5. Only You!

~Zella~

"How is it?" he asked, when I reached his side.

"Alpha, I made it. I successfully convinced my men to surrender peacefully to your highness," I replied breathlessly and added, "All the weapons are now outside the gate and my men are waiting for you to come and take over the pack and do as you please. But please honor our deal that no one will die today. Everyone can continue to live in peace," I reminded him.

"Good! You made a hell of a good impression on me today." He smirked, truly impressed by my smart but cruel way of dealing with my abusive husband.

"Wait here. I'll have a talk with my men before entering your territory," he said.

"Alpha, please don't worry. To make sure that no one will sabotage this peaceful surrender, I will put my life in your hands. No one will dare make a sneak attack on your men. I promise you that," I assured him.

He nodded his head. "Let's see... It's better to be safe than sorry."

"Of course!" I smiled and fell into deep thoughts. Is Alpha Declan easy to manipulate? Still too early to tell, but as long as I'm obedient and always ready to give him what he wants he will go easy on me. I will have to remember that from now on.

I need to cultivate a good rapport with him because I needed a protector once I entered the Alpha King's palace. He will use me and I will use him.

If I can't become the Alpha King's concubine then I'm ready to become Alpha Declan's concubine.

It doesn't matter what method I use and how I do it, as long as I can enter the palace and find my sister and kill the Alpha King then all the pain and trouble I encountered in the past and today will be worth it.

A few minutes later.

Together with Alpha Declan, and several armed men, we marched towards the huge gate of the Iron Fist Pack headquarters.

The weapons were piled neatly outside the gate as per my instruction and Gamma Sean's men could be seen waiting behind the gate anxiously.

I nodded at the guards and they opened the gate immediately.

I introduced Gamma Sean to his highness. "Alpha, this is Gamma Sean, third in command of our pack. You can ask him anything about the pack. He can help you."

Gamma Sean bowed his head. "I'm at your service Alpha, you can ask me anything about our pack. My men are ready to cooperate with you for our pack's peaceful surrender."

"Good." Alpha Declan scanned the area. "I need someone I can depend on to manage the pack for the time being. Now let's start with how many men you have now inside the headquarters and how many men are outside guarding the surrounding area..."

When the men finally got down to business, I quietly entered the house and went straight to my bedroom. Martha was already waiting for me there.

"Luna, I'm glad you are back now. I thought they have done terrible things to you," Martha said worriedly.

"Stop worrying about me. The invaders are already inside this building taking over our pack. Our men are cooperating with them peacefully," I explained.

"Are the invaders scary? Barbaric?" Martha asked, dreading leaving the room and coming face to face with the enemy.

I shake my head. "No, they are not scary to look at. Stop worrying. I want you to go to the kitchen and inform the cook to prepare a big meal to welcome our new leaders so we can feed them properly. Delicious dishes will be our welcome gift for them. Go now," I ordered gently.

"Copy Luna," Martha replied and left the room.

My gaze landed on the bags on the floor, a total of five. I only need two bags. I leave the rest of my belongings to Martha.

I quickly unzipped all the bags and checked the items one by one. I took out all the clothes and stuff not necessary for traveling and put them all on the bed. I managed to sort everything out in such a short time. I put all my important stuff such as clothes and undies in one bag, and put my medicine kit containing medicinal herbs, potions and deadly toxic powder in one bag.

My grandmother taught me and Becca poison making ever since we were young. We also know how to create herbal medicines that can save lives.

It's our unique skill coming from families of healers. We also had hidden skills that couldn't be used daily, only if our lives were in danger. That is why I wondered why my older sister did not use the forbidden method to save herself from danger if the palace discovered her intention to assassinate the Alpha King.

Is my sister still alive? If yes, what exactly happened to her?

Why did she stop communicating with us in letters last two years ago?

I have many questions that have no answers.

Only by coming to the capital and entering the palace could I obtain answers to all my questions.

Sigh. I'm physically and mentally tired after going through a lot in just one day.

I needed a rest.

I climbed the bed, sank under the cover and closed my eyes to sleep. I only needed twenty minutes of a power nap, then I would be perfectly fine after that.

I felt myself drifting into a deep slumber, snoring softly.

~Declan~

Two hours later, Gamma Sean, Martha and I stood outside the bedroom door.

"I will inform Luna Zella that you are here, Alpha," Martha said.

I nodded my head. "OK. Go ahead, we will wait here."

Martha entered the room and saw Luna Zella sleeping peacefully on the bed.

She returned to the door and said, "Luna Zella is still sleeping soundly. Should I wake her up?"

I shook my head. "No need. Don't wake her up. Let her sleep. She has been through a lot today."

"Thank you for your consideration, Alpha," Martha replied in relief.

I addressed the two people that Luna Zella trusted the most. "My men and I are leaving the pack now and we will proceed to our next destination. I already left my representative here. Cooperate with him and everything will be fine," I said authoritatively.

"Copy Alpha," Gamma Sean and Martha replied in chorus.

"Regarding Luna Zella, after she wakes up, inform her that I appreciate her effort at a peaceful surrender, just tell her that I no longer plan on bringing her to the capital to become one of the Alpha King's concubines. She can continue living here," I said with finality in my tone.

"Thank you for your mercy, Alpha," Gamma Sean and Martha said in chorus, feeling grateful after receiving such good news.

I turned on my heels and left the building to rejoin with my men waiting outside the pack's headquarters.

~Zella~

I stirred up in my sleep. When I opened my eyes I saw Martha sitting on the chair beside the bed. I rubbed my eyes. "How long have I been asleep?"

"You slept for two hours, Luna," Martha replied.

I stood upright, panicking. "How did it go? I mean how's Alpha Declan and his men?" I asked anxiously.

"After eating a delicious meal, Alpha Declan and his men left the pack to proceed to their next destination," Martha answered in a thrilled voice, glad that the invaders are leaving our pack.

Startled, my eyes widened in alarm. Oh no! He left me!

"And he told us that you were worthy of being given a reward. You are free to remain here. I'm so happy for you, Luna!" Martha gushed in elation.

Noooo! This can't be! I bolted from the bed and ran to the door to find Alpha Declan outside, hoping he hadn't left yet.

I was running in the hallway in my slippers and messy hair, desperate to catch up with him. I'm hellbent on going to the capital and entering the palace at all costs.

Only Alpha Declan could give me safe entry to the palace. He must take me along with him!