Chapter 107 A dying wish
GOLD PACK
Every member of the Brown family and Gold pack looked gloomy with their eyes darting sorrowfully. Nadia sniffed and nodded her head gently as Xavier gripped her hand tightly in consolation. It was barely five weeks ago when she had discussed with Marcel, the longest conversation they have had since he fell sick.
Nadia knew he might never recover but she just never thought Marcel would die barely months into his sickness. It saddened her heart knowing her brother was no more. Even though they didn’t have the best relationship, she loves him dearly.
The burial process had been witnessed by half of the members of Gold Pack and those who couldn’t come around watched the live broadcast on their mobiles and televisions. Gold pack isn’t much of a large pack but the unity and progressiveness attached to it, is all due to the foundation laid by Marcel’s forefathers and himself before his early death.
The pack members couldn’t resist paying their last respect to the Alpha who always welcomed his people with an open heart and sees them as the most important part of him. And from the look of things Alpha Marcel would be greatly missed. Laying Marcel to rest finally gave Nadia some form of relief that her brother was favored by the Moon Goddess cause she didn’t let him die with no heir.
Nadia was lost in thought and didn’t put much mind to where she was headed when she walked into the foyer to find the pack council members mumbling to each other with Xavier in their midst.
“Aunt.” Xavier called out with his face looking sour as he motioned for her to come sit with them.
Nadia nodded as she took her seat, patiently waiting for one of them to say something. Beta Harry was the first to speak, he had not just been Alpha Marcel’s Beta but someone he could trust and count on. Initially, Nadia has nothing to do with the pack council since she is just the princess and had really not shown any interest in the activities going on there which was why it was a bit surprising that she found herself in their midst.
Beta Harry cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention. “Princess Nadia, we are really sorry for your loss. But we must admit, Alpha Marcel had a good life while it last. And I am sure just like everyone of us, he would want for the pack to continue progressing even in his absence which is why there is a need to do the needful and appoint another Alpha immediately.”
Nadia exhaled loudly. She blinked her eyes at an extremely slow pace. “I didn’t expect that we would be discussing this so early. I had thought it could wait till probably a week after he gets buried…but it’s all good. I am sure we are in no doubt supportive of Xavier becoming the next Alpha.”
Xavier smiled shyly as he shifted in the chair he sat on. His eyes darted in a hurry around the room and he was satisfied at the looks on all of the pack council members faces. However, his smile faded the moment Nadia’s face got masked in a serious gaze.
“However, I would like us to be aware of something very important about my late brother. There is a video clip he asked me to play to you all when this meeting comes up.” She said.
“Did dad change his will?” Xavier inquired, his hands gripping the edge of the chair a bit too tight.
Nadia smiled. “No honey. It’s really nothing to worry about. It is just a bit of what isn’t really much of an inconvenience if we are to be sincere.” Seeing that none of them had anything to say, Nadia motioned to one of the maids to head to her room and get her bag while she called on to three guards to get the laptop and projector in the pack house study. They all arrived almost at the same time. Nadia gestured towards Xavier to help her out with the flash drive she had taken out of her bag and she gave it to him to fix into the laptop.
“It is just a single video on it. Play it.” She ordered one of the guards who had helped to set up the projector.
With eager eyes everyone turned to the direction of the projector to see what was about to be displayed. Nadia for one reason or the other didn’t trust it would be right for her to insist the new Alpha installation be put on a hold because she needs to take an urgent trip. It would breed doubt and Xavier might think she is being shady which was why she had pleaded with Marcel to make a video of the last wish of a dying man just incase he does die before time. He had clearly warned Nadia to not discuss what her journey is all about until she returns with the actual heir. Marcel’s weak but still firm voice boomed through the silent room getting her attention.
‘Good day to you all my fellow park members, it is a good thing to be able to speak to you all for the last time. Although it hurts to speak because of how weak I feel at the moment which is why I would make it really brief. My sister, Nadia would be going on an important journey to find something and until she returns with it, nobody should be placed as the Alpha. This is my last wish and I really do hope you will all abide by it. Not forgetting also that my sister is also entitled to the throne.”
The video stopped and immediately there was some low grumbles among the council members.
Xavier stared hard at Nadia. “What sort of journey are you going to and why do I not know about it?” He asked.
Nadia heaved a sigh. “I promise you honey, it’s nothing to be worried about. I think the least time it would take me to get it all together should be three months.”
“But we can’t be without a leader for three months.” Beta Harry protested.
“Come on, ever since Marcel fell sick, you and Xavier have been handling the pack duties well and also with the help of the council members you can run it smoothly. The only clause is no need for an official Alpha announcement yet till I get back.” When no one said anything, she stood up to leave. “I will retire to my room now cause my legs hurt badly.” Nadia said.
As Nadia walked away, she could feel their eyes trailing her and she shook off the dreadful feeling creeping into her mind. They would definitely talk about her and propose different conditions to what is going on but she was less bothered. She already knew the trip would be to the advantage of the pack.
A tear dropped down her face as she entered the room. Nadia laid face down on the bed. Her heart ached at the thought of her brother. She wiped her tears but it wouldn’t stop flowing freely. She made a silent vow to ensure Marcel’s last wish gets fulfilled. There was no backing down now.
