Knight's Tempus [16+]

Chapter 3

Third Person Omniscient

"Is Knight out?" Alpha Nico asks his Beta, Charles.

Charles shakes his head. "I haven't seen him since the attack. Do you think he's okay, Alpha?"

Nicolo sighs and massages his temples. He hopes that Knight is okay and is healed now, he was wounded from the attack that happened three days ago. It was sudden, he and Knight was just talking regarding the attacks on several packs in Lupus Island and then it was their pack that was attacked. Good thing the pack warriors were alert and prepared in case of sudden attack like those, though there are casualties, it can't be helped. The pack is quick to respond too, pack members followed protocols and hid inside their homes.

Alpha Nicolo and Beta Charles are currently working with the tax of the company their pack owned located in Oklad Mesto capitol. Along with that are paper scattered on Nico's table related to pack business of Draekkus and other packs.

Oklad Mesto is an independent country, yes, it does not owe any debt to other countries, it's bigger than Asia but smaller compared to Russia. Other countries are curious as to what sustains Oklad Mesto before but after knowing that the land is naturally rich given that the population is fewer compared to other successful countries, they finally understood. Oklad Mesto is ruled by human-monarchy that serves as the front protecting the secret of the country. The secret that supernaturals reside in Oklad Mesto is kept away from human aside from the humans that resides in Oklad Mesto itself.

"You all right, Alpha?" Asks Charles. Alpha Nicolo nods his head still massaging his temple. "If so, I'd like to inform you that the annual meeting of the Alphas will be held in Alpha Max's pack. Do we have to attend?" Charles added.

Alpha Nicolo raised his head to look at his Beta, he almost hiss upon hearing where the meeting is located. Alpha Max's pack. Brook Howl Pack. "Fuck..." He groans.

Charles face cringe. f**k indeed. Brook Howl is their unofficial enemy pack. Despite not having a real bloody war between their pack, Brook Howl and Draekkus Pack has a silent battle raging between them, especially the higher ups. "We can reject their invitation." Charles suggests.

Alpha Nico shakes his head. "We can't. It'll be too obvious. Other pack would question why we won't join, it'll confirm speculations that we are not in a really good terms with their pack. If that happens, it'll create more conflict between small packs." Nicolo sighs and taps his point finger on the table lightly. "Draekkus pack proposed harmony between packs and because of that, our appearance is needed."

Beta Charles sighs, "What about Knight? Should we inform him about it?"

Alpha Nicolo nodded. "Knight must know about this matter, it's also better to take the opportunity to warn and discuss about the attacks that has been happening recently." He stated and gritted his teeth afterward. "Rogues sure are getting more and more courageous recently. What do you think, Beta?"

Beta Charles smirks. He knew exactly what his Alpha is thinking. "Just say the word and we will wipe out the traces of the rogues on the north."

Alpha Nicolo shakes his head. "Wipe them out, their lives in exchange for the lives they took us that night."

Beta Charles nods, stands up and is ready to leave when he stops. "I heard that peculiar girl is awake. Luna Ava will be relieved for sure, I suggest that you stay with her Alpha." With that, Beta Charles with a grim expression on his face left as be mind link his group about their destination for today.

Alpha Nicolo is left on his office staring at nothing in particular. How Knight appeared and growl loudly before snapping that vampire's arm and killing him brutally that the vampire became unrecognizable, it keeps on playing on his mind. Red, his mate's best friend was able to drive Knight wolf uncontrollable for a moment that night. He wonders why.

Shaking his head he choose to leave his office and visit his sleeping mate, she was up the entire night taking care of Red. He knows why she's been like that since it happened, Red is like a sister to her. Red is like Ava's deceased sister, Eve. Seeing how Red protected his mate, it warmed his heart. He knows his mate has another person to protect her aside from him, Knight and his pack, and that protector is in Red's form. The peculiar girl whom her mate became best friend after she went to Tirada.

While he's stroking Ava's hair softly her eyes flutters open. She looks at his face and smiled softly. "Good morning..."

He chuckles. Having Ava and her waking up beside next to him is one of the best moments in his life. "Good afternoon, my luna."

