The clinking of dishes filled the kitchen as Maira loaded the dishwasher, lost in her thoughts. The recent council meeting still weighed heavily on her mind, and the tension between her and Kairo had left her feeling uneasy. As she finished arranging the dishes, her mother's phone rang on the counter.
"Can you get that, Maira?" her mother's voice called from another room.
Maira wiped her hands on a kitchen towel and reached for the phone. "Hello?" she answered, not recognizing the number.
There was a moment of silence on the other end before a familiar voice spoke, "Maira?"
Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized Kairo's voice. "Yes, this is Maira," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "My mother is in another room. I can take a message for her."
"I wanted to give your mother a heads up," Kairo's tone was terse and formal, "we will be having a council meeting at 6 pm at your house."
Before Maira could finish saying "Okay, I'll let her know," Kairo had already hung up. The abruptness of the call left her feeling unsettled.
The council members consisted of the inner circle of the pack, each holding crucial roles in its functioning. Standing tall at the front was Kairo, the young and newly appointed Alpha, exuding authority and determination. By his side stood Basil, the Beta, his serious demeanor reflecting unwavering loyalty to his Alpha. Gill, the Gamma, was a tall and imposing figure, known for his wise counsel and strategic insights.
The enforcers, responsible for maintaining order and enforcing the pack's laws, were also present. Saad, a burly and fiercely loyal enforcer, had a reputation for his unwavering dedication to the pack. The twins, Ali and Wali, were a formidable duo known for their synchronized combat skills and unmatched instincts. They had a strong bond, and their presence instilled a sense of security among the pack members.
Lila, the healer of the pack, sat elegantly with an air of confidence, her sharp eyes scanning the room with keen observation. Despite her vital role in caring for the pack's physical and emotional well-being, she and Maira had a history of conflict, fueled by Lila's jealousy.
As the council meeting began, Maira quietly moved about, serving tea and pastries to the council members, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy amidst the weighty discussions. Her long, straight black hair cascaded over her shoulders, reaching down to her waist, and her curvaceous figure added to her allure. As Kairo led the meeting with a firm and resolute tone, Maira felt his gaze frequently flicker towards her as though he could not keep his eyes off her either. She felt a strange satisfaction in knowig that he wasn't as unaffected by her as he pretended to be.
As the council members discussed pack matters, Saad brought up the topic of Zamin's car accident, suggesting that foul play may have been involved.
"I've been looking into it, Alpha," Saad said, his voice serious. "There are some irregularities in the evidence, and it doesn't add up to a simple accident. I believe it's worth investigating further."
Kairo's expression grew serious.
"Fehim, the Alpha of the Warg pack, has always been ambitious and power-hungry," Basil remarked. "I wouldn't put it past him to try and destabilize our pack.
Gill also chimed in, "It's no secret that there's been tension between our packs for years. Fehim sees us as a threat to his dominance in the region."
Kairo's jaw clenched, a steely determination settling in his eyes as he said, "I want every available resource focused on investigating Zamin's accident and any potential links to Fehim's pack."
As the council meeting carried on, delving into various political matters concerning the pack's territory, resources, and alliances with neighboring packs, Maira found her mind wandering back to memories of her father. How he had encouraged her to be anything she wanted, and the warmth of his love enveloped her heart even in his absence. She missed him so much – the way he had taught her to ride a bicycle, the time he had bandaged her scraped knees, and the countless moments they had shared. For everyone else, he was an Alpha, but for her, he was simply her father.
Lost in her reverie, Maira was startled back to reality by a strong hiss. She looked down in horror and saw that she had accidentally spilled tea on Kairo. A sense of panic washed over her as she quickly grabbed a napkin to wipe away the spill.
"I'm so sorry," she stammered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I didn't mean to..."
Kairo, visibly controlling his anger, got up from his seat, the wet stain on his clothing evident. "It's alright," he said tersely, not looking directly at her. "I'll take care of it."
Lila, seizing the opportunity to be near Kairo, hurried over to him, fussing over him like a mother hen. "Oh, Kairo, let me help you with that," she offered, her voice dripping with concern.
Kairo politely put her off, "I can manage, Lila. Thank you."
Basil couldn't help but let out a small chuckle, finding the situation amusing. He shot Maira a playful smile, but she couldn't find it in herself to appreciate the humor. Instead, she felt the weight of Kairo's gaze on her, and she looked away.
As Kairo excused himself to go to the bathroom to clean up, the room fell silent.
"Be careful next time, Maira. We wouldn't want the new Alpha's house to be turned into a puddle," Lila said with a sly smile, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Maira bit her lip, fighting the urge to retort. She had always been quick to respond to Lila's taunts, but she didn't have the energy to engage in any argument with Lila today.
Instead of retaliating, she took a deep breath, mustering her composure. "Accidents happen, Lila," she replied calmly, emphasizing her next words. "And this is not the new Alpha's house; this is and will always be my home, where I grew up, and where my father raised me. Kairo has kindly allowed my mom and me to stay here."
Lila's smile faltered for a moment, caught off guard by Maira's response. She quickly recovered, trying to maintain her composure as well. "Of course," she said, attempting to sound nonchalant. "It's just that some members of the pack are starting to wonder about your place here."
Maira raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued despite herself. "Wonder about my place?" she questioned, her voice steady. "I may not be able to shift into a wolf, but I've always been a part of this pack. My father was the Alpha, and I grew up here. I've contributed to the pack in my own ways."
