Chapter 2 EMERGENCY

FEDORA’S POV

Standing on the borderline of the pack, I could almost smell the scent of rogue. Should I move forward?

If I do, I will have to accept being away from my brother, my mother, and my friend Caroline, and my existence would be completely erased from the pack, everything I have worked so hard for since childhood, my dreams, I will lose everything; but if not, I will have to endure becoming the prey of some male, once he catches me, he could put his cock into my vag*na regardless of my will. F*ck, it sucks!

"Fedora! Something's happened to Mom!" My brother suddenly yelled with an anxious look and I had to go back to the pack house in a hurry.

When we entered the room, Mother was lying on the bed, pale. I knew she had been injured in that rogue fight, but I didn't know it would be so serious.

I had thought she would recover soon with medicine, but until now only I knew that her medicine could only be produced by a powerful pack like Alpha Lorcan's pack.

"Mom, are you okay?" I asked carefully as I held her hand.

Looking at her pale face, I felt my heart ache and guilt instantly filled my heart.

Mom is always the one who gives me the most love and support. Different from my stubborn father, my mom always listened carefully to my every thought. She knew clearly that I wanted a very different path, the path that I don't have to be someone's wife or mother to survive.

It is not an easy path, but Mom never knocked down my confidence. Instead, she encouraged me at every moment that I needed. Also, she never gave up convincing my father to let me be myself even though she knew it would annoy him.

Sometimes, I couldn't understand how a wise woman like my mother fell for such an arrogant man like my father. And what she answered me was that she could see another side of my father.

Another side? I doubt it.

Every time when I tried to ask more, Mom just gave me a mysterious smile while saying that I would understand when I met my own mate.

"Hey, Dora darling..." Mom's voice pulled me back from my wandering thoughts and she squeezed a reassuring smile at me, "I'm sorry. Mom shouldn't be sick at this time..."

I shook my head while tears gathered in my eyes. "Don't say that, Mom. It's me who should apologize...I didn't know..."

I couldn't finish my words as I had a lump in my throat. I knew the reason why she hid her true condition. Even if my absence might affect her medication supply, she never wanted to trouble me to do anything I dislike.

But I knew it was time for me to grow up.

How could I succeed in my own path if all I knew was to hide under her shelter as a carefree little girl? Escape is not an option.

Wiping off my tears, I made a smile at her. I then hugged her tightly, trying to make my voice sound positive.

"Mom, I decided. I'm going to attend the ball."

Tradition as they called it, right? Then I'll change the rules in my own way.

***

I must admit, this pack knew how to throw a party.

Never had I seen such an elaborate and ostentatious display of power, luxury, and wealth. The way the whole banquet was arranged, and decorated was meant to be a statement for all the people who wanted to and were continuously trying to compete with the Gray Glory pack.

The Gray Glory pack was one of the wealthiest and most powerful in the country.

The whole place looked like a dream and unreal.

It seemed like the Alpha of this pack has some strange obsession with mirrors. The whole place was decorated with mirrors of almost every size and shape. The whole theme of silver and white enhances everything. The dance floor was plane but with a closer look I realized that they had some sort of sensor, I am not sure but when someone walked on them, they left a trail of fairy lights behind them, I wonder how it will look with all the couples will dance on the floor.

The entire floor will shine with multiple fairy lights beneath their feet.

But sometimes the overly ornate decoration is just to better conceal the ugly desire behind it. In a way, such luxury decorations do match the savage concept behind this hunting ball.

Well, I came here with only one single motive.

To hide until it is time to leave this hell.

Luckily, most of the packs were attending this year and that meant this place will be packed by the end of the night and it will make things much easier for me.

My father was here as well because he didn’t trust me and the sentiment was mutual. So, all I could do was keep numbing my irritability with more whiskey.

"Did you hear, Fed? Alpha Lorcan will attend this hunting as the host." Caroline said excitedly next to me while observing around. "See? That's why so many women have dressed themselves so seductively."

