Jock entered the living room so suddenly. Neither Zealous nor Giselda noticed his presence. But, when Jock saw the blushing Giselda, who bent her head but smiling, and mesmerizing look in Zealous's eyes, he knew that Zealous wanted his daughter. Giselda should like Zealous too. Otherwise, she wouldn't look happy to be with Zealous.
"Zee, why did you come here? It's still too early."
Zealous was startled until he almost jumped. But he forced a smile. "I have another report from the hunter, Alpha."
"Leave now, Giselda."
Giselda bowed and left the living room. Zealous stared at her back until he couldn't see her anymore.
Jock sat and asked Zealous immediately, "Do you like what you see?"
"Sorry? What do you mean, Alpha?"
Jock guffawed and shook his head. "You can't ever fool me."
"I have never intended nor thought to fool you, Alpha."
"Giselda. Do you like her?"
Zealous gulped, but he said nothing. He wanted to ensure that Jock was sincere with his question. Knowing Jock for years, Zealous knew that Jock wasn't a simple person.
"It's a simple question. You only need to answer yes or no."
"I … uh … Giselda is pretty and nice. Of course, everyone will like her."
"I don't ask for everyone. I only ask you." Jock grinned and enjoyed playing Zealous. "Let me change my question then."
"Okay, Alpha. What's your question?"
"If I give Giselda to another werewolf, what do you think?"
Zealous gasped, and his fist was tighter. He wanted to protest and claimed that Giselda was his mate. But he was also worried it would make Jock do what he said. "I'll leave it to your wisdom, Alpha," he finally said.
"What if I give her to you? Relax. It's not a trap question."
"Then I'll gratefully accept her, Alpha Jock."
"So, what do you think of Giselda? I want you to be honest with me. If you like her, I'll give her to you."
"Why?"
"Zee, you are still young and capable. But if you are loyal, I want you to be my right man."
"Right man? You mean I will rise to be a Beta?"
"Yes. But I need you to help me with many things, especially by taking down Gerald Claude."
"Gerald Claude? But he is a Delta, not a Beta."
"Zee, do you know why I chose a worthless person as a Beta? We don't even need to mention his name."
"Because you want to rule the pack alone?"
"True. I didn't need a strong Beta beside me. The closest person to be a threat is Gerald."
Zee's mind worked fast to think that being the future Beta, would he be a threat or a worthless person too as the current Beta? He sighed, as it was like a chess game he should defeat. Wrong in answering might cause his fall.
"You still don't get me." Jock laid his back on the couch. "I think I need to tell you a secret. Giselda is my daughter."
"Sorry?" Zealous pretended to look shocked though he had already known about it.
"You heard me. Giselda is my daughter. Though I have never marked her mother, Giselda is mine. Giselda's mother was my maid. Now, I have my daughter as my maid too. It was not a condescending act, but it's the best I can do to protect them."
"But why didn't you announce it? So, Giselda has a right to be known as your daughter?"
"Do you criticize me now?" Jock sneered.
"No, of course not, Alpha. Forget what I said."
"I have a plan. If you help me remove Gerald from our pack, I'll give Giselda to you and let our pack know she is my daughter. Then I'll eliminate the useless Beta and place you as my Beta. What do you say?"
"Since you have shown your card, I'll open mine too. Giselda is my mate, Alpha. My wolf confirmed it to me today."
"Ah, nice! So, do we have a deal?"
"Getting rid of Gerald will be easy. Oh, right, the hunter reported to me they saw John Matthew spied on us at dawn."
"John Matthew again?"
"Yes. We can accuse Claude's pup as his accomplice. Then sentence her. Gerald will surely defend her daughter."
"I bet he will." Jock roared with laughter. "The pup is his only child. For sure, he will defend her."
"We only need to corner him. Then I will help you get rid of him."
"Nice! Let's do it today. If we succeed, tomorrow, Giselda will be yours. Woman, position, and honors are all yours, my future son-in-law."
Zealous bent his head, giving respect to Jock. "Thank you, Alpha."
"Let's go. I don't want to delay it. I want to get rid of Gerald today."
"I'll take my leave now, Alpha. I'll support you when you accuse him."
"Good!"
Then Zealous left first. He stood near the field, preparing to corner Gerald when the time came. While Jock walked to the balcony and howled. "My pack members, gather in the field immediately! I have an important thing to announce."
All Moon Band pack members walked to the field and waited until their Alpha was there. After fifteen minutes, the field was swamped with all the family. Finally, when Jock was there, they bowed to their Alpha.
"Greetings, my lovely pack members. It's been a while since we haven't been here. But, sadly, we are here for a disgusting reason."
Each of the Moon Band werewolves looked at each other. They wondered what their Alpha meant by 'a disgusting reason'.
"We have a traitor among us. Today, we must clean our pack from the spy!"
Immediately, the field was full of werewolf's howls, expressing their agreement and anger toward the spy.
"Who is the spy, Alpha? Let's get rid of them immediately."
"True! They don't deserve to be here!"
"Getting rid of them is too easy. We must kill them to give a lesson to other spies too!" Zealous said, like splashing oil on the burning fire.
"Agree! Kill! Kill! Kill!"
The yelling of killing the spy was shouted by many of them. Then, finally, Zealous shouted, "Who's the traitor, Alpha? Let's show them the justice."
"Calm down first." Jock stared at Zealous, nodding as he was satisfied with Zealous's act. "I find it hard to believe at first. But the most dangerous enemy is the unexpected one. I have received two reports that the spy is a pup."
"What? A pup?!"
The shocked and disbelieved mumbles filled the field now. As pups are below twelve, it was unthinkable that a pup could do such an unforgivable deed.