by Belle Kayce
“I have nightmares.”
I don’t like feeling like this for him. Indeed, he is a monster. I know it, and he knows I know it, but he cared for me even when no one ever cared for him. It means something to him, I know. It means to him that someone see him other than the monster everyone makes him out to me. He is worthy of love and capable of it too.
Grayson has been in a dark place all of his life.
“Well, I should go. It’s getting late.” Grayson gets up to leave, and my heart falls. It’s not like he’s going to sleep. Who knows what he feels at night when is not able to sleep.
“I have nightmares.”
Why is it haunting me so much?
***
I wake up due to the sound of knocking on my door.
“Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty. We need to hit the road!” Ava’s chirpy voice comes through the door. I groan, get up, and open the door, my eyes narrowing to slits.
“Why are you so happy this early in the morning?” I ask her, suspicious. “I really thought Lance would have had to drag you screaming and kicking this morning.
Ava gives me a smile, and I’m really worried now.
“Oh, you know.” She makes her way into my room. “I’m just a nervous shipwreck. It’s nerves.”
“Did you sleep well at least?” I ask her, knowing she shared a hotel room with Lance and is currently sharing one in the house too. This is a huge step for my best friend.
“Not at all.” She pouts. “I mean I was super nervous to be sharing a bed with Lance, you know? Like what was the expectation? I mean, I know sleep was all he wanted, and he did sleep, not bothering me, but nerves got the best of me, so I just texted Zeke—Lance’s brother—all night until an hour ago. I fell asleep and I only slept for like forty minutes. Then bam! Lance tells me it’s time to move, and I look like the walking dead. What about you?” Ava runs a hand through her hair.
“I slept fine,” I say, wondering if Grayson slept at all. Ava is about to say something, but we both freeze when we hear sounds of raised voices.
“You knew about it and you didn’t tell me!?”
It’s obviously Grayson’s angry voice. Grabbing my bag, I rush out of the room with Ava and see Grayson in front of Lance, looking pissed off. Sargon and Cole are behind him, probably to make sure Grayson doesn’t do anything stupid. I know they’re talking about me. The fight is about me.
“She’s my pack member, Grayson.” Lance’s calm demeanor always throws me off. “I protect those in my pack. He’s going to get what he deserves.”
“Yeah, if I don’t kill him first.” Grayson growls.
Lance says, “I’m sure killing him would give you great satisfaction, but you and I both know it’ll only make matters worse.”
Grayson’s head shoots up to see me, and Lance’s eyes also land on me. I want to shrink back. I hate feeling like I’m in the middle of something. Feeling my discomfort, Ava puts her hand on my shoulder and steps in front of me.
“Let’s get going, you bums.”
Only Ava is be able to say that to Lance, Grayson, Sargon, and Cole. She’s doing the luna thing pretty well, bossing everyone around.
We all walk towards the car, and I stay back as we put our bags in the trunk of the car.
Grayson takes my bag easily, putting it on top of the other bags. He doesn’t say anything to me as he turns around and gets into the car. I can already feel like something has changed between us already.
Ava notices the whole thing and shakes her head. “I wish you guys would just kiss already.”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
The entire car ride with Grayson and Julia is awkward at best. There is this tension between them. Not the I-want-to-kill-you kind, just sexual tension. I feel like Julia wants to talk to him, say something to him, but she’s not saying anything. He’s not saying anything either and is just giving her space to make the next move. This only means that neither one of them is going to do anything about this tension that is suffocating the car.
Fortunately, for all of us, Cole volunteered to drive, and we get to the meeting place in one piece without any one of us biting each other’s heads off.
The location of where the alpha meeting is in a very remote place deep inside the forest. A mansion is in the middle, hiding away from any prying human eyes. I’m told that Alpha Yerry is the second oldest alpha alive and is the head of the Waters Tribe Pack. He is also the peacekeeper of all things. Cole informs mostly Julia and I that the two most important alphas will be there: Alpha Yerry and Alpha Charles. Charles is apparently the oldest and most respected Alpha there is.
I look out the front window, seeing the large hall where the meeting is going to take place. This could take a week-long to process, depending on what the alphas think needs to be decided.
