Seven years ago, I was elected as the beta of the Luna Echoes pack after emerging victorious in a competition against all warrior contestants.
Initially, I harbored animosity towards Alpha Zion upon learning about his actions towards Alpha Zach. However, under his leadership, our tribe experienced significant growth and prosperity.
We have now become a respected supplier of the finest wine among werewolf communities, resulting in substantial revenue for our pack.
During a business trip to finalize a deal with another tribe to supply them with red wine, I unexpectedly met my mate.
She was a stunning former member of our tribe who had joined the Crimson Moon tribe and had now returned to joined our tribe.
As complicated as it was, the fact remained that she was my mate and had agreed to join this pack, as much as my Alpha was willing to let me join the crimson moon tribe for her sake.
When my Alpha tasked me with bringing Bella to our packhouse, I was taken aback when Apphia revealed her past misdeeds at her previous tribe, causing me to initially resent her.
After my Alpha explained his perspective on the situation, I realized that he had not only grown stronger but also more mature. His analysis was accurate, prompting me to question why Alpha Zach, of all Alphas, would make such a grave mistake.
If Bella were proven guilty, the Crimson Moon tribe would face a severe curse.
Even my mate, who had accused her before, now also agreed that Bella was innocent. After her blood covenant membership, we mated and marked each other due to her heat.
To my surprise, I woke up to a message from Ivy, expressing concern about not being able to reach her brother. She had tried to contact him but to no avail.
Finding my mate still asleep, I went to the Alpha's room to deliver the message, only to discover that he had blocked all communication through the mind link.
This behavior was unusual, and I was puzzled to find him absent from his room.
"Have you seen the Alpha?" I inquired of a servant at the pack house, to which she nodded. "He carried Bella to the small house," she disclosed, causing my eyebrows to raise in surprise.
Was Alpha Zion really carrying her? When did he become so soft towards any she-wolf that he would carry her anywhere?
Had he stopped caring about his status? The small house, despite its name, was not actually small. It was where Alpha Zion's parents, the former Alpha and Luna, lived before the pack house was built.
It had been renovated and turned into a guest house, but no guests were ever allowed there, and Alpha Zion never showed any interest in it.
Curious about why he was there and why he had blocked all mindlinks and telegrams, I hurried to deliver the news. When I knocked on the door, the aroma of crepes greeted me.
I wondered who was making them for him because I had never seen Alpha Zion cook, not even once. Only Alpha Zach had done it a few times, but I hurried to deliver the news to Alpha Zion. "Alpha, Ivy sent a telegram saying she's on her way to see you."
This information was crucial due to Bella's presence, but I didn't anticipate her being at the small house, yet her scent gave her away.
It was a unique blend of sweetness, danger, earthiness plus something else I could not completely discern.
"What? Why didn't she contact me first?" Alpha Zion asked. I lowered my head to conceal the chuckle forming on my lips. "Alpha, you blocked all mindlinks and telegrams."
My head lifted in time to catch the slight embarrassment in his eyes, making me wonder what he was hiding. Was he in love with Bella?
For as long as I had known him, he had always entertained those commercial sex worker she-wolves every other day, but I heard that ever since Bella arrived, none of those sex workers had been seen.
From the look of it, she wasn't his mate but if she could tame that side of him, then I will never be a hindrance to their being joined together.
It's alright, I will take care of it," he said, but my suspicions were quickly confirmed when I heard Bella's voice. "Alpha, I can leave briefly to any safe place you recommend."
My mind wandered if Alpha Zion was giving her this house to live in, knowing how special it was for his family. Should his parents return, I was certain they wouldn't want to live anywhere else but here.
The color coordination of peace and orange, were his mother's favorite colors. There was only one way to find out about his intentions.
"Alpha, if Bella lives here, I doubt Ivy will know. You just have to pass a decree for her name to not be mentioned."
"This is going to be Bella's permanent residence," he revealed, confirming my suspicion. Shock spiraled through me. This house, after renovation, was the envy of all tribe members.
The kitchen was the best part because the former Luna loved to cook. This one had a breakfast pantry, integrated fridge and freezer, boiling water taps, venting hobs, drawers instead of cupboards, and stone worktops.
I wondered if Bella had seen the backyard transformation of this house, which elevated it from the small house we always referred to it as to a luxurious space.
Similar to the pack house, it features a sitting area adjacent to a pool, with a barbecue, island, and chairs just a step away. The patio extensions near the entrance give the impression of walking on water.
The same back yard also boasts of a lounge area with a raised deck, solar cover, a fireplace, rain curtain, and other amenities that combine coziness with luxury. This house offers a unique level of luxury that even the pack house, despite its magnificence, does not possess.
"Alpha, are you sure about this? What if..." I wanted to ask about the potential return of his parents, but his voice interrupted with concern. "I can't reach Ivy. There must be something wrong with her."
Only him and Alpha Zack could reach Ivy through the mindlink because they shared the same DNA, unlike the other tribe members.
I checked the message on Telegram again, and fear spiraled through me. "Alpha, there is a problem. Alpha Zach has made an announcement."