05 Against All Odds

Emily,

David and I returned home filled with hope. It was the first time in weeks that I felt a glimmer of relief, a sense that perhaps the tides were turning in our favour. The reasons behind Alpha Kane's willingness to lend a hand remained a mystery to me, but deep within my heart, I held onto the fervent prayer that he would somehow come through for us. Though my thoughts urged caution, recognising the past animosity between Jake and Kane, I clung to the flickering flame of hope that Kane had indeed reached out.

As we approached our settlement, a palpable air of jubilation greeted us. The arrival of much-needed supplies had brought smiles to the faces of our fellow pack members. I knew this happiness was fleeting, a temporary respite from the harsh reality that awaited us. So, I yearned for my impending meeting with Kane, desperately hoping that he would be the one to fill the void in our lives.

"See the look on their faces, David," I whispered to my brother as we drove past the exultant crowd on our way home. Some waved at us with genuine joy, and I couldn't help but wave back, sharing in their fleeting moment of happiness.

"Do you think Kane will truly help us? After all, it was only two years ago that Jake attempted to take his pack and land," David voiced his doubts, and though I wanted to push aside such unsettling thoughts, I couldn't ignore the questionable nature of Kane's intentions.

A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I gazed at my brother, searching for reassurance amidst our shared uncertainty.

"Well, when you're at the mercy of circumstance, you can't afford to be selective. All we can do is hold onto hope," I replied, the weight of my words hanging in the air. David remained silent, understanding the gravity of the situation we found ourselves in.

We arrived at my house to find Luis and Claus waiting anxiously. Their unease was palpable.

As soon as David and I stepped out of the car, Luis rose from the porch bench. His eyes spoke volumes, silently inquiring about our outcome. David shook his head, and a fleeting wave of disappointment swept across Luis's face. After a few moments, he mustered a smile, clearly doing his best to hold it together. They were all trying so hard.

I led the way into the house, with Luis and Claus following close behind.

"They didn't let her speak. Those narrow-minded jerks. They showed no concern whatsoever," David expressed, his voice filled with disappointment.

We knew it was a long shot, but I never expected them to be so heartless.

"Nevertheless, Alpha Kane of the Shadow Moon Pack extended an invitation to discuss our troubles. We're supposed to go there tomorrow," David informed them, his words causing Claus to appear worried.

I poured myself a drink and settled onto the sofa, trying not to dwell too much on the situation.

"I don't think it's a good idea. Kane has a personal grudge against Jake, and he never involves himself in anything. He's an enigma. How can we be sure of his intentions?" Claus voiced his concerns, and I shook my head.

"He might demand things from us that we can't provide," Claus continued, sounding anxious, and I resisted the urge to chuckle.

"At this point, I'd give anything. The one million two hundred thousand dollars we made from the land sale can only do so much. I don't even know the extent of Jake's debt or the potential consequences. We need protection, and if Alpha Kane is willing to accept something in return for his help, I'll gladly give it. We don't possess anything of value or use anyway, but I'll give whatever I can," I said, finishing my drink in one gulp and slamming the glass on the coffee table.

Tears welled up in my eyes. Never before had I felt the need or desperation to beg for anything in my life. If this was what being poor meant, it was undoubtedly a terrible position to be in.

"Let's take a moment to consider it before proceeding," Claus suggested, but I vigorously shook my head.

"Enough! Stop overanalysing!" I exclaimed, my voice quivering with emotion. My hands trembled uncontrollably.

"Only a fool would fail to see that we are powerless in this situation. Look around, Claus. Jake has brought ruin upon us. Our community suffers from hunger. Our people are hungry! Children are hungry! Family pantries have cobwebs! Their stoves are cold, their tables have gathered dust, and their clothes are oversized! What do you think is happening to us? We are fading, and we are fading fast, and we have no choice!" I choked back tears, wiping them away as they streamed down my face. Anger boiled inside me, blaming myself for failing my people. I made a terrible mistake settling down with Jake.

"I will leave early tomorrow morning and linger until afternoon to meet with the Alpha. I will beg, I will plead, I will humble myself. I will exhaust every possible effort to prevent our downfall. This pack is more than just land or riches; it's our people, and I refuse to lose them to the clutches of death," I declared, wiping away my tears, then turned my back and walked away from them.

A profound silence enveloped us.

