Knight's Tempus [16+]

Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6:

Third Person’s POV:

Red is lost in her own thought while making her way back in her room where she left Maggie and Ava, she was thankful that Ava stayed in her room, she doesn’t want to think what could Ava feel if she heard what she just told Alpha Nico just now, more importantly, if Ava witnessed how her brother, the iceberg defended that Gemini and her family, Red knows it will break Ava’s heart.

Red shakes her head upon remembering that man, Knight Rochester. Red is both stupefied and amazed of him and his devotion to his mate that even her name could shake him. He wasn’t his usual self back there, he wasn’t the proud and cold iceberg whom she first met, he looks tired and Red knows it’s not physical, it’s more like emotional and mental exhaustion.

Red shakes her head and continued walking when Knight suddenly appeared from her right.

“Holy… mother of moon.” Her eyes widen as she pointed Knight. “Where did you came from?!” She exclaimed, she blinks when he didn’t answer and realizing just how silly she might look in front of him, totally different from when she was inside Alpha Nico’s office, she composed herself and cleared her throat, she drops her hand to her side and fixed her hair Knight still staring at her almost unblinking. “What do you want?” She shakes her head from her own obvious question, she now knows what Knight wants from her, “if you’re here to beg me for that Gemini’s sake, then, I’m telling you right now, it’s no use.” She stated confidently.

Knight didn’t answer, instead, he looks away and sigh. Red’s eyes make way to his side frame, from the faraway look on his face, he seems to be in a deep thought. Red notice the dark circles under his eyes, his lips are pale, it’s clearer how haggard he is up-close, nonetheless, Red wouldn’t deny that he still looks handsome.

Knight remained unresponsive while Red keeps on looking at her, somewhat mesmerized by his haggard side frame, if only she could also remain that good-looking despite looking so haggard. Knight is undeniably distractingly handsome.

Wait, focus!

Red cleared her throat realizing that now is not the right time to be distracted. Knight diverted his obsidian eyes back at her, snapping from his thoughts that Red is curious to know. “What is it that you need from me?” She asks, unknown to her that her own voice is softer than a while ago.

“I’m… I’m sorry for attacking you, it wasn’t my intention. My wolf just snapped upon—“he stopped talking and avoided her eyes, he looks like he realize something, like he isn’t supposed to say something in front of her but he did.

Red nods her head, “I get it.” She said, Knight looks at her again, directly in her eyes and it’s messing with Red’s senses. Again, she’s confuse how his obsidian eyes can distract her and he isn’t even doing anything, just staring, intently. He looks like he wants to listen to what she wants to say and if that’s the case, Red will say it. “I actually wanted to say sorry, it’s been on my mind since yesterday, I don’t know if I should say sorry or I just let it be since what I just is the truth anyway.” Red almost knocked her head, seriously, not only does she not sound sorry at all she also sounds like an elderly woman lecturing Knight Rochester.

Red cleared her throat. Red made her decision last night. “I am sincerely apologizing for being harsh on you, it was the truth yes, but I realized I could have spoken it less harshly. Being emotional that time also is not enough reason to have rub salts on your wound.”

No one spoke after that, they kept on staring at each other, Red is lost for words of what to say further since she has said what she wanted to, she was able to say sorry and… she just got lost in his obsidian eyes once again without her knowing.

“Say, do you mean saying sorry or was it for you to ease your guilt and to make yourself feel better?”

“Ah?”

Red blinked. He spoke, he did. But, what does he mean by that? She’s not sure of what he actually meant since, first, she was lost in his eyes that she was able to catch the entirety of what he said and secondly, she’s distracted.

“Were you sincere in apologizing or was it to appease your own guilt?” He asks again, seriously looking at her waiting for an answer.

Red tilted on her side, she said sorry but for what really? Was it just like what Knight Rochester said? Was it to make herself feel better but she isn’t really sincere?

