Knight's Tempus [16+]

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9:

Red's Point of View

"Hey hey hey!" My head turns to Charles; I'm currently sitting underneath one of the trees near the packhouse. After eating breakfast with him, Maggie and Knight all four of us parted ways. As far as I am concerned Maggie is taking care of Mia, Knight... well, Knight, I don't know where he is. He left without saying anything after breakfast. To say that breakfast was awkward was and understatement, it was nerve-wracking that even Charles was having a hard time lightening the mood. Knight's mood shifted really quick from being playful while he was talking to me to a completely quiet and rigid him.

"Why are ya here alone, lady Red?" He asked with a curious expression, he has a small smile.

"I don't have anything else to do." I replied. I closed my eyes again still leaning on the tree's trunk.

"Is that so?" I hummed not looking at him. "Maybe you should accompany Knight." My eyes snapped open upon that. Charles smile turned into a smirk, his eyes hinting something I do not have any idea about.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I ask warily. Charles smirk and eyes is creeping the hell out of me.

"I'm just wondering why Knight and you are buddy-buddy, like so quick Red."

My forehead crease, "buddy-buddy?" I repeated and he nods his head. "Knight and I? We are buddy-buddy? What does that even mean?"

"It means the two of you are close, so close, that's buddy-buddy. That's what it means." He shrugs.

"Because we're friends." I answered. Though I understand where Charles is coming from, I can't help but wonder how impossible could it really be being Knight's friend based on how he asks that. I mean, Knight and I, is it really that unbelievable for us to be friends?

"Friends huh." He shakes his head his smile still attached.

"Can't we be friends?" I ask.

He shakes his head. "Not really. It's just surprising that you and him are now friends, it wasn't that long when he was just ignoring you and you two are in a word battle with each other."

I chuckle. "I guess you are right." Indeed, anyone who witnessed how we interact with each other would wonder the same thing. I open my right eye to look at him. "Where is he by the way?"

His lips formed another teasing smile. "Why? Missing him?"

I roll my eyes. "Seriously, you're making it sound like I like him romantically."

"Don't you?"

"I. Do. Not." I sternly answer with subtle glare his way.

"That sounded defensive for me." He remarked dismissively.

"You're being too imaginative." I retorted

"You like him; you might not know about that yet." He said with a nod of his head. He truly believes on his own conclusion.

Tsk. I like Knight, I admit that but not in a romantic way! I mean, yeah, I find him rather attractive unlike any other but that's it. Those... feelings I get from merely looking at him or being distracted by his presence doesn't entirely mean I like him romantically. I don't.

"You did not answer my question, though." I tell him a dissatisfied expression and crossed my arms. I'm giving the Beta of the pack an attitude, wow. I almost laugh at myself. If other werewolf sees me acting like that they might think I grew a big head because I am the Luna's friend. And do I care? I don't. I would, if Charles would be mad at me for giving him attitude but since he isn't then why would I worry myself.

"He's on a patrol. Western border, that's his usual patrol spot."

It seems like it. His magical residence is also located in the western part.

I stood up and shake off the leaves and dust on my pants especially on the butt part.

"I'll go ahead." I told not waiting for his reply and just left him there.

"Hey! I'm here to have fun with you. Why are you leaving me?" Charles yelled dramatically. I just waved my right hand at him and continued walking. Might as well accompany Knight in patrolling and look after him too for Ava's sake.

I wonder how things are going on with Ava and Alpha Nico and the meeting of the Alpha?

~

Ava's Point of View

Members of Brook Howl pack are looking at Nico and I warily as we make our way towards the Alpha's residence, his residence. There are ladies my age whispering at each other as their eyes regarded us in both suspicions and subtle dislike.

Draekkus and Brook howl never, ever since the incident, they're never in a good term. Both packs are somewhat civil towards each other but the hidden abhorrence members of the packs are feeling towards is known within the main pack in Lupus.

Nico pressed his intertwined hand at me assuring. He's comforting me despite his dislike to how the members of Brook Howl pack welcomed us, oops, no, they did not welcome us in the first place.

The werewolves on patrol weren't rude but they're not entirely polite either. They were eyeing us dismissively when the car pulled off, their tone is uninterested and the way they gestured us their Alpha's residence is rather disdainful. Nico is gritting his teeth since then.

