Desert Cliff's Goddess

Teresa's POV

For the last year I have had trash thrown at me, crude remarks spat in my face, and today, my training partner almost killed me. I just want to go back to being that quiet nerdy girl again. No one paid any attention to me back then, unless they needed homework done or answers on tests. I wasn't anything special, as they said. Curly dark chocolate hair that went to the middle of my back and tan skin that looked so dull. In the sun my eyes looked like freshly made caramel, but no one could tell since my head was always down. While any other time they looked like pools of fresh mud after a horrible rainstorm.

"Teresa, are you listening dear?" Alpha Kam said, snapping me out of my thought.

"I'm sorry Alpha. I must have zoned out." I replied while my cheeks turned pink from the embarrassment. The whole dining hall was staring at me again. Shooting daggers into my body. Only I could get away with this type of behavior, which always puzzled me because anyone else would get an extra guard shift or worse.

"You've been doing that a little too often lately. I need you to focus because I have a few important announcements." He said low, knowing others were trying to eavesdrop. I shook my head in response.

'You cannot keep thinking of it. Could you please, for once, listen to my advice? Alpha Kam knows the truth, just as we do. He wouldn't let anything happen to us.' Talia, my wolf, said. She has been my strength through all of this, but I know she is as tired as I am.

"Can I have your attention?" Alpha Kam's voice boomed with authority and in an instant, everyone fell silent. "As you all know, the Crescent Ball is in a few months. I will be leaving tomorrow morning to meet with the other Alphas to see which pack will be hosting the event. After recent rogue attacks on the coasts, they will be looking inward this year. So, I expect everyone to keep our land looking marvelous as always." Everyone cheers as he pauses. He lifts his hand to silences everyone once again while giving me a small glance.

"Gamma Josef will be joining me on this trip and we will be back in three days. In my absence, Beta Saul will be staying here to assure no one breaks our laws and trespassers are dealt with accordingly. That's including my recent verbal command involving one of our own." Alpha Kam's voice became stern and looked everyone in the eyes. He could easily use his Alpha power to force everyone to follow his wishes, but that wasn't like him. He gained everyone's loyalty, not by brute force but with a kind heart and trust. Our pack loves him and those who opposed him, were few.

After his announcements were over, he excused everyone except Beta Saul and me. We quietly waited for everyone to leave the dining hall. Alpha looked tired. I am sure the last year has taken a toll on his mind and body, just as it had on the rest of us. I understood more than anyone because I was in the middle of all this chaos.

Alpha Kam's POV

I asked Beta Saul and Teresa to stay behind after dinner to privately discuss a few matters. I did not want to leave without tying up a few loose ends. It was time some secrets came into the light. I just hope they will understand.