CHAPTER 8

~ Darius ~

When I was young, I used to visit my father's office whenever I get the chance. He didn't prohibit me to enter despite the piles of work he has. He was always accommodating. When I visit, he'd give me quick lessons on how to become a good alpha someday. He'd teach me how to plan, to organize, and to create reports and I, despite my juvenile mind, would listen to him attentively.

On one of my visits, I found him writing something in his journal. I neared him, and he took me in and arranged me on his lap.

"What is this, papa?" I remember I asked him that when I saw a symbol drawn on the entire page beside the one he was writing.

It had two ovals attached on both ends with each other, like an infinity symbol, but the top part had a tail or a hook that was shaped like a crescent moon. My innocent eyes took all the details in as my father dropped his pen and brushed the drawing with his thumb.

"This is a symbol, son," he answered. I remember he stared at it with so much pride in his eyes. "It is a very important symbol you should never forget."

"Why?" I asked, and even though I was still a child, it got my interest up.

My father simply chuckled. "Hm, so curious, Darius, that's good, but you're too young to comprehend what this is. When you're old enough, I'll tell you, okay?"

I took this as his promise and nodded. "Okay, papa."

But as time passed by and I became older, he never shared the meaning and the significance of this symbol. Not that I was still curious about it. My responsibilities as an alpha surrounded me so much so that I didn't care to learn more about the symbol.

Well, not until now.

Not until I saw it branded on a woman's back.

This said woman was now lying near a small fire I had created. It was already evening and I didn't want my ass cold while staying on top of the cliff, so the fire was the best way to go.

I sat on a rock across from her, my eyes fixed past the flames and on her as she finally showed signs of waking.

"You're finally awake," I stated as her eyes fully opened.

She sat up in haste with a surprised look on her face.

"You!" she cried. I was sure the memories her mind immediately processed was the memory of our meeting last night.

Huh. An unsavory memory, in my opinion.

"Hm, yes, me," I stated, slightly scrunching up my nose.

She wiggled in place, checking her position and situation, and by the time she realized what I did, she threw me a glare.

"Why am I in chains?"

Chains, yes. The moment I found her, I realized I needed to detain her, so I used the chains my father, my brother, and I used to secure the animals we haunted in the past. The chain showed signs of rust now, but all in all, still useful enough to hold this she-wolf in place.

"Oh, goddess, is this payback for hitting your nuts?" she surmised.

I went with the flow and simply answered, "You could say that."

I didn't want her to know that by hitting my 'nuts' she saved me from getting drowned by the potion's effects. I didn't want her to know that she already paid off her debt.

She gnashed her teeth and wiggled some more. "If you're after an apology from me, then you're sorely wrong. Alpha or not, I won't apologize to you. You deserved it!"

I grumbled in my throat. "Yes, maybe, I admit I deserve what you did, but not for the reasons you think of," I said. "My pack is not the rogue pack that's in the rumors. The Silver Moon Pack is innocent."

She paused from moving and laughed dryly.

"Huh! I'm not an idiot who easily believes the words from the leader of the rogue. For all I know, you are lying. Prove it then. Prove it that you and your pack are innocent!"

"You would have been dead by now and your pack massacred if I'm the leader of that blood-thirsty rogue pack," was my quick reply.

A slight recognition crossed her eyes. Good. She got my point, but to prove it further, I added.

"Or I would have already taken advantage of your vulnerability earlier and have my way with you. Or you could be naked by now, all for my enjoyment."

In response, her cheeks blushed with an angry red. I could clearly see it despite the fire between us.

I surveyed her form. Garbed in jeans and her burned blouse, she had curves that were pleasing to the eyes. For my men, that is.

For me, no.

All women were the same to me. They cause problems and they bring ruin no matter how appealing they look.

"Or you could be lying still inside that cave path, surrounded by the cold. Or I would have killed you for trespassing my territory," I continued.

"Your territo—"

"In case you haven't noticed, you are a long way from home," I cut her off and gestured to the landscape around us.

She seemed to realize this just now, because her eyes widened.

"Now, are they proof enough for you?" I asked, proud to point this out to her.

She hissed and threw me another glare. "Then why am I in chains? If you mean to release me, why am I like this, then?"

"I need information from you," was my reply. I threw another log onto the fire, giving it fuel to warm our asses.

"Information?" Her voice sounded genuinely confused.

"Why do you have that symbol on your back?" I asked in a heartbeat. I didn't see the need to lengthen our conversation when I could just skip to the main parts.

Her brows knitted just as she said, "Symbol? What symbol?"

"This symbol." With a stick, I draw the infinity symbol with the crescent moon tail on the collection of dust between us. "It is on your back."

Her eyes flickered with recognition for the third time.

Hmf. She was easy to read.

"I see you recognize it," I remarked. "Why do you have it? What does that mean?"

She continued to stare at my drawing as she answered, "I don't know... This...this just appeared on me."

"Appeared?" I echoed.

"I was inside the cave to retrieve—oh my goddess!" Her alarmed eyes flicked to me quickly. "The stuffed toy! Where is the stuffed toy?!"

I picked up the plushy from behind me and displayed it in the air.

"This one?"

"Yes! Give that back to me!" she cried and tried to stand up. However, I secured her chains in a way that she couldn't stand, so she stayed in her spot in the end.

I shook my head and aimed the toy towards the burned logs. "No. I'll use it to maintain this fire."

"No!" she screamed on top of her lungs. What the fuck was the deal with her and this toy? "No! Please, don't burn it!"

"You're a grown woman. Do you have a fetish with stuffed toys?" I asked, not at all bothered to use the word.

"That's for the orphaned child I'm taking care of, you idiot!" she replied; her expression showed a mixture of panic, embarrassment, and anger. "She wants that stuffed toy back!"

