Chapter 9

**Sonia's POV**

"That girl is getting in my nerve as days pass by... What the hell is wrong with her?" I murmured as I and Alex walked deep into the woods.

"She wasn't like this.... I'm shocked too. Where she got all those strength and courage from, it kinda amazes me." Alex remarked with a sigh but I envied those words. They were actually meant for me and not her.

"You know I hate when she's being complimented right?" I asked with irritation.

"I'll be the last person to compliment her." Alex scoffed and turned around to look at me.

We were just a step away from each other when I sighted Laura in the woods and a shadow was enclosing in on her. I needed no soothsayer to tell me that she wasn't aware. It was too late to react because the next minute, shadows, thick dark shadows covered everywhere. I could barely see a thing.

"What the fuck is happening?" Alex cussed taking steps away from me but I grabbed his hands with the little sight if him that I could see.

"Where do you think you're going to?" I asked, panic rising in my voice.

"This is dark fog, the beast of the east is back. We are not safe, none of us is." Alex answered and i felt a cold chill run down my spine. I've heard a lot about the beast of the east and trust me, nothing said about him was good. Everything was evil.

And... Damn! The late Alpha and Luna is yet to be buried. The beast of the east Is back.... How can they be buried with war ongoing?

"It occured to me that Laura hasn't said a word about her parents funeral. What's she thinking?" Alex asked in anger.

"I think that's the least of our problem now. We should worry about our own safety." I pointed out and just like the dark clouds that cover the sky when it wants to rain, and how it disperses when the sun comes shining, the darkness or should I say, dark fog, disappeared immediately. I looked in the direction where I saw Laura but realized that she wasn't there anymore.

"I saw Laura here few minutes before the dark fog." Pointing at the stand were I say her, I muttered.

"Let's go back to the pack house and question her on why she was out here alone." Alex made me wonder if he thinks at all. What's wrong with him.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" He asked sensing my irritation.

"Go back to the pack house and ask her what? What if she asks what we went to do in the woods alone?" Alex knew I was right so we just went back to the pack house and immediately heard the bell. That was a call for meeting.

When did Laura get here?

"Hey... I saw you in the woods." I wasn't expecting Laura to respond to me due to how cold and distant she has become.

"Yes, just wanted to talk a walk to lighten up my mood. My parents...." She was saying but trailed off as she got choked in her tears making me wonder what was wrong.

"It's okay, don't cry." Like Laura had always listened to me, she instantly stopped crying.

"I know I've been acting weird these days and nothing about my parents funeral has been discussed and i apologize for that. I haven't had the time to talk about it due to how you all keep talking about a mate. I mean, I need time." Laura explained and I could see the sinister smile on my uncle's face. Our plan is working afterall and the reason Laura was acting all defiant was because of her parents.

"It's okay. We understand and apologize for the inconvenience we made you feel." My uncle Magnus who was the eldest amongst the council of elders added.

"I think we need to discuss about the funeral of the late Alpha and Luna." Elder Draco added and looked at Alex direction and watched the happiness that hovered around him.

Laura was really down emotionally and I think this is the best time to talk her in about Alex. But I wouldn't be in a haste.

*

Laura sat at the head of the council chamber, sorrounded by the wise and experienced council of elders. Our pack was still reeling in lost of the Alpha and Luna that their funeral has been on hold for some days now and their funeral arrangements would be made today.

"First and foremost, we need to decide on a date for the funeral," Laura said, looking around the table. "We have to give everyone enough time to mourn and prepare, but we can't delay it for too long." She added.

Laura is still naive, what makes her think we are sorry for her parents loss?

" I agree." Said my uncle Elder Magnus." We should aim for the next full moon. It's a fitting tribute to our kate Alpha and Luna, and it will give us enough time to prepare for the necessary rituals and ceremonies."

" I concur. Elder Draco added. " But we also need to consider the security aspects. With the recent tensions and threats from the beast of the east. We can't afford to let our guard down." Everyone cringed at his statement.

"You could talk without mentioning the beast of the east." An elder commented.

"We have no time for arguments." Laura scolded. " Well assign additional guards am to the funeral procession and the burial site. And we'll need to make sure our pack members are aware of the potential risk and take necessary precautions. "

The council of elders nodded in agreement, and they all continued discussing the details of the funeral arrangements. I was so excited to see Laura vulnerable again.

"I can't help the feeling of sadness and loss I feel. I've suffered great blow and it would take time for me to heal and move forward" Laura stated with sadness as she walked up to me.

"That's why you need a mate." I piqued hoping to lure her in.

"I'm determined to lead my pack during this difficult and ensure time." She stated and walked away