Chapter 10 10

Chapter 10

*Warmth*

I spilled out the mess of my life-how things fell apart with Harden, why I had to leave Scorpio, and how I found shelter in Arthur's pack.

After my story, I heard her sigh over the phone. "I'm sorry, Elara. You must have struggled a lot. I always said Harden was no good. I never liked the fact that he turned you into someone else. I knew he'd only leave you after all that." I hated admitting they were right about Harden. Along with Jason, Daphne never liked him, and now I could see their reasons. Harden was a spineless ass.

I heard her grin over the phone, her tone shifted. "Forget about that jerk. You dumped him right? Now tell me about this new Alpha, is he hot? Are you guys a thing already?"

"No... Ew!!!" My face twitched. "I'm done with Alphas, Daphne, at least for now."

"But he's handsome, right?" She pressed and I reluctantly admitted the obvious. The words felt heavy coming from my lips with a forced laughter which I tried to hold back. "Yes."

"I knew it!" She exclaimed as if achieving something big, "You know, I heard the unmarried she wolves here talking about it. That the leader of the Dawn pack is crazily handsome. Now you've confirmed it." She giggled before continuing.

"Is he tall? Light-skinned or Tan? Hair color, facial features, feel me in!" She sounded so much excited.

"Wouldn't your mate be mad hearing you talk about another wolf?" I teased.

"He's out of town, I would do the same even if he was in front of me. Now tell me, Elara, I'm growing too curious here."

"Ok, Arthur is pretty cute and damn hot. You'd want to fall in love the first time you meet him." I said and suddenly, the door opened from behind and immediately drew my attention and made me turn behind only to find him there. Arthur in front of the door, my lips paused 'O', I couldn't take my eyes off him. Shit, he must have heard our conversations to know I was talking about him.

I lost track of what Daphne was saying as my mind disconnected from our conversation.

He silently surveyed me from head to toe, leaving me feeling exposed under his gaze.

To ease the embarrassment, I greeted quickly, "Good morning, Alpha." He didn't respond; instead, he continued to scrutinize me.

Realizing I was half-naked, clad only in a bra and panties, I instinctively covered my cleavage with my hands. "Oh my God, Elara, how could you be so foolish?" I scolded myself internally. Realizing my hands weren't enough, I hurried to grab the bedsheet, wrapping it around me hastily. My cheeks burned with embarrassment, knowing I must have made a complete fool of myself.

"You-"

"Uhmm-"

"Get dressed quickly, I have something to tell you," he interrupted, then exited the room. Once I finished dressing, he returned.

We didn't talk about the incident from just now and I was glad. One word about it from him and I'll have to bury my head in shame.

"How's your stay here?" He asked.

"It has been nice, I'm grateful for your kindness, Alpha," I replied.

I stared everywhere but at him. My whole body was vibrating, why did he want to say, that he was taking too much time now?

"That's great." He said with a pause, studying me for a while. I tried to look everywhere but him, his presence gave me tingling feelings. I cannot tell if it' was the Alpha's innate ability to capture the attention of every wolf or their ability to compel our minds to obedience. I was beginning to squirm in front of him, losing my voice and also my mind. I practically turned a lost pup.

"I have a request if you'd grant it for me."

"What is it?" I mustered the courage to inquire.

"The Winter Ball is coming soon, and I need a partner to accompany me, will you accompany me?"

Winter ball.. I've only heard about it and the experience from Caitlin, and never had the chance to attend once. Usually, Harden would take the beta's daughter or some women from a prominent neighboring pack as I was an Omega who had to help with work around the pack and wasn't allowed to go on these events.

Maybe, I had kept quiet for so long, "What do you say?" He asked. I felt nothing but warmth from him. His kindness towards me has been genuine and I am grateful to have that. I am grateful to have another door open where one closes.

"Uhmm... I will."

"Can you dance?" His questions suddenly caught me off guard. I cannot remember the last time I danced because I'd usually be busy during balls, working alongside the other servants and the only chance I get to meet Harden was after midnight, the time most of the guests had gone back with me being so exhausted. I shook my head quickly.

"Just as I thought." He sighed. "I'll ask someone to call you soon, be ready." And then he turned to leave, just like he forgot something, he turned back with an expressionless face, "You're playing with fire if you constantly get undressed and leave the door open." He said and then walked away.

