That night, Rafael was seated on his sofa in his bedroom. It was placed near the floor-to-ceiling glass window, giving him an enchanting view of Dunecliff city at night. The view from here was way more enthralling during the winter season, but Rafael had too much going on in his mind right now to admire the vista.
However, just staring at it made him feel a sense of tranquility, regardless of it being just a tad bit.
Habitually, he pulled out a cigar pack and took out a single stick. Lighting the mouth of the cigar, he relaxed on his sofa and immersed himself in the warmth it brought to his system. It was a dangerous warmth, but it kept him sane, at least, to the point where he isn't driven into bloodlust.
His phone buzzed on the table in front of him, and he picked it up. Swiping upwards to receive the call, he placed the phone to his ear and went straight to the point.
"Speak."
"Alpha." The voice of his beta came through, and he dived straight to the matter. "I checked the history of the crescent moon pack like you told me to. The reports remained unchanged, offering no insight into late Alpha Bernard's death. From the local news, it was broadcasted that he committed suicide, and company adversaries believed his family are cursed, and that Alpha Bernard sold his soul, which was the reason for his untimely passing. As strange as it might sound, I don't believe that is the truth."
The voice of his beta was polite and thoughtful, and to Rafael, he was, basically, the only one he had a bit of trust for.
"Alpha Bernard only returned to Dunecliff with his children." Rafael uttered, unable to hide the flicker of resentment in his eyes, "did he have other enemies besides our pack? It's highly suspicious that someone as powerful as Alpha Bernard would flee his pack with his children, only to lose his life a couple of years after that. That man cherishes his life like it was gold, I will never forget about the hell he made us go through, but the cause of his death… it sounds fabricated to me."
Rafael's beta hummed in agreement, "I was shocked when you told me he had children, but, Alpha, why are you interested in Alpha Bernard's death history? Of all things, that man deserved to die, and the bond between both packs has been severed long ago. He betrayed your father and sold our pack out, then fled! It's not in my place to say, but it would be better if we have nothing to do with the crescent moon pack."
His beta let him in on his thoughts, regardless of whether he'd take it or disregard it. The pain was yet to heal, and Rafael did not blame him for his hate.
He exhaled and sunk his back deeper into the couch, the weight on his shoulder getting heavier. How can he tell his beta that the mate he had been dying to get his hands on came from the crescent moon pack, and not just the pack, but a direct blood of Alpha Bernard. He would rather keep this discovery to himself, and figure out a way to handle things before coming to a decision.
Another thing he's noticed is his beta's unawareness of the news, which meant Ultima only assigned his gamma. If it was his beta, his beta would call him right after the meeting, and Rafael could guess that this mission was something his Ultima didn't want him to know about.
That's why he chose gamma Davis, because his gamma had the ability to shapeshift.
What is Ultima's true intention?
As punishment for defying him nonetheless, he ordered that his gamma be whipped.
This was to remind him of who is in charge, and that he should NEVER take orders from Ultima. As for Ultima, he would handle that leaching wolf once he reaches Aleyska.
"I just got curious." Rafael finally answered his beta, sounding laid-back, "anyway, how's my pack doing?"
"Everything is under control." his beta assured him, and Rafael did not doubt it.
"I'll call you tomorrow then." He disconnected the call afterwards.
Dropping his phone on the table, Rafael picked up the lighter and started to play with it in his hand. The fire flickering, and watching the flames dying down afterwards, was another mechanism he implemented in order to help him think.
Despite knowing his paired mate came from the pack that made his people suffer, his feelings for Polly did not waver in the slightest.
The burning need to be by her side was still there, torturing him. More importantly, she was different from them. He had studied not just her, but Norman and Malcolm as well, and the reason he might have ignored getting a thorough background check on her family was because he witnessed firsthand the genuine warmth and affection his mate received from her family.
But, if she was the daughter of an Alpha, why didn't he sense her wolf? His eyebrows locked at the disturbing thought, and there was only one person who could give him a response as of now.
"Jerome," Rafael finally decided to contact his prideful wolf, "can you sense Polly's wolf?"
No response.
"Jerome please, not now, you can continue with the silent treatment after you've responded to my questions." He urged, his tone firm but exasperated.
"Hmph!" Rafael's wolf huffed, seemingly disappointed by Rafael's choice of words. "My silence does not bother you at all it seems, but I won't take it to heart. Polly is our mate, and she has a wolf, but the problem is her wolf is incredibly distant. Two peas in a pod, I say they fit each other perfectly."
"Why can't I sense her wolf?"
"I'm not speaking latin!" Rafael's wolf snapped at him, "what I sense is a bare minimum. It's there, but then it's gone, and the only reason I probably sense it is because she's my mate, but her wolf is… something is wrong with her wolf, my mate, that is why I'm desperate to claim her before the last shred of her presence is gone! She needs us!"
Concern immediately clouded Rafael's eyes upon this news, and he sat up properly. "What do you mean? What's wrong with her wolf?"
"I don't know, but it's making me anxious. I hope you understand now why I give you the silent treatment."
Rafael closed his eyes and sighed heavily. The smoke from his cigar wafted from his lips, and his wolf added with a snort.
"Smoking again," from the way it sounded, one could obviously tell how tired Jerome had gotten of his bad habit, "who knows, have you ever considered if our mate hates the smell of smoke?"
At his wolf's question, Rafael involuntarily choked on the smoke he was supposed to exhale, causing him to cough in reaction. His stubborn wolf had gone silent again, obviously still upset with him, but at least, his wolf cared enough to remind him of that one important question.
What if his mate detests smokers?
It wasn't a habit he had always desired to indulge in, but life hasn't been fair either, and this is the result of life's maltreatment towards him.
All of a sudden, he no longer felt like smoking and threw the pack on his nightstand.
～♡～
The following day, Polly visited the hospital as she had arranged. She sat in the waiting room, awaiting the doctor she had come by to see, and a nurse showed up.
"You are… Miss Polly?" inquired the old nurse as she spotted the beautiful red-haired.
Polly quietly rose to her feet and nodded.
"Come with me, Dr Patel is ready to see you."