The Alpha Killed My Husband

15| I Need You!

It is still dark outside when I stir out of my sleep. There are disturbing flashes responsible for perturbation.

‘I’d never forgive you, whoever you are! One who cannot be faithful is no good at all.’ I remember the shaking voice of Armaan Bhaijaan. It was the last conversation between us.

While freeing the soul out of his body, I did not feel anything but now, the guilt is making me want to curl myself in a ball and bounce my way across oceans.

It was necessary! I try to reason out. It does not help. The terror-stricken face of Armaan Bhaijaan dances in my vision as soon as I close my eyes to drift into the dreamland again.

I do not like to wake up early or at odd times. It makes me feel grumpy and tired. I am one of those who’d like to stay in bed for hours, doing nothing.

Needless to say, I am not a morning person.

I yawn and look at the vast ocean outside the window. Something is wrong with me. I toss to the other side and face Rudransh’s backside. He is snoring away peacefully, unaware of the turmoil I am going through.

Fuck you! I curse him verbally. In the back of my mind, I know he could not listen to any of my rumblings.

Wolves are not tight sleepers but Rudransh happens to be. I groan and toss back to my original position—sleep is far from my eyes.

Something is making me feel restless and uneasy apart from Armaan’s death.

Could it be…? I shake my head. Closing my eyes, I try every little trick my mother has taught me when I was six. Count sheep, imagine yourself in a peaceful place, and take a deep breath…there were so many, but none worked.

I try to change the position into something much more relaxing and again close my eyes, hoping to fall asleep.

No such luck!

The image of Luna lying crushed to bones does not disturb me as much. Losing the game before, Rudransh does not bother me too. What else could it be then?

I try to ponder deeper and deeper until it clicks.

It is the notification at the game!

It is an unexpected turn in my plans that is making me restless. The probability of losing it all is the cause of my uneasiness.

My emotions anger me. It was not the first time my life has turned upside down in less than a couple of days. I should have gotten used to it by now. A mere delay cannot defeat my purpose nor will it be the last time I’d be challenged.

I have killed for I had to. There ain’t any turning back. I am Luna now. My Alpha’s winnings and losses depend on me. He is counting on me to get the position.

The moment he wins is the moment I become Luna Queen. I can get much more power than I’d ever aspired to be. I should jump on the chance and grasp it.

I should plan on accommodating this new body and feast on the joy of having it all served before me without investing an inch more effort. I won’t have to work hard anymore. I won’t have to plan, manipulate, and kill. All I’ll ever have to do is pretend.

Then, why is my heart taking so long to accept it? Why can I not just rejoice in the good news?

I give up on the idea of sleeping again and get up. The vastness of the ocean is inviting me with open arms.

The quilt of the sky is ready to embrace me in calmness. I peer in the dark for a pair of flip-flops and spot one in the corner.

I wear them and step on the balcony without a second thought. The air flirts with my long tresses. The stars twinkle like studded diamonds in the otherwise dark sky. All of them grin at me. The silence is serene.

I close my eyes to feel the breeze on my face. It kisses my lips, whispers in my ears, and hugs my body, making my rob freely flow in random directions. I admire the freedom of rogues.

I open my eyes to take it all in. It might be two or three in the morning. I don’t know and I do not care. It’s beautiful out here. The carefree ocean, the beach, a tiny sandcastle in the middle, the forgotten gazebo, pine trees, and the deserted land.

Suddenly, a new feeling creeps in as if I am the only female left on the planet to have such emotion.

Unconsciously, my mind reverts to the auditorium and Alpha King Atharva. There isn’t any correlation but then when was there be?

Screw you, Universe! Screw you!

The auditorium had fallen eerily silent in anticipation everywhere. Every footstep of Alpha King Atharva could be heard. Even a drop of the pin had no place there. There were mixed responses and expressions. The vibes had changed. Nevertheless, there were bubbles of excitement.

But it was not for the game…what could it be then? I was left wondering.

Unlike Rebecca Heard, Alpha King Atharva was not received with a thunderous round of applause. Instead, there was a deafening silence.

Beside me, Rudransh nibbled on his lips and Ronit drew strange figures on his mate’s thighs.

As the old wolf replaced Rebecca on the podium, almost everyone stood without being asked to. I mimicked unsurely.

A second passed. A string of Vina echoes before the drama unfolded. The movements were so precise as if practiced for ages, as every single wolf bows in honor.

‘Up everyone!’ The commanding voice booms thunderously. It was Alpha King Atharva’s beta. Beta Zarrar Khan was standing right beside him.

There were no shufflings or delays. Very quietly, the audience took their respective place. The apparent coordination left me in awe.

We can never achieve this even in a million years! No wonder, they are so ahead. They are sincere, disciplined, and united. Nagini gawks at everything curiously. I cannot deny the truth.