Her forehead knitted in confusion. "Afternoon? I slept that long?!" She suddenly sit up but cupped her head because of sudden dizziness and slowly slumped down. Nico chuckles. "Stop chuckling, Nico!"

"What?" He said chuckling, "you look adorable when you're being silly."

"Shut up! Prepare me lunch, quick!"

Nico smirks as be grabbed Ava's wrist and pinned her on the bed. "I can be your lunch."

Ava on the other hand audibly gasps. Her mate is too hot in the morning— afternoon to the point that she can't think right. "You... you— "

"Hmm?"

She pushed him off that caught Nico off guard and he ended up on the floor. "Serves you right," she shakes her head and laughs at Nico's frowning face. Still, he's still very handsome, handsome and cute. "Lunch babe, I want food as lunch despite how tempting your offer was. I'll pass, thank you." She deadpanned waving her hand.

Nico laugh out loud. Ava when she's blunt like this still surprises him. "Alright alright," he stand up and kisses Ava's forehead. "I'll cook you lunch . What would you like?"

"You."

Nico chuckles, "Ava..." he playfully warns kissing her nose then kissing the side of her lips.

"You decide, Nico. You. Decide." She said pushing him off while laughing then pulling him for a quick kiss. "I want it delicious." She added.

"I'm always delicious." He said, proud. Ava raised her brows at him. "It's a fact, my luna. We both know that."

Ava shrugs. "I never said it's a lie. Now cook me lunch before I kick you again. You know me when I'm hungry." She warns as she stood up and walks towards the bathroom.

Nico chuckles and whistles. "Nice ass my luna."

"Get out and cook for me." Ava rolled her eyes with a smile. Nico is such a child whenever he's with her.

~

One week later,

"Red? You ready?" Ava's voice woke Red up from from reverie. It's been a week when she was discharged from the pack hospital and when she remembered everything that has happened. Doctor Emily was serious when she told her that she can't be discharged unless she remembers.

"Yep. A moment," she answered as she fixed her jacket and straightened it. Contented with how she looks, she walks out of the bathroom.

"Took you so long, Red." Ava stated, grabbed both her arms and gently pull her along out of her bedroom to somewhere she doesn't have any idea.

"Where are we going again?" Red asks as Ava keeps on dragging her somewhere.

"The moon shrine." Ava answered, when they stopped walking, it was only then that she realized Ava pulled her towards the back of the mansion. The part of the mansion where she killed the stinking unhygienic rogue. Gah! "It's on the northern mountain." Ava added.

"Northern mountain? How far is it?" Red asks, again. Well, she doesn't have any idea about the places around.

"It's 3 hours away from here in human form but at least an hour and half in wolf." Ava explained then looks at her from head to toe, "Lucky for you, you can go there in human form."

Red smiles smugly at her best friend's . "I know right." she said as I flips her hair teasing Ava.

"Let's go," Ava pulled her again after rolling her eyes at her and she can't help but frown.

"Just the two of us?" She inquire being cautious of their surroundings. She can't take the risks of being all cozy especially after what happened. She almost died! Not that she's regretting saving Ava— she will never regret putting her life on the line for her best friend, but she will be lying if she says she wasn't scared. Being in that moment, feeling her life force disappearing and her body turning numb, it was scary for her. She is ready to sacrifice for Ava but being actually in an almost death situation, Red was afraid. That moment would be forever embedded in her mind. The feeling of almost dying would carved in her soul.

Being afraid of death, she guessed it's only natural. It's easy to say you are willing to sacrifice yourself but to fear death, right in that moment, she thinks it's irrevocable. Maybe she's ready to sacrifice but at the same time she's not ready to die.

Wow. I make a lot of sense.

Red shakes her head with that thought and walk along with Ava. "It's really just the two of us?" She asks again.

Ava shrugs. "Supposed to be but knowing Nico, he probably has warriors discreetly watching after us."

"That's a great idea considering what happened a week ago." She stated. "We can't take our chances you know." Red added while glancing around the vast forest. Draekkus pack indeed has a big land.

"I remember that this Friday is your old man's day," Ava said, Red, as soon as she heard that, stopped walking. "what's your plan? I can help you."

