CHAPTER 3| DARK CLAWS PACK

He said some of his secrets, but I forgot it!

I sucked in my breath, standing up and preparing myself for the attack while still rummaging through my memory. However, just before the Wendigo was fully released, Brian stepped in and yelled, “Brother, no. We need help from the nearby pack. Let’s marry her off.”

Ceylan paused the release of the Wendigo and turned to our brother, “What?”

“Once the Rogues come and attack us, we don’t have enough power to even defend ourselves, even lost two of our greatest fighters.” He continued, “The allied packs won’t trust you easily, they need to get something in return…”

My eyes darted to Brian, giving him a what the fuck look. If this is his way of saving me from death, then he’s wrong. 

I’d rather fight the Wendigo than be sold off to another pack!

Ceylan thought about it for a moment, and nodded, “Wait, I changed my mind. Return the Wendigo inside. Prepare Nyra as we’ll send her off to one of our allied packs.”

“Alpha Fenris of the Dark Claws Pack,” Brian suggested. 

I gave him a look. That old bastard? I think he wants me to kill myself killed. It must be Brian’s way of ‘helping’ me and giving me to the least ruthless of them all, but damn. 

“I can’t accept this!” I yelled, “Ceylan, let’s continue the deal.”

“I’m afraid that won’t continue now. Consider this my last mercy to you since you are my sister. Goodbye, Nyra. ” He said and walked off. 

I glared at Brian who gave me a sad smile before following Ceylan. 

Ah forget revenge, I’ll just kill myself.

The night didn’t end like that. The enthroning ceremony had continued to commence and it was sooner than later that Ceylan was already pronounced as the Alpha. 

They had invited Alpha Fenris, the old bastard that I was supposed to be married to but he didn't attend. Brian was right, we both knew that none of the allied packs would even trust Ceylan as the new alpha. They must still not trust him. Well, I can't blame them for it. This is the only thing that I’ll say that the nearby alphas was right. 

As of now, my condition is worse. I am being transported into my future partner. Well, I would say partner since he is not my mate. Since Alpha Fenris is still mateless, he’s old and musty so I don’t believe he might be the mate for me. There is a high chance that his mate is dead, no wonder he has a bad temper. But if it is dead, I wonder why he still hasn’t gone insane.

“Won’t Mother see me off?” I asked out in wonder. 

“She’s grieving and won’t let anyone see her in her room.” Beta Reed answered for me. 

I sighed, this is hopeless. Mother has always been strong but the pain of losing her mate might be too overbearing for her. I can just imagine the pain. 

“I have a request. Please don’t ever lose sight of her. I am afraid she might kill herself for what happened. I can’t bear to lose another parent,” I asked him, hoping he would listen to me even when others were ignoring my pleas. 

Beta Reed gave me one last look, “I promise to keep the Luna sane.” He said, “No matter what happens, you’re still your father’s daughter. Alpha Theodore might wake up from his grave if he saw how his favorite pup is being exiled.” He said, “And I won’t forget that I consider you as my second daughter. But times have changed, Nyra. Fight back if they harm you. That’s the only support I can give you now. You’re on your own in this journey.”

I paused, “So you believe I didn’t kill my father?”

He shrugged, “What is the other reason that I am staying here? I’ll stay here in this pack and safeguard the pack for you, I can’t afford to let that fool destroy your father’s efforts of building this.” 

I was speechless as he continued, caressing my cheek as he said, “For now, gather your strength. You’ll need some backups, and since you’re the only one who knows most of the pack, you have the advantage compared to your brothers. Return and steal this pack, soon, I’ll wait for that.” 

I almost cried, but I stopped myself. I shouldn’t show weakness. Not now. Beta Reed has become my second father, and I thought that he abandoned me a few days ago! But right now, he’s the only one who believes in me, I can’t manage to fail his expectations of me. He’s hinting that I need to stay low for now and strike when I am ready. When I have my alies. This is my opportunity, and maybe being partnered with Alpha Fenris, one who has the most stable pack here is not so bad at all... I need to get him to my side and overtake Ceylan soon. That is if the rogues or the other allied alphas exceeded me. 

