Chapter 10 NINE

MORGIANA'S POV "I don't like where this conversation is going," I said because I truly don't like the way Alaris was looking at me. "There's a charity event in the town hall in five days. We are required to attend and that will give us a chance to look for something," said Laurent. I have no idea what they're talking about except for the charity event. It happens every year and the founding families of this town manage it. "If the humans are truly involved, they're going to be very careful we won't see something while we're there," Giro added. I was just listening to whatever they were talking about until Alaris looked at me. "Unless it's someone they won't suspect." "What are you talking about? And why are you three looking at me like that?" Alaris walked to where I am and said, "You're going to the charity event with us." "Err...no." His brows furrowed. He's clearly not used to receiving no for an answer. But there is no way I am attending the charity event. Arleigh and her cronies are going to be there. "Why not?" "Because I don't want to and I don't need to explain myself-" "Your life depends on this, Morgiana." "So if I don't do it then you'll kill me? Classic." "No. But if we don't find out what they're up to then it would only be a matter of time before they find out that the hybrid truly exists and they will come after you." "What?" "They will come after you and who knows what they do to creatures new to them." "They can't do that!" "Yes, they can and they will do it to you once they find out what you are." "Then I don't think it's a good idea for me to go straight to their lair." "You are not going to be suspected. They know you as the-" "The loser girl who's constantly being bullied, thank you. You know Arleigh's going to be there, right? You know what happened the last time? I punched her face. Now if we see each other again at this event, there is no guarantee I won't do it again. Or I might do something worse." "I am very aware of what happened last time you two were in the same room. We'll have to make sure you two won't meet." I doubt it. Arleigh's skill of sensing my presence is remarkable and she has never missed a single chance. But then again, these people are not ordinary ones. Maybe Alaris could really keep me and Arleigh from the meeting. And besides, hearing the information of what these people could do to me once they find out what I really am . . . I don't want to think of what's going to happen. "Fine. I'll go. But I don't need your wolves to be prowling on me every chance they get. Tell them to back off." "What happened last night is not going to happen again," Alaris said and this time I am sure his face really darkened. "I swear it on my life." Somehow, the promise sounded . . . intimate and I have no idea why I was flustered at it. Am I still having a crush on this man? After what he did? After what he threatened to do to me? After knowing what he really is? What the heck? I cleared my throat just to clear my mind of it. "Then it's settled." *** The cabin provided to me was just enough for a person. It was enough for me. It was a stock room before but somebody had cleaned it while Alaris had been roaming around the camp bringing me along. I don't know what his real purpose is but if he's trying to get his people to see me in a different light, I think it's going to take ages. Some of them warmed up to me after they knew that I saved one of their own but some of them were still looking at me with great disdain. Not that I care. As long as they keep their fangs and claws to themselves then I couldn't care less. "Is it to your liking?" I almost jumped where I was standing when I heard Laurent's voice behind me. Is it wolf nature to be so quiet they're barely noticeable? "Well, it's bigger than the room I have back home." He let himself inside the cabin and every instinct in my body protested. Being alone with someone who's one of the wolves that basically cheered for my death last night is not something my mind and body are capable of accepting. Perhaps he noticed my discomfort so he stopped in his tracks and took a step back. "I apologize for what happened last night," he said. "I admit I was one of those people last night who wished for your death. But you don't have to worry about that now. Alaris had already set an example as to what would happen to anyone who would dare hurt you." "Why is he suddenly so protective now?" I saw him blink and cleared his throat. I don't know what it was all about but there is something going on that he doesn't want me to know. "Well, he's the alpha of the pack and he has decided to have you here." "I don't want to be a part of this pack." "You're not a part of this pack, Morgiana. It would take something more than saving one of our own for you to become one. Think of it this way: you are Alaris' friend--" I scoffed. "Friend. Nobody threatens to kill their friends." "Acquaintance," he said. "You are Alaris' acquaintance and you are here for a purposive visit. You shall be treated with respect as you are our Alpha's acquaintance. But you already know that's not the only reason we respect you. You saved my brother and I will be forever grateful to you." "So nobody's going to kill me in my sleep tonight, right?" Laurent shook his head. "No one. The last thing they would ever want is to be the receiving end of Alaris' wrath." I swallowed. I have seen them in their wolf forms before. They are massive and scary. But even that, they're terrified of Alaris' wrath. "How does one become an Alpha of the pack?" "Well, an Alpha could be someone born into the line. It could also be some ordinary wolf who challenged an Alpha and won." "Which one is Alaris?" "The latter." I raised a brow. "He's not born to the line?" Laurent shook his head. "Heavens, no. Alaris was an ordinary wolf but everyone knows how exceptional his skills are." "So he challenged your Alpha?" Laurent shook his head again and I got even more confused. "How did he--" "He challenged the Alpha of a different pack." "What? So you're saying that this pack..." "Is not the pack he was born from." "How...why?" "The Alpha of this pack was cruel. Alaris couldn't stand it so he challenged him to a duel. He killed the Alpha and it automatically made him the new one." I couldn't believe how casually Laurent said that. Alaris killed an Alpha and he became the new one. How cruel. "And the others? They accepted him as their new alpha?" "Well, some were happy the cruel alpha died. But those who follow the last alpha could not accept the defeat and does not want to submit themselves to Alaris." "What happened to them?" I am scared to think that Alaris killed them all too but I waited for Laurent to respond. "They left the pack and became rogues. They cause trouble here and there but it's nothing we can't handle." I remember the conversation I heard earlier when I gained consciousness. Alaris was talking to someone named Nico and they were talking about rogue wolves causing trouble. "What's the real deal here? I mean, I already have an inkling of the situation but I am still having a hard time to comprehend it. What is the connection between the wolves and the humans?" "Can I sit down first before I tell you because it's going to be a long one?" I nodded and he went to sit on the small couch that looked even smaller because of Laurent's huge physique. "This town is swarming with supernaturals. Mainly wolves and witches though." "Vampires?" "There are no vampires in this town. At least as far as I know. Our species are big enemies and it is never a good idea to put them in the same place. But anyway, the witches are the ones living closely with the humans. The founding families of this town were the first inhabitants. Before the wolves came, the witches and the humans already settled here. When the wolves started living in the mountain, the humans feared us but Alaris managed to convince the mayor at that time of a truce. The wolves will not be harming humans and the wolves will also drive away the vampires. In return, we were allowed to live in the mountains." "The hunters last night..." "Alaris believes there is something more to it than what meets the eye. Humans could be involved but there must be something more." "And that is what we're going to find out during this coming charity event?" Laurent nodded. "We have to find out about it as soon as we can." I swallowed hard. This is way more serious than I thought. A lot has happened and I can't believe it isn't even 24 hours yet. Thinking about my time in the school punching Arleigh's face seemed like a distant memory. "Well, that is all for tonight. I only came here to check on you. See you tomorrow, Morgiana." Laurent walked to the door and when he opened it, Alaris was standing there. Both men nodded to each other before Alaris came and found me sitting on the couch. I couldn't read the expression on his face. Why do I bother to read his face every time? He crossed his arms and looked at me. I already knew he was going to say something I wouldn't like. "You're going back to school tomorrow," he said. Great.