Red looks at Ava and smiles at her. She shakes her head. "I'd like to spend that day alone. I have a lot of stories to tell him, of course it includes you."

Ava's lips formed a small smile. No ounce of pity in her eyes this time unlike one year ago. "I'm glad you're okay now, Red. I know it must have been painful losing the old man but—"

"I have you," Red cuts what ever Ava is about to say, "my best friend that will always remain by my side. Besides, the pain of losing him is nothing compared to the happiness he felt as he bid me goodbye. It was painful losing old man but it would be more painful watching him suffer and sad than he already is." Red looks at Ava and chuckles, "let's go? We have a long way to go."

Ava keeps her eyes on Red as the latter started to walk, she can't help but feel sad for Red. Up until now, she knows that the pain of losing the old man is still in Red's heart and Ava doubt it'll disappear anytime soon. She knows it all too well.

As they walk, they talk about several things, mostly Red asking Ava about the different trees and flowers they passed. "I told you Red, ugh, I don't know what flower that is!"

"Ava, this is your land, how can you not?" Red gasps keeping her laugh to herself. Teasing Ava and seeing her flushed face out of frustration is satisfying. Red always likes to act clueless just to irritate Ava, she sometimes do it to other people especially the know-it-all type of people.

"I wasn't informed it's part of my job as a luna to identify every damn trees and flowers here." Ava smiles at her sarcastically, "I will keep that in mind. I'll start to study them, happy?"

Red frown. "I... I'm just wondering why you don't know them, why are you mad at me?" She feigned a pained expression. "...sorry..."

She can feel Ava's eyes on her as she bowed her head to add on the pained effect.

"Red, don't me. I know you're trying to get in my nerves again."

Her eyes widen and quickly distanced herself from Ava, her best friend raised her brows at what she did. Red shrugs. "Better safe than sorry. You'll pinch my ear again, I'm sure."

Ava laughs. "Was just planning to do that, you know me too well."

Red smiles while walking. "Yeah, I do. I feel like I know you more than I know myself." She whispered which Ava heard. Instantly she's beside her and Red jumped away from Ava, frightened of what she will do.

Ava frown. "That is insulting, Red. I just wanna walk with you!"

Red warily raised her brows and c****d her head sideways. "I felt threatened when you approached me. My ear felt the danger."

"You—"

"Joke!" Red barked a laughter and drag Ava with her, both of them walking side by side.

"Let's go shopping tomorrow, Red."

"Uh," Red looks at everywhere but Ava. "Can... can I pass?"

"I promise to be quick in shopping."

"How quick? One hour each boutique?" Red can't help but said that. She quickly showed Ava a peace sign when she realized what she just said.

One thing Red can't take from Ava, her shopping mood. Ugh, nightmare. She loves her best friend, but Ava shopping is just one of her 'thank-you-next' list.

"Savage," Ava muttered under her breath.

"Same to you in your shopping mood."

They both laugh.

Three hours later, they reached the Moon shrine, it has a stone sculpted wolf outside and the atmosphere feels calm. The place is quiet but it isn't an eerie kind of silence, it's comforting and reassuring.

"Let's go..." Ava whispered of which Red heard that's why she followed her to the only door in the temple, the golden wooden double door. It does not have any knob. The entire place is an open area with an arc just in front of the temple, the moment they passed the arc and came face to face with the temple, Red clearly felt the shift in the atmosphere.

"Why didn't we pass through the side of the arc Ava?" She asks out of curiosity as they make their way inside the temple. All Red can see are artistic creations about werewolves as they walk.

"That arc has a sign Moon Shrine, it's the portal to enter the shrine's location. We basically teleported."

Red is amazed. That's why she felt the shift in the atmosphere. "So the side of that arc...?"

"... Is the continuation of the forest of Draekkus pack." Ava smiles at her, "we're here."

Red is mesmerized with what is in front of her though she doesn't understand why there is such a place in the temple, she turns to Ava with a questioning expression. "A hot spring... why?" She questions unsure of what to stay.

The hot spring just inside the temple is foggy that's why the entirety of the hot spring is unclear, only the front part of the hot spring is visible to identify that it's a hot spring.