"This way." The pack warrior guiding ask said in clipped tone, he ushers us in front of the modern-looking house.

Its huge mahogany door is open but what really caught my attention is in the right side of the closed door is a huge window overlooking the view outside of the house, it has maroon curtains on each side giving only a glimpse of a table from outside.

The pack warrior opened the door for us and shut it closed afterwards without saying anything. The main foyer has two doors on our right side and another huge glass windows on our left, the first door must be the door inside that room from outside I think. The huge windows have gray curtains but unlike the one earlier these curtains are completely open and light illuminating from the sun serves us the light inside.

Nico and I walked further, on our right side is a grand glass staircase, a chandelier hanging on the high ceiling, on the left side attached on the wall is a flat screen TV with a sofa set in front of it, further this main living area is another open glass double door that leads to the dining area.

The way the glasses almost made up the house gives the house another level of both being closer to nature than it already is.

"I see you arrived already, finally..." I almost rolled my eyes from that same proud voice, it doesn't fail to annoy me. It's annoying me more than ever, ugh!

I look up and on the second floor of the house, there he is, standing so proudly with his hands wide open like his showing us his castle, big grin stretched on his lips showing his teeth his eyes watching us and his chin jutted. He looks so proud I almost feel glad for him. Almost.

Is this some toothpaste commercial, dude? Duh.

I rolled my eyes and leaned on Nico inhaling his scent to calm myself down. Every time I see this i***t it always drives me to being violent and I am not a violent person, only with Red.

"Maximus..." Nico muttered acknowledging the presence of Brook Howl's Alpha. Maximus' grin disappeared, he tilted his to the side with a wondering expression on his face. His chartreuse green eyes shone with mischief.

"Someone's missing." He remarked. "One, two and..." He pointed the two of us and examined the place. "Is he hiding somewhere?" He questioned us afterwards with a feigned innocence.

"He's not with us, idiot." I sneered with a roll of my eyes.

He stared at me smirking. "You're still as sassy as ever, Ava."

"And you're still as self-absorbed as ever."

He shrugs not minding my insult. He's used to me insulting him not because we're friends or anything alike but because I can't talk to him normally.

He casually paraded towards us his hands on the pocket of his jeans, he's wearing a maroon blazer and a white shirt underneath with a slip-on shoe still smirking.

"Why is Knight not with you? Don't tell me he's too rabid to even come here, wait, maybe he's too intimidated of me? The Alpha." He mocks proudly with an absurd facial expression. He looks creepy, I had to look away because my pup might take after his face if I keep staring at him and I don't want that, na-uh.

"It's not always about you." Nico nonchalantly said wearing a bored expression on his face and obviously not interested with Maximus' games and mockery. "He's too busy to even bother and I agreed, he'll get nothing from being here in the first place." My lips tugged a smirk from that. It feels pleasant seeing how his smirk falter.

"Of course he'll get nothing, he's not even an Alpha." He retorted, his smirk widens.

Nico lowly grumbled, I squeezed his biceps, he glanced at me and I gave him a smile shaking my head. Nico's always been sensitive when it comes to Knight's position in the pack.

"Oi oi oi!" I turn to my back and met Alpha Lenz grinning face, his azure eyes sparkling with delight. "Hey Ava! You look absolutely beautiful!" He greeted joyfully kissing my right hand on the process, I didn't even notice how he was able to grab my hand. He's known as the fastest wolf among the Alphas.

"Get your hands of her Lenz." Nico growled, I glance at him and he's staring at the latter his forehead knotted in annoyance.

"Nico, hello my friend!" The Alpha of the Feral Moon pack greeted my mate with a wave of his hand, his other hand holding mine and obviously ignoring Nico's warning.

Alpha Lenz has always been the cheerful one out of all of the domineering Alphas, his pack takes after his personality and always have a welcoming smiling faces every time I would visit their pack. You just have to be wary of his pranks that comes along with his cheerful personality as well.

"I said get your hands off—"Nico growl once more, my eyes widen when I look at Nico's wide eyed face and on the tip of his nose lies a small winged creature emitting rainbow colored vapor. "LENZ!!!" He roared, Alpha Lenz burst out laughing and almost in the blink of an eyes, he dashed towards the second floor.

