Akira’s Point Of View
Yesterday when she barged out in anger, I thought of giving her space but I was restless. She was wearing very thin clothing when she left the house. She could be cold. Where could she have gone? I could not keep calm, I had to go out to look for her but no matter where I looked, I could not find her.
I was beginning to go crazy. I could not catch her scent inside the palace so I decided to search for her outside the palace. On my way, I ran into Alice.
“Akira, what are you doing out at this time?” She questioned but I was in no mood to answer her questions. I walked past her and she pulled me back.
“Where are you going? It’s quite late.”
“I have to get to something. What are you doing out?”
“Didn’t you feel it? The earthquake. I thought that was why you’re outside too?”
I shook my head. “No. Nothing is going on outside, you should go inside.” I said. “It’s cold,” I added before proceeding to leave. She pulled me back again and I growled in frustration.
“What?”
“Are you still mad at me?”
“Why would I be mad at you?”
“Well..” she mumbled, drawing circles with her foot. “About this evening. You know, the incident with the shrimp and..”
“You mean the incident you purposely let happen? The incident you’re so much happy that it happened?”
“Akira…”
“What is your problem, Alice? What are you trying to achieve? Why are you keen on attacking Alexa every second?”
“I’m not attacking anyone.” She said in anger.
“If you’re not then what is your aim? Listen, Alice,” I said, taking a step closer. “I’m not joking right now when I tell you I’m this close to sending you back where you came from.”
She frowned. “I can’t believe this.”
“Oh, you better do. If you dare lay a finger on my woman again, I don’t know what I’m gonna do. I’ve only been warning you because of our history together but you won’t have that advantage if you keep attacking her.”
“I can’t believe you’re discarding me because of that…”
“This is a warning, Alice!” I thundered.
“Who is she anyway? She is just a wolfless…”
I gripped her neck and pulled her closer. “Keep her name out of your mouth,” I warned and she nodded vigorously as she gasped for breath. I let her go and she coughed violently.
“You know…” She said as she breathed heavily. “even if I leave, another person will come. No one will approve of that girl as our Luna.”
“That is the business of mine and my people. You have no say! Stay away from my business.” I warned with finality before walking away. I got out of the palace but I couldn’t sense her presence. I went back in and walked up the stairs. My wolf danced happily when I caught her scent. She’s back in. She’s in her room.
I stood in front of her door, my hand raised in an attempt to knock on the door. She probably doesn’t want to see my face now. I sighed and sat on the floor and rested my back on her door.
I closed my eyes and let her scent calm me down. She’s still awake. I can hear her troubled heartbeat. Alexa that I know would be thinking to herself but I can’t hear any of her thoughts. I tried so hard but I couldn’t.
“Are you asleep?” I asked like she could hear me. I sat there for about thirty minutes before going back to my room. All night, I couldn’t sleep. She was all that occupied my head.
I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I felt irritated by everything. I felt even more irritated when a messenger from the elders sent for me. What could they want? I dressed up and went to them.
“We need to access last night’s incidence, Alpha.” Elder Gerald said as soon as I got in.
“What’s there to be accessed?” I asked him.
“We need to think about a punishment befitting to the offender.”
“You do know you’re planning to punish your Luna, right?”
“We’ve not accepted -”
“Don’t give me that bullshit. She is my mate and you will give her the due respect. And what? Punishment? Punishment for what exactly?”
“She almost killed you. She was careless enough to feed you something hazardous to your health.” Elder Dinah said.
I laughed in disbelief. “You’re mistaken, woman. Sure, I was served a bowl of shrimp soup but she did not feed it to me, did she? I picked up the spoon and ate it. I had a choice not to eat it but I chose to so how is that her fault?”
“Well… she… um…”
“And besides, she didn’t know I am allergic to shrimp. I never told her. Even my mother and you guys didn’t know so I guess you’re all equally responsible, are you not?”
“Stop trying to shift the blame.”
“I’m not shifting any blame on anyone, Northwolf. I’m only stating facts. Since you want to punish her for not knowing about my health issue, you three should be punished with her.”
I smiled at seeing their defeated faces. I folded my hand at my back and began to walk to and fro. “I’m going to have another mating ceremony the next full moon.”
“Alpha….”
“There’s no crime in that, right? I didn’t get to marry my woman so I’m going to marry her properly next month. I’m not replacing her with whoever is in your mind. It’s not going to happen.”
“We are only looking after the safety of the pack-”
“Just because she’s not the best fighter doesn’t mean she can’t protect the pack in her way. Now you three will stay out of our way or I’ll show you why I’m called alpha.”
“We will not take this disrespect,” Gerald said and I shrugged.
“And I won’t take any disrespect thrown at my mate. Let’s stay in our lanes, shall we?”
