Alexander’s POV
I looked down at the golden envelope I was holding; it was addressed to me and had arrived by hand a little while ago.
Turning the envelope over, I saw the royal seal on the reverse side and found myself reluctant to open it for some reason.
“I wonder what it could be,” Ghost said, interested in its contents.
“It is probably an invitation,” I answered. “What more might it be?
“There aren’t any upcoming festivals,” Ghost said. “Open up; I’m curious to see.”
“To be honest, I am not sure if I want to,” I said. “The envelope comes from the White Moon Pack.”
“What’s your point?” Ghost asked, confused.
“It could be a letter stating that Emily had changed her mind,” I said, and the thought saddened me.
“Are you serious?” Ghost asked, rolling his eyes and sighing. “Emily likes you and only you.”
“You can’t be sure,” I argued, and that thought sent a painful pinch through my heart.
“I am fairly certain of my facts,” Ghost stated gravely. “Willow told me that although numerous wolves expressed interest in Emily, she never once glanced at them. You are the keeper of her heart.”
“She is unpredictable,” I argued. “She rejected me. Remember!”
“Only to save your title!” Ghost barked, “Besides, I could tell she meant it when she told you she was sorry.”
I pulled my hands through my hair, feeling frustrated. I promised Emily that I would have this sh*t sorted out in two weeks.
I sighed. I wish the road were easy and unproblematic for once. These hiccups on the path were no longer enjoyable.
My mind wanders back to Emily. I could not help but think of her. Seeing her that unhappy broke my heart.
How come it seems like everyone is trying to keep us apart?
Why do I feel so worried?
Why do I suddenly feel so unsure about her?
I have always trusted Emily; why am I doubting her now? She wouldn’t deliberately hurt me, would she?
The sound of a quick knock on the office door interrupted my thoughts, and I quickly snatched up the envelope from the desk and stuffed it into my desk drawer.
Abruptly, I paused and glanced down at the envelope. I had never reacted like that before; this was out of character for me.
“Enter,” I called as I pushed the drawer close. I will take a look at it a bit later.
My father cautiously opened the door and peered inside, looking for me.
“Could you spare a moment?” he asked, seeing me seated behind my desk.
“Sure, come in,” I said, releasing a breath I hadn’t noticed holding.
“You look like sh*t,” he said as he sat down.
“I feel like sh*t,” I responded, feeling emotionally drained.
The same morning Emily left, her parents came to see me. They had scented her in their home.
My thoughts whirled, recalling the sorrow in Sarah’s eyes upon hearing that she had returned to the White Moon Pack. It was the most emotionally taxing and difficult thing I had ever had to do.
“Why?” Sarah started to cry. “I thought she was ready to settle down and stay.”
“If it were not for the duel,” I muttered, struggling to speak. “She probably would have.”
“You must find a way to bring her back,” John said, taking his mate’s hand. “Else…”
I knew what John was about to say. He would follow Emily to the White Moon pack, and I could not afford for them to leave, not now anyway. For the sake of Lex as well as Emily, I had to figure out how to keep them all together!
“Good, that means you still want her,” my father said, interrupting my train of thought.
“Want who?” I asked.
“Emily, who else?” He responded, narrowing his eyes at me. “I was not referring to that witch upstairs.”
Angelica had managed to settle in, and she was driving the whole f*cking pack house insane.
I stayed out of sight by hiding out in my office, but when she decided to continuously barge into my office, even I had to make a run for it.
“Did you come to talk about Emily, or was there something else you wanted to talk about?” I asked, attempting to change the subject.
Things weren’t easy. I was depressed and missed Emily.
I couldn’t wait to find proper proof, banish Angelica, and hold Emily in my arms again. But things were a bit more complicated in finding the proof we so desperately needed.
Luke told me he thought he had seen someone assisting Angelica. It seemed like the person saw him coming and was able to escape when Luke attempted to approach him. Luke was unable to identify the breed of the wolf or even provide me with an accurate description of the individual. All he could see was a figure standing on the other side of the stadium with a black hoodie covering his face. The only reason Luke suspected him of assisting Angelica was because of the violet flashes under the hoody.
We have ever since tried to find out who the person was and if anyone else saw anything.
I growled, irritated.
Whoever helped Angelica had strong magic, and I was starting to believe that the person wasn’t a wolf at all.
What if something else sneaked in?
A witch?
A warlock?
What else could aid a half-breed with such magic?
“Yes and no,” my father replied.
He has made an effort to help with the hunt for this individual. He saw Luke bolt, but all he saw across the stadium was a shadow moving.
I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Which is it?” I asked.
“Well, the White Moon pack is holding a ball this weekend,” he said. “And I was wondering if you would be attending?”
Is that what is in the envelope-an invitation to a ball?
“Is the ball compulsory?” I asked.
“No, but the training sure is,” he responded.
“Training?” I asked, getting up. “Why would the White Moon Pack want to train us?”
“I guess it’s to do with the rogue attacks,” my father answered.
That makes sense. I guess that was the reason why Emily was gathering information from the packs.
“Do you think Emily will be there?” I asked.
“I suppose so. She is the one hosting the training,” he answered.
Hosting? Training is only done under the authority of senior wolves, specifically Gammas.
Does this prove Emily’s status as the Royal Gamma?
“I don’t think it is such a good idea,” I said after a moment. “I will not be able to stay away from her. The pull is too strong. If someone gets close to her, I might lose my sh*t and bring the pack name into dispute.”
My father nodded.
“Can I make a suggestion?” he asked.
“Sure,” I said, going toward the alcohol cabinet to pour myself a drink.
“I still believe you should attend,” he said.
I almost choked on my drink.
Was he seriously considering that?
Didn’t I just explain to him the reasons why I shouldn’t go?
“Even if it is just for training,” he added, his eyes gleaming in the office’s low light.
“But…”
“Bring Luke along,” he said, interrupting me. “I will take your mom, and you can leave former Beta John and his mate in charge.”
“Angelica is going to love that idea,” I huffed.
A smile formed on my father’s lips, and something sinister crossed his eyes, making me shiver.
“You will be bringing her along,” he said, his smile widening. “She is the so-called future Luna. Even she needs to attend the training.”
I had no idea what my father was planning, but right there and then, I was relieved to be his friend rather than his foe.
****