"The f**k!!" Nico hissed covering his nose, his face turning Red out of anger. "he never f*****g change!" I chuckle looking at my mate's disgusted facial expression, he turns to me with his eyebrows almost meeting. "Don't laugh at me! It stinks what the f**k!!" My chuckles turn into laugh while watching Nico unsure what to do.

"I told you to keep yourself on guard with Alpha Lenz, you know he will prank you anytime he gets a chance." I tell him smiling.

"You!" He pointed Maximus, the latter watching us without saying a word. His eyebrow raised. "where is your comfort room? I need to f*****g do something about this stink."

Maximus sighs and rubbed his temple. "There," he pointed the door behind me, the second door from a while back, "that's a powder room. You may use that, I'm allowing—"

"Shut up, even if you won't allow me I'll still use that because all I can smell is stink. I will kill that dumbass! I f*****g will! That i***t will..." I watched Nico muttering string of curses as he marched to the powder room with his hands still covering his nose, the stinking bug nowhere to be found. Where did he slap that poor creature anyway?

I glance at Maximus and he's looking at me, I scoffed at him and did not say anything. I sit on the couch while waiting for Nico while Maximus remained on his place.

"Why is your brother not here?" He asks not looking at me.

"Because he's not." Why does he keep on asking where Knight is anyway? They clearly hate each other. "If you're too lonely because he's not here then that's not my problem." I added.

"Well," he turns to me smirking. "I just want to show him how better I am compared to him with everything." I glare at him but he looks unbothered. He's back to his smirking narcissistic-self. "What's with the glare? I am merely stating the fact."

I laugh sarcastically. "At least my brother is not a coward who leaves his pack mates behind unlike someone I know."

He chuckles coldly his eyes darkening and his jaw grinding. I may have hit a sensitive spot and I don't even care. "Mind your words, Ava." He demanded.

"Mind your ego, Maximus." I snapped back gritting my teeth in annoyance. I roll my eyes before I examined his house. He's still looking at me, nah, glaring at me while I did not bother looking at his direction.

"Your brother is a traitor." He suddenly spoke, his voice raspy with restrained anger on it. My forehead crease and look at him. "Such a best friend he is, isn't he?" He said sarcastically. Yeah, my brother and him are best friends back in Crownblood pack, once in my life, he was my brother too but it all changed when he abandoned the pack's Luna, my aunt and Knight's brother. She died because he was too coward to do his duty and fled during the attack that killed the Luna and left the Alpha vulnerable that killed him afterwards.

"My brother is not a traitor. Don't keep pushing the blame on other just because you were too recreant back then." I hissed.

"You don't know anything!" He growled. My mouth open ready to say something when someone beat me to it.

"You do not raise your voice to an Alpha's mate, Alpha Maximus." It was from Camilla, she's standing on the open door with Gustaff standing stiffly beside her, her pack's gamma. Her eyes directly stare at Maximus no sign of backing down. Her chin jutted projecting the confident and fearless Alpha Female that she is. She's the only female Alpha of the main packs. She always wears her authoritative and confident facial expression and she looks elegant as always. Her wine red eyes challenging as ever. "Most especially, you do not raise your voice at woman." She raised her brows at Maximus. "Is your androgenic hormone acting up again?"

Like always, I couldn't get my eyes off her because of despite how soft her voice is, it held venom.

"Ah..." Maximus breathed his amused expression back. "If it isn't the Alpha Female of the Native Hounds. Welcome!" He approached her with his hands spread open. He even flipped his imaginary bangs and posed in front of her. "You look alluring in that dress, Alpha Camilla." He sweetly complimented

Gosh, he makes me sick.

I make a disgusted face and look away at the same time Nico exists the powder room with a relieved expression. "I feel so much better." He breathed out and quickly notice the newly arrived Alpha and Gamma. He nods his head at them, composed himself and walk towards me his eyes gesturing Alpha Camilla and Gustaff.

I smile at his silly expressions. He did mention how he finds Native Hounds Gamma spine-chilling. Gustaff is indeed frightening, he's a quiet and mysterious large-muscled man so he's terribly intimidating. Both Nico and Alpha Lenz shares the same opinion regarding him and at the same time they have the time to talk behind Gustaff's back, may it be about his fashion style, his hair style and sometimes even the way Gustaff talks.

