Chapter 2 II

The next day, I woke up startled by a hammering noise at my bedroom door.

"I'm awake, I'm awake!" I shout. Jumping out of bed, I stumble to the door, open it and bump into Freya.

"What do you want?" I ask with remnants of sleep in my voice.

"Honey, you should be dressed by now; you have to be at the alpha's house in an hour." Freya cracks a small smile.

"Why?" I ask, exasperated.

"What do you mean, why? We've been over this, Elodie." Freya raises her voice, putting her hands on her hips.

"No, we haven't! You decided for me, but you know what? I'm going, yes, and I hope I meet my partner there, so he can take me away from this place and you!" I slammed the door in her face, my heart racing with anger.

~~

An hour later, I was dressed and on my way to the alpha's house, complaining quietly about my miserable life.

"I should probably apologize to Freya on the way back..." I mutter to myself, regretting the way I spoke to her earlier.

As I approached the alpha's house, I couldn't help but feel disturbed by its opulence. It was extravagantly large. How many people lived there?

A guard was standing by the entrance, and he looked me over from head to toe before speaking. "What is the reason for your visit?"

"Hm, I was hired as a servant to help with the Alpha celebration." I answer stiffly, feeling a little intimidated.

"Name?" He asks, pulling out a clipboard.

"It's, um... Elodie Lunt, sir." My voice comes out in a squeak.

He checks the list and nods. It took me a second to understand that this meant I had permission to enter.

I've been to the leader's house only once when my father was still alive. I was about six, and we were both playing in the park when he was summoned to an urgent meeting. As there was no one else to leave me with at such short notice, my father took me with him. I remember him putting me on a chair outside the meeting room.

"Just sit there quietly, Elodie. I won't be long." He patted my head and walked into the room full of other werewolves.

As I sat there, a huge man came walking towards me. He had long black hair, dark onyx eyes, and a horrible cut on his face.

Next to him was a boy with the same mass of black hair and the same bright blue eyes. The boy was arguing with the older man.

"But I'm the future alpha, Dad! I should be at this meeting with you!" It was the alpha of the pack and his son.

"You're not ready for meetings like this yet, son." The alpha spoke in a monotone voice and with a stoic expression.

They came closer and closer, so I quickly slid out of my chair and bowed my head in respect; it was what my father and the other villagers always did when they saw the alpha.

They were not even aware of my presence, even though I was right in front of them. The two of them just continued talking.

"They killed my mother! Those bastards killed my mother, and I want them to pay for it." The boy shouted angrily.

He was shaking, and tears were threatening to fall from the corner of his eyes, yet his father stood there, expressionless, before finally speaking.

"Son, when the time comes, you will join us in the meeting room. But for now, continue with your defense training." The alpha said as he turned the knob. "I will avenge your mother." He finishes in a threatening tone before disappearing behind the door.

I raised my head slightly to look at the boy, who was staring at the door. His eyes were red with tears, wanting to fall, and his fists clenched. The boy finally noticed me; he turned to me and faced me, quickly wiping away the tears with his arm.

"How long have you been there? Who let you in?" He asked harshly, still staring at me.

"Hm... My father has been summoned to an important meeting with the Alpha and the Elders, sir." I answered quickly, bowing my head once more.

"Who is your father? What is his name?" The boy asked, still unconvinced.

"Marcus Lunt, sir." I replied, waving my hands nervously.

"Lunt? Is your father the Gamma?" The boy asked, calmer this time.

Back then, I wasn't too familiar with the pack status; I knew there was an alpha and that he was the leader. Then there was the beta, his second in command, and the gamma, responsible for strategy and organizing all events and meetings.

Then there were the elders, the healers, or werewolf doctors, the warriors, the seekers, and the peacemakers.

I knew Dad's role in the pack was important, but I didn't understand how much. "Hm... Yes?" I said intimidated.

"Is that an answer or a question?" The boy asked me, mocking me.

"It's... The answer, sir. My father is the Gamma." I replied, trying to speak with more confidence. He looked me in the eye for a moment, then shook his head and waved his hand, dismissing me.

"Get on with... With what you were doing there." And with that, he spun on his heels and walked away.

"Hey, you there!" I was snapped out of my memories by a voice shouting at me. A lady was walking towards me as fast as she could; her face was scowling.

"Are you one of the volunteer maids for the gala ball?" She asks, her breathing a little fast.

"Y-yes, ma'am. I'm Elodie Lunt, ma'am." I bow my head.

Furthermore, I feel a slight tap on my shoulder and lift my head to see the lady covering her mouth with her hand.

"Elodie?" The lady asks with her face white with shock.

"Yes, ma'am." I reply, confused by her change in attitude.

She surprised me by giving me a big hug.

"Aaah, Elodie! The last time I saw you, you were just a little girl. Look how you've grown!" The lady steps back, analyzing me from head to toe. "Have you found a partner yet?" She asks curiously.

"Hm, no, ma'am. I don't turn 18 for a few days. Do I... Do I know you?" I asked a little awkwardly about the situation.

"Ah! Sorry, my child. I am Tessa, the head of the alpha's house and the village midwife. I knew your father when he was the pack leader, and I knew your mother too." Her expression turns sad. Her expression turns sad. "I was there the day she..." Tessa can't finish the sentence. "I'm sorry I couldn't save her, sweetheart."

I place a hand on her shoulder to reassure her.

"It's all right, Ms. Tessa." I crack a slight smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"So you're here to help us for the big night tomorrow, huh?" The woman asks, walking in the direction she came from.

I followed her immediately.

"Yes, ma'am. My stepmother offered my name; I'm sorry to say I didn't even know so much help was needed." I scratch my head a little shyly.

"Well, thank Goddess she did. We need all the support we can get."

As she spoke, she opened two large golden doors, which revealed a vast hall. No wonder they needed so much help.

The place was huge!