Chapter 3

I didn't have complete control of my actions or behavior as I had something inside of me that most times guided me from making drastic decisions. That was my wolf, the one which I had acquired on my sixteenth birthday. She was a part of me, like the other half of my soul. So whenever it looked like I was about to go out of line, she always brought me back on track.

The moment I had wanted to start seething with rage, she had instantly cautioned me to stop. It didn't take too long for my wolf's warning sound to restore my mood to how it was initially, but I knew I wasn't going to last that way for long. Not when I was directly in front of the werewolf that had been the cause of my parents' death.

I had to be careful of the way I behaved, though, because I knew something about wolves being able to perceive the fear of others. And Alphas were known to have a greater sense for something like that. So one mistake from my end could give out my hidden feelings.

"Garrett, what brings you here this early? Aren't you meant to still be at the human territory?" the man says, directing the question at my mate. Yes, my mate's name was Garrett, and it was kind of a cute name. It reminds me solely of an ancient warrior I had read somewhere.

That was the voice. It has been years, but I could still recollect the same voice that had taunted my father while my father had been going through pains. Even if I was to forget anything, I could never forget the voice of my parents' killer. Thanks to my wolf, I could still keep calm despite the painful memories invading my mind. Although I knew my wolf was struggling internally as well.

“Father, I have found her.”

“Found who?”

I felt as Garrett raised my hand, and to be honest, that was probably the most embarrassing moment of my life. "My mate," he announced, and the look which the others were giving me changed instantly. Before, it had been that of curiosity, but now most of them were looking at me in resentment. I wouldn't blame them, though; I also had a dislike for them. But I was sure the looks they were passing me signified something other than my identity because none of them knew who I was. It was most likely something that had to do with me being his mate.

The only person whose gaze remained neutral was Garrett's father. The stare he was giving me showed he was scrutinizing me, and as he gave me that look of his, I was at unease. I was not fond of it at all. And to the moon goddess, I felt like plucking his eyes out.

I couldn't see his face when he had my parents murdered, but I was sure it was the same sinister gaze I see now. But that didn't even make me cringe as I gave him what he gave to me. I stared back at him, not minding that I was to accord him some respect as he was the Alpha of this pack. Crazy enough, I was even in their territory. Anyways, he wasn't my Alpha, so why should I care?

The whole staring showdown lasted for about a minute, and when he finally spoke, I wasn't at all prepared for it.

“What is your name?”

For a moment, I was stunned. I didn't know how to react. Cat got your tongue: the phrase was created just for me at this period. It wasn't until I felt a squeeze on my fingers did I realize I had gone a long time without giving a reply. It made me feel like a shithole.

"Adaliah," I finally say, trying so hard not to swallow down the gulp in my throat. You can do this, Adaliah, I think to myself. I wasn't sure if it worked, but I was about to find out soon enough.

"Adaliah... what?" the Alpha asked me.

"Adaliah Carter," I tell him, making sure not to leave his gaze. I know he can't recognize me, most especially because I didn't use my original bloodline surname, but with the look of things, he would be curious already as to why I was staring back at him with those eyes.

“What pack are you from, Adaliah?”

"Red Crescent pack," I lie. Well, I was kind of associated with that pack already, so I could as well use that as where I come from since my original pack has been extinct from the face of the earth. Unless one digs deeply, you wouldn't be able to know where I originated. Not that it was something I was saying all too casually, it was something I made sure of, trust me for that.

I see as Garrett's father looks at me sternly, and I could tell he was trying to detect me like the Alpha he was. Since I didn't miss a beat, no one could know if I was lying or not. As so I thought.

“Who are your parents? Are they people I know? People of important personality?”

My mind screamed: ‘Hell yeah, they would still be if you hadn’t taken away their existence, you murderer!’ but the words that came out of my mouth were entirely different. “No,” I pause for dramatic effect, “they’re dead.”

The look I received after saying that so casually made me think I had screwed up, but I came to realize that I hadn't actually answered the question the way I was supposed to. But who cares? Not me.

I turned my gaze away from Garrett’s father for the first time since the whole questioning began and stared at Garrett himself. He was giving me this look of concern as if wanting to know if I was good. I was particularly sure he would have tried mind-linking me if I had set up the complete bond with him. Well, that was for another day.

He shifted his gaze away from mine and looked directly at his father. "Do you mind if Adaliah and I leave now? I've got still got somewhere I need to show her," he requested, and at the same time, I turned back to look at his father. The Alpha, instead of looking at his son, was staring right at me. I wasn't going to enter into panic mode because of that. Hell no, I won't. He could stare at me all day, but that doesn't mean his stare would give out my identity.

Before I knew it, the Alpha raised a hand. It was so sudden, but it wasn't one meant to act as a move for an attack. I remained cautious, though, because who knows what could happen when one lets ones guard down.

“You may both leave now,” he said authoritatively. “And I’ll be seeing more of you, Adaliah,”

I wasn't expecting to hear that last statement from him. It sounded more accommodating than suspicious that I almost let my guard down for a brief moment. But I knew better not to trust the words of anybody without prior confirmation. He could be saying that and yet mean another.

“Yes, father.”

Just before we turned around to leave the quarters, I gave the Alpha a slight courtesy bow which surprisingly he returned with a nod. Now this man could be something I wouldn’t be able to comprehend.

Garrett and I both went through another hallway, and I was quick to admire the path. Just like the main hallway, this path had artifacts of different kinds. The Green Woods pack sure did have interesting things, and if I hadn't had something against the main occupants, I would have loved to be here all day, enjoying the view.

We had to go through stairways before we finally got outside, supposedly.  Garrett had informed me before our arrival outside that this was the front way of the pack's main house. From there, we were able to have a view of the whole pack territory.

"This is my favorite place," he says after we have both spent a little while admiring the view. He had his hands on the railings as he was in that position, "it gives me the courage to know I'll be leading the members of the Green Woods pack soon enough when the mantle is finally passed unto me,"

I listen with interest. And I understood just what Garrett was talking about. Since he was the first son of the Alpha, it would be his duty to lead the pack when he comes of age. That would have been my position, too, if my pack hadn't been destroyed. Yes, it would be rare to have a female lead a pack of wolves, but who says that isn't possible?

But I was curious about something. Most wolves begin to exercise a show of power when they turn eighteen. However, that didn't seem to be the case with Garrett. Even as he spoke, I could sense a hint of hesitation in his voice as if he didn't want to talk about it.

I turn to look at him and ask, “How old are you?”

Even though I had to wait for a while, he finally says, “Twenty-one,” Now that was old enough. He then continues. “I will be turning twenty-two by the next full moon. And—”

He suddenly went silent, and I could tell from the look of things that he was being mind-linked. Even at that, I didn't take my gaze from him. Not that I didn't want to, I just couldn't. I don't think you should blame me for this; he was just too good-looking not to be admired.

"Give me a few minutes. My father says he wants to see me," he announces after about a minute and stands upright in the process. He lands his gaze on me, and I can see concern written all over him. "Will you be fine all alone?"

“Don’t worry about me,” I tell him with an assuring smile. “I’ll be fine,”

Once I was left alone, I unblocked the mind link meant solely for my original pack because I had someone I needed to talk to. I close my eyes as soon as I feel the connection with the said person.

'Uncle, I'm here.'