was sure to find it with no difficulties.

As I closed the distance, I recognized some attendees from other packs riding before me. Since I wasn’t bothered by the smell, I decided to slow my pace down to enjoy being out in the open for a bit more, thinking I might get to see or hear some useful information too. Though to my disappointment, no such thing occurred. I just took in the scene before me. The land itself was stunning. The landscape they applied included a lot of flowerbeds through the town-like pack land. Most of the houses had gardens full of greenery. Some of them were adorned with ivy flowers. It was overall beautiful. To the left side of the so-called packhouse was a pond-like lake, and to its left side, a labyrinth made from bushes. I slowly made my way through the small artificial waterfall right before the gates to the packhouse, waiting for the wolves before me to finish their greetings. That’s when it hit me in my face like a slap- no, more like a boulder rolling from a mountain! I heard Leonard before turning around and running away from that house as fast as I could.

MATE!