In front of us, wolves are running towards the van, probably to stop us from going any closer. Cole hits the brakes and parks the car.
“Here we go.” Sargon sighs loudly, opening the door.
One wolf comes next to the car and shifts, completely naked. Grayson growls a little as he leaves the car. “No one wants to see that.”
“State your name and your pack,” the naked wolf says. Lance, Grayson, and Cole all oblige. The naked wolf looks satisfied, peeking into the car. “They’ll need to come out too.”
“Just necessary precaution.” Lance mind-links me as I get out of the car with Julia.
This naked wolf really doesn’t care that he’s buck naked. In fact, I think he smirks a little as Grayson starts to get agitated. “Maybe you should wear some clothes, pup.”
The naked wolf looks at me. “State your name and pack.”
After Julia and I state our information, the wolf narrows his eyes. “Only alphas, betas and lunas are allowed to be here.”
“We both are lunas,” I say, crossing my arms.
Julia gives me a look, but I ignore it. As much as she wants to deny it, she is a luna. Technically.
“Lunas . . . of the same pack?”
“It’s complicated,” I reply, shrugging, “but we are Lunas.”
I can tell that the male wolf wants to say something. He wants more information and probably wants to just give us a hard time because he may be bored with his job, but Lance cuts in.
“They are,” Lance’s voice holds no room for argument. It actually terrifies the male wolf. His entire demeanor changes, and he looks significantly smaller.
“And you? Some dumb security pup. Bet you’re never going to be allowed to play with the big boys, huh?” Grayson taunts.
“It’s only by foot from here,” the wolf says, then shifts again.
Cole turns off the car, and hands the keys to one of the wolves who may be the valet.
The large building is only like a hundred feet away from us. My heart is pounding because we’re so close. On either side of us, we’re surrounded by the security wolves. Before we enter, I clasp my hand with Lance’s, and he gives me a slightly worried look. I give him a quick smile, hoping I don’t get nervous.
Entering inside the hall is somewhat interesting though. It’s a huge space, and there are wolves everywhere, so it’s very loud and noisy. There’s a huge chandelier in the middle of the hall, and it’s only one story. Also, in the middle, are wolves on their instruments, playing some classical music I can only hear faintly.
But I can literally feel the stares when we enter. Our group is a very interesting one.
Grayson: an infamous alpha who everyone probably hates or is scared of because he has killed a lot of alphas.
Lance: an infamous alpha who mainly keeps to himself but has also killed a lot of alphas.
Cole: an alpha that got his title stripped away and is working for another alpha.
Sargon: the beta whose alpha is going to be one of the main topics for the alpha meeting.
Then there’s Julia and I who no one knows, which is actually totally fine with me. I’m honestly so grateful that Julia is here, and I’m glad she’s
sticking with me instead of hanging out with Grayson. But let’s face the facts, Grayson is hanging on to Julia and watching her like a puppy.
I can’t tell if the stares are because they dislike us or are afraid.
One alpha is daring enough to come in front of our group of misfits. “Didn’t know Grayson made friends?” the alpha says. He places his hand on his chest. “I’m Alpha Marshall of Mountain Back.”
“Well, Alpha Marshmallow,” Grayson drawls out, “let’s just say Lance’s presence is more tolerable than yours. That’s for sure.” With that, Grayson brushes past him, heading to the table where the food is at.
Marshall raises his eyebrows at us.
“Lance, Noctis Luna.” My mate saying this and acting like this is actually making me more attracted to him. He sounds really professional, and this high-pressure environment seems familiar to him. He turns to me suddenly, “And this is my mate and luna, Ava.”
Marshall only gives me a dismissive nod but doesn’t offer to shake my hand, which is rather rude in my opinion. Lance notices this and his hand just tightens around mine in the tiniest bit.
“He’s a prick.”
”I don’t know if having this loose-cannon alpha here is even a good idea.”
“Definitely a prick.”
“Grayson is harmless when not provoked,” Sargon says and he too dismisses himself from our group, which makes me wonder if we’re not going to stick together.
