Walden had heard about Luther’s death. He’d felt so sorry for Miranda and could only imagine how much it would have affected her; how much it must have hurt as he knew the level of closeness between father and daughter. He’d thought to pay her a visit as soon as he heard, as she would definitely need someone to comfort her by her side. She already did have someone, but that someone was not the right person for her.
The only reason that Walden hasn’t paid her a visit all this time is because he wouldn’t want to catch himself dead stepping on silver territory. Not that he feared Damian trying to attack him, but he knew that attempting to win back Miranda’s heart in an area he did not have control over didn’t sound like a good idea.
But then, as fate would have it, an opportunity presented itself; a bonfire service in honor of alpha Luther. All pack leaders and wolves had been given an invitation, and this was one he would definitely not miss, as despite all that’s happened, he still believed that a chance existed for he and Miranda’s love to thrive.
The night shadow wolves had gone far ahead but Walden was late to the service. As when he’d reached, the fire had already been brought down and while some of the wolves departed to head back to their territories, some stayed behind to exchange pleasantries and mix with the other neighboring tribes.
Missing the service didn’t bother Walden much as that was not the main purpose for which he came here. His main purpose was to meet Miranda, and searching for her was the first thing he began to do as soon as he reached the square.
Not long after, he spotted her, and luckily for him, she was not standing right next to her mate.
“Miranda!” He called her.
Miranda spotted him, wondering why he showed up so late. She’d earlier been surprised that Walden didn’t show up for a gathering that involved her, not that it bothered her, as it was just a random thought that swept through her mind. Of course, he still did come, but not for the service.
She tried to put on a not-so-friendly demeanor, “hello, Walden.”
“Aren’t you happy to see me? I mean how long can you stay mad at me?”
“The last time I tried talking to you like this, you almost came between my marriage. Many wolves are gathered here, and the only reason I’m not giving you the cold shoulder is because I do not want to humiliate you in front of those that are supposed to deem you worthy of respect.”
“I’m sorry for what happened that night, Miranda. Even though I still very much believe that Damian doesn’t deserve you, I never meant to come between the both of you like that. I always find it hard to stop professing my undying love for you.”
Miranda didn’t have time for this, “what is it you want, Walden? What did you come here for?” She rolled her eyes.
“I came to first congratulate you on your coronation. I know you’ll make a great alpha; you’ve always been a very strong woman.”
“Thank you. Is that all?”
“Don’t be so quick to push me away, please, Miranda. I know that there’s a lot you might be going through due to your loss. I know that the love of your husband might not even be enough to support you during this time…”
“And how do you know that? Even if that where true, what has that got to do with you? What do you think you could possibly offer me that would surpass the love that Damian has for me?”
“I want you to see my sincere heart Miranda, at least the fact that I haven’t given up on you all this while should at least tell you something, it should at least make you see…”
“It does not make me see anything! It does not tell me anything other than the fact that you wish to be a home wrecker! I will not remain here if you do not have anything else to say to me besides your undying love, Walden. I have things to do. A lot of leaders here wish to see me, and I cannot keep wasting time here with you…”
She was about to walk away when he stopped her, “one more thing, Miranda.”
“What is it?”
“I’m sorry that this was the first thing I should have said when I walked up to you; I’m so sorry for your loss, Miranda. Alpha Luther was a great wolf, and his pact on all of us will be remembered in the years to come.”
If there was one thing Walden said that didn’t annoy her, it was those words, it calmed her anger a bit then, “thank you, Walden.”
And then, with nothing else left to say, he let her walk away.
**********
Samara had come to this bonfire for one purpose only; one that would help her drive her plans forward. She had a new strategy in mind that she’d thought of earlier, as King Rakur was still delaying to develop a strategy for their attack.
In order to take down the enemy, she needed to befriend them. She needed to get closer to them, she needed to learn their secrets, and that’s the sole reason she decided to come for this bonfire, because she needed to get close with Miranda.
She’d been searching for her after the service but then Walden beat her to it. Of course, she wouldn’t dare to go to Miranda while Walden was there, so she had to wait patiently until their conversation was over, watching from a small distance.
Not long after, Miranda walked away from Walden, of course she didn’t expect anything different to happen, she was glad that their talk was now over. She waited for Miranda to reach a certain distance far from him before walking up to her.
“Hey, Miranda,” she beamed. “How have you been since?”
Miranda wasn’t sure if she was referring to her or some other person with the same name. When did Samara start becoming friendly to her all of a sudden? She didn’t know what sort of trick that Samara or Walden were trying to play this time, but she sure wasn’t in the mood for any of it.
“What do you want, Samara?”