I eyed them one last time before walking out of the room. I let out a breath and turned in the direction of my room. Alexa has not come out of her room all day. She’s been avoiding me. I thought she was comfortable that way so I didn’t go to her even though I was going crazy as the time ticked by.
As if the universe knew how badly I wanted to see Alexa, I ran into her in the hallway. Her back was turned to me and her head was against a door. I listened closely to what was she listening to and my blood boiled in anger. How dare they insult my mate?
If Alexa hadn’t stopped, I swear I would have killed that man. I was glad to know she wasn’t avoiding me. I was glad to know the same thing that troubled me was troubling her too. I wasn’t the only one going crazy.
“Do you really not remember the earthquake?” I asked her and she nodded.
“Everyone has been talking about the earthquake but I don’t have the slightest idea when it happened. I was probably too angry to notice.”
“Yeah,”
It’s happening again. I can’t read her mind. What’s going on?
Alexa’s Point Of View
“You’re leaving?”
“Yeah. There are some papers I need to attend to and the issue of famine is there too.”
“Famine?”
He nodded. “Rain has ceased to fall for about three weeks now. It’s unusual, given the fact that it’s rainy season.”
“Ah..” I said in realization. I helped him adjust his coat and smoothen it out.
I looked up and found him staring at me. “what?” I asked bashfully.
“I just can’t stop looking at you.”
“My face might wear out if you keep staring at me.”
He shook his head. “Your beauty can never wear out.”
“Gosh, you’re so cheesy,” I said and he laughed. He held my neck softly and claimed my lips gently. He pulled on my lower lip gently as he withdrew.
“If I stay longer than this, I don’t know what I’m going to do.” He said under his breath.
“How about you go, tender to your business quickly, and return to me?” I said and he smiled. He gave me a quick kiss and said, “I’ll be back.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
He nodded and left. I squealed silently and did little jumps of excitement.
“Gosh, this guy will drive me crazy.”
“And where are you?” I heard Cyan’s voice in my head.
“I’m in Akira’s room.”
“Gosh, I’m bored. I’ve been walking around the palace aimlessly. I can’t find you. And I’ve only been seeing the face of that woman all day.”
“Which woman?” I asked him.
“Amice? Alice? Yeah, Alice. She doesn’t look happy for some reason.”
“That doesn’t concern us, does it?”
“Sheesh! She might be your rival but-“.
“Rival? Please don’t use that word, you make us sound like teenagers.”
“I’m coming to you.”
“Alright. We might meet on the way.”
“Okie dokie. See you soon.”
I left Akira’s room to meet Cyan. On the way, I decided to visit Xena. The door to her room was opened a little bit so I entered. I met Xena drawing her curtains. Her hair which was always packed in a bun was falling down her back. She was wearing mini shorts and a large hoodie.
“Wow.” I gawked and she turned to me. Her eyes held shock.
“You could have knocked.”
“I never knew you had such beautiful long hair.” I said as I came in fully. “the first time I’m not seeing you in your typical warrior uniform.”
“And…?”
“You look beautiful. I’d certainly date you if I was into girls.”
“Sorry. If reject you if I was into girls. You’re not my type, you know?” She said and I chuckled.
“So did you and Akira talk?”
I nodded as I sat down. “You cried?” She asked and I shook my head.
“It wasn’t easy for me not to cry.”
She chuckled. “See? I told you everything will check out if you just talk.”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
“Where is he now?” She asked.
“He went to attend to something.”
“Probably because of the famine. Rain has fallen for just three days this month. It’s the rainy season but the trees are still dry. Rumors have been flying around.”
“Rumors? What rumors?”
“About some kind of course. They say the moon goddess is angry at the world.”
I shook my head. “They are just baseless.”
She nodded. “They could be and may not be. No one knows what’s really going on. The pack might decide on carrying out a rain rite ritual.”
“Who is going to perform the rite?”
“No one knows. It’s been long since one has been performed.” She said and I nodded.
“Alexa, where are you?” Cyan asked telepathically.
“I’ll meet you in my room. I’m coming.” I said to him.
“Xena, I gotta go. Cyan is waiting for me.” I said and she nodded. I ruffled her hair and scurried to the door. I left her room and went to mine.
When I got in, I couldn’t find Cyan. Maybe he’s not here yet. Just then, I saw a red envelope on my bed. I went to it and picked it up. I looked around for the person that left it on my bed.
“What is this?”
I untied it and opened it to read.
“Alexa, it’s me, Lyell. I need your help, Alexa. I was being held captive by the vampires before I found a way to escape. I heard you left, Raven Pack. I’ve always wanted to see you for the past ten years. I miss you, Alexa. I want to see you. Please reply to my letter. Just leave it at the post and I’ll get it. I want to know. Are you okay? How have you been all these years? Please, reply to my letter. Love, Lyell.”
My hand shook as I read the last sentence. My legs could no longer carry my body.
Lyell is alive?
He is alive!