Under the crescent moon and the quiet night stood the Blue Blood pack. It was a sad night for the pack and the atmosphere made it obvious. They all watched in silence and sadness as Tessa light up the pyre where the Alpha was laid on. The pyre went up in flames, engulfing the Alpha's body.
Tessa took some steps back, standing right in front of the pack. With how quiet the woods was that night, the crackling from the burning pyre echoed loudly. As much as the pack was saddened by the Alpha's death, they felt more worried. There was a war coming and that was the time they needed the Alpha the most.
Tessa on the other hand hadn't said much since the news was broken to her. She had nothing to say. Her already shattered heart was shattered into even smaller pieces. Hate and anger had taken over her emotions. Every good thing in her life was being ripped away from her cruelly, leaving her to shoulder the burden of hate and anger that was growing increasingly inside her.
She turned away from the burning pyre and began making her way through the crowd. She couldn't bear standing there anymore. She was closing to breaking down in tears and she didn't want to do that in front of the whole pack. She didn't want to show any sign of weakness. So because of that, she decided to leave early.
Derek and Vee noticed this and followed her immediately. They didn't want to leave her on her own for fear of what she might do. They've seen how far she was willingly to go because of Kieran. This will just set her off more.
***
Beta Maynard walked into the Alpha's hall to see them all seated there around the meeting table. He knew both his son and Vee were having Tessa on lockdown. He walked over to where they were and took the empty seat across from them.
He cleared his throat and began. "Now that the Alpha's funeral is out of the way, we have to start preparing against any attack that might come our way. Seeing that our Alpha is out of the way, they may see this as the best time to attack"
"We can't go on without an Alpha. We need Tessa to take her place. That will calm the hearts of the pack at least a little" Vee pointed out
"Don't be hasty. Her stepping up as the Alpha would only put a target on her back and not just from the Black Lotus but from the other ambitious pack as well" Said Beta Maynard
"So what does that mean?" Derek inquired
"It means for now we don't have an Alpha"
"But that should be her decision" Vee shifted her gaze to Tessa who had been silent the whole time.
"I'm still the right hand Beta and for now I'm the acting Alpha. Trust that I know what's best for the pack and for Tessa" He stated and then sighed, clearing his throat once more whilst shifting his attention to Tessa. "I know you're full of anger right now toward the Black Lotus for what they did. But, I need you to not run off into danged like you did before" He said to her.
"I can't believe they got the better of us, diverting our attention by abducting Tessa when their main aim was to murder the Alpha" Derek stated, looking really pissed.
"Yeah..." Vee bobbed her head, though she wasn't looking fully convinced. Something didn't seem to add up to her. There was something that troubled her.
"What did they say to you Tess?" Derek questioned
"It doesn't matter. It was bunch of lies anyway. Lies to keep me away while they murdered my father" She finally spoke up before standing up and walking away, making her way to her room.
To her she felt as though she was the biggest fool of them all. She was having mixed feelings about what the masked leader had said to her. She was start to think there might be some truth to it till she got home and got news of how they had assassinated her father, Beta Maynard telling her her being abducted was a distraction whilst they carried out their actual plan of ending the Alpha's life.
Now she felt stupid for actually starting to believe the masked leader. Now all she had for him was the biggest hatred she had ever harboured. He had taken her first love from her and now her only family. She had made a new vow to pay him back for not just Kieran but for her father too.
***
Derek sat by the counter, staring at his half filled glass of whiskey whilst running his finger along the tip of the glass. He was lost in his thoughts. Things seemed to be getting more and more out of control. This wasn't how he thought things were suppose to go.
The more he thought about it, the more he realized how Tessa was slipping further and further from him. He had trusted his father's words and plans, playing all the role he had been told to play by his father and yet he was getting what he was promised.
He couldn't help but wonder how his father didn't seem to be worried about how things were turning out, neither was he seeming like he wanted him to end up with Tess like he promised. "Don't tell me you're falling in love with the whiskey?!" Cassie's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
He turned to see her taking a seat beside him by his right hand side. She had a smirk on her face, staring directly at him. "Are you going to drink that or should I help you out?" She questioned
"Suit yourself"
She reached for the glass of whiskey, took it and downed it, emptying the glass. "Whoo! I needed that" She smiled, dropping the glass in front of Derek. "You don't look so good lover boy"
"Well the whole pack is not looking so good. You wouldn't expect us to be happy when grieving our Alpha would you?" He sighed
"I don't think that's the case here with you though"
He stole a glance at her smiling face. "Since you are so good at reading people, why don't you tell me what the case is with me?"
