This is it.
Curtis muttered to himself as he came to stand before the gate that belonged to his pack; the gate that separated them from the other parts of civilization.
When he became Alpha, since his sister would probably turn down the offer, he would tear down the gate. Actually, he was sure that she would. Of course. How could he forget? Leo was the rightful heir to the Alpha throne of the White Sted pack, that means his sister would be a Luna. Yet that depends on Leo agreeing to take the ruling reins.
However, there is also the fact that they didn’t know where he had gone-if he had returned to his former pack. Well, time will tell.
Curtis sighed, taking in the strength of the black huge gate. If he really becomes the alpha of Winders pack, first thing he will surely do was to dismantle the gate, and open the area to humans, so that they could do their developing magic.
Although, of course, like his uncle’s pack, there would be boundaries, and limits, forests reserved for the freedom of the wolves, and a better administration system.
A lot of work, that is then. He thought, dropping a knock on the gate.
Silence after a few minutes on the other side made him drop another knock on the huge black gate.
“Who is there?” He recognized the voice as Louise’s. Louise was the beta’s son, and one of his sister’s loyal friends.
“It’s Curtis here.”
“Oh thank the goddess. I had feared that you would be joining Maya to stay with Alpha Peter’s pack. Wheew, good you came back. Although, I wouldn’t blame you if you did. Even though their pack is drama full, it’s quite more interesting and lively than ours. I already miss it.” Louis spoke as he opened the hefty gate.
Curtis couldn’t agree any less, and that’s why he needed to develop the area, but first he had to dethrone his father. It seemed old age was beginning to distort his old man’s thinking capacity.
“Where is my mother?”
“I am not sure. Haven’t seen her since our return, not even at the women’s gatherings, or at the square. If I should speak freely, I would say that she has been lonely since all this started…”
Curtis didn’t understand if Louise knew what all this meant, or if he was talking about Derek’s party alone, but he didn’t bother to explain, or rope the beta’s son into what he wanted to do.
Yes, Louise wasn’t really pleased with his father’s government, ever since spending more than two weeks in Derek’s pack, but he wasn’t sure the latter was ready for a coup. And Kane had told him not to trust anybody.
For some reason, he didn’t want to disobey the man, who was likely more than a thousand years old. Ancients. He would need to do more research on them.
“Thank you, Louise.” He finally said, before rushing toward the Alpha’s residence to search for his mother, knowing that Louise would be wondering why he wasn’t his usual chatty self, or asking about food, or about Penny.
Penny.
He was sure that she was back home with Legardo.
When he arrived at the mansion, it was so lonely, except for a few servants here and there that were putting things in shape as usual. He strolled past the living room and headed to his parents’ room, pausing by the door post, and peeking into the room, past the door that has been left slightly ajar.
His father laid on the bed, his eyes closed, yet Curtis could tell that the man was in deep thoughts, and not sleeping. He debated on whether to greet him or not.
“Curtis…when did you come back?”
Of course his father would perceive his scent. Why hadn’t he thought of that?
Maintain a calm demeanor. Act normal. He chanted in his mind, yet Curtis was confused now on what his normal felt like.
Being tasked with this mission had made him a bit wary. He hoped it wasn’t showing on his face as he stepped into the room.
“Good afternoon, Dad. How have you been?” He greeted, choosing to remain standing. He won’t be staying for long.
Arnold didn’t reply to his son’s greeting, instead he opened his eyes, and then sat up on the bed, perusing his son with eyes devoid of emotion.
Curttis forced himself to remain calm, noting that he had barely a day to get the incriminating memory card, and get out of the pack, so that he would be in time for the birthday party of the twins, since Emma wasn’t around.
“Why did you stay at that pack till this time? You were waiting for your sister to brainwash you..”
Curtis furrowed his eyebrows at his father’s words, forcing himself to keep cool, and maintain his normal face posture. “You are right. She tried, but I don’t think I am a dummy to be brainwashed easily.”
He sat down then on the sofa close to the bed, having a feeling that this discussion would take longer than necessary, yet knowing that it would be a vital matter in his mission to convince his father that he was still on his side.
“So, what did the hooligan say?”
Arnold folded his arms across his chest, his lips set in a grim line, obviously not happy about the current outcome of things.
“She mentioned that you are working with a witch queen. Maya called her Leonarya. She also mentioned that you were responsible for the attack on Derek’s party a few nights ago, and for the banishment of Emma. She believes that you were behind the rumor that had caused the girl’s exile.”
Arnold sniffed at the words of Curtis. His daughter was really up to date, but of course he wouldn’t expect less from her. She was the intelligent one, calculative just like him. He had always wished that she was a boy, but now he was wishing that he had taken her in confidence about his plans.
Arnold wished that he had woven the controlling threads more, had regaled her on the benefits of what he was doing. That way, she might have still been for him, as Penny was for her father. It would have been better than indulging Curtis.
He looked at his son again. Could he trust him? Well, Curtis would be his heir, so what could go wrong? He would just start with the little crumbs, and see how the latter takes it.
“Yes, your sister is right. I am working with Leonarya.”