Chapter 56 Arthur

(Hope POV)

I called the High Elder's secretary to make an appointment to see him. She told me to hold.

"Alpha Hope, the High Elder will see you at any time today."

"Thank you. Can you tell him to expect me around 11AM then? Also is there anything he would like me to pick up for him to eat, drink, a book perhaps or maybe a picture frame? I know he likes to put pictures in his office," I ask the secretary.

I hear the music again; she's put me on hold to ask.

"Alpha Hope, the High Elder would like a cheesesteak sandwich with fries. He saw your photo of you at the food trucks. And yes, another photo frame would be nice."

"How about you? Cheesesteak sandwich too?" I ask her.

"A-Alpha Hope, you don't have to? I-l w-will be fine," she stuttered.

"I'll take that as a yes. I'll see you at 11AM. We'll have an early lunch together," I said before ending the call.

It was only 8AM. Alexander was already downstairs at his office finishing everything. He messaged me telling me his employees looked sad when he entered his office alone. I told him I'd swing by after I meet with the High Elder to say goodbye. I saw the door open and Alicia walked into the penthouse. Good, I needed to speak with her.

"Alicia, come, let's have breakfast. Oliver is downstairs with Alexander. He'll be here before 11 to accompany us to the High Elder." Alicia sits down and grabs a bagel. She looked spaced out.

"Are you ok? After last night, you haven't been yourself? Has it anything to do with Derrick?" I saw her looking at Derrick last night. Can it be possible...?

"I'm fine, Luna Hope. I'm just a bit overwhelmed with everything. Going out, sitting with Alphas, wearing an expensive gown, my hair... I can't believe my life has changed." She smiled at me.

"Are you sure? Nothing else?" I try to probe.

"I'm sure, Luna Hope."

"Well, another thing has changed. You aren't my lady-in-waiting anymore," I told her, biting into my toast.

"I'm fired?! Luna Hope, is there anything I can do to fix this? I'll do better. I'll do anything you want or need me to do. Just don't fire me. I need this job." She began to cry.

"Oh my gosh, Alicia. Why are you crying? You aren't fired. I'm promoting you in a way. Dry your tears. Smile." I reach over to the tissue box and give her a tissue.

"You aren't firing me? But you just said I'm not your lady-in-waiting anymore," she sobbed.

"You have a new title. You are now my Beta." Her eyes widened. "Alexander told me you changed your name when you came to his territory. Would you like to keep the name Alicia or revert back to your given one?" I looked at her with a serious look. Fine, I was trying to look serious.

"I can do that? I mean, go back to my original name?" Alicia whispered.

"Yes, you are now part of the Crescent Moon Pack. I have adopted you as well as your mother and brother. Construction of my new mansion, as well as a new Trusted Home and housing for the wolves are now underway at my territory. I am your Alpha. And I need your help. Your father was a Beta for Damian. A good man. It is in your blood. So, would you like to start using your given name?" I rubbed her arm.

"Yes. My name is Grace Barron."

"Hope and Grace. We are a team. From now on, you are Beta Grace Barron." I give her a small box. "I had this made. This is my symbol. Wear it proud."

She opened the box and in it was a gold necklace with a pendant similar to my locket with a small diamond in the middle of the star. I had to make use of all that gold and diamonds my mother had collected. I also had one made for my mother, aunt and Grace's mother. Diamonds are a girl's bestfriend right?

"Alpha Hope, it's beautiful. I will always wear it." She puts it around her neck, the small diamond emitted small rainbows as it reflected the light.

We finished our breakfast talking about how I should restore my territory. Alicia said it would be nice to have a hospital. I told her I don't think I can afford to build a hospital just yet, but I'll keep that in mind.

After breakfast, we went out to do my errands before meeting with the High Elder. We first went to get some picture frames for the High Elder. I got him the usual picture frames and a digital one. I'll just have his secretary teach him how to use it if he doesn't know how. It's really hard to shop for someone who seems to have it all. I hope he likes what I've gotten him.

The food trucks were setting up for the lunch crowd when we got there. Oliver and the men with us all wanted the same cheesesteak sandwich. The owner of the food truck was so happy we bought so many sandwiches, he gave me mine for free.

The High Elder was already waiting in the lobby for us when we got to his building. He was surprised that I brought so many things for him.

"Alpha Hope, what's in the box?" He pointed at the box Oliver was carrying.

"Bottles of red wine Alexander and I have created, Your Excellency," I answered.

"Ah, yes, I met with the Mayor earlier and he said the Cabernet you served last night was exceptional," he said.

"It's not out in the market yet. I saved a box for you since, you weren't able to attend last night. I was hoping I would see you outside an office building. As a friend," I tell him with a smile.

"Come. Let's all have lunch and I'll also sample your wine. Before the media sees you." He motioned to us to follow him.

We take the elevator to his office and since we were already with him, we didn't have to go through his security detail who already knew me. "Alpha Hope." They all bowed.

"Hi boys. Here. I got you sandwiches." I gave them a paper bag. They all smiled warmly. "By the way, one is for the High Elder's secretary. Make sure she gets one." They nodded.

I thought we were going to have lunch at his office, but the High Elder turned the corner to the corridor. "Welcome to my home," he said.

Unlike his office which was minimalist, his home was warm and inviting. His living room had a brown U-shaped leather sofa with huge pillows, a black stone coffee table with a modern fireplace in front. His dining table was near the balcony where he had a various array of plants. He even had a small aviary where small birds were tweeting their hello.

