Chapter 11

Valerie POV

My feet got stuck to the ground unable to make sense of his Claven was able to change everything so fast. Now all eyes were on me yet I had no right words for everything.

“Claven, show some respect for the alpha.” My voice a little stifled.

He stared even more indifferently, “I think it’s best you keep quiet. Or do I need to remind you that everyone under this pack house roof is here for the benefit of the pack.”

“Claven?” My eyes pleading with me desperately to stop trying to put me in more trouble.

“Claven!” The alpha thundered, “I have already made the decision for Valerie to be an omega and you know I can’t go back on my word.”

He chuckled softly, “then you can just rule out your dear daughter from being a defender.” Wagging his head, “I wonder his the council will feel about a vegetable as their incoming alpha.”

“Young man!” The Luna roared, “you might be a strong and smart gamma still it doesn’t change the fact that you are speaking to your alpha.”

Claven looked everything but worried. I can’t believe how swift things were changing. Just like that, he has moved from being a sweet and respected person to stepping on all the wrong toes.

The alpha leaned back on his throne before narrowing a blazing look at Claven.

“I guess the overrated praises of the pack is getting to your head. Have you heard of what this pack house dungeon looks like?”

He smiled softly, “throwing me into the dungeon for suggesting a way to save your own child and make her more worthy of the position?!” Like the entire chamber was his playhouse, he placed his hand behind his back. Carefully paving about, “you seem to have forgotten how your beta died.”

My eyes were lucky to catch how the alphas face slowly paled. His visible veins relaxed subtly as he leaned back on the chair.

“An attack that might have been avoided but there you were….” Spreading his arms, “…protected by your beta ego didn’t mind risking everything he had for you just to ensure you and your family were safe. Although I keep wondering, what if the princess was strong enough to protect the pack?”

Xandia’s face also paled, her eyes dilated softly. “Stop it.”

Seeing his words hurting my best friend was a different feeling. All my efforts to stop Claven from dies king was futile. He was enjoying himself and fighting for my cause. One I didn’t ask that he fight for me.

“Sorry, my Princess. But this is the truth. How many more people have to die before you realize that you are not just here to wear fancy clothes and eat elaborate meals.” His words silenced the chamber. “Your job is to defend this pack.”

“Violence is not the only way!” Xandia’s piercing voice tore the air. Her eyes bawled from tears that dripped ceaselessly. “It’s not my fault that…Valerie lost her parents.”

In that moment, I could hear it. Everyone else could, the stinging guilt. I immediately rush at her, spreading my arms over her shoulders. Not saying anything but my own way of saying “it’s not your fault and I don’t blame you. I love you, friend.”

She melted in my arms, sobbing gently in my warm embrace.

In that moment, I was willing to take all the Alpha’s punishment. I just want Claven to stop with the blame games.

“You’ve said enough! Stop insulting the princess!”

“Insult?!”

Claaaaaaang!

Claven threw a sword at us. His countenance firm, “pick it up!” from his tone, I knew he wasn’t talking to me. Xandia wiped her eyes, her body stiff in my arms. “I’m…not taking it.”

He giggled under his breath, “you are not taking it because you don’t want to. You are refusing to take it because you can’t.” Sucking his breath, “I won’t continue guarding a weak alpha female who can’t even raise a sword.”

“What do you mean?” The alpha asked. His fierce rage and threatening voice was gone. I could see it in his eyes, the value he has Claven’s protection on Xandia.

“I mean you have a daughter that has failed in her duty to protect the pack. She can hardly protect her own self.” Picking up his sword, he turned to leave.

“Wait!” The Luna halted him, turning to the alpha. “My lord, we can’t just let him go.”

The alpha stared like she just betrayed his trust. “Are you suggesting that I should go back on my words?!” Looking around, “in front of my subjects? You want me to pull the traitor’s daughter close?”

“No,” scratching the back of her neck, “it’s not about the daughter of the traitor or even your words.” Her hands resting on his chin. “It’s about our daughter and the pack.”

The alpha just heaved a sigh, “we can always find another trainer.”

“Claven’s the best for the job. We have to make use of it. What about the protecting on the pack?”

The alpha nodded mechanically as he slowly sat up. “Are you sure about it?”

Her hands nibbling his cheeks, “for the safety of the pack members.”

“But…”

“Dad?” Xandia said amidst tears. Carefully rising up and wiping her eyes. “I agree with mum.”

The alpha furrowed his brows, “I thought you never liked the violence of war or fighting?”

“But I care about my powers.” Her voice sterner now, she turned to Claven. “I have heard of training can awake powers and…I want it. I’m ready for my powers to be activated.”

The alpha hissed at her. “Easy child.”

My eyes squinted trying to read the message on the face of the alpha. I expected him to be elated at Xandia’s interest in learning about her powers. Instead he was just…pissed or so it seems.

I really want to be thrilled but, I still have the orders of staying away from her. And Claven is not making things even better. It’s either I stay away or I face the dire consequences.

“My lord,” the Luna said softly, “I really I’m grateful for this plan.” Turning to Claven, “this is a good idea for Xandia. I thank the goddess for bringing you as a gift to this pack.”

The alpha didn’t share in her excitement causing me to wonder what exactly is on his mind.

“My lord, o know you are upset but this is a very important celebration for us. Our baby will finally be able to wield her powers.”

“Yes, dad.” Xandia chirped in, “I want Claven.” Immediately clasping her mouth, “I mean I want Claven to teach me.” An explanation no one asked for. I could see the annoying blush on her face as she stared at Claven.

Immediately rolling my eyes, I know she likes him but not expecting an open display.

The alpha cleared his throat to silent the room. “I have heard all that has been said. I approve of this training.”

Xandia and the luna yelped in excitement. “Thank you, dad.” She smiled.

“I am not done talking!” He roared, his eyes darting at me. “Under no circumstances should the daughter of the traitor be involved in the process!”

I wasn’t expecting a different response but hearing him openly call me a ‘traitor’s daughter’ hurt. He knows Claven wasn’t just speaking out of the blues. I have enough strength and patience to help Xandia in her navy step especially seeing that Claven is not the calmest.

She has once expressed her interest in learning martial arts and now would have been the perfect time.

“This daughter of the traitor is the only hope your daughter has if she ever wants to activate her powers.”

“Impossible!” The alpha stumping the ground, “the goddess is not so evil to seal my fate in the hands of such a traitor.”

Claven stood his ground. “She’s the only one that can assist me and if you choose to stand your ground, you can as well forget about my help.”

The Luna leaned towards the alpha, “my lord, please don’t let him leave.”

Yanking her off before facing Claven. “No one, I mean no one gives me conditions.”

“I’m not any one, my lord.”

My jaws dropped at the audacity in which he speaks. Not even the Alpha’s next in command can speak like that. Is it that he’s not in his right senses? If he just thinks the alpha is just one to mess with. Despite his strength, the alpha has the authority to tear down whatever he holds dear.

“I am the only one who can train your feeble daughter to at least activate her powers and I think I’m not wrong to ask that some conditions be met.”

“You are wrong!” The alpha thundered. “You are my subject and should treat every order as a privilege.”

“My lord,” the queen reached for his hand. “Please, calm down.”

Claven cleared his throat before sucking his breath. “I will only train the princess on the my conditions and that’s if Valeria is going be my assistant and that means she is not going to be an omega.” A simile appearing on his face, “if she will be training Xandia that also means they will be in close proximity.”

“Arrrrghhh!” The alpha shattering the cluster of knives beside him. “How dare you?!”