CHAPTER 5: DON’T PITY ME

~ Harper’s POV ~

I took a deep breath, reaching my hand up to wipe the tears that I didn’t realize had been streaming down my face. I knew I looked a mess. I took a moment to calm myself and try to stop the pain that was growing stronger in the center of my chest. The pain of losing my parents was heavier now than it has been the last few hours. The cause, no doubt due to me reliving my story.

I wanted to erase those memories. I know that until I see Thane Kago die, I could never fully heal. I wanted to help the servants and what innocents that are left in that place. At this moment, my confidence in that ever happening wasn’t there.

“Your story is very tragic young lady. I am sorry to hear of all the horrible things that you have been through in the last few months.” I nodded as an intended thank you. Not wanting sympathy or pity.

I looked over to Gabriel, for a moment all the pain and sorrow I was feeling faded away. He was sitting in his chair with his elbows resting on his knees. His hands were interlaced, and he was resting his forehead on his knuckles, with his face angled to the floor. I could see that his eyes were shut, and it looked like his jaw was clenched. It looked like he was trying to calm himself. Could he really be that affected by what happened to me? Surely he has other things to be worried about. We only just met. Maybe he is asleep… I turned to look back toward Alpha Titus.

“Please, don’t pity me. I went through hell, but I am alive. I lost my parents, but I made it out. I know my parents are watching over me. No matter how alone I feel, I will keep moving forward for them. I am a strong woman. All I need is a pack. I will get a job and support myself if given the chance.” Alpha Titus watched me intently, taking in everything that I was saying. Gabriel finally opened his eyes…

“Did you say you don’t have your wolf yet?” I looked toward him.

“That is right, I have not gotten my wolf yet.” Gabriel nodded as he wore a stone face free of any emotion or feelings.

“When is your eighteenth birthday?” This question confused me, but I answered.

“Four days from now. The day of the solar eclipse and the summer solstice.”

Gabriel turned his head to look at his father.

“I have heard about The Foul Moon Pack. They have not always been such a thorn in my side. They have always been a hateful pack with a handful of loyal and good wolves. I have been getting reports just how bad things have gotten with that pack. A few alphas have approached me to ask for our assistance and protection from fear of being overtaken by the Foul Moon Pack.”

I wasn’t surprised, the things that Thane was doing couldn’t be hidden for long. Not that he was trying to hide anything. “What was your rank in your old pack?” It took me a minute to understand Alpha Titus’s question.

“Oh…um…I was considered a warrior in training.” Gabriel turned to look at me as if surprised by what I said.

“You trained? How often? How long have you been in training?” excited by the direction of the conversation I let myself feel pride in that moment.

“I have trained since I was old enough to try. When I was four years old, I would watch my mother and father with their forms and motion. I would try to mirror their movements. My parents thought it was cute, so they started including me in their routines. Before times got bad within the pack my father was hailed as one of the strongest warriors in the pack. He could calculate his opponents’ movements like he was reading their mind and predicting their next move. He hardly ever lost a fight, and he didn’t hold back on the battlefields.

I never looked at training as a job or a chore. I fell into a routine and stuck with it. I constantly pushed my body to the limit, conditioning myself to have better cardio and skills. I found training to be the one thing that I could indulge in, and it made me feel like I was doing something worthwhile. I was gaining skill sets that I could use in my future of being a warrior for my pack. It wasn’t long before I was recognized as one of the strongest warriors in training. Age and height did not hold me back. I am only 5’3 with a toned build. This was never a disadvantage to me. I was usually faster than my opponents. Every failure or lost fight wasn’t devastating to me. I would take my loss like a lady, learning from my mistakes and getting better and better at what I did. Before I was made an official warrior, our alpha died, and all hell broke loose.”

As pleasant memories faded back into reality, I realized that Alpha Titus and Alpha Gabriel were staring at me with a bewildered expression on their faces. I was trying to understand what they were thinking when Alpha Gabriel spoke…

“Wow, I look forward to seeing you in training.” Red hot heat flooded my cheeks, and I bit my lip. Biting my lip has always been a nervous habit of mine. I do it without realizing. “What are your greatest strengths?” Gabriel asked.

“Well, I try to keep myself well diverse in my specialties, but I took after my father. It is easy for me to predict my opponent's next move and implement counter attacks on the spot. I am not as good as my father…. was, but I know I can be with enough training and hard work.”

Gabriel was looking at me with his eyebrows raised and his bottom lip trapped between his teeth. It was clear that he was thinking about something. I wonder what…. Alpha Titus drug me from my mind before I could let my thoughts linger on Gabriel’s bottom lip any longer.

“Well, it is settled then. As the Alpha of the Harmony Moon Pack, I am proud to accept you with open arms. I sense no ill intent from you, and I know that you will be a great gain for our pack. Our warrior she wolves could use some of your help on the field. If what you are telling us is true. Your skillset will prove to be beneficial to our training sessions. What do you think Gabriel?” Caught off guard Alpha Gabriel’s gaze snapped to his father then back to me. His eyes darkened and he looked straight at me, once again giving me that seductive yet mischievous smile. Nervous chills covered my entire body.

“I am sure that Harper will be a kick ass fighter. I am looking forward to watching her on the field.”

The mere thought of Alpha Gabriel watching me during training had my stomach doing flips…yikes! I was trying to hold back the heat rising back into my cheeks while Gabriel and I held eye contact for a moment, I was happily lost in his seemingly possessive gaze until Alpha Titus coughed to get our attention.

I quickly jerked my head back in the direction of Alpha Titus, feeling embarrassment flooding my thoughts. Rising from his chair Alpha Titus walked around his desk. He was towering over me; he placed his hand on my shoulder.

“As Alpha this pack, I am proud to exercise my authority provided to me by our beloved Moon Goddess, to accept you Harper Rae as a proud member of The Harmony Moon Pack.” I felt a shiver roll through my body as the link was opened to me. Alpha Titus then opened his mind link up to the entire pack “everyone, I am letting you know that I have accepted a new she wolf into our pack. Her name is Harper Rae. Please welcome her and show her kindness as she adjusts to her new home here with us.”

My mind link was flooded with members welcoming me. I heard old voices, and voices that sounded to be from pack members my age. I even heard nice words from children which took me by surprise. Alpha Titus moved closer to me with his arms held out. I gladly accepted his hug and returned it.

“My dear, you are going to be just fine. You will settle into our pack, and it will feel like you have grown up here. If you are happy with the living quarters that you had last night, you are welcome to keep that room. If you are unhappy, just let Kelly know. I know she will do anything to make sure that you feel comfortable here. A job will be provided to you if you would like, but I want you to know that you don’t have to work. All your needs will be met, and once you become an official warrior after your skillset is confirmed, you will begin to receive a generous wage anyway. It is your choice.

