by Rasi K
I nodded my head in understanding.
“Elijah escaped along with me, but two weeks after we did we had to fight a group of rogues. We might have been strong in the past but we were still recovering our health from the continuous experiments those leeches put us through. So fighting was difficult, much less a group of 6 rogues. We managed to fight them until one suddenly jumped at me. Elijah came in front of me and took the bite. Even then, he shook of the rogue and fought without slacking. In an hour, all the rogues lay dead on the ground, while I helped Elijah lie on a tree, all the while as he fought his death. Eventually he died from all the blood loss and energy drain in the fight. I carried him and brought him here to my land and buried him under. Since then I have been here.”, he said looking somewhere in distance.
“How long is this you speak of?”, I asked.
“About three months ago. The vampire king had a war to fight and most of the vampires had gone for it. On one of those days a young vampire, around your age, came and released all those who were confined in there. That is how we escaped there.”, he said.
“It was the same war in which I took revenge for my mother’s death and for my own sake.”
Chapter 47
Rebuilding the Fallen Empire
When I had told him my statement, he made me explain what I had meant by it. I told him all about how I was kidnapped and the things I discovered after escaping. I told him about the war and how I had killed the vampire king. I also confessed about me being a half vampire.
He listened to all of it in silence, except for the times when he slipped a few gasps and booming growls. Once I finished he wordlessly gave a smile of pride.
“So what have you come here for?”, he asked.
“I came here to rebuild the empire my mother wasn’t able to. I also needed an excuse to be away from the pack due to some personal issues.”
“That’s a great thing to do. Your mother and grandmother would sure be proud of you. So how do you plan on doing this?”, he asked interested.
“First, we need to clear this place of broken woods and take down the burnt houses. Now that I think about it, we might need more men to do this.”, I said shaking my head at my ignorance.
“There is no need to worry about men. I still have contact with one of my old pack member, who is around in a nearby pack. I didn’t ask him to join me as I needed sometime to establish my pack once again. We can ask him to bring along people to help us.”, he said.
“Which pack is this pack member of yours in?”, I asked doubtfully.
“Serene pack.”, he said proving my suspicion. This had to be the reason as to why Liza ran into the pack. She should have sensed him.
“Do you need a phone?”, I asked him reaching out for my phone from the bag.
“That would help the situation.”, he said smiling sporting a dimple on his left cheek. My grand dad was a handsome man for his age. He is bound to have broken many hearts when he was young.
I handed him my phone and went around seeing how much work has to be done. I stood in front of a pile of wood scrapes, seeing at it with deep thoughts. Whatever establishment was in there previously, had been crushed badly.
After a few minutes, grandpa joined me.
“This used to be our house, but they destroyed it while searching for my daughters.”, he said. I looked up to see him having a guilty feeling on his face.
“Don’t sweat over something that definitely wasn’t your fault. So what if you hadn’t foreseen the attack, it is not daily we get a warning. We are creatures, we do make mistakes. Even goddess makes a mistake when she creates an evil person but she corrects it by creating one to kill him. It might be the same reason in this case. The pack might have been destroyed only for me to reestablish it. It’s all for good.”, I said giving him a side hug.
“Maybe.”
We cleared a few logs that were blocking ways and threw them over the side. He didn’t talk much as he still mulled over the past. When we had moved over 20-30 logs, a van came to a stop before us. Out exited ten-fifteen hulk men along with a man who seemed to be a little younger than grandpa. I guess he is the one grandpa referred to.
He came towards us with the men towing behind shortly.
“Alpha”, he said bowing down.
“Good to meet you, Gabriel, after so long.”, grandpa said hugging him, now known as Gabriel.
He briefly hugged back before they split.
Gabriel was an old man, similar to grandpa, but seemed to be a little younger, by looks. He was an inch shorter than grandpa. He had blonde hair with a matching French beard. I feel like all these old men, looked too good for their age.
“How have you been, alpha? Where have you been? Where is Elijah? Last time you talked, you told me you both had escaped together.”, he asked looking around as I had done.
“He died a few days later. I didn’t want to pressure you by saying about it. And I have been better. As for where I had been, I was here since when we had escaped, hunting my way for food.”, he said filling him on the happenings.
He nodded in understanding.
One of the men whispered in his ear to which he nodded.
“Alpha, what do you want them to help you around with?”, he asked.
“Hello, I am Caroline, his granddaughter. I asked him to call them to help me with the clearing process.”, I said putting out my hand.
He nodded his head shaking my hand.
I instructed the men on what they were supposed to do. They set on work almost immediately, without thinking twice. It appeared as though, they liked being a part of the re-establishing work.
I helped them too, with a few things here and there.
It was all done in a few hours. Only thing left was the demolishing of the broken houses. I told them to take some rest while I thought of what food to offer them. Gabriel saved me from my struggle.
