Part two - Prologue
MALORY P.O.V
The bell rang signaling the end of the last period. Shoving all my books into the pack, I rushed to the entrance. When other students heard my footsteps they made way for me.
The curious gazes have reduced a lot and it was a major relief. It stopped after one mean girl asked me my “brother’s” name. The growl was an instant reaction from my wolf, who was livid by that question. Glaring at the girl, I told her that Connell is my boyfriend. The girl sensing the change in my mood was clever enough to step back. Soon some nasty rumors spread around the college and Connell would laugh whenever I told it to him. It made me realize that I shouldn’t be bothered by these silly things either.
Well other than this, Connell made a lumpsum donation to the hospital associated with my college and now he was going to be invited as a chief guest to one of the college functions.
A grin spread on my face as I saw Connell waiting for me. Quickly getting in, I leaned closer and kissed him. “Now let’s go” I said as he started driving.
Finally, the day of me being declared as the Luna of Moreland Pack was here. Once I reached the house, I went to my room where Mumbles was lounging on the floor. He was officially banned from entering our bedroom, by my mate. I wondered what he was doing here, when he was supposed to be at Brenda’s, but ignored it and went to take a shower.
After a quick shower, I wore three-quarter black denim and a striped black and grey top. Before I could go downstairs, my cell phone beeped and I checked it. I was surprised to find a message from Cole Parker. He hadn’t texted me from the past month and I wondered what happened to him. I smiled as I read his forward.
Since, it had been a long time without talking to him, I called him.
“Lory, how are you?” he asked me.
“I am good, how are you?”
“I am better than better. So, why called?” he asked. “Did you realize I was a better choice than your boyfriend?” he asked and I rolled my eyes.
“No. We are together” I said and he made a grumbling noise while I chuckled. “I called because I wondered where you were all this time. No calls, no irritating messages, are you really okay?” I asked him in concern.
“So you missed me” he asked and I knew he was smirking on the other end.
“Shut up and answer me” I said with a grin.
“I was fine. I just… lost my phone” he mumbled incoherently and I narrowed my eyes.
“Where did you lose it?”
“In the pool” he replied and I raised my eyebrows even though he couldn’t see it. How does one lose their phone in the swimming pool?
“You mean to say you lost your cell phone in the pool?” I enquired and he groaned.
“Okay, fine. Promise, you will not laugh and tell another soul” he said.
“Will try to” I said smartly.
“Last week while I had gone with my dad for a business trip we stayed in this luxurious hotel. There was a pool in this hotel and many hot girls were swimming-”
“And to show off, you dived into the pool without realizing your cell phone was in your pocket” I continued, the rest of his story, chuckling and he muttered a curse.
“I tried to restore it and even stole a hair dryer but it didn’t help” he mumbled sadly.
“Aww… poor baby” I cooed. “But it serves you right” I couldn’t help but add it. He muttered few more curses and I laughed loudly.
“Plus my old man, refused to buy me a new one. I brought this after earning my first salary” he said and I smiled. From downstairs Connell called and I recalled that I had my fight today.
“First salary, really?” I asked grinning.
“Yes. I joined the business.”
“Congratulations” I said happily. Connell called me again and I sighed. “Listen, I have to go now but I will call you later, okay?” I said and after muttering a bye, I cut the call.
When I went downstairs Brenda was talking to Connell. Her lips curved to form a smile as soon as she saw me.
“Are you ready dear?” she asked me and I nodded smiling. “You sure you want to fight?” she asked me. “It isn’t compulsory”
“I want to” I told her and Brenda sighed, while Connell growled.
“I can understand. I did the same against Peter’s wishes” she told me smiling warmly. “It was the first time I refused to listen to anything he had to say” she said with a chuckle. However, her chuckles faded and she inhaled sharply. This was the first time ever since I came here, that I actually heard Brenda telling something about her mate.
In spite of being hurt and lonely ever since Alpha Peter’s death, she still manages to stay strong and smile bravely. I esteemed Brenda highly and hoped that I would be a Luna if not better than her, than just as good as her.
“Did you win?” I asked her in a whisper.
“It was a stalemate” Brenda said with a smile. “Come on, have your coffee”
While I was drinking my coffee, someone from the pack asked Connell to come to the clearing. He then left after asking me to come with Brenda, to the clearing.
“Thank-you” Brenda said while I was staring at Connell’s retreating figure.
“What for?” I asked her in bewilderment.
