Claire P. O. V
This helps you feel a bit cozier. Lady Andara handed me a steaming cup of tea.
The day had gone by, but the sun still hadn’t appeared. This spot is nestled at the bottom of a valley, surrounded by thick trees blocking the sunlight, but we were in a clearing that allowed us to gaze up at the sky. Still, the air was pretty chilly.
“Thanks a lot,” I said as I took the cup from her.
I don’t know if this is their usual routine. Still, everyone in the camp had gathered in one spot that morning, cooking breakfast together, sitting around the campfire, and enjoying the meal they had prepared.
“Would you like some bread or a warm bowl of porridge for breakfast?” Lady Andara asked me again after handing me a steaming cup of tea.
I shook my head. “No, I’m not hungry, but I really appreciate it.”
“I just hope you can eat something before your Alpha comes to get you,” she said once more.
I smiled, dismissing the thought. “I’m not the one he wants. There’s no way he’s coming for me. He’s probably out there having a blast, celebrating.”
“Seriously? Aren’t you his Luna? The Moon Goddess made that choice, right? It wasn’t just you or her, was it?”
The Moon Goddess made the call, and since we’re fated mates, our power should be way stronger than those who are just chosen mates. But honestly, what’s in it for me if I’m not the chosen one or the fated mate? It feels pointless, and there’s nothing to celebrate about being as strong as a pack led by Ethan Randall.
“I heard there was an intruder here last night. Is that true?”
I caught Andara saying that and felt a lump in my throat. Because yeah, someone did show up last night-Chen Lien. But I didn’t think it was a threat since Chen Lien hadn’t done anything wrong here.
Right, Chen Lien wouldn’t do anything bad, would she? He just came to check on me, not to take me away. I wanted to escape with her last night, but a part of me held back. My inner wolf warned me that if I ran, things could worsen, and death would keep looming over this group.
“No-I,”
“Oh, it looks like we have some guests for breakfast.”
Andara cut off our chat. She rose and headed towards the thick forest, where only trees surrounded her. But everyone having breakfast quickly noticed and followed her, including a guy named Oscar, who was right behind her.
Curiosity got the better of me, so I trailed after them. I was taken aback when I spotted Ethan with Chen Lien, Danny, and a few unfamiliar faces.
“Welcome to our little gathering, Alpha Ethan, leader of the Silver Fire Pack,” Andara said, greeting them warmly.
Ethan simply nodded in response to Andara’s welcome. Meanwhile, Oscar and the other guys in the group looked tense, their eyes fixed on Ethan and his crew.
Ethan and I locked eyes for a moment, but he didn’t react at all. In fact, he quickly looked away, almost like he was trying to avoid me.
“We don’t have enough space for all these guests, but if you’re okay with it, feel free to sit down and have breakfast with us.”
“I didn’t come here to visit.”
His reply made me frown. It came off as arrogant and super annoying. Still, I’m hanging around to see what Ethan would do next and his excuse for being here.
Andara offered chairs to Ethan and his crew with much respect and kindness. But Ethan, with his rude attitude, jumped right in without any small talk.
“I want to take the woman you kidnapped last night. Just tell me what Exchange you want,” he said.
For some reason, his words really bothered me. It was like this guy had never learned how to be polite. I glanced at Andara, who just smiled and shook her head slightly, but I could tell it meant she found it awkward.
“Sir Elvis and Lady Octavia, I believe your Alpha could use a lesson in manners when speaking to others, especially older ones.” Oscar jumped in right in the middle of the chat.
With all the tension, I braced myself for a major showdown. If someone didn’t step in soon, the rogues who had a bone to pick with Ethan ages ago would lash out.
“Hey Oscar, chill out. We’re not in a courtroom here to hash out our disagreements.” Andara finally stepped up to mediate.
“Alpha Ethan, please hear me out. Octa, I think you should also help him understand that we didn’t kick off what you’re calling the ‘hunt.'”
Suddenly, a guy I didn’t recognize shouted, “If it wasn’t you, then who did it?!” But Danny quickly jumped in and told him to sit back down.
Instead of getting upset about being yelled at, Andara just chuckled a bit. “What a great spirit, my little Gamma.”
Gamma? Is that the same Gamma from the Silver Fire Pack? The one who trained all the Warriors and guards that kept the Pack safe and who was always around Ethan for protection?
“Twenty years ago, when your dad passed his Alpha powers to you, he made a deal with us that this forest would stay neutral ground. It wouldn’t belong to you or be controlled by our group,” Oscar explained.
“Out of nowhere, you decide to stretch the boundaries of your Pack’s territory, aiming to take over the forest and push us out. When we were just trying to protect ourselves, you mistook it for an attack. Still, honestly, you kicked off this whole hunting mess, Alpha Ethan.”
The room fell silent, and Ethan looked like he was under a microscope. The discussions went on until they finally reached a compromise. They’ll hand me back if Ethan doesn’t bring peace and stop the territory expansion, but it works both ways.
“We’ll honor your decisions, Alpha. Still, we’re counting on your wisdom to avoid any pointless conflicts,” Andara stated as if it was her final move.