Chapter 17 - Chapter 16

Disha

The rogue was glaring at us in anger,

" I won't say a shit," he roared. This action of his made Halona angry and I release a growl that made the rogue submit. Now he is looking scared.

" You don't have to talk at all," Asha spoke in a calm tone. Then she commands the rogue," Look at me,"

The rogue instantly obeyed and I saw his eye flattering for a while that stayed still indicating Asha have entered his mind.

I turn to see Alpha Aston has narrowed his eyes and kept looking at Asha and rogue. He must have figured out that Asha and I aren't warriors.

" I am done, " Asha spoke looking happy about what she had accomplished.

" Now, we don't need you at all. You have to die," Edward muttered. Rogue got paled from hearing that.

" Shall I do the honour?" Nina asked looking at Edward who nodded. That surprised everyone in the room. Nina smirked while walking toward the rogue and expanding her claws only to run through the rogue's chest...Nina just took out his heart...And Haniya growled smelling the blood, luckily Edward pull her into a hug that helped her calm her lust.

" I need to use the bathroom," Nina looked at the Alpha who was shocked and maybe scared of Nina. Well, that's understandable as I am getting scared of Nina, she killed a rogue cold-blooded and acted as if nothing happen.

" Let's, go to the packhouse where you can use the bathroom and we can discuss what she found out," Alpha Aston indicated to Asha as 'she'.

After reaching the packhouse, we were escorted to Alpha's office by the Alpha, his Beta and Gamma who was waiting for us outside the prison. Alpha Aston then gestures toward the bathroom for Nina who directly went inside making Edward finally release Haniya.

" I would like to know, the actual rank of these ladies," Alpha spoke cautiously so he won't upset Edward the arrogant.

" Who they are not your concern," Edward muttered.

Then Nina came out of the bathroom, looked at Alpha Aston and said," Look for your mate, that will do good to you and this pack,"

Alpha Aston stood still for a while as if he understood what Nina meant. " What did you do to that rogue?" Alpha Aston asked Asha,

" I looked into his memories and found out there is a spy in your pack. Her name is Annie and apparently, she is a pack slut ( Asha frowned since she doesn't like to degrade a woman like that and Alpha Aston was shocked whereas his Beta and Gamma looked normal like they expected something like this) She would take information from warriors and other high ranked members as she provides her services( Nina chuckle hearing that and I suppress my smile to appear). This helps them to gain a lot of knowledge and she was able to get duplicate keys to the cell and secret rooms in the packhouse," Asha said.

Alpha Aston took a moment to digest the information told by Asha, and asked, " What about their leader?"

" Their leader's name is Sebastian and he looked in his late twenties or early thirties. ( 'And he looks exactly like the stalker, most probably his son' Asha mind-links us). He planned to kill all the male members of your pack and sell your female members to the black market( This information got growling coming from the Alpha, Beta and Gamma). Lastly, it looked like he is interested in finding your mate," Alpha's anger increases enough for his wolf to surface after hearing the last sentence.

" Did you find any information about their plan?" Alpha questions after calming his wolf down.

" For that, I need to interrogate that spy, Annie," Asha spoke in a commanding tone that made the Alpha obey her. I can't command anyone like that until I am using my Queen command.

" Call Annie to my office," Alpha Aston spoke on the landline. Then we waited for the spy to come.

The sound of the door knocking came which was answered by the Alpha. A woman in her mid-twenties came inside wearing black shorts and a tight-fitting shirt that bring out her sandglass curves making me feel envious of a body like that.

" You called me, Alpha," The spy spoke after bowing and looking at the Alpha seductively.

" They want to question you," the Alpha spoke coldly surprising the spy.

" He is Prince Edward, his mate Princess Haniya and they are his warriors," Alpha introduce us to the spy Annie. She looked concerned for a second and then had a stoic expression but her aura shows she is scared. Well, she should be.

"What would they question me? and why? Alpha," She asked before Alpha Aston could answer. Nina beat him and say," Don't worry, we won't ask about the rape plan you organise for the female Gamma,"

" I...I didn't do it," She sounded weakly and went pale. This proves Nina's accusation is right making my blood boil yet I am controlling myself to beat this spy.

I turn to look at the Gamma who clearly controlling his emotions right now.

Asha got up from her seat and stand in front of the spy. A similar eye pattern happens with the spy.

" I got it," Asha announced.

