The Outrage
Elijah.
I had been making the bed when I received a mind-link from my sister. I placed the last pillow down just as it rung in my head.
'Bridgette linked the Pack that you're Alexander's mate. I'm sorry.'
It froze my heart my Pack, my home. They probably hate me, just as I thought all was well. Just as I thought, things between Xander and I were running smoothly, â I mean, a couple that has nicknames for each other stays together â just as I got my wolf back. I thought I might even get introduced as Luna.
Then this.
Talk about a life of bad fucking luck.
I had just taken a seat on the bed when I heard Alexander ask, "What's wrong?"
He had just come out of the shower, all beautiful and wet his abs glistening. Gosh, sleeping with him has brought out the most outrageous thoughts I never knew exsited within me.
"My sister â"
His face immediately changes, "Is she okay?" The worry in his voice is evident.
They really had grown closer this past year, I hadn't believed Nicholas when he had told me just how in sync they were. However, as these few days have passed and now this... I really do.
It made me really happy to know that the two most important people to me had become so close. It would've killed me if they were still at each other's throats.
I gesture for him to relax, "She's fine, she's fine." I couldn't help but chuckle, "She just linked me. My... The North Pack know I'm here, they know I'm your mate."
"Didn't they already know?" He looks disinterested.
I give him a what-the-fuck look, "No! Have you forgotten you attacked them! They hate you, we â they, still haven't forgiven you."
He frowns noticing my slip even with the cover up, "You haven't forgiven me?"
"I â" Dammit, I didn't think he'd realise the slip up, "I don't know. I haven't put much thought into it. Too much has happened since then, nearly two years have passed."
I wasn't lying, I've barely even thought of the attack. From the moment I met him it had slipped my mind. It sounds horrible and conceited but it was the truth, since I've met Alexander things have just been happening. Train wreck after train wreck, I haven't had a moment to breathe.
The first three days after the attack were brutal, having to deal with the funerals. There was little to no rebuilding that had to be done since the attack hadn't reached the city, the Pack was just somber because of the deaths.
After my birthday my thoughts and my life just went downhill. I haven't actually sat and thought about much since that night.
His lips were still downcasted, "What does this mean? Are you going back there?"
"Yes. I have to, I have to set everything right, I owe it to Jameson. He babysat me, everyone knows that. They'll use that against him, they'll know there was no way he hadn't known. We're close, everyone knows that too. I have to go back, to make sure they don't try to overrule him over this."
I shuffled around, remaking the bed. It was turning into a nervous habit of mine. Trying to focus on anything but the issue at hand by doing something else, normally I just fiddle. Now, I'm doing the damn bed again. I was smoothing over creases that weren't even there.
Seeing this Alexander chuckles making his way to me, he grabs my hands holding them in his. He places light kisses on my knuckles and smiles gently at me.
"Would you like Mia to go with you? You two have grown close."
I smile at his thoughtfulness, "Thanks to you, really. However, I would not. I would like you to come with me." I peaked up at him through my bush of frizz.
I have finally accepted that we were better together and besides that being away from him again is not what I want to experience any time soon. I've had enough of it, I'd love it if we could be joined by the hips from now on.
He sighs shaking his head slightly, "I can't, Liah. I've left the Pack too many times already."
Sometimes I forget he runs the Pack. I see him out of his office so often that I forget that he has work to do. He has things to do besides follow me.
I shake my head at my silliness, "Yes, I'm sorry. I forgot, I'll go ask Mia to come with me." I half smiled.
Letting go of his hands I peck him before I swipe my hand over a crease in the bed once more then make my way to the bathroom.
* * *
"So, this is the North Pack, huh?" Mia muttered, getting off the helicopter.
Taking a brief look around I shrug, "Yeah, home sweet home."
We landed in my backyard. As I've explained, it has no fence just grassland then the forest. So, there was plenty space for the helicopter to land. I didn't want to land anywhere else, it would bring too much attention and I would immediately be thrown into the turmoil.
This way I could pace myself, prepare myself for what's to come. I also used a helicopter because I would arrive here much faster with it.
We walked on over to my parents' back door and I opened it with my key. I didn't get rid of any of my keys, I couldn't dare and my parents didn't ask for them back.
"Ma!?" I yelled, I had asked Elisha to send out an S.O.S. link to our parents.
My mother appeared first, "Oh, Poppie. I've missed you, honey." She engulfed me in a hug.
