Bab 29: Mount Vernon (Ch.29)
"I didn't know you were coming..." Lucas murmured, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly as Alpha Varleston observed from a distance in what he must have thought were subtle glances.
Alpha Varleston had just announced to his pack that Neveah would be accompanying them and Lucas would have the honor of serving as her mount.
"I didn't know either." Neveah replied, her lips twitching slightly.
Despite the situation, she was amused by the father and son pair, most especially Alpha Varleston who seemed keen on conjuring up a chemistry between them just by his staring.
"By the end of this trip, having you so close yet knowing we can never be... my heart will be broken into a thousand pieces and my father will dig me a grave for failing to win your hand." Lucas pointed out and Neveah chuckled quietly.
"I wish there was something I could do to make this easier for you." Neveah admitted apologetically.
Neveah was relieved to see Lucas Varleston's stance had not changed due to the insistence of their parents, he had already accepted Neveah's rejection.
"Well there is, it would be my honor to serve as your mount... that is if you will permit it, of course." Lucas Varleston said hopefully.
"I think my father already gave his consent to that." Neveah replied with a shrug.
"Well, I'm not asking him... I'm asking you, Veah." Lucas Varleston replied seriously.
Neveah was quiet for a moment, since when had anyone cared to ask her permission for anything?
Although she was Eclipse Princess, every last detail of her life was determined by her father.
Her likes, dislikes, the food she ate, the dresses she wore, the people she associated with... everything.
Lucas Varleston had come off as domineering and imposing in the beginning but he was much different from what Neveah had thought him to be.
These little unconscious acts from Lucas Varleston was precisely why he was so different from everyone else and why Neveah was unwilling to do him any harm.
Neveah sighed inaudibly as she nodded her consent.
"Well...it would be just as uncomfortable as a horse is, no hassle." Neveah said with a shrug.
"I'm hurt you think I am some thin and bony wolf Veah, with this build? My wolf is all muscles, you'll see." Lucas Varleston said, laughing.
"I'll just take your word for it then." Neveah replied with a shrug as she took a step back and to let Lucas Varleston take his wolf form.
The sound of bone cracking and reforming came first and soon a large blonde wolf was standing in the exact spot where Lucas Varleston had been standing.
Neveah passed a glance back at the Eclipse Palace to see her father standing right there and just as she expected, his gaze was fixed on her.
Neveah sighed quietly, it was time for the Eclipse Alphas to move out and she walked up to Lucas's wolf who waited, his lips stretched in a lopsided wolf grin believing Neveah was impressed by his muscular build and large wolf.
'My wolf is almost twice your size pup.' Neveah thought, smirking as Lucas lowered his height so she could comfortably get on his back.
Neveah passed one final glance at the Eclipse Palace and came to a decision.
'This time... I will never return here." Neveah decided as Lucas shot off into the woods.
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The trip to Mount Vernon was short and pleasant,
Neveah had spent most of the time in comfortable silence with Lucas and by nightfall, they had arrived.
Mount Vernon was an impressive mountain and the designated location for the Alphas Summit,
This was because the blood oath of the first unified alliance of the Eclipse Domain had taken place in Mount Vernon.
The Alphas Summit as it was called was a convention of all the Alphas of the Eclipse Domain that took place every decade.
It began with the royal ball at the Eclipse Palace, after which the Eclipse Alphas would proceed to Mount Vernon.
It was a convention with the purpose of taking collective decisions on the challenges faced by the domain under the supervision of the Alpha King.
Topics on territory distinctions, population control, mating games, discords between packs and the likes would be discussed at the Alphas Summit.
As her father had said, the Alphas Summit was a place for leaders and warriors as it was not uncommon for fights to break out and challenges to be thrown, leading to blood shed.
For the duration of their stay on Mount Vernon, each Eclipse pack had a lodge they would reside in, in a part of the mountain reserved only for that pack.
The mountain was large enough and the lodges were spread all throughout in a manner that ensured the different packs did not have to come in contact with each other unless they wanted to.
Neveah was to reside with the Eclipse Hunt till the end of the Alphas Summit since she had only come to tend to Luna Colleen.
And for the first few days at least, Neveah knew she would not have to deal with her family and the relief it brought to Neveah's heart was so great, she hoped it would last.
Neveah got off Lucas's back and turned around to him.
"Thank You, Lucas. I will head off with the Eclipse Hunt first, get some rest... I will find you tomorrow." Neveah said to the blonde wolf,
Lucas nodded his large wolf head before he bounded off into the woods to change back into his human form.
"Veah, dear child... come." Luna Colleen called to Neveah and Neveah headed over to her.
"How are you doing, Aunt Colleen?" Neveah asked in concern and Luna Colleen shook her head slightly.
"I worry Veah, now that we know of the poison, is it okay to leave it unattended this long? If we delay..." Luna Colleen trailed off in a low whisper,
Not daring to continue as Alpha Dane headed over from where he conversed with his Beta, most likely feeling his mate's distress.
"Neutralizing the moon whisper is not a process that can be hurried, the Alphas Summit begins on the morrow and lasts an entire month,"
"I have come along with all I shall need... within the next few days, I will do my best. Rest assured, your pups will be safe." Neveah promised.
"Thank you, Veah. I feel reassured with you here." Luna Colleen said in a relieved tone.
"For tonight, I will brew you a potion that can help you calm. You will need the calm." Neveah added as she turned to Alpha Dane.
"The Eclipse Hunt resides not too far from here, I'll show the way." Alpha Dane said as he led the way through the forest.
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