" What was that? what are you?" The spy dared to question Asha looking homicidal. All of the girls growling caused the spy to keen down because the combined dominance erupted. Now she looked scared to death.

" Take her to the cell," Alpha order his Gamma which he gladly obeys. He made sure his nails pierce Annie's skin resulting in her whining," Baby..." She calls the Alpha, in return, she got a growl and disgusted look. Then the Gamma drags her outside and at that moment she might have realised what will happen to her so she screams like a banshee.

" There is a camp of rogues on the northern side of the territory where they are waiting to kidnap the former Luna and her daughters along with any other she-wolf accompanying them. But they could kill the former Luna at the moment so the former Alpha feels the pain making a distraction for enough time to escape," Asha said

The Alpha was fuming with anger and his wolf was surfacing along with the aura of destruction. Once again, the Alpha was able to control his emotions, if I was in his place I couldn't have control of that intense emotions.

" Thank you for your services today. I appreciate your help as now I am two-step ahead of my enemies. I will like to return the favour in the future but for now, I invite you all to have lunch," Alpha spoke calmly.

How the hell you can speak calmly when you were burning in anger, not even a minute before?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alpha guides us to the room where a long table just like that shown in royals movies was placed in the middle. Alpha sat on the head place and all of us sat on the right side whereas his members sat on the left side.

Then maids whose auras show submission rather than dominance most probably are the Omegas of the pack serve us our lunch. They bowed to the Alpha and took a place at the table, this scene surprised me as Ace told me Omegas are treated horribly and hardly get respect.

Alpha notice my surprise and said," I make sure that everyone in my pack receives the respect and dignity they deserve regardless of their rank,"

" Do you mind telling me about the pack lifestyle," I asked since I would not be able to see myself.

My question surprised the Alpha Aston, I get it's like asking how do you drink water. But he answered it anyway, " Pack lifestyle difference from pack to pack. As some packs give importance to the ranks or gender of the members but those are rare now. After all, it's the twenty-first century where packs now focus on making their pack strong along with treating its members right. I have started to train the Omegas and the runts of the packs,"

" Runts... what's that?" I asked.

" Those are the werewolves who are smaller than average wolves making them weak and slow," Alpha replied.

Then the alpha continues to talk about the lifestyle of his pack which impresses me. It's like living in a joined family where everyone plays a role to protect and support each other. This helped to clear my misunderstanding about packs and this visit fulfilled my purpose. Also, it helps me to understand why Ace wants to form a pack badly. A pack is a family which was ripped out of Ace's life.

I shouldn't have said that to Ace. It's my fault that Ace got hurt and angry. Maybe I don't deserve to be with Ace, he deserves someone who understands him, and supports him. But I am a selfish woman who yearns for love ever since I was a child so I won't leave him or let him leave me. I could change myself into being the person that Ace deserves, after all, he went through a lot.

After we left the Howler pack, Edward directly took us to where we will be getting our tattoo.

" Edward, where will you get your tattoo," Nina asked,

" On my left bicep," Edward answered

"I haven't seen your tattoos from your previous missions," I suddenly remember that I only saw Asha's and Haniya's. Asha's tattoo is on her wrist and Haniya's is on her ankle.

" I have on my back," Nina answered.

" Is there a limit up to how many tattoos we can get?" Asha asked

"After ten moonflowers, they will use a special ink tattoo to tattoo those flowers which signify your rank to be the highest and you should be treated with the utmost respect. If you are royalty then you will get two types of special ink tattooed on your body to show your work towards the werewolf's community," Edward responded.

" Edward, can you stop by a near cafe. I want to have something to eat," Haniya said and Edward stop at the nearest cafe.

The cafe has a dark theme interior and looked amazing. Haniya and I had doughnuts whereas Nina had bagels with mocha coffee. Asha on another hand had iced coffee with a croissant and Edward had black espresso just like his heart.

"I am thinking about forming a pack with Ace," I announced out of blue. Making everyone look at me once.

" Oh," Nina looked disappointed,

" Why are you looking sad?" I asked.

" I thought if in the future we have to form a pack then it could be us. You know we have always been a gang since childhood. And now you have to form a pack with Ace means that we will never be a pack," Nina explains.

" That not true," I spoke jointly with Asha who said, " It's not like that,".

" It is. Haniya won't be in it since she will be in the Royal pack as she is marked by Edward," Nina said.

