Chapter 5

As Camila began clearing the table, Jodie's elder brother Jason entered the house with his best friend Tyler in tow. Tyler was a good-looking young man with piercing blue eyes, and he had always had a crush on Jodie.

"Hey, guys," Jason said, giving Jodie and Matilda a nod. "What's going on?"

"We just finished dinner," Camila said. "And we were chatting about the upcoming mating ball."

Jason perked up at that. "Oh, right. That's the one the Alpha called for, isn't it?"

Camila nodded. "Yes, he's invited his younger brother to attend. He's hoping he'll find a mate there."

Jason shrugged. "As long as the guy's handsome, I don't have a problem with it."

Tyler's ears perked up at that, and he shot a hopeful look at Jodie. Jodie pretended not to notice, though she could feel his gaze on her.

Matilda interrupted their conversation, standing up from the table. "I think I should be going now," she said, giving Jodie's mom a grateful smile. "Thank you again for dinner."

"Of course, dear," Camila said, hugging Matilda. "Take care, and come back anytime you like."

Jodie and Jason walked Matilda to the door, bidding her goodbye. As they watched her disappear into the night, Jodie felt a pang of sadness. She wished Matilda didn't have to go through everything she had, losing her parents and being demoted to the lowest rank.

Turning back to Jason and Tyler, Jodie tried to shake off her melancholy mood. "So, what are you guys up to tonight?" she asked, hoping to steer the conversation away from the mating ball.

Jason shrugged. "Not much. We were thinking of maybe going for a run. You want to come?"

Jodie hesitated. She wasn't really in the mood to run tonight, but she didn't want to disappoint her brother either.

"Sure," she said finally. "Let me grab my shoes

With her shoes on, Jodie joined Jason and Tyler outside the den. The night air was crisp and cool, and Jodie breathed it in deeply as they started their run. Tyler jogged beside Jodie, his eyes flicking to her every now and then.

After a while, Jodie slowed down, feeling a stitch in her side. Tyler and Jason followed suit, slowing to a jog.

"You okay?" Tyler asked concern etched on his face.

Jodie nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yeah, I'm good. Just need to catch my breath."

They stood there for a few moments, catching their breaths and enjoying the cool night air.

Jodie shifted her weight from one foot to the other, feeling restless. "Guys, I need to talk to you about something," she said finally, breaking the silence.

"What's up?" Jason asked, turning to look at her.

Jodie hesitated, wondering how to start. "It's about Matilda," she said finally. "I feel like the pack's been treating her badly ever since she lost her parents and got demoted to an omega by Alpha Terry."

Tyler nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I've noticed it too," he said. "It's like they've forgotten about all the good things her parents did for the pack."

Jason scratched his chin thoughtfully. "I haven't really paid attention to it," he said. "But I guess you're right. We should do something to help her."

Jodie nodded, feeling relieved. She had been worried that her brother wouldn't take her seriously, but he seemed genuinely concerned about Matilda.

"Thanks, guys," she said, smiling gratefully at them. "I knew I could count on you."

They ran the rest of the way back to the den in comfortable silence, their thoughts drifting to Matilda and what they could do to help her.

               *******

Matilda made her way back to her parent's home, her heart heavy with the weight of the day's events. As she walked through the familiar forest, she couldn't help but think of all the times she had walked this path with her parents, laughing and joking along the way.

The memory brought a bittersweet smile to her lips. She missed them so much.

When she arrived at the small cabin that had been her childhood home, Matilda felt a lump form in her throat. She could almost hear her parents' voices calling out to her, as though they were still alive.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she pushed open the door and stepped inside. Everything was exactly as she remembered it, from the old wooden table in the center of the room to the family photos on the walls.

Matilda sank down onto the couch, her eyes fixed on a picture of her parents that hung above the fireplace. In the photo, they were both smiling, their arms around each other. Matilda could almost feel their love for each other radiating from the image.

Her thoughts drifted back to a conversation she had had with her mother a few years ago. Matilda had been feeling lost and unsure of her place in the world, and her mother had sat her down and looked at her with love in her eyes.

"Darling," her mother had said. "You were made for greatness. Your father and I always knew it. You just need to find your way."

Matilda had always remembered those words, and they had given her hope during some of the darkest moments of her life.

As she sat on the couch, gazing at the photo of her parents, Matilda whispered the words her mother had spoken to her so long ago. "I'll find my way," she promised herself. "I'll make you proud."

Matilda's heart sank as she heard a loud bang on her door. She couldn't imagine who it could be at this time of night. When she opened the door, she saw the Alpha's guards standing there, their expressions stern and unfriendly.

"Alpha Terry summons you," one of them said bluntly.

Matilda felt a shiver run down her spine. She couldn't imagine why the Alpha would want to see her, especially at this hour. But she knew better than to argue with the guards. They were known for their short tempers and their no-nonsense attitude.

"Okay," she said quietly, stepping outside and closing the door behind her.

The guards led her towards the pack house, their footsteps echoing in the silent night. Matild's mind raced as she tried to figure out what the Alpha could want from her. Had she done something wrong? Was it about the incident at the council meeting earlier today?

As they reached the Alpha's house, the guards pushed open the doors and motioned for her to go inside. Matilda stepped tentatively into the room, her eyes scanning the space for any sign of the Alpha.

"Hello, Matilda," a deep voice said from behind her.

Matilda turned around to see Alpha Terry sitting on his throne, his eyes fixed on her. She could feel his gaze piercing through her, and she suddenly felt very small and insignificant.

"You wanted to see me, Alpha?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alpha Terry leaned forward, his eyes still fixed on hers. "Yes, I did," he said. "I have a task for you, Matilda. A very important one."