CHAPTER 5

The pack's judgment.

The tension in the atmosphere as I approached the venue where the pack had assembled was intimidating. 

Now, I knew that I had to stand up for myself or face eternal doom.

The light from the old lanterns created a long array of dark shadows.

Recently, I have become the center of discussion, following the incidents of the last few days.

As I slowly made my way to the assembly, all eyes were on me, and I could tell from their reactions that they looked at me with disgust.

"Take a look at who finally decided to grace us with her royal presence," a voice said from the crowd. It was no other person than Elara. Her blonde hair and dark blue eyes had easily given her away.

"Elara, don't be petty. " Let her be!" Another pack member named Marcus shot back at her, with a protective voice. Even as he spoke, I could hear the uncertainty in his voice.

I looked at him with a grateful smile, but my face went pale in embarrassment.

But, how would they see my friendship with Kaiden as a betrayal to Thane, even after he rejected me?

Were they so quick to judge?

Finally, Akira, the pack leader, stepped in. Funny enough, her presence was greeted with absolute quietness, and everyone knew what she was capable of doing.

Immediately she stepped in, I noticed the stern expression on her face and the intimidating aura that she embodied. 

Now, I knew that I was in a very big soup. She was here to scrutinize me, herself.

"Rory!," she immediately called out to me in an authoritative tone. "Come here!."

Indeed, everything was happening so fast. At that split second, I felt shivers run down my spine, as I made my way forward.

Soon, the murmurings intensified. It was as if I was a meal amid hungry wolves.

"I swear... " It's not what you think," I spoke just beyond a whisper, as I made my way towards Akira. She immediately asked me to sit down beside her, as her stare pierced through my soul.

"Your connection with Kaiden has become a controversial topic." Akira began with a low voice.

"Some think you've betrayed the bond you have with Thane, while others think that it might destroy our lupine dynasty."

"It seems I'm being misunderstood. I apologize for that, though. " However, I don't think I've done anything wrong," I added.

At that moment, the beatings of my heart threatened to explode off my chest.

Did any of them think that I was that dumb?

Did they think that I didn't know the consequences of my actions?

"Maybe you're not wrong, but you were insensitive," Akira looked at me with a fixed gaze.

"Rory, you must understand how our pack works. Anyone's perception could damage your reputation. " You're a key leader in this pack, and even your smallest decisions could affect every member of our pack," she continued.

"So, I should also stop being kind to people, right?" I asked in frustration, as I was finding it hard to cope with all their rules. "Kaiden is my savior. If he hadn't saved me, I wouldn't have been here."

Immediately I said that, Akira paused for some seconds, before responding to me.

"I don't doubt Kaiden's help or your appreciation for him. However, I'm skeptical about your connection. Remember, this pack is solely built on unity, and any division could easily tear us apart. Thane is already worried. You know that he's spying on us."

"But, I'm not trying to betray this pack!" I replied in a frustrated voice. "I care about the welfare of this pack, and I know that my bond with Kaiden can't affect it."

Immediately I said that Akira's face brightened to an extent.

"Rory, you have to thread with caution. Actions alone don't define people. If your bond with him would challenge the serenity of this pack, would you be ready for the outcome? " Do you think you're ready for the consequences?"

Her questions sent shivers down my spine.

Even though I was challenging a force that had been there since my childhood, I knew that I was determined to build my path. 

Immediately, I opened my mouth to argue, but I saw the dark expression in Akira's eyes, which was filled with evil, and I immediately composed myself.

As the meeting ended, and the pack members went back to their various abodes, I felt a heavy weight of uncertainty in my chest. 

As I looked out of the woods, I could see Kaiden, watching me from the clearing.

With everything that was going on, I knew that I needed answers, and he was the only one I could speak to. Without wasting any more time, I briskly began to walk towards him like a wounded lion.

"What did she say?" he asked with a calm voice. However, I just couldn't speak at the moment, as I needed to give my emotions so much time to heal.

Immediately, I sighed in frustration, as the weight of my thoughts was beginning to overwhelm me. “As usual, they're worried about us. They believe that our bond could tear this park apart."

Just then, I noticed the sudden change in his expression. He had a dark sinister look.

“Truth be told, you're not even betraying Thane or your pack, by being kind to me. I don't know the kind of community we live in, but I believe that it's time we change these ancient beliefs."

“To be honest, I agree,” I responded to him, as I gently massaged my hair.

"They're more concerned about protecting the bonds we have with each other, without wondering if they tear me apart. No one even cares about my feelings anymore."

Immediately, Kaiden moved close to me with a low tone, as he whispered a question to me. "So, what are you going to do next? Are you going to stop talking to me?" 

“Kaiden, this whole matter is complex. " I don't want to be a problem for you or anyone else,” I spoke with a broken voice, as I tried very hard to manage my emotions. 

I looked around the woods, trying to be sure that no one was looking at us. Even as I did that, I could still feel the face of rejection, looking at me.

“Rory, you're not the problem here. "I've seen how you've fought and conquered everything life throws at you, and I'm so proud of you,” Kaiden said, with a heartwarming tone. I think it's time you mark your territory, but show everyone how worthy you're."

As I opened my mouth to speak, I saw the seriousness in his expression. “Well, I think we should have a peaceful conversation. If they see how serious I am about all of this, they might decide to make an exception."

Kaiden smiled anxiously, before responding to me. "A conversation? That's a good idea. However, you know how Petty Thane could be, and he might likely not allow it to happen.”

Suddenly, another round of silence engulfed us.

He was right. Thane was something else. A weird entity, I guess. “You're right. I think he's misusing his power, and it's time for him to be checked and corrected."

Suddenly, Kaiden let out a mischievous smile. "And don't you think you should be the one to correct his misuse of power?"

“Mmm. " Yes,” I said in an uncertain tone. I didn't even know when I responded to him.

“That's alright,” he said in a calm tone. "However, you have to tread with caution, because if Thane feels threatened..."

“Aside from rejecting me, what more evil could he do?” I said with a firm gaze. Immediately I said that, and the intensity of my words hit the entire atmosphere. I could sense a shift in the realm.

Kaiden slowly breathed like he was worried about what could go wrong. "I'm serious. If he feels intimidated, he could do something unpredictable. Have you seen him act up in the past?"

Suddenly, I felt an unsettling movement in my stomach. I was tensed to the core.

Truly, Thane couldn't be controlled. He sees his pack as his uttermost priority and, as such, is ready to destroy anything that comes in its way. “However, he has to understand that the time has changed."

“It's easier said than done,” Kaiden murmured with a concerned gaze.

But before I could put my thoughts in order, some kind of commotion erupted, and I couldn't process what was happening again.

This time, members of the pack had gathered again, as they murmured among themselves. To be frank, the situation of the atmosphere made me want to run away.

“What happened? " What could have gone wrong?” I asked with a lot of uncertainty in my voice.

Immediately, Kaiden firmly gripped my arm. "I don't know what the matter is, but we have to see to it."

As we tried to walk past the gathering of the agitated wolves, my heart skipped. What could be happening?

My heart skipped, as I tried to figure out what the cause of their agitations was.

Standing inside the circle was my biggest nightmare, Thane.

At that moment, my heart skipped. I didn't know what he was up to, but I knew that it didn't mean any good. “We have a betrayal in our midst!”

Immediately, I began to hear the loud shouts from the gathering, and Thane immediately raised his hands.