25 FEBRUARY, THURSDAY, BEFORE SCHOOL
I think the "right questions" might just the the kind that felt like you were opening a new can of worms - not that I've ever gone fishing, Grandpa Alpha promised to take me this summer... but that wasn't going to happen now. Oh, but who knew if it would happen anyway? Grandpa Alpha didn't like boats. But I imagined it would be like opening something that kept trying to wriggle out so that you'd wished you never opened it.
And if that were the case, I would like to congratulate my good beta for asking the "right question."
What should we be expecting?
I suppose from Harvey's point of view, he'd like to be prepared for it. I've been with this beta long enough to know that his veneer of perfection stemmed from hours of preparation beforehand. A good beta was always prepared. Kinda like a boy scout huh? Hahaha.
At first I waved it off airily, "Nothing much, this prophecy is from the Colored Mountains, and we're all the way out here in the plains. It's not like the wolves from the Mountain would come out here."
Harvey's forehead crinkled more, "Pardon me, Alpha, but you just said Alpha Gunter was a Colored Mountain wolf."
Ah, right. The Great Teacher, himself.
"That's just Alpha Gunter. I don't think it's a norm to leave the Colored Mountains." Now I was starting to frown too, but only because I was trying hard to recall my dream travel, "And it takes like two days of traveling. That's like super far away."
So we didn't have to worry, right?
"You say Fluffy's father was coming too. He is one of the princes, the one called Heller right?" Harvey asked.
"Yes." I said.
Right, Heller was coming.
"But Heller shouldn't be a problem." At least I really didn't want him to be a problem. That would really complicate things, "Heller says that I've saved Fluffy's life, and his mate's and daughter's life too. So I think even though he wants me to mate Fluffy, I don't think he would force us or anything."
Right? Because that would be crazy.
This was also news to Harvey. I guess I kind of skipped the entire thing about them thinking the Blue Rose would mate one of the young princes in the Colored Mountains. I mean, it was kind of embarrassing to say aloud. It was like I thought that all the princes in the Colored Mountains wanted to be my mate or something. Omo.
I tried to explain it as matter of factly as possible.
Harvey growled lowly, "S***. Sorry Alpha, I mean, what are they thinking?"
He really didn't like the part about breaking my mating bond with the help of a good healer.
"They're crazy." I told him, "I'm beginning to think the entire Colored Mountain is overrun with batty power hungry wolves."
Just like how the stories went. A young wolf who left home in search for power and discovered his potential... This usually ended up with him finding a beautiful mate, great treasures, and then becoming king of the Colored Mountains.
Those stories were the best!
Now I wondered if that was why there were so many princes... From too many heroes becoming the most powerful wolf in the mountain and being made king.
"If they would go so far as to severe your mating bond, I'm afraid this prophecy puts both you and your Luna in grave danger." Harvey interpreted.
"It might not be anything to do with us at all!" I tried to argue.
"Still, Alpha." Harvey answered in a steely calm, "In this case, it wouldn't be so much the truth of the matter but the perceived truth that endangers you."
Harvey signalled right and waited to turn. I stared straight ahead at the traffic, "So you mean as long as someone (read Heller and Haku) believes that I am the blue rose, we are in danger?"
"Your Luna more so than yourself, Alpha. But yes." Harvey answered.
I wondered what made him think that? Harvey looked really serious. His mouth was pressed together in a thin line.
"Harvey, if you were, say Heller, what would you do?" I asked.
"From what I understand, if I were Heller, I would secure the kingship for my son." Harvey answered, "This would not be difficult. I would come fetch my son in person. Then depending on the situation, I might either invite or kidnap you, steal the idonia ring, return to the Colored Mountains, and instigate your mating bond to my son. Although not necessarily in this order."
I opened my mouth and shut it again.
"If possible, I would also have your Luna Bell permanently eliminated. It is always best not to leave any loose ends." Harvey added.
Yes, because my good beta never liked leaving loose ends around.
I leaned back in my seat, we were approaching Winderhill, our car smoothing easing up the road uphill.
"I won't let anyone hurt Bell." I vowed.
"If I might suggest, Alpha?" Harvey asked.
"Yeah?"
"Perhaps it might be good to alert Ben and Ki too. I could do with Ben's brain on this one. And I believe Ki would be in a better position to protect your Luna should anything happen." Harvey suggested.
I nodded. I guess Harvey had a point there.
"In the meantime, I'll have a security detail set up for your Luna Bell." Harvey continued. Because we shouldn't leave any loose ends.
"But don't tell Bell." I said.
"Understood." Harvey nodded gravely. I caught sight of his jaw tick.
Yeah, okay. But Harvey was probably taking it too seriously. I know, it wouldn't hurt to be careful, but I really don't think we had to worry too much about it.
Okay no, tbh, once it was brought to my attention that Bell was the one who would be first to die, Boo couldn't stop pacing in my head.
I mean, I knew Bell was my soulmate. It's Bell or nothing. But Heller and Haku seemed quite confident that my mate could be changed at will, and that worried me.
It's not that I think they would succeed. It's more that I worried they might attempt, and that alone was enough to kill Bell and what would I have left without him?
That's right. Nothing.
Boo was despondent just at the thought.
