Feral Things

Episode2

Asher Point of View

"Kane, what is the update?"

I sit upright and say "I have had men patroling the borders for days and nothing has been sighted. I also reached out to other Packs, including New Orleans', and everything looks good from their end."

"So was it a false alarm?" The Alpha, Luca Manhattan says, and I shrug, looking at members of the council.

"It is possible that it was a false alarm, but we all know there is not fire without smoke, which makes it all the more suspicious because both the fire and the smoke seems to have vanished into thin air."

"What do you think we should do?" Frank, the Omega, asks, and I shrug.

"We do nothing. It will be a foolish move to cause more wave in the quest of looking for a supposed evil. We keep our guards up, double the security, create awareness amongst the Pack, but in a way tha doesn't create panic."

"We control the narratives, take control, and keep ruling."

"I will draft a message to be sent out tommorow." Stiles, the media guy says to the Alpha.

"And I, I will hold a meeting with the mothers." The Luna, Rina says, and we all nod.

I lean back, because once again, I found a solution, and evil is averted. I glance at the Alpha and his wife -- Luca and Rina Manhattan, both in their late sixties.

It is no surprise that they will step down soon, because if there's anything Rina persists on, it is the need to rest, and their rule has been peaceful, so they will deserve it.

"Asher, stay back for a few minute." Luca says, and I nod with a frown.

The council gets the message, and they file out slowly, but not before bowing their heads slightly to the King and Queen.

_____

"Is something wrong?" I ask.

"Of course not." Rina smiles at me, squeezes my shoulder playfully and leaves, which leaves me feeling all the more confused.

"Asher Savage Kane, Beta of The Moon Shadow Pack." Luca says, gesturing for me to walk with him, so I do.

"Remember when you became Beta? The whole United States, and even Europe was shaken off its axis. You were just twenty years old, barely twenty years old, you were seen as young, rude, and ruthless."

I nod, remembering those days, it feels like a different lifetime now, with how things has changed.

"And here we are, four years later, and no one is left with a doubt in their mind about your leadership, or if you deserve that position."

"You helped me, held my hand so I wouldn't drown." I say, as we walk through Chinatown.

"Don't go all poetic on me, Kane." He shoves me, and I smile, because even at sixty-seven, Luca is still fit, and has fair chance of taking me on, and that is saying something.

"I know you didn't ask me to stay back to take me down memory lane." I say, and he nods.

"Patience, Savage." He smiles.

"I met Rina when I was in my mid twenties, and I used to think I met her a little too late, cause God knows where I would have been if I had met her earlier, but against all odds, we found each other, and have made each other stronger ever since."

"When you find the woman made for you, things begin to fall in place, life gets brighter, and the demons fade. There's hope, and she will be it, all your prayers personified."

We stop walking, his words ringing in my ear.

All my prayers personified.

"Luca," I start to say, but am cut off by a resounding laughter, I look ahead and see her, Darlyn, with my stupid brother, but all I can see is Darlyn, looking so carefree, and . . .

all my prayers personified. No, not her.

I glance at Luca, and there's a knowing glint in his grey eyes, making me almost roll my eyes.

"Luca, can you please talk clearly and bluntly, leave all the beautiful words for the Poets." I say.

"In a few years, Rina and I will step down, and get the rest we have always deserved, take some time off, maybe go to Barcelona, or Paris, anywhere, Rina wants. You will be the Alpha, but you can not be without a Luna."

I stare at him, stunned.

"Don't look so suprised, you knew this would come." He laughs, smacking my shoulders.

"I don't need a Luna." I say fiercly.

"Oh, I know. The great Asher Savage Kane works better alone, and I am sure in your f****d up mind, you are thinking of all the ways a woman will slow you down."

I shrug, because he is not wrong.

"But, a woman can also be good for you, and not just any woman, but one fit to be your mate, to lead and guide people, to hold you, no matter what."

I stay silent, his words running through my head.

"Oh, Darlyn."

I jolt upright, eyes wide to see Darlyn and Axel before us. How did they get here, and why is his hand that firmily around her waist.

"Brother." Axel says, and I dutifully give him the finger, I wouldn't want to ruin our routine.

"Axel, come, I need your help with something, let's leave your brother with his thoughts." Luca says, and tugs Axel with him, really subtle.

I glance at her, and everytime she is upclose, it always hit me, everything and all the way she is, Darlyn.

"Come, let me walk you home." I say, and she frowns at me.

"Please." I add, and she nods, saying nothing, leaving me to my thoughs . . . . . . .all my prayers personifed.

"Are you okay?" I ask, and she gazes at me with those dark yellow eyes.

"Yeah, just tired. Are you?" She says, and I shrug.

"This is me, thank you for walking me home." She says, and I feel her slipping away.

"Darlyn." I say, and she looks back, but I say nothing.

"Scarlette." Her Mom calls, and she smiles at me, before walking to her Mother.

Scarlette, what a beautiful na --

"Kane." I stop walking, and look to see Darlyn's Mother beside me.

"Walk with me." She says, and in her tone, I see it wasn't a request, but a demand.

"Darlyn is a beautiful girl," She speaks after moments of silence, and I scoff.

"Are you here to matchmake?"

"Quite the contrary, Asher Kane." She says, and I remember her name - Catherine Ravenwood, I have heard the whispers about her, about who she used to be, but it has never been my problem or business.

For the next thirty minutes, I listen to Catherine Ravenwood, the words a knife to my chest, but true.

We walk, with her arms linked with mine, and I say nothing, listen to her, find wisdom in her words.

"She will live." She says when I say something.

"Promise me, Asher, please." She says, and I grit my teeth.

"Give me your words, and you never have to speak to me again."

"And, if I say No?" I say, and she l

aughs.

"You can't even if you want to. So, Asher Kane, give me your word, promise me."

I close my eyes, and say "I promise."