The old grandfather clock kept ticking as we waited. We were all sitting in the library. Some of us on the sofas, some on the floor. All around me were grim faces coated in saddens and confusion.
I still couldn't wrap my head around what had happened. It was all so fast yet so slow. The minutes dragged on with the soft ticking of the clock.
The library was the second biggest room in our house. It was in different tones of green and wood. Tall bookcases lining the walls and seating areas scattered around the windows. Now all the chairs and sofas were pulled out of their usual spots, and all placed in the middle of the room. Right opposite the double oak doors with floral ornaments carved in to the wood.
It was a quiet and relaxing place, usually.
After Cora woke me up, we went back to the house. On our way to the office, I saw the body in the living room. I could see it clearly and recognized him instantly. It was our Beta. I kept walking, because I didn't want Cora to turn her head and see the horrible sight. It assured me that we had to stop Alexander.
In Alphas office was a chord phone with an old phone book near it. On the first page in an ornate handwriting were written 4 names.
Lovell
Serene
Kai
Vattiaso
We were practically neighbors to the Lovell pack, and they got here quickly. They stepped out of their cars and were instantly in motion. A sea of dark blue uniforms swirled around the house.
A tall man with a sharp nose and the uniform embellished with gold went inside the house first. He said he was one of the Lovell packs head warriors and that he would take care of everything. He then instructed us to go to a big room, so we would all be in one place. He asked questions and went to give out orders.
I told them only the basics: I saw the Alpha standing over our Betas body in the living room, then he attacked me and then he killed Ray.
More warriors came in to assess the situation and then most of them went into the forest.
I saw them only briefly through the window, because we were quickly seated in the library. They didn't want us to get in their way even when I argued that I knew the forest better than all of them combined.
After I continued arguing the head warrior snapped at me "Haven't you done enough already? Now, take a seat and let us handle this."
"Haven't you done enough already?" The question started playing in my mind on repeat.
My pack mates arrived one by one and were escorted to the library to wait. It felt like we were prisoners in our own home.
I tried to explain what happened to them multiple times. I tried to gave them more details. When I got to the part where I saw Ray my eyes started to sting.
I didn't mention the red eyes, I had probably seen wrong or it was a trick of light. There was no way someone could have eyes that color.
Even after going through my memories multiple times, I could still not make sense of them. Why would Alexander do this? He loved us; he loved our pack. He would never hurt us.
The old wooden doors busted open.
A tall figure walked in. It was dark and only soft moonlight was cascading from the window cloaking his face in different shades of grey. He had a commanding demeanor, and everyone's attention was instantly on him.
"It has been dealt with." Were the first words he said.
"He… he is dead?" A shaking voice came from the left.
"Yes." He answered softening his tone.
When silence followed, he continued. "I guess you all know who I am, but just to make it official, I'm Eric Lovell, the Alpha of the Lovell pack. I came to fulfill my obligation and aided the Fleur pack when they called." He paused. "I'd say it's a pleasure to meet you, but I also wish the circumstances would have been different."
"How should we proceed?" Mia asked directly.
"Depends on you." He said, letting a hand through his thick black hair. "There are two, no, three options for you. One would be to restore the Fleur pack with a new Alpha. Another - you could join the Lovell pack. The third – you can join any other pack."
He let that sink in and then added. "I'm sorry to tell you this, but I need an answer tonight." He sounded apologetic, not arrogant or commanding, which was surprising coming from one of the Royal pack's alphas.
"Give us an hour." Aiden said.
He nodded.
"We will investigate it thoroughly, regardless of your choice." He said closing the door.
Mia and Aiden got up from the deep green sofa.
"I know it's stressful and half of you are still processing everything, but we need to make a choice now."
"First, the hard question. Is there anyone who wants to join a different pack that is not Lovell?" Mia asked.
A red haired girl raised her hand.
Amy had joined our pack just recently, from what I had figured she changed packs often. I guess she just hasn't found the right one yet.
"Anyone else?" Mia asked and looked around the room.
"Speak now or forever hold your peace." Aiden tried to light up the mood.
When no one else raised their hands or had objections Mia continued. "Now we vote. Will we keep the Fleur pack, picking a new Alpha, or join the Lovell pack?"
Technically, if it was any other pack who killed our Alpha we would be in their hands, but it was one of the 4 original packs in the world. They were the 4 kings of the werewolf world. They ruled it and we had to abide by their commands. They kept the order in the werewolf world and kept us a secret from humans. Thankfully there was an additional rule, that was made a long time ago, but still stood: If a pack was ever in danger and needed help, they could call one of the original packs and it would be their duty to help. No strings attached.
I didn't think we could deal with the situation. We had our warriors, too. Almost every pack had them. It was always the Alphas job to protect and keep the pack safe, but there was only one Alpha. That's when warriors came in. Fleur pack had 5 warriors: Me, Mia, Aiden, Ray and Liam. Quinn had almost finished her training and would have become a warrior too.
But this time the threat was the Alpha himself, and to add to that, one of our warriors and our Beta were already killed by him. There were no rules regarding the situation in which we could call for help to the original packs, but this seemed like one where I should.
No one blamed me, thankfully. They understood how dangerous the situation was. I couldn't wait any longer, two of us were already dead. One of whom was dead, because of me. If I hadn't hesitated …
"Can we get a moment?" someone asked.
"30 minutes." Aiden said and looked at the clock to mark the time.
"I need to make a call." The read head said and walked out.
"There's no sig..." I started saying, but the phone was already calling.
The clock kept ticking faster and faster.
I wanted to plead for more time, it was all happening too fast. We just found out about their deaths and now we had to make another choice, already. Wasn't it a little too fast?
They couldn't leave us. That was the answer.
The pack can't survive without an Alpha. If they are without one, they could be taken by anyone. I didn't want to believe that there were packs who would target those whose Alphas had just died or got injured, but I didn't want to push our luck. An Alpha was more than just a technicality, it was a necessity.
"Time's up. Lets vote."