Chapter 4 Time to pay back

The tears came again, lurking in the corner of Diane's eyes, blurting her vision to an extent. She jerked to her feet, her chest heaving up in sheer anger, sadness and regret. 'You should have left me on the streets that day. You shouldn't have attempted to take me in when your plan the whole time was to exploit me. I should also have known better... I should have fled when you both offered to help me out of the blues.' She didn't wait for whatever unpleasant response she'd get for saying what she said! Instead, she ran into her tiny store room, locked the door behind and collapsed on the bed with a loud thud. Diane spent the next few minutes crying her eyes out till she made her choice. For three years now, she'd been saving the little money she earned from doing menial jobs here and there. She reached for her box, collected one of her trousers and emptied its pockets. She straightened out the money, counted it quietly. Her lips stretched into a smile when she realized the amount in it was enough for her to escape the pack and start over elsewhere. At least, till she gets a job to earn her keep.

Her wolf quietly growled, saddened with the idea that they'd have to leave behind Alpha Xavier. The mate who had rejected them. Diane curled up on her bed, intending to wait till midnight before making her escape...

....

Diane woke up to the sounds of her alarm clock yet again. Taking a peep out the window, she realized it was late already, the perfect opportunity to make her escape. Dread, accompanied with fright, settled right in her bosom when she found out the money she left in her jean pockets were all gone.

'Did you misplace something?' Abigail leaned on the door frame, staring at her disdainfully.

Diane stammered, handicapped for words..

Abigail waved her off. 'It's okay. I understand your predicament, honey. So, I'm going to advise you to stop searching. Your money is now in my possession.'

Diane gasped terrifically. 'It's mine mother. Please give it back. I spent three years saving the whole money'

Abigail walked into the room, arms crossed on her chest. 'I'm not stupid enough to give you the money so you can fulfil your plans of escaping. There's no way out of this. Accept to fate already.'

She sobbed. 'But Mother...'

'If you try to escape again, I'll make sure you suffer severe repercussions..' she threatened then exited the room.

Today which was her birthday happens to be the worst day of her life yet.. it was a tragedy.

Diane slid down the wall till her ass landed on the cold ground. She's doomed!

~~Stealth Pack~~

Alpha Xavier stared at his reflection in the mirror, a sly smile on his lips.

His blonde hair was weaved and packed in a bun with a hair band, he has the bluest eyes ever, full plump lips that always wear a mischievous smirk, a small cut ran above his eyebrow, sharpening his face.

'You look rather excited today. Is there something I'm missing?' Ace, Alpha Xavier's only brother asked, his eyebrows quirked up in question.

'There's nothing you're missing out on, dear brother. I'm excited we're going to be having a duel today. I can't wait to beat your little ass out there' He responded jokingly.

Ace was an exact opposite of his brother. With his grey eyes, dark wavy hair with short bangs that fall over one side of his forehead. He has a normal build, tanner skin to his brother's. Asides the physical difference, the only other difference between them was the tattoos that covered almost every part of Ace's arms. The striking different was quite understandable since the two were born of different mothers. Alpha Xavier was born to Luna Harriette, his father's human mate, while Ace was born to Luna Melanie, their father's werewolf mate. He was lucky enough to be blessed with two mates in his life time.

'You're way older than me, you're also the Alpha. So it's expected you get the upper hand, brother'.

'Ten Years older is not a big deal.'

Ace shrugged his shoulders. 'The duel isn't really necessary. I'm not fighting for the Alpha title. I really don't want it. So why do I have to fight a duel with my brother for it?!'.

Xavier straightened out, adjusting his shirt ,collar perfectly. 'You can't say the same for your mother. She desperately wants you to have the title because you're a full blooded wolf! She suggested the duel, wanting to test my capabilities as the Alpha. If I fail, the title automatically goes to you, brother...'

Through with dressing himself, Xavier left his room for his office and for the second time that day, gossips about the newly employed maid reached his ears, allowing his curiosity to heighten. He summoned one of the maids he had heard talking about it earlier.

'Alpha. Is there anything I should help you with?' she requested, her head bowed politely.

'Tell me, who is this new maid I hear you talking about?'

'She was brought in today from the Crescent pack and she's to serve in the Alpha's mansion for the next ten years..'

Xavier's brows furrowed. 'We have enough maids in the mansion, already.'

'In two days, one of the maids will be leaving. So the new will replace her'

He inclined his head. 'It's fine. You can leave.' he dismissed the maid..

Right after, the sound of the bell was heard. It was time for the duel.

.......

Sound of swords clashing against each other resounded on the ground as the two men fought like their lives depended on it.

Heavily Breathing, Xavier addressed his brother. 'You aren't bad yourself. I see your swordsmanship is close to perfect'

Ace grunted, not letting his guard down. 'It's a fight so I'm giving it my all'

Neither of the two men were ready to back down.

They had both drawn blood on each others body and have cuts here and there.

Just then, Xavier caught a whiff of a unique scent. It got stronger every passing minutes. It was a sweet flower Smell. Intoxicating and beckoning onto him at the same time.

He shook his head, trying to clear his mind off the scent, lest he lost to his younger brother. In a minute, the duel will be over. He needed to stay focused. Luckily for him, Xavier was able to find an opening. He attacked unapologetically. His sword blade piercing Ace's stomach. Ace dropped to his knees, his hands covering the spot he has just been stabbed.

'I'm sorry, brother' Xavier whispered, dropping his blade to the floor.

The crowd cheered on and on. Thinking about the scent, Xavier left the scene in search of whoever the scent was emitting from. The familiarity of that scent was undying. Xavier swore he'd smelt it somewhere before. Then it struck. At the banquet in Crescent Pack. That was where and it was from her. He came to an abrupt stop, recognizing her amidst the crowd. Utterly displeased by her presence.

'Follow me!' He snarled then left.

Why was she here? Did she stalk him because he rejected her?!.

He stopped in an enclosed area, which was quite far away from the place where people were still gathered. He spun around to face her.

'What are you doing here?!'.