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Xavier hissed out loud as the liquid splashed on his hand. His hands were shaky and it was all due to his anxiety. Xavier downed the whiskey he had poured for himself and he shut his eyes tightly feeling the content work through his entire body.
He began pacing the entire room, trying to steady his continuously shaking hands by folding it behind him. Xavier had a bad feeling about the said journey Nadia intends to go on. He hopes for the good of all of them, nobody tries anything funny with his installation as the new Alpha of Gold Pack. Even though he wasn’t of a Brown heritage and his family name Herman has nothing to do with being royalty, Xavier feels entitled to the throne and having stood by the childless Alpha and Luna all the years as their adoptive child and comforter.
As a seven year old boy, Xavier already knew there was no chance for him at reaching the top aside being a cook just like his father in the pack house. His mother died on the very day he was birthed and the only family member he has was his father. They both lived in the pack house, managing in a tiny flat given to them in the servants house.
However, the late Luna Danielle took a particular liking to him. Xavier had always been a cute and lovable child which is no surprise that he grew up to become the cynosure of all eyes. The Luna couldn’t get over his innocence and would always make him spend time around her whenever she wasn’t busy. Luna Danielle showered him with gifts and Xavier almost forgot who actually birthed him. Also Alpha Marcel became accustomed to his presence. It was all going normally until Xavier’s father slumped in the kitchen store and couldn’t be revived. And it turned out he has been in pain for years due to his heart disease which eventually took his life.
Alpha Marcel was the first to propose for Xavier to be adopted as the Pack’s heir. It has been almost two decades since then and there was no doubt Xavier is the only one appropriate for the throne as he had undergone every training required of a prince.
Xavier rubbed at his forehead trying to steady his breath. The door creaked open and was shut close almost immediately. Xavier already knew who it was and he threw his head to the back in excitement when her hands caressed his chest.
“Seem like someone did miss me.” Savannah teased as she giggled happily.
Xavier smiled weakly as he turned to face her. He held her face gently with both of his hand and he kissed her passionately. Savannah held onto his side and moaned into his mouth. And all of a sudden, she moved swiftly away from him.
“What’s wrong?” He asked.
“We shouldn’t be doing this you know. Your father just died recently.”
Xavier pulled at her hand when she moved farther away, causing her to bump into his chest. “Since when did you start thinking about anyone’s welfare?”
Savannah laughed into his lips. “I am just trying to act like every other normal person for once. Just indulge me.”
“Silly.” Xavier grinned. He released her. He walked to the bed and rested in it while spreading out his arms. Savannah laid her head on his arm and snuggled into his side. She loved the smell of him. Every time Savannah remembers just how much Xavier loves her, it makes her feel like the most fulfilled she wolf in the entire universe.
“Talk to me, what’s bugging you?” She inquired, running her finger on his chest.
“I can’t be made the Alpha yet.” He said.
Savannah sat up abruptly. “What? Are they trying to play games with you? What is all of this about?”
Xavier chuckled at Savannah’s eagerness. He knows just how much she has been wanting to become the Luna. Even though his parents especially the late Luna Danielle had been against their relationship he still wouldn’t let her go. Savannah is the only one who makes him feel really good and he loves her. She was the right one for him and despite being called loose, he couldn’t care less.
“Easy baby. It’s nothing to worry about. All I have to do is wait till the next three months and also I would be the acting Alpha for the meantime.” He explained.
“But, how did you get to know about this? Also, how are you so sure this isn’t a coup against you?” She purred looking pissed.
“There is nothing to worry about.” He mumbled trying to convince himself.
Xavier was certain Nadia couldn’t possibly have a child somewhere that she intends to pull out as
the next Alpha. Even though she had been married twice Nadia only birthed one child. Nadia’s only daughter has refused to have anything doing with the family and had stayed away from the pack and even got married to a human. There is no way Anastasia would come to claim the throne with her husband even though she does have the royalty blood running through her. Her husband was no werewolf to be able to take over. Still, Xavier knows manipulation and greed comes to play in terms of gaining power. At the same time, it would be too wrong of him to wage war against the hands that had fed him and cared for him over the years.
“You are thinking of it a bit too much. If anyone is acting suspicious why not just tell me.” Savannah bursted her way into his thoughts.
Xavier has no intention of letting Savannah handle the case on his behalf yet. She is a werewolf that indulges in the use of dark magic. Her family, the Enron’s was known for it and had been banished from the pack at a time when there wasn’t much civilization. However, Alpha Marcel’s generosity did bring back a whole lot of the pack outcasts to the pack on the basis that they would desist from anything that would disrupt the peace of the pack.
Almost three decades later, people still don’t entirely trust them. Xavier knew for one that Savannah still practice black magic well. His parents had been against their union due to the dark magic clause but he doesn’t care.
Slowly Xavier sat up. He held her hands and kissed it. “Trust me baby, I have got this.” Xavier assured her and he pulled her to himself. He hoped for the sake of everyone’s sanity, nobody plays funny with him.
He intends to give Nadia a benefit of doubt, trusting she wouldn’t go behind to betray him and throw him under the bus. If that happens, the whole pack would definitely see a different side to him.