“I’d like to speak to the Demon Alpha some time about making an alliance. It can’t be that hard since it seems like you already made one with someone like Grayson,” Marshall says, smiling at Lance, but the smile is all fake. It’s clear as day that this alpha is sketchy.
“We’ll see,” I surprise myself by saying it out loud.
I peek at Lance to see if I made an error in replying, but I see him fighting back a wry smile. Marshall looks a little taken aback that I spoke to him.
“As my boss just said, we’ll see.” Lance dismisses himself, tugging me past a deer-in-headlights-looking Marshall.
Julia laughs out loud once we’re away from him. “Ava, you are too good at this.”
“Thanks,” I smile at her.
“Ava!” I hear a familiar voice call out. I turn around to see a beautiful and warm face running towards me.
“Oh my gosh! Heidi!” I nearly screech. I’m so relieved that there is a very familiar face. Before I correct myself to say ”Alpha Heidi”, she hugs me tightly.
“I am so glad to see you,” Heidi says to me with a grin and then she turns to Lance. “Took you long enough to mark her.”
“Good day to you too, Alpha,” Lance says with good humor as he shakes her hand in a greeting.
Heidi takes my hand, and I take Julia’s as she ushers me to get away from Lance for some girl talk. I don’t mind being away from Lance because Heidi is definitely a friend. A good one.
“Julia, this is the first female and iconic Alpha, Heidi of Midnight Star Pack,” I say to my best friend.
“Hey.” Heidi smiles at her, waving a little. “I met Ava when she was actually faking her name to Meredith.”
I cringe at that. So much has happened since I last met her. I’d rather not talk about my Meredith days.
“Meredith?” Julia raises an eyebrow at me. “You’ve been watching too much Grey’s Anatomy.”
“Oh yes.” Heidi gives me a look but smiles.
I smile, thinking of how far I’ve come. It’s been more than half a year since I first met Lance. So much has happened. I’ve changed for the better. I think.
“I’m glad you finally got marked.” Heidi grins again, waggling her eyebrows a little.
“Uh.” I clear my throat. “Thanks. Anyways, how’s it going for you? How are you?”
Heidi tells me about her struggle to get the other sexist alphas to accept her, but with Lance being one of her supporters, it’s easier for her because if one alpha does it, the others usually follow. Then she gives me her phone number. “The last time I spoke with Lance, you weren’t there, but I’m glad to see you.”
“Same here.”
Lance and Cole join us after some time. Through the intercom, someone tells us that the meeting is going to start shortly.
“Alpha Derek isn’t here,” Cole tells Lance.
I open my mouth wide. “Do you know why they’re not here?” I would love to see my little Edith.
“I think it was some pack complication. Other Alphas aren’t here either because of their pack.”
I frown deeply, hoping everything is okay.
All the alphas file into a smaller room with a massive mahogany wood round table, reminding me of something straight out of King Arthur. Lance guides me to a seat, pulling out my large black leather chair for me. Julia sits next to me. Grayson isn’t sitting near us. In fact, he’s at the other side talking to an alpha, and his luna probably. I try to see where Sargon is, but there’s no sign of him until he makes his way towards Grayson, interrupting whatever conversation he is having.
As soon as all of the alphas got seated, Alpha Finn shouts something.
“We need to stick to tradition!” Alpha Finn exclaims, standing up from his chair. “The traditional way of lunas staying behind their alphas.”
I see some Alphas look hesitantly to their mates by their sides. Some lunas look angrily at Finn for saying this.
“Tradition doesn’t get anyone anywhere,” Grayson speaks up. “Lunas should be beside their alphas. They’re equals, no?”
“Behind every alpha is a strong luna,” Alpha Marshall says.
“Why behind?” Heidi raises her eyebrows, and everyone looks at her, the first female alpha to do it. “I think Lunas can be right there beside their alphas, keeping them in check. Let’s be real here.”
Finn lets out a growl at Heidi. “And you! You are breaking the old ways—”
“This is my birthright just as much as it’s yours,” Heidi answers sharply.
I know she’s ready for this backlash against the backward-minded alphas, and I can’t be prouder. There is no rule that the alpha has to be male. Based on the patriarchal werewolf society, it’s just always like this because the alphas never truly give the female wolves any chances at all. All it does take is one alpha to change it, and others will follow.