“Would it really matter?” She asks, “I said sorry and I was sincere.” She admitted, “I think I somewhat I understand where you’re coming from but isn’t it a bit ironic? Someone hurt you but that person said sorry, you doubt that person and is questioning of what their intention really is despite them being sincere and because of that, whether they’re sincere or not won’t really matter since the damage is done.” She nodded her head, “words are painful once already mouthed but questioning one’s sincerity does have the same damage.”

“Does the same thing applies to you?” He asks.

Red smiled. “It does and it doesn’t. I’m not emotionally invested in that matter but if someone important to me does question my sincerity, it would be a fatal blow.” She walks past him. “By the way, you do know you can’t protect everyone, right?”

He didn’t answer.

Red nodded her head, “I’ll take it that between protecting Ava’s dignity and Gemini’s safety, you choose the latter.”

"You don't understand—"

"That's true, I don't understand." She gave him a sideways glance, his side frame inches above from hers. "I don't understand that's why I think you're being foolish, that's why it was easy for me to judge your actions as stupidity and that's why I believe you're being unfair to Ava," and yourself. "Regardless of that, I won't judge anymore, I won't say anything. I'm not in your position and I don't struggle the way you do." She smiled at him and look ahead, "don't worry, Ava will be safe with me. I will protect her, we will protect her." She stated and left him standing in the hallway.

Red is past the stage of judging Knight, she's past the stage of questioning whether he's even a good brother or cousin to Ava. He's a capable wolf. He's a strong werewolf.

But there are battles that even a strong man like him is struggling to win. Battles that doesn't involve physical brutality nor bloody weapons. A battle that even though you think you won, it's not entirely over yet. It's a battle within himself.

~

"Red! There you are!" Maggie greeted her as soon as she opened the door. Red's brows quirked.

"You sound like I was away for ten years, Maggie." The latter burst out laughing, here comes her maniac laugh again.

She turns to Ava whose staring intently at her, reading her. "You look... bothered Red. Is something wrong?" She asks. Red shakes her head and smiled. Ava doesn't look assured though, "are you sure?" Red nods her head. "Okay then..."

Suddenly, someone knocks on the door. "Ava?" It was Alpha Nico. He might have heard from Owen that Ava and Maggie is with her before she went to his office or Ava told her using that link-link. She forgot what it's called.

Red saw how Ava smile upon hearing Alpha Nico's voice.

"Well, speak of the mate and the mate is here." Maggie said with a teasing look on Ava. Her best friend blushed. By the looks of it, before she arrived the two must be talking and Ava mentioned something about the Alpha.

Red chuckles. "Go now, don't keep the Alpha waiting."

Ava raised her brows with a sassy look. "Nico can wait for me no matter how long. I am the Queen." She flipped her hair to the side and walks towards the door like a beauty queen, her hips swaying exaggeratedly.

Maggie and Red looks at each other and shakes their heads.

Red leaned on Maggie to whisper, "is that what happens when you're preg—" Maggie was quick to cover her mouth.

"Sshh, Alpha Nico can hear you." Red's eyes widen and nods her head. That was close.

"Whoa!" Both of them turns to Ava, Alpha Nico is hugging her his face buried on her neck. "I know, I know, you missed me so much. There there..." The way Ava is patting Alpha Nico's head reminds Red of how a domesticated dog is tamed.

Such a sigh to see that the mighty Alpha is like this with his mate.

Maybe that's why... It crossed her mind that a mate can be a werewolf's everything once they found them. Why not? Mates are half of their soul. They are half of their lives. That's why Knight is...

"Red! We'll go ahead first, have a good talk with Maggie, all right?" Ava suddenly spoke with her eyes hinting something, before she turn to leave she winked at her. Alpha Nicolo nods his head acknowledging her and Maggie's presence.

When the two are gone, Maggie is quick to grab her and forced her to sit on the bed. She has her arms crossed in front of her and is eyeing her suspiciously.

"What did Alpha Nico talked with you about huh?" She asks.

Red shakes her head and look away. Her thoughts are in a havoc. Her talk with Knight made her realize things that she was uninterested listening to.