“You needn’t worry about it. We brought some food along with us. I knew it would take time to get it done, when alpha had called me asking for help. Also, they are already having their food, you might as well come and have.”, he said.
“Thank you so much for your help. If it’s not a big thing to ask I would love for you to join, or in this case rejoin the pack, once it’s done. It would mean a lot for grandpa having around someone he trusted back in his days and still does.”, I said nodding towards grandpa who was busy talking with the men appreciating their help while eating his first edible food in goddess knows how long.
“You indeed look and behave like her.”
Chapter 48
Visit to Red Moon Pack
All the work had been going on perfectly fine. Today, all the remaining houses shall be built. The pack looks so full and how a pack was supposed to look like. Grandpa was very happy with the developments and immensely pleasured, when his old house was rebuilt in its original place. I had requested the men to construct it just like how it used to be by telling them the structure, which I had learnt from grandpa. The day it was finished, he had thanked them non-stop until I had to force him away from them.
As for the food, after a few days of eating ramen and hunted animals for meals, I went into the human town, to buy some food items. By that time some of the houses were built, so I used one of them to stock with appliances needed and turned it into a temporary kitchen.
I was fixing breakfast, when I received a call.
I picked it up without looking into the caller id while pouring water into the pan.
“Look who decided to answer the call.”, the person on the other side replied.
“Look who decided to talk to their sister.”, I replied equally snide.
“Hello to you too, sis. I take it that you never read my letter.”, Daniel replied.
Upon his mention, I remembered the long abandoned letter lying inside my bag.
“Sorry, I had things going on and I was busy with the reestablishment work.”, I said, smiling sheepishly before remembering that he can’t see me, sha
king my head at my stupidity.
“Seems like it. It’s been a month since you left and you never bothered to contact us. Dad thinks that it is time for you to make a visit to the pack, and taking a break from your busy schedule would definitely do you some good.”, he said.
“I will try my best. You see, the pack is almost done with its establishment. All that is remaining is gathering few of the old pack members around, before requiting new members. Maybe after the building work is done, I will come.”, I said.
“That’s good. I will inform dad the same. Stay safe. Love you, sis.”, he said.
“Love you too, Dani.”, I said before hanging up.
I went ahead, finishing the last bits of cooking before serving everyone lunch. I ate my lunch and cleaned the dishes before retiring to my room to try contacting a few pack members who were around in different packs.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It was five days, since then, when the pack was finally primped and arranged completely. The alpha house and the pack house were stashed with furniture and appliances while other houses were cleaned neatly made available for future occupants. My credit card might have crossed its limits if I had swiped it a little more. Thankfully, grandpa told that all that might be needed for now were purchased and needn’t have to worry about it for some time.
Seeing that all the work was done, I asked grandpa about going to the pack.
“Grandpa, dad asked me to make a visit to the pack.”, I said testing the waters.
“That’s good. All the work here is done. I can take care of it while you are gone.”, he said weakly.
“I thought both of us could go there. Mother would love to see you. She missed you all. And you could meet your son-in-laws, grandsons and the other granddaughter.”, I said throwing the ball in his court.
“You have a brother?”, he asked surprised at the new information.
“Yes, an elder one, Daniel. Mother has a son and daughter same age like us.”, I said.
“Would it be proper if I come? Have you informed them about my presence?”
“No, grandpa. I plan on surprising them. Please.”, I pleaded giving him my best puppy dog eyes.
Definitely it worked on him. He sighed before saying, “I will come. We could bring along Gabriel, he would love to meet Melaine.”
“Of course, we can. I will call Daniel and ask him to send a car. How does tomorrow sound?”, I asked excited at the thought.
“Sure, I will go inform Gabriel.”, he said smiling before leaving the room.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Daniel had sent the car almost immediately, once I informed him about my arrival. I also informed him that I will be bringing along two other people, with me. When he tried luring me into telling him who they were, I told him that he will get to know when he sees them.
We reached the pack border where the guard recognized me as well as the car and let us pass. He didn’t question about the extra presence, maybe uncle had told him, what Daniel might have told him, what I had told him.
Once we reached our house I told the both of them to wait outside till I gave them signal, while I talked to the others. They were unusually quiet throughout the journey. Maybe they were nervous about meeting someone dear to them from their past.
Once I entered the house, as expected, all of them were there, including mother, who was the one I needed at the moment.
I smiled and accepted their welcome hugs and kisses with open arms. Once everyone was done dad pulled me to his side having his arm around me protectively.
“Dad, I have a present for you all, especially for mother.”, I said knowing everyone’s attention was on me.
“What is it, Carol?”, mother asked, seeing that her interest had been piqued.
“I would love to show if he wouldn’t hold me back.”, I teased pointing to dad and his arm around me.
He smiled shaking his head, before letting go of me. I smiled back before going outside to lead them inside the house.
I came back inside, only to see an impatient mother, who was becoming further impatient seeing me return empty handed.
