CHAPTER 6

**Laura's POV**

I got to the pack house in not time and immediately started walking towards my room when I stumbled upon Sonia. When I sighted her from afar, she was mumbling incoherent words but that was less of my problem.

"Hey, Laura where have you been?" She asked the moment our eyes came in contact with each other. Sonia made to hug me but I refuted by swaying my body away from her embrace. "What are you doing here by this time?" I asked folding my hands akimbo, Sonia's eyes almost bopped out of their sockets at my question. I'm sure it came fast and she wasn't expecting it.

"Is that supposed to be a question directly to me?" She eyed me up and down checking if something was wrong. I'm sure I sound like someone who an exorcism was performed on.

"Does it sound like an answer?" I made to open the door but Sonia stopped me. I'm currently at my self restraint and would lash out on her. "I hope you realize we are best friends?" 

"Oh, yeah I do know. Can I go in now?" I asked in my Alpha aura and she instantly left the door so I could pass.

She hissed and walked away without sparing me another glance. I couldn't even be bothered about her and closed the door behind me. 

As I entered my room I could shake off the tension that had been building up inside of me. I would be avoiding any lead questions with Sonia. It was so clear to everyone that I have change but I have to thread carefully in order no lt to let them notice anything.

I began pacing back and fortin my room, trying to clear head with the whole situation felt like mission impossible.

Damn, am I doing this right?

Do I need guidance? Would knowing the motives of everyone make me smart enough to handle them? 

I know I'm stronger than before but—

Doubts clouded my head. How do I do this with many enemies around me? As for Sonia, I don't have the energy to deal with her drama now. I have more pressing matters to attend to which is how to deal with the council of elders. 

 My mind wandered off to the eerie feeling I got earlier. Well, I tried my best to block Maxwell and whatever happened between the both of us.

Just as I was starting to calm down, I heard a knock at the door. I growled, not in the mood for visitors. "Who is it?" I called out, my voice firm.

"It's Alex, Laura. We need to talk," a deep voice replied from the other side of the door.

I sighed, knowing that I couldn't avoid him too. 

I'm irritated right now.

 I opened the door only to see him looking around, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for something.

"What's going on, Alex?" I asked, getting straight to the point.

"We've had reports of strange creatures lurking around the pack's borders," he said, his expression serious. "And some of the pack members have gone missing."

My heart skipped a beat. This was what I had been sensing. Something was indeed off.

"We need to investigate and find out what's going on," I said, my mind racing with possibilities.

I know for sure that whatever i going on right now is not from an outsider. These challenges, someone definitely planned this to distract me and it's damn late at night. I have the moon goddess to thank.

"What's going on?" Sonia asked startling me in the process.

"Don't behave like that next time you sacred me." Placing my hand on my chest, I stated.

"What's up with your change of attitude? " I can't believe Sonia is asking this question when the whole place is tensed up." Where is my bestfriend? " She pointed at me with a scrunched up face and I needed no soothsayer to tell me that she's acting up. 

"I have matters to attend to." I replied and walked ahead of her.

I thought Alex said there were some unknown creature that crossed that the packs border or where they pulling a prank on me?

"Whats going on here?" My anger surged out. Immediately when I saw the council or elders walking out of their hidings.

"Alpha Laura, you need a mate to rule us." Are they kidding me right now? 

" And you think doing rubbish will make me choose a mate? "I growled in irritation as I eyes Alex.

" Laura.... You need a mate to rule alongside with you. That's has been the way our forefathers and your parents ruled. " Sonia added. 

" A new alpha, a new rule! I need no mate! " I stated through gritted teeths. " Even if I do, it will never be Alex. " I added and watched the ugly look on their faces.

" Wh, what... What do you mean? " Sonia asked like she can't believe what I just said. Of course she can't.

"I won't repeat words...." I dragged while looking at them closely before using my choice of words slowly. "Don't. You. Dare. Me. This should be the end else—" Remembering that there were elders, despite their stupidity, I stopped my speech. 

I walked away and murmurings filled the air but I didn't mind.

Once in the hallway, a hand grabbed me to a corner.

"What do you think you're doing?" I hissed at the person before I realized it was Maxwell and then i calmed down a bit.

"What are you doing? You need to be careful with these people, whatever you doing, don't be so fast and deviant. All eyes are on you!" He murmured before letting me go. I never knew the effect he had on me until now. I watched his back as he walked into the darkness and didn't realize that I just released the breathe that I've been holding.

"Move out!"