She doubt Knight accepted her apology, she was insensitive for moon goddess' sake. She acted and talked as if she knows everything and just like what she said, despite stating the truth, the hurtful truth, it was insensitive of her to sound so uncaring about Knight's mate.

"RED!" She looks back to see Maggie looking at her worriedly. "You really don't look okay, mind sharing with me your concern?" She stared at Maggie and slowly nodded her head.

"I, I might have broken someone's heart again."

Maggie gasps and suddenly held her shoulder clearly surprised. "What do you mean by that— wait, did someone asked you to be their mate?!" Maggie gasps again while Red is looking at her with a confused expression. "Wow Red, I didn't know you could turn my packmate's head this quick, but, I'd be lying if I said I didn't expect that. You are stunning so I understand them." Maggie ranted.

Red's eyes turned into slits trying to understand what Maggie is saying and when she does, her eyes widened like saucers.

"Tha—That's now what I mean, Mag—"

"So tell me, what was the name of the man whom heart you broke?" Maggie has a teasing smile.

Red sighs and massaged her temple.

"It's not like that, you misunderstood me."

Maggie looks at her in confusion, "Oh?"

She nods her head. "No one asked me to be their mate, by the way, I didn't know that's possible and— I didn't mean that type of heartbreak." She sighs, Maggie sat on the floor in front of her and gave her a small smile.

"That looks more complicated than I thought. Come on, shoot." she lazily said, Red smiled.

She looks up and started talking. "It was... It was Knight, Ava's brother or cousin, I may have broken his heart again by being so harsh yesterday."

"WHAT?!" She looks at Maggie, she stood up because of utter disbelief from her confession. "Holy... mother... of cow." Maggie stuttered. "Tell me what happened, Red! I want to know everything! Holy s**t, what did you do?" Maggie looks panicked and it doubled her guilt, her guilt resurfaced stronger than before.

"Is it... really a big deal to—"

"Of course!" Maggie exclaimed, Red felt that Maggie is upset but she doesn't know if it's because of her or—she's probably upset with her. There's no doubt about that. "Red, I'm sorry for raising my voice on you. I just got upset knowing that Knight surely suffered from terror again, much worse than it usually is."

"Terror?" Her voice was small and careful, she squeezed her eyes shut.

Maggie smiled at her but her eyes are pained. "I'll tell you later, can you tell me what happened exactly?"

She nods her head. "I harshly reminded him of his mate's, Mhelanie's death."

"Oh my god."

"I know, I tried to deny it and kept telling myself it was the truth but still, it doesn't sit well with me knowing that she was his mate, a part of him. It was my anger towards that Gemini that caused me to blurt out those hu—"

"Wait a minute, come again?" She looks at Maggi, "your anger towards whom?"

"Gemini?" Red's voice is hesitant, hold up, could it be that Maggie and that woman are friend?! Holy s**t.

Maggie's face contorted in dislike. "What did that b***h do to you?!" She shakes her head, looks like they aren't friends based on how irritated Maggie looks upon the mention of her name. "Seriously that entitled b***h, she thinks so highly of herself. Tell me what did she do to you, Red."

Red smiled at her but shakes her head. It would have been fine if Gemini bad mouthed her, only her, but she didn't. She has to brought Ava's name and talk about her like that. The thought still makes her blood boil 360 degrees.

"My anger towards her wasn't because of me but rather because of Ava." She gritted her teeth in annoyance.

"Ava? But she wasn't here yesterday."

She nods her head. "She wasn't. I guess her absence made Gemini thought it's fine for her to talk behind Ava's back. To badmouth her and her ability of being the luna. Not only her but even Alpha Nico, Maggie. That angered me."

Suddenly, Maggie stood up again and growled ready to go to the door and leave but using her speed and strength, she was able to put her on the bed but the latter keeps on growling.

"I will kill her! Who does she think she is?!" Growled Maggie trying to escape from her grip good thing her strength is enough to trap Maggie.

Damn, Red can totally relate to how Maggie feels. If it isn't breaking the law, she would have killed that Gemini too and she thinks that Maggie will gladly assist her in burying the body.