“What makes you better than Heidi?” Grayson crosses his arms, leaning back on his chair, loving to fight anyone at any time. “I bet her pack likes her more than your pack likes you, Finny.”
“S-s-shut up!” Finn is turning red.
Heidi looks at Grayson and gives a soft smile. “Your beta is also the first female Beta, isn’t that correct?”
I exchange a look of complete shock and awe with Julia. Grayson has a female beta? I remember Lance telling me he wanted Meg to be his beta, but she declined his offer and gave it to Bo who really wanted to be a beta. Looks like Grayson beat the rest of the alphas out there with the first female beta record, which is actually crazy. Looking at Julia’s lingering stare at Grayson, I know she’s really impressed with her mate. This probably earned him some major brownie points.
Grayson shrugs like it’s nothing. “She is the one most fit for the job.”
“Lunas shouldn’t be with the alphas,” another alpha speaks up. “They shouldn’t be in this room. This is alphas-only, if I am not mistaken.”
“A luna’s place is next to her Alpha, to make sure he doesn’t do something stupid,” a short petite luna speaks up. “She’s the one that keeps the pack alive.”
“I agree.” All heads turn to Lance who just spoke up.
I shoot him a smile.
More talking from the Alphas.
“A-anyways,” Finn speaks up again, swallowing a little.
I really think he just likes to hear himself.
“There is also the matter of what we should do with rogues.”
Grayson sighs very loudly, making his own voice really clear. “Rogues are the last of our worries. They’re harmless and if you
have to worry about them, maybe you’re pack is just weak.”
Grayson looks straight at Finn who looks like an overboiled kettle at this point.
“Rogues are always a threat!”
Some alphas agree.
“No, they’re not. It’s always one or two rogues, so if your pack can’t handle that,” Grayson laughs, “you don’t need to run a pack.” Grayson gives Finn a wicked grin. “I can show you how to run a pack if you’d like.”
Finn stands up. “Are you threatening me?!”
“I think we can all agree rogue wolves have nothing towards us. They’re weak wolves. Maybe vengeful but they don’t come in packs and can easily be killed. What is a wolf without his pack? Nothing. That is exactly what a rogue wolf is. Nothing,” another alpha replies.
That’s when Alpha Yerry comes to the front of the room and looks at the entrance. Every alpha stands up, and I follow because that’s when the most powerful comes.
Charles Winston of the Lotus Pack. He is the oldest living alpha.
In one second, he’s at the room entrance. In the next, he’s next to Yerry in his high chair.
“You may all sit down,” Charles says, his deep voice holding authority and power. We all sit down. “I want to make this as short as I can. As you all may know, you are all here today because Lance of Noctis Luna and Paxon of Blood Hound have requested a meeting for the fate of Trent and Steven, who are as of right now, being held in custody in my pack.”
There are murmurs.
“Both Trent and Steven are going to be held responsible for the murder of Vanessa, mate of Paxon Kang.”
I clutch Lance’s hands tighter, and he squeezes mine.
“However, there is something I want to tell all of you,” Charles continues, his once soothing voice now angry, making everyone in the room perk up more to listen. “Murdering someone’s mate is unforgivable. Murdering your own kind is unforgivable. Many of you know what is at stake if you wage war with other alphas. Death is the only answer. Either you, my alpha brothers, your mates, your pack, or your entire legacy could perish. Nothing that you have done in your life will matter. No, you guys don’t have to like each other. I would never expect that from any of you, but I have seen too much death in my life, and I do not want that for our future generations. For my grandchildren and their grandchildren, I wish to see peace in their time. If you see another alpha that misbehaves and asks you to help them wage a war, then it is your duty to decline their offer. Most of you here do not deserve to be an alpha. Alphas are monarchy of sorts, and it is not based on your merit or your skill that you are alphas. It’s merely luck. I barely see any of you show me or even your own pack why you deserve to be the alpha. A true leader. I seldom see that now, and I hope it will change soon. I hope you guys will never have to go against another. If there is a problem, then speak to each other. Communicate with each other. But if you murder an Alpha’s mate, then you must expect that there will consequences.”