Ceylan, oh my stupid brother. You’re clueless and forgot to measure that part. You have far more enemies than you can imagine.

“I’ll do my best. Thank you.” As they had a feast, four deltas escorted me to the Dark Claws pack in the middle of the night, which is only half a kilometer away from here. If it was only me, I might have arrived thirty minutes barefoot. But since they carried me on my back, the journey was longer than usual. I looked one last time at the pack and sighed.

I have to say that Ceylan forgot to mention that he needs to consider the number of escorts I have. I could easily take them down if I wanted to. My body has healed a bit as they tried to give me a bath earlier, saying that I have to be in my best appearance before meeting Alpha Fenris. 

Ceylan should have added five more deltas to transport me there. He’s underestimating me. Or he’s trying to urge me to try to escape? But then again, knowing him, he must have not thought about that part. He’s too busy celebrating his temporary happiness. 

The path to the Dark Claws pack was full of trees and the road was sketchier than usual. I was only nine when my father took me here. Ah, I am suddenly reminded of the father. I can; deny that I am his favorite and the closest among us. 

“So…you guys have been to this pack before?” I asked the deltas as the silence was too much for me to bear. 

“Shut up bitch.” Replied the other.

“Oh, what’s your name again?”

“Matt.”

“Oh, I am Mike.”

Two of them replied, and their leader glared at them, “I strictly ordered you to not talk to her!”

The two suddenly got quiet and I chuckled. I smiled at the two who got in trouble for me, “That’s alright. I’ll just talk to myself then.” The path was too unsteady that one of them offered to walk up front. 

“It’s an honor to be with you.” One of them said, “I heard a lot of rumors but you’re beautiful.”

This one seemed to like me, I took this chance to talk to him, “Oh, it is your first time seeing me this close?”

“Yes…they told me you’re a monster.”

“You believe them?”

He looked at me and blushed, “No. And I’m glad I didn’t.”

“Good. Tell them they are wrong.”

Our conversation ended when we finally reached the Dark Claws pack. 

“Nyra Tahira? Daughter of Alpha Theodore of the. Silverfang Pack?”

I nodded, “Yes that is me.”

“Come.”

Their patrol guards inspected me first before letting me in. The deltas already walked on their own and returned to the pack. I was left alone in the strange pack and the she-wolves instantly recognized me and took me to the river to take a bath to clean me. They let me rest for a while before meeting the alpha for a meal.

I was escorted to a room full of meat and I drooled at the sight, seeing this amount of food for the first time in my life. Even Silverfang Pack did not have enough supply of this food! Father made sure that everyone ate equally and he wouldn’t want a grand feast for himself. He would rather share it.

I sat by the table, staring at it and looking around, it was empty other than the food. I was expecting Alpha Fenris to be already waiting, but then he must be busy. Well, that's fine. At Least I can eat here.

I instantly munched on the food without waiting for him. Our first day spent together and I am already breaking the rules. Never mind that he can kill me if he wants.

“I apologize for the wait.” A deep voice said. I glanced at the source and was shocked to see it in front of me. Standing in front was Alpha Fenris, but something was different. He looks younger and more handsome…I hate to admit….not the crusty old alpha I remember.

Or did he pass down his title to his son? But he didn’t have any son, and even if he did, we would have already heard news of it. He had this smirk on his face as he looked at me. He was too tall. Clearly taller than me or even my father. He must be 7’1. And his body is the muscular bulky type that tells me he trains a lot. 

I gulped, my eyes couldn’t help but gawk at his face, how he looked masculine, and his earthy-sweet scent. My eyes trailed down to his shark jaw, to his chest, and to his six-pack abs. I gulped. He must have purposely missed the chance to put on a shirt just so I could admire his body…didn’t he? 

“Are you done checking me out?” He asked, crossing his arms in front of me which made his biceps more evident. I cursed myself for looking too much at his body. He’s clearly enjoying this as he couldn’t wipe that smirk off of his face.