Chapter five
1118 Words
The weeks passed in a blur. Training, meetings, paperwork. Anything and everything an alpha was supposed to do Gabriel had shoved my way, teaching me the ins and outs of what a proper alpha was supposed to be. I had to admit it was nerve wracking, tedious and just down right boring. But I would do anything to get away from the excited whispers and gleeful looks of the pack as they eagerly awaited the alpha's daughters 18th birthday. I knew what they were planning, at least I had a theory but I never let it show. I knew they wanted to surprise me and I couldn't take that away from them.
A knock sounded on my office door "Come in." I sighed, setting my paper work to the side. "How is everything going in here?" Gabriel asked as he sat across the desk from me. I just smirked. "Great actually. I did find a few discrepancies in the finances that I fully intend to look into. It seems that a few members of the pack have gained extra financial help than they should be getting." I told him flatly. It did not make me happy that some of the pack has been taking advantage of the generous nature of Gabriel. He would always help any pack member in need, but when they take advantage of his generosity it angers me beyond comprehension.
"Willow calm down, and calm Jade down." He warned. "No one can know you have a wolf. You're not supposed to shift until your 18th birthday." I sighed and dropped my head into my hands, "I know Gabriel. But even then I can't shift. No one can know I am am black wolf. A wolf my size and color has never existed and we still don't know what that means. But then again, if I don't shift for the pack to see, they will consider me weak, a werewolf without a wolf."
I was so confused on what to do, I hated the idea of being seen as weak, but I was extremely wary of anyone finding out about my wolf. How would they react? Would they be scared? Excited? Awed? So many outcomes rushed through my head, so many different scenarios that had an unknown outcome. "You may not have to worry about that." Gabriel said. His tone was low, uncertainty laced it. "Gabriel? What are you not telling me?" I asked suspiciously.
Gabriel fidgeted uncomfortably with his hands and never made eye contact, something this strong alpha never did. Dread filled me sending chills down my spine at how he was reacting. "Gabriel?" I demanded nervously. Finally he huffed loudly. "The elder council wants to see us on your birthday, we have to be there the day before and we will be there three days, meaning you won't have to shift in front of anyone."
I scrunched my eye brows in confusion. "So? We have met with the council before, why are you so nervous now." I asked confused. "No Willow, we have met with the council, not the elder council. The council is made up of elder werewolf shifters, the elder council is made up of elder shifters of all kinds. Werewolf, jaguar, leopard, dragon.." His voice trailed off and my eyes went wide.
You have got to be kidding me. There were other types of shifters? Why did I never know about this? Why was this kept from me? Anger soon replaced my surprise as I stood from my seat and slammed my fists down onto the desk hard. "Why was I never informed about these other shifters?" I demanded. Gabriel actually flinched back from me. The power I was radiating filled the room and I knew my eyes had gone red. "Willow.." Gabriel breathed. "Get control of yourself." He pleaded.
I closed my eyes tightly, clenching my hands into fists as I forced myself to take deep and calming breaths. It felt like I had been standing there hours, when in reality it had only been a few minutes. "Ok." I said sitting back down, calmer now. "Why was I not informed of this elder council?" Gabriel leaned forward, his eyes apologetic. "I am sorry Willow, usually no one knows about the elder council until they actually become an alpha, but with the situation with Landon they demanded all of us go and meet with them. The elders are also bringing their children as witnesses."
I was shocked, witnesses? Was this going to be some kind of trial? And if so who exactly was on trial? "Why do they need to see us? And why do they need witnesses?" I asked. "I informed them about Landon. How he was unfit to be alpha, how a female warrior had bested him after spending half the battle toying with him. They want to determine themselves how worthy or unworthy he is and they want the female warrior who bested him to be present."
I sighed once again, feeling exhausted after the days events and new information that had been thrust upon me. "Fine. When do we leave?" Gabriel gave me a sad look. "We leave tomorrow afternoon. We should arrive at the meeting hall the following day." I nodded in agreement and excused myself heading to my room.
Grabbing my back pack from under my bed I threw a few changes of clothes, under garments and necessary toiletries for the trip. When I was finally satisfied that I had packed enough I dropped the bag by my door and headed to my bathroom to take a nice long hot bath. I needed the stress relief the day I had.
My mind swirled in a never ending whirlwind. I would soon be in the presence of shifters I never even knew existed. And to make matters worse, dragon shifters would be present. How could beings such as dragons actually exist? And how did I not know about them? Surly werewolves had to have some kind of interaction with them at some point in time. Unless they had some kind of magically hidden land that no one can find. Somehow the idea didn't seem that far fetched. Magic was a powerful asset. We even had a few witches within the pack to ensure the safety of our people and our kind. Magic is what fueled our shifts.
Huffing in resignation I pulled myself out of my bath, wrapped a towel around myself and made my way to my room collapsing on my bed. I snuggled into my pillow, pulling the plush black comforter around my shoulders and fell into a deep peaceful sleep, not even caring that I was still wrapped in a towel.
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