Maharaja Vachaspati and I have never received such honor while ruling the throne. Surely, there were customs and rituals for the designed honor. However, none of it came from the heart. The respect and admiration amongst wolves came out almost naturally.

They mean it with every cell in their bodies. Perhaps it is why they have defeated time itself.

‘Good Evening, my lovely fellows!’ The old shivering voice booms on the speaker with practiced ease. ‘I’d never taken Ronit seriously when he said, Rebecca has a way with words. Today, from my personal experience I can tell this beautiful she-wolf really has commendable skills in diplomacy.’ He smiles at Rebecca who beams in pride. ‘Thank you, Mrs. Heard. Cape Comorin is truly blessed to have she-wolves such as yours. It’s a pleasant sight, listening to a confident voice all in the role while managing an equally loving family.’

Rebecca mouths a thank-you and bows at ninety degrees. There isn't any applause on it either. I find it a bit weird. Nonetheless, get along with it for the time being.

‘Get on the point, Dad!’ Rudransh snickers impatiently beside me. His voice came out low. Certainly, it wasn’t meant to be heard. He and Ronit share another restless look at their father’s goofing around.

The suspense was building up.

‘However, I’d like to rephrase some of her sentences. I believe that the height we have reached today is not only my doing. It has the collective efforts of all the excellent omegas, warriors, betas, and of course, our brave forty-nine Alphas. Today, the glory of our nations ows every single bit of it to each of you. You, my lovely fellows, are inspiring.’ Alpha King Atharva pauses for an air brake.

From where I sat, I could trace the drop of sweat that traveled from his forehead, down his cheek, temples, and collarbone, and disappeared in his tuxedo. I could trace a map out of his veins with precision.

He was fragile.

His beta, Zarrar Khan, climbs beside him and offers him a glass of water with a napkin. Alpha King Atharva empties the content in one gulp. He wipes his mouth and forehead with almost a million pairs of eyes peering at him.

All this while, the auditorium remains silent. There is an air of anticipation everywhere. The enthusiasm has vanished. No one dares to hoot or clap or whistle for making any noise at the moment. It can be tantamount to the King’s disrespect.

It makes me all the more confused. What the hell is happening?

‘Why are you so nervous?’ I ask reluctantly, looking back and forth between the Alpha King Atharva who is an aged version of Ronit and Rudransh combined, and Alpha Rudransh who is sweating bullets profusely.

Rudransh glares at me incredulously as if he could not believe I have asked him such a ridiculous question that it has offended his whole existence. He shakes his head and averts his attention to his father without sparing me a word of explanation.

Alpha King wipes his mouth and clears his throat. His voice comes out in gasps as he speaks.

‘As all of you can now see that I am nothing but an old slack. The speed, my valor, the mighty wolf—all of it has started crumpling. I can no longer defend my territory or anyone’s for that matter. My wolf is tired. He wants to relax and enjoy his time with mate. Laxmi, my buttercup, I love you so much. I am forever grateful for you. I have been putting you off for years now. I promise, it won’t be happening anymore.’ He chuckles, winking at Luna Queen Laxmi who waves her hands off, blushing to the moon.

The auditorium remains still, hanging to every word of his like their life depends on it. There weren’t any chuckles. Surely, the wolves beam.

‘I want to spend my remaining days playing with my pups and their pups.’ He looks in our direction with a nod and refocuses his glances at the front.

‘For the unaffordable leisure, I have to step down at the Head of The State first. I cannot do so without announcing a replacement. A replacement that will assure us of a future brighter than the sun.

Rebecca has already explained everything briefly. I won’t waste time digging in the already known details.’ He nods at Rebecca again who bows for the third time.

Even looking at her bowing makes me squirm in discomfort. The she-wolf might be attaining a waist ache later in the morning.

‘It took me four years to conclude and it was no piece of cake. The forty-nine Alphas are true gems. All of them are blessed with unmatchable management skills, courage, and remarkable intelligence. I was in awe throughout the evaluation. Each of their strategies was beyond comparable.

It has to be a miracle for some of them are young and do not even have a mate. Yet, they serve their packs, lead with so much maturity, and leave no room for doubts and loopholes.

However, Cape Comorin can only afford one Alpha King who’d also rule the reign of Sarp-Samrajya. And, we have finally come up with a fair strategy to shortlist the names.

There will be eleven Alphas participating in the nomination with their Lunas. For a leader, it is essential to have a partner who shares their views. All of them will be notified by the morning in the notification in Official Gazette. The scheme will be announced in the Second Innings.

However, the evaluation will be a huge challenge. The reward is the chair as Head Of The State. I’d like to remind the aspiring alphas that the state includes our newly formed territory the Sarp-Samarajya too.

Till then, enjoy the game and the night. The second innings will resume in Mars Pack on the eve of May 31. May the moon goddess bless all of us!’