Chapter 28
The first time I met Alpha Kodak, I felt a strong connection to him. When my former pack betrayed and almost killed him, I turned against them.
Despite the rumors about how heartless Alpha Kodak was, I did not judge him based on that but on the matter presented
before me.
Alpha Kodak never disappointed me, surpassing my understanding and judgment of him.
Then Zeeva came along. I had been rejected by my mate but was happy when he felt a connection with Zeeva.
I supported him throughout, and when I heard about Luna Lovette’s accidental pregnancy, I was broken, fearing Alpha Kodak might do something stupid.
It was neither of their faults, and I stood with Alpha Kodak for choosing his pup over Zeeva, something he would not be able to tell most people until after the wedding.
Meeting Luna Lovette, she looked like a perfect fit for Alpha Kodak, but I knew their differences would prevent them from being together, as much as I wished for it.
If not for her presence, how could I have ever left my pack? It was all thanks to her beta, Cassius, arriving early that made it possible for me to arrive at the Moon Glow pack.
Being a mating ceremony, I so wished to find my second chance mate and was excited to be met by Alpha Dolphus and his Luna, Greta.
“Welcome, beta Raul, but does it mean that Alpha Kodak won’t make it?” Alpha Dolphus asked, a look of disappointment on his face. I understood the reason for his worry and assured him.
“My Alpha will be here with Luna Lovette. I just arrived earlier in the hope of finding my mate too.”
My answer satisfied them, and they walked me inside. Everyone I knew had arrived except one.
I started to greet them, but they all seemed to have questions for me.
“Beta Raul, I hear there are miracles happening at your pack. Care to share with us?” one of the Alphas asked in a mocking
tone.
Most of them envied Alpha Kodak because he was stronger, more powerful, principled, and wealthier than them, so I was not surprised by their jesting, but that did not mean I was going to tolerate it.
Alpha Kodak trained me well, after all. “As far as I’m concerned, miracles are, and can only be performed by the moon goddess. We are merely her creation.”
An embarrassed smile crossed the face of the Alpha who thought he could intimidate me because my Alpha was not around.
I walked away to another group before someone else asked, “How can someone like Alpha Kodak publicly engage Zeeva and later send invitations around for his wedding with Luna Lovette? Beta Raul, I’m not trying to be judgmental, but the Alpha of the Silent Claw Pack seems to me like a gold-digger.”
He asked and answered his own question, not giving me the chance to respond or say a word, but I was greatly pained and yet tried my best to hold it in.
“Beta Santos, since you already have everything figured out, I have nothing else to say.”
They were stunned by my outburst but were not ready to let me off the hook.
“Beta Raul, you have not tried in any way to defend your Alpha. Are you against or for him?” Beta Santos’s mate asked me. I forced a smile.
“Tricia, if you want to know the details of my Alpha’s relationship, just wait for him to arrive and explain things to you. However, you won’t hear it from me,” I said seriously, noticing the hint of disappointment on her face.
I knew she wouldn’t be able to ask Alpha Kodak directly, so that was my way of silencing her.
I came to this ceremony hoping to find my second chance mate, but every she-wolf avoided me. Yet, I felt drawn to one and approached her.
The bond between us was strong, but she averted her gaze when I reached her. “Do you not feel the bond too?” I asked, capturing everyone’s attention.
Ricky was not present, yet I found my second chance mate at his mating ceremony.
She met my gaze briefly before lowering her head again. “I do feel the bond, but after what your Alpha did, I don’t want to be a member of your pack,” she confessed.
Her words pierced me like a knife, but if it involved my Alpha, I wouldn’t plead with her. “So be it. Do what you must,” I challenged her. Rejection stung, and if I pursued this further, I might never have a chance at a third mate.
If she initiated it, she would bear the curse that accompanies it.
“I faced rejection once, so now it’s your turn,” she replied, a bitter laugh escaping me.
“If you refuse, then you must come with me to my pack,” I said firmly, ready to overlook her earlier harsh words. However, as soon as I grabbed her arm and felt the bond strengthen, she blurted out,
“I reject you, Beta Raul. I don’t want to be your mate.”
I heard giggles all around me, most of them from the she-wolfs. The pain of this rejection cut deeper than my first.
The bond shattered before I could even acknowledge her rejection, and I realized she felt no pain because I hadn’t accepted
Glaring at her, I let out the words, “I accept your rejection…” I didn’t know her name, but I found it odd that she hesitated to mention it.
