☽ Chapter 18: Meeting the Past ☾

?Chapter 18 – Meeting the Past?

The drive to the pack in need of aid is as smooth as can be, the only delay being at our third hotel when the searing pain of my so-called mate fucking some she-wolf caused me to be immobile for a day. My body felt like knives leaving tiny slivers on my skin as the torture of this feeling had Ariven drugging me and making me sleep for a day and night, only to be awoken by the sound of wolves chattering and moving around. “Where are we?” I mumble drowsily, burying my face in the pillow below me as Ariven’s scent wraps around me. A deep chuckle shakes the pillow I am snuggling into, and I quickly realize that it’s actually Ariven’s body. “Am I comfortable, darling?” Ariven asks, his hand running gently through my hair. “Yes.” I answer, hiding my hot face from his view. Another deep chuckle and gentle hands playing with my hair slowly lull me back to sleep. “We are in the guest house at the pack in aid. One of their members, the previous Beta Female if I am not mistaken, came in screaming about us being a day late and how disrespectful you are for not immediately coming to greet the Alpha. The twins quickly put her in her place, reminding the she-wolf that we came as per requested and can leave just as easily.” Ariven’s words are quiet, his warm embrace and soft words adding to the calmness that begs me to fall asleep again. “She sounds like a bitch.” I mumble, gaining another chuckle. “That she is, and you have an hour to get ready and deal with said bitch, her mate, the Alpha, and the Beta.” “Can’t they wait another day?” I groan, turning my head to look at Ariven. “No. You and I need to study their defenses and training.” “Is that all?” “Nope. There is also us having to investigate the Soulless. Amberle and Ira called while you were out cold. The Soulless attacks here mimic the ones that destroyed Forest Paw a few years ago.” I sit up, intrigued that Fire Foot would request something of me while helping another pack. But as this also includes the Leader from the Temple of the Goddess, I must accept. The thought of Soulless banding together, murdering innocent wolves, and destroying packs causes my blood to boil. Those foul-smelling wolves with blood as black as tar are the bane of our existence. No one knows how they are made, all we can speculate is the lack of pack and mate causes their humanity to shatter and their animal instincts take over until they become sick to the point of near death, living just to kill and maim. I should bring this up with the Alpha of this pack to gain intel for Amberle and Ira. “You said I have an hour until we meet this pack’s higher up?” I ask Ariven, climbing off the bed and gathering an already prepared garment bag from my luggage with a pair of black heels. “Yes.” Ariven answers and I smile. “Give me twenty minutes. We can eavesdrop on them and see where the problem lies.” With that, I make my way to the bathroom, a sense of déjà-vu running through me. I sigh, deciding to put the nagging feeling aside and place my garment bag on the hook beside the door before starting the shower and undressing. The warm spray helps to ease the remaining tension the pain from Mika’s infidelity to the bond caused. I hate when he would fool around with some pack whore, the pain being so unbearable as the Moon Goddess that only medication can help. Sometimes I envy regular she-wolves who feel this pain, as all they need is a Tylenol or Advil to alleviate their pain. If Alpha Sorus and Luna Reena knew how their son behaved, they would be furious, and his punishment would result in Mika being bed-bound for weeks to repent for harming his mate in any way. As I shower, I think about the end of the mate bond, wondering who my mother has paired me with as my second-chance mate and if the next bond will also end in a rejection. I know the Goddess of Destiny has given a few matches to my mother, but she forbade me from looking into my own book when in the dreamscape to protect the future for myself and the pack I have created. Maybe I can convince her to pair Ariven and I together. I have feelings for him, something I came to realize last year. He treats me like I am his world and I feel safe when with him. He is the one I want. Within twenty minutes, I am showered, dried, and dressed, my curly prism-coloured hair put into a messy bun with small strands framing my face. A slight touch of makeup to finish the look and slipping on the black heels, and I am ready to meet this pack’s Alpha and his elite. Hopefully, this meeting goes well. Exiting the bathroom, I walk into the bedroom to see Ariven dressed in a pair of fitted black slacks and a navy blue dress shirt, the sleeves rolled to his elbows, displaying the recent tattoos in all