"We don't have time for this, Ma. They'll be here soon." Elisha murmured.
I'm glad she said it because I didn't have the heart to.
"Oh, yes." She nods, "Oh, who's this?"
I turn slightly so that I'm able to point as I introduce the people, "Mom, this is The Howlers' Gemma, Mia, and their three best Warriors, Robin, Katya and Bryson."
Yeah, Alexander wouldn't let me go without them. I doubted it would get that bad but I let it happen, anything to make him feel better about not being able to come with.
"Nice to meet you all," My mother smiled, "Honey, you're going to have to go to Alpha Jay's. There is a gathering happening at six. He is going to explain the entire situation to them." I nodded.
She continued, "It's best if you go alone. Any Howlers presence would seem disrespectful," She cringed looking at the four, although I too was one now, "Some have tried to gather up men to attack The Howlers. It's a little chaotic, you will need to be careful."
"Okay, let's go." I headed for the door.
"With all due respect, Luna, Alpha Alex sent us here to protect you. To stand by you, not to stay here and do nothing." Robin spoke up.
I look over at my mother who looks hesitant then I turn back to the four, "I know, Robin. But there's nothing I can do, they'll smell you and then all hell will break loose. There is nothing you can do but stay here."
He tried to fight me again, "That's not what â" I raised my hand.
"That's an order, Robin. I don't want to hear anymore. Mia's coming and that's it. They will have to respect her, she's of rank. You three are of rank to me but you won't be to them. To them you'll be Warriors which is like a cry for war. So, you will stay here."
Mia, my parents, Elisha, Nic and I made our way to Jay's home. His backyard was much larger than my parents'. This made it easier for us to hold public meetings, gatherings and such there. The actual hall for greater meetings wasn't far from his home either.
As soon as we started circling the house, I started fiddling. I really wished Alexander had come with me. I had learned that having him around was very calming to me. His presence was a million times greater than the comfort of a mother. I would never tell that to my mother but, it was true.
So, it was no wonder I needed him at this very moment.
As soon as we reached the backyard hundreds of eyes fell on me. I could hear some snarls and growls, I bowed my head. Suddenly overcome with shame. I left them without so much as an explanation.
Yes, normally no farewell is needed but I guess I could've changed the rules for my rare occasion. It's not every time someone is mated off to their enemy.
I climbed the stairs of the mini stage and stood a few feet away from Jay.
"Good Evening, North Pack.
I have called back Elijah Vilakazi to our Pack to have her explain, in her own words what you have found out. I will remind you that she stands up here as a Luna. Yes, not the Luna to a Pack we have love for but a Luna nonetheless. She is joined by the Gemma of her Pack, Mia Ramos." He moved aside for me to take his place behind the microphone.
"Hello, North Pack.
I am Elijah Azaliah Vilakazi. Many of you remember me, some of you might not. I don't blame you, for the past year and a half I have been comatose. I stayed here, in the North Pack for the duration of my coma. Many of you asked the Moon Goddess to save me and she did, I am incredibly grateful for that.
"I was put in that coma by a hexed silver bullet, that shot me at the back of my head. I was shot because I am mated to Alpha Alexander Russo. I will spare you the long story of my fight to find out who put me in that coma, why they chose to hide my wolf and how I got her back.
"I will, however, have you know that being a Howler and being Alexander's mate has not come easy. I will also have you know that I am still greatly pained by the attack The Howlers set out against us. However, it could have gone worse had he not found out what I was to him. Just as any mate, I happen to mean a lot to him and because of my ties to this Pack â that will never burn out â he vowed never to attack or cause any harm again.
"I am truly sorry for leaving unannounced, it is the way of this Pack. So, it is the way in which I left. I had just woken up from my coma and a lot of things weren't clear to me, it had hardly been six hours after Alpha Jay himself had found out about Alpha Alex being my mate until I left. It was a hasty move. I'm sorry for not having this meeting sooner, I make no excuses for my actions. I just ask that you do not blame Alpha Jay nor my family for my doings."
I looked out at the crowd before me and I wanted to cry. I had never delivered a speech before, sure I wasn't officially a Howler nor their Luna but this felt like my first official speech.
I kept quiet, waiting for their response with baited breath. A shout rang throughout the clearing, and I let out an inaudible sigh once I heard it, I heard it loud and clear.
Traitor.