Chapter 20

Savannah's POV

I stopped on my track and turned to look at the source of the voice. As soon as my head snapped to

the side, my gaze fell onto the silhouette of three people coming closer to us. It was two women

and a man. The two women were quite tall and had dark skin. One of them had brown hair and the

other one had black hair. On the side the man has a muscular body with dark brown hair.

"Master you are here?" The woman with brown hair asked. There was a surprise look on her face.

But it was strange that they didn't call Hardwick as Alpha but they referred to him as master. Is that

some kind of tradition in Dark Forest Pack? Right now I couldn't fathom about it.

"Master, you didn't say anything about your arrival," the woman with black hair said.

"Do I need to inform you whenever I go?" I heard Hardwick's hard voice fall. Both of the women

bowed their heads, not meeting his gaze. I was surprised, though Hardwick didn't say it too sternly

but I can see that their body tensed.

"Master please don't mind their words" the man beside two women said. "It was surprising that the

master is also here this year," he added, quickly changing the topic.

"I am here because my presence is needed here" Hardwick started. I felt my palm start to sweat. I

heard from Tanea that he never bothered to visit this hunting event. But this year he is with me and

it's creating confusion for his own pack. I guess they have no idea about our mating.

The three people didn't say anything but looked at him quietly. They are waiting for him to

continue.

Hardwick cleared his throat "since I haven't made it official to the pack, let me introduce you" he put

his hand over my shoulder lightly pushing me forward "meet my mate Savannah and your Luna”

This is an official meeting with his pack members. I felt my body tense a little. Three of them were

stunned as their eyes fell on me. Looks like they still couldn't believe their Alpha had a mate now.

But why are they so surprised?

"Do I need to remind you of our tradition?" Hardwick questioned. I felt his jaw clenched tightly.

"Forgive us Master" they apologised before turning to me "welcome Mistress" they said in unison.

I don't know what to say to them. They are unfamiliar to me and I don't even know their names so I

just gave them a small smile while nodding my head.

"I am Cora Mistress," the woman with brown hair smiled. "She is Daisy and he is Mark" her voice is

warm and friendly. It made my heart flutter.

I smiled at her "I am Savannah"

"Welcome to Dark Forest Mistress” Mark said with a smile.

"Thank you" I replied to him.

"Since you know now, you can leave” Hardwick said to them.

"Yes" they nodded before turning around and heading towards their tents. But suddenly Daisy

turned her head and looked at me. Like the other two her eyes don't show any warm gesture but it

was rather filled with coldness. I frowned at her. Why was she looking at me like that? Like she was

bearing some kind of hatred towards me. But I have never encountered her before so how come I

offended her all of a sudden?

"What are you looking at?" Hardwick whispered in my ear.

"That was rude of you to tell them to leave like that" I scolded him.

He rolled his eyes "it's all about controlling love. If the Alpha couldn't take any control over his own

pack then it would be a shame to hold the title. Besides..." he leaned down a little "I don't like third

wheels between us"

"It was my first time to meet your pack members” I glared at him.

"You can meet them later. Now your priority should only be me and us” he replied arrogantly.

I raised my eyebrows "what us'? We both belong to different packs. Since you are here, you should

go and cheer your pack members to do well in the game" I gave him a tight smile.

"Darling they don't need my cheer to do anything" he smirked "it is a test of their own skills and it

has nothing to do with me"

I couldn't help but feel surprised. Is this man really their Alpha? His own pack is standing out to

compete yet the Alpha of their pack didn't even care a least about them.

"Are you really their Alpha?" I asked.

He smirked "do you need evidence darling? I can give you some if you want" his eyes were dancing

with an evil grin.

I raised my hands in a surrender position "no need. I am happy with being unknown about that

matter” saying this I turned around and walked towards my brother's tent. But I can hear his

footsteps behind me. It's clear he is following me. Shaking my head I stepped inside only to gasp

loudly.

In the tent there was none but my brother and his mate. Jion and Shiny have not arrived yet. But

what made me gasp was I had to witness my brother making out with his mate under the broad

daylight. Both of them were so lost in kissing that they didn't hear my gasp.

