Chapter 55 Box

(Damian POV)

I knew I shouldn't have come. Derrick warned me not to get in the way of the financial aid Alpha Hope had so generously given the pack. After years of striving to stay afloat after the ruin I caused, I knew I had to follow the conditions stipulated by the agreement the High Elder sent Derrick. Minerva, my mate, and Derrick were the only ones allowed to speak with Hope. Unfortunately, Minerva and Derrick can not know what I had done almost 20 years ago. I did it so Adella could be mine. In the end, I got nothing.

Hope had given Derrick $100M in financial aid to go to the development of the pack's territory. To ensure the financial aid will be used for that purpose alone, Hope will also be giving Derrick a monthly stipend to cover his expenses as Alpha. She also stipulated it would be wise if Derrick saved a percentage of his monthly allowance to invest through the High Elder. She provided Minerva with a credit card to purchase necessary things for herself and for the household. Minerva was very happy. She now had money to spend and go shopping. Hope also included a brand new car for Minerva and the car will be delivered within the week.

I received the call this morning. The creepy voice of The Butler was on the other end telling me I was tasked to spy on Hope at Alexander's event.

"I'm not allowed to go," I told The Butler.

"My Lord will not take no for an answer. You do remember your betrayal to Adella and Davis. I would be most happy to give that information to the High Elder," The Butler sneered, knowing I would be sent to my death if the Clan of Wolves found out.

"Derrick, my son, has accepted a generous donation from the daughter of Adella. Conditions are needed to be met. Derrick will not allow me to ruin this...opportunity just to gate crash a party," I explained.

"So is this a no? Then I shall call the High Elder now," the Butler threatened.

"Wait. What do you need me to do?" I asked.

"A box is to be delivered by courier. Inside it, one of Adella's old rings from when she was Priestess of the Great Pack's of the North. Please see to it the daughter of Adella recieves it.

"I'll see what I-I c-can do," I stuttered.

"I have an informant already there. If you do not make an appearance tonight, I will make sure the High Elder receives the information first thing tomorrow and your pack will go on the list of packs to be primarily eradicated by The Rogue Lord. Good day, Damian Lancaster." The Butler hung up.

I argued with Derrick telling him it would be unwise not to show our gratitude to Hope. Derrick said he could ask Minerva to do that for us since she is the only one Hope is willing to speak to. I told him I would take the bus and make it appear he was a good for nothing son. Derrick growled his anger, but agreed to take me there. He told me to get in the car and to not say a peep.

When we arrived at the venue, the host of the party would not let us in unless we showed her an invitation. Derrick called Alexander's Beta to tell him we needed him to pull some strings to let us in. After ten minutes of waiting, we saw Oliver talk to the host who finally allowed us to enter the convention center. Oliver escorted us inside then pointed to Alexander and Hope who were in a corner talking to Lucian Hemming, Alexander's brother in law.

Derrick told me he would get us some drinks to make it appear we belong. While he left me, I took the opportunity to make my presence known.

When Hope turned around to greet me, I was shocked to see her golden eyes had turned green. I expressed my gratitude for her donation. After she said it was on behalf of Crescent Moon, I pointed out her pack was dead.

"Not everyone, Damian. I am still alive. However, you won't be if you cross me," she threatened me. How dare she? I don't care if she did give us money. She had money because I told Adella to ask for payment. I should've been given a percentage of her earnings from the get go.

"What will you do? Cast a protection charm?" I laughed. She's only been a Priestess for what? Two weeks? She is nothing compared to her mother.

Then I felt it. My tie began to tighten around my neck. I couldn't breathe. I tried to loosen my tie, but it wouldn't move. I felt it getting tighter. I looked at her hands. She was swirling her fingers around and when she did, the tie moved closer around my neck.

"What happened, Damian? Your joke isn't funny anymore? That's a problem with rapists. They think women are a joke."

She dropped her hands and I fell on my knees. I was gasping for breath. She almost killed me. The daughter of Adella almost killed me! I looked up at her with teary eyes. My Adella would never do something like this to me.

Alexander's men helped me up and walked me to a table. They gave me a glass of water and a glass of wine. I saw Lucian laugh. How dare they laugh at me!

I began drinking some of my wine. I smirked. The Rogue Lord will kill all of you.

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(Hope POV)

The party was a success. After having dinner, I asked Alexander if we could go home....back to Dark Moon. I missed my parents and I needed to recharge before I go off to meet my grandmother and attend the Hemming event. He smiled and said we will be going home the day after tomorrow. He had something important that he had to finish which needed him to be here.

Oliver placed a small box on the table. "Sorry Luna Hope. We opened it to make sure it wasn't dangerous. It was dropped off by courier."

"Uhm, it's not my birthday. Maybe it's for you." I pushed the box to Alexander. He pushed it back to me.

"Oops. I forgot the card." Oliver handed me a small envelope.

I open the envelope and take out the card. "For Hope." That's all it said. The handwriting didn't look familiar. I know for sure it wasn't from the High Elder.

I open the small box and in it was a vintage ring. In the middle was a blue diamond, around it, smaller white diamonds. Wow. Expensive ring.

I was about to touch it when the photographer I bumped into a while ago said I should polish it first so it sparkles. Hmmm...maybe that's a good idea. I took my napkin and without touching it, I started to rub. "There's black I see," Opal said. "Look."

