Rogues.
My father called me home for rogues. They attacked our borders and we lost most of our patrol that night. My mother was doing her best to help the healers but they attack again and again every night. Luckily, Klyn and I decreased the casualties and injured. I can't say my mind was fully on the fight though.
Opaline… My mate. I wish I had brought her home, but am glad I didn't. She'd have been in danger and possibly injured. I didn't want that, plus she needed time to adjust, which is why I gave her the duty to help someone every day. It'd get her used to what a Luna would need to do, the attention she might get, the love she'll feel from her pack. I only hoped she embraced it.
As for me, well, I read through the riddle every night, trying to decipher my mate's words. For someone who wrote this at a young age, she made it nearly impossible to solve. It was all about her and me, how we'd be together, what our future might be. The answer would be the result of her greatest accomplishment. I had no idea what it was or would be, just that it must have been a good one for her to have written about it.
"Klyn needs you outside," Xavier commented outside my office.
I nod and stand up. "Let me know if my father or mother need anything."
"I will."
"Klyn, what is it?"
"Aryn is here wanting to talk to you. He says it's important."
"Did he give a hint about what it might be?"
"No."
I growl low in frustration but compose myself before showing up outside where they stand. Klyn glances at me with a worried expression while Aryn smiles. "Lykaon, nice to see you."
"Aryn," I say as a greeting.
"I heard you found your mate, is that true?"
I raise my brows at him. "Listening to rumors? I thought that was under you Aryn."
"I have my people I trust. What kind of wolf is she?"
Klyn stiffens but I put my hands in my pocket before answering. "Home with her pack until I go pick her up. I was requested home unexpectedly and she wasn't ready to leave."
Aryn smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "I see. You will introduce me sometime, won't you?"
"It'll be my pleasure, Aryn."
With a mocking bow, Aryn left casting one last glance at me over his shoulder. Klyn and I went inside and as the doors shut behind us, he turned to me with horrified eyes. "What if he knows about Opaline?"
I sigh. "I don't know Klyn. We'll deal with him then, I guess." I didn't think Aryn knew Opaline was a Himalayan wolf, but anything right now is possible. I only hoped for the best.
"We should at least check on her, don't you think?" he asked softly.
"I want to, but what about the rogues? My father can't keep them all at bay with his soldiers. We need to be here."
"Why don't you just take the title then? You have a Luna, you have a Beta, all you need to do is claim your title."
I shake my head. "Do you really think they'll let me? They'll want proof of my mate, their Luna. And she's not exactly capable of coming right now."
Klyn sighed, frustrated. "She needs to come eventually to see her new pack, though. Lykaon, she's going to be in danger no matter what. Might as well bring her here and let her be with you where she's safest."
Walking towards my office, I sigh. "I'll send a letter out in the morning informing Alpha Merle to start his daughter's packing. I'll go after two days to claim my title and my pack, as well as prepare them for her."
"Maybe you should write to her as well?" Klyn suggests.
"Maybe…" I trail off.
Klyn has gone home now and I'm still in my office, a letter already written to Opaline's father. I have started one for my mate herself, but have no idea what I should tell her.
Dear Opaline,
I am writing to inform you that I will be coming to pick you up in two days to bring you home with me. I can't stand the thought of being away from you for so long and I really miss you. I have written to your father, Alpha Merle, about your departure soon and has asked him to help you pack whatever you wish to bring with you. Even if you bring nothing at all, you'll be well provided here. It is up to you, mate.
I must warn you though, it has become dangerous since seeing you last. We will need to travel fast and be prepared for anything. I will protect you with my life, as will Klyn. But I want you to remember what I said about your wolf. You both are strong and I believe in you. Please remember that whenever you feel lost and alone.
Please be safe, Opaline. If it were not for me being worried for you while being apart, I would not make you leave your family so soon. I'd feel better knowing you were near and I could protect you at a moment's notice.
