Chapter 3: Brewing Feud 

My lord,” the man that had earlier been watching Edwin and Tiara from the woods called, running towards Edwin.

Edwin didn't stop. His stride was long, his mind still filled with the scent of the girl in the woods, the scent of rain and ancient starlight. “Report, Garrett. Did the spears find their mark?”

“Yes, my lord,” the man replied.

Every man has made a kill, Alpha. The hearth has been lit. They wait for you to judge the spoils,” Garrett replied, his eyes darting to the mud on Edwin’s boots. The mud from the Deep-Wood.

Edwin grunted, approaching the ceremonial table. “I guess everyone came prepared this year, ready to do better than the previous years just to win my favor,” he commented, walking ahead of the man.

“You are absolutely right, my lord,” the man replied, running a little to keep up with Edwin.

“You need to see the fire that burns in their eyes,” He added.

“It makes the hunt even more interesting, and competitive. And I am sure it would be a little tight for you to just decide who the winner will be,” he continued.

“Let me be the judge of that,” Edwin said.

“Of course, my lord.” the man said, biting back on the words he wanted to talk about.

It was very obvious that he wanted to say something but he was contemplating if he should spill or not as he did not want to get on the bad side of Edwin. He also wants to be the winner of the hunt.

“Is there something that you want to say to me, Garrett?” Edwin said, without even sparing the man with him a glance.

“Ahem,” Garrett made a sound, clearing his throat.

Edwin raised his brows, wondering what he had to say that made him clear his throat before speaking.

“I am listening, Garrett,” Edwin said, eager and curious to know what he has to say.

“How did you come across that lady in here, my lord?” He asked.

“How else am I supposed to someone in the woods if they were not already in here?” Edwin questioned, being very sarcastic.

“I am sorry if my words are not well phrased, my lord,” Garrett said, bowing a little.

“What I meant to ask is….” He was saying before he paused, not knowing how to continue.

“I really do not know how else to put this but I think it is the best way to say this, my lord,” he continued.

“I saw the way you looked at her and how your eyes lit up by merely being close to her.....is she perhaps the one?” he asked, dying out of curiosity.

Edwin sighed, stopping in his tracks as they had arrived at their destination.

“Why did we have to pass through the woods again when our destination is only a few minutes walk from that house?” Edwin curiously asked Garrett.

“It is tradition that we walk through the woods all through the process of the hunt— to appreciate mother nature and explore her glory," Garrett replied.

“So many unnecessary traditions and rules,” Edwin muttered, shaking his head.

A massive furnace roared in the center of the camp, the scent of roasting meat thick in the air. The warriors slammed their fists against their chests in unison.

"Long live the Alpha!" 

“Can we try to lower our voices?” Edwin questioned, looking around.

“What is the matter, my lord?” one of the other men who seemed to be higher than the other men asked.

“This is how we have always chanted, ” he said, moving into a desolate place.

“Is it because of her?” he questioned.

Edwin sharply turned to Garrett, giving him a questioning look.

“And what about her?” He asked, raising his brow, still facing Garrett.

“Am I being monitored and watched even in the woods?” he half-yelled, making it obvious that he was very pissed.

“My lord, we are outside!” Garrett said. “This is the time when you need to be watched the most, we never can tell who has leaked information about today being the hunts day to the enemies who may seize the opportunity to attack us unawares.” He continued.

“Without my consent?” Edwin asked, laughing weakly.

“Without seeking my permission?” He asked, looking from one man to another.

“Did no one think I needed to be informed before you start watching me?” He asked again.

“This is literally like prying into privacy when I am supposed to be enjoying my private time,” he said, placing his hands on his waist.

"We deeply apologies, my lord.” Garrett apologized, lowering his voice so well.

“Just as I had thought.” he said, taking his seat.

“Not everything is about apologizing Garrett and you all know that fact quite well,” Edwin said, cooling off his temper.

“I am the alpha and ruler of this country for a reason!” He added.

“I deserve to know whatever is going on no matter how little it might be.” He said.

“Accept our apology, my lord.” the other men chanted.

“We only watch to protect you, Alpha,” Garrett stammered, bowing his head. “The girl... Tiara. She is a curse. An orphan of a fallen line. Her blood is thin, barely enough to sustain a wolf, let alone a Luna.”

"Assume your positions,” Edwin replied, paying no attention to him.