It took more than twenty minutes for Maggie to fully calm down and then she asked her to continue with her story, Maggie would growl from every time she will mention Gemini's name and looks like even her name makes Maggie want to kill her still that's why Red kept her grip on Maggie just in case. It's confirmed, her and Maggie are prospect killers of Gemini, she make one wrong move and speak one wrong word against Ava and her mate, the two of them will be ready to snap Gemini's neck and pull her heart out.

"s**t, that woman, not only does her face looks s**t but her attitude is worse than whatever disgusting thing exists in the universe!!!" Screamed Maggie. Red burst out laughing and Maggie followed.

Their laughter died down and Maggie is already looking at her while smiling. "Now I know why you got so mad, relatable girl." She said with a small but then sighs. "I don't know if I should thank you or what for doing that though. You protected Ava's dignity but broke Knight's heart later on."

"I know..." Red knows perfectly.

The words she said to Knight from their talk just a while back, it wasn't only for Knight but also for herself. You really can't protect everyone, it was fine for her before because Ava was the only person she wanted to protect but now, there's Maggie and she would even protect Alpha Nico for Ava's sake, the thing is, she wasn't able to protect her Knight's feelings and Red feels that it's the worse mistake that she could have done. She wasn't able to protect Ava's only cousin and his heart, instead, she broke it again.

It's a mistake that she wouldn't want to repeat again. Not again.

"But," she turns to Ava when she spoke again, "I'd like to say thank you for both."

Her forehead crease.

Maggie chuckles. "You see Red, after her Mhelanie's death it became an unspoken rule in this pack not to mention her name. We're all afraid of what Knight might become if we ever mention her name again, that might remind him her death knowing he might go berserk. Mates are important to us, they are half of our lives and it's not impossible for Knight to go insane." She sighs and, "we're all scared that we fail to notice that instead of just fearing him while he's doing his best to remain sane, we should have been there to at least support him in that fight. So, thank you Red, for speaking her name, slowly, that might help him move on if at there's at least one person who will have the courage to mention her name in front of him."

Regardless of that, Red thinks that if she ever mentions her name in front of him again, this time she surely knows how to.

He must have loved her so much, it's amazing, mates and love never fail to amaze Red.

The question is, will she dare to mention her name in front of him again? Like them, she's also afraid. What if Knight did go berserk if she does?

Ava will surely worry for him.

"Anyway, we have something important to talk about." Maggie changes the topic.

Red nods her head. "About what?"

Maggie smiled, excitement swirling in her eyes. "Ava's..." the hint is clear, slowly, Red's lips formed into a smile.

Things have been quite rough ever since she steps foot in this pack, in Ava's pack, however she didn't regret being here. Being in a pack, she felt familiar. Very familiar.

~

"You know her mistake deserves a severe punishment, Knight! She deserves death!" He growled at Knight, the latter is unaffected. "Banishment is nothing compared to the insult she threw at Ava! I took your feelings into consideration that's why I decided to banish her instead and you're telling me you will take the punishment?!" He grabs his collar and pushed him on the wall, hard, yet Knight didn't seem fazed. He's just looking at him. Gone is the man who lead this pack with pride, gone is the strong man he always looks up to. In front of him is a man who’s barely living.

Nico wonders if it's a good thing that he lived and remained sane or was it better that he...

He shakes his head and drop his hands from Knight's collar. The former Alpha didn't even bother fixing his shirt, he looks rugged. His hair is disheveled.

“You won’t even answer Knight.” He made a tsk sound, “If there’s nothing else you may leave.” He commanded, he didn’t want to but his wolf is aggravated, anytime soon and he will attack Knight and he knows Knight won’t retaliate, he would let him beat the crap out of him.

“I’m sorry Nico…” he didn’t bother answering him and just let him leave, he eventually sighs once Knight is gone. He gripped the mahogany table and slammed his fist. The anger, frustration and sadness he is feeling is getting the best out of him, his wolf is mad at Knight and wants to fight for their mate but his human side won’t, he can’t hurt Knight. This isn’t the first time Knight defended the Shaw family for their misconduct but this is the first the they showed their real color and dislike for them.