No words were spoken as I ascended the stairs. I was no longer burdened by shame; desperation had taken its place.

I refrained from eating for the rest of the evening and retired to bed, consumed by emotions. Despite having shed some weight, it felt inconsequential. Nothing held significance anymore.

As I lay on my bed, memories of my interactions with Jake flooded my thoughts, trying to unravel the mystery behind his sudden disappearance. As much as everything was beginning to seem like I had been conned, the lack of news or sighting of him cast a shadow of doubt on that theory. Perhaps one of his deals had gone wrong, resulting in his tragic demise. Regardless, his vanishing left me plagued with uncertainty.

I attempted to suppress these thoughts, but they stubbornly lingered, refusing to be pushed aside. Shifting my gaze to the side, I noticed his picture on the nightstand. Without a second thought, I pushed it away with my hand. Anger, heartbreak, confusion, helplessness—I experienced a whirlwind of emotions, and he was to blame for it all.

Morning arrived, and I prepared myself for the day ahead. Attempting to conceal my inner turmoil, I applied makeup, hoping to mask the weight of my stress. However, it was clear that my struggles extended far beyond mere appearance. The pounds I had shed made my jeans loose and my blouse oversized. Although I contemplated wearing a dress, I feared that Alpha Kane might misconstrue my intentions. I doubted my ability to look alluring in a dress given my current state, and I wanted to avoid any misinterpretation altogether.

Hastily getting dressed, I descended the stairs to find David already up and dressed. He sat engrossed in calculations, a pen in hand and a book open before him, clearly focused on financial matters. Just as I was about to speak, he turned and caught sight of me.

"So soon?" he asked, perplexed, and I nodded in affirmation.

"Good morning, David. I prefer to arrive early and wait in Alpha Kane's reception rather than risk a change of plans if we go later. We can't afford for him to change his mind," I explained, the urgency in my voice not lost on David. He closed the book and set it aside.

"Would you like to have something to eat first? You didn't eat last night," he offered, concern evident in his voice. I shook my head.

"I'm not hungry at the moment. I'll eat when I feel the need," I replied, and he headed towards the kitchen.

"What are you doing?" I inquired.

"I'm packing some sandwiches, just in case you get hungry later," he answered, and a faint smile escaped my lips. I had almost forgotten what it felt like to be cared for.

David prepared the sandwiches, and together we embarked on our journey. As we made our way out, David called Luis to inform him that we were headed to Shadow Moon Pack. They wished us luck, knowing full well how much we would need it. Finally, I utilised the card we had been given. The beta's name was Carlton, and his tone on the phone hinted at his less-than-friendly demeanour. I hoped that Alpha Kane would not share the same disposition.

We drove for an entire hour, reaching the territory of Shadow Moon at long last. However, our arrival was met with a discouraging setback - we were detained at the gate and left waiting for a gruelling two hours before they granted us entry.

As we languished at the entrance, my thoughts turned to my pack, and I had to swallow my pride. If it weren't for the lives I wanted to save, I would have walked away with how David and I were treated. I wondered if they were like that or if that treatment was reserved for beggars like me.

Our car was confiscated at the gate, leaving us with no choice but to continue on foot. During our walk, David held the paper bag containing the sandwiches and a water flask. We were left to navigate solely by following the signposts, without any company. We refrained from engaging with the residents, cautiously adhering to the rules.

Our destination was the Alpha's quarters, and the signs were explanatory enough. While we walked, I remembered how people welcomed us to their packs when my father was in charge. I never anticipated experiencing this harsh reality, but Jake had dug a deep pit for us, and now we were struggling to climb out.

At long last, we arrived at the Alpha's office, only to be relegated to an outdoor bench, forced to wait. I saw the seats in reception were vacant, but the receptionist had insisted we sit outside, that only people with appointments were allowed to sit in the reception.

I had sincerely believed we had secured an appointment, but evidently, Beta Carlton had neglected to relay our names to the desk, or perhaps the receptionist intentionally omitted the crucial word "Important." In this moment, it seemed that I was anything but important.

Shadow Moon was a massive settlement with lots of members. It dwarfed our own humble community in size and boasted an abundance of resources. Their structures stood strong and well-maintained, while their inhabitants appeared nurtured and cared for.

Why couldn't Jake be responsible? Had he spent time caring for the pack instead of trying to expand our lands, we would not be in this mess now.

