CHAPTER SEVEN
1845 Words
"Kid, I need to go see the new alpha and report our arrival. Think you can keep out of trouble while I'm gone?" Uncle Lucas's voice was laced with concern.
I nodded, seeing the genuine worry in Uncle Lucas's eyes, I forced a smile. "Sure, how hard can it be?...as long as trouble doesn't find me first," I quipped, trying to mask my anxiety with humor. The last thing I wanted was to add to his concerns.
I'm worried about him, ever since we'd arrived back at Moonglade pack, Uncle Lucas had been on edge, and his expression had been uneasy.
"Umm... are you okay? You seem a bit tense," I tapped him on the shoulder, watching him closely. "You don't need to act tough. I hate it here too," I added, hoping to lighten his mood a little.
He gave my hand a gentle squeeze and offered me a weary smile. "I'm fine, I'm just following due process, we have to show the new Alpha that we are loyal."
"Loyal," I snorted bitterly, the word tasting sour. "I'm never going to pretend I'm loyal to someone who murdered my parents," I kicked at a small stone in frustration, watching it skitter away.
"So, what's the plan? Smile and nod until we find a way to bring this new alpha down?"
"Shhh…be quiet now!!” Uncle Lucas commanded, something in his tone suggested panic.
Just then, a patrol of warriors marched past us, they were wielding sophisticated weapons. Their faces looked hard and menacing, they looked like they were ready to kill.
Uncle Lucas grabbed my arm, pulling me out of the way as the warriors disappeared around a bend.
"You don’t say things like that here. We’re in his territory, and no one dares talk against the alpha in his territory."
"I hope no one heard you," he continued sternly, his eyes darting frantically. "Words like these are dangerous here and can get our heads chopped off."
I rolled my eyes but nodded. So much for my freedom of speech, I thought sarcastically.
We stood in front of the pack's inner grounds, where most pack meetings or special events take place. My heart clenched at its emptiness, there was no one in sight, except the warriors who had just passed us.
The pack's inner ground that I remembered, is usually vibrant by this time of the day with bustling activities of pack members and the laughter of pups running around. Now, it looks like we are in a ghost town, even the air feels heavy.
I was convinced the new Alpha must be a tyrant.
We walked in silence for a moment before he continued, "Look here, kid," his voice softened slightly as he placed his hands on my shoulders, forcing me to meet his gaze.
"I know this is hard. Coming back here, after everything... But we need to lay low until I figure out a plan. I'll handle the formalities. Trust me."
I wasn't convinced, but I decided to trust him. The new Alpha, tyrant or not, I will find a way to avenge my parents. Coming back here wouldn’t be worth it if I failed. I don't care if it costs my life, I’m not even afraid of death.
"Do you understand!" I heard Uncle Lucas's words break into my reverie, I had zoned out for a moment and couldn't hear all he said.
"Yea..." I murmured, just to please him.
"Enya, don't mess this up," he implored, his grip tightening just a fraction.
I took a deep breath, letting the cool air fill my lungs. “Okay, I get it. Keep my head down, mouth shut. Got it?" I say.
He relaxed slightly, "Trust me, everything is going to be fine." He patted my shoulder and walked off towards the pack house.
Suddenly left alone, I decided to explore after all I had no idea what to do with myself. It wouldn't be such a bad idea to replace those scary memories about here with good ones.
I headed to my favorite place, the waterfalls. The sound of water trickling down the waterfall always brings me peace and I hope no one will be there. I needed alone time so badly until I could sort out my emotions.
“Oh my God!!, Enya” a voice calls out to me excitedly as I walk towards the waterfall.
“Hell no, not now,” I internally groaned, I'm not in the mood for this.
I tried to ignore my name but the person was really determined to have a chat with me.“Enya, wait up!”
“Who could this be?” I mused in despair as I turned reluctantly, bracing myself.
“No way…” Yes, I know that I was in no mood for a chitchat but this is an exception. My heart lifted as I caught sight of her. Standing there, beaming as if she’d won a lottery, was Keira.
“Keira, is that you?... Oh my God!!” I exclaimed in disbelief.
“It's been forever, I can't believe you left us without notice and never came to visit at all” Keira rattled on breathlessly.
“Oh Enya, where have you been? You look so good, I can't place my fingers around it but it feels like something about you has changed.”
