02

I left the scene of the crime and returned to my court. Dorian, my Beta, has always been a

loyal servant and friend to me.

My court was destroyed a little. I heard that some of my warriors stood firm, with the last

drops of their blood.

Defending the court from infiltration by the rogues.

Many died on the course. But they ensured they uphold the allegiance they swore at their

ritual initiations, before becoming a warrior for the Silverpaws pack.

The Silverpaws pack has sacred Items that are kept in the royal court of the Alpha. These

items have been preserved and protected for centuries up until now.

They must not be desecrated nor defiled by strangers. Especially by Rogues[unpacked

wolves].

So, Every initiated warrior of the pack. Must protect these items at any cost. Even at the

expense of their lives.

I was proud and moved by their unwavering loyalty. I was still in a mourning mood for my

Luna and of course, for my people.

Many wolves die. Some amateur-unmarked female wolves and women were taken into

captivity by these people.

It was indeed, a solemn moment of grief and mourning for Silverpaws pack.

I went into my room and came out.

Dorian was already at the royal court, waiting for me.

I came and looked around, the court was scanty. Dorian noticed my expression.

He immediately interrupted whatever might be going through my mind at that moment.

“Alpha, have you decided a date for the burial of Luna?.”

He asked calmly.

He knew I was not in the right frame of mind to answer that.

But as the Beta of the pack. It is his sole responsibility to get a date from the Alpha and

announce it to the people.

“How can I be mourning? To say the worst- planning on laying my Luna to rest?.”

The thought of that struck me deeply.

I was angry and bittered within myself.

It was just barely three days ago that I promised my beloved wife and Luna, Nerissa, that I

will have a baby with her after the battle.

She was excited by the news. She even said that the baby will be a prince. That we will

name him Gareth.

Just after four days. Her expectations and wishes have been long lost. She cannot give me

a child.

She will not mother the prince she desired to have.

"Oh! What a life. Only if we can know what could happen in the next seconds."

I stared at the whole court.

Everywhere was looking meaningless to me without my beloved, Nerissa.

I looked at Dorian and answered him “Nevermind, I will give my answer before night fall.”

Dorian just nodded his head in response to the answer I gave. He did not know what to do

or how to persuade me to say something.

He is very considerate. He understood that, these were my grieving moments.

All he just said was “It is okay Alpha, I will wait until nightfall”.

He turned and started heading out of the court.

As he approached the door, he just mind-linked me “ Am sorry Alpha Crixsus, I wished there

was a way to bring back your beloved, Nerissa.

I Know the bond both of you shared cannot be severed or broken. Just take heart and believe

that she's always here with you. She will be watching over Silverpaws."

I got his message clearly. His expression of sadness was mixed with the deepest emotions

he felt. Dorian 's emotional turmoil for me was really strong. He's indeed a brother and friend in

in time of distress

I responded, “Thank you, Dorian.” He stormed out.

03

It was already nightfall. As the Alpha of the pack, tradition demands that I must announce the date for laying my Luna to rest.

I mind-linked Dorian, my Beta, to come to the court. It was just a few seconds I did it, Dorian was already in the court. “Alpha, am here."

“Please, have your seat” I told him.

“Dorian, you have been a wonderful asset to the Silverpaws pack.

I want to appreciate you for your selfless loyalty.” I spoke softly to him.

“The pleasure is all mine, Alpha.

Am always ready to give my life and all to this pack”. He said courageously.

I chuckled at him and said “Thank you”

He was expecting me to spill out the date. But I went to another dimension.

“When are you choosing your mate? You haven't marked anyone yet?.”

He was surprised. This should be the last thing he expected me to say.

I was patiently waiting for his response.

He looked at me and laughed for a

while. He bent his head and used his right hand to caress his hair.

He raised his head up and said “

Alpha, I will soon do that. Besides, that is not important at the moment. We have pressing issues at hand”

I loved his answer. He is a wise man. He knows what to say in every difficult circumstance.

“ It is necessary that you get a mate. You know what I mean?” I said to him

“I will Alpha, when the time is right and when circumstances are in my favor. The goddess will choose for me”

I laughed. We both laughed strongly.

At least, I was able to forget the sorrows and pains that were within me for a moment.

“ My Luna will be buried on the night of the full moon”

Dorian responded “Yes Alpha, we will start the necessary preparations”.

It will make me less of an Alpha if I did not ask about the deceased of my pack.

“What about the families of those that lost their loved ones?” I asked out of genuine concern.

“Well Alpha, it has not been easy with them. We are trying to see how we can condole with everyone. But honestly, it is not easy”

I could see the worries on the face of Dorian. He wished he could make everyone happy.

That is the charisma of a good leader.

“I will try and reach out to all of them after Luna's burial”. I said that to dismiss the worries on his face.

“Alpha, that will be very great. Atleast, the people of the pack will know you have them at heart”

My face changed and my eyes bulged out immediately. I was worried. “Am I failing as the Alpha?

Don't I show care and concern for my people? All these thoughts were transpiring within me.

I became curious. I wanted to know why Dorian said that.

“Do you think I don't care enough for my pack?” I asked intelligently.

I want him to be plain and give me the minds of my people.

“No, Alpha. Some thought after the brutal attack, that you were only concerned about your loss and not that of the pack.

I will suggest you quickly reach out to them, soonest”.

There is one thing I loved about Dorian.

He is an honest person.

He gives sincere answers and judgment.

Without sentiment, not minding who is involved.

“Thank you Dorian fo,r your sincerity.

I will do as you said.”

“Thank you, Alpha."

04

The burial rites and rituals of my Luna were almost at us. I summoned Dorian to escort me to visit the families of the deceased of my pack.

Honestly, I haven't gone around before to check on everyone in the pack. But I feel the goddess wants to use this to teach me some lessons.

I told Dorian to inform Gamma- Kieran, that I would like to see him at the training ground.

Dorian tried to mind- link Kieran. But he was not able to do that.

I have not seen Kieran for a while. Although, my relationship with him has not been so close unlike with Dorian.

But, I do feel sometimes, that he always distances himself from me and from the activities of the pack.

That does not speak well of the third strongest wolf of Silverpaws pack.

I told Dorian that he should not bother stressing himself. That he can accompany me with some few wolves.

He called on the wolves and they came. We went from the first family of the deceased down to the last family.

When we got the last family. Something spectacular and strange happened at the same time.

There was a wolf whose wife and son were killed. The daughter was taken captive by those rogues.

The man welcomed us. “Alpha, it is a pleasure to have you come to my house”. He was very excited.

I turned down the praises to show how grief and remorseful I was to his loss

“Alpha, I think you should be careful of those around you. Some are like the Leviathan serpent. Their poison is very deadly. Always watch your back and be mindful of the people you trust.”

I thanked him very much for the words of advice he gave.

I expressed my condolences to his family and promised him that I will do everything possible to rescue his daughter.

We left the place. That was the last family I had to visit to show my concern.

But his words keep coming back to my mind.

“Do I have an internal enemy? Is my life in danger? Will my pack be taken from me?”

“Leviathan serpent?

Why will he mention that of all the ferocious serpents?

I became confused. I thought I had a little problem to worry about.

I mean, the burial of my Luna and how to deal with her post - burial effects.

But now, I have a bigger challenge.