Chapter 16

She looked at her reflection, the maid had helped her don a simple day dress.
The cloth was a modest one not at all fit for an Alpha.
And that was the reason she was going to order a new wardrobe not because she wanted Alexander to see her in them.
Not at all.


He had ran for hours at full speed -his injured shoulder had healed almost immediately as he shifted to wolf form-but even that couldn't erase his pain or anger as soon as he crossed into his territory, his pack.


His people who share the unique link their Alpha all felt it.


He emerged from the forest with a tortured look on his face wearing tattered trousers he had held in his mouth while in his wolf form.


He saw not less than 500 of his soldiers all in wolf form prepared to spill blood.


But no one will harm his cara.
He protected her at all costs, but who would protect her from him.


He threw his head back and gave a loud animalistic roar, the sound attracting those who lived at the remote part of the pack and hadn't felt their Alpha's pain.


They all lowered their heads and crouched low waiting for command.
“Return. Return to your homes.
And worry not. Your Alpha is well.”


He walked into the throne room and met Ciara there.
“If it isn't Joseph the dreamer, I'm guessing your dream  turned out to be a nightmare.”


He thought of Athena, she was better than a dream and yet worse than any nightmare.


"And where have you been?"
He ignored the taunt.


"Away on a journey to thank the devil for keeping his promise to rid us of you. But it would seem my visit was unfounded and the rumors are true."


"The prodigal Alpha has returned."
Alex replied.


"May God have mercy on all our souls."
She said and they both chuckled good naturedly.


“I have found my Cara.”


"From your expression I am guessing she doesn't want you.” 
Ciara looked amused.


"She tries to kill me every time she gets an opportunity. Literally. "


“Let me guess, you decided to be foolishly romantic and didn't tell her you're the Alpha of the blue moon pack?”


“She thinks I'm a servant.”


“She thinks or you lied to her?”


“You're dismissed.”
He said annoyed.


“Think about it.”
She said with a laughter and left.


Was she right?
No she couldn't be.
He knew Athena not she.


He walked to the royal seat next reserved for the Queen placed on a pedestal slightly lower than the one obviously reserved for the king. 
He made a bow to himself. 
No matter what it takes Athena would seat on this throne right next to him.
For now, he gave her space.



"Take this to the council members, make sure they receive it without undue delay."
He handed a few missives to the messenger who hurried away.



"Beta, how are my people?"
Alex turned the dark haired man who just entered the building.


"Your people miss you."


"And I them."


"I learnt something curious when I arrived at the pack earlier. Something you clearly haven't denied. Yet, My wife tells me you plan on leaving again."


Alex leaned back on his chair in exhaustion.
"You may be the next Alpha."


"I do not understand. You still have a long time ahead of you to find your mate."


"I have found my mate."


"Is it a man then?"


"Are you out of your mind?"


"Well you must excuse me for asking, but it is a valid question considering the way you are speaking."


"She is a woman and I am very much sure of my sexual status as you should be too considering our past . . . hobbies."


"Where is she then?"


"Ruling her pack."
His left hand went to the arm of his and his fingers began to drum.


"Alongside her mat-? What are you saying?"


"I am saying my mate is an Alpha in her own right."


"Impossible."


Alex's fingers stopped momentarily as he asked. "Are you questioning my word?"


Aware that despite their friendship he was coming close to crossing a line, he quickly apologized.


"Forgive me. it's just that it has never been heard of in the history of werewolves that a mere wom-"


Alex couldn't let him finish.


"Careful."


"I believe I will take my leave now.
The beta said carefully.
"With your permission of course."


He added and Alex nodded his assent and released a long breath as he watched him exit the door.

FLASH BACK
"A word of thanks would not be out of place I just save your life!"
He exclaimed standing in her way. She nudged her horse forward around him.
"Oh so you were on a suicide mission then." He said getting the message she hadn't wanted his help.
She continued to move.
"I am because of you naked and stranded in a forest. You will not leave me alone here like a-"
He stopped mid sentence as she led her horse around him, delivering her message quite effectively 'yes, I can leave you.'
"Wait!" He called out behind her. She kept on moving.
"At least tell me your name."
"Where are you going?!"
He began to run after, stopping once more in front of her.
"You know what I saved your life so you owe me. And I demand that you let me ride in your carriage."
He said and marched off to the carriage door before she could stop him, muttering under his breath.
What is she keeping in here any way? He thought.  He yelled and immediately jumped back from the carriage as he opened it.
"You have a dead werewolf in your carriage."
"Who is she?"
She turned her head away from his direction.He looked at her with concerned and whispered?
"You can't speak?"
She stayed the way she was and uttered a single word.
"No."
He applauded dramatically; "She speaks!"
And after his momentary excitement had died down. He asked again.
"Why do you have a werewolf in your carriage? A dead one to be precise. You could get in a lot of trouble if her pack discovers you know."
The reminder of home in the statement seemed to snap something in her.
Her head snapped back to look at him. Her emerald eyes that was formerly devoid of any emotion was filled with annoyance.
"Go away."