ARGON
Everything is falling apart. I’m losing everything I worked for.
The following day, after the horrible meeting with the council members, the councils made a public announcement to on a live broadcast, labeling me as unfit for the throne.
They publicly exposed all my secret doings on Brielle, broadcasting far and near, telling them how horrible I was.
I was filled bitterness when I saw this at around seven in the morning. Jerome had called me out of my room to come and see the news.
The councils didn’t spare me. They made sure every station took up the news, so that other packs would be aware of the changes made in Wolf Crest.
“He is now on probation, and would be given his position back, if he proves himself worthy to the one in charge of his destiny. For now, he is no longer the Alpha. Wolf Crest has no Alpha,” They announced.
Shame engulfed my whole body system, leaving me trembling in my seat. I couldn’t even move my own legs anymore. Where do I go from here?
“This is bad. What can we do? ” Jerome asked, sitting next to me.
All I could do was sway my head and tell him I don’t know.
“You can’t say that, Alpha. You still have some time until your wedding. You heard what they said yesterday. It all depends on Brielle. Why don’t you think of a way to get her to release your power? ” Jerome suggested.
But I was just too weak to even meet her.
“Did you think I didn’t think of that? I did Jerome. But you saw with your own eyes how she raged at me in the kitchen. You saw it, didn’t you? ” I sighed resting my chin on my hands.
“Yes, I did. And I must say, she surprised me. She was never like this. What… What changed in her?”
What changed in her? With all that she went through in both mine and Estelle’s hands, did I expect a woman like her to finally bury that love she once had for me and become a warrior?
Of course she was bound to change after accepting the truth. And that acceptance is ruining me.
“I need to rest. I’m just not in the mood for all these, ” I said, rising to my feet to leave. Only for my phone to start ringing.
I had a thought it was Estelle trying to reach me after seeing the news, but it wasn’t her. It was the Business Award Organization.
They were calling.
My heart sank when I saw their name on my phone screen. This will be the first time my heart would beat in fear on seeing them calling.
I was troubled at heart.
Answering the call, I greeted with a sweet voice like I always do. But the organization weren’t moved by my greetings.
“What? You… You can’t be serious. I won that award fair-and-square! ” I defended, shivering at their plans.
Jerome had gotten to his feet on hearing this. He drew nearer to know what was wrong.
“We are sorry, but we can’t make a man of low standard to possess such trophy. You are no longer the Alpha of your pack.”
“But…”
“Our agents will be coming over to take the award tomorrow. You’ll be erased from this year’s business man of the year award, if the councils don’t return your position. Good day. ”
“Wait!”
BEEP!!
The call ended. They have stripped me of my award. That award I didn’t get to hold for long has been taken away like that.
It’s gone.
“Goddess! What is happening to me?” I mumbled, holding my head while bending down to get myself.
This was becoming unbearable for me. It’s just two days and I haven’t gotten any peace of mind. Everyone wants to attack me. I’m even ashamed to step out to work. I just don’t know what to do any more.
“Alpha, pull yourself together. This isn’t the end. You are going to get out of this. I believe in you, ” Jerome supported, getting me on my feet again.
“Thank you, Jerome. I’ll… I’ll just head back to my room and rest. I didn’t sleep all night, ” I said, making my way for the stairs with Jerome following from behind.
He still wanted to support me, so I won’t fall in my weak state.
As we got closer to the stairs, I heard a familiar voice laughing out from the corner.
I looked and saw Brielle and Tania, making their way out of the kitchen, with a tray of food.
She looked so happy, like one who was free of many burden. I have never seen her laugh so wide like this before.
It gave her a new look.
“Do you wish to speak to her about this? She might still have a little spot for you in her heart, ” Jerome asked, still hitting on his suggestion.
But that courage was gone. I no longer had what it takes to stand before her with authority and command her like then.
She isn’t the Brielle of old. This Brielle is strange.