"You see, this exact location of the hot spring receives direct moonlight every full moon, mates that have just been recently mark each other comes here to worship the moon goddess by staying up all night in this spring." She looks up in the sky, "mating ritual is done here as well." Ava added.

Red intently stare at the hot spring hoping the fog covering its entirety will disappear but all to no avail. None happened, why would she expect too much from her doing that? She isn't a witch, she can only manipulate time. She doesn't know what creatures who can manipulate time called though, it cross her mind to tell Ava but she can't, just, not yet.

"Wait," Red says as she remember something Ava said a while back. "what is a mating ritual?" She asks.

Ava turns to her with a knitted forehead. "I've told you about it back in Tirada, Red." Red avoided Ava scrutinizing eyes as she scratches her temple. She is guilty of not listening and remembering most of the things Ava told her back then, it wasn't just her priority to remember all about those information. "Ugh," Ava rolls her eyes, "mating ritual is what mates does when they come here. Aside from giving respect and thanking the moon goddess because you have and met your mate, they also perform mating ritual here to ask the moon goddess to bless the bond and most of the time, pray for pups as they mate."

Red nods her head while listening to Ava and tried to understand what she said as possible as she can. "That part of asking for pups while mating, do you mean to say they have s****l i*********e here?" She asks.

Ava raised her brow, "Wow, you actually understood that part."

Red scowled. "How stupid do you think I am?"

Ava shrugs, "not too stupid when I think your stupid, but really stupid when I actually think you understand what things meant." With that, she left her and went on the divider with a painting of wolf on their right side, it serves as cover so she won't see what Ava is doing behind that wolf painted wooden divider.

Later, she saw Ava hanging her clothes one by one. "Why are you stripping, Ava?" She voiced her curiosity. Her bra and shirt is now hanging on the wooden divider. No changing rooms or anything for privacy around, Red can't see any.

"You cannot go to the sacred hot spring with clothes on. Must be.. ugh, naked! This damned jeans!" Red almost laugh at Ava. Well, she guess she have to accompany her shop, her jeans are barely able to fit her butt.

~

"Stop smirking, Ava. It's not funny." Red hissed.

Her so called best friend's smirk falter, then turns to a wholesome laugh. "It was funny Red. We both know that."

What is so funny about slipping on the floor when she's about to put her clothes back after spending some time on the hot spring? None. It. Is. Not. Funny. Red can't find the reason to be so happy about the little accident she experienced that left a small bruise on her butt. While they were taking a bath, Ava told her not only mates can visit the shrine and pray, even unmated ones who wants to pray can.

While Ava keeps on laughing, Red tried to suppress the smile that's about to break her pissed off facade but failed miserably. Gah! Ava's laugh is very contagious. She wasn't really finding it funny a while back but now, it was indeed a sight to see. Such clumsiness she has.

They were both laughing as they approach the pack mansion but her laugh turns to smile and her smile turns to a wondering expression when they reached the pack mansion's front where Alpha Nicolo along with an unfamiliar man and Ava's brother, greets them. They all look dead serious. The three of them are looking at them weirdly, Red can't help her eyes as they unconsciously divert to the pair of the darkest orbs she have seen, their eyes met.

Like the last time she saw him, a week ago, the beauty he possesses is still as otherworldly as ever. He looks stressed tho. He has dark bags under his eyes like he and sleep broke up. Red wonders what kept him from sleeping.

"Brother..." Ava whispers seeing his brother once again. She is surprised to see her brother multiple times in almost one month now, it never happened before, not even once. Just now. She's not complaining but she is curious as to what is the reason why her brother always leaves his own mansion, he never leaves his mansion before multiple times in a row since her death. Just now. Ava is both happy and worried, something dangerous could be happening that she doesn't know yet.

Ava kissed Nico's cheeks as soon as they got closer to them. "Hello Beta Charles," she turns to her brother and smile at him, "Hi brother." Her voice was soft but the happiness she feels can be heard in her voice.

Ava's brother named Knight, after being greeted by Ava intently looks at his sister for a few seconds and nods his head, seems to be greeting her back and looks at her direction and didn't say anything.

