Chapter 13It was Kristen's loud grunt of anger that had Laurel running out of the room in alarm. Earl, who had been standing behind her all the time, aware of the commotion going on outside the door because he was listening keenly, came out from behind her. She saw Rick's face and checked to make sure that Kristen was alright, when she was satisfied with her appearance, she asked in a shrill voice."I heard your voice, are you alright?" "No, I'm not. Thanks to that annoying Beta." "You meant Gregg?" Earl asked with a half smile.Laurel's eyes flashed at him with anger, "Why are you still here?" "I told you already, I thought you could use my help settling in, besides we need to talk about how things are going to be from now on." "I don't need your help settling in, besides there's nothing to talk about." "Here we go." Kristen muttered and stalked off in anger, "Goodnight, sis. I don't think you need me to protect you, seeing that your husband is at your beck and call." She was to
Chapter 14That morning, Laurel thought she woke up first but was surprised to find Kristen and Rick already outside her door. Maybe she had slept longer than she expected, but she couldn't blame herself, it was the first time she was sleeping without being dragged out of bed to the news of another death or another victim. "Good morning." They both greeted each other simultaneously."It's a fine morning." Laurel replied, "I guess I slept longer than expected." "You deserve it," Rick smiled, "The Alpha and his Beta are outside already." Laurel paused to look at Rick, the sound of that was strange in her ears, he was referring to Earl and Gregg and yet it felt weird to her. She was used to being referred to as Alpha, even Earl called her Lady Alpha and now, if she eventually marries Earl, she knew she would have to get used to being called Luna and having to share everything with that man, including her men. She didn't know if she liked that idea at all, but she was sure that Earl wou
Chapter 15The healing process began immediately when they arrived at the castle. The flu had not gotten better the one day Laurel was aware from her people, but the mortality rate had surely gotten worse. The healers set their equipment in the large halls where the most sick ones were kept and began grinding and mixing the leaves with other things they had brought. The Sacred Moon healers joined in the process to assist in anyway they could and also to learn, that wasn't a problem to the New Knight Pack healers too, because they had been instructed by their Alpha to teach the ones that were willing to learn and to prevent any further death in the pack if it was avoidable. Laurel paced outside anxiously, waiting for good news, any news that would relieve her of the tension she was feeling inside. The first thing the new healers did was to separate the living from the dead amongst the worst cases and then they proceeded to stop the flu from being further spread by asking that every u
Chapter 16By evening, half the sick ones were already getting back on their feet, the smell of death was no longer in the air, neither was that of sickness. There was still a lot to do for everyone, even the Omegas and the locals. The kitchen maids had to prepare a large meal to feed the entire populace since most of the locals were not even intent on returning home until every last one of them was confirmed sound and well.That night, Laurel went to bed feeling fulfilled and satisfied, there was a lot to be grateful for. The New Knight healers did not relent though, they kept working even during the night. It was magical how something as disastrous as the flu could be cured by just a leaf and even more surprising how that cure could only be found in one place. Laurel was genuinely happy for the progress so far, but her thoughts were still plagued by what lay ahead. After this all was over, she knew what would follow next, and it was not something she looked forward to. Her thought
Chapter 17By evening of the third day, every single person was hale and hearty and everything went back to normal in Sacred Moon Pack. The New Knight healers insisted on leaving that same evening, but Laurel decided against it, she simply didn't see any reason why they should leave in the night when they could take time to rest in her home. So she ordered for an even bigger feast than anyone they had had since they came to be prepared for them, and the celebration went on and on in the castle. It was nearing full moon, and soon there would be more to celebrate. Early the next morning, the New Knight healers were ready to return to their pack. Laurel sent them back with two of her own guards to convey her appreciation to Earl, even though she knew he did not deserve it. Even after they left, the celebration among her people continued, even outside the walls of the castle. By evening of that same day, the two guards she had sent with the healers returned. According to them, Earl’s re
Chapter 18Earl was right, the marriage was really going to take place the next day. How he had done it, Laurel could not tell, but the celebration began the moment he left Sacred Moon. There was no time for even Kristen and Laurel to have a talk about what was happening, all roads led to Sacred Moon Castle. Even the people from New Knight flocked in in their numbers. Laurel was too shocked to speak, the twelve elders of the pack assembled in the castle that evening to discuss the long awaited union. It looked like they had all already accepted Earl even before she made the official presentation of her chosen partner to the council which was customary. They didn't need her to present him, and if she was being sincere, she didn't even want to present him to anybody as her husband. But what could she say? The council had already decided, and even when she joined them that afternoon in the courtroom, they were discussing the marriage rites. Laurel was perplexed and genuinely disoriente
The Alpha's Pact 19The official day couldn't be slower for Laurel, after spending the previous night in the company of some women who bored her with talks about her new role and responsibilities beside her husband, she had to spend another agonizing day almost being spoon fed and nearly forced to nap. The women from yesterday refused to come prepare her after seeing her in her wolf form, so this time, more women were sent for her. Kristen was told to wait outside the door and Laurel made sure she could always sense her sister's presence. That being done, there was no cause for the nervous glances of the women and their scared thoughts. Laurel would discuss occasionally with Kristen by reading each other's thoughts, other times she would just lie down and try to really sleep. By evening of the bonding ceremony, a fresh set of women came in with the traditional attires for a royal wedding. From the feathers to the beads and the make up and adornment, which Laurel did not find necessa
Chapter 20Laurel found herself standing beside Earl, her newly bonded husband, amidst the jubilant crowd. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and celebration, but beneath her forced smile, questions and uncertainties still plagued her mind. As the night progressed, she couldn’t help but feel the weight of her new role as Luna, the mate of the Alpha.‘Good heavens, I can’t believe that this magnificent mountain of threat before me is now mine.’ She thought carefully, wishing more than anything that she could run into the forest and hide from all this, but she kept that thought to herself and tried to keep her countenance under control throughout the walk back to the castle. She couldn’t do that even if she tried, not when she was walking beside this mighty alpha whose eyes were already looking her over possessively.Earl, sensing her inner turmoil, gently squeezed her hand, offering a silent reassurance. She glanced at him, his mesmerizing golden eyes reflecting both pride and te