|Grey|
I threw the files on the table. Some slid across the table and flew to the floor, creating a mess. The whole room went silent, there stood in front of me, the head of patrolling team, my beta, as well as some members who were in charge of the pack's safety.
"So you are telling me you helped the witches, and at the same time, some rogues tried to attack our pack??" I asked, but no one spoke. "How many rogues? How many did you send for help??" I asked as calmly as I could.
"Around ten rogues alpha... we sent only twenty warriors-" the head of the patrolling team started speaking, but I cut her short by slamming my hands on the table.
"And you didn't have many left for patrolling, so the rogues came in really well?! They tried to attack us because of the irresponsible decision you took!" I snapped.
"They went away pretty soon. They didn't attack us, alpha. I-I am sorry," she said in a low voice.
"Right. What happened to the witches?"
"They are safe. We were able to help them-"
"I appreciate the hand you gave them, Grace, but-" I took a deep breath. "You do understand you put our pack at risk, right? Especially when I wasn't there! What would've happened if the rogues really attacked us??"
"I-I understand. I am really sorry about it... I will do anything you say. I am at fault." she quickly said.
"Okay, then, clean all the training equipment." I deadpanned.
"W-what?" she asked in horror. I could almost see her imagining the hundreds of armour and all the heavy equipment.
"Not only you. All of you." I said, pointing at everyone except Kavin. They nodded, understanding there wasn't any way to go through the penalty I gave them. One by one paid respect and went outside.
After the short meeting was over, Kavin started talking;
"Good penalty, alpha, but I think they deserve some reward as well for helping the witches. We never know when we are going to need that witchcraft help," he said while picking up the papers that I threw on the floor.
"Yeah, remind me to do that in the meeting. What time is it?" I asked.
"Mm, twenty-five past six," he said, checking the time on his watch.
"Five more minutes. Get everyone to the training grounds. I will be there soon." I said, dismissing him from the meeting room.
Kavin left soon after he was given the order. I massaged the sides of my head in deep thoughts. Things weren't going out pretty well ever since I arrived, everything around me was pissing me off to the maximum, and I knew the main reason was because of Everleigh. Not having her by my side made me itch in curiosity about how she was doing. It stressed me because she was in the worst pack out there for omegas. And I couldn't believe my luck. Nothing was happening to my liking.
After thinking about her for a few minutes, I realised I was going to be late for the meeting. So I quickly went downstairs to find no one around, which meant everyone was in the training field for the meeting. When I walked down there, I could hear a few discussing what I was going to talk about, this and that. Some were whispering and talking about the guys they saw on the training grounds.
However, they all went silent as soon as they saw me. I went past the huge crowd, which at least took me a minute to cross. Kavin quickly came and handed me a wireless mic connected to a speaker so everyone would hear what I was saying.
Mom and dad didn't stand next to me like always, but they stood blended with the crowd, probably still cross with me about the whole mate thing. And not having them next to me made me feel anxious about the meeting. It was the first time they weren't by my side. So I took a deep breath and said hello to everyone before starting the meeting.
"So, as you all know, a few of your friends made a very stubborn decision by sending twenty warriors outside and letting the pack be in danger. I've already taken care of it, so you don't need to worry about your safety. But we do have to appreciate their success in saving the witches from the stray rogues. It is always better to have some friends by our side." I said, clapping my hands. Grace shyly smiled as everyone clapped.
"I also have to say, the visit I did to the Blue Crystal Pack went really successful. We have strengthened the bond with them, and it all went pretty well. Our two packs have always been allies so that they won't break soon. They also promised to give us a visit after some time, so that's all about them."
"Going to the next topic, I heard someone ran away from the pack in my absence, but what and how did it happen?" I asked.
Whispers and mutters went around. I patiently waited for someone to come to the front and explain the situation. I was really surprised at why someone had left my pack. It once happened only years ago.
"It's Emma, an omega. When the little rogue attack happened a few days ago, she found out her mate was a rogue. And she panicked you will kill her mate so.... she went. I only know that part," a girl said through the crowd.
The crowd went silent after the new information. No one added further information about the runaway omega. So I started talking;
"Okay then, I will have to confirm this with you. I see many of you have misunderstood me. I will say it this once, if you find your mate, your lover, or anyone, anywhere...." I trailed off, locking my eyes with my parents. "It doesn't matter, a witch, a rogue, a hybrid, or from any rank, any pack. Let me know. I won't interfere with it but will give you the best solution." I said.
I saw dad leave the meeting through the crowd from the corner of my eyes as soon as I said those words. Mom still stood there and gave me an encouraging smile.
"Alpha, what about the arranged mate for you?" someone asked from behind.
And I hesitantly looked at mom again. She nodded, silently asking me to say whatever I had in my mind.
"I- uh, I don't think I like that idea of an arranged mate. But I still haven't made a final decision." I admitted.
After the meeting was done and over, I sat alone on the training ground while staring at the moon. It was going incomplete again.
The moon suddenly reminded me of Everleigh's smile, for the times she smiled so brightly I thought I was going to lose my vision. Staring at the moon for a while made me feel a bit calm in my heart. It made me feel like she was close to me. Though things weren't going as planned, I knew she was the best thing that happened to me in my life. My heart said so.
I felt someone sit next to me, and I saw my mom sitting cross-legged next to me. Her loose pants let her sit comfortably. The moonlight landing on her face showed me the wrinkles that appeared on her face of her old age.
"So you still haven't made the final decision?" she asked, starting the conversation.
"I am in love," I replied without answering the question she asked.
"I know... that's why I gave you time." she slowly said.
"Do you think it's fair to let the Moon Goddess have all the power to select the right person for us?" I asked.
"Don't say it in front of another person," she warned.
"I respect her. I respect her decisions, but this... is not just fair..."
"I don't know, son... Why don't you go rest for now? Kavin is waiting for you inside. I think he has to talk with you about something." she said, standing up.
"Oh yeah..." I mumbled.
Kavin said he had a small solution for this problem.