Chapter 4

Chapter 4.

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Even if Max was her brother-in-law, both of them don't have a good rapport, and Creed has always been the middleman to settle disputes.

"The Alpha__" she hesitated and mulled over if she should go on with the scheme. 

She has already told them he was alive and can't go back anymore.

"She can't say. I doubt the alpha is truly alive, according to her, he was jabbed with a silver blade and I have not come across a wolf that survives the wrath of the silver" Max said.

"We have gone through a lot, Cora, stop messing with our minds and let us grieve my brother in peace"

"Creed is alive, and he is with the witches!" She eventually let the lie out as they all wheezed in shock.

"What?"

"The witches?"

"Impossible!"

"That's insane"

"I've always been skeptical about Cora, but taking the Alpha to the Black Forests which is strictly forbidden is the heights of it all!" Max howled.

"I had no choice!" Cora stood up from the seat and growled with a fragile voice. She was still languishing over the demise of her husband and the scheme was too much for her. 

If only she could rely on someone, to trust someone, at least, the burden would not be much on her.

"The Alpha was dying, and I thought the only thing to do was to take him to the black woods"

"The witches created the silver sword which is used against the wolves, that is why they were expelled. Why would you think they would want to help the alpha?" Cohen lambasted her.

"I said I had no choice! They created the blade, they should be able to fix him" 

"I strongly understand Luna's plight. She had no choice" Another elder in the pack spoke.

"I know all of you love Creed very much, even you, Max. I know you would do anything within your power to save your brother!" Cora stated.

"I... You're right! I would have done the same" Max bowed his head in disgust and looked around if he could see Kira. But she was nowhere to be found. 

He knew Cora hurled that question at him on purpose, and he does not like it.

"The witches would not just help the alpha without wanting something in return, you must have offered something enchanting" He added.

"Yes, what is it?" A gamma asked.

"That is between me and the witches. The promise I made to them has nothing to do with the Pack"

There was serene silence as Cora almost broke down in tears, she knew she had said a lot and would not want to give herself away, so she thought of bringing her impromptu meeting with the council to an end.

"At the break of day, I would go back to the Black Forests, I only came to tell the pack that the Alpha is alive"

"I will come with you, I need to see my brother" Max said disdainfully.

"No!" She quickly rebuked him and recollected herself instantly.

"I mean, that won't be necessary. I would stay there until the healing process is complete and return with the alpha and that would take a lot of time. We need someone here as a regent" She said after careful thinking.

"I will return to the fortress shortly after seeing my brother. Or would you deny me my right of seeing my younger brother?" He added with a grim expression.

"Of course not. I wouldn't do that. But it has to do with the witches"

"What do you mean by that?" Cohen asked as she turned to look at him, then returned her gaze to Max who was still cheeky.

"When I took the Alpha to the black forest, they wouldn't help me because they said they would not want a lot of werewolves, coming to their lair because of the Alpha. Having the Alpha with them which is considered a hated species is enough for them" she observed their faces and continued.

"I don't think they would be glad to tolerate the three of us. I promised them no wolves would cross their territory, except me, of course, who would be there for the alpha" she finished as they saw the truth in what she said.

"How long would you stay with the witches? And when would the Alpha return?" Cohen asked calmly.

"I will return with the Alpha in seven days" she declared as there was a serenity in the council.

"And if you don't? I still find it hard to believe the Alpha is alive, and the witches would want to help us? What if__" Max tried to speak, but she cut him off.

"If I don't return with the Alpha in seven days, I would gladly be a slave in Mountain Howl Pack!" She declared as everyone gasped.

"Luna!! You don't just make such pronouncement in the council meeting!" Cohen almost yelled as he tried to control his voice.

She was not thinking straight, all she wanted was more time to be given to her. And the only way she could buy more time is if they truly believe her lies.

And Max was really getting on her nerves, soon he would incite the council to rise against her.

Sealed!" Max proclaimed merrily.

"We would keep our fingers crossed" Even if his heart was racing fast, the thought of meeting his brother who has always been intimidating to him scared him a lot.

Cora did not know what to do, all she was doing was bluffing, and she hoped to be strong for the task ahead of her. Even if it obliterates her.

She would surely go to the witches for help at the break of day. She knows the witches hate the wolf clan and wouldn't want anything done with them, but she was obstinate and wanted to strive.

She thought of looking for a Necromancer but waved off the thought immediately it surfaces in her head. 

Necromancy does not exist, and even if it does, the witches would never tamper with magic that would enslave their souls forever.

"Luna, are you okay?" A werewolf asked as she glinted her eyes, coming out from her pool of thoughts.

"I need to rest, tomorrow's journey is going to be a long one"

"And there is going to be a feast instead of a funeral on the arrival of the alpha" Max declared.

The council meeting ended as the luna found her way to the room she shared with the alpha, it brought back old memories which made her snivel.

She was secretly mourning the alpha, and she was doing it alone, mateless and shredded.

She heard soft footsteps at her back as she quickly wiped her eyes and turned to see who it was.

She frowned when she saw him and tried effortlessly to keep a fierce front.

"Hmm, what a selfless pretty luna" Max sneered.

"You don't just barge into my room" she said, trying as hard as she could to hide the choking sound of her voice.

"Of course, who would want to lose their position as the luna of Mountain Howl Pack. I get you would do anything to save that, even if it means pledging loyalty to the witches"

"But please pity the pack and tell them the Alpha is truly dead?" He added as she frowned.

"You and I know no one can survive a silver blade"

"I do not know what you are talking about, but it would amaze you to see the Alpha in seven days" 

She stopped and examined his face but saw nothing to give him away.

"You would be shocked at how strong Alpha Creed is. You definitely have no idea, do you?"

"Hmm" He frowned.

"Of course, you should. That is why he is the Alpha, and you are the Beta" 

He tried as much as possible to hide his anger as she smiled.

"And what I did was not for the Pack alone, but for myself and my mate" she expanded.

"Hmm, really?" He smirked and moved closer to her, he touched her cheek and sniffed her.

"What? Were you crying?' 

"Stay away from me!" She barked as he laughed and retraced his footsteps. 

"I am watching you closely, dear Luna" 

He turned and left as she finally let out the breath she has been holding in. 

She has indirectly given herself 7 days to provide Alpha Creed for the Pack.

And the dumb announcement she made at the council meeting paid off because none of them have any atom of doubt anymore, except for Max, who is adamant.

She knows she risks being a slave if she does not provide Creed in seven days.

She started getting her stuff ready for the journey to the black forest which would begin at the break of the day.