LOVE ETERNAL

CHAPTERTEN-Who is Qualified

“Adrienne deceived the Alpha?”

“She is guilty of treachery?”

“Adrienne is to be exiled?”

Similar questions arose concurrently among those gathered, as they anxiously asked one another for clarification, fearing that they might have misheard the unsettling news.

A wave of hushed, frantic whispers swept through the crowd, as people clustered together, their voices a low, disjointed murmur, and their conversations overlapping and rising in intensity as the people discussed among themselves the shocking details of what they had just heard.

They all second-guessed themselves as they pondered Adrienne's case. If the accusations against her were true, then it meant they truly didn't know anyone and couldn't vouch for anyone’s integrity. The realization left them unsettled, questioning the very fabric of trust within their Pack.

“She was so innocent and lovable, how could she do that?”

“With her playful and carefree nature, she had always been an open book, incapable of pretense. Was it all a lie from the beginning?”

“If it was a lie, then she really got us all good.”

Deep down, they all questioned the veracity of the seer’s prophecy. However, with the undeniable evidence of the curse glaring at them, their conflicted minds began to shift towards the unsettling possibility that it might actually be true and that they had been deceived all along.

They all turned and looked at the representative from Adrienne's Clan, Collins, Adrienne's Uncle. His face was ashen with embarrassment and humiliation, as he stood with his fingers clenched, anger and resentment evident in his demeanor.

He knew the accusations labeled against his niece were false. Adrienne had been an altruistic girl from birth, and never before had she savored inclinations towards deception or cuningness. Even the art of juvenile delinquency, which was attributed to peer group pressure, didn't have any effect on her.

It was precisely her childlike innocence and carefree nature that had drawn Ethan to her, and now they were saying what? That she was guilty of deception—not just for anything, but because of a man?

He reined in his thoughts, because he knew he was currently under the scrutiny of many eyes, and any action or gesticulations from him, could be misinterpreted for something else. But deep down, he was highly disappointed and furious with Ethan.

It took two to tangle, and he knew that if their union were to be the instigator for the curse, then it would have to be the fault of both parties. But here they were, singling out Adrienne as the villain, just to save face and keep the Alpha's reputation untainted and impeccable.

Ethan wasn't really the leader he thought he was, Collins thought, he must have misjudged him.

“Sir Collins,” Arnold called out, approaching him from the sidelines. “Tell Adrienne of this verdict, and make sure she is up and ready to leave the Pack tomorrow morning.”

“She will be escorted out by Sir Calvin and his men.” Arnold said, his voice filled with indifference, as if he was speaking to someone of ill repute.

“But, Sir Arnold, that isn't even up to twenty-four hours! Can you give us till noon?” Collins requested.

It was too early. Normally, they should be given a three-day period to vacate the Pack. This was too short, and against the constitution of the Pack.

“I understand your concerns,” Arnold replied, his hands behind his back in a contemplative manner. “But these are desperate times, and we do not have the luxury of time.”

“Moreover, this is us being lenient, because if we were to follow this matter as it is, we should have been exiling her that night”, Arnold concluded, leaving Collins to his own thoughts.

Collins nodded and left the gathering. There was no longer any need for him to stay behind, he had to go and deliver the bitter news to Adrienne, and prepare her for the journey ahead.

Everyone gathered, commiserated with him over his Clan’s gruesome fate, as they all watched him tread away sorrowfully from the meeting with a forlorn look.

Once he left, the attention of the people shifted to the second verdict - the selection of a Luna for the Pack. Everyone began discussing it. This was indeed a very rare and unprecedented opportunity for the females, as they all had expectations written all over their faces.

“Would you be applying?”

“Surely, who would dare miss out on such a great opportunity?”

“What about the Penalty?”

“I guess it's just meant to reduce the number of applicants. I doubt they would really dare to exile someone who was bold enough to apply?”

“You think so? What if it's true?”

“Fortune favors the bold, my dear, and not the faint-hearted.”

Similar conversations rang out among them, as they were all filled with alacrity towards the thought of a chance to become the Luna of the Pack. It all looked like a pipe dream, but with the reward so great, it was worth their shot, especially when they really had nothing much to lose, but everything to gain.

Calvin climbed the podium which was set outside for addressing the camp and began addressing the crowd.

“Silence!” He bellowed.

At once, the whole place became quiet, as everyone turned around to listen to the next instruction that would follow. Moreover, this was Sir Calvin, the great Army Commander. No one dared to offend him. He was a very brutal and savage warrior, with impeccable and uncompromising standards towards discipline.

“All the ladies who feel they have met the criterion of purity and unwavering dedication to the Pack, should please come forward and register their names with me”, Calvin instructed.

“Before venturing out to apply, remember that we do not have the luxury of time. Anyone who comes out here to try their luck, wasting our precious time and is not chosen at the end, will not only be exiled, but severely dealt with before being exiled.” He emphasized, with a voice imbued with a stern, unyielding tone.

His voice conveyed an aura of serious menace that seemed to permeate the very air around him, leaving no doubt about the gravity of his words. His eyes, cold and unblinking, added to the weight of his warning, making it clear that any defiance would be met with severe consequences.

The initial excitement that had surged through the crowd of eager applicants had evaporated, leaving a palpable tension in its wake. Moments before, the air had been thick with anticipation, each girl fueled by dreams of attaining the esteemed and lucrative position of Luna. However, the reality of the risks involved—punishment, or even worse, exile—loomed large, casting a shadow over their aspirations.

The once vibrant throng of hopefuls had now transformed into a silent, uneasy assembly. Nervous glances were exchanged, and the brave words spoken earlier seemed distant and hollow. The thought of Sir Calvin’s stern proclamation lingered heavily in their minds. If he had declared that he would do something, then it was certain he would follow through with unwavering resolve.

“The time has come,” Calvin bellowed, his voice cutting through the silence, sharp and commanding. “Who is qualified?”

His eyes scanned the group, the weight of the moment heavy and palpable.