"It's pretty easy. You're more concerned about her aren't you? Tessa, the Alpha's daughter. I have seen how you look at her everytime you're in her presence. I mean your eyes were fixed on her the whole time during the funeral. You aren't hard to read lover boy" She explained, crossing her legs, her eyes fixed on him.
"Why do you care" He sniffled
"You're a tragic one....I have a thing for tragic men" She gave a flirtatious smile.
"Hmmm" Derek shifted his gaze to her, different thoughts running through his mind.
***
Vee leaned against the pillar in the hall, staring at Tessa's retreating back as she walked away. She wanted to be there as much as she can and help her through her grief but Tessa keeps pushing her away, wanting to be alone. "Is she alright?" Nate asked, coming up behind Vee.
Being lost in thought, she was startled by his voice and presence, she hadn't picked up on his scent or presence. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you" He added, standing beside her.
"It's fine" Vee shifted her attention the door that was being shut behind Tessa.
"So, is she? Tessa?" He reiterated
"As fine as one can be considering all she's been through"
"I see" He sighed, folding his arms.
Vee turned her gaze to him, noticing the look in his eyes. She had seen it before and she felt the need to let him know the reality of things. "You do know it's never going to work right? As long as the Black Lotus exists and she hasn't gotten closure for Kieran's death, I don't think her heart will be open to anyone else"
"It's that obvious huh?"
"Well you don't necessarily make it subtle how you gawk at her" She replied
"I don't gawk..." He scoffed and then smiled. "But I know what you mean and believe me you aren't the first to tell me that. So I know"
"Good. Just didn't want to let you keep having your hopes up"
"Thanks. So what about you?" He asked
"What about him?" She gave him a puzzled look.
"How are you feeling with everything? You don't seem too okay yourself" He pointed out.
"I will be fine. Thanks for your concern" She smiled
"Things seems to be happening so fast and not in a good way"
"Yeah you're right about that. A lot of things are going wrong and a lot of things aren't adding up"
"What do you mean?" Nate inquired with a curious look.
"With the Alpha's death. I just think there's something more afoot..." She paused and glanced at him. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be saying any of this to you"
"Well, I'm good at listening. Whenever you need someone to talk to or you need help with whatever, I'm ready to lend a hand or an ear" He stated.
"Thanks" She smiled at him and then walked away.
***
Conan looked around the quiet atmosphere. They've been waiting there in the cave for the others to arrive. It's been a while and the boredom and quiet room was slowly driving him insane. He looked over at Zamir who seemed to be impatient too but wasn't saying anything. He shifted his eyes to Freya who was seated, leaning against the wall, looking as though she was sleeping.
"God you both are a downer" He cried out. "Especially you Freya. You only speak when Kreed is around"
"Leave her alone Conan" Zamir said, dusting particles away from his robe.
"What? It's obvious she's in love with him. I can't be the only one who knows this" He shrugged.
Zamir looked over Freya who turned away from them after Conan drop those words. "You're an idiot" He said to Conan before making his way toward the entrance of the cave. "What's taking them so long?"
***
Cassie kicked the door to the room open whilst pulling Derek in with her. He immediately locked lips with her, whilst she hurriedly started taking off his jacket. As soon as his jacket hit the floor, she broke the kiss, grabbed the neckline of his t-shirt and ripped it off his body.
He returned the gesture and ripped off her top, exposing her bra. She gave him an evil smirk before tugging on his pants. He immediately picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He took her to the bed and dropped her on it. She kept on straddling him whilst his lips explored her bare body and his fingers worked on the bra clasped.
Cassie ran her fingers along the lines of his hardened abs all the way to his back, digging her nails into his back as his lips ravished her body.
***
Making their way toward the cave where Freya and the others where waiting for them, Kreed was in his thoughts as long as the others beside him. He had hoped he had gotten through to Tessa but now finding out the Alpha was dead, he knew that would put a dent on their plan to get her back and away from the pack.
He looked over at Silas who was walking in silence too. He could feel how worried he was. That was a first. They could hardly tell what he was thinking or feeling but since they heard the news of the Alpha passing, they could feel how worried he was.
"We will separate Tessa from them Silas" Adan commented, breaking the silence.
"You can feel it too huh" Kreed said to Adan.
"What are you talking about?" Silas questioned, adjusting his mask.
"We are talking about how worried you are right now" Kreed replied
"I am not worried"
"You should hide your feelings better if you wish to lie" Adan replied.
"Let's meet up with the others and figure out how to go about getting your sister out of there" Kreed stated, putting on his hood.