I could feel my cheek burning up and I held my hands over them, staring into the mirror. I couldn't tell what was happening to me. What is this man doing to me??? I screamed in my head.

Minutes ticked by before I dared to move, peeking out cautiously to ensure he was gone. Even after he left, my cheeks stayed crimson. I leaned against it, holding my racing heart, replaying the mortifying scene in my head.

Harden's POV:

The night air carried a biting crispness as I trudged through the dense forest to see my mother. The scent of pine mingled with the anxiety coiled within me. My mother's condition deteriorated by the day, so we had her moved to the cottage house in the forest to keep her away from the others, preventing the spread of the silver moon flu. It was a rare disease that appeared once every few hundred years and took at least a tenth of the werewolf population, and this year was one of those unfortunate times.

We had consulted the pack witch, and there was nothing she could do. I just had to watch my mother fade away like dead leaves.

Leaning on the door, I observed the toll on her frail form. "Har- Harden," she managed to call between coughs the moment she saw me, and I rushed to her side, heart pounding.

"What is it, Mom?"

"I don't think I'll make it," she murmured with trembling lips, shaking her head. Her appearance had drastically altered in recent days-her face sunken, skeletal, dark circles pooling under her weary eyes, and each hacking cough seemed to hollow her out further.

"Don't talk, Mom. You should focus on getting well soon. Father has gone to meet Sera again; we hope she can find good herbs for you this time," I reassured, exhaling deeply. My hands wiped over my sweaty head. I couldn't shake off the feeling that my mother's condition would only worsen by the day.

Sera, our pack witch, had already declared that there was no remedy, and there was nothing we could do. The silver moon flu season was taking its toll, claiming werewolves from neighboring packs, and we ran out of luck that it had to affect my mother.

"Son, our pack's future is uncertain. The Northern mountain packs are pulling out of the truce, and others may follow suit," she fretted, her voice strained.

"Let me handle the pack's affairs with father. Your health is what matters now," I insisted, but she shook her head, a tear slipping down her cheek.

"You don't understand the weight of it, do you?" Clearing her throat before speaking again.

"The only reason we let you choose Caitlin as your mate was that the Scorpio pack needed stronger hands to join in."

"I want you both to have the ceremony soon. I don't know how much longer I have to live. If you think I do not know, I heard that there is no treatment for the flu. I will not survive it, but I want to see you and Caitlin take your relationship to the next level before my death."

"Mother, do not speak of death. I told you that Father and I will do anything to make sure you get well soon."

"You cannot cheat death, Harden. We can only hope to leave our loved ones well before our passing." She cleared her throat before speaking again, "I heard that the Winter Ball is happening in three days. I want you to attend. Leave me here, the doctors are here to take care of me. Take Caitlin with you. I hope you can meet up with other Alphas. The pack could use more assistance. Forget about this old hag."

Amidst chaos and worry, the winter ball arrived. Caitlin clung to my arm, guiding me through the gathering. But my thoughts wandered, disconnected from the crowd, longing for Elara's embrace. The only time I acknowledged people was when Caitlin pinched me.

We walked past an elderly man, and Caitlin shook my arm, "Baby, this is my uncle Desmond. Let's greet him," she whispered in my ear, and then I stretched out my hand for a handshake.

I received one instruction from my parents: find people interested in our pack. In a room full of Alphas, I had to make alliances to strengthen the Scorpio pack, but my mind was disconnected. I was finding it hard to tame my wolf-it only wanted to be buried in the arms of Elara.

We had conversations concerning land issues and the recent news of territory extension by the Northern Mountain pack. They were swallowing up smaller packs, and all I could say was that the man was more interested in the things happening in the Scorpio pack than anyone else I'd met.

Then, and there, I smelled it again-the intoxicating smell of the wild forest, the scent of freshly cut wood filled my nostrils, and I could tell she was here. I hadn't seen her for days, but my wolf was certain the scent belonged to her, a scent we'd grown accustomed to over the years. I let it lead me, separating my hands from Caitlin as she began to get crowded by people. My nose traced the scent, following every waft until it led me to the middle of the ballroom, where two people danced, the center of attention for everyone.

There she was, dancing in the arms of another man.