Chapter 3

Chapter three

The leader of the pack is never the loudest

***ROXANNE***

I WAS GROUNDED. I had no idea how long it would be but that was the Alpha’s declaration as a punishment. I observed my brother had been giving me the cold shoulder ever since the training camp and several times I tried to start a conversation with him but he ignored me and left me in the dark until he gave the order that I was grounded.

I wasn't allowed three square meals, just a once in a day thing but of course, my duties were intense. I still had to do the chores— a lot of it. But I was confined to my room till whenever. Chloe didn't make it any easy for me. Her taunts went on endlessly and I had to bear it all. I detested everyone.

As the week progressed, the bullying intensified. My very move was scrutinised and every drawback was highlighted. It was either Chloe messing up the kitchen after I made it neat or some pack member asking me to do twice my work. Other times they sang songs of mockery and made me dance to their tunes. I couldn't reject it because I was powerless.

I was losing myself daily but it didn't matter. No one cared. Sometimes I wished my parents were alive. I had few memories of my childhood but I knew I used to be

treasured when my parents were alive. I was loved and protected and no one could hurt me. But I had lost them and I had to bond with the only person I had as a family— Zane. But he stopped caring when he realised my flaws at a young age and he focused on himself.

I wasn't mad that he put himself first. That was the right thing anyway and I would do the same. But I hated that he threw me into the cruel hands of the pack members. I was downtrodden by his mate and it hurt that he stood aside and watched her treat me badly when he could've done something about it.

Lots of preparations were going on in the White Moon pack— the lunar peak Festival was fast approaching and a lot had to be done. The Lunar Peak Festival was an annual tradition where wolves gathered to find their mates. Every year different packs took turns to do it and now it was White Moon’s.

“I guess I've assigned your roles. Thanks for your suggestion, Nelly. We're getting a sacred altar. I want this to be different from every other Lunar festival. I want us to stand out, so please let's be creative with our ideas,” Chloe said.

“What can she do?” berth asked pointing at me, “She had to assist us in something.”

All eyes turned to me and I sat up straight. I was trying to figure out why multiple pairs of eyes were boring into mebecause I had been zoning in and out of the meeting, waiting for it to be over.

“She could help with the decorations. Or maybe the altar,” someone suggested.

“No! She’s impure, she shouldn't touch the sacred Altar,” Bertha countered.

Chloe rolled her eyes at me, “What can you do?”

Run away.

I swallowed hard, “Any role assigned to me. I'll do it.”

Chloe burst into laughter, “You think I was asking for your consent? Of course not. Whatever role you're assigned you're doing it. I don't care that you have to cook the whole day. Just don't mess it up for me and yes, for now, I need you to write out the letters that would be sent out as invitations. If it is reviewed and there are errors, maybe you'll just have to sleep in the basement. Get to work. Pronto!”

As much as I wished I could bring suggestions I kept my mouth shut because I knew no one was going to give me a listening ear. Chloe was in charge and we just had to go by her rules. I wasn't as zealous as the rest of them because I was spending it indoors. It was supposed to be my first but I was grounded.

***

RED MOON PACK

(Home Of The Warriors)

***ALPHA RYKER***

I sipped my coffee as I flipped through the papers. A picture of White Moon Pack appeared with a little story about how they healed a woman with a damaged bone. I closed the newspaper and tossed it away. I needed something different. Something that wasn't about Blue Moon and White Moon, all the time.

There was a gentle knock at my door and my ears perked up.

“Come in,” I ordered.

The door opened and my beta, Miles, entered. He bowed before me as a way of greeting me before blessing me with the details of what we had successfully won this time.

“You seem to be in a good mood,” he pointed out.

I shrugged, “Once it's victory. It's a positive energy.”

“Before I forget, Alpha, an invitation came through today. From White Moon Pack,” he said.

I stopped pacing my office and turned to face him, “What are the contents?”

“They are having their Lunar Peak Festival and I think you're invited.”

I pursed my lips as I mulled over it. White Moon, the pack I detested with my every being. For two decades my pack had remained isolated after the rebellion which had claimed the life of both my parents and it was all his fault. The Alpha of White Moon. The rebellion had birthed grudges and a thirst to settle old scores. After two decades I was invited to their festival. I had never attended the Lunar festival— I didn't care about mates nor did I care to find one. All I wanted was revenge for the evil done and on the day when all the packs would be gathered for the festival was the best day to strike.

It would be the best closure gift ever.

“Alpha, do you want me to get rid of it like the others?”

I shook my head, “We're keeping it, beta Miles.”

“Huh?”

“Inform everyone and tell them to get prepared. On Saturday, July tenth, we will be at the White Moon Pack.”

My beta nodded in understanding, bowed and took his leave. Left alone, a smile tugged at my lips as I began counting down in anticipation.

Thank you, White Moon.