Lucius sat at the high table overlooking at the crowded science fair. He had tried his hardest to avoid looking her away but now he couldn’t help but gaze intently at Emma as she helped a young girl who had tripped over a wire stretch her leg. His heart was racing as he watched her work with so much care written on her face. She seemed genuinely interested in what she was doing. Lucius couldn’t take his eyes off the beautiful woman even as she led the young girl out. Lucius felt disappointed that he could no longer see her.
After the chaos that had been caused by the fall, the science fair was officially announced. Lucius and the other alphas followed the judges to listen to the participants. As he walked, all he was thinking about was Emma and the next time he would get a chance to talk to her. They had reached the first project when he saw her walking in, looking as beautiful as ever. His heart picked up pace again. Lucius could barely concentrate on the presentation.
At the fourth stall, one of the other alphas started talking to him about a serious problem he had with the vampires in his territory and so that took his mind away from the one person he wished to spend the day with. Eventually, they came to the last project and it did not take long. The alphas returned to their seats while the judges went to the office behind the community hall to discuss the results.
Lucius did not care that much if his pack won because he had not been involved in the preparations this time round. This year, he had been preoccupied with so many things that he had no time to attend to what he deemed less pressing issues.
“Lucius,” one of the other alphas said. He was a tall burly man, the alpha of Lakeside pack. Alpha Jack was one of the strongest alphas in the region. “Aren’t you afraid of Axel? I have heard rumours that he might be able to get out soon and apparently he swears he’ll get his revenge on you and that young woman you stole from him.”
Lucius had heard about that and was trying his best to ensure Axel remained in prison. Unfortunately, Axel had a number of powerful friends. Lucius wondered if alpha Jack was also on Axel’s side. “If he wants to fight me, let him come. I’ll take him on. I defeated him once, I can defeat him again.”
Lucius spoke confidently although he was a little bit afraid on the inside. Axel could rally his powerful friends and attack him.
Alpha Jack smiled. “I love the confidence. Anyway, if he strikes, count me in. I hate that bastard and I would like to see him taken down.”
“And here I was wondering if you were on his side,” Lucius chuckled. “Thanks for the offer. Who knows? I might have to take it up at some point.”
“That’s right”
Soon the other alphas joined in the conversation and they started talking about Axel and the tyrants in the werewolf council. The werewolf council had become increasingly corrupt and it was affecting most packs negatively. The werewolf community in the south was also facing a crisis due to bad leadership which was one of the reasons why the vampires were making their lives hard. The council had been formed to help all werewolves but it was now only benefiting a few packs.
Snacks were soon brought for the alphas but Lucius was not in the mood to eat. He looked around and saw that Emma had left the hall. Excusing himself, he left the hall. Outside, he saw Emma and three girls from the pack standing near their tent. Lucius took a deep breath and walked up to them.
“Emma,” he said. “I’d like to talk to you.”
Emma immediately left the group and followed as he led her away from them to a nearby bench. Lucius could hear muffled sounds coming from the women as they moved away. He was pretty sure they were voicing out their opinions about them as a couple.
“Did you enjoy the fair?” he asked her after they had both sat down.
“Yes, I did. And you?”
Emma seemed quite timid that day.
“Are you worried about the elder’s council?” he asked her.
She shook her head. “Not as much as I was this morning. I was surprised they were on our side.”
“Well, I didn’t expect them to be that harsh to Michelle.”
“Although everything went well, I have a really bad feeling that something terrible is going to happen soon. It started during the fair and I can’t shake it off. I’m really scared.”
Lucius sighed. “You don’t need to worry about anything. As long as you’re with me, everything will be okay. I will protect you.”
“What about when I’m not with you? What if Michelle really changes and the elders decide I’m a threat and get rid of me?”
“If they thought that of you, they would have kicked you out already. Those men are not always very lenient, I assure you.”
“I don’t feel like staying here much longer,” she said. “I wish I could go home but it seems I’ll have to wait for the whole thing to end.”
“I wish I didn’t have to be here,” he told her, staring into her eyes. “I wish I was somewhere secluded with you alone. I miss touching you, running my hands all over your body, kissing your soft skin…”
“No, please stop making me feel like this when we’re in a public place. People are looking at us although they’re trying to pretend they’re not doing it. One wrong move and we’ll start a rumor.”
“I’m sure they’re already talking,” he said, moving closer. “Why not give them something to talk about. I want to kiss you right here.”
“Are you crazy? Look, a guard is coming.”
Lucius sat up straight and sighed. Being near her was making him feel all hot and bothered. He wanted to do something about it.
“What is it, Cain?”
“I have bad news,” Cain said.
“What happened?”
“Alpha Axel of Venom pack has been released from prison.”
Lucius heart sank when he heard that. He grabbed Emma’s hand and squeezed it. She was shaking.