Lila shrugged, a glimmer of triumph in her eyes. "Of course, no one doubts your family's history with the pack. But times are changing, Maira. We need an Alpha who can lead us confidently, and for that he needs a pack that is strong. Your lack of abilities makes our pack weak."
Maira's heart tightened at the harshness of Lila's words, but she refused to let her show any vulnerability. "Kairo is the Alpha, and I respect him as such," she replied firmly. "I may not be able to shift, but I can still contribute. I've been helping my father with pack matters for years. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to support our pack and its Alpha now."
Lila smirked, clearly enjoying the discomfort she was causing. "Oh, I'm sure you're helpful in your own ways," she said dismissively. "But when it comes down to it, strength and power are what matter most in our world. And you lack both of those qualities."
Lila's taunts had gone too far this time. Unable to restrain herself any longer, Maira grabbed the glass of water from the table and threw it in Lila's face.
The room fell into stunned silence as the water splashed on Lila, her eyes widening with surprise. Maira's heart raced, realizing what she had done. She had let her emotions get the best of her, and now the situation was escalating quickly.
Lila's eyes turn golden with fury, and her werewolf nails extend menacingly. It was evident that Lila was on the brink of attacking her, and the situation was spiraling out of control. Fear gripped Maira as she braced herself for the confrontation.
But just before Lila could make her move, the door to the room swung open, and Kairo stormed in. His presence was like a sudden gust of wind, filling the room with an aura of authority and power. He took in the tense atmosphere, his amber eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation.
"Enough!" Kairo's voice echoed through the room, firm and commanding. The weight of his authority was undeniable, and it cut through the tension like a knife. Even in her fury, Lila couldn't help but be affected by the Alpha's presence.
Kairo addressed everyone in the room. "We are a pack, united in purpose and strength. I won't tolerate in-fighting or division among us."
Everyone listened attentively as Kairo continued with conviction, " "We are facing challenging times, but I trust each one of you to stand by our pack and protect what we hold dear," Kairo continued, his voice resonating with authority. "To strengthen our pack and ensure our safety, I have decided on new strategy than what we are used to in the past."
All eyes were on him as he outlined his vision for the pack's future. "Training and combat will be mandatory for every pack member, regardless of age. We need to be prepared for any threat that may come our way. The dangers we face require us to be united and strong, and that means each of us must be skilled in defending ourselves and our pack."
Gill, the Gamma, spoke up nodding his head in agreement, "It's a wise decision, Alpha Kairo. Our pack's survival depends on our ability to protect ourselves and adapt to the changing landscape."
"Exactly. I won't ask anyone to do something I'm not willing to do myself. I will personally oversee the training," Kairo said.
With that he dismissed the meeting with his council. As the council members began to disperse, Kairo approached Maira, his amber eyes locking with hers. "Maira, I need to speak with you privately," he said, his voice low and serious.
Maira's heart skipped a beat, but she nodded, following him to a more secluded corner of the room. She could feel the weight of the unspoken connection between them, and it only added to her unease.
Once they were alone, Kairo took a deep breath before speaking. "Maira, I want to be honest with you," he began, his gaze steady. "I know it hasn't been easy for you, and I understand the challenges you face as the daughter of the previous Alpha."
Maira bit her lip, feeling a lump forming in her throat. She braced herself for what she knew was coming.
"I cannot afford to appear weak as an Alpha, especially with the current situation between packs," Kairo continued. "I sense that some Alphas see us as vulnerable, and I don't trust Alpha Fehim from the Warg pack. That's why I need to be cautious in my decisions."
Maira nodded, her heart sinking. She knew what he was implying - that she might not be favored or fully accepted within the pack. Despite her hurt, she understood the responsibility that came with being an Alpha.
"I respected your father greatly, Maira," Kairo said softly, his voice tinged with sadness. "A few weeks before he died, he asked me to look after you in case something happened to him. And I will honor that request. You will remain a part of this pack until you can find some place else, but you will have to earn your place."
The words echoed in Maira's ears, a painful reminder of her father's absence. Her heart ached as she realized that even in his last moments, he had been thinking of her well-being. She tried to blink back the tears, unwilling to show weakness before the pack.
Kairo's amber eyes softened as he noticed her struggle to hold back her emotions. He reached out and gently tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, a touch that sent shivers down her spine. "I need to be practical for the safety of the pack," he explained, his voice barely above a whisper.
Maira took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I'll earn my keep, Kairo. I'll prove my worth to this pack, but don't ask me to leave," she said.
For a moment, Kairo looked torn, his gaze conflicted as he studied her face. Then, he nodded, his expression guarded. "If you can prove yourself, then you can stay," he said, his voice distant and reserved.
With those words, he turned away from her, focusing on the files before him. The warmth that had filled the room seemed to dissipate, leaving Maira feeling a chill in her heart. She felt dismissed and unimportant, yet she knew she had to accept his terms.
Feeling a lump in her throat, Maira turned to leave the room, but before she could step away, she mustered the courage to say one last thing. "I'm sorry for spilling tea on you earlier," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Kairo's gaze flicked up to meet hers, and for a fleeting moment, she thought she saw a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Accidents happen," he replied, offering her a small, sad smile.
With those words, Maira left the room, her heart heavy with a mix of emotions.