Nico and Alpha are basically children disguised in a grown man's body.

"Where is the meeting held?" Alpha Camilla's voice brought me back to reality.

"The meeting room upstairs. Come with me." Maximus answered gesturing for them to follow him, his eyes gazed at us the moment he turns around and Nico's chest rumbled a low growl.

"I heard how you raised your voice at my mate motherfucker." He glowered.

"It's fine, Nics. I'm okay..." I whispered to him. He looks at me and sighs.

"You and your two best friend really has a way to get into people's nerves." I frown at him. He has the guts to say that out loud. He smiled at me and kissed the tip of my nose. "I love you still."

I roll my eyes. "You don't have a choice either way."

"Stop acting so lovey-dovey in front of us." Maximus said. Nico and I glared at him, he just sighs and ushered us upstairs. We turn to the left side of the stair where a huge mahogany double door is closed. He opened in and Alpha Lenz grinning face greeted us once again, he is seated at one of the black executive swivel chair his feet placed on the round table. I smile at him, he winks at me, turns to my mate and laughs.

"Want another—"Nico sprinted in front of him but because Alpha Lenz is faster than him, he wasn't able to catch the prankster of an Alpha.

"Damn it Lenz, come here!!!" My mate shouted in frustration while the latter Alpha is just laughing while running around the room.

"Bunch of kids." I turn to my side; it was Alpha Camilla shaking her head.

"They have always been like that." I replied with a small smile. She turns to me and nod my head. She doesn't usually smile so I don't feel offended that she didn't smile at me. Believe it or not but she and I are friends. I don't how it happened though, it just did.

"Please Alphas, have a seat." Maximus said. There are just six people on the room. Nico as Draekkus' alpha, Maximus as Brook Howl's alpha, Lenz as Feral Moon's, Camilla as Native Hounds alpha, then me and Gustaff.

The Alpha of Hightail Furs pack is still not here.

I sat next to Nico on the left side of Maximus and waited for the meeting to begin. Camilla is right next to me along with Gustaff and in front of us is Lenz still grinning from ear to ear.

The door opened and from there entered Yvo, Brook howl's beta. He has a serious expression and staring directly in front of him not looking at anywhere but straight ahead. I sensed Camilla stiffened so I glance at her, her jaw is gritted and she's also staring blankly in front of her. Gustaff on the other hand because of his physique I can clearly see him eyeing Yvo intensely, he is not even taking his eyes off him.

"Quit staring, my Luna." Nico whispered out of nowhere. I just nod my head and look straight ahead but regretted because despite the distance, Lenz is smiling creepily. I frown at him. He's obviously thinking of another prank to do. What a kid.

Yvo handed us the folders containing what the meeting is all about while waiting for the last Alpha, he's calm composure seems to break when it's time to hand down Camilla's folder, the tension grew and both of them went rigid, Yvo gritted his teeth and it seemed like time slowed down while I'm looking at them. There's something about their interaction that made me unable to look away, like there's more about the tension around them. Gustaff is still eyeing him that it made me wonder if Yvo can feel the burning stares of Native Hounds Gamma.

"Yo, I can feel the s****l tension between you two, are you mates?" Lenz blurted that question out of nowhere. I'm staring at Camilla that's why I caught how her eyes widen and her face tainted red. For a moment she was caught off guard that her usual authoritative facial expression dropped.

She cleared her throat after Yvo left, I notice that Brook howl's beta still have a gritted jaw when he left.

"That is none on your business, beansprout." Camilla answered the moment she composed herself. Nico burst out laughing.

"Yo, beansprout!" I roll my eyes at Nico, here he goes again.

"You too, Mung-beans." Camilla hissed.

Nico stare at her then turns to me with a disbelief expression on his face. "My Luna she... called me Mung-beans?" He almost whispered.

I frown at him. "That's for being so extra. Deserving." I roll my eyes.

"You're so harsh Camilla, you're such an ice queen. I pity whoever your mate is." I shake my head at Lenz. Seriously this man, he doesn't seem to understand the tension growing. I'm not sure if he's just acting like he doesn't know or he is intentionally ignoring it.

I glare at him as a signal for him to shut up but the fastest Alpha just gave me a confused look. Ah... I pray for your soul Lenz.

