Chapter 2
1978 Words
“Are you serious Ash? Mum asked both of us to join her pack, the Black Moon pack. You cannot stay a rogue!” exclaimed Anthony.
“And Alpha Dean and Luna Taylor already welcomed Ariel and I with open arms in the River Moon pack. They would be more than happy to have you as a pack member as well.” Added Amber.
“And I am happy for the three of you. I am genuinely happy for you BUT being a pack member is not who I am. I am a free spirit, and I would like to remain like that.”
“Finally, something that I can be truly onboard with!” shouted Rob, fist bumping Ash.
Ash chuckled at his friend’s reaction, but his laugh died out when he saw the sorrowful faces of his family.
“Come on Guys, don’t be like that! Today is an important day for all of us.” He tried to cheer them up.
“I do not understand you brother. Most of our friends have decided to join a pack. Why stay alone as an outsider.” Inquired Anthony, struggling to understand his brother’s decision.
“You know me, Anthony. I do not like authority, and I do not like to feel chained in one place. I need to travel. I need to discover new places…”
“But this means that you will not even visit us if you will go back to traveling.” Muttered Ariel, tears running down her cheeks.
Ash’s heart broke seeing his sister crying like that. He pulled her into his embrace and tried to reassure her.
“Of course, you will see me.”
“No, you won’t. You never visited once. You spent three years on the road, and never visited once.” Stammered Ariel, struggling to talk through her crying.
“This time it will be different Ariel. I could not come and visit because of Dad. He plainly told me that if I leave, he will disown me, and I will not be welcome ever again.”
“What?! Why didn’t you tell us?” huffed Anthony angrily.
“The same reason why I never told you anything about dad. He was your father and your only parental figure. I did not want you to resent me.”
“But Ash, honey, I just got you back. I was hoping we would spend some time together.” Pleaded his mother.
“I will not leave immediately after the ceremony mom. Do not worry, I want to spend some time with you as well.” He replied smiling softly at her.
They were all still struggling with their raw and conflicting emotions when the door suddenly opened and startled them all.
“What?” asked Carmen as she entered the room and saw all eyes on her.
“Nothing, you startled us.” Shrugged Amber.
“Those are not the faces of surprised people. I feel the sorrow, anger and uncertainty. All too thick in the air to ignore them. So, spill it out, what is happening here.”
“Ash wants to stay a rogue… He does not want to join a pack like us.” explained Ariel, hiccupping between two cries.
“So what? I am staying a rogue as well. Steph and Felix. Georgia as well. And so many others.”
Carmen was a close friend of Aaron and Ash. She was born to two rogue parents and have always lived in the city. Even though she never lived in the rogues’ community, she was close to the two brothers, and even tried to convince Aaron to not follow his father’s footsteps. Unfortunately, Aaron was too brainwashed and beyond saving.
Ash found an ally in Carmen who is a fierce 25-year-old lawyer and had asked her to help him with the peace treaty negotiations.
“You are not a rogue Carmen. You live a safe and successful life among the humans.” Countered Anthony.
“So your problem is not him remaining a rogue but rather him leaving Idaho and traveling around.” challenged Carmen.
“I knew I liked you for a reason” laughed Ash, happy to have an ally in this family discussion.
“Anyways, I came to escort you all to breakfast. Alpha Dean and Luna Taylor are waiting for us. Alpha Dean and Alpha Liam wanted to have a last meeting to go through the program of this afternoon ceremony.” Explained Carmen as she started dragging the siblings out of the room.
“Goddess forbid we make the Alphas and Luna wait” mocked Rob rolling his eyes.
“Rob, dial it down please. We worked hard to make this peace happen. Let’s not jeopardize it.” Asked Ash as he walked down the stairs and headed to the breakfast hall.
“Good morning Luna Taylor” chanted Amber and Ariel as they skipped to join Taylor, the human mate of Alpha Dean.
When they heard that Taylor is the human fated mate of Alpha Dean, they were all astonished. Never have they seen that happen. The supernatural world is purposely kept a secret from humans. No human knows about supernatural beings and their laws forbade any of them to reveal their existence to human.
Yet, one stupid alpha, a staunch human hater, shifted right in front of Taylor and unveiled one of the best kept secrets to a mere human.
Well, not really a mere human, as Taylor Smith, turned out to be the mate of Alpha Dean.
“How many times have I asked you girls not to call me that. It is Tay to you.” Taylor playfully scolded them.
Ash did not miss the tender look Taylor gave his sisters as she pulled them to sit next to her.
He was grateful for how she welcomed his family with open hands. She even proposed to him to join the River Moon pack countless times.
