CHAPTER 4. Daughter of the traitor

Orion's Pov

I felt nothing but utter disgust when I saw Hope again. When the guards had dragged in a wounded girl, I was initially worried. It was a trait an Alpha was supposed to have, care and compassion for other wolves irrespective of their pack.

But when I found out that that wounded girl was the daughter of the man that wanted my father dead? I felt consumed by hatred and disgust. She was bold and courageous, I would give her that. It would take guts to step your feet into a territory where you plotted a coup.

My wolf, Adrian, tried to convince me otherwise. He provided excuses that she was just 12 years old and was probably unaware of the father's plot. But at 12 years, I was old enough to sit with my father at his meetings. I was old enough to make strategic plans on how to combat enemies.

Hope knew, she was aware of her father's plot and she was using me as a pawn to get to my father. This angered me the more, the fact that she was using me. I genuinely cared for her, she was my best friend and deep down, I had this childhood crush on her.

Now, all I wanted to do was punish her for what her father did. If it wasn't for the brave Lucian who had stopped Alpha Kellan before he committed the act, then my father would have been no more.

I honestly thought Hope had died when the car was assassinated, I didn't know she had gone into hiding. Her wounded act was probably a ploy so that she could gain entrance into our territory so she would complete what her father started.

Over my dead body would I let her get even an inch close to my father.

"You're worrying too much over that traitor," Kaia said as she massaged my shoulders. Kaia was my girlfriend of three years. Although it was advised for wolves to start dating after they found their mates, but I knew that Kaia and I were destined to be together.

I met Kaia around the same period I thought Hope died. I was heartbroken about the betrayal and almost gave up on finding a soulmate, till I met Kaia: beautiful and tall with white lush hair. Her hair contrasted beautifully with her dark skin tone.

Being 21 years old, and Kaia being 19 years old stopped us from mating. She would turn 20 years in three months and I would finally have her as my mate.

"How can I not worry? Her mere presence irritates me. She should be banished from this territory," I had suggested.

"Won't that mean she has the chances of coming back again?" Kaia said. I thought about it for a minute and she was absolutely right.

"What do you suggest?" I asked. I trusted Kaia, she was wise. She leaned closer to my ears.

"Tell your father that she should be beheaded in front of the entire clan. That way, you will pass a message to other people who think treachery is trivial," Kaia whispered.

"Yes, that sounds like a good idea," I whispered back to her.

"No, Orion, you can't let them do that to Hope," Adrian barked at the back of my mind, but I wasn't interested in hearing whatever he had to say. I tuned him out as I focused on Kaia's touches.

***

"She's about to transform! Bring her down here!" I commanded when I saw Hope turning into her wolf.

I watched as they dragged the traitor to the chopping block. I was glad that this world would be rid of her bloodline of evil, but Adrian was displeased. He wanted her to be banished instead, but what good would come out of that?

At that moment, something sweet filled my nostrils. It was a scent I couldn't describe, it was maddening, intoxicating. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. If I tried to describe it, the closest I could use was the scent of vanilla and cinnamon: my favourite spices.

I turned to stare at Kaia. Did the goddess ignore the fact that she was still 19 years old? Kaia remained unbothered, her eyes were fixed to Hope on the block.

I turned and I locked eyes with Hope. Adrian growled internally and howled. He pounced in my mind, creating chaos. He overpowered my body and thundered -

"Mate."

All eyes fell on me.

"What did you say?" My father asked. I could feel Kaia's eyes, and that of the entire pack, on me as well. I couldn't bring myself to utter what Adrian had forced out of my mouth.

"Mate," Hope repeated.

The crowd gasped in shock and my father waved his hand. The executioner dropped his axe and pulled Hope to her feet. My father stood up and the entire theatre stood as well before he walked into his inner chambers.

The rest of the pack stood confused but no one wanted to leave, I was sure they wanted to see what would happen. I felt dirty, I felt like the goddess was playing a cruel joke on me. How could Hope, the daughter of the traitor, be my mate? How!?

I turned, ignoring the calls of Kaia, I shifted into my wolf form and ran into the forest. I left Adrian take control as I decided to rest. It was too much to bear, but all I knew was that I didn't want Hope. I never wanted to be close to that…being.

I had run so much that I felt Adrian would collapse if I took another step. I lay on the rock overlooking a gentle stream. The moonlight reflected off the water, making it more beautiful. The chill of the evening air ruffled my furs, as I waited for what my father would say. I prayed to the goddess that he would make the right decision.

When I ran back to the pack, the theatre was as full as I left it. My father was back on his throne and Hope was still held by the guards. My father coughed as I entered, he must have been waiting for me.

"Wolves of Stormclaw, we pride ourselves in being a formidable pack. From generation to generation, my great grandfather, my grandfather and my father have led this pack fearlessly. All these, they did with the guidance of the goddess," my father paused and looked around.

"We believe that the goddess is supreme and her decisions are binding. The Alpha cannot be a true Alpha without his mate. I never thought it would bring me much sadness to see my son find his mate. But we cannot question the goddess," he looked at me.

"My son, Orion, has found his mate, Hope, and according to custom and tradition, they shall get married before sunset of the following day, that is my decision.”

I was furious.