"My mate and my mate bond has nothing to do with you. If you're so worried about mates, then why don't you find yours?" Camilla's tone somewhat sounded insulting and mocking, Nico whistled beside me so I had to hit his side using my elbow and glare at him to shut him up. He just gave me a silly smile. My goodness! "I mean; I already feel bad for her if she will be stuck with a werewolf like you who doesn't seem to take things seriously." Camilla added with her head lightly tilted to the side with a fake confused expression. "Wait, will you even take her seriously if you meet her?"

I bit my lower to keep myself from talking. If Nico and Lenz are always on each other's throat because of Lenz pranks, Camilla and Lenz's level of, uh, how do you even call it, maybe friendship, yeah that, their friendship is on another level.

I watch Lenz facial expression and he doesn't look bothered or offended. He's always cheerful and pranking other people that it always made me wonder how he's able to keep that façade despite being mad at times. I've never seen him mad but according to what Nico told me, even in that moment he was still smiling. It gives me creep just wondering how Alpha Lenz is if he really reaches the tip of his cheerful self.

Lenz smirks. "At least my mate doesn't have to suffer being with a person who can't tell if I'm joking and... at least I'm not a walking ice." Alpha Lenz licked his lower lip still smirking. "By the way Alpha Camilla, do you even know how to have fun?" He asks insultingly.

"I do." Camilla's clipped answer, "and it's not as stupid as how you have fun." She added. I watched them worriedly as they exchange insult and continued bickering with each other.

From the looks of Maximus, Gustaff and Nico, they are not fazed by what's happening in front of them.

I elbowed Nico and leaned closer on him. "You should stop them." I whispered.

"Why? It's always fun watching them bicker." He chuckles. I frown at him but he's not bothered in any least. "Don't worry my Luna, they're always like that. That's how they give advice to each other." He smiled at me and place the loose strand of my hair on my ear. "You look beautiful my Luna... love you." He whispered on my ear.

My frown instantly turns into a small smile. "Love you too, babe."

The two continued firing each other with words, I can see Alpha Lenz's forehead staring to knot and his cool seems to have been disappearing while Alpha Camilla still have her straight face while looking at Alpha Lenz, obviously winning their little battle.

The doors opened and Dominick Morello entered dressed in a black business suit and an undeniably annoyed familiar looking woman on his right, glaring at her.

My eyes widen while staring at her, her signature eye-catching pink hair standing out, she is wearing her, another signature ripped jeans and statement shirt and her black wedge shoes.

"She's..." Oh my f*****g gosh!!!! She's the lead rapper of Gravander!!!! I... I'm in the same room with her! She's right in front of me IN flesh. Bree Graham is standing right in front of my very own eyes in flesh and she looks... yeah, annoyed.

"Ouch my Luna, my... you're gripping my arm too tight."

"Shut it Nico." I hissed not taking my eyes off her. She's glaring at Dominick while the latter is looking at her seriously.

"You know I wouldn't be here if you did not force me to!" She yelled at Dominick. I stilled. She's with the Alpha of Hightail Furs, does that mean...

"You were flirting with one my warriors back in our pack. Do you expect me to just sit back, relax and watch you do so?" He asks seriously his face looking annoyed as well. By the looks of them, they must be arguing even on their way here.

"Excuse you, buttface. YOUR pack, not mine. I never wanted to be in that place in the very beginning!" Ouch, jeez, that stings. I had to look away from the scene. Surely, that must have broken Alpha Dominick's heart.

"BREE!" He growled. It sounded terrifying but the pain on his growl didn't go unnoticed.

"Bree your face, kidnapper! You and your fur changing friends are kidnappers! I'm still Jacob Black's girlfriend whatever happens!" I look again and wow, she's not even backing down. She's glaring back at Alpha Dominick who looks angrier than he was.

Wait, Jacob... Black?

"Do not mention other man's name in front of me." He sternly ordered, his voice calmer than his growl a minute ago but still stern and a bit louder than the first time he spoke.

"I will do what I want to and if your ego can't even handle hearing the mere mention of other male specimen's name then get your head checked, kidnapper!" She then stormed and sat next to Alpha Lenz who looks as amused as ever.

I keep on staring at her but I had to glance at Alpha Dominick when he heaved a deep sigh, he's massaging his temple before he walks towards her direction.

