3. An Order to Find The Mate

"Bring it on!"

Brianna had shouted that many times. So many people tried to get close and attack her, but they ended in groans of pain as she punched straight away without giving the other party time to touch her.

"Crazy girl!" Sitting among the other Elders, Ducan cursed while shaking his head helplessly.

Though Cashel, the Crimson Pack Beta, had only asked the girl to consider her decision to become the pack leader, letting Hendrick, her cousin, take over the Alpha position temporarily. It wasn't that they didn't abide by the tradition of hereditary succession of the Alpha position, it was just that... no one wanted to be led by a woman. Especially since Brianna didn't have a mate yet.

However, instead of obeying and following Cashel's words, Brianna went to the training centre, venting her anger on the youngsters there. The reason was to see the results of their training, but whoever knew the girl was challenging Cashel indirectly. After all, it was her father who chose Cashel as his representative, so she didn't want to hurt Cashel.

But showing anger in this way was not a good thing. Look at that, the young werewolves were already exhausted and didn't even have time to recover.

"Tell her to stop." Someone's heavy voice made them turn their heads.

Cashel.

The aura emanating from his body stunned everyone. The aura he gave off was not a restraining aura or a domineering aura like Brianna's and Eliot's, but rather a very calming aura. It made people feel relaxed and comfortable. But who knew, it was that kind of aura that made him easily defeat enemies because they would loosen up their guard without realising it.

Only Eliot and Brianna were unaffected by it. Otherwise, Cashel would have become the leader of the pack long ago.

Ducan nodded at him, then moved quickly towards Brianna, stopping the girl from breaking the arm of the young man she was fighting with.

"What?" Brianna growled.

"His cell regeneration isn't as fast as yours. Stop it now. Cashel is waiting for you." Ducan smiled as he pulled Brianna's hand away and signalled the frightened young man before him to leave immediately.

Brianna turned to Cashel. Her mood soured again when she remembered Cashel's words. Even so, she still followed Ducan and approached the blond man.

"I haven't finished talking yet," Cashel said with a chuckle.

"I don't want to hear it anymore. Even though you're my uncle and Beta of Crimson Pack, it doesn't mean I'll hold back if you keep asking me to let your son lead the pack." There was a growl in Brianna's voice as she said those words. She looked at Cashel with an unhappy look.

"You have to listen to me." Cashel smiled, enduring Brianna's domineering aura. "After all, this is about The Crimson Pack, not just about you," he continued.

Brianna snorted.

"You don't have a mate yet," said Cashel again.

"What's wrong with that?" Brianna growled. This guy touched her sore spot again. Her aura flared up instantly.

"Of course, there's something wrong. If one day you find your mate and he's stronger than you, and he happens to be in another pack, do you think you can take him with you? If he refuses, you'll be the one to follow him to another pack." Struggling to deal with Brianna's raging aura, Cashel took a few steps back.

Brianna was silent. Her heart still didn't accept it, but she began to think about Cashel's words.

"Why do you think you haven't found your mate yet?" Cashel felt Brianna's aura begin to calm down. He slowly approached and invited Brianna to sit next to him. The people around them began to move aside and give them space to talk privately. "You have the physique and strength of an Alpha. It is certain that you will only have one mate in your lifetime."

"So?"

"You've waited a dozen years, and your mate still hasn't been found. Why do you think that is?"

"He's not born yet? Or dead?" Brianna repeated the question in her mind all this time.

"You're wrong." Cashel looked warmly at the girl before him. "Apparently Eliot still hasn't told you. I'm sure he's worried about you."

Brianna frowned. "What do you mean?"

"A mysterious seer told Eliot about your mate when you were five years old. You must go to the North and look for him there."

Brianna was stunned. "You mean... Philomena Pack?"

Cashel shook his head. "I'm not sure what he meant. That person disappeared after saying those words."

Still confused, Brianna stared at Cashel intently, making sure he was not lying. It wasn't that she didn't trust Cashel. It's just that Cashel told her after her father's death. She couldn't just believe it.

"You can ask your mum. I'm sure Eliot told Dwayne this too." Smiling amusedly, Cashel patted the girl's shoulder. "But the point of our conversation isn't about who and where you can find your mate. It's about you can bring him to the Crimson Pack or you'll leave The Crimson Pack for him."

"I haven't even found him yet, how can I be sure?" Brianna sighed. She looked up at the night sky above her. "Are you worried that my mate is in Philomena Pack?"

Cashel did not answer immediately. The man grabbed something from his storage, handing it to Brianna. "Although it is not openly shown, our pack and their pack are very hostile. If someone from our pack goes into their territory, it will be considered challenging them. And vice versa. If your mate happened to be there, it would be a big problem for our pack. Alpha of Philomena Pack does not like his members forming bonds with other packs, especially leaving the pack to become a member of another pack. They are even more averse to mergers with other packs."

Brianna stared at the object Cashel had given her and continued to listen. She knew that. As the name implied, the Philomena Pack was a pack of ambitious people who did not want to submit to others. In addition, the selection of Alpha there was not based on bloodline, but rather a desperate battle of Alpha candidates. They would do battle for the Alpha position every year.

"That is your father's heart pendulum. Use it in times of need, and you'll know what it's for." Cashel explained.

Brianna looked at him sharply. What a useless explanation.

"I don't know how to explain it." Realising the intent of her gaze, Cashel grimaced awkwardly.

Then silence.

Brianna looked back at the pendulum in her hand. It appeared to be made of sapphire. It was about a third the size of her palm and was tied to a string. "You want me to hand over the Alpha position to Hendrick because I have to travel to the North, is that it?" she asked later.

"Yes. After all, we just got attacked and lost Eliot. We can't let people know that Eliot's replacement Alpha isn't in the pack. Hendrick is stronger than me and capable enough to lead. You have to trust him," Cashel said. He took Brianna's hand. "Find your mate. If you can subdue him and bring him to The Crimson Pack, you can take back your position as Alpha. But if your mate refuses, Hendrick will still be the leader of the Crimson Pack."

Brianna looked at the brown-sliced man doubtfully and squeezed the heart pendulum in her hand. "I think it will take a long time to find him. You've even seen my efforts in looking for him." She sighed again.

Cashel nodded. "But this time you have to find him. Two years—no, two months. Find him and bring him to our pack."

"Okay." After a few moments, Brianna made her decision.

***