He growled. He wants to unleashed his wolf and let it do what it wants, punish Gemini Shaw for what she deserves yet he can’t, his respect for Knight overpower his anger and for Ava, he’s sure Ava wouldn’t want him to hurt her brother.

“f**k!” He face-palmed while breathing heavily, his wolf resurfacing, he needs Ava. He needs his mate. “Charles, handle all of the pack’s affairs today.” He mindlinked Charles as he stood up and stride towards Red’s bedroom where his mate is, the two of them has been mindlinking each other before the meeting started.

“Noted, Alpha.” Answered Charles, “by the way Alpha, have you check the documents I sent on your email?” Nico’s forehead crease, turns towards the left alley but stopped as soon as he saw Red’s back on him, she’s with Knight and they seem to be in a serious talk so rather than staying and eavesdropping, he chooses to walk back in his office, farther from where the two are. Good thing no one is in the mansion; all his pack mates are doing their businesses. He announced that as soon as Gemini Shaw approached him regarding Red beating her up, he was sure that Knight would show up.

“Documents?” He did not check any of his emails after the meeting, he didn’t have the mood to do so.

“Yes, it was the letter sent to me by one of the council members, Hellen.”

The council, what would the council want from him? From them?

To answer his question, he opened his laptop and read Charles’ email containing the letter the fourth member of the council sent.

To: Draekkus Pack,

Greetings, Alpha Nicolo Smith, this letter is sent confidentially to you and your Beta, regarding the annual meeting of Alpha, I foreseen that you along with your mate must leave the pack during that time and leave Draekkus under your Beta and Gamma’s care along with Knight Rochester. I greatly suggest that Knight must stay in the pack, never let him attend the meeting of the Alphas. It is for the meeting’s safety, your mate and your pack.

It is something easy to get into but a struggle to get out of.

You know what to do.

                                                                                                Helena Rynyn

Knight must not attend the meeting? It was Charles and his idea to insist in bringing along Knight and he agreed, could he forbid him in leaving the pack if his reason is as great as Ava’s?

But this is Lady Helena’s letter, a warning from something she has seen in her vision. He could not ignore it especially if it involves the safety of his pack and his mate.

Nico shakes his head and pinched the bridge of his nose, what did she saw? What was it? What trouble did she saw in her vision? She wouldn’t send him a confidential letter if it’s nothing but he couldn’t help but wonder what danger it was.

Lady Helena, the fourth member of the werewolf council given the special ability to foresee things that will greatly affect the fate of the werewolves is also the person who warned him of Ava’s unreasoned death two years ago, she suggested that Ava must remain in the land of human seers, Tirada, Nico could still remember how Lady Helena appeared in their pack unannounced telling him and his mate the dreaded news, he questioned her why was she interfering their fate but she didn’t answer. Nico knows she’s hiding something behind that vision but followed her anyway, Lady Helena rarely have vision and they always come true if not interfered.