I called Beta Carlton several times, but he did not answer. I did not know what to do. Maybe indeed, Alpha Kane had invited me to gloat. I finally called it a day and asked for a sandwich so I could eat it and leave. David kindly handed one to me, and we quietly shared our meal.

"What should we do, sis?" David inquired, and I looked at the signpost that said Alpha's office.

"Kane is bound to pass here unless he never uses the entrance. I need to confront him and ascertain if this was an intentional act," I replied, my gaze fixed upon the office’s entrance that led to the reception.

Just then, the receptionist emerged, breaking our thoughts.

"Apologies, but we've closed for the day, and the Alpha is still occupied. Perhaps you should return tomorrow," she informed us, her tone laced with indifference.

"He specifically requested our presence. We are not from around here, and tomorrow won't be feasible," I retorted, my voice gradually escalating, struggling to keep my composure.

"I'm sorry, but there's little I can do," she responded, unmoved by my growing frustration.

Her callousness struck a nerve within me, threatening to unleash my pent-up emotions. Tears welled up in my eyes as my nerves quivered with tension.

"How could you be so heartless? Didn't you inform him of my presence?" I exclaimed, raising my voice in hopes that Alpha Kane would hear my anguish.

"You're causing a disturbance. I'll have to call security to escort you out," she stated firmly, but I couldn't help but burst into uncontrollable laughter.

"So, this was your Alpha's petty plan, huh? Inviting me here just to revel in my misery!" I shouted, raising my voice so he couldn't miss a word.

"Well, congratulations, Alpha Kane! Laugh to your heart's content. It must make you feel so powerful to kick a woman when she's already down. You're even worse than the rest of your colleagues at the summit. I hope you're proud of yourself!" I yelled, prompting the receptionist to contact security urgently.

"No one insults our Alpha and gets away with it. It's not our fault that you chose to marry a loser and ruin everything your father had worked so hard to build," the woman retorted, swiftly instructing the guard to remove us from the premises.

The men were advancing when a man walked out, and everyone stopped what they were doing. I had never seen Alpha Kane before. I just heard stories about him. He was that much of an introvert, but seeing how the receptionist and guards behaved, I figured he was the one.

Alpha Kane possessed an imposing presence. Standing at a solid six feet four inches, he exuded a perfect blend of strength and proportion. A meticulously groomed beard framed his face, accompanied by a military-style haircut that accentuated his features. He did not seem to be the type that smiled, and his enigmatic brown eyes revealed nothing.

In his deep and authoritative voice, he inquired, "How long have they been waiting?" The receptionist faltered, unable to provide an answer. It was evident that she had erred in some way.

"Alpha, if I may interject," David ventured, seeking permission to speak. The stranger scrutinised him, his approval reluctantly granted. Worry was etched on the receptionist's face, indicating the severity of the situation.

"We arrived at the gate in the morning, enduring a two-hour wait for clearance. Our vehicle was confiscated, and we were forced to make the journey on foot. It was noon when we finally arrived here. Michelle, your receptionist, informed us that we had no appointment and instructed us to wait outside until you were ready to see us. And so, we have been waiting since then," David explained, leaving me momentarily speechless. I feared that any outburst on my part could jeopardize our chances.

Unwavering, Alpha Kane's visage remained impassive, further intensifying my apprehension.

"Did you not contact Beta Carlton?" he directed the question to me.

Summoning the courage to speak, though lacking the confidence I desired, I managed to respond, "I did reach out to him while en route here, and he answered. But since then, he has not returned any of my calls." Kane offered no response, silently retreating back into his office.

Feeling a mix of emotions, thinking Alpha Kane was done with us and I had blown my chances with my outburst, I turned to my brother David. With a heavy heart, I spoke up, "Come on, I think this was the whole purpose. Let's walk back to the gate and head home," I said, and David nodded in agreement.

Honestly, I thought we would catch a break, but Jake's mistake was always hovering over my efforts and crushing our hope.

We were about to leave when one of the guards stopped us.

"Alpha asked that you join him in his office," He said, and I looked at David. I was surprised. But there was no need to get our hopes up. Kane might just want to reprimand me for my behaviour. I had already come this far, waited, humiliated myself, and lost my temper. I might as well complete the experience. So I opted to go to his office, David in tow.