Chapter 50
When Kevin left the meeting room, his back was soaked in a cold sweat and his legs could not walk properly. He felt like he was steeping on hot coal with every step that he took.
He could not control the tremble in his body as he thought about how close they were to getting exposed. Although he felt bad for lying to the elders, there was nothing he could do.
His arrogant alpha left him with no choice but to lie through gritted teeth.
Kevin did not waste a moment and immediately went to find Kelly.
“Why are you here? If you have come to tell me that I made a mistake by accepting that bastard’s challenge, then don’t waste your breath on me.” Kelly said.
“I have talked with the elders of the pack!” Kevin said.
“What have you talked about?” Kelly asked with a raised eyebrow.
“I just told them that they need to talk some sense in you. Kelly the pack is falling apart and everyone is saying that you are very reckless. We have just been through a hard time and the pack cannot take another blow. Please consider the position you are putting the pack in!” Kevin advised earnestly.
“Furthermore, the elders are alarmed. The pack members are dying and the rate at which the dead bodies have been found in the last two days is alarming!”
“What are you trying to imply?” Kelly asked with an intimidating gaze.
Why hadn’t he felt that this uncle of his was annoying when they had started working together? He was tired of him buzzing in his ears all day long with his endless advice.
“I am not implying anything. But please try to be careful. I have told the elders that you have found some lead and they will hear some good news very soon. Could you please keep a low profile for the time being? They are starting to get very suspicious.”
“You know I can’t control whatever that thing is once it takes over my body. It can only be managed once I have a taste of fresh blood.”
“Then we need to find out what it is before anything goes wrong. Although you are the Alpha, you cannot afford the consequences if someone finds out.”
“What is your suggestion?” Kelly asked. Although he had started disliking his uncle, he knew that he was right at some point.
He did not feel good when something foreign took over his body. Although he always felt thrilled every time he sucked that fresh blood, he was aware that it cannot go on. He knew that once he was found out, his fate will be far worse than that of Ashton.
“I will try contacting some warlocks. Maybe with their magic, they can help you know what is going on.” Kevin said, although his voice was not very confident.
And as expected….
“No way. How dare you come up with such a crude idea? Do you know that the two worlds cannot mix? Are you trying to get me killed?” Kelly immediately denied the idea.
“It was just a suggestion. If you don’t like it, then I will think of something else.” Kevin said. He felt so tired that he just wanted to die.
“Your meeting with the elders will be held in half an hour, please don’t forget to attend.” Kevin reminded him before he left quickly. He did not want to spend another moment in this room because he thought that he might go mad from all the frustrations.
Kelly looked on indifferently at Kevin who was leaving with a defeated expression.
….
In the northern mountains…. somewhere in the woods, Ashton was meeting with a few of his alpha buddies.
They were even barbecuing and the atmosphere was great.
“Wow buddy, I never imagined that you could actually survive through all that?” Tom said, he was the same age as Ashton and he was considered his closest ally.
“It is all thanks to the moon goddess. Even I never thought that I will survive.” Ashton said, feeling grateful that he was able to see his friends again.
“You are a legend indeed.”
“You even found a mate? I thought that after so many years, you were destined to be alone.”
“I am just glad that the moon goddess actually remembered me. Everything happened beyond my expectations, and there are others that I haven’t believed until now.”
“Have you heard, that Matthew sent a letter of challenge to your brother for the two packs to fight and your brother actually accepted the challenge!” Sean, the alpha of the gulf pack said.
“Nope. I haven’t heard anything.” Ashton said.
“I heard that when that crazy man heard that you were not the alpha anymore, he vowed that he will attack your pack and destroy everything. He is way too arrogant but I did not expect your brother to be more stupid.” Sean continued.
“If you don’t go back soon, your pack will be no more.”
“I don’t really need that kind of pack. People who cannot even hold their ground over a slight threat. They change sides even faster than the flip of the page, why would I care about them?” Ashton posed a question.
He had thought through it over the past few days. The people who remained in the pack wanted to follow Kelly. Although they knew that Kelly was not a good person, they willingly followed him. He knew his pack members well enough. He did not believe that they had been bent against their own will so easily.
That was just a stupid reason. What of those who escaped? Why weren’t they bent even after going through hellish torture? Actually, Ashton did not care about whether the ash band pack survived or not. He was now slowly building his new pack, what he wanted to do upon returning to the ash band pack, was just to teach a few people a lesson.
But of course, there were still innocent women and children, whom he would not allow them facing the wrath of some psychopaths who did not care about the lives of people.
He also had something better to do, and that was to make sure that all the packs are united. He was tired of seeing the dog fights and people hurting each other because of nonsensical grudges. After coming back from the doors of hell, all he wanted to do was to live a peaceful life with Maya and their children.
He wanted a united land, where every creature could coexist without having to fear one another.
So, if Kelly wanted to show his prowess by disregarding the lives of his people, who was he to stop him? He will just join the fun and only make sure that the vulnerable are not implicated.
When the pack leaders, Sean, Tom, and the rest heard Ashton’s plan of reuniting the pack, they had no objections and nodded in agreement. If they could manage to live as one whole community without being guarded against each other, then their packs would grow to new heights and they will be much stronger together.
“Bro, that is a good idea. We have to let go of our differences and live like civilized people. Those who think that they can prosper on there, there are going to lose more. As for me and my pack, we will go with your arrangement.” Tom said.
“But Ashton, won’t some people think that you want to make the whole world be under your feet?” Some people raised their concerns. They did not oppose the idea but they just wanted some clarity.
“No. All the packs will remain with their alphas. I am just trying to unite us all. We have to drop the act of, ‘this one is not from my pack so I can’t help him or someone from another pack trespassed my territory so I have to make them pay.’ I am just trying to make sure that we at least exist in harmony and stop fighting among ourselves.” Ashton explained his intentions.
“The reason why I especially summoned you here was that I knew that you guys would be able to understand my intentions better. My reputation is not good among some of you but I can swear on my life that I am innocent.”
“I am not interested in being your leader or taking over your packs, just like how we hold annual meetings, I want this time to be different. No fighting, just gathering together and sharing a meal as we discuss how we can expand our territories without harming the interests of one another.”
“I wanted to start with a small number so that when others will see that you guys are working together without clashing, I am pretty sure that they will be willing to join. And with that, we can bring more people like warlocks in and others!”
“You know without the help of magic I would not be even standing here. There are some things that even our pack healers cannot do. And I just realized that after being face to face with my grave. It will be beneficial if we can get them to join our packs and help with protection.”
After Ashton finished speaking, most of them were convinced and they immediately agreed to follow his plan. They did not see the harm in trying to exist in peace and harmony.