It’s been a few days in the Lotus pack, and things seem to be going well with the new queen alpha. Miranda never thought she had this much strength in her, but with the help of her mate and the pack’s circle, she did just fine. She’d already appointed a few new officers, including a beta to take over the former. She’d overseen the works her father was unable to finish, and all of her followers accepted her. They didn’t judge her for her mistakes or shortcomings, they were a lot of things she didn’t know about initially, but they led her through the whole process.
Everything might seem fine, but Miranda knows it’s far from that as there’s still one last thing that’s not in place, and that’s why she decided to talk to Damian about it after they had their breakfast that morning. They were talking a walk through the Lotus Garden when she called his attention.
“Yes, my love?” He answered.
“I’ve been thinking… things are going smoothly; I think it’s time for us to go back home.”
Her words surprised him. “Miranda, you do realize that you are alpha now, you just took the seat not too long ago, and now you want to run away from it all?”
She shook her head, “of course, I’m not running away from any of it. The reason I made this suggestion is because of you, Damian. I know you like it here, but you have an obligation to your people the same way I do. I think we’ve both been away from home for so long.”
“Miranda, I wasn’t complaining about being away from home.”
“Yes, you weren’t…. but your actions say it all. You don’t fit in here at all, Damian, and I know that you’ve been trying to hide it because of me…but I’m fine now, I want us to go back home now, please.”
“So, what about your duties, your people? Will you leave all that behind just to return with me?”
“Of course not. I’ve spoken with the new beta regarding the ruling affairs. I trust Orphne so much and I know he’ll do a good job as a stand-in leader. I will still be overseeing operations while I’m in the silver terrain.”
“That sounds like a lot, Miranda. Are you sure you can cope with all of that? I know you want me to return but you don’t have to come along with me if it’ll be too much of a burden for you… ruling the alpha seat from such a long distance…”
“The long distance between me and the alpha’s seat is one I could cope with, but I wouldn’t be able to bear being so far away from you, Damian.”
As he pulled her in closer for a kiss, it occurred to Damian that through her words, she was starting to become more open with her feelings than she was before. Truly, she was healing.
“How were you able to say the exact same thing I had on my mind? How were you able to feel the torture just at the thought being so far away from you?” He asked as he pulled from her lips.
She shrugged with a chuckle, “maybe it’s my alpha instincts doing the work.”
“So can your alpha instincts read all the things I have in mind to do to you right now?” He smirked.
Only one word she whispered before turning her back to him, walking seductively towards a part of the enclosed garden interior, leading him on. “Maybe…”
**********
That same afternoon, the lotus queen received an unexpected message from the cardinal committee. Miranda had to meet with the messenger in court, she was hesitant to do so because of her resentment for the committee, but through persuasion from the circle, and for fear of not letting her anger rule over her better judgement, she decided to open the message to see what it contained.
To the Lotus queen, alpha Miranda,
We would like to start this message on a blissful note by congratulating you on your recent coronation as the Lotus alpha. We hope that you will have the much courage and strength you will need for the ruling years ahead.
On the early hours of the previous day, we received a disheartening news that had much to do with your concernment.
On behalf of the entire committee, we would like to express our condolences on the passing of the mighty alpha Luther of the Lotus pack. He was well feared and respected for his bravery and contribution towards ending the former rogue wars. He was one of the best alpha’s our tribes have ever seen and his decease will surely come as a massive loss to all.
We do not have much to offer in this regard, but to honor alpha Lucas for the mark he made in all of our lives, we have decided to commemorate a special service, which will be graced by a special bonfire to wish alpha Luther luck and peace in the afterlife. Similar to the cardinal conference, we have sent invitations round all twelve tribes for all of them to attend.
On that note, we would like to end this message by saying that we hope that you will honor our request by attending the special moonlight service we have arranged in memory of your deceased father.
From the supreme desk of the Cardinal Conference Committee.
After reading the letter, Miranda gasped as she didn’t know when she started raising her voice.
“They knew! They knew how much my father did for them! How much my father sacrificed to keep the rogues at bay! He lost everything by moving to the battlefront with his men while other leaders cowered!!! His legs, nearly all of his people gone! My mother!!!! And yet… they had the nerve… the effrontery to treat the lotus wolves like dirt… like we didn’t exist for so many years…”
Elder Rory knew her pain. He too didn’t expect the letter. None of them did. They all knew of alpha Luther’s sacrifice, they knew that with all their leader had done, the Lotus wolves hadn’t been treated fairly when it came to matters of the conference, and now the committee waits till after he dies before showing his people the honor and respect they should have gotten years ago. How shameful…
“Alpha Miranda… I understand this, but please… you have to calm down and keep anger aside. This is a gathering in favor of our leader. Think of it, maybe this might be a chance to finally restore…”
“I don’t care!” Miranda barked. “I don’t care whatever chance this may be. The committee can go ahead and throw themselves into that bonfire for all I care! None of the Lotus wolves will be honoring their invitation! This is my final decision.”