" Except for Haniya, we all can be in the pack which Ace and I form," I spoke.

" So that's why you came in the first place. To find out about the pack lifestyle." Haniya assumed.

" Ace and I had our fight relating to forming the pack. That's why I wanted to know the importance of packs. Which I now completely understood and I will be WolfQueen once Ace and I form our pack," I clarified. The thought of being WolfQueen still scares me but for Ace, I had to do it. He deserves this as he can be the Alpha no...The WolfKing. And Halona will agree with me once she unblocks me, damn she really got upset with me when I refused to be WolfQueen.

" Wait, so Ace doesn't know that you are ready for having a pack," Asha asked worriedly.

" No, but I will tell him and he will be in seven heavens for sure," I am really excited to see his reaction.

" Are you sure, he won't have a problem that you decided that Asha, Nina, Yasmin and Roshini will be the pack members?" Edward spoke. That annoyed the shit out of me. Ace likes them...Whatever he told that night was purely spoken in anger and he won't mean it like that.

" I know Ace, he won't mind," I gave my fake smile and Edward nodded.

" Once you talked to Ace. Then whatever process or discussion about the pack is call us and we will be there," Asha said noticing my discomfort with Edward.

" I would like to be a part of it," Haniya whines like a baby,

" You can," I assured her. She is my sister and will always be a member of my pack even if she officially isn't.

I will call Ace after getting my tattoo, hopefully, he isn't upset about the last night. It was my stupidity, I could have handled it better and my incapable of understanding Ace caused him to be hurt.

"Wait, if you form a pack and take your position as WolfQueen doesn't that mean that Ace doesn't have any authority towards the pack. Will he be okay? I have seen guys who don't like when their partner takes decisions rather than them," Nina said.

" Nina, this is the twenty-first century. Nowadays guys are understanding and I didn't know you were narrow-minded," Asha muttered which I completely agreed.

" Mentally isn't connected with modern time. If that was the case then there shouldn't be honour killing, abortion of female babies because of their gender, rape cases or acid attack because the guy doesn't accept rejection and the list goes on. It never finishes," Nina snapped at Asha who was shocked by Nina's reaction.

" Then what does that have to do with Ace?" I asked since this matter doesn't connect with Ace at all.

" Nothing, but you knew him for one and a half months. So how can you be sure that he won't have any issues with you taking important decisions whereas he who was trained to take a lead, now have to take a seat and see his mate control the pack which was his dream," Nina explained and I would be lying if didn't hurt.

Will Ace have insecurities that I control the pack? but he talks about it last night.

" Who said I solely have to take decisions? Ace and I can decide with our mutual consent," I confidently said while looking Nina right in the eye.

" Okay," Nina nodded.

Then we continue to eat our remaining meal and left. I tried to call Ace before getting into the car but he didn't pick up. Is he still upset? Did I hurt him that bad? What kind of mate I am? Mates should consider each other's feelings but I hurt him. Why am I so bad at keeping relationships? Oh I know the answer to that, it's because of my loving parents who taught me how to handle my partner without fighting them. I will forever be grateful for that Mom and Dad.

I thought the second time, I will get my tattoo it won't hurt but it does. The pain didn't stay for long, thanks to self-healing so it made it easier for me not to cry. I choose to do a similar tattoo to Asha and Haniya who had stems tattooed like a bracelet with leave and moonflower attached. Edward had the moon and moonflowers below the moon on his bicep. Edward already had ten moonflowers so it meant he will get two special tattoo ink on him.

" Eddie, I thought you already got the special ink tattooed on you. Since you are old," Haniya taunted him having a smirk on her face.

" It's not easy to be assigned for missions. And I have never been interested in one either," Edward said looking annoyed.

The tattoo artist used silver and purple ink on the outline of the moonflowers and gave shading inside also. Making the tattoo look more striking than it was before.

" Now it's my turn," Nina claimed and sat after Edward stood up.

" Here is the illustration of an additional tattoo I wanted along with getting a moonflower," Nina showed the illustration from her phone and then took off the jacket she was wearing.

Nina had a backless top underneath. I was amazed to look at her tattoo, it matched the aesthetic of her previous grudge tattoos yet it was living. In the middle of her back, there was a dying tree with moonflowers attached to branches. And inside of the truck had a moon and sun colliding with each other. The addition of tattoos along with moonflower was a fire surrounding the tree and thunders on the top of the tree making it look deadliest than it was before.