Alright, Alpha Lorcan again.

I swore I'd lost count of how many times Caroline chanted that name in my ear tonight. I swear if I have to hear that name one more time I’ll scream in her ear. I am aware who Alpha Lorcan is and I know everything I need to know about his reputation. He is the most ruthless and strongest Alpha, who has a reputation of being overly cruel and cold as ice. Though European packs are not part of the prerequisite studies during our training but I have always been an overachiever and an enthusiastic learner so I have studied about him and his pack. Being the leader of the biggest pack in entire Europe, he singlehandedly erased the threat of rogue witches and feral wolves singlehandedly. If there is one pack Royals are directly connected to then it is this pack. Rumour has it that he fought the entire army of rogues with a silver dagger plunged in his chest, he didn’t even bother to pull it out until he killed every rogue.

"Are you wishing Alpha Lorcan to be your mate too, Caroline?" My brother suddenly spoke, causing me to glance up at him in surprise. His tone held accusation and a bit of jealousy.

Is he jealous that Caroline is interested in Alpha Lorcan? I looked at both of them when all he was doing was staring at her heatedly but Caroline on the other hand was trying to hide her face from him.

Am I missing something here?

Why are they both acting weird?

Adrian’s acting differently and I could see his wolf Kurt surfacing and I touched his arm to distract him. He looked at me and I raised my brows at him.

He simply shook his head and walked away.

I then turned towards Caroline and did the same.

“Is there something I should know Car?” I questioned.

“Um….no, why would you say that? Why would I hide anything from you, you are my best friend Fed.” Something about the way she said those words didn’t sit right with me.

I looked at her for a while but nodded.

“Whatever, I am going to grab something to eat.” I said and walked away. I was on my way thinking of all the possible ways I can do to avoid tomorrow’s hunt when I felt a sharp pain on my butt.

Did somebody just spank me?

Turning around I saw a young a**hole, no more than eighteen years old who probably just got in contact with his wolf, with a cocky grin on his face.

Ugh! These newly turned wolves like to think that world is now under their palm, when the truth is that it’s just their hormones and heightened feelings from their wolf that only a few can control.

In short, they are jerks.

I rolled my eyes at him and that somehow offended him.

“Listen kid, just go and do what people of your age like to indulge in, except drugs.” I said and that made him growl and I caught his eyes changing their color.

Yep, definitely a jerk!

He pulled me towards him and slammed to the nearest wall, “Then why are you wearing a dress that’s more suitable for pack sl*ts. I don’t know what’s wrong with women, you all like to dress up for our attention and when someone shows even an ounce of interest you reject us as if are nothing to you.”

That’s because he is right, he is nothing if he can’t even control his wolf but his body scent indicated that he was a high rank wolf and if I take any action against him right now I don’t think any one is going to stand by me for support and it will draw unnecessary attention as well.

I pushed him away and was about to snap him in half when once again he cornered me.

“Just wait till tomorrow’s hunt then I’ll show you what this kid is capable of.” He spat in my face.

“And you think that this pack will let you do it?” I raised my eyebrow at him, challenging him.

“I don’t need anyone’s permission. I take what I want by hook or by crook and you are the new charm of tomorrow’s hunt princess, I am going to enjoy torturing you when I’ll catch you tomorrow,” he seethed and I knew it was time take action.

I won’t let anyone disrespect me like that, I never needed a saviour before nor I need one today.

I was about to get my life’s sweet revenge on the poor loser when someone punched the consciousness out of him in one move.

I looked up to see a tall, handsome devil with big, beautiful shining emerald eyes and soft, touchable Raven black hair in a black suit. I was about to say that he didn’t need to get involve when he started speaking in his deep, rich and silky tone and made me realize who he really was.

“How dare you even threaten someone on my turf? This is my territory and every action has consequences. If anyone break rules in my territory especially in events like this, I will make your life hell.”

My territory?

That only meant one thing…he is the person I am supposed to despise.

Alpha Lorcan of Gray Glory Pack.