“For bringing that cheerful boy back” she said and I blinked. “There has been a lot of change in Cortez’s behavior and I am really happy to see him like this.” she said smiling genuinely. “You did it” she said and I beamed. She leaned forward to hug me. “I am proud of you. I couldn’t have asked a better mate than you for Cortez” she said and I blushed deeply.
“Thank-you” I told staring at her emerald green eyes. “For taking care of him, all these years”
“He is my son.” She said proudly and I nodded.
We continued to sip our coffee in silence before I spoke to her, “Are you…. Are you okay with Ruben being in this pack?” I asked her hesitantly. I knew it would be difficult for Brenda because Ruben’s brother was the one who had killed her mate.
She was silent for a few minutes before answering. “I went to talk to him yesterday” Brenda told me and I was stunned to hear it. “I did not like him being here” she added harshly and I gulped. I have never once thought about this and I felt really terrible. I knew why she felt so and even though it wasn’t Ruben’s fault, I doubt Brenda would accept it. “I went there and asked the boy to tell me everything about that wretched brother of his and he told-”
“Brenda, if you don’t want him staying here, it’s-” I spoke cutting in but she raised her palm and stopped me.
“He told me truth. Did he tell you that his father whipped him when he refused to kill Peter?” Brenda said and I shook my head. I was shocked to hear about this. “He was chained, imprisoned and tortured by his own father and the day Cortez attacked the rogues, he found freedom” she said and I closed my eyes, letting the tears flow.
“He didn’t tell me this” I told her. My heart was beating rapidly and I placed a hand on my chest. How could a father do that to his son?
“He wouldn’t have told me either. I saw the scars on his back by accident and initially I thought wolves from our pack did it to him and when I demanded for the names, he told me the truth” she said and wiped her tears. “You see, after that… I don’t think I can hate the boy” she told me smiling sadly. “There were few more pups with him, but they died while escaping.” She said and I flinched. “He asked me not to tell you this, but I think you deserve to know the truth. I already told Cortez about this because he asked for my permission whether or not to accept the pup into the pack. And it is okay, the pup deserves a chance to lead a happy life” she told me honestly and I smiled.
“Thank-you” I whispered.
“Keep cool and don’t forget to kick your opponent’s ass” Raven said from beside me, while we were walking to the clearing, and I chuckled. She and her mate, Granel came here to view the ceremony and were staying here tonight. “Even if you don’t Cortez will” she said giggling. “How did he agree to this in the first place?” she asked me cocking an eyebrow and I turned beet red.
“He didn’t” I told her and she smiled, tucking a strand of her dark hair behind her ears.
“Even Granel didn’t want me to fight. But Isadora had forced him to agree to it. The woman had thought I was a weak she-wolf but when I knocked down the opponent, whom she had picked for me, within five minutes, she learned to keep her mouth shut.” Raven spat, her emerald green eyes, turning dark. She had every reason to dislike Isadora, a vile woman.
“Was she bad?” I asked Raven and she turned to look at me.
“Terrible. Actually since I was her son’s mate, she couldn’t do much to me. But she detested Cortez and didn’t bother hiding it either” she said and I growled. “I know how you feel” Raven said placing a hand on my shoulder after hearing my growl. “But it’s over and done.” Raven said cheerfully.
“Except the pup is still lurking around” I pointed out grimly.
“No. I don’t think he will be back soon” she said, shaking her head. “He will not be back until he is for sure that he can take over us or more like Darya” she said with a smile.
“She is the only one who has the capability to fight him” I told her and Raven bobbed her head.
“I know.” She said and then there was a silence for few minutes before she spoke again. “This other pup, Ruben….Who is going to be accepted to the pack. Can he be trusted?” she asked me and I nodded. “Is mom really okay with this?” Raven asked me worried. “Mom told me she is fine with him being a pack member, but I don’t want her hurt” she stressed.
“She had spoken to Ruben” I told her and Raven’s emerald green eyes were as wide as saucers. I then explained everything what Brenda had told me.
“I feel sorry for Ruben” she told me softly, just as we reached the clearing.
We walked in silence for few minutes before Raven started giggling, “By the way, high-five for what you did for Cortez marking you in the parking lot.” She said and I cocked an eyebrow. “Yes. He told me you blackmailed him and I think he truly deserved it” she said and I giggled. “But I must add, you went a little soft. If you would have come to me, then I would have suggested you to make the dog wear his shirts” she said and I choked on my spit before bursting into laughter.
“Even Granel marked me without my permission” she said after some time.
“Tell me more”