“Yeah, I... well, it’s a long story.” I smiled as she pulled me into a hug.
Keira and I have never been close, not really. We used to work together in the pack house, we barely talked back then but I couldn't call her an enemy.
I avoided everyone then due to the constant maltreatment I experienced, so it made me suspicious even when I noticed Keira was reaching out to be friends with me. I thought Saphire was enough for me.
Ugh…that bitch
I'd dismissed Keira as pretentious because I was scared she would hurt me like everyone else, and here she is again, beaming at me like I was her birthday present. Maybe I was wrong about her.
“Keira, I'm glad to see you again” I beamed at her as I tried to wriggle free from her bear hug.
“So tell me, do you still work at the pack house?” I asked with genuine curiosity.
“Oh, yes, but things have changed! I got promoted. I’m a supervisor now—no more laundry duty for me!” she beamed with pride.
“That's awesome, good for you girl. You deserve it”. I meant every word. It seemed life here had been good to her.
“Enya, I heard about your parents. I’m so sorry.” she held my hands, I can see she's getting all teary and emotional.
“Oh don't be, stop this please. They're at peace now better than Eric. I heard he was banished”, I cut in sharply.
“Banished?” she paused, her eyes widened. “No girl, Eric took off. I…I still can't believe he just ran. He's so weak, he couldn't even protect his pack. Left us all when we needed him most.”
“Can you imagine, he didn't even bother to escape with his Luna Saphire? What kind of Alpha leaves his Luna behind in the face of danger” she rants off
Slow down…too much information.
I used to think so highly of Eric, but spending time in the woods away from the pack made me realize how much of a coward he was.
But running away without his Luna when his pack was under attack, that sure raises the bar of cowardice. If there was an award for cowards, Eric would definitely top the charts, I mused darkly.
I'm glad they all got what they deserve, after all, karma is such a sweetheart.
“Oops, sorry I shouldn't have said all that” I hear Keira say to me as I was lost in thoughts
“It's fine…I'm so over that, you don't need to be sorry at all. They both got what they deserve” I say as I roll my eyes.
Phew … I'm so glad I dodged a bullet.
“So tell me about this new Alpha...what's his name?” I asked, reaching out and gently draping my hands around her elbow while I steered her towards the waterfalls.
I need to get as much information as I can get from her.
“His name is Alpha Damon …” she continued, glancing around nervously. “Well! He’s…he's like” she stutters in a hushed tone.
She looks scared as she leans into me
“He's more efficient than Eric but ten times more ruthless”. I could barely hear her
“You mean murderous? He killed my parents” I said sharply, watching her closely to see her reaction.
That really startled her. I watched as her face went pale like blood suddenly drained from her.
“Enya, that's what the rumour says but we are not entirely sure about that” She blinked and struggled to speak, still trying to grab my hands.
“No need to sugarcoat it, Keira… You know what? It doesn't matter anymore. I'm going to have my revenge” I snapped at her angrily, flipping my hands away from her.
Why would she say such a thing, why would she dismiss my parent's death and take sides with their killer? I expected more from her.
“What revenge are you planning, exactly?” a deep husky baritone voice boomed at me from behind.
I spun around, coming face-to-face with one of the most attractive male I've ever seen. He was really a sight to behold.
He was unfamiliar but his face looked like I'd seen him somewhere before. I struggled to recur but I kept getting distracted as my senses were inexplicably drawn to him.
The moment our eyes met, a jolt of recognition that I couldn't describe shot through me. As if on cue, the mark at my nape that I've kept hidden under my clothes suddenly tingles, sending pulsating burning sensations all over my body.
“Not again…” I muttered silently under my breath, struggling to ignore these sensations and act normal but to no avail.
I had no idea when Keira scurried away and left me alone with him
I noticed his eyes held a mischievous glint, a slow smile curving his lips as he stepped closer, crowding my personal space.
Gosh…Now I can't breathe, my neck and whole body is killing me.
My nostrils flared up as I took in his scents, memories of that steamy night flooded back, unbidden and overwhelming.
“You …you! I remember you” I pointed at him as I swallowed hard. Can't believe he still has this crazy effect on me after all this time.
Even Diana wasn't immune to this man, I could feel her purr within me.
“It's him” I hear Diana's voice filter into my head. “The one who marked us.”
- Writer