“No, I want to rest, ” I said, turning down his advice and making my way back up the stairs.
.
Calls and Text messages have been streaming in from people I’ve partnered with. They were all showing their detest towards my actions, and were slowly drifting out from their deal with my company.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t work with you any more.”
“Your reputation will ruin mine! Goodbye!”
“Really? You left such a beauty for that naked woman? If you didn’t like your Luna, you should have said so from the start. Men like myself, would have made her my queen.”
They all drew back, mostly the top business partners. Only few stayed back, giving me one last chance.
“You’re a good business man, but if things don’t go well from your side , we’re going to leave you as well.”
“Nothing like that will happen. I’ll make sure it doesn’t,” I assured them, sounding like a beggar looking for food.
They considered my situation and accepted my plea, giving me one more chance.
As soon as I had the last call with my last partner, I fell into bed, shivering. I was too weak from head to toe. I haven’t eaten anything yet.
This was already noon at around two, and all I’ve been doing was taking calls, begging important people who contribute a lot to my success to stay, and avoiding bad messages from those that despise me.
All these I’m getting because, I rejected Brielle. Why do they find her so special? She has been with me for long, and I have never seen anything attractive about her.
Father fell in love with her when he saw her and didn’t hesitate to pronounce her as my mate. The councils fell deeply for her innocence, seeing her fit as my Luna. The people all value her, worshipping her like the goddess, but despite all these… I still couldn’t see that thing they all love about her.
“Is it her face? Her approach perhaps? Why do they prefer her to Estelle? Why her?”
I turned over, dropping my gaze on my hand. A flash of the vibration from her body, travelled around mine. I could still remember how it felt.
Even if I can’t see what others saw, I know that vibration was enough to draw my attention to her.
And now, I want to know what that was. What was they strong feeling coming from Brielle?
Suddenly, I heard someone calling out to me from outside. It was so loud and troubling that it got me scared, thinking an angry mob had stormed into my home without being stopped!
I immediately got out of bed and rushed out to see what the commotion was all about, only for me to see Estelle, demanding for my presence.
“She’s here?” I uttered, staring at her from up the stairs.
Then, her arrival or presence would bloom my heart and soul, but seeing her now, I no longer felt that way.
“Jerome, where’s my… My baby!” She called on seeing me upstairs.
She came rushing towards me, while I was making my way down the staircase. Before I could reach the bottom, Estelle jumped into my arms, crying.
“What have they done to you? How could those monsters take your position away?!” She cried.
I had no strength for all these, but just dropped her down, humming at her words.
She cupped my face and took a good look at me. Her eyes shimmering with tears, as she said to me, ” We’ll get through this together, okay? Those people can not stop us from being one. This is a test from the goddess, and we will pass it. ”
“Estelle, can you just let me be, please? ” I requested, pulling her hands off my face.
She looked confused, curious to know why.
“Baby, talk to me. Did those oldies say something bad against you? Talk to me.”
She was beginning to annoy me with her pestering, almost getting me to spark out at her when…
“Oh, this is good!” We heard Brielle’s voice.
I lifted my eyes and saw her carrying a basin with her clothes in it. Her face came lightening with smiles, drawing closer to us.
When Estelle saw her, she growled at her.
“I didn’t know you were coming, Luna Estelle. It’s good, ” she said with joy.
“How dare you interrupt my Alpha and I while we’re talking, you servant? ” Estelle questioned, still carrying that authoritarian attitude, despite everything going on.
“I can see you’re enjoying what is happening. After all, you are the cause of our problem, you wretch.”
“Oh, it’s fine. It’s not as if it’s the first time you’ll be blaming me for every bad thing going on in your life. I am used to it, ” Brielle accepted without any care, shrugging at us.
And that made Estelle mad even more.
“I am here to show you this, ” She said, pulling out a slip from her pocket and handing it over to me.
I wanted to take it but Estelle grabbed it first, dropping her eyes on the slip.