Red couldn't stop her glare from a Ava's mitchy brother and even she could stop her automatic glare, she won't. She glares at him, openly glare at him, telling him and the people around him how much she dislikes him for doing that to Ava.

"What's with your eyes?" Red almost gasp from his cold voice. THAT FREAKING ICEBERG VOICE!!!

Still glaring she answered, "There is eyelids, pupil, sclera and iris." While pointing the parts of her eyes as labeled. "What's with yours?" She asks with jutted brows.

Knight's forehead crease upon hearing the unusual woman's response. Here she is in front of him and her scent bugging him because she smells odd. Just like how her brain works, odd.

"What?" Red asks when the iceberg of a man didn't answer. "Rude, you asked a question and I nicely answered, now that you're being asked a question you won't open your mouth and just intently stare like you can read my mind." She smiles at him, "if you have that ability tho, feel free to read my mind." She added while thinking of one word. MITCH.

Silence fall upon them after Red said that until Knight spoke while looking at Alpha Nicolo. "Her... logic... will be useful in the meeting. I doubt any Alpha can retort to that out of this world unintelligent reasoning." He states unsure how to start with an emphasis on the word 'unintelligent' and gave her a sideway glance then entered the mansion.

Red c****d her head sideway looking at his retreating back, she couldn't help but shout at him. "YOU HAVE A SEXY BACK! PLEASE DO KEEP YOUR BACK ON ME WHILE TALKING TO ME NEXT TIME!" She smiles widely. Maybe, if he will talk to her next time while his back facing her, her mind wouldn't be as muddled worse than it already is. He's too good looking she can't handle it.

Ava's dumbfounded expression matched Nico and Beta Charles.

"Wow... such openness you have." Beta Charles muttered gaping now at Knight's retreating back. He turns to Ava's peculiar friend whose still staring at Knight's back with a huge and creepy smile, he couldn't stop his laughter. "That was the first time I," he laughs and wipes his imaginary tears, "I have ever witnessed someone talk to Knight like that!" He approached Red and tap her shoulder. "I admire your guts! Keep talking to him like!" After he suggested that to Red he left to follow Knight inside the mansion while cursing and laughter after every curse.

Red, bewildered looks at Ava. "Who's that?" She asks. She doesn't know the man but from how he tapped her shoulder it seems like their old acquaintance.

Ava gave her a bored expression. "You should pay attention to conversations, Red."

"Nah," she waves her hand, "I was paying attention to your brother's face." Then she looks up as Knight's face appeared on her mind then replaced by his many back view. Her smile widens and she chuckles, "so sexy!"

"Oh my f*****g gosh." Ava took Nico's arms and drag him inside the mansion leaving Red outside daydreaming. Nico looks at her, his face asking about Red. "Let her be, she will get to her senses later. Ugh, I can't believe she actually said to my brother!"

Ava's*

I'm sitting next to Nico inside his office along with my brother and beta Charles. I knew that my brother always being here in the pack house and talking to Nico means business. It always has been the case but recently it gets frequent that is both made me happy and worried at the same time.

"So, who shall talk first?" I asks.

"Let me." I raised a brow at Charles. "I wanna talk unlike these two here. I don't want to have a bad breath caused by not talking." He added like it would make a point.

I look at my brother then my mate. There's a tension going on with these two, they have always been talking business ever since my Mhelanie, my brother's mate died. I can still remember how close they were when—

"Talk." My brother ordered Charles.

Charles looks at my brother and nods, "Of course." Charles checks the paper in front of him and sighs, "As you all know, the annual meeting of the Alphas is approaching, unfortunately, it will be at Brook Howl territory, we can't afford to miss that since we've been proposing peace and harmony between packs. Rumors are spreading that Draekkus pack hates Brook Howl because of what happened in the past. Alpha Nico suggests that him and Luna Ava will attend the meeting along with you, A— Knight. It's a better move to ease the rumor since our three of pack's leaders will join."

Silence fall upon the three of us. Nico squeezed my hand and smiles, reassuring me.

Brook Howl... Maximus' pack. That traitor.

