The Lonely God

22.

SOME MONTHS LATER...

-HER-

"I am not meant for this," I say out loud, as I sit in front of the mirror and comb my waist long hair. Archander is sitting on the bed behind me, studying me pensively. He nods at me thoughtfully.

"No, you're not. You're meant for something great." He says, his eyes are fixed at the back of my head while he's lost in the depth of his thoughts. I sigh before continuing to comb my hair.

Today's the day.

Today Phoebe is turning twenty-one and hence she's taking over the Alpha position from dad. I'll be taking over the post of pack representative, although they won't let me fully exercise my power in the post until I am twenty-one. But still, I'll be working with the previous pack representative, Mr. Douglas and training under him as well.

I've started my training already. They teach me about everything from political and geographical situations of all the nearby packs and the strongest packs in the continent. I am being trained to fight like a warrior as well. Although I have been fighting since a young age, it's not really a matter for me.

I have mastered in many martial arts along with my whip, Oculus Reaper. Dad has designed a schedule for me that keeps me busy all day and night. But the core target of the schedule was to keep me under the radar. He knows where I am and what I am doing. I haven't had got much time for myself. I am so tired by the end of the day that I crash on the bed like a dead plank and pass out.

I haven't been to the ruins since the night when I found Archander. Arles never came back with the third task and I am not complaining about it. In fact, I am quite happy that he didn't and I pray to the goddess that we never meet again. Ever.

Sometimes I get nightmares about him. His dark and tall hooded figure peeking through my window or following me into the dark and deserted forests. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night screaming. Archander tried to ask me countless times about my nightmares but I just don't know the words to describe my fears meticulously.

"You'll be good." He assures me, still lost into deep thoughts.

I finish brushing my hair and take a look at my reflection in the mirror for the last time before I head downstairs. The house is empty signaling that everyone is already gone where the Ceremony is going to take place.

I put on my fur coat before stepping outside in the snowy weather. I head towards the pack house which is already crowded with pack people and guests from the nearby packs. As I step amongst the crowd and go deeper into the pack house, I find the council members standing by the stage where Phoebe is standing with her mate joined by Beta Seth and Grace. Mom and dad are talking with the council members when I step beside them.

Dad introduces me to them and after some formalities and introductions, he steps on the stage followed by us. The chatter around the house dies and everyone turns their attention towards us. I feel a bit self-conscious and nervous. After all, it's a great responsibility. I feel Archander step behind me, his hot breath blowing down my neck.

"Stand straight. Chin up. Just like that night." He whispers behind me and I do as he says.

"Perfect." A smile takes over my lips at his words.

I can do this.

The council members step forwards and start reciting the history and contribution of this Pack in the werewolf society. Dad steps forward with mom before delivering a speech about his experience as the Alpha of this pack along with his long term vision. He introduces Phoebe next, who steps forward.

Phoebe takes the sword of Bellmore which is said to be sacred and powerful. She raises the sword high in the air before repeating the oath said by the Head of the Council. Next, Seth repeats the Beta oath with the sword. The same is done by the Gamma and Delta before I step forward. Deep frowns creep up on people's face at the sight of me and why not? I am so loved by them. I caused them so much trouble, why won't they love me?

Even the Head of the Council member gives me a questioning look before I take the sword of Bellmore in my hand and raise it in the air, looking dead into my pack member's eyes. A surge of power takes over me and Vesta surfaces.

"I, Nefret June McKnight, the heiress of Andrew James McKnight solemnly swear by the sword of Bellmore that I will serve Alpha Phoebe Jay McKnight and the pack's interest without fear, favor, or thought of personal safety; to maintain the harmony, to pursue evil-doers and protect the innocent, laying down my life if necessary in the case of said duty, so bestow upon me your blessings, oh goddess," I speak with all my might and emphasizing on each and every word as if I mean them. It feels like they're coming out from my soul instead of my mouth.

By the time I finish speaking, everyone is watching me with shock and amazement covering their eyes while their jaws rest on the floor. I could feel big waves of power emanating from me and surge over the crowd. Some of my pack members look away, feeling intimidated by my power.

What did I do?

"Alpha Andrew, are you sure she isn't the Alpha?" I hear the Head of the Council members ask my dad behind me.

~

"That was amazing, your highness," Archander says as he takes a seat before me while I am sitting by myself on the table, sipping some wine. All the pack members and the guests are scattered over the place, talking and mingling with each other. There's a buffet installed at the end of the room whose delicious scent floats in the air, tingling my nose and flooding my mouth with saliva.