“This is Valley Hall. Why are you showing us this place?” Estelle questioned.
That’s when Brielle revealed that the Hall is where she wants our wedding venue to hold. “I heard it’s a good place to Wed. You get to see the moonlight fountain glow at night. It will be magical and perfect for you two.” She grinned.
She wasn’t wrong. Valley Hall is one of the most beautiful and expensive halls to throw a function. I also had that in mind while planning with Jerome then.
And to my amusement, she picked my choice of venue for the wedding.
I stared at Brielle, who began to ask us for the date. “I was thinking of calling the Hall attendants, but only when I get the exact date of the venue. ”
“Are you high? Since when did you start caring about our wedding? And why are you rushing ud? Didn’t you give us three months? ” Estelle questioned, finding Brielle’s attitude odd.
Brielle didn’t give her an answer but told us to be fast about it.
“I know you two can’t wait to be mated, so… Why delay?” She asked.
Annoyed, Estelle said, ” I see what you’re doing. You are hurt with the fact that Argon’s love for me is unbreakable, despite all the attacks coming to us.”
Pride took over Estelle, who began to remind Brielle of the promise she made, calling her a servant.
“You are still a slave to us, so don’t you dare tell us what to do, ever again. Is that clear?!” Estelle roared, waiting for Brielle’s response.
But she didn’t get it. Instead, Brielle dropped her eyes my way, lifting her brow at me.
I immediately understood her gaze. She was reminding me of her words at the kitchen yesterday.
“You brat! I said, is that clear?! ” Estelle roared again, raising her hand to slap Brielle.
And with a swift move, I caught it before it could reach Brielle. This stunned Estelle, who turned around to face me in shock.
Forcing words out of my mouth, I said, “Brielle will no longer be yours or my servant.”
“What? Why? I thought you made her my hand maid? ”
“That was for the show! But it has ended!” I raised my voice, making her shiver.
Trying to control my frustration, I told Estelle that Brielle will no longer serve us. “She’s still my late father’s daughter-in-law.”
“Are you joking now? Daughter-in-law? What about me? ” She pointed herself, demanding to know.
“I’ll take my leave now. I need to wash this messy clothes,” Brielle said, walking away.
I watched her until she was out of sight, before storming back upstairs, heading for my room.
“Argon! Wait! ” Estelle called from behind.
I didn’t bother to look back until I got to my room. She followed me in, demanding to know what had happened back there.
“Don’t tell me those councils forced you into calling her that, because I will not allow…”
“They didn’t,” I interrupted, getting into bed.
Estelle didn’t look pleased. She resumed with her hatred for Brielle, saying all sort of things about her.
“That woman thinks she has grown wings, huh? Argon, I don’t know if it’s just me, but there’s something off about that wretch. I just don’t like the feeling I get whenever she’s before us. I don’t,” She complained.
I just hummed, laying in bed to clear my mind.
Estelle came around and knelt in my front, so I would look at her. She smiled and said, ” Don’t worry. After our marriage, everything will go back to normal. Even if they don’t return your position back, my father will take you in and he’ll make you the next Alpha. You are covered, my love.”
She bragged, acting like one who wasn’t affected by the attacks from everyone.
And with that word MARRIAGE, singing in my brain…
“Estelle.”
“Yes, my love?” She placed her hand on my face.
“Can… We not talk about marriage or wedding for now? I really need some time to myself.”
“Of course, dear. You just need to rest and get your strength. Then…”
“You aren’t getting me,” I said, sitting up. “I need a break, like a real break from our relationship! Can we put this affair on a hold, until I know where I’m going with my life?”
“A break? Are… Are you…” She stammered, shaking with her eyes growing wide.
I sighed and said, “I don’t know how long it will take for us. I just know that I’m not ready for this relationship.”
“WHAT?!” Estelle gasped at my decision.
“Yes, I need a break.”