003

“Quiet everyone” Beta Ken starts again, “Our beloved Alpha is no more with us and he made some decisions before taking his last breath”

We are all silent for a while, unable to process such devastating news. I look over to Sharon who is now crying silently with no one by her side.

“The Council had been discussing who our new Alpha will be but since Sharon is still young and unmated which makes it a tough task to put such responsibility on her—

Beta Ken glances at Sharon, “Our Fallen Alpha's nephews from the Dark Shadow Pack will be taking over the responsibility. One of the DeLuca Sons will be our New Alpha”

The whole Pack gasps at the mention of the Dark Shadow Pack.

The Pack is infamous for its superiority and brutality. Not only that, no one ever dared to speak ill of that Pack or was stupid enough to be on their bad side.

Many rumors are often going around about the Pack.

Everyone starts to walk out of the ground but I rush over to the stage.

I should tell Beta Ken about the stranger in the woods. What if he had something to do with the Alpha's death? What if he is planning to attack the Pack?

Beta Ken and the council members were already leaving when a hand pressed down on my shoulder. I looked over only to see my mother.

“Now where are you going in a hurry?” She looks mad as always. Eyes tired indicating the horn disturbed her sleep.

“I have something to tell Beta Ken” I answer honestly,

“When I was in the woods, I saw someone—

“You were in the woods? Are you kidding me Sofia Vez?” My mom cuts me off, grabbing my arm in a tight grip and glaring at me.

“Mom, I —

“How many times do I have to tell you not to wander off in the woods ever yet you went there? Can you make things any harder than they already are”

I look down, biting my inner cheek as once again she scolds me without even listening to me.

“Did you shift and who saw you—

“I didn't shift and Mom please, there was someone in the woods. Maybe He was behind Alpha's death” I dare to cut in her scolding. She squints her eyes at me before releasing my arm from her tight grip.

“What? Who are you talking about?” A very familiar female voice interrupts us.

Mom and I look at the owner of the voice. Two steps away stood Luisa with a stunned expression, staring at me.

“There was this man. He came from the other side of the bridge” Upon hearing my words, Luisa looked back to where her father stood talking to the Council.

“Not here. Let's talk in there” Luisa whispered, signaling at the small outhouse at the far end of the ground. Mom and I followed her quietly inside.

I frown at the sweet smell coming from inside but the sound of footsteps steals my attention.

I turn to look at Beta Ken walking through the door,

“What is it, Luisa?” He asks, glancing at each one of us.

“Sofia claims she saw someone in our Pack from across the Forbidden Bridge” After hearing her words, His eyes widened and I saw clear panic in them.

“He might still be in the Pack,” I say quietly.

“Wouldn't the guards on patrol duty alert you if an outsider was wandering in the Pack?” Mom questions, crossing her arms.

“Sofia, are you sure it was an outsider?” Beta Ken asks, walking slowly towards the single couch in the corner, battling exhaustion.

“Yes, I'm sure. He crossed the bridge right before my eyes and threatened to live the days I have before he made it worse— he was definitely here for some hidden purpose” I explain.

“Luisa, tell this to the DeLuca brothers,” Beta Ken says.

I cut in with urgency, “That will take forever and he could escape before they even arrive—

I am cut off by a very deep voice,

“Certainly not”

That very familiar voice.

I whirl around to follow the source of the voice. There against the door frame of one of the rooms, stood the very same man from the woods. I gasped in surprise.

Now that I see him in the lights, it's hard to ignore how handsome he is.

‘Look at that dark hair, steel blue eyes and that jawline. Make him mad and see how hotter he can look’ Inez swoons over his looks.

‘Didn't I tell you he is hot? Look at his physique. He is a dream’ She continues dreamily.

My gaze travels down his face, clad in a gray henley with sleeves rolled up, showing off the veins in his hands. The fabric is stretched against the muscles, making the outline of his biceps, triceps, chest and abs visible to the eyes.

“Carlos, We shouldn't take it lightly. The Pack without its Alpha is more likely to be attacked” Beta Ken's voice snaps me out of my daze.

‘Behave’ Mom's voice comes through the mind link. Embarrassment spikes up my nerves. She is going to give me a good scolding for it.

“There is no outsider,” The ‘outsider’ in question says, shifting away from the doorframe and slowly walking in my direction.

I ball my fists, in an attempt to somehow cover up the fact that I'm intimidated by his presence.

The moment he stops before me, his scent engulfs my senses.

“Right, Sofia?” He asks, his gaze unwavering.

‘See he knows about your lie’ Inez says, adding more to my already anxious self.

“I don't understand. What do you mean Carlos?” Beta Ken asks, the line on his forehead showing his distress.

“Speak up,” Carlos demands. I sigh, already feeling like a fool.

“It was him in the woods,” I say quietly and look down at my bare feet.

I hear Beta Ken sigh in relief,

“So it was just a misunderstanding.

“Sofia, he is Carlos DeLuca. Sharon's cousin” Beta Ken introduces him. I grimace in distress.

‘We are doomed. He is the Alpha’ Inez comment.

‘Beta Ken…. Is he our New Alpha?” I ask, secretly hoping he is not.

“It's not yet decided but you'll be informed soon” Beta Ken answers then he slowly gets up on the couch. Luisa rushes to his side, helping her exhausted father.

“You all can head back home” He adds before walking to the door with Luisa.

Mom grabs my arm and attempts to drag me with her. I am grounded for sure. Just as we reach the door, Carlos' voice forces us to stop.

“Wait”

My heart drops.

Mom grits her teeth in annoyance but puts on a fake smile before turning around.

“Give us a minute” He doesn't ask but demands, leaving no room for an argument.

My mom looks at me, ‘Don't fuck it up anymore for us. Just apologise properly for accusing him’ Comes her voice through the mind link. I nod slowly and then watch her walk out of the door.

I slowly look at Carlos. His face is void of any emotion.

“Close the door”