4. Volunteer

Richard

We were all gathered by the lake under the dark sky while the palace maids gathered wood at the center of the gathering to make fire while we waited for any of the old alphas to address us. 

They had already assembled, each one sitting in the order of the rank they held and since it was a meeting for everyone and not only the males, every werewolf and of course, each with their mates.

The pack was often divided into segments but today, everyone sat together except the oldest members of the pack who were referred to as elders as they have fought many wars before us and even before our fathers.

"Greetings my dear family," King Harold, my father, greeted as he began. It was his signature way of welcoming the pack together and making them feel closer to him by calling then his family. 

"It's been a long time since we all sat down together under the dark sky to discuss, I can't even begin to express how excited I am about how large we have grown since our last meeting, little cubs are made everyday yet you all look innocent as though you don't do it." He said, which caused muffled laughter to erupt from the crowd.

After the laughter had died down, he continued, "Without much ado, I'd like us to have a few moments of silence for the safe journey of the Queen into the other realm." He said and lowering his gaze, thick black fur sprouted on the side of his face and he let out a long howl while facing the lake which was my mother's favourite place, letting out a sigh, I joined him in howling and so did my brother.

The loss of a mate can be very depressing and the void can never be filled.

After we were done, he gently shook his head as if he recalled a memory before raising his head to continue speaking to us, "It is no news that King Kenneth has invited each one of us for a ball in his palace and asa matter of fact we would be leaving for Odyssey in a couple of days." He continued as his face began to radiate with smiles, "The ball is for everyone but not everyone would be attending because we have to protect our land, our cubs, and our homes. Therefore, I would like people to volunteer to stay back, I wouldn't want to force any of you into staying while the others leave with us, I want volunteers." He said before taking his seat between the elders.

A few minutes of loud chatter had passed when a couple got to their feet, "We volunteer to stay back," they said in unison while holding their hands and quickly turned to stare at each other, "I have found my mate and that is all that matters to me, my fun lies with her." The man said without looking away from his beloved.

"Awww, they're so cute." I heard Marta whisper from beside me as she sat with Charles. 

"We would be staying, to defend our territory," the leader of the knights announced and then a many couples got up and said that they would be staying back as well.

"I would be staying back," I found myself on my feet, uttering those words and silence fell on the pack.

"No, you would not." Charles was the first to disagree but I had already said it and I turned my eyes to see my father and the long face he wore while staring at me made me know how unhappy he was with my decision.

The only thing I could hear from the pack was how bitter my futile journey had made me. Elder Rufus' objection caused the pack to become silent, "You cannot stay back." He said, and I turned in the direction of where his voice came to see him sitting at my dad's right hand while gradually getting on his feet. The old man who had just married his nurse years after the demise of his mate seemed to look a lot more disapproving about my decision than my dad did.

"You would go to Odyssey alongside your father and brother," And then he paused, smiling happily, "And of course with my child, Marta, you would go there and have fun." He started before sitting back on his seat.

Biting down on my teeth, I said in a firm voice, "Father asked for volunteers and so I am volunteering." 

"Can't you see that everyone who volunteered has their mate with them or do you want to stay back and ogle at them?" Charles asked in annoyance and I swept my face to the side to glare at him.

"It's my dec–"

I saw my father raise his hand and swallowed back the words I was about to say before sitting back down. Father let out a sigh and stood on his feet, "For those who would be attending the ball, it is customary that you bring a gift to present to the King of Odyssey." Hé reminded them, "That would be all for now, you may leave." He dismissed us but not with the same energy as he had at the start of the meeting.

I got on my feet, and gently bowing to him, I turned around and headed towards the castle, "Richard!" I heard my father call out to me and I stopped on my way, "I want to have a word with you." He added and I breathed heavily. It was almost as if I knew the topic of this discussion.

Hesitating for a little while, I turned around and began to walk back to where he stood. He didn't have his seat nor did he say a word until everyone had left the meeting ground. Once there was no one in sight, he left his seat and began to walk closer to the lake until he was a foot away from it. 

"Come here," he said softly and I did just as he said. He threw his two hands behind him and held them firmly. 

He was silent for a long while doing nothing but stare at the water, "Father," 

"Do you remember how your mum would bring us here? Just to stare and feel the peace that comes with this lake." He asked and I began to wonder if it was the reason he called me back.

"Yes, father," I replied, recalling how she would speak so highly about getting comforted by this lake whenever she was troubled by any of us, "She would bring us here after dinner and ask us to share what we felt and how our day went." I said through a sad smile as my eyes began to tear up.

"Hmmm," he let out a sigh, "You and your brother are the reason I haven't joined her yet, else I would have loved to go to her. I want to ensure that the throne is safe and you both do not fight her and that you are both happy." He said.

"Father, I have left the throne for Charles. We both agreed that the one who first finds his mate inherits the throne and let it be so." I stated. I was not going to lie, I was sad that he found his mate before me but I am not the type to go back on his utterances.

"And you think your brother doesn't feel sad that you agreed to it after seeing the outcome?" He asked.

"Father," I said in a dismissive tone and he sighed.

"If you insist." He shrugged, moving further so that his leg was gently brushed by the waters.

 "I heard you had another futile search," he began, the real cause for my presence and I shut my eyes, "I want to make you a promise right here and before this lake," He said and I felt his warm hand on my shoulder, "Under the sky and in the presence of the moon, that if you attend this ball and you do not find the one, bring to me any woman of your choice and I would bless your union?" He started and my eyes grew wide in shock.

"You would?" I asked, I wanted to find my mate but if she wasn't going to be found, I could take this option and set my father free so he could go to my mum.

"Yes, I would. Vampire, wolf, witch or shape shifter though they're very tricky," he whispered under his breath, "whichever you deem fit, I would bless you." He reaffirmed. 

"Your mother wasn't my mate after all," he shrugged and my eyes grew even wider. No, no, no, this is too much of a surprise for one day.

"She wasn't your mate?" I asked in disbelief, "I thought you both loved each other?"