Beyond The Pack's Judgement

Not just an Attraction

Declan’s POV:

Cold wind blew gently across the vast lands bordering the Westwood pack. It was a fresh morning, but the atmosphere was particularly cold.

About a hundred soldiers assembled in an orderly formation, all dressed in brownish armor with a tiger emblem attached to the chest.

I stood in front of them, inhaling cold air as I used my wolf’s inner strength to sniff around. Something was wrong. Someone was missing. I took a quick glance at Rhys who was standing right beside me, and he nodded to confirm my guess.

“Moon pack soldiers!” Rhys yelled.

“Yes Sir!” They all chorused, banging their left foot on the ground.

“The elite soldiers!”

“Yes Sir!”

“Move to the right in threes!”

“One, two, three!” They chorused.

“Again!”

“One, two, three!”

I ran my eyes between their legs, walked in between them and corrected those who didn’t get it right. As I reached the end of the line, my eyes caught a glimpse of Vanessa sitting in front of a large pot of herbal tea, which she claimed to have prepared herself for the soldiers of the pack.

“The soldiers are our pride. Our strength. The air at the border is too cold, so I made this herbal tea for their nourishment” She had said to my father earlier that morning. My father had smiled and commended her efforts after which he had me take her along to the training ground.

A sigh escaped me, and just as I turned my back, someone sneaked in and hid himself between the lines.

“Trevor!” I called out immediately, my voice cutting through the wind which had suddenly gone harsh.

His face wrinkled with a mix of shock and confusion as he stepped out. He hadn’t expected me to notice him sneaking in.

“And why are you just coming?” I thundered, rolling my eyes all over him.

“I…I was caught up with something on my way here!” He stuttered, his eyes glued to the ground.

“You were caught up with…” A sharp pain suddenly pierced through my heart, and I held my chest immediately. My eyes became reddened, and my hands trembled.

“What’s up with you?” Rhys asked as he rushed to my side, holding me by my arms. I shook my head without saying a thing, took a deep breath and raised my face at the soldiers instead.

“You are the pillar of this pack, its attack and its defense. You are the elite soldiers. You must never be caught off guard, you have to be dutiful and responsible. It is what you signed up for! That’s what the tiger emblem on your chests stand for! Do you understand?!”

“Yes sir!”

I turned to face Trevor. “Stay back for three hours of extra practice and drills. That’s your punishment.” I ordered, and he replied “Yes sir” before retreating into the lines.

I walked into the soldier’s building with Rhys following behind.

“What happened back there?” He inquired as soon as we entered my office.

“What?” I asked, feigning ignorance.

“Why you held your chest so suddenly, why your eyes got so red, and why you lashed out at Trevor and the rest of the guards.” He said in a single breath. He pulled a chair and sat right in front of me.

I sighed, buried my head in my hand for some seconds before raising my head at him.“It’s the mate bond. It’s really tugging at me.” I confessed.

It was Rhy’s turn to sigh. “This is getting more serious.”

“I know. But this is not just a mere attraction. She is my mate. I told you.”

“Yeah, you did. You did.” Rhys mumbled, slapping his palms on his laps. His cheeks became robust and he blew out hot air.

I shook my head. “I think I will have to see her.”

“What? Do you know what your father will do to her if he hears you were with her.” Rhys warned, but I just scoffed.

“It’s gonna be secretly. Besides, I owe her an explanation regarding Vanessa’s action.” I replied to him.

“Speaking of which, I am sure Vanessa is here to get the soldier’s loyalty, and consolidate her stand as the future luna.” Rhys added, while I simply hissed. I took a glance outside and I saw her grinning widely as she distributed tea cups to the soldiers.

‘How desperate’ I thought to myself. Just as I was about to withdraw my gaze, I saw a soldier dragging a boy to the training ground.

“What the hell!” I uttered, and sprang up the chair immediately.

“What? Where are you rushing to?” Rhys asked behind me, but I did not wait to reply to him.

“Why are you dragging the little boy here?” I asked the soldier as soon as I got outside. Rhys had caught up with me.

“I saw him close to the border, trying to sneak into one of the training camps.” The soldier explained to me.

I fixed my gaze on the boy. “Is that true?” I asked softly.

The boy raised his eyes at me, and lowered them immediately. I sensed fear in him, so I gently took his hand and smiled.

“Was what he said true?” I repeated myself, and the boy nodded.

“What is your name?” I asked him with a smile.

“Quinn.”

“Quinn?’ I asked, and he nodded once again. Almost all of the soldiers have now assembled, and even Vanessa was on her way to the scene.

“Quinn. Don’t you know it is forbidden for young wolves to go near the training ground?” I continued, taking him away from the soldier’s grip.

“I..I know.” He stammered.

“You do? Then why did you still come?”

“Because I want to get stronger! So no one can bully her again!” His voice came out sharp this time around that even I was taken a bit aback.

“Did you mean Freya?” Vanessa’s words travelled through my ears before I could respond to the boy.

“What do you want, Vanessa?” I sighed, raising a brow at her.

“Is it not obvious? She is now influencing the little kids into disobeying the pack’s rules. She is a slithering snake, and she is planting her venom into these little kids' hearts.” She yelled, and a wave of murmurings swept across the training ground.

“You don’t know what you are talking about!”

“Oh I know, and everyone here knows it’s the truth. Declan, wake up. She is just using you!” Hot blood coursed through my veins as her words flowed in. My heart began to race, and my face reddened.

I turned away without saying a thing, while Rhys walked behind me with Quinn.

“I must see Freya!” I sighed.

“Yes. I will arrange it for you.” Rhys replied to me. I glanced at him quickly, and nodded my head.

Suddenly, a guard rushed in, looking flustered and troubled. He was one of my most trusted guards. “Anything?” I asked immediately.

“Yes sir. There is trouble.” He replied while Rhys and I exchanged glances.