Chương 24: Traditions We Must Obey

Ralph's Point Of View

There was nothing I could think of at that time, as we all sat in silence and stirred at each other. It took forever for me to make a speech eventually. But as each minute passed by, I knew the council would never agree to anything I told them.

Rather, they would want their wish to come to pass against all odds.

"I think we will have to adjourn this meeting to some other time as I have an occasion to attend at the palace".

I said to the council members, but as I was about to discharge the council member and get on my way with my beta who was already fuming like a volcano, a guard came right in, and we were all puzzled by his appearance.

" Greetings my alpha", he also greeted the council member before he proceeded to deliver his message.

"I have not come to disrupt whatever meeting you might be having with alpha, but I must assure you that I came for good will".

The guard who was the highest guard before the elite warrior said to us, He was known to convey messages sent out by my father and no one else, not even me, who was crowned alpha of the pack could pass a message through him.

He continued to talk

"The alpha's dad has invited all council members to join him on tonight's occasion. What other way is there to pass on such a message if not now that you are all gathered? Please accept my apologies as I have relayed my message and am set to be on my way".

He walked out without a response from any of the council members. I quickly took advantage of the opportunity to stand up and excuse myself.

"I think I will take my leave right now to prepare for tonight's occasion, and we will be glad to have you all just like the guard has said".

These were my last words before I made my way right out with my beta right behind me.

"Why are they so impatient to get you out of the way and rule for themselves?" Liam asked. It is obvious to us

" They know I would not agree to their audacious requests and desires at their will and decide that the only way to get me out of their space is by sending me to a war they know I cannot win if care is not taken."

My beta and I laughed at the expense of my wolf, who was quite angry at the behavior of the council members today. We made our way back to the palace, which definitely was a short and quite smooth walk.

I went into the palace and made my way to my room, avoiding eye contact with any of the maidens who had subjected themselves to a watch guard. It was quite impulsive, but this really is something that baffles me.

Why would a grown lady subject herself to be ridiculed in such a way? And to crown it all, I have to make babies with someone I do not love? I thought everyone was destined for a soul mate, someone that completes the other part of you.

Why is mine different? I questioned myself, but my wolf responded," you have found your soulmate among the maidens, but you keep denying the mate bond and acting like you don't care. All of this is just a tradition you will have to follow through, unfortunately, before fully accepting her".

Dam was mocking me and I knew it.

"What are you thinking about?" My beta asked as I looked up to see that he was standing directly at me.

"I am just troubled by what I would encounter tonight, we all know these maidens might not know their way to the kitchen ".

Liam laughed hard at me as he sat beside me.

"I am sorry, you still have to go through with it tonight"he said, placing a hand over my shoulder as we both laughed at my predicament .

It was almost time, and I was ready, but a rumor reached me at the moment that Jackia was missing, and her maid seemed to not know where she might have gone, which I think was not totally true .

Jackia seemed to be the only person who treated her maids like a human among the ladies, so definitely they were quite close,

"Hello, who is out there?"I asked, since my beta stepped out with the search party.

I couldn't go with them this time around due to the occasion as the other maidens were ready, and the council members were beginning to arrive one after the other,

"Yes, alpha Ralph" a guard responded as he walked right into my room.

" Go now and seek Jackia's maid. Tell her I seek her presence right now" I said to the guard, who ran right out immediately without waiting a second. In no time he was back, but not alone, he was back with Jackia's maid.

She looked terrified in my presence.

"Your grace, you requested my presence"she said as she bowed her head.

"Look up" I said to her, though she hesitated for a while before she raised her head and then at me directly.

" Where is Jackia ?" I asked her as she looked down and quickly knelt down,

"I am sorry my alpha, it's my fault. I shouldn't have let her out for so long. I am scared something bad must have happened to her. She said she wanted to go for a run and would be back in no time. I thought she was enjoying her time alone and didn't bother looking for her ", she said, crying.

I looked at her ,

"It's okay you can go" I said, turning my back on her as she walked past me. I could feel how sad and worried she was for Jackia and herself. Only the moon goddess knows where she must be hiding herself. At least she isn't trying to win the competition, but why do I feel so worried about her?

Should I be worried that she might be in danger? I shrugged off the feeling and made my way to the open hall, as the maidens had already started the cooking. A few minutes before the time the maidens were about to serve the food they made, Jackia made an entrance as usual.

I felt relieved within me, but what could be the reason?

" Maybe you are already grooming some tiny feelings for her", Dam said, but I rolled my eyes at him, after a while they all brought their food. It was a disaster, and a total waste of time. But the last food which Jackia prepared was different..