"Thanks," I say while taking another sip, my eyes roaming over the crowd, studying the people around me. Several Alphas from different packs have been invited as guests. I could spot Phoebe talking with them with occasional looks at my direction.

I know that the question asked by the Head of the Council members have created a stir amongst the people. I could feel her eyes staring, glaring and judging me. I didn't do it intentionally. It just happened. There's no way I am questioning her power or I want the Alpha title. I am happy with what I got but what happened during my oath wasn't intentional. It happened. I didn't have control over it. It felt as if my true self has surfaced.

"Hello."

I jump back in my seat as a deep and manly voice pulls me out of my thoughts. I look up to find two brown eyes looking down at me warily. By the power radiating off his body, I know that he's an Alpha. I instantly stand up.

"Hello."

"Can I join you?" He asks politely while pulling out a seat to sit beside me. He didn't even wait for my response.

"Sure," I say sitting back and sipping from the wine glass. He studies me with amusement decorating his face while I study his features. He has black hair, brown eyes, and mahogany skin. His legs are peaking beneath the table which supports the fact that he's quite tall. He looks exotic and beautiful with the unique jawline and bow shaped lips. He's quite young, maybe a new Alpha. His eyes glimmer with interest and unrecognizable emotion in them as he studies me.

"You're strange." He speaks finally. I raise an eyebrow at him before placing the glass on the table and turning my whole body in his direction.

"Thanks. That's my last name." I say smirking.

"What's your middle name then?" He asks, his eyes glimmering with mischief.

"Trouble," I say while my eyes wander down his face. He is hot. Like really hot. His muscles bulge under his shirt which fits him like a second skin.

"Like what you see?" He asks while leaning forward, lessening the distance between us. My eyes flicker back to his. His eyes have darkened and they're zeroed on my lips. Vesta grunts in disgust while I feel an alien feeling creep in my chest.

Desire.

Want.

I want to be wanted. I want to be desired and by studying his darkened eyes, I find both of those feelings brimming in them. Without thinking next, I lean forward, lessening the distance even more. I put my finger under his chin and make him look up into my eyes as I ask heatedly, "Like what you see?"

His breath hitches when I emphasis on you. My voice coming out as a whisper latched with promises to do all the forbidden things.

He takes my hand resting under his chin while his eyes are heatedly trained on me.

"Do you have a mate?" He asks urgently. The way he is clutching my hand tells me that he's desperate. He wants what he is seeing. The desire in my chest spreads aggressively in me, burning my senses and eating up my logical part. Vesta is disgusted. She wants us to be away from him.

No, I don't have a mate.

"Yes," Both of us are taken aback by my answer. What? He leans back, dropping my hand. His eyes are still set on me, studying me pensively. Vesta is happy with him stepping back. She does not want him anywhere near us.

"Are you trying to put me in trouble?" He asks while I look at him puzzled.

"I-"

"See you later." He says before getting up and walking away without turning back, leaving me in shock. What just happened? I turn around to look at Archander who's smirking. It didn't take me long to realize that he manipulated him. I glare at him.

"If I were you, I'd stay away from him." He says grimly. I feel frustrated. I get up and walk out of the pack house towards our empty home. Archander follows me closely behind while I stomp my feet on the snow on my way.

"Why did you do it?" I bellow at him as soon as I enter the house.

"I have been ordered to keep you away from unmated men." He says passively. I groan out loud.

"Who ordered you to do so, Archander?"

"Your highest well-wisher." He finishes with a smirk while I let out a frustrated cry, throwing my hands in the air.

"I have that word. Don't use it again!" I bellow. Every time I hear the word well-wisher, I feel like going on a killing rampage. It gets on my nerve and Archander knows it very well that it annoys me.

"Look, Archander. I don't have a mate but I want to have one. That Alpha was potential-"

"Your Highness, he was no match for you and you-"

"Do you have a mate, Archander?" I growl. How dare he tell me who is right for me and who's wrong. If he's an expert about mates then does he have one? Did he have any experience about mates to give me advice?

His eyes flicker and I see a swirl of emotions in them. He looks away, staring outside the window. The room is silent, only our breaths could be heard.

"I am not blessed with one." He speaks silently continuing to look outside. But his shoulders slouch down and the way his voice broke tells me that there's more to the question than I know.

I might have dug up some wounds.