"Don't worry, Alpha. We will take care of it." Harvey promised me.
Yeah. I mean, I didn't think it would be that complicated. I had thought I could just not go back to the Colored Mountains and case closed.
Our car pulled up to the school porch. Oh well, on the bright side, I get to go to school now. I can't believe I was saying this, but school was a welcoming sight.
Nice, uncomplicated, highschool life, here I come!
Fluffy opened the car door for me, "Please come this way, Alpha."
I realized the barriers had a lot of aspiring paparazzi. Why were they in school so early today? And what's with the onslaught of photography?
Maybe it was a fun after exam activity for my school mates - capture photos of the Alpha Princess earn some holiday pocket money.
Maybe I was a rare Pokémon. With all these phones pointed at me, I imagined that would be how a rare Pokémon might feel.
"Hoi, hoi, alpha!" EJ sang cheerily once we passed the student foyer, "You must be the most popular girl in school."
Not really. Not if they were just taking my picture to earn a few bucks. But I wonder why the resurgence of interest.
"Do you know why they want my picture again?" I asked.
"Because alpha is cute nya!" EJ announced without hesitation.
But I wasn't asking EJ. I looked at Fluffy who smiled his beautiful smile at me, "
"They're not taking photos of you." Fluffy explained, "They're taking photos of us. The press is on a manhunt for the boys on the list, your human friend Krystal had sold them."
"And the both of you are on this list?" I asked.
Fluffy smiled, "Yes."
"Don't misunderstand, Alpha." EJ told me quickly, "We only signed up so you would rank number 1."
"Number 1 of what?" I asked.
It turned out that our school had an informal forum where polls were often conducted. This included Abigail's earlier poll about who should play Juliet opposite Henry when she didn't know the play was Horneo and Bulliet.
There were all the other official polls too. E.g. Most popular guy in school went to Liam. So when Jasmine had announced that Liam was officially the most popular guy in school - even more popular than Aladdin, she had actual statistics to back it.
And hottest bod went to Henry. Like seriously there was such a poll. EJ took pains to point out that it was only because Fluffy and himself were not in the running, "By the time we started school, most of the polls had closed." EJ pouted, "It's seriously unfair!"
But the both of them somehow were on the top 10 pretty boy list, with Fluffy in the lead.
Most hatable guy, unsurprisingly also included Henry, but he lost to Troy here. I'm just amazed Troy's hatability had reached the students outside our class as well. He had like 60 votes.
I was clearly on a lot of lists too. They were all rather embaressing. I mean, cutest girl was actually one of the less embaressing ones. I didn't do too well though. I was ranked like 8 or 9. I don't remember.
Most violent girl. Surprisingly I was last place here.
Girl you wish was your girlfriend. Which I assumed was the list that Krystal used. But even with Fluffy and EJ's support, I was still only at #3.
Most shipped couple. I was listed here with Henry for some reason. And we ranked even higher than Jasmine and Liam, but lower than Jules and Ramona.
Scariest girl. I wasn't even on this list? WTH? Wasn't I supposed to be the warlock?
Coolest kids. Oh, I made this list. Apparently, the polling group thought I was cool - school backpack and velcro shoes and all.
Richest kids. I got on this one too. But I had never know wealth was something that was polled about. Shouldn't it be a more direct measurement? Like empty your wallets and count the cash? If they did that, I'm sure my $20 wouldn't get me listed here.
There were other things too, like smartest guy/girl, fastest runner (again, why didn't they just race properly), most popular seniors, most likely to the student president... Anyway, it's a lot of polling, some more polled than others.
I was starting to wonder which part of highschool life I thought was uncomplicated.
"Okay, enough." I pushed Fluffy's screen back towards him, "TMI. Okay, I'm going to read my manga and I don't wanna be disturbed."
"Yes Alpha." Fluffy recognized the order and drew back. The two guys left me at my desk. And sighed and watched them for a while. EJ took his stuff and bounced out to change. Fluffy noticed I was watching and flashed me another one of his beautiful smiles before settling into his seat to read.
The classroom was empty today. I looked out of the window, just so as not to look at Fluffy because suddenly I remembered Heller boasting about how beautiful his son was.
Yeah, Fluffy's smiles were getting more beautiful each day. He was happy. I could sense his wolf now, less of a shadow, and more of a... I don't know... I would like to think he was healing inside, just a little. Like Ki... Fluffy and the special team seemed to be adjusting to life as a pack wolf.
There was one distinct difference between them and my Night Leaf wolves though. My Night Leaf wolves took everything around them for granted, this was the life we had always known. But Fluffy and the Special Team, and Ki too... Every little happiness they receive, they treated as if it was some kind of lucky find.
I've noticed... It was in the little things. Like being so happy about coming to school, or when they get praised by one of the betas. Just like, "good job" or "thanks." And their wolves would perk up like something wonderful had happened to them.
Did vampires not praise their dogs?
But whatever. One day, Ki, Fluffy, EJ, and all the other ex-fightdogs were going to run like every other pack wolf - brave and loyal and true, and maybe even take for granted all the little happiness they enjoy in pack life because this life would be a norm for them.
And everyone to live happily ever after.
But for some reason everything had to keep getting complicated.