Chapter 5: Ideas and Unnecessary Drama

Aliaria’s Point of View

Something was wrong. The alarms were blaring nonstop. I flew from my bed and first ran to check in on the kids. They were all sound asleep, I don’t the how, but thank Moon goddess. I grabbed a coat and ran to the car, driving to the office. When I get there, there’s already Rand on top of things. The alarms go off eventually but there is still so much chaos. When Rand sees me, he pulls me to a corner to explain what had happened.

“The pack was breached. We had an attack earlier.” He says, pacing around. He had a lot of nervous energy but strangely I was calm. I knew this day would come. I just didn’t think it would come this soon but I knew it would come nevertheless. It’s like we were about to war.

“That is expected. We’ll pull through this. Who was it?” I ask, walking with him to the control rooms to check out the video. Werewolves were so proud that they never hid these things. Instead they tended to announce their arrival and attacks just to assert their dominance. But we went through the footage twice but there was nothing. There must be some mistake. Why? Why did it have to be different in my turn? It was she same as Ethan’s murder though. Everything is just really messed up.

“Rand, please keep an eye on the footage for me while I go check on the casualties.” I say calmly, refusing to panic even though clearly I needed to. I call the healer and we lost a life. However most of the pack warriors were injured. This isn’t good at all. If we were about to go to war we needed the strength in numbers. We already had strong werewolves because we were the only pack that had the ability to change your werewolf forms at anytime of the month and not just during the full moons. I leave Rand at the control room ad go to check on the wounded. They weren’t so many but we were a relatively small pack even though we were powerful so each loss is felt way more. I check the time to find out that it was already time fir breakfast. I scramble home to find the kitchen a mess and the children nibbling at what didn’t look healthy at all. Jayden looked up with a proud smile.

“I made breakfast.” He says. I look around, deciding I didn’t want to do this. I stutter trying to think of something positive to say. If I criticized his work now, he may eventually hate cooking because we said so. I grab my things and the kids and we go to our favorite pancake shop. The kids were so excited. Truthfully, I took them out because I still wasn’t completely used to the idea of Ethan gone and I saw him everywhere in the house. As I say at the pancake place ,I get a call from Rand. The Sages wanted to meet me. This was getting more and more frequent. Did Ethan have to meet them so often? Well technically, I don’t think a single attack occurred under Ethan’s watch. Maybe I did need to meet with the Sages.

“Guys I’m so sorry but mum has to leave. I’ll drop you off with aunt Sophie and then pick you guys later. Deal? I say trying to lighten their moods. They agree reluctantly though. I feel terrible. It’s barely a month and I was already losing time with them. I drop them at Sophie’s , my best friend before I head back to the office. As usual, they were at the conference table and I sit in front o them, waiting for them to speak again. At least this time, I was determined to listen.

“So we’ll go straight to the point. We think you should do the ritual mating. That’s our only chance of winning the impending war.” They start without even giving a preamble. I don’t know which I prefer, the rambling or when they go straight to the point. I know what ritual mating is. I had read about it. It happens once a century. I didn’t even know that it was time for another one. The two packs are united due to the mating of the alphas in a ritual

“This is a huge step. I just lost my mate and I don’t feel right about replacing him now.” I reply, knowing I was being selfish but I just couldn’t help myself. This was something I couldn’t just do. I look around waiting for the Sages to berate me or something. However the y all had looks of understanding. The aren’t meant to. That just makes me feel even guiltier.

“We understand. That’s all then. Thank you for your time. “Their spokesperson says and they all leave. Oh no. I really couldn’t be considering this. I am alpha after all and I need to make decisions for the pack. Oh dear. I hate myself. Just before the last of them leaves, I call them back.

“I’m sorry. I change my mind. I’m willing to do it.” I tell them hurriedly and they give each other knowing looks. Damn Sages and try infinite wisdom. Of course the knew this is exactly how this would play out. They bring out a document for me to sign. I scan through and I cannot believe my eyes. There are games for this century’s ritual mating. Typically, the just gave it to the strongest pack. Well, it wouldn’t hurt so why not? I have to do this for my pack. Maybe, when our pack gets powerful, I would be able to get my revenge for Ethan.

“I feel like you left the most important part I this. Who is going to be my ritual mate?” I ask curiously, handing them the papers. The Sages look at each other again and their spokesperson clears his throat. He goes on to spout some nonsense about ritual mates being assigned. That doesn’t make sense but I didn’t want to question the Sages. They did say I was going to meet him soon. Hopefully, it turns out to be a good pack.

I prepared from the meeting, all the while hating the suspense. I think the Sages were keeping it a secret just for the suspense. Till now their logic makes no sense. Soon, a vehicle pulls up and I go to greet whoever it was. Goddess, please let it be someone good.  I couldn’t believe who it was I saw. No way.

“Hey, Ari.”