"Stop looking at her, i***t Lenz." He hissed at Alpha Lenz who, of course, didn't listen and kept on staring at Bree Graham. "I will poke that f*****g eyes of yours Lenz if you don't keep that away from her." He grumbled lowly but dangerously.

Bree is sitting on the middle of Alpha Lenz and Alpha Dominick.

"Yo businessman Alpha, your mate seems to dislike you." Alpha Lenz commented.

"Shut up, beansprout." Alpha Camilla ordered.

"Silence, boring ice queen." Alpha Lenz fired back.

Alpha Lenz then turn to face Alpha Dominick who looks like he owes the entire world a debt and problematic unlike his calm face. He looks dejected.

"Welcome Alpha Dominick. Now that you're here let's—"

"talk how businessman Alpha kidnapped his mate." Alpha Lenz interjected what Maximus is about to say with a wide grin. All of us glared at him. "Oh geez, fine, fine. I'll shut up." He then turned to Bree with a joyous expression but the latter is still annoyed. She looks more annoyed with Alpha Lenz. "Say Miss pink-hair, how did he—"

"Shut up, dumbface." Bree didn't even look at him while saying that.

Alpha Camilla and I chuckles. Alpha Lenz looks at us. "Apply water to the burnt area." I teased earning another chuckle from Alpha Camilla. I leaned on Nico's shoulder enjoying the disbelief painted on Alpha Lenz's face, even Alpha Dominick is amused with what happened.

He's clearly fond of her but I don't know if their bond is growing given the interaction with them. Oh well, I supposed even with how they interact, a bond must still grow. I just hope it all go well with Bree and Alpha Dominick.

Bree is the sassiest member of Gravander, the other two members mentioned about how she never back down easily. She's not just talented at both dancing and singing but she is also courageous and brave. She's very straightforward that even in an interview and live broadcasting she will voice out her opinion and if she finds that something is wrong with how the question is asked or the people are being too personal with their question and invading the privacy she wouldn't even double take and she will say it out loud.

She's genuine with who she is and she doesn't fake her personality just so they could win people's support.

"The ladies have spoken, Alpha Lenz. You should really zip your mouth for the sake of a clear and understandable meeting." Maximus started and all of us nodded in agreement.

"The f**k? You're all ganging up on me!" Alpha Lenz complained dramatically.

"You must already know the reason why, dumbface." My mate mocked with a proud smirk.

"Maybe you should also shut up. Hmm, babe?" I said while looking at him while leaning on his shoulders. I gave him a polite and sweet smile using my eyes to hint on him.

He gulped and nods his head. "I'm not as stubborn as that dumbface anyway." He said before completely shutting his mouth.

"I'll sleep first, wake me up if we'll start this meeting." Alpha Dominick's voice is bored while saying that, his eyes closed too.

"Please, try not to wake up." Bree hissed looking at him.

Why do I find them cute together?

"We've wasted enough time from your nonsensical arguments. Let's start." Maximus' face is dead serious while saying. All of us composed ourselves and opened the folder reading the heading of the first page.

CLAW

Claw? What's that?

~

Red's Point of View

I watch them wide-eyed and mouth agape.

Holy…cow.

Who is this woman?

Why is she…

Knight pushed her away from him, enraged, then he turns to me. His brows are creased, his eyes are watching me carefully and his hands seems to be shaking.

I blinked once, twice, three-times but still the image kept playing on my mind.

“That… That’s not what you think.” He explained not sure what to do, he would glance at me then at the woman who was lying above him while their lips are sealed to each other.

Wait, was it sealed? Locked? Or maybe it was just a mere touch? What was the right term to use?

I quickly turn my back on them not to further humiliate the girl with him.

What the heck girl, I just left and then I will witness this… scene in front of me?!

I did not expect that! Yes, I know, he’s a man but somehow knowing him these past few days and hearing his story I totally did not expect seeing him in that po… predicament.

If I only knew I shouldn’t have used my speed to appear in front of them out of nowhere!!!!

“Red—“

“I understand! I will leave now and, uh, talk to you later, bye!!!” I dashed away from the crime scene, I mean, kissing scene.

Phew. My heart is racing holy cow!

Who was that girl and how did they…? I shake my head off the thought. That is not my concern right now. But still… that was utterly unexpected. Really.