I diverted my gaze on Knight, he has his jaw gritted, anger dancing in his eyes. He's glaring at a blank space of the room.

"Knight—"

"I'll go." He coldly whispered. "It's the annual meeting," his lips formed a dangerous smirk, "Different Alpha will be there, especially, Maximus will host that. I'd like to see what his pack is, after betraying me."

Brother...

"When will the meeting be?" I asks.

"It would be on the 27th of this month."

"That's two weeks from now."

"It is." Nico answered. "We must discuss about the attacks that has been happening."

"Any leads?" I asks.

"Charles was able to locate some of the rogues who happens to attack us and their accomplice on the southern part of Lupus, it is disturbing to see dead weres in their hideout." He massages his temple so I squeezed his hand intertwined with mine. I gave him a smile when he looks at me. "I've discussed this with Emily and Claudia, I'm afraid that the rogues' accomplice isn't just an ordinary vampire. And we guessed that they are, they are planning to mass produce mad wolves through sane weres."

I gasps. "But how can that be possible? Mad wolves are the last stage of a werewolf who suffered great loss. They can't be made artificially like an experiment!"

"It is exactly what those scums are up to." Charles interjected. "They are artificially creating mad wolves using sane werewolves, they are using scientific experiments and dark magic to do so."

This is insane! Those heartless pieces of s**t. It is inhumane to do such a thing! Though we aren't entirely human but you know what I mean already.

When a wolf suffered too horrible things and losses, like having his pack or entire family slaughtered leaving him only behind, suffered injustice no man can imagine and most of all, his mate died, only then can he become a mad wolf. Mad wolves are basically werewolf whose humanity and wolf's good side, died. They cannot be tame because they are only shell of what was they were before. They are killing machine without any sense of remorse, they're ten times or more worse than rogues and are stronger than average werewolf.

"They are out of their mind." It's the only thing I can say because the reason of that attack is something I couldn't imagine.

"The damage that will fall upon the packs once those people behind these experiments succeed in their plan is fathomless." My brother states. "What happened to those weres?" He asks looking at Nico. I couldn't help but smile at my brother, how he acts right now and the tone of his voice, the Alpha tone and his bossy demeanor reminds me of how he was usually before.

"They have been taken care of. We've contact the packs they are under. We retrieved six weres, sadly, all of them are dead. I have already asked Emily and Claudia to examine the bodies for further information." My mate's serious express while saying these made me speechless. Moon goddess! He's so handsome. His eyebrows are naturally thick and his hazel brown eyes are soft and captivating that even if he is mad at me sometimes, whenever he glares at me he looks like he isn't mad at all. His brown eyes can never look angry in my eyes, well, I don't know about the other pack members tho.

The chair made a sound when Knight stood up. "Update me if anything happens. I'm sure you can manage, I'll go ahead," he opens the door but stoo after turning the knob, he threw is a sideway glance, "Alpha." He then left.

I'm left staring at now the closed door, both my hands covering my mouth. Un... unbelievable. After so many years, he... My head slowly turns to look at Nico's whose hazel brown eyes are wide and jaw agape at the door. He slowly turns to look at me as well. "He..."

Wide eyed and staring at each other, we stammered. "He... he just smiled."

I gulp. I snapped my eyes at Charles whose looking at us weirdly. "We saw it right, right? You saw it too, right? Brother smiled!" I exclaimed and unconsciously shake him. When did I approach him? Oh well, I need to know if he saw it too!

"W-wait... stop shaking me..-yeah he—ugh!" I'm grinning from ear to ear while looking at Charles pale face. "YEAH HE SMILED DAMN IT! Both of you, let go me I want to puke!"

He ran away covering his mouth and gripping his stomach, only then I realized Nico is beside me. Huh, what happened to that man?

I raise my eyebrow at him. "What did you do to him, Nico?"

He looks baffled. "Me? I was just helping you shake him."

"Oh," I look at the open door of his office where Charles left hurriedly while covering his mouth and pale-faced. Did I shake him too much? Did I exert too much strength?

"I think I might had punched his shoulder too strong tho."

I glare at him. "NICO!!!!!"