Zara’s POV
Nicolas stayed with us just before dusk, promising to see me soon. He went back through the tunnels in the same way he came. Our farewell was tearful, and as I watched him go, I felt both heartbroken and cold.
“Cheer up, old girl,” Levi linked, as we made our way back to the pack house.
It was time for us to get ready for dinner.
“It is really difficult,” I said sadly. “It feels as though my heart would burst into two pieces at any moment. I am starting to miss him already. And Kaya’s adding to the pain. All she wants to do is follow Nic back to his pack.”
“I think I understand,” Levi said. “The bond is making it unbearable to be apart.”
“Yes,” I replied. “And it is even more difficult to accept the fact that he visited me in these conditions. It would have been just as simple for him to ignore and reject me.”
Nic and I have not formally accepted each other as mates yet, but based on our behavior, it appeared that he was interested and would make the move shortly.
“He is a great guy,” Levi stated. “I hope that one day I will meet someone who is equally understanding.”
That warmed my heart and made me smile. Compared to his icy and distant demeanor, Nic was very different.
“I hope so too,” I answered.
I just prayed that the moon goddess would bless Levi with someone equally special, someone who would love and accept him for who he is. He deserves to be loved.
“I wonder why Alpha wants to see you after dinner,” Levi blurted, stopping at the edge of the forest.
“I am not sure what it is about,” I replied, as I went behind the tree, shifted back to human form, and put on some clothes. “I was hoping you could shed some light on what he wanted to talk about.”
“I do not know what it is about,” he said, as he emerged from behind the tree and held his shirt. “Alpha didn’t tell me anything.”
“Well, it seems important, whatever it is,” I remarked as I made my way to the pack house.
Upon entering, Levi and I made our way to our new Alpha Quarters on the top floor. He opened the front door for us, held it open, and let me go in ahead of him.
I put my handbag down on the little table by the door and made my way to my room.
The massive Alpha Quarters included a large living area, kitchen, dining area, master bedroom, and four guest rooms, all of which had private bathrooms.
Levi and I occupied different rooms. I slept in the master bedroom, and he slept in one of the guestrooms.
“I will see you in a bit,” I said, as I walked away down the hallway and toward my room.
“Do not take too long,” Levi called behind me. “We have dinner scheduled in thirty minutes, and we need to be on time. Your father is addressing the pack.”
I stopped dead in my tracks and gave Levi another glance.
“What about?” I asked. “He made no mention of anything to me.”
“My father just linked me,” Levi stated. “I suppose it has to do with the Red Howl Pack.”
With a comprehension-filled nod, I spun around and hurried to my room.
After a quick shower and change of clothes, I was ready and waiting for Levi in the foyer.
“You need to get a move on,” I yelled down the hallway. “We are going to be late if we do not get to the dining hall in five minutes.”
“I will be there in a moment,” he called back.
I sat down at the dining room table, rolling my eyes and letting out a sigh.
These days, Levi would take his precious time. He aspired to be flawless when he stood beside me. He took great pride in his role as a stand-in alpha.
“Come on,” Levi chirped, snatching the front door keys and heading toward the door. “We’re going to be late!”
Shaking my head, I stood up, grabbed my handbag, and trailed behind Levi.
When we got there, the dining hall was completely packed, and we had to go past a good number of tables before we could find ours.
Beta John had already stepped onto the little platform to speak to the pack. His expression hardened the instant he noticed us slinking inside.
“Your father seems extremely pissed,” I linked Levi, taking a seat next to Mother.
Levi casually raised his wrist to check the time. He intentionally did that.
“It cannot be our fault,” he stated, glancing in my direction. “We arrived on schedule with an extra thirty seconds to spare.”
That made me laugh. That would really get under Beta John’s skin. He detested seeing people arrive late.
“Your father is going to murder you,” I linked him.
“I doubt that,” he replied. “Technically speaking, I am now his Alpha.”
“And he just adores that concept?” I chuckled.
“Well, he doesn’t really have a choice, does he?” Levi said thoughtfully. “After all, my future Luna was the one who selected me as her mate.”
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Beta John bellowed over the microphone, and my attention turned to him. “Please, could we have your attention? Your Alpha wishes to address the pack.”
Beta John turned to face us, his light blue eyes as icy as always.
For a brief moment, he held my gaze, making me shudder in my chair.
I could feel Kaya growling inside my head, not liking the way Beta John was attempting to scare me. It brought the bitch out of her.
“It would be wise for you to inform your father of his intentions,” Kaya hissed angrily. “Alternatively, I will! I am sick and tired of his immature strategies! He ought to receive discipline and lose his rank!”
“I guess he is just upset because I did not accept Alpha Noah’s proposal,” I said, trying to calm her down. “Stop taking it personally. I am not. If he knew what was going on, he would understand.”
“I do not think so,” Kaya answered. Her feelings for Beta John have never been strong. “The Beta will not listen. If he finds out, he will throw you to the dogs. Something about him is just off… I have zero faith in him. He appears to be power-hungry.”
“He is the Pack’s beta, my father’s friend, and Levi’s father,” I told her. “Trusting him does not require me to like him. He has, after all, supported my father for many years, and I do not see why I should not be able to trust him if my father does. Beta John is just a traditionalist. That is it! Please ignore him. I’ll find a way to put him in his place.”
I was surrounded by gasps of surprise, and I quickly turned back to the stage, where my father was standing and speaking into the microphone.
“Settle down,” my father said, finding my gaze. He gave me a nod and indicated that everything was fine.
“We have started implementing additional safety measures already,” he said. “All pack members will participate in all planned training sessions and drills in the interim. The schedules include the elderly, omegas, and all pups. Are we clear?”
The pack members started whispering to each other, and Beta John moved forward.
“Your Alpha has asked you to respond!” With a roar, he silenced the dining room. “This is to keep you safe! This is not a drill! We are at war, people!”
Beta John trembled like a leaf in anger; he appeared to be on the verge of losing control of his wolf.
With a casual gait, my father approached Beta John and put his hand on his shoulder, and Beta John instantly became calmer. He moved aside, giving my dad another opportunity to speak to the pack.
“Beta John will relay the schedules to you,” my dad went on. His eyes were sweeping across each member of his pack.
My father developed a reputation over the years as one of the most honorable and well-respected Alphas out there, and his pack reciprocated this reputation by remaining loyal to and supporting him.
“I count on every one of you,” my father said. “This is to safeguard this pack’s future as well as that of Luna and her mate.”
I shivered in my chair when the pack answered in unison, leaving no doubt that they would stick around and fight for what was right. Levi took my hand and gave it a small squeeze.
“Everything will be alright,” he whispered. “You will be safe here!”
However, I could never have predicted the reason behind my father’s intense desire to see me.
****