“I think we should probably do the last ritual and bury the late Alpha first before anything else,” Beta Frank said after a thorough explanation of what was happening.
Heads nodding in unison gradually replaced the murmurs in the crowd.
After observing everyone’s agreements, Beta Frank proceeded to the next phase.
“I honorably call upon the great warriors who made it through the war; they will be the ones to bring Alpha Damian’s corpse out.” His eyes glowed with memories, and he felt depressed and overwhelmed.
Everyone was devastated by his statement, which reminded them that their Alpha had recently passed away and would be buried.
Sighs of anguish and sorrow swept among the pack members, and they consoled one another with whimpers and condolence whispers.
Seeing this broke Luna Mavana’s and The Alpha’s mother’s hearts the more, fueling Luna Mavana’s quest for revenge and her determination to find whosoever did this.
Beta Frank heaved a sigh and turned towards the warriors who had already walked up to the pavement; he then gestured for them to go.
Three warriors strode into the pack house with a slight bow, their footsteps echoing until they vanished into silence.
Beta Frank’s heart was heavy with sorrow and grief as his eyes lingered on the ground.
“I do not want us to be down and forget about things; The Alpha died as an honorable man who will be remembered forever. This pack requires no vulnerability at this time; we must be strong and reclaim our position as the best.” He declared, ignoring the sadness that was inside of him.
His words of encouragement and the care with which he delivered them lifted the sorrowful aura in the air, causing heads to nod in unison and reducing whimpers of sadness.
“We must support our Luna and the unborn heir, the reincarnation of our late Alpha,” Beta Frank stated.
The pack members cheered in delight, infuriating the taunting Elders.
Luna Mavana bit her lower lips to steady her pale and trembling lips, which was extremely difficult for her and her unborn child.
Her heart felt shattered, and she sniffed back tears that threatened to fall from her eyes.
“I am wondering how selfish you are.” The Relation Elder mumbled, silenced the cheers, and replaced them with curiosity.
“I mean, almost everyone in this pack lost a family member or more during the war, but no one is talking about it; you people are only concerned about Luna and her unborn child.” He yelled.
His eyes welled up with tears, revealing his level of grief, but behind the tears lay a clever plan, a strategy fueled by each statement he made.
Beta Frank felt a pang of guilt, and he averted his gaze from the pack members, who were already lost in their thoughts.
They bought his emotional display and support, unaware of the manipulation he was gradually putting them through. Their sympathy for the loved ones they had lost took precedence.
Wails pierced through the air, and they began mourning for their loved ones. A satisfied smile curled up on the Relation Elder’s lips, and his brief display was well received.
Luna Mavana also felt guilty, her gaze darting around until it landed on the Relation Elder, who had a slightly visible smile on his face. Her eyes widened as she realized his emotional manipulation. She walked towards Beta Frank and was about to tap him when the three warriors sent to bring Alpha Damian’s corpse rushed outside, heavily breathing.
Beta Frank’s eyes locked on theirs, expecting a nod or a respectful bow, but the first warrior’s voice trembled.
“We… could not find him,” he stuttered.
The pack’s murmurs erupted, tinged with alarm and disbelief. Luna Mavana’s eyes widened and darted in confusion and agitation.
The Alpha’s mother, who had been silent, began to quiver, fear and humiliation overwhelming her.
“My son, He-” She choked, her voice stuck in her throat, and tears streamed down her cheeks as she watched the confusion spread throughout the pack.
“What exactly do you mean?” Beta Frank inquired, using a low but urgent tone.
The warriors swallowed hard, terrified, as the first warrior opened his mouth to say, “We entered the Alpha’s room but could not find his body, only the clothes used to cover his face. Then we checked every room and corner. Alpha Damian’s body is nowhere to be found.”
The pack’s gasps of disbelief echoed through the air, followed by their wandering footsteps. Confusion consumed them all as they gazed at the warriors.
Beta Frank’s face turned pale instantly, his mind racing with the potential consequences.
“Search everywhere, the perimeter, the pack borders,” he said, breathing heavily.
“Check for any signs of intrusion, take a close look at any footsteps, find those intruders, and return Alpha Damian’s corpse,” he said, his voice firm but uneasy.
Luna Mavana’s legs trembled as she stepped forward, her voice low and steady. ” This is clear evidence. We must consider and remember that Alpha Damian’s death may not have been a tragic and natural loss, but rather an intentional and calculated move.”
The pack’s whispers became louder, spreading fear and unsettling thoughts. They became conscious, sensitive, and suspicious as they wondered who could have done it.
Luna Mavana’s gaze shifted to the Relation Elder, who was glaring at her with hostility; their gazes locked, emitting hate and fury from both sides.
” Go!!! ” Beta Frank yelled at the warriors, who bolted away immediately.
******
They began the search after searching through the entire pack with no results, and they proceeded to each pack border.
“The degree of animosity and disunity among our pack leaders is alarming.” Warrior 2 stated, breaking the overwhelming silence as they continued their search.
“That is none of our business; we have to find the intruders.” The first warrior/Warrior 1 responded.
“Are not we members of the pack? I won’t be surprised in any way if it’s later said that the Elders have a hand in the death of our Alpha.” Warrior 1 ignored the first warrior’s response and muttered.
As a result of his statement, they stopped walking, perplexed and overcome by the feelings he evoked.
“Probably we should just concentrate on this…” The sound of footsteps rattling against the parched leaves, shattering them into fragments, cut short the statement.
“Who is there?” Warrior 1 enquired, his gaze darting around until he saw a few individuals hurrying away with their hands raised. That was it-they were carrying a dead horse.
The angst that had been building subsided as the terrified people fled with the dead animal.
Warrior 1 inhaled deeply, feeling a mixture of relief and a decreased sense of tension, and said, “Let us go search the last border left, the one leading to the restricted woods.”