Heart Of Life

Chapter 1

Samika's POV

"So the pack house is-"

"Yes, I know. I am familiar," I whisper as I look around. I remember coming here once with Nyle. To meet his Alpha. And that was one of the worst days I have ever seen. (Heart Of Ice - Chapter 53)

I sit on the couch. Devon sits on the single seater sofa right in front of me. With only a small table between us. Nyle slowly walks in and awkwardly stands a little far from where Devon and I are.

Nyle is still refusing to look at me or Devon in the eye. As much as I understand it is how things work as per the ranking system, I wonder if there is a way to get rid of all this.

One of the servants brought me a cup of coffee. Her eyes are not meeting mine but I can still say she is afraid for her dear life.

I have also seen the way Alpha Jerome used to treat all these people. The night I was here last time, he beat the s**t out of the same woman who now brought coffee to me. And his reason was that she brought him coffee at midnight. He wanted milk but he didn't say that he did.

And when she finally brought milk, he threw that on her face and slapped because he wanted tea then. I faintly remember Alpha Jerome asking her to go kneel in his room naked.

I close my eyes and shake my head as if that is going to erase that memory from my mind.

I take the coffee cup from her hands and take a sip. She is still standing there. Probably she is expecting me to behave the same way that their Asshole Alpha did.

"What's your name?" I ask her and she sinks back a little in fear. She is probably in her thirties. Her brown hair is so thick that she had to use a large scrunchie to gather it all for a ponytail.

"She is asking something," Devon says.

"Shh! Devon!" I say and he rolls his eyes, but nods and stays silent nonetheless. I guess he does take after his dad in a few things.

"Gladys" she whispers and looks at me, but I can say that she might have only stared at my hands and the cup of coffee. She is expecting me to throw it on her like her Alpha did.

"The coffee tastes great, Gladys. Thank you" I smile at her and she looks surprised.

I see a small smile spreading across her face as she bows to me and walks away. Change starts from small things I guess. If I am their Alpha even though it's temporary, I want them to know that I am absolutely harmless. I am not going to be the Alpha they got used to until now.

"Why am I not getting coffee?" Devon asks right when she almost reached the kitchen and she turns around, fear coming back again.

"Whatever you want it, ask" I say that brought silence in the entire pack house,"no one gets anything without asking! Even coffee"

Gladys seems a little surprised. Devon looks at me and smirks as if he is impressed. And Nyle looks shocked at the way I am talking to Devon. Because Nyle was the one who repeatedly told me to stay away from Devon.

"Gladys, can I have coffee?" Devon asks Gladys and she nods with a bow, and rushes to the kitchen.

"Okay. What are we going to do? Where shall we begin?" I ask Devon and he is still smirking.

"What?" I ask him but he just shakes his head.

"You killed an Alpha. You made me ask for something. A coffee at that. And I never asked anything in my life up until now. I am sure you will know what to do," he shrugs as he takes the coffee cup from Gladys.

"Maybe let's start with the funeral of your father," I whisper because I know it might be an emotional spot for him.

Even though I hate my dad so much, I would be a sobbing mess if someone told me that he died.

"Oh you can just bury him or burn him. Your choice. No one really cares," he says in a casual tone as he sips his coffee and that surprised me.

"What? I remember your Beta having a funeral. Why not your father?" I ask Devon back.

"Ooooh! So you both have been together since then?" He raises his eyebrow at me and then at Nyle. For a few minutes I even forgot that Nyle is here, standing.

"Let's let that slide because that is none of your business," I say and Devon chuckles.

We both finish the coffee in silence as I think about what I should be doing as an Alpha. Once we both are done, I ask Devon to take me to the place where the announcements are usually made.

When he said there is no such place and usually the Alpha asks someone to pass the word around, I realized that this pack is in the worst state than I ever imagined it to be.

So I walked to the place where Alpha Jerome's dead body was still lying. Nyle is standing a little far from me but Devon is standing closer. The mate sparks are doing crazy things and I am just resisting them at this point.

Everyone gathers around again and they seem a little surprised that I am standing here instead of having fun at the pack house.

"I know a lot of you are upset that I killed your Alpha and took his position," I said louder , because that's what Devon told me to do. Talk louder.

"But this is until your Alpha's Heir, Devon takes it back from me. So be at ease, and I want you all to have a great time. And by that I mean, so many things. But first let's start with the shunning system," I say and everyone looks curious now.

I don't want another pack member to get shunned from the pack just because they loved someone from a different race.

"Loving someone is the most beautiful thing to do. And being loved by someone else is a blessing. Let us all spread love and not shun anyone just because they loved someone that doesn't belong to this place. Any one of you who loved or found mates from other races, even they are welcomed to take shelter here. We are all one. And let love be filled everywhere," I say and smile.

I hoped for everyone to smile and be happy because I thought that's what they wanted. But they don't look happy at all. Instead, they look irritated.

I look around and then at Devon. He is still trying to suppress his laughter and I am annoyed now.

"Really, love?" He asks me and I roll my eyes. I thought that was what these people wanted.

"Alright let's start with the funeral arrangements of Alpha Jerome. May his soul rest in peace," I say in a low tone and walk away from there.

What the f**k am I supposed to do? This pack needs deep cleansing. It is rotten from inside and I have no f*****g clue on how to purify it.

But I only know that I will need Devon's help. A lot of it. People seem to be listening only to him.