“Where is it, Carol? Why do you p-”, she was cut short by a voice from behind me.
“Impatient as ever…”
“Uncle?”, she sounded shocked, but one could tell that she was happy from the looks of it.
Once he stepped in, she ran to him and hugged him, all the while muttering something under her breath.
“Mel…”, another voice added from behind.
“Dad?”
Chapter 49
Luna of Red Moon Pack
Third person’s POV
Flashback
“Mel…”, her dad called.
He had always called her as Mel, as he thought that Melaine was a little too long name to call with affection.
“You have to be strong and protect your alpha no matter when.”
He always told her that, even before he had to go for the fight. Those were his words for her, every time.
“Dad?”, she said before looking up.
The whole room froze for a moment. Even Matthew Sharp was confused by her words.
But as soon as she saw the person’s face, all her excitement, from before, dropped. She slowly unwrapped herself, before acknowledging the person in front of her.
“Uncle Gabriel”, she said forcing a smile on her face, which everyone could look past.
Gabriel’s face fell, feeling that, he wasn’t wanted in that place.
Melaine who caused it, immediately felt guilty. It wasn’t in her intentions to make him feel unwanted.
“Uncle, please don’t feel like you are not wanted here. It was just that after seeing uncle I was expecting dad, and you just happened to call me the same way he does.”, she said hugging him and murmuring apologies.
He slowly hugged her. He smiled slightly on seeing one of his favorite children. He patted her head before she stepped out of the embrace. This time she had a genuine smile on her face.
“Uncle, where is dad?”, she asked looking at Matthew.
He felt at unease, under her gaze. He couldn’t bring it in himself to tell her, that he had died from saving him.
Fortunately, Caroline saved him from it. She slowly explained the fact that her dad was dead. While she did, she evaded the reason as to why he died. He couldn’t hold it in him anymore, so he burst out.
“Melaine, I need to tell you-”, he started.
“Grandpa, no. It was not your mistake. I definitely won’t allow you to take blame for it.”, Caroline said.
He shook his head at her.
“I can’t keep it away. Let her decide it.”, he said before turning to Melaine, “Your dad died trying to protect me in the rogue fight.”
He said it. He had dropped the bomb.
The room was silent waiting for someone to break it. The three men and the girl, who had remained in the back, waited for Melaine’s reaction along with Caroline and the two old men.
“Oh.”, she said finally. It was just one syllable, but it was enough to put the people’s heart, in there, in pain.
“I guess I will leave. I know it was not best thing to come here, but I couldn’t refuse Caroline and I took the chance to meet you. Gabriel, would you like to leave with me?”, he said approaching the door.
Gabriel made move to go along. Melaine stood still, void of any emotion on her face.
They were about to step out, when she finally spoke up.
“Uncle, stop. Please come back.”, she shouted.
They hesitated at the door, before sighing in defeat and turning back.
He moved forward and came to a stop before Melaine. He thought he might as well face it.
He didn’t raise his head. He didn’t have it in him, to look into her eyes to face the hatred in it.
“Uncle, look up. You are an alpha, why would you face down?”, she shouted at him.
He didn’t move even the slightest.
“Uncle, listen
up. It is not your fault in the least bit. Do you know what dad used to tell me? He said that it was our duty to protect our alpha no matter what. He just acted true to his words. It was not, and will never be your fault.”, she explained.
His head shot up and his eyes held unspoken pride.
“It was me who didn’t act up to his words. I failed to protect Hana. I’m sorry, Uncle.”, she said blaming herself.
“No, no, no, Melaine. It was totally Hana’s decision to come find us on her own. And it is definitely the vampires to blame for her death. You are not to be blamed. Moreover, I am thankful, for you standing by her side all along.”, he said hugging her.
“Of course, uncle. She is my sister.”, she said smiling.
Once both of them were done with their blame game, she introduced her mate and Tahliya along with Richard and Daniel.
“If you had hurt my daughters in any way, you won’t be able to see tomorrow’s daylight.”, he threatened both his son-in-laws while having a protective arm around Melaine. Both of them felt a chill run down their spines at the threat. Even though it had been years since they found their mates, it felt like they had just found their mates that day and had to face their father.
All the witnesses stifled a laugh at their faces. Gabriel was especially finding it amusing.
During that time, Melaine remembered a thing she had particularly forgotten in the last hour.
“Carol, we called you to visit, for an important thing. Noah is going to take up his position as the alpha along with Kira as the Luna.”
Caroline was taken aback by a moment of shock, but she came out of her reverie pleased at the news.
“That’s so good. When is it going to take place?”, Carol asked excitedly.
“Today.”, she replied equally excited if not more.
It was like she had just dropped a bombshell.
“Mother…”, she whined.
“How could you do this to me?”, she added. ‘I haven’t even talked to him since then.’ she mentally added.
“I know, I know, this is last minute, I know. But please spare me dear.”, she pleaded.