He was so grateful to both Dean and Taylor. They helped him to open his eyes and see the truth behind his father’s lies. They support him throughout the negotiations, and they welcomed many rogues into their community, indirectly encouraging the neighboring packs to follow suit.
“Ready for this afternoon, Alpha Ash?” asked Dean.
Dean always treated Ash as an equal, not a rogue. The moment he knew that Ash was the son and grandson of an Alpha, he addressed Ash by his title. Yet another reason for Ash’s undying admiration for Alpha Dean.
“Yes, I am, Alpha Dean. This is an important day for my family and friends.” Replied Ash.
“You won’t be ready if you do not fill your stomach with a hearty breakfast. Go and fill your plate at the buffet.” Pitched in Taylor.
Ash laughed and walked towards the buffet to fill his plate when he caught an intriguing smell. His wolf Rohan started pacing tirelessly.
The wind brought the scent of gardenia towards him, and it seemed as if the smell was coming from the outside, near the entrance hall.
He was tempted to go out and check the original of this scent, but Alpha Dean was waiting for him. Plus, this smell was probably brought by the florists who were decorating for the ceremony this afternoon.
He shook his head and finished filling up his plate before heading back to the table.
Had he wanted to the entrance door, he would have seen Charlotte hugging Bella.
“I missed you so much Bella!” said Charlotte.
“Come on Charlotte. I just left for ten days. And by the looks of it, you have been quite busy. What is happening here?” inquired Bella surprised by the flowers and decorations hanging up everywhere.
“The peace negotiations are finally over. We reached an agreement with the rogues!”
“Already? I left just when the negotiations started and did not expect that we would reach an agreement that fast.”
“Yes, Alpha Dean and Luna Taylor supported the rogues and vouched for them during the discussions. Now rogues can join any pack. We already have fourteen new members in River Moon.”
“So, we decided to simply forgive and forget? That fast?” grumbled Bella scrunching her nose as she was displeased with this news.
“No silly! Only the rogues who do not have a criminal record can join packs. Not the others of course.”
Bella huffed, irritated by her friend’s banter. Suddenly the wind shifted, and she was hit, head on, by the smell of vanilla.
She raised her nose, sniffing the air, trying to find the source of this intoxicating smell.
“Do we have vanilla cakes for breakfast today?” asked Bella, intrigued by this yummy smell.
“I do not know… Maybe. Let’s go and check.” Proposed Charlotte.
“You will need to tell me everything about your interview. Did you get the internship?” asked Charlotte as she grabbed her friend’s hand and they walked together towards the entrance of the packhouse.
“Charlotte! I need your help!” yelled Jeff, the Beta of the River Moon pack.
“What’s happening Beta? Need help with the flowers?” mocked Bella as she saw Jeff holding two boxes full of flowers.
“Look at that! My favorite geek is back!” Jeff teased Bella.
“What do you need from me beta?” asked Charlotte.
“The caterer’s van broke down. Can you take the truck and go salvage our cocktail party? You can take our little genius with you.”
“Hey! I just got back!”
“So what? You spent ten days in California and came back as an entitled snub? If this is the case, I will not let you go back for your 6-month internship!”
“How did you know that I got accepted?”
“You are the best geek I know. Silicon Valley is like the mothership calling you home. Of course, you got accepted!” Winked Jeff as he tossed the truck’s keys to Charlotte.
“You got accepted! Why didn’t you tell me!?” complained Charlotte.
“You did not let me place two words since I set foot here!! Going on and on about the peace treaty.” Whined Bella.
“Please do not tell me she already told you about the “eye candy” Alpha rogue… Her words not mine.”
“Charlotte! You already have a mate! How can you talk like that!” Bella scolded her.
“Tristan is the love of my life… But Alpha Ash is just so… so chiseled” Charlotte explained as she gestured a V shape with her hands.
“Now I am not sure sending our innocent geek with you is a good idea. You are going to corrupt her before California does!” laughed Jeff.
“No! you are not sending me on a rescue mission without backup. Come, let’s go Bella!” laughed Charlotte as she grabbed Bella and they ran to the truck.
“But I want to eat breakfast!” whined Bella.
I want to eat this delicious vanilla cake she thought to herself.
“I will buy you breakfast on the drive there. Text me the location of the caterer Jeff.” Shouted Charlotte as she hopped into the truck.
“But my luggage”
“I got them Bella.” Said Jeff.
“But my parents!”
“You will see them at the ceremony. Now go!” rebuked Jeff.
Bella grumbled as she got in the truck and put her seatbelt on.
“So, tell me Bella. Did you lose your virginity in San Francisco as I recommended?” nonchalantly asked Charlotte as she drove away.
- Writer