With all eyes on her, she finally revealed, “Irene.”
“I accept your rejection, Irene.” As she pressed her hand against her chest, I felt our connection dissolve, and I walked away, leaving her to face the consequences of her decision.
We both rejected each other without getting to know each other, and I felt no desire to stay any longer except to greet Ricky, who would soon become the Alpha of the Moon Glow pack.
Unfortunately, my rejection became the subject of mockery as I heard their mocking laughter behind me.
“His Alpha cheated on Zeeva, and his mate rejected him. So pathetic. The Silent Claw pack has fallen from grace,” a she-wolf
taunted.
I turned sharply to face her and retorted, “No one is strong enough to bring down the Silent Claw pack. Who is Zeeva anyway?”
She paled and was about to respond when the emcee’s voice interrupted her.
“I would like to welcome you all to the mating ceremony of our upcoming Alpha, Ricky,” the emcee announced.
As everyone’s attention shifted, I followed their gazes to see a shadow at the entrance. It was Zeeva.
The emcee paused at the sight of her, and many she-wolves gathered around her.
“Zeeva, you made it. I thought you wouldn’t be able to. How are you feeling about the news?” one of the she-wolfs inquired.
When Zeeva’s eyes met mine, I could tell she was unaware that Alpha Kodak would be arriving later.
She smiled at the she-wolves gathered around her and walked up to me. I was surprised that the emcee had stopped speaking. Did words fail him?
“Raul, you dared to show your face here?” She directly attacked me. I saw the excited look on the faces of the she-wolves, but the werewolves stood behind me, though showing no signs of support.
“What makes you think I am afraid of you?” I asked her, shock registering on her face. Was she expecting me to beg her after what her father did to my Alpha?
“You sent me out of your pack like a common criminal, but the Moon Glow pack and we signed an alliance yesterday. As such, you are trespassing, and I have every right to send you away.”
This was embarrassing, as I had never heard of something like this. I looked around for Alpha Dolphus and his Luna, but they were nowhere close.
“If that’s the case, then why hasn’t it been announced yet?” I asked her.
“That’s because it takes three days for the memo to circulate among the packs,” she replied. I choked on laughter, making her
upset.
“Hahaha, Zeeva, in that case, whatever was signed between both packs isn’t legal yet. Why don’t you descend from your high horse or wait until then? From what I see, you don’t have the knowledge of pack management and yet claim to be an Alpha’s daughter.”
Not only she, but her friendly she-wolves were enraged, while some of the men giggled.
“Beta Raul, if I didn’t know better, I would say it was Alpha Kodak himself talking,” one of the men said, patting me on the shoulder, as the emcee went ahead to make his announcement.
“Let’s pause the drama and think about the reason we are here. Without much ado, let’s welcome our soon-to-be Alpha, Ricky,” he yelled. We all clapped to welcome Alpha Ricky, but suddenly, phones were beeping.
Ricky arrived at the top of the stage in all glamour and elegance, but attention was on phones.
I reached for my phone when I heard it beep, but what I saw made my heart ache.
Did Alpha Kodak not realize he was being videoed when whipped? Tears welled up in my eyes, but I held them back, determined to stay strong for my Alpha and our pack.
“What a disgrace. Alpha Kodak is unfit to lead,” one she-wolf remarked, echoing the sentiments of others. “I bet his wolf has abandoned him by now.”
“Yes, and that scar will always be a mark of his shame. He’s a disgraceful Alpha. The Silent Claw pack should choose a new
leader,” a Luna added.
“How did this happen?” a man inquired. “Alpha Kodak is too proud to let this happen.”
Alpha Dolphus and his Luna returned, informing us about Alpha Kodak’s arrival, suggesting to bring Alpha Kodak to account. However, I intervened, insisting on speaking to him first.
“I will go talk to him,” I declared.
The expressions on everyone’s faces, including Irene’s, indicated a desire to confront Alpha Kodak without warning.
I left before anyone could object.
Upon seeing Luna Lovette, I believed Alpha Kodak had made the right choice. None of the she-wolves present, not even Luna Greta, could compare to her.
Standing next to Alpha Kodak, they looked like a graceful army. However, with the video circulating, I couldn’t even compliment them directly.
“Alpha, you should check the trending news.”
Both Alpha Kodak and Luna Lovette checked their phones, and the hopeful look in Luna Lovette’s eyes caught my attention.