No question about her credibility as a seer because she was the werewolf who envision the blood treaty between the main packs in Lupus.

````

“Nico?” Ava waved her hand in front of her mate but the latter is still staring at nothing in particular, lost in his own little world. She frowns. “Nico!” she snapped her finger but still, nothing. “NICO!!!” She growled, that’s when her mate part from his thoughts.

“What?” he asks softly, she hissed at him and roll her eyes, he’s been acting weird the moment they entered their room, he would bury his face on her neck then he would stare at the open windows and the would sigh.

“You aren’t talking, what is wrong with you?” She inquired.

“Nothing—“

“Don’t start me with that nothing bullshit, Nico.”

“Ava! Language!” He rebukes, she just made a face in front of him. “I’m serious, Ava.”

“So am I.” She crosses her arms in front him with her eyebrows raise, “are you going to tell me what’s wrong or you will tell me?”

Nico chuckles, “I got many options, thanks for that.’’

“Yeah, you’re welcome. Now, are you going to tell me or…” she made sure that her eyes would slowly widen while looking at him to add in her threat effect.

“All right, all right. Just don’t look at me like that, you’re frightening.”

“Hey!!” she yelled, that was insulting, but, isn’t that what she wants him to see? Still… it’s insulting. “I’m your mate!”

Nico lean on the bed’s headboard and smiled goofily, “I never said you’re not.”

Her eyes turned to slits. “You’re provoking me?” She hisses.

Nico shakes his head with a small smile then raised his hands in surrender. "I wouldn't dare. Forgive me?" She contains her own smile seeing Nico's fake and begging face, his lips in a small pout.

Ava faked a gagged. "Ewww! Pout doesn't suit you so stop it." She covers her mouth to hide the smile she failed to restrain.

"Really?" He asks and she nods. "I guess you're right," she raised her brows, that's a first. It's the first time Nico concedes defeat easily. "I'm not suited being labeled as cute since I'm a fine young man." Fail, Nico would never concede defeat easily, why did she even think he would. Every silly argument they had Nico wouldn't back down easily, she always win at the end of the day though.

"You're not young," she remarked.

"I don't look ancient either." He smirks at her and she returned the gesture.

Slowly, she walks towards the bed where he's lying comfortably while casually leaning on the headboard. Her smirk widens upon seeing how his own smirk slowly vanish, as if knowing what will happen next.

"Wa...wait, my luna, don't come any closer!" His voice raised, his hands trying to block her yet he didn't try to move even though he could.

Ava finally reached him and sat on his stomach.

"Don't think I don't know what you're doing, Nico."

He turns his face to his side avoiding her eyes, he would look at her visible cleavage from time to time though, as if his eyes would automatically find that part. Ava chuckles and she made is seductive.

"Stop it my luna, you know how this will end." He warned, this time his voice sounds rough mixed with a restrained groan, she lowered her body, this time she's sitting on his lap.

"I do, it would end the way I want to." She whispered on his right ear and slowly run her tongue on it.

Her body burned in desire as she slowly grind her hips on his crotch, she can feel his body burning in desire too, their arousal for each other covered the entire room.

"Ava.." he whispered as he buried his face on her neck soundly inhaled her scent, his arms gripping her waist helping her grind her hips on his. "We should stop." He added with a wet kiss on her neck.

She tilted her face to give him access and breathed heavily, "yes, we...ohh, Nico!" She gasps when he scrapes his canine on her neck, where her mark is. She felt the familiar burning sensation running from her neck down to her abdomen then finally, her core, it throbs in anticipation. Nico's right hand is playing with her stomach caressing it sensually while keeping his other hand on her waist while she continued grinding. Harder and rougher directly on his erect and covered manhood.

She closed her eyes to savor the sensation of Nico's canine, his hand that moved from her stomach to her right breast and their intimate area grinding against each other.

"Fuck." He hissed, Ava leaned to bury her face on his neck and lick his it, her canine descended as she sniffs his fresh wood scent, she did the same to him, scraping his mark with her canine then licking and kissing it. "f*****g hell, grind harder my luna..." he said breathlessly. She smirks and moved away from him to stand up, Nico is looking up with his eyes closed, realizing something is missing, he blinks and look at her in daze. "...what?"

