Chapter 001 Back To The Settlement

Christopher 

I still couldn't see clearly after being knocked down by Darell. That was quite a blow for speaking the truth, I mean I did call his mother a bitch but only because it was true. "Darell that punch was not necessary. You and I both know that I didn't say anything new, you need to learn how to manage your anger," I said to him sitting on the floor where I fell and nursing my temple. 

"And you need to watch what you say about my family," he retorted in anger. Darrell hasn't been the same ever since his mother, who's the Luna of our pack was accused of murder; it is claimed she allegedly killed the Beta of our pack who was formerly the Gamma but rose in ranks through 'dubious' means. Before he maneuvered his way to that position, my father was Beta; but Darrell chose to keep me as his Beta and made sure everyone in our generation referred to me as such. It honestly felt weird, bearing the Beta title while my dad bore the Gamma title. 

It was quite unheard of in the history of the Moonstone pack. A luna being involved actively in murder was not something that any pack member expected to witness in our pack, not in our lifetime anyway. The Luna's reason or reasons for killing the Beta was yet to be disclosed to the public, probably only the high families knew; even Darrell didn't know. His father always kept him in the dark about a lot of things, and this was one of them. I have always thought that was a risky way to bring up one's child, considering he would be taking over as Alpha in a few years from now. 

"Look, Darrell, I'm sorry for speaking about your mother with disrespect, and I know you are going through a lot right now, but you can't keep reacting to everything violently. I'm not saying this because you punched me in the temple, although that shit hurt like hell, but you've been this way ever since your mother was thrown in jail. The other day, you were summoned for knocking the lights out of an omicron just because he looked at you funny. Come on man, you need to get a grip on your emotions; this is not healthy for you. And if I may suggest, I think you should confront your father to let you know why your mother did what she did. That is if she did do it. I think if you know why she did what she did, whether it be for genuine reasons or not, it might help you control your emotions and even get closure. Plus you need to start knowing things happening in this pack, and why they happen. Being in the dark and oblivious to many things is not good at all, I mean, how are you supposed to perform well as the Alpha of Moonstone pack when you eventually take over from your old man if you don't know shit most of the time?" I told him, feeling annoyed and confused about the whole situation at the same time. 

"Wait wait wait…what did you say?" Darrell asked me and I had a big question mark on my head because I had just said a bunch of things and I couldn't pick out the one that made him ask that question. "What do you mean by 'closure', Christopher?" he finally asked when he realized I wasn't following. I was surprised he asked that because it meant he still had not realized how messed up the situation was. 

His mother was accused of murder and it was going to end up in either of two ways if she was found guilty: life sentence or death by beheading. The fact that he hasn't come to this realization yet bothered me a lot because he was already behaving erratically when no one knows if the accusations are true or not. How would he be if the accusations turn out to be true, and his mother gets either the life sentence or the axe? I finally replied to him, "Darrell, you honestly know that there always has been bad blood between your mother and the late Beta; if you know nothing else, this much you know. If the accusations turn out to be true, she would get either the life sentence or the axe. You need to know for sure if she did kill him and why," I said to him, and watched reality dawn on him. 

I was worried for him because I highly suspected that his mother was guilty of the crime she's been accused of; she didn't have a very stellar reputation. But she was the one parent he was close to and if she's found guilty, it will take a toll on him. He loved his mother dearly, despite her numerous shortcomings. He still had that worried look on his face and I pressed his shoulder to let him know that things might just work out in his favour and his mother might be innocent. He buried his face in his palms and shook his head. Good thing we were out of sight, it wasn't a good view of the future Alpha, but only he knew how he felt. I couldn't even possibly begin to imagine. I sat there with him quietly, and let him have his moment. 

After a short while, he snapped out of it and sprang up. He looked me dead in the eyes and I was honestly terrified a bit. "I need to see her. I have to hear from her, to know if she is innocent in all this," he said and I relaxed a bit. I guess all the things I said had gotten to him. 

"Okay, how do you want to do that? Because she's currently in holding and no one is ever allowed to visit people down there." I said to him wondering how he was planning to do what he wanted to do. 

"I will have to speak to my father about it. I will try as hard as possible to convince him to let me speak with her. Even if he doesn't, I will find another way to see her. I have to see her to know for myself," Darrell said, with so much conviction and confidence in his voice. "I'm going to need you to come with me though, Christopher," he said to me and I looked at him in wonder. 

"Why do you need me to come with you?" I asked him because I couldn't understand why he needed me or what I could possibly do for him. Plus, I've always found the Alpha intimidating. In fact, to be honest, I'm scared of the man and can't bear to be in the same room as him. But I couldn't say those things to Darrell. 

"You will be my moral support," he replied. I couldn't say no to him if that was the reason he needs me to come with him. He needed all the support he could get right now and I wasn't going to turn my back on him because of my fear of Alpha Deckard Richmundson; I will be alright. My friend needed me and I was prepared and willing to be of assistance in any way I could. I looked up at him because he was already standing in a way to say we were going right away. 

"Alright then, Darrell. I will come with you. I've got your back bro" I said to him and we made our way back to the settlement because we were in the woods.