" Wow, Nina the fire and thunder made it scarier than it was before. Where did you get the idea for this?" Haniya asked,

" The fire means Kaisan and thunder means Sanda. The kitsune side of mine," Nina explained while I was still looking at her tattoo.

" Wait, does the ground signify earth that is your wolf power?" I point out.

" Yes," Nina said.

I looked at Asha who had a neutral expression. She doesn't like Nina's tattoo as she prefers minimalistic tattoos, unlike the illustrative tattoos that Nina has on her back.

" I can't wait to get that silver and purple ink tattooed on me," Nina squealed.

" Nina, those are for moonlighters. For sunshinners, the ink colour is gold and amber to indicate the sun," Edward explains.

" That's even better," Nina screeched in excitement. She most probably thinking design using that colours.

" How to differentiate the tattoo as anyone can get the moonflower tattoo so they can be treated with respect or even take advantage," Asha inquiry.

" Look through your wolf's eyes," Edward told.

" Halona, please say something now," I called for Halona so I can see through my wolf's eyes.

" You are just calling me to see the tattoo," Halona whines which made me chuckle.

" I am glad you have changed your mind about letting Asha be WolfQueen," Halona happily said.

Then I looked at my tattoo through Halona's eyes. The moonflower is glowing and glitters at the outline.

" To tattoo moonflower after a mission, they use special ink that is created by witches and the ingredients are classified so no one can take advantage of the tattoo," Edward explained.

" Edward, drop me here. I will go to the cafe where Ace works," Edward did what I said.

I entered the cafe where Ace works. I didn't bother to find him since he was at the counter taking orders and from my scent, he got to know I am here. Ace looked worried and tense, maybe due to work.

" I need to talk, are you free?" I spoke after reaching the counter.

" Jake, I'm taking five," Ace screamed to the back and took off his apron before sitting with me.

" I am ready to take the position of WolfQueen but I am still against transforming humans into werewolves," I announced and Ace was dumbfounded by my sudden announcement. Once he recover, he had the biggest smile I had ever seen on him. " What made you change your mind, mate?" Ace questioned.

" Well, today I went on a mission with Asha, Haniya, Nina and Edward to Howler pack. So that I can understand the importance of packs which I did and that made me to agreed to form a pack," I explain and he looked surprised for a second maybe my sudden decision to go for the mission.

" Ace, I thought to have my girl's gang expect Haniya to be members of our pack and Haniya is forever welcome to be a part of our pack if she and Edward end their relationship," I shared my thoughts.

" Are you sure your girl's gang won't mind it since they have dominated werewolves and what do you mean by 'if Haniya and Edward end their relationship ', are they going through something?" Ace questioned.

" The way Edward is behaving and the nature of his will be enough reason for Haniya to break up with him. I am surprised they are still together," I said and then continued, " I talked to Asha and Nina now and they were okay, so will Yasmin and Roshini," I assured Ace. To which Ace nodded.

" How did your mission go, was it interesting " Ace change the top. Then I share my experience during my vampire class and Asha applied her lesson on the rogue and spy. Then how Nina committed cold-blood murder with no remorse that part made Ace widen his eyes. Lastly, I showed him my tattoo as well and he looked proud seeing the tattoo.

After Ace's shift ended, we went to my apartment where everyone was all ready to discuss the formation of our pact.

Roshini had a notebook and pen with her to write down what we will discuss.

" First of all, you need to have Alpha or WolfKing in this case and we all know Ace will be taking that position. Disha will be taking the position of WolfQueen. So how will be the Beta and the Gamma of the pack," Roshini muttered and looked at Ace and me.

" The female Beta will be Asha and the female Gamma will be Roshini," Ace announced as we already decided this beforehand.

Asha and Roshini were astounded to hear their names and both of them looked at each other. It was Haniya who broke the silence," Congrats Asha and Roshini,"

" Are you sure you want me to take the position of female Beta?" Asha questioned.

" Of course, you are perfect to be a female Beta and whom I can trust to be at my side no matter what," I explained to which Asha said," Thank you".

" Okay, thank you Disha and Ace for making me female Gamma. Let's move on, to discuss the name of the pack," Roshini mumbled.

" Majority packs names are connected to the moon. So what about we choose a name relating to the sun," Yasmin suggested.