My vision changed to see auras and with every rub, black clouds came from it. I gasped in shock and dropped it. When the ring hit the floor, a big black cloud took a shape of a person. "Don't touch it!" I screamed at Alexander who was about to pick it up. Everyone at our table stopped moving.

"You will die!" I heard the shape say before disappearing.

"Don't touch the ring." I take my napkin and scoop it up, tie the napkin and place it inside the box. Then I push it away from me. My hands were shaking.

"Hope, what just happened?" Alexander sounded worried. He took my shaking hands into his and started to kiss them.

"That thing... The ring... It had black clouds. It told me I will die." My heart was pounding. I almost touched it. Where is that photographer? I should thank him for saving my life.

"Where's the photographer?" I look around for him. I couldn't find him.

"Who?" Alexander asked me, confused.

"The one who said I should polish the ring first," I told him. "I bumped into him a while ago. Remember Alicia?" Alicia nodded.

"He's probably here somewhere. Why?"

"He saved my life. That thing is cursed. I need to show that to the High Elder. I'll see him tomorrow so I can ask him what to do with other mysterious packages."

"Burn them," Opal said.

"Opal says to burn them." I was talking like I was pumped up on caffeine.

"Calm down. We'll go see the High Elder tomorrow." Alexander rubbed my back.

"No," I told him.

"Uhm, what?" Alexander looked at me confused.

"I will see him alone."

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(Damian POV)

I was finishing my steak when my phone rings. I excused myself to find a quiet place to talk.

"Has she received the box?" The creepy voice of The Butler asked.

"Yes," I replied.

"And?"

"And what? What is supposed to happen?" I asked.

"The ring is cursed. She should become terribly ill," the Butler said.

"She looks fine to me." I peek through the corner and I see Alexander kissing Hope's hands.

"Did she touch it?" The Butler asked.

"I don't know. Maybe? Maybe not?" I take a peek at their table again and I see a red jewelry box in the middle of the table. "The red box is in the middle of the table."

"She has received it, but probably has not opened it yet. We will await news tomorrow."

"Anything else you need me to do?" I asked The Butler.

"Father, why are you here? And who are you speaking to?" Derrick was behind me. I hang up and hide my phone in my pocket.

"No one son. Just an old pal of mine who wanted to know how the party was going," I lied.

"You were talking about a red box? The same red box on Alpha Hope's table?" Derrick had an angry glint in his eyes. He didn't want me to mess up our good fortune.

"There's a red box on Alpha Hope's table? A coincidence. Let's get back to our table. I want some more of that wine." I hurriedly walked back to our table hoping Derrick wouldn't ask anymore questions.

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(Derrick POV)

Something is going on with my father. Something I know I can't fix. After he raped the teen she-wolf, I told him if he stepped out of line again, I would personally send him straight to the High Elder.

I was there when he was raping her. I couldn't get myself to help her. I was scared I'd have to kill my own father. With every thrust he screamed out Adella's name and I knew he had cheated on my mother. Then his Beta found them and started beating him with his fists. It should have been me.

I sentenced my father's former Beta to death. I had the weakest of my men escort him to the prison. I knew he would escape and he did. Contrary to what others believe, it was my father who ordered the family to be evicted from their home and treated as slaves. I had to find a way to save them from my father. One night, I shifted looking for my father's Beta. I told him to go to Dark Moon and ask Alexander for help. I knew Alexander was a better wolf than me, he'd take them in.

The pretty girl in the red dress, Alpha Hope's new Beta...I know it is her. I could never forget the smell of her blood, fear and pain. I watched her from across the tables and I saw the disgust on her face when she looked at me. I deserve that. I really do.

Despite all that, Alpha Hope has made a generous donation. Something I know I do not deserve. There was a small note among the documents the High Elder sent me. It read...

"Derrick,

I know you can be better than you are. Prove it to yourself. If ever you need help, you can call on me."

Hope

When I signed the documents I promised myself I would start being a better wolf. The best Alpha Blue Moon will ever have. My wolf, Hammer, was very proud of me and has pledged his loyalty to Hope. Myself included.

If my father was in league with The Rogue Lord, I will make sure he will be punished for his crimes. I will keep a very close eye on him from now on.

I suddenly feel someone tap me on the shoulder. I have been standing by myself staring at a wall.

"Derrick, have you had dinner?" I know that voice. I turned around to find Hope smiling at me.

"Alpha Hope, yes I have had dinner. The steak was delicious. Thank you for asking," I told her, bowing low. From now on, I will bow to her.

"We're about to leave." She pointed to Alexander saying his goodbyes. "I've had an exhausting day. I took the liberty in finding you a hotel to stay in." She handed me a piece of paper with the name of the hotel, address and contact number. "It's all been paid for. Your mother's car should be at the territory tomorrow. I hope when I restore Crescent Moon, I can count on you for help." She smiled at me. 

"Of course, Alpha Hope. You can count on me. I will not let you down. I hope you can see me as a friend and not just an ally." I stood by, hoping she would accept this as an apology for my poor behavior to her.

"Now that I would like. Us to be friends. I know you are good man, Derrick. If you need anything, you and your mother...and father," she wrinkled her nose when she said it, "don't hesitate to give me a call. I mean that." She gave me a warm hug, waved goodbye and walked back to Alexander. Alexander looked at me and nodded his head. He then guided Hope outside. Her Beta in the red dress, before following Hope, paused to look at me. I gazed at her hoping she would see the apology in my eyes, but she suddenly turned her head away.

One day, I will say sorry to her when I have the courage. Sadly, it isn't today.