Third person's pov
The atmosphere was vibrant with joy as children dashed through the streets of Crimson Pack, their laughter echoing in the air. Couples strolled hand in hand, smiles illuminating their faces, celebrating the momentous occasion of future Alpha Drew's wedding to his mate—a day destined to be etched in memory.
"come buy some fresh-scented roses; it's a day for lovers!" vendors called out, drawing crowds eager to buy flowers for their mates. Among them, the unmated felt a pang of exclusion, longing for the companionship that eluded them. They silently wished for the moon goddess to bless them with their destined mates, while parents of the unmated fervently hoped their children would find love as young Alpha Drew had.
The spirit of love permeated the air in Crimson Pack, a palpable energy that enveloped everyone.
Yet, amidst the celebration, there lingered a sense of resentment. One individual harbored jealousy towards Drew's accomplishments, while another yearned for the man of her dreams. Both siblings concealed their bitterness, unable to share in the happiness that surrounded them.
Arnold, the future alpha of native pack, distanced himself from the lively activities of crimson pack. Despite the sweltering sun, he made his way to the designated meeting spot with the cloaked man, who had sent him a message requesting this encounter. Although the young alpha still felt the effects of the substance drain, he was eager to acquire more.
Upon arriving, he found the cloaked man waiting for him. Even in the bright daylight, the man's face remained obscured. Arnold wondered if he was truly human or perhaps a werewolf, but he dismissed the latter thought as the man lacked the characteristic scent.
"You arrived," the cloaked man remarked as he approached Arnold. "You summoned me, so why wouldn't I come? However, it's not Friday yet, which makes me curious about your call," Arnold replied with a hint of a smirk. "I believe you have an inkling, young one. It has been on your mind, hasn't it?" the cloaked figure responded, to which Arnold nodded. "Please, enlighten me," he urged. The cloaked man chuckled and asked, "Are you familiar with Holland?"
Arnold paused, recalling the name. "Isn't he the late beta?" he inquired.
The cloaked man confirmed with a nod. "Indeed, he is the father of Felicity." This revelation intrigued Arnold; he was surprised he hadn't known this before. So, Felicity was the child of the late beta of the crimson pack. But how did this relate to Drew? His curiosity intensified, and he was determined to uncover the connection.
"I shall tell you a story about a reckless boy whose negligence resulted in the tragic demise of his mate's father, a fate that was undeserved, one that will hunt him forever...." yet the narrator felt no sympathy for him. The cloaked figure then recounted this captivating story to Arnold, who found himself smiling at the narrative.
As the story concluded, Arnold reflected on the potential impact of this tale on Drew Maxwell. He pondered how Drew would react if his mate learned of this, he could feel his excitement reach it's peak. The thought of her growing to despise him thrilled Arnold, as it would undoubtedly devastate his rival. Arnold's ambition was to see Drew utterly defeated, stripped of everything he had built, and he believed that targeting his mate was the key to achieving this.
Meanwhile, Abigail, Arnold's sister, retreated to her room, overwhelmed with emotion. She clutched her chest in despair, realizing that the man she had loved for years had chosen another. Her resentment towards Felicity intensified, and she became consumed with the desire to reclaim Drew for herself.
Drew had belonged to her since the moment he joined the native pack, and she was determined that no one would take him away from her. However, she faced a significant challenge: how could she remove Felicity from the equation when their lives were so intertwined?