" What about a name that speaks out about us...like our nationality, our beliefs or our origin," Haniya proposed.

" I liked Hani's idea," Asha and Roshini voted for Haniya's idea. Where Ace and I voted for Yasmin's idea. Then Nina recommended, " Let's combine the two ideas,"  That made everyone agree.

" Okay, so Asha, Haniya and I will be responsible for choosing a name. Now it's time for a motto. A motto acts like a chant where pack members help to control their emotions or remember their goal. So keep that in mind and give ideas," Roshini explain yet I am blank.

" Edward and Ace, can you both tell us the motto of your pack. To inspire us with ideas," Yasmin asked.

" Royal pack motto is 'Stand with the truth, trust the true,'" Edward went first.

" My old pack motto was ' Seek the power and power strengthens'," Ace shared looking nervous. Why?.

" What does that signifies," Edward started to interrogate Ace. Now I know why Ace was nervous.

Ace pack's motto meant to seek the power that will help to strengthen the pack and the power can be anything like knowledge, mate or rare werewolves. Edward wanted to ask more but Ace politely refused since it brings bad memories for him. I hope Edward respects his boundaries and doesn't punish Ace due to this.

" How about we make a motto about our family since the pack is like family too," I share my opinion which everyone agreed.

"That means Nina, Yasmin, Asha and I will be writing the motto for the pack. Now it's the sign and pack tattoo. The sign and pack tattoo is familiar yet is different designs," Roshini noted down what she said.

" Well, for the tattoo and the sign design is Yasmin and Nina's responsibility," I announced.

" Eddie, I didn't see any pack tattoos on you?" Haniya inquiry.

" Sweetheart, it's because the ink to make pack tattoos are invisible to the human eye. Look through Zarita's eye," Edward brought his right hand forward. I also peek at it. It was a moon behind the cloud and a howling wolf with a crown.

" Why is have to be invisible," Nina asked in disappointment.

" To keep secret from humans. During the seventeen century, the werewolf race almost got revealed due to the pack tattoos," Edward explains.

" Ace do you have a pack tattoo?" I asked.

" No, I was young to have a tattoo when I was at the pack," Ace stated

" Doesn't Alpha's heirs receive a pack tattoo on their third birthday?" Edward may use words to show he was asking but he was looking at Ace in an accused manner.

" My Dad preferred that I should be sixteen at least to have my pack tattoo," Ace clarified.

" Well, that it then for today. We will be going to the second step after we have finalised what we previously discussed," Roshini was successful to divert the atmosphere created by pretentious Prince Edward.

" Prince Edward, I have questions relating to Sebastian and the stalker that attacked Disha and the girls," Ace asked.

" What are the exact questions?" Edward narrowed his eyes and questioned back.

" Who is Sebastian and how is the stalker related to this? How sure you can say the stalker is behind this trafficking? What happen to the stalker who was supposed to attack Luv, Kush and Rohan? As Disha doesn't know any of these and I am her mate. It's my right to know anything that could threaten my mate's life and pardon me if I come out disrespectful towards you," Ace spoke cautiously.

" Rogues who attacked the Howler pack during Alpha's ceremony matched the suspects who were kidnapping humans where they (by 'they' Edward indicated us six) were found. They confessed to recently attacking six women and the description matched perfectly as well. The man who was with them at the factory was the leader. Another rogue knew the name of the leader which was Sebastian so we assumed that stalker was Sebastian," Edward answered calmly.

" Mate told me that Sebastian is not the stalker..." Edward cut what Ace was saying by talking in authority,  " Those matters are confidential and you are not high ranked werewolf to share with". Edward insulted Ace by highlighting the rank difference between them. There was no need to insult Ace like that and anyone could have questioned the same way Ace did. That was embarrassing for Ace who excuse himself and left.

" Ace wait. Just bare him until we form a pack. Then you will be WolfKing and your rank will be higher than Edward," I tried to conform to Ace after closing the door so no one can listen to what we are talking about.

Ace looked my me passionately for a few moments and kissed me hard. The sparks are sending a warm feeling through my body,  I felt Ace's hand going underneath my dress, making me pull away, " I am not ready for that," I spoke after collecting my breath.

Ace looked pissed but nodded anyway and left without saying goodbye. Is he upset that I stop the kiss? Or is he still upset by Edward's insult? Ace is quite a complicated man to understand