"I told you, you should-" Hardwick's voice stopped in the middle behind me. "Oh, I did not know

your brother is this active and couldn't wait to take action"

I turned my head and glared at him hard. Can this man be a little rational? Why does he always pick

on my brother?

"Can you stop your mocking?"

He sneaked his arm around my waist "it's not me but your brother who is doing that" he whispered

"we can do it better"

My eyes widened immediately before I slapped his arm angrily "behave yourself"

He shrugged before looking towards the couple again with a smirk. I turned my attention towards

Devak and Tanea before clearing my not so affected throat. Tanea, who's eyes were closed suddenly

opened and immediately went wide when she saw us. She pushed Devak from herself, making him

groan.

"What the fuck?" Devak groaned loudly.

"If you two need privacy then it would be better to let us know. So that we can delay our time to

reach here” I commented before he could say more. His head snapped towards us and rolled his

eyes.

"Fuck it" he cursed under his breath while Tanea shot a hard glare towards him.

Hardwick and I walked towards the table where breakfast was already served. I sighed when I saw

the dishes. I really don't like this food. Though the taste is somehow adjustable but eating it every

now and then is something not tolerable.

"What?" Hardwick asked, frowning at me.

"Nothing" I shrugged and put my chin on my palm gazing at the dishes spread on the table. His

eyes followed mine then swept back to me.

"You don't like it?"

"It's too plain,” I replied.

"Today they will start the game. After Breakfast we need to go to the ground area for a little

meeting with the elders" Devak said.

"Elders?" I frowned.

He nodded "they are like judges”

"I haven't seen anyone other than that old Lian"

"He is the keeper of this forest area and also the one who arranges everything here" Devak replied.

"Impressive, so the elders only show up during the game?" I asked again curiously.

"Yeah" he nodded.

"Bunch of traditional fools" I heard Hardwick whisper to himself. I turned to look at him while he just

flashed his annoying yet sexy smirk towards me. This man, is he cursing those judges? I wonder

what will those elders think if they hear him saying this.

Just then Jion and Shiny walked inside but paused when their gaze landed on Hardwick. Jion

frowned while Shiny looked at him stunned. I rolled my eyes. Hardwick had an extraordinary

appearance. No female could resist the charm he has even if he doesn't do anything.

"This..." Jion started but he was answered by Tanea before he could finish his words.

"I guess you two haven't met him. Let me introduce you, he is Alpha Hardwick, Sav's mate"

"Huh? Savannah's mate?" Jion turned to look at me while I just smiled at him confirming.

"I never thought you'd have such a hottie as a mate,” Shiny commented as she sat beside Jion.

"No comments" I said and she laughed. Her gaze fell on Hardwick and smirked.

"Alpha Hardwick, I am Shiny, the sister of the beta of Snow Moon Pack. If you ever felt bored I can

give you some company"

Is she flirting? I glanced at Hardwick from the corner of my eyes and saw his expression has not

changed a bit. I bit my inner cheeks trying hard not to giggle. I know Shiny is playful and a big flirt

to handsome boys. But flirting with Hardwick like this... Soon enough Hardwick opened his mouth

to reply.

"You can come to Dark Forest at anytime, I don't mind introducing you some unmated virile to play

with"

My eyes widened in an instant. Did he really say that? Introducing some unmated virile?! looked

towards Shiny who was now turned totally red with embarrassment. Though I know Hardwick is

straightforward and dominating, I never thought he would embarrass her like this.

At the side Devak snickered silently while Tanea glared at him. I lowered my head not wanting her to

see the smile on my lips while Hardwick drank the juice kept on the table calmly.

After a long silence Jion cleared his throat "Alpha Hardwick please forgive my sister being so unruly.

Sometimes she behaves in childish way"

Hardwick didn't reply, just slightly nodded his head. Then we started to eat without any words.

"I appreciate all of you for joining this hunting event. Because of some reasons we had to organise

this ever earlier than its usual date. I hope everyone here today will accept our sincere apology and

help us to make this event joyous and adventurous at the same time" a old man clothed in white

said, looking at us. There was a small stage made where the 4 old men stood in a poised manner.

