John’s POV
“Are you okay?” Reyna walked towards me. I was standing by the pool, and then I could see the light of the moon reflecting on the calm waters.
I have been in deep thoughts after the conversation with Jake and I really felt bad with everything he said to me.
I have tried everything I could to make us live as the good brothers we used to be before the father’s death and the whole alpha saga came into the picture.
“Reyna,” I managed a smile. She was looking really beautiful. I didn’t know if it was just me, but there seemed to be something different about her that I just couldn’t understand.
“Is something wrong? You don’t look so well,”
I tried to dismiss her worries, but I wasn’t doing a good job, and she could see through me. “Did something happen between you and Jake?”
“I’m fine, Reyna. I just probably have a lot to worry about as the alpha of the pack. It will be winter soon and there’s a lot that needs to be put in place before the fall.” That was the best excuse I could give even if I knew Reyna wasn’t going to buy it.
“You’re not good at lying you know,” She smiled, and then, I did too, more of like a giggle. She knew she had got me where she wanted me.
I decided to confront her with the big question that had been troubling my mind, “Tell me Reyna,” I began.
She paused, wondering what I was thinking. I could see through her, and it was damn obvious. But then, as I stared at her, I couldn’t help but imagine what it’ll feel lile like to be Reyna’s mate. I wanted to be her lover, to be the one who would have her for as long as I had breath in my lungs, but I also knew that being Reyna’s mate was not just something I had the power to decide.
“Is there something you’re not telling us?” I looked at Reyna, but for some reason, her expression was unreadable. Though I could sense a bit of unease within her, it wasn’t so much pointing to anything I could use to infer that she was keeping something from me. But I still asked all the same.
“What do you mean?” She looked at me, surprised.
“Why did your father really give you away?”
“I thought I told you already? He’s disappointed that I’m yet to give expression to my wolf form. Why are you asking?”
I hesitated for a moment, but I knew I had to tell her what was bothering me, and the fact that hwr father had requested that she should return.
“Your father sent some of his sentinels over,” I revealed.
“What did you just say?” Reyna’s surprise was palpable.
“Yes, some members of your pack came requesting that your father wants you back.”
“When was that?”
“Yesterday, but that’s not my concern. My concern is, why would your father give you away and still come looking for you? It doesn’t make sense.”
“So you think I’m lying?” I noticed the disappointment on Reyna’s face. “You think I made up the story I told you and your brother?”
“Reyna, it’s not like that.” I tried to make her understand. “It’s just…”
“Just what?” I noticed the tears that ran down her cheeks. “You don’t believe me, do you? I thought….” She lost her voice as the tears ran down.
“It’s not like that, Reyna,” I took her hands, but she forcefully pulled away.
“Did he say why he wanted me back?” Reyna was serious, even while crying. I felt guilty. I had probably said too much. I shouldn’t have.
“Reyna…”
“Just tell me what he said. I can see you don’t want me here. So, I’ll leave.”
“Reyna… I’m sorry. It’s not what you think. I just wanted to know why your father would come with such a message to me when he was the one who sent you away from his pack.”
“What message? What did he say?”
“He’s threatened me and my pack, that if I don’t let you return, he’ll attack my pack. That’s why I wanted to know if he really sent you away from the pack, or it was you who ran away.” I finally revealed, hoping she would understand my concern.
“I’m sorry if I’m causing your pack any troubles. I would leave, so my father’s pack won’t have to attack your pack.” Reyna said, as she wiped her tears, raising her shoulders. She sniffed, and then sighed.
She turned away, and without saying anything further left. I tried calling her to wait, but she didn’t even bother to look back.
________________________________________
“So, have you spoken with Reyna?” Lord Bernard asked. I had told him about the threat from Reyna’s father and he was the one who had suggested that I had a talk with her to know the actual reason why she had left her pack.
“Yes I have, and I think it got her angry. She thinks I don’t trust her and probably seeing her as threat to the safety of my pack.” I replied.
“There are no room for sentiments, John. You’re the alpha of the pack, and that means, you’ll have to consider the safety of the pack before any other thing.”
“Even if it means I have to let Reyna go back to the same man who had exposed her to almost being killed by ruthless Werewolves out there? What if the message was not because he really wants her back, but because he has other ulterior motives?” I looked at Lord Bernard, hoping he’d understand my concern.
“That’s none of your business, John. She was never a member of the pack. She didn’t pass the test of acceptance, and that makes her not our responsibility.”
I sighed, exasperated. I didn’t want to agree what Lord Bernard was saying, but I had no choice. According to the codes of the pack, whoever is not yet admitted into the pack is not a responsibility of the alpha.
“So, you’re suggesting we let her go back to her father?”
“Definitely!” Lord Bernard said.