Chapter 4

*Laura POV*

“Hey Alpha” I heard someone call me from the crowd. I turned around only to see that it was the Beta’s son.

“Hi Maxwell” I smiled. In the past, I was rude to him because of my blinded love for Alex but this time around, I paid more attention.

“Wow you know my name?” he uttered in shock, biting his lower lips.

“Who doesn't  know Beta's son?” I blurted out. “Awww, I didn't know I was popular.” he said, with a shy look creased on his face.

“I have to go now,” I said to him. “ Why so fast Laura, where are you going?” he said, reaching out to grab my hand. I halted in my tracks as he walked closer. “ I've got lots of activities to tend to. Remember I'm the pack's new Alpha.” I beamed a smile towards him.

“Okay, I was worried about you, with all that has happened, you might need a friend by your side through these trying times.”  His words made my heart race with excitement but I wasn't going to let my emotions get in the way of my revenge, and almost immediately, my look changed to a scrutinized gaze.

“Why are you staring at the pack like that?” He inquired.  “ Nothing, just amazed” I heaved a sigh of relief and tucked my hair properly. Maxwell was a sanguin with a heightened sense of humor. He made me smile from my heart for the first time in a long while. As we strolled into the woods, we caught sight of Sonia and her supposed cousin Alex holding hands as they walked towards us. I noticed the look of disgust in Alex's eyes as he saw me with Maxwell. But he quickly reverted back to a smile as we locked our gaze.

“What are you two doing out here alone?” I deadpanned.  “ Oh nothing exactly,” Sonia hurriedly replied.  “And you? What brings you out here” She asked in defense.

“ I came out here to clear my head and Maxwell here has been more than a great company” I replied, hugging Maxwell from the side. Their reaction quickly turned sour, Sonia had always been jealous of me. I now had the opportunity of realizing it.

“ Hello Maxwell” with an outstretched hand, Sonia  said.  “Hi Sonia” Maxwell replied, his expression stoic. I cleared my throat, in a bit to end the awkward silence as Alex stood there gawking at me.

“I guess we'll see you later Laura” Sonia said calmly, still pretending to be a good friend.

“Maxwell, you embarrassed my friend back there, that's not good you know” I voiced out sarcastically.

“Sorry about that, it's just that, she has a bad aura,  and I don't like her. You need to be careful about Laura. All that glitters might not be gold.” Maxwell said, his tone laced with concern.

“Don't worry about her, she's not a bad person” I replied . But deep down, Maxwell was right and I felt like going after the two of them. Shredding them alive into tiny pieces. “I have to go now Max” I smiled and sauntered away.

“Laura!! Laura. Wake up” I heard a feeble voice call out to me from a distance.  I slowly opened my eyes, trying to make sense of what was happening. It was Sonia, she was splashing water on me to wake up.

“What is it Sonia?” I growled at her as my eyes turned fierce.

“ You’ll be late for the council of elders meeting, and we need to be fast,” she replied in an innocuous voice. In the past, she would follow me to every council meeting, that was how she got every bit of information, that was also how she got to know my weakness. But not this time.

I took my bath and got dressed for the meeting. “ Hold up for me, I'm almost done.” Sonia screamed from the dressing room.

“Don't bother dear friend. I have to do this alone” I replied. Her jaw dropped as the look in her eyes spelt doom. If a gaze could kill, I would have died that very instant. With the help of the Moon Goddess special powers, I could read thoughts and hear long distance sounds.

“We’ve always attended the meetings with the council of elders together. What's wrong this time, you seem different Laura ?” she enquiries her voice barely above a whisper.

“I just need to do this alone, I'll fill you in on all that was discussed” and with that, I strode out through the door.

As I walked into the room where the elders were seated, they all stood to pay respect to their new Alpha. There were two thrones. I sat on my mother’s throne, as I was yet to get married. It was tradition that my Alpha mate would be the one to ascend the throne of my late father.

“We sympathize with you Laura, duty calls and you must respond. We the council elders have conferred amongst ourselves and we think it's best if you got a mate” the Oldest Member of the council elders spoke.  

“I don't have a mate yet and I don't have any desire to focus on that now.” I'm deadpan. The entire room was shrouded in silence as the weight of my words reverberated across the entire hall.  I gulped, at the same time, furrowing my brow at them.

“This has never been heard before . It has never been done in a thousand years.” Another elder bellowed, his eyes flickered with rage.

“I can take care of the pack myself. I don't need a mate.” I blurted out. Their eyes widened as their jaws dropped. I reveled in their bewildered  expressions.

“My daughter,  it's only natural to feel this way after the death of your parents, I urge you to reconsider your choice.” the third Elder said.

“ My pack is my choice. I don't have anything more to say to you all.” I rose and stride towards the exit as they all gawked at me.