Chapter 3

"Hey! Smith, where have you been all these while? Your mom has been calling my phone nonstop" Alex asked with concern clearly written on his face.

"Nothing man, I just needed air and a little space to think," Smith said without looking up.

"Smith, do you have anything to do with the attack that happened at the pack during training last night?" Alex questioned.

"No"

"Smith, you know you can trust me right and there's nothing–"

"Alex, can you just cut me some slack? I already told you that I had nothing to do with whatever happened at the training ground last night. I get it that everyone doesn't trust me but even you?"

"Fuck, this is so frustrating" Smith hissed.

"Now, if you're done with the interrogation, can you pass me the lighter? I need to take a puff" 

"Well then at least pick up your parents' call and tell them that you didn't have anything to do with the attack"

"Like they'll ever believe a word from my lips? They trust you more than their own son, so why should I bother" Smith said, rolling his eyes.

"Make an effort Smith, you won't die"

"A coffin is way comfier than that toxic place I call home. Enough of the motivational speech, please hand me the lighter"

"As you wish," Alex said, picking up the lighter from the table. And just as he was about to drop it into Smith's hands, he tilted his head to one side and asked, "You still haven't said anything about finding your mate"

"Alex! Don't try so hard to get on my nerves because you definitely won't like the outcome" Smith grumbled.

"Whoa whoa, calm your balls, Mr. Bachelor. A quick reminder that you're turning 21 this year and you still haven't found your mate"

"I bet your mate isn't one of the female werewolves in your pack because you've tried to get down with almost all the females in your pack. The moon goddess must hate you so much not to designate a mate for you" 

With the last words rolling off his lips, Alex laughed loudly.

"You should know that I'm the last person who is interested in finding my mate or whatever. I'm not like you who's obsessed with Dorothy" Smith growled, keeping an irritated look on his face.

"Hey, not my Dorothy" Alex retorted with a serious look on his face.

Dorothy Martinez is a Beta werewolf and Alex's mate. The duo met during shifting on a full moon and that was the beginning of the love story. You can say that they were a perfect match from heaven. Dorothy is a wild and crazy wolf who takes risks without any care in the world while Alex on the other hand is a calm and calculated guy with a stunning ability to stay effortlessly tranquil amid chaos. Alex's personality was the complete opposite of Smith's which makes people wonder how the two managed to pull off their friendship for a very long time despite the personality difference.

"Young man, can you tell your mom that you are okay or probably just go home and pacify their worries?" Alex asked as he stood up to leave.

"You of all people should know that I have no business with home. Anyway, you can go back to your sweetheart, I have things to do" Smith said, letting a puff of smoke out of his lips.

"Smith! You're the son of the Alpha and Luna of the Golden Crescent Pack and if there's anything that's demanded of you, it is total compliance with the rules of the pack. Running away from home and living in a penthouse is not typical for an alpha wolf like you! Do you even have any idea that one day you'll be the Alpha of your pack? Or you just want to live as an outcast all your life!" Alex said in a high-pitched tone.

In this instant, Smith knew he had to do something to calm his friend down because Alex is not one to get angry or raise his voice at anyone irrespective of how pissed off he felt.

"Fine. I'll talk to mom and tell her I'm ok. Just keep your voice down"

"Hi mom, it's Smith and I'm fine. I don't have anything to do with the attack that happened during the training last night" Smith mind-linked with his mom.

"Smith Hamilton! Do you really think I'll believe a word you say? If you weren't responsible for the attack then who did it, huh? You've always had a grudge against Matilda ever since she stripped you of your position as a warrior-teacher. So tell me, do you expect me to believe you?"

"Look, mom, the only reason I'm talking to you is that Alex asked me to. Don't fool yourself into thinking that I care about what you or dad do with that shitty pack or whatever. Believe me, if you want to, but I had nothing to do with the attack" 

"Language! Smith you better watch your language else I'll report you to your dad. You're so shameless to the extent of running away from the pack. Don't you realize that one day, you'll be faced with the responsibility of leading the Golden Crescent Pack? Or you think that I and your dad–"

" Mom, please spare me that gospel about leadership and all that. Look, I have to go now. And please, stop asking Alex to do this shit. It's really annoying"

"Smith, don't dare—"

Smith cut off the mind link even before his mom could finish her statement. Heaven knows that he is just so fed up with the incessant nags from his parents.

"Man! The stares from your eyes can bore a hole into the wall yuuno" Alex teased as he sat on the couch opposite Smith.

"Are you satisfied now? Leader this, pack that. Gosh! Can't I have a moment of peace for once?" Smith asked, rolling his eyes.

"Sure I am satisfied and I'll be on my way home now. Dorothy is waiting" Alex winked.

"Ew, get the fuck out of my house. Lover boy!" Smith teased Alex.

"Sure I will. Enjoy your lonely life" Alex said, walking out of the room.

"And hey, your project is due for submission in two days. You definitely don't want to get on Mr. Javier's bad book"

Alex quickly chipped in as he slammed the door shut.

" Wait, what? Two days?"

"Alex, Alex wait I don't underst–" Smith's voice trailed off as he quickly put off the smoke in his cigar in a bid to assimilate the information that his best friend just passed.

He hasn't even spared his project a glance since the day the assignment was given and now the submission is in two days? He treats his studies the same way he treats everything else in his life. Unserious.

"Mehn, I need a drink" Smith muttered as he walked towards the fridge. And just as he was about to take out a bottle of beer, he heard a knock on the door. 

"What did Alex forget this time?"

He thought to himself as he took a few strides to the door.

"Alex what is it agai–" He stopped halfway between his speech as he saw a petite blonde girl dressed in a matching black outfit. In her hands nestled a package wrapped in a black and golden box.

It was a delivery girl.

"Sir, you have a package from Adolph"

"Adolph? Can I have it" Smith replied, eyeing the tiny creature before him.

"Here you go. Please sign over here" she said, pointing at a space in the paper.

Smith signed and walked back into his room as he tore open the package. A white paper was laid inside an envelope and on the paper was written…

Look what I got You

Smith began to sweat profusely and his hands began to tremble with uncertainty. Getting a parcel from Adolph indicated that something bad was about to happen or it already happened. What could be the bad news?

The wrapped item inside the box holds the answers to his silent questions.

Slowly he unwrapped the object and staring right in front of him was a familiar artifact. A necklace with a jade pendant. This necklace has a striking resemblance to what he has seen on someone before.

Who could be the owner of this necklace? 

Smith racked his head for answers and when he got none, he left the package lying on the table and walked into his bedroom. And just as his imposing frame came in contact with the soft duvet, it struck him.

The necklace.

It belongs to Matilda, the warrior who trained the pups in his pack. 

He stood up immediately and ran back to the sitting room to check out the jade pendant to be sure it belonged to Matilda. It had the same familiar feel and jagged edges. The jade has an inscription right in the middle of it. The inscription read "M&W" which often made him wonder what the W in the inscription meant. He knew about the details of the jade pendant because one time he tried to kiss Matilda but she turned down his advances.

She was one of the few people who could resist his handsome and near-perfect charm. 

Wait. This doesn't add up.

His mom just called to accuse him of being responsible for the attack that occurred during training, now in his possession is the necklace that was probably taken from Matilda during the attack.

He stared at the sunset from his window, the golden rays from the sun hitting his skin. Taking a long deep breath, he let his eyes drown in the beautiful sight before him. This was the only thing that seemed to soothe his unending anxiety.

"What is Adolph up to this time?" Smith thought as he walked to the window with the jade pendant in his left hand.