She raised her brows, "tell me what's wrong Nico and..." she winks at him as she took her shirt off, "we'll continue." She added stripping her cotton shorts.

"Holy shit." He mumbled, his eyes burning her body with his penetrating gaze. He licked his lower lip, his Adam's apple moving up and down as he regard her up and down as well. "You seduced me." He said looking at her, she shrugs. In the blink of an eye, he pushed her on the nearest wall, his golden eyes burning with desire. "I hate it when you do that," her eyes widen and her mouth formed an 'o' as soon as he cupped her femininity, rubbing it slowly.

He smirks at her while she's lost staring at him, her mouth agape.

"Nico..." she gasps along with the sound of her ripped bra.

Nico doesn't give a damn even if its branded.

"Now now, I told you how this will end right?"

She gritted her teeth in both annoyance and pleasure as he inserted a finger on her.

"F-f**k—"

"I will." He grabs a fistful of her hair and pulled it making her look up with the sudden movement. His nose flare with his small smirk while looking at her enjoying how her face is painted with pleasure as he finger f**k her. "I will f**k you and make love to you, Ava. Hard, really hard you won't be able walk." He kissed her senseless, their tongue fighting in dominance but Nico wouldn't give in so she bit his lower lip and pulled with, her mouth forming a wicked grin.

"f**k you—oooh!" She cursed and moaned at the same time when Nico's large manhood replaced his fingers.

"I told you Ava—f**k, this is how it will end." She gripped his shoulders as he pound her against the wall, "wrap your legs my luna and enjoy your ride against the wall." He smirked. Ava closed her eyes, moaning and gasping for air as Nico penetrate her, hard and rough. She couldn't move a muscle overwhelmed by pleasure that Nico had grab his legs to wrap it on his waist.

Pressure formed in her abdomen as her clit throb, she unconsciously tightened her core gripping his manhood.

"s**t!" Nico cussed, "damn it."

"Yes yes yes!!!"

Nico intertwined their hands on the wall while kissing her harshly.

"I'm cumming..." she whispered deliriously.

"c*m with me, f**k!"

Few more thrusts later, Nico growled and sank his canine in her neck. Ava moaned loudly, her head spinning with pleasure, too much pleasure clouded her mind she completely forgot what was the purpose for seducing Nico. The tables have turned and Nico completely won. She might have always won in their silly argument but when it comes to bed argument, Nico would always win. And she loves it.

~

The next morning,

Red is busy reading everything listed on the note Maggie gave her last night. She also keeps on repeating what Maggie told her, it was all important. The success of their plan lies on her, according to Maggie.

Why me again? She asks herself. Right, because of her speed.

"Yow!" She startled and almost jumped the small notebook.

She hisses at Charles while the latter took a step back, threatened yet smiling. "What do you want, Beta?" She asks as she walk past him.

"Good morning to you too, Red."

"Yeah yeah, Good morning." she said while and place the small notebook on her jean's pocket.

Beta, or rather Charles placed his arms on her shoulder while smiling widely. She looks at him and then his arms. "Again, what do you want, Beta?" She asks eyeing his arms on her.

Charles glance at and look ahead. "Nothing really. Just wanna ask about if Claudia ever told you what that spell she used to record the conversation."

Her right eyebrow raised on their own accord. "Why do you want to know?" She asks.

His smile turns into a wicked grin. Gah! Creepy! "Secret."

"Okay then, why don't you ask Claudia instead. I'm sure—"

"Oh no no no," Charles used his other hand to gesture the 'no' with his index finger. "Claudia hates me right now because of Emily." He laughs, "that jealous childish witch." He shakes his head.

Red didn't bothered asking what he said and just answer him instead.

"Nothing." They reached the main entrance of the mansion.

"Nothing?" Charles repeated.

She stopped walking and smiled at him. "Yes, nothing. That spell doesn't exist, Charles. I made that up."

His jaw almost drop while Red is enjoying the disbelief written all over his face.

"What the actually fuckery?! You lied not just to me but—"

Red shrugs and removed his arm on her, "I gotta do what I gotta do. Truth prevailed didn't it?"

"Yes, but—"

"Cased closed then." She said and grab his wrist, "let's go to Doctor Emily's cabin."

His eyez widen as she pulled him. "WHAT?! NO! Claudia will put a curse on me."

"I have interesting news to tell you after, you'll love it." She persuaded