"Let's all have lunch here. I don't usually have guests. The last time I had dinner with someone here was with your mother. Now, I have the privilege to have lunch with Adella's daughter."

I gave him his food and we all put our sandwiches on our plate. He put wine glasses in front of our plates. I told him I wasn't of age yet. "In the wolf world, you are." He filled my glass. Yes, I get to drink! I should come visit him more often.

"Your Excellency, I bought you some picture frames. There's a digital one. Your secretary can probably help you set it up," I told him.

"You can call me, Arthur, my dear. The formalities can be reserved when we are in public," he said, a twinkle in his charming eyes. I nodded my head.

"Arthur, then." We start eating. He said the cheesesteak sandwich was really good. I gave him the business card of the food truck so he can have them deliver. His eyes lit up knowing he can have it again. When we were finished and were sipping wine, he asked me if there was something bothering me.

"Arthur, sir, I came here because I was sent an item I think is cursed. Last night at the party. I think they sent it there because no protection charms were set up at the venue." I told him.

"What was the item?" He asked, his face suddenly serious.

"A ring. Blue diamonds with smaller white diamonds. I should have taken a picture of the ring. My apologies," I said.

"No. That's good. Sometimes dark magic can transfer. When you take pictures, the camera captures the subject's essence. I know you've seen the pictures at my office. I have photos of the most influential in the Clan of Wolves. Hope, have you see anything in my pictures?" He looks at me keenly.

"Nothing out of the ordinary. No," I replied. He suddenly stood up and took a couple of picture frames from the top of his fireplace and handed one to me. It was a picture of Damian.

"Look closely, Alpha Hope. What do you see?" He asked me gently.

"I just see Damian. Wait. My vision is changing to auras," I said. I gasped. Around Damian was a black cloud. Like the ring. "I see a black cloud around him."

"Very good. You have the gift of aural sight. Take a look at this one." The High Elder hands me a picture of my mother with Damian; he had his arm around her. I look closely, my mother's aura was half yellow and red, the colors on the other half looked like they were being eaten by the black cloud coming from Damian.

"Half is red and yellow while the other half seems to be consumed by the black cloud coming from Damian," I told him.

"And now, take a look at this picture." He hands me a photo of me and Alexander. The half of my aura was yellow, orange and green while half of Alexander's aura was blue and red. In the middle, our auras were mixing making a rainbow of colors.

"Half of me is yellow, orange and green. Half of Alexander is blue and red. Together, our auras are mixing." I gasped. Oh my gosh! My mother and Damian were together together?

"My mother and Damian! Arthur, don't tell me Damian is my father and Derrick is my half-brother." The words just spilled out of my mouth. He laughed.

"No, you are Brandt's daughter. Your mother had long broken it off with Damian before she had you. Plus, I took the liberty of having your DNA tested for assurance. The blood from the safety deposit box. I knew you would ask." He laughed once more when he saw the relief on my face.

"I have never seen someone so relieved in knowing she is not related to someone." He smiled. "So, where is the ring? Did you burn it already?"

"I brought it with me. So, next time someone does this, I should burn it?" Alicia hands me the paper bag with the ring.

"If it is diamond, you need a high temperature, an incinerator of sorts. Yes, burn it. I have an incinerator outside the building. Usually, dark magic explodes. It would be better to do it outside." He takes the paper bag and takes the red box out. He touches the box and closes his eyes. When he opens them, I saw shock for a brief moment, then he shakes his head.

"Dark magic from the Great Shadow of Ula," he uttered grimly.

"Who or what is the Great Shadow of Ula?" I asked. It sounded scary.

"A dark entity from the Black Shadow Pack. It was a person, a wolf rather, once upon a time. When you play with dark magic, it eats you from the inside, making you rot. The Great Shadow's body was consumed by the darkness. Only its soul remains," Arthur answered.

"It wants me dead. Why? I have never crossed paths with it."

"You are a daughter of Lupa and there is only one mantra your bloodline follows..."For the greater good." You were born an adversary," he replied, quickly.

"Arthur, sir, last few questions, I know you are a busy man. What did you and my mother talk about during her dinner here? Was she already carrying me?" I asked.

He sighed. "Your mother came to visit me on a stormy day like yesterday morning. I knew something was bothering her. Yes, she was already heavy with you so my surprise when I was told she was waiting for me in the lobby. She deposited all the gold and diamonds she had in the safety deposit box, created a trust for you, put all her affairs in order and made me promise if anything ever happened to her, to make sure you were well taken care of." Arthur looked out the window, reliving the last moments with my mother. He had a tenderness in his eyes and I surmised he was very close with my mother.

"As I said, the Lupa bloodline only follows one mantra, "For the greater good." Your mother, unfortunately, was influenced by Damian. You saw how her aura was being consumed by the dark. Her power was fading. Even if she did try to right her wrongs, it was too late. The damage was done. Many had died. Lives had changed. There was nothing she could do to change it."

"The miracle of her pregnancy was almost the last amount of good energy she had left. She knew she would not stand a chance against the Rogue Lord if ever he would come for her and she knew he was coming for her. It was just a matter of when." He heaved a sigh and turned his gaze upon me.

"Tell Stella, remember, whatever makes you different from us is your strength. Your mother wanted me to tell you that. Those were her last words before she left to return to your territory."