Chapter 7

DIMITRI

Another day, another string of bad events. Or, rather, this is the norm for me now ever since...

I shake my head, forcing the unwelcome memory from my mind. No thinking about her. I'm not going to spare a thought about her. I didn't for five years and I won't start now.

Keep deceiving yourself. A voice in my head clamors.

Clenching my jaw, I force my attention back to the meeting. The meeting between Moonstone and Shadow pack.

Five years ago, desperation drove me to find an ally in the Moonstone pack, Alpha Henry. Ever since then, there hasn't been a day I didn't regret my decision. Alpha Henry is notorious for his greediness and selfishness but I didn't have a choice then.

Henry's assistance came with a price. A quarter of the Shadow pack's gold mine.

I fulfilled his demands immediately but Henry's request didn't end there. He started by making minor requests like relocating a few moonstone families into the shadow pack territory. Now, Henry audaciously demanded permission to build a tech company within the borders of the Shadow pack which I rejected immediately.

I wonder why he is here again.

Alpha Henry shifts uncomfortably under the heaviness of my glare. "Perhaps, the Moonstone pack and Shadow pack should form a better alliance bond so that we can both establish in each other's territory without an etch."

"What are you suggesting?" I ask, giving him the benefit of the doubt.

"Perhaps, a marriage between the two packs will further strengthen our alliance and build more trust between us." Henry gestures with a slow wave of his hand. His lips curve up, forming a sinister smile, making the wrinkles on his face even more prominent than they were. Though Henry is just in his fifties, his greed has made him age far beyond his age.

The Elders' voices echo in agreement as if Henry stated something of great significance.

I ball my hand into a fist at Henry's suggestion. No, marriage will not strengthen the alliance between the two packs, it will only give Henry a permanent foothold in the shadow pack territory.

Henry continues. "Since my daughter here—." Henry points to a woman seated beside him. I haven't noticed her until now. Her skin is pale and flawless, her hair as white as snow. Undoubtedly, she is beautiful, but her porcelain complexion holds no appeal for me. I like a... no...not her. Not her.

A surge of frustration wraps around me like a vice. Why does everything remind me of her today? Every word. Every action. Every color. It is as if everything happening is intended to make me think about her even when I don't want to.

A rush of nausea bubbles in my stomach, pushing up my throat. I taste something like regret on my tongue before I shove it back.

My jumbled thoughts roll back to the present catching Henry's voice mid sentence. "...and you've been single since..." Henry trails off before awkwardly saying. "—what happened."

My response is curt. "I'll consider it." I don't waste my time as I rise to my feet, the chair scraping against the floor. I don't pay anyone pleasantries or greet Henry directly. Instead, I stride towards the entrance.

Groveling to people is something my father will do, not me. My father ruled with a carefree approach and believed showing kindness and giving everyone an open arm would make the moon goddess bestow blessing and goodness upon us. But that has only drawn in predators that considered us prey and made us vulnerable to attack.

As I step out, I sense Gavin behind me.

He is a beta and my second in command and my closest confidant. He was with me through it all. We fought together through the invasion's hellfire and rebuilt the Shadow Pack from the ashes. He is my brother-in-arms, someone I trust with my life.

He used to be a ball of sunshine before the barbarians, now he is just stoic, barely smiles, and keeps to himself. The Invasion changed every one of us more than we would like to admit. I dribbled into alcoholism, I wasn't myself for months and I lost...no....not her. Never her.

"Up for a run?" I toss the question over my shoulder as I start to descend the stairs.

Gavin responds gruffly. "No."

"Great, let's go." I don't break my stride as I burst into the outside clean air.

Gavin mutters behind. "Why even ask if you're just gonna do whatever you want?"

Gavin and I are about to exit the Alphahouse when Kahl, one of the warriors come racing toward us. His face is pale as if he saw a ghost.

He stops beside Gavin and whispers to his hair.

Gavin's face crumples into a mask of worry as Kahl hurriedly whispers in his ear.

"What is wrong?" I say with a growl. Now, I'm concerned.

Gavin runs a tongue nervously over his lips, searching for words that seem to evade him.

"You better start talking Gavin," I say with a commanding alpha tone that jolts him into action.

"It's Lynexia." He says. "She is back."