"Ohh, really? Shoot. Let's go, quick, Red! You're so slow!" Red is left staring at Charles back. Wow, she didn't even have to persuade him, for gossip he quickly gave in.

Seriously, is he really the Beta?

Red shakes her head and followed him oblivious to a pair of eyes watching her. Closely.

After Red told Dr. Emily what Maggie wants her to, she and Charles are walking back in the pack mansion. She told Charles about Ava’s pregnancy and expected of him, he is elated knowing he was right.

“I TOLD YOU I WAS f*****g—“

“Yes, yeah, you said it, you were right. You’re the best.” Red nonchalantly said while reading the first thing on her list. She turns to Charles, “you know what to do right?”

Charles proudly nod his head. “Of course, leave Alpha Nico’s attention to me.” They both stilled and look at each other, Charles shakes his head upon realizing how weird how he sounded. “That’s not what I f*****g mean. You know already what I want to…’

Red chuckles, “Very defensive, Charles. Very.”

Charles frown. “You are bullying me, Red.” He sounded upset saying that. Not only is the Beta a gossiper but also childlike. Red shakes her head while smiling.

“I have to help Maggie and Ava, do your best!” She yelled at him as she makes her way towards the pack’s mansion.

“Of course! I am the best!” Charles replied, Red just laugh.

She and Maggie will do their best to make this surprise of Ava for Alpha Nico and the pack special and memorable.

Maggie’s Pov:

“Red, is everything ready?” I ask her while she’s fixing the tables cover, it’s already 5 PM, any time soon and Alpha Nico will arrive.

She nods her head. “All set, the tables, chairs, curtains and the balloons.” She turns to Ava from fixing straightening the tables cover. “Why does Ava need to fill that treasure with balloons again?”

Maggie turns to the hall’s entrance; Owen came running towards them. “The pack members are arriving, Alpha is also pissed because Luna Ava is not responding to him so,”

“He’s on his way isn’t he?” Maggie asks, Owen nods his head. I would be lying I say I didn’t expect that from Alpha Nico, when it comes to Ava, no matter how patience he is, he would just snap. He must be really mad. “Telly, Jon and Carla. Are they ready outside?” He nods his head. “You may go, remember to act natural. This is for Alpha.” He nods again and left not before slightly bowing at me and stealing a glance on Red’s direction. I stifle a smile, it looks like Owen has a little crush on Red, I mean it doesn’t take a genius to guess that from the way he looks at her. I have a feeling only Red doesn’t know. I’d like to call it innocent but it’re more like she’s dense.

“Red, Alpha Nico is on his way.” I informed her.

“Okay!” She disappears in the blink of an eye and when she came back she party popper in her hand. “Here,” I shake my head. She looks at me incredulously, “you want me to use this?” I nod my head. Her eyes widen, “I don’t know how to!” She exclaimed.

Ah seriously. I grab the party popper from her and showed her the instruction on the bottom. “Twist this blue side to the left.”

“Ooooh…” she nods her head and smile at me. “what will happen then?”

I smirk. “What happens is for me to know and for you to find out.”

She pouted and checks the party popper curiously. “So mysterious.” She mumbled. I almost laugh. Even in small things like this, she doesn’t have an idea, I doubt Red even read that popper. My goodness.

“They’re here, Gamma.” Said Owen. I nod my head at Red, she already know what it means. She went to the huge double door and hid, we asked Claudia to mask her scent so Alpha Nico won’t notice she’s behind the closed door.

I look at the elevated platform where the huge treasure chest is placed along with the red couch.

The hall transformed from a meeting room to a children’s party with colors blue and pink curtains and balloons while the table covers are black. Those tables will be messy once the members of the pack started eating so we choose the color black. It’ll be waste to use white, undoubtly.

“Ava, it’s time.” I mind linked her, she didn’t respond but I know she heard me. She didn’t block me like she did to Alpha.

I stand in front of the huge double door waiting for it to open.

This surprise isn’t only for Alpha Nico but also for the entire pack, only me, Red, Claudia who covered Ava’s pregnancy with a spell for this, Emily and Charles knows about her pregnancy. Even the pack members who helped us decorate, those who also helped to lure Alpha away doesn’t have an idea that tonight, and those who helped Ava cook are clueless. They will receive the news that the pack has been longing to hear.

The announcement of Luna and Alpha’s first pup and its gender.