The men hurriedly took to position and standing before their animals that they had killed and from where Edwin sat, one could see a huge furnace burning of fire, ready to grill the animals.

“It sure looks like everyone put in so much efforts this time,” He commended, smiling.

“It sure looks better compared to old times,” Garrett agreed.

“I guess everyone has something to ask of me," Edwin said, wiping his hand with a wet handkerchief that smelled of woody spices.

“No one does something without expecting one thing or the other in return,” Garrett replied, standing right beside Edwin.

Edwin began to scrutinize each meat, the mode of killing, the way they were hanged, the stances of the men that had killed them too.

“After so much deliberations and scrutinizing, I have finally come to an agreement that each one of you can just ask me for whatever it is you want as a way of showing my appreciation for the enthusiasm and efforts you have put into this year's hunt.” Edwin finally said.

“Thank you for your kindness, my lord.” The men said, bowing to the ground.

“Rise up!” He ordered.

“Let the merriment begin,” he added.

“And no drums please, just a solemn music that would lighten the mood as we make merry.” He instructed.

The instrumentalists bowed, showing that they undersyood his message clearly and began to work.

“Let us move to the table,” Edwin said, leading the way to a large table that stood not far from where he was sitted.

“Yes, my lord.” The men said and walked after him.

The all day down right after Edwin had taken his seat.

“Cheers to another yet successful hunt!” he said, raising his glass.

“To another successful hunt!” The men said, raising their glasses before clicking it with one another.“

“While we await the meat to be done, there is something that we must discuss with you my lord,” Garrett said, wiping his mouth.

“I am all ears,” Edwin replied, in a very good tone, making it obvious that he was in a good mood.

“It is about the lady from earlier,” Garrett said, making Edwin shoot him a deadly glare. “The omega girl. Tiara.”

Edwin took his time to take his glass from his lips and placed it back on the table before replying.

“And what about her?” He questioned, intertwining his hands before placing them on his laps.

"She is a nobody, an orphan and to make it worse, an Omega, a curse.$

“And yet,” Edwin said, his voice like grinding stones, “my wolf did not see a curse. He saw a Sovereign.”

A collective gasp rippled through the men. To call an Omega a Sovereign was a declaration of war against tradition.

“You cannot mean it,” Garrett whispered, his face paling. “She is a servant in my house. She is nothing.”

“She is mine,” Edwin corrected, standing up. The sheer power of his presence forced the men to lower their eyes. “And if any man, warrior or Beta thinks to stand between a wolf and his mate, they had best ensure their throat is made of iron.”

“Why did you not tell her and invite her over to join us?” One of the older men asked, beaming with smiles.

“Did you just approach your mate the moment you both met and tell her that she was the one?” Edwin asked.

“Things do not work that way,” he continued, shaking his head in disapproval.

“Women are humans too and they deserve to be treated and accorded so much respect.” He chimed.

“Forgive my manners, my lord.” the man apologized.

“I was simply carried away by excitement.” he said, smiling weakly.

“I understand,” Edwin replied, giving the man a reassuring smile.

“Why are you yet to say something Garrett?” Edwin asked and everyone faced Garrett.

“You could not even say me a congratulations?" He scoffed.

“Are you not happy for me?” He asked.

“I am indeed happy for you, my Lord.” Garrett replied, still wearing a frown instead of a smile.

“You cannot be happy and still wear such a face, man.” the older man who had earlier spoken to Edwin said.

“You do not judge a book by its cover, Leonard,” Garrett said, snaring at the old man who was quick to shut his mouth.

“There is a problem concerning your fated mate my lord,” Garrett said, making everyone gasp in horror.

Edwin remained seated, sharpening a blade. “And?”

“She’s nothing. An orphan. Her blood is weak. If you pursue this...”

“You forget your place, Beta,” Edwin said calmly. “She’s mine.”

Garrett’s nostrils flared. “The pack won’t accept her. And neither will I.”

"You opinion doesn't matter, Garrett." Edwin rose and walked toward his private quarters, leaving the feast in stunned silence.

Back in the shadows of the main hall, Garrett gripped his flagon until his knuckles turned white. He retreated to a corner, the firelight casting long, demonic shadows across his face.

“You should have died with your mother, Tiara,” he snarled into his drink. “The Moonstone will never be yours. I’ll see you in the dirt before I see you on a throne.”