Leila's pov~
My brother was holding a meeting with the Ranked-Wolves of the pack inside his office. While outside, I was basking in the sun around the patio. My ears perked up at the sound of the approaching footsteps. I snap my head around to see Arther who is coming towards me with a serious expression on his face. His lips pressed on a thin line.
I'm having a bad feeling about this. I have never seen that furious look on his face before. "Where's the Alpha?" He asked me the moment he got close to me. "My… bro- brother…" I stumble on my words at first, before pointing my fingers toward the inside of the mansion. "In his office…"
He moved past me to meet my brother, not letting me finish my words. I trailed after him, anxiously.
All eyes turn to face us full of curiosity the moment we step inside the Office without knocking. "My apologies Alpha, for barging in on you like this." Arther, apologize. Luther cock his brows at us. "But you will be shocked to hear this…" Arther continued in his deep voice.
The Ranked-wolves stand aside with their hands folded at their chest as they watch with interest. "Shoot…" My brother gave his consent as he relaxed back in his seat. "I just saw the Lycans from the Frost Crest Pack surveying our Pack territory." Arther countered deep with a bitter expression. My brother sprang up from his seat to his feet in shock, as anger slowly took over him. The lines on his forehead creased together. The Ranked-wolves in the room gasped in shock and growled.
"How did this happen?!!" Daniel shot with a furious voice. "That's not the right question. The question should be, how dare they?!!" A Grey hair guy in the group of the Ranked-wolf groans in a hot breath.
"Arther, what were you doing there?" My brother probed out of the situation. While he fixes his cold gaze on Arther. "I drove out of the city and dropped by chance," Arther divulged as he looked away to avoid meeting my brother's eyes.
"Are you crazy!! What were you thinking? What if you're caught, Arther?!!" My brother bellowed. His knuckles folded tight on top of his desk. While all this was going on, I had my back leaning on the wall close to the door, my heart throbbing in pain, hearing their discussion.
"Everyone of you is important to the Pack, l want you all to get that registered in your brains. You should avoid making drastic decisions." My brother elaborates with his Alpha voice. "I'm sorry…" Arther apologizes, looking down.
"About the Frost Crest Pack, we need a strategy to defeat them. We are not strong enough to spar with them." My brother explained, and he inhaled deeply. "We have to strategize our pack in combat both intellectually to get back at them." My brother added. "Well said, Alpha." The Ranked-wolf echoes together per my brother's decision.
My brother sat back in his seat and closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. Arther and everyone else step out of the study room, leaving l and my brother alone.
I stare at my brother sadly for some time and step out as well, closing the door behind me.
××××××
It's been two days already since the awful incident that descended over our Pack leaving me disoriented, and now this… I came to understand that my father knew that something of such will happen, and that is why he prepared the Golden City beforehand. From what l know, the Silver Moon Pack and the Lycans of Frost Crest Pack have been arch enemies since ancient times. But I don't know the full details of it. It's unavoidable that the killer of my parents will loom freely unscathed. This is not over yet… l brace myself for what it takes.
"Leila," Arther calling my name stopped my train of thought. I turned my head to the side to face him. He walks up to me with a warm smile on his face. Apart from being my brother's best friend and Beta, Arther is like an Elder brother to me and my childhood friend as well.
"Are you alright?" He inquired as he knelt in front of me, on one knee. l was sitting on top of the rock inside the garden while facing the fountain. I gave him an assuring smile, nodding my head at him. He raised his right hand and rubbed my hair gently."Leila l wants to apologize for earlier." Arther started apologizing. "What are you apologizing for?" I stare at him confused.
He stared at me for some time and shook his head slightly. "Why not come with me to the training ground for practice? What do you say?" He suggested his eyes shining with anticipation. I stare at him bemused. Is he kidding me right now, like he has forgotten so soon of my plights? "Arther, You…" he cut my unfinished words short
by placing his index finger on my lips, making me swallow back my words.
"Ssh… come with me, I will teach you how to use a bow." He assured me as he helped me up to my feet. "Archery?!!" I asked with my eyes wide open. He smirks and dragged me to the training ground where all eyes fell on me, dancing with interest.
"Everybody, focus on your stance." Gabriel the training instructor calls them back, getting their attention away from me. I nod my head at him, grateful. I observed the training ground quietly, youngsters and grown-ups are in a different arena, either having a fistfight, sparring, and gun shooting. I envy them seeing them use their strength naturally and freely.
Arther led me toward the archery spot. He grabs a bow and an arrow. He ran his fingers along the strings checking their flexibility.
"Have you held one before?" He asked, smiling back at me. "No, I never had it in me," I replied, unsure. "You, don't say that. Now watch me." He said, his warm eyes fixed on me.
I look around to see if anyone is watching, but it seems instructor Gabriel had it under control.
Arther takes his stance, raises his chin, and positions the bow between his forehead. He points the arrow directly at the bull's eyes, his eyes squinted. He held the tip of the arrow and turned the knockabout and shot the arrow accurately at the bull's eyes. I stare in awe.
"It's your turn, Leila." He said, smiling back at me. I blink my eyes hearing his words and step close to him with my palms wide open. "Here you go lovely…" he encouraged me, making my face flush red from embarrassment. He urged me, nodding his head. I took the bow and arrow from his hand. He stepped away from the spot and allowed me to take his place. I wrap my right palm in the grip of the bow, holding my breath, cause this is like facing another time bomb. I kept fumbling with the bow and my stance.
I can hear Arther snicker behind me. I glance at him over my shoulder. He was cupping his mouth with his right palm. I closed my eyes and bit my lips hard, bringing down my hands. "You think this is funny," I said, hurt.
"No, wait… that's not true, okay, let me help you out." He said, I felt him moving behind me, and before I could turn, he closed the proximity between us. He wraps his sturdy chest around me as he places his strong arms on top of my slender hand over the bow. Though I can't dictate his Wolf smell, his manly scent took over me. The warmness from him kept tingling my skin.
The hairs on my body tingle from the sensation. I swallowed hard and took a deep breath. 'What is wrong with me?' I asked myself. His manly scent is clouding my senses which is making me feel so uncomfortable in that position. I felt my skin burn up from the sensation.
"Are you alright?" He asked close to my ear, his hot breath grazing my skin. I gulped down hard, I'm thankful for the first time he can't see my face in that position, or else l will be muti-embarrassed. "I'm fine…" I replied, stressing the words. He hummed behind me and began.
"Now follow my actions closely Leila," he explained as he raised the bow straight up to our forehead, with my palms wrapped with his over the bow. We held the tip of the arrow together and pulled it gently. It flew directly and hit the bullseye. I clamored in victory. He let go of me and smiled. I smile back at him, meeting his gaze. For the first time, I noticed how sexy his eyes are.
"Hey, Steve, Alpha calls for an urgent meeting, and You are needed." A stout man cut in, breaking the atmosphere. I smile back at Arther and glance back at the stout man tiredly and in return, his gaze at me smiling. "I guess l will leave you, we will continue next time." He said, soothing me. "I'm grateful Arther, but l believe with this little l can make good progress," I replied with confidence. "Okay," he said and left with the stout man.
Once they left, I resumed my training with the bow. I often thought it would be hard learning this, considering my situation. But seeing how far I have progressed makes me wonder which other weapon I can handle.
I trained effortlessly throughout the whole day. It was hard at the first trial but it went smoothly as time went by.