Then she looked at the sky and released a deep sigh. "Oh goddess, it's already evening. She must be missing it already. Bea and Michael must be looking for me, too. And my parents...shit, they'll surely be angry with me again for not returning home."

"Orphaned child?" I picked this information out of the many she blabbered. "So, you are from the Black Moon Pack."

She clenched her teeth and lifted her chin up. "Are you sure I am not from another pack?"

"Hm, you can't fool me, woman," I said, smirking. "I am well aware the Black Moon Pack is the only pack who takes in orphaned children because of the rogue killings. But let's not get sidetracked here."

I placed the stuffed toy behind me and continued. "Again, I ask you, why do you have that symbol? What does that mean?"

"Again, I'll answer you, I don't know." She squared her shoulders. "They just appeared on me when I was inside that cave."

"Why were you in that cave?"

"To get that stuffed toy, of course. Kitty lost it. I had to retrieve it."

"Ah, so that was why you were in that forest last night," I finalized, scoffing.

"Yes." She snorted. "And I regret being there and seeing what I wasn't supposed to see."

Her eyes lowered to my waist and then back to my face in a matter of seconds.

"Damn right, woman," I lashed. I was sure she already saw my cock, and me pleasuring it, but that wasn't something I was embarrassed about. Let her see me masturbate for all I care.

"Something tells me you know what is inside that cave," she stated, turning the tables to her advantage.

I relented. There was no harm in giving her some information I have already.

"That cave is the birthplace of the 'First Alphas.' It is holy ground. You wouldn't know because this place is a secret. Only the 'First Alphas' know about it."

"So, you are a 'First Alpha' then?"

The way she looked at me made me feel a bit exalted. The 'First Alphas' were like royalty during their time, but most were as secretive as my father. They didn't mingle much with the other packs except if needed, and some were already dead or in hiding. To meet one would be considered a lucky day, and to marry one would be even better. Their offspring were venerated the same. I as a firstborn experienced that, but it suffocated me.

"Woman, if I was, then I wouldn't be asking these questions about that symbol on your back," I groaned. "My father is a 'First Alpha.'"

"Then he'd know what this symbol means!" she shouted and leaned over towards the flames. "Bring me to him! I need him to erase this!"

The stick I held broke into pieces when I clenched my hand. "He's dead," I answered, and gave her a bitter look.

She retreated, lowered her eyes onto the ground, and whispered, "Oh, I'm...I'm sorry."

"I don't need your pity. What I need are answers." I straightened up and faced the night sky ahead. This cliff really brought so many memories within me to the surface. It made me feel too emotional and I don't like it.

"I don't have it, obviously, so can I go now?" she asked.

"No. Not yet." I faced her again. "I need to know more about you."

"What is there to know?" She furrowed her brows. "I am a nobody. I am an omega in my pack. My father is the alpha and my mother, the luna. My sisters hate me. I am not accepted by my own family."

Woah. That was a rather personal confession I didn't need to know, but a good one. She claimed she was an omega, but I couldn't see that in her. With her spitfire attitude and beauty, she could well be an alpha of her own pack.

"What else?" I asked, redirecting myself away from that unnecessary thought.

She exhaled and battled to keep her eyes from watering. "I am the head of the orphanage house. I take care of children unwanted like me. I don't even understand why this symbol appeared on my back. I am not someone special."

"Don't go emotional on me now," I said, too focused on her sad face than I wanted myself to be.

"I am not emotional!" She threw me a glare—a wet glare.

I shook my head in disbelief. She was in denial.

"What are you planning to do to me?"

"I'm going to imprison you until such time I have an answer," I replied.

"No, you can't do that!" Her voice heightened again. "I have a life! Although, most of it is shitty, but still, it's a life! Please release me now. Kitty needs that stuffed toy!"

I stared at the plushy again and groaned.

"The Silver Moon Pack..." she continued. "I know women are prohibited there. You can't take me there, so I know you can't imprison me! Let's make a deal. I propose we make a deal."

"I don't make deals with a woman," I answered just as I crossed my arms.

"Hear me out, will you?" Her eyes looked pleading, but that wasn't why I gave her my attention. It was because I was curious what deal she was willing to undertake with me.

"Release me now. I promise I won't disappear. You know I am from the Black Moon Pack already. I'll be in my pack whenever you need to talk to me. Your father is one of the firsts, so he must have hidden some writings in his journals. You read them. You do your research. If you get answers, you find me because I too would like to know what this symbol is. Sounds good, right? Tell me it's a deal."

Slowly, I neared her, taking my time as my mind processed her words.

"What is your name, woman?"

"Ava. Ava Carter," was her reply. "And you are?"

I scoffed lightly and stopped just inches away from her.

"Oh, I know you know exactly who I am already. The rumors included this important detail, after all. The name that sends fear to the packhouses."

"You're Alpha Darius Cage," she supplied as she angled her head up and stared at me.

"Correct, I am Alpha Darius Cage."

I kneeled in front of her, grabbed her jaw and whispered in her ear, "Now, listen to me, Ava of the Black Moon Pack. This we have here will stay a secret. I will release you, but I expect you will keep your word. When I come for you and make no mistake, I will come for you, ensure that you will be ready."

She shifted her head slightly and whispered in my ear, too.

"It's a promise."

I grabbed her chains and snapped it with one tug.

"Good," I answered as I stepped back and stood.

Her chains fell to the ground. We exchanged gazes for a few seconds before she ran to where the stuffed toy was and picked it up.

"You know your way back to the Black Moon Pack?" I asked with my profile half lit by the fire.

"I know enough. You don't need to worry about me," she answered and left the cliff through a connecting path towards the inner forest. Here I thought she would shift into her wolf form, but she didn't. She just continued to walk until the darkness of the forest enveloped her.