The Invitation

Reed’s pov

“Alpha, she is right here. Always on  time.” Asher said from the behind. I pulled one T-shirt from the wardrobe and nodded at him. last night, I checked on the borders, it had been ages since I patrol on the boundaries. It was not before the morning when I returned back to the castle.

I was very tired and exhausted, so I slept without taking a shower. Today is the full moon which means my pack could be seen by the enemies under the broad moonlight. My pack could be cloaked and almost impossible to track but once in a month when the moon is under it’s best power, my pack could be seen under the moon light.

“Just give me a sec Asher.” With that I pulled the trousers and we started walking downstairs.

“Did you talk to their families?” I asked not looking at his face. he did not look at me as well. Told to be truth, I was feeling ashamed. This was the reason why I have kept isolated myself under the four walls of this pathetic castle. I couldn’t face the families of the warriors who died in Esma’s pack last month.

We returned the same night when she asked me to go, and the bodies returned three days back. Thanks to heaven, the veins were removed from their bodies and their heads were joined with their necks otherwise, the god knows what would have happen then. 

“Yes, I have already delivered your message, a fixed one-million-dollar annuity for each family whose member died.” He said still looking ahead. I sighed.

“But they keep asking the reason behind their death.” He trailed off and I groaned internally. Since, the day I have returned, it was a not for a single day when chaos didn’t tried to break in my pack. people keep coming here, asking about their people who died, some needed a closure, some were angry and some just wanted to rant. Most of them just wanted to let me know how I am the biggest disappointment as the alpha of their pack.  

“Are they here?” I asked stopping dead on my tracks, I don’t want to face them. I don’t know what to say.

“No, they are not. Not for now.” Asher said assuringly and we started walking downstairs again till we reach the main hall.

“Here you are.” Diana squealed before she pulled me into her tight hug. I returned the hug willingly. I missed her, she was a like a sister to me and after she left the castle, it is like a big haunted place for me.

“I missed you.” She said and pulled herself away from me. Her eyes were glistened with the unshed tears and I smiled lightly. she kissed my cheek.

“I missed you too.” That was the absolute truth I said in last 30 days.

“I will tell the maid to set the table.” Asher said from behind and sprinted in to the kitchen.

“So, every thing is on track.” I concluded after Diana give a detailed summary of all the things happened in their pack. Diana was totally opposite to me, I never talked to anyone and she never stops. Maybe this was the reason, we get along so quickly and well.

“Pretty much.” She said and drink her juice. She make sure not to eat anything which I observe at the first sight. She was nervous.

“What happened? you didn’t eat anything. don’t tell me your alpha ordered you not to eat anything at my house.” I said the last sentence with much more hatred and anger than I meant. Diana looked taken aback by my sudden outburst but tried to remain calm.

“Actually, she misses you like hell.” She whispered dead in the silence and I turned so quick my neck almost break by the sudden movement.

“Obviously, she won’t confessed it. she is stubborn like you.” Diana smiled in my direction trying to cheer up the mood. I turned my attention to the empty plate, everything seemed empty like it.

“Tonight, there is a blood-bonding ceremony in her pack.” she said and looked from the corner of her eye.

“Tying me with August for eternally, me as her mate, their pack’s beta-female.” She completed. I hummed, showing her, I am listening.

“I need you to be present there, from my side.” She said too lowly, I thought I hallucinated. I didn’t say anything.

“You are the only thing I have on the name of family. And on the upside, I think I have a lead on who actually killed your warriors.” She said. Now, this got my attention. I stood from my seat and walked towards her until we were face-to-face.

“Just tell me already Diana. I will slaughter whoever killed them. just give me the name.” I growled, my anger returning back with the full force.

“Only, if you promise you will come tonight.” I rubbed my head in annoyance.

“I will think about it, but first give me the name.” I said half annoyed and half angry.

“No.” she checked the time in her watch and stood from her chair. “Time is up, I have to cloaked your pack and change it’s position, before moon comes in the full force.” She said and started walking towards the main door.

I watched her silently. I knew Diana well enough, if she didn’t want to tell something to me then even if I am dying, she won’t utter a single word. I am always fighting a losing battle against her. she already knows what I would say what my reaction could be and still she acts like everything is normal.

“Are you coming or not?” she asked once she sensed I was not there. I started walking immediately in her direction.

We walked in the forests till we reached at the middle of nowhere. My pack was till here. It was the same place where I bring Esma when she needed to run in her wolf form. how much have changed since then.

Diana looked once in my direction before sitting on the ground. she started saying something in foreign language and within seconds a small ball formed in his hands. Even though it was quiet early in the morning, but the ball was glowing and illuminating the whole place.

She didn’t stop and keep chanting until the blue ball of fire finally extinguished and swallowed by her hands.

“Bring me your hand.” She ordered and I stretched my right hand in hers. She picked the knife from the ground and sliced my hand without any warning. Blood started dripping from the cut but she was quick to put her hands below it. the blood dripped on her hands and I felt something inside me. It was for a very brief second of time. I feel it always, whenever she did magic on me. it was strange.

Diana stand and started rubbing her dress, the blood on her hands was nowhere to be found. On the other hand, my wound was healing with the human speed. She pulled my hand and wrapped a cloth on it to stop bleeding.

“Here, all done.” She chirruped.

“What did you do? It was not like what you did last time.” I said and she smiled proudly.

“I cloaked your pack but also there is a protection spell. If something happens, you will be the first one to know.” She said and winked.

“Now, as I told you earlier, I have a blood ceremony to attend.” She said and started walking back from where we came from. She turned once again.

“I hope you will come Reed.” With that she was vanished into the thin air.

I hate my life.