Your mate,
Lykaon, Future Alpha of Blue Oasis Pack
The next morning, I send the letters off with a wolf traveling that way, then I go see my father about making me alpha so he can finally take some of the burden off his shoulders, however, he doesn't exactly agree.
"You know I can't do that until Opaline is here and she takes her vows as being your mate and Luna."
"But I'm returning to her pack in two days to pick her up and bring her here," I say, sitting in his office while he paces in front of his desk with a distressed look. "I can make her do take the vows as soon as we get here if the necessity arises, but let me take the title of Alpha and lead our people. Let me take control of our patrol and figure out our situation with the rogues."
"And what about Aryn?" he sighs.
"He'll have to see her when she officially becomes Luna, so there's no point in hiding her. But as long as she's here, she'll be protected by me and Klyn. The pack will take her side, not Aryn's."
My father looks out his office window the to territory. From his position, he can overlook the different houses our pack lives in, and see what's going on at the main meeting hall where every meets the Alpha or when we have guests. "Lykaon, it's a risk I'm not willing to put on you and Opaline. Especially not when you're first starting out as the new Alpha."
"I'll be fine. I've helped you out before with half of the pack's mishaps. I can do this. You and mother need to take a break. Klyn will help me. Opaline will be by my side. I can help our patrols if you give me the reins to do so."
Turn his head to look at me over his shoulder, he stares. His face looks worn and his eyes tired. His black hair is sprinkled with gray and he just doesn't look willing to do much anymore. It would take so much strain off if I led the pack. He knows it. I can tell he believes I can lead, but is afraid of the pressure it'll put on me. He also knows that it's beginning to strain Lyall a lot too.
"Father, please. I'm doing this for you and Mother. You've done enough. Let me help," I plead softly.
His lips purse into a thin line before looking back out of the window, shoulders slumping forward. "Okay. We'll have the ceremony the night before you leave. Then, we'll have Opaline vow. If all goes well, the pack should feel refreshed by having you as their leader."
I smile, but deep down, I wonder if they'll take Opaline. I knew everyone in the pack, including the elderly. There were some who weren't as welcoming as others, some who may want me to lead, but not someone like Opaline, because they'll see her as weak. Closing my eyes, I hear Selen's words again and develop a plan to help Opaline and my pack accustomed to one another.
After my meeting with Alpha Ariston, Klyn runs up to me with a letter in hand. "It's from Whisper Eclipse. They didn't say who it was exactly."
I open the letter and smooth it out.
Dear Lykaon,
Opaline will be ready to leave with you at the due time. She is very excited in seeing you as she should be.
Please note that you have made a very big impact on her life with the little time you have spent together. She is out in the community, talking and laughing, helping anyone and everyone she can. She wakes every morning ready to see the pack, and comes home to eat a healthy meal and sleep deeply at night. Her mother has found her bringing children home while looking for their parents, helping pregnant women to birth new born pups, and even hangs out with the future Luna of our pack and Jacques's mate, Rona.
I thank Fate has chosen you as her mate. I thank you for giving some of her light back before she must return with you. It has been a pleasure to watch her transform back into the girl she used to be.
Looking forward to your arrival,
Alpha Merle of Whisper Eclipse Pack
My heart lifts at hearing this news. "It seems like our Luna will be just fine," I say to no one in particular.
Klyn leans forward to read the words before clapping me on the back with a smile. "Now all that's left to do is help her get stronger."
I nod, but think that maybe we wouldn't have to. If Opaline has read my letter and considered my words, she won't need much from me. I look at Klyn with a wide grin on my face. "Everything is going to be fine. My mate is going to be fine. This pack is going to be just fine."
Klyn points to my father's office. "And…how did that go?"
"We're doing the ceremony the night before we leave to pick up Opaline."
My friend gave the biggest smile I've ever seen. "That's great!"
I nod and walk into my bedroom, Klyn shutting the door behind us while I drop onto my bed. I say, "I can't wait to see her, Klyn. It's driving me insane just thinking about her."
"Just think, two days, and she'll be yours. She'll be coming home with us."
It was definitely something to look forward to…