"They are the elders?" I mumbled to myself.

"Just a few people who don't have anything to do" Hardwick's mocking voice reached my ear. I

glared at him.

"Can you be a little rational?"

"You think I'm not?" He asked, looking down at me.

"You already embarrassed Shiny to no end that she refused to come out now"

"Was that my fault? What can I do in that matter when she wanted to get it willingly"

I rolled my eyes. I can't even argue with him now. Shiny is at fault first. Though some men in the

pack were really annoyed by her, they never tried to embarrass her. But what Hardwick did was

something beyond imagination. It's like she dug her own grave.

"I am not talking to you" I focused my attention towards the stage where the elders were still

speaking.

"Why don't you just admit your defeat directly?” He chuckled

I gritted my teeth but refrained myself from any further comments. It's better this way. Who would

have the free time to argue with him. It's like banging one's head on the wall without any reason.

"Like every year, this year we have arranged a few games which will test your strength and also your

sharpness. I hope everyone who will attend will enjoy it" the elder who spoke earlier said again. His

appearance was quite old and looked like monks who just come from long years of meditation. I

really wonder if they are really saints or love to dress like one.

Not finding any interest in their speech I roamed my eyes around the ground. Suddenly I felt a

sharp gaze piercing me. I turned to that direction only to see a woman clothed in red looking at me

with her sharp gaze. I frowned, I don't know why she is giving me this look. Like I have committed

some sin which is unforgivable. She is the same one who glared at me when Hardwick introduced

me as his mate. Does this woman have any enmity with me?

Daisy looked away instantly as I felt an arm sneaking around my waist "what are you looking at?"

Hardwick's hot breath brushed the skin of my ear.

"Do your pack members always wear a cold look? Or is it just to scare others?” I mumbled.

"What happened?" He turned me around and made me face him. His dominating brown orbs

looked at me seriously "did anyone misbehave with you?"

His voice is rough and his face bece hard. It's like he is ready to explode the moment I say yes. I

shook my head. I don't know about Daisy and why she glares at me. But it's not the time to ask this.

"No, it's just they always look serious so I thought they do it to scare others” I shrugged.

He frowned but didn't inquire further which is glad from my side. Hardwick is hard to handle when

he is angry and this is something I got to know perfectly. This man does not know any rules nor

does he accept any so it's better to make him stay away from this minor matter. And about Daisy, I

will find it myself in future.

"The event will start tomorrow, and please who will be joining the first game be prepared” the

elder's voice fell and the crowd cheered loudly. So finally the game is starting.

"Today's meeting is dismissed" saying that those elders walked down from the stage.

"Let's go” Hardwick pulled me with him.

"Where?"

"Are you not tired from all this standing under the son?"

I rolled my eyes "no"

"Then I am tired and you are accompanying me"

I face palmed inwardly. Is this man really serious? Why does he always use his domination with

every action?

"You are the Alpha but you are tired already?" I smirked.

He turned and gave me an evil smile "oh, I am not darling. If you just want to see how strong an

Alpha can be, I can surely help you in this matter” he learned to match my level "do you wanna try it

out love?”

"What are you talking about? I have no intention of fighting with you" I frowned.

He smirked "who's talking about fighting here, I can saw you exactly on bed too"

My face burnt with embarrassment as the hotness started to crawl on my cheeks. Does this man

always think of 'that' thing? I glared at him trying to hide my blush before pushing his face away

from me.

"You shameless"

"Let me show you how shameless I can be darling” before I know he scooped me up in his arms

making me squeal. Few of the people turned to look at our direction, making me blush even harder.

God, this is embarrassing. I wanted to hide my face so hard now. But Hardwick didn't care about

those teasing gazes as he started to walk towards our tent which is now turned into “ours’.

But before I went inside the tent I saw Avan glaring in my direction. His face was hard and his jaw

was clenched tightly. I rolled my eyes as the curtain of the tent fell blocking the view from outside

leaving me only with my mate.