their glory. His long, black hair is tied in a high pony and I roll my eyes at the casual yet businesslike attire of the man usually in jeans, a T-shirt, and boots. “Ready?” He asks, holding a three-ringed binder out to me that I gladly take. It is information on the pack, information I have yet to read as I became focused on writing and then withered in pain at the end of the journey here. I will have to skim the information during the meeting. Exiting the bedroom, I walk with Ariven down familiar halls and a familiar staircase, the sense of déjà-vu growing once more. “Are we heading to their pack house to meet?” I ask as I step off the last step, intending to walk towards the door. “No, I asked the Alpha and his packmates to join us in the meeting room here.” Ariven answers, leading me down the right corridor. As each step brings me closer to the meeting room, familiar scents reach my nose. Suspicious, I stop just before the door and turn to Ariven a raised brow as I clue in to what pack we may be at. [I want to listen to their reactions, Ariven, so you go in first.] I link my Theta, motioning to the door and stepping aside so the wolves inside cannot see or hear me. If my hunch is correct, Ariven kept very important information from me. My friend sighs, an apologetic look on his face before he squares his shoulders and pushes open the door. “Sorry we are late. The journey here was long and one of our wolves had to rest due to a mate bond issue.” Ariven states, his voice loud and clear. The smell that assaults me confirms my hunch, anger and hatred bubbling inside me. “I understand. I am also sorry for interrupting you and your pack. My Beta had no right to call for aid behind my back, but after going through the reports, I soon realized she is right.” A voice that I wish to never hear again calls out. His words piercing my heart like jagged blade of glass. I clench my fists, feeling my nails dig into the palm of my hand and taking dep breaths to ground myself—the scent of my tormentors do not help in the slightest. I lean against the wall, trying to get my bearings and calm my raging emotions to no avail. Then the Full Moon reveals itself from behind large clouds, its light shining down on me and calming me as if my mother is beside me giving me a hug and protecting me in her warm embrace. Finally able to calm down, I remind myself that I am an Alpha and the Future Moon Goddess. My kidnappers and my abusers do not control me anymore. I am in charge of my future and destiny. “I am Mikael Alibaster, Alpha of Hidden Claws.” Mika introduces himself. I can feel the power of an Alpha radiating off of him. But it is weak. I realize that years of being under Bastian and Jasmine’s control left the wolf who rejected me less than what his parents were. “Ariven Cross of Silver Crystal Crescent.” Ariven’s deep voice answers and I smile. Its showtime. I stand from my spot leaning on the door, take another look at the Full Moon and square my shoulders as I walk into the room. " Well Alpha Cross, I am thankful for your pack coming to help mine." Mika states, his tone friendly and warm. I grin, already knowing the chaos that is about to unfold. “Actually Mika, Ariven is my Theta, my third-in-command and the commander of my Head Tracker and Head Hunter. I am the Alpha of Silver Crystal Crescent.” I state confidently as I walkthrough the door, allowing the power of my blood to radiate through me and intimidate the wolves in the room. I watch as Bastian and Jasmine visibly shrink into their chairs, eyes wide with fear and astonishment while Mika does his best to stand before me, but I can see his body wanting to submit. Out of the two of us, I am the strongest and more powerful. “I would say it’s nice to see you all again, but if my Theta hadn’t tricked me to accept your aid like your Beta tricked you into requesting said aid, I would have rather watched this place burn to the ground." I state with disgust dripping in my tone, watching the wolves bristle at my disrespect. "Unfortunately, being an Alpha, I have to be a responsible adult and help those that request it.” I continue, taking the available seat at the head of the table and sitting down, motioning for Ariven and Mika to do the same. Lace has been quiet this whole time, her head facing her lap as she does her best to be unnoticed. I commend her internally for this. [You owe me an explanation, Ariven Lucas Cross.] I growl through the link, feeling his unease as my friend takes the seat next to me. [I understand, Geminie.] His voice is quiet, submissive, and I understand that he is ready to take responsibility for tricking me. Good. “Now, Mika, care to explain why you have caused the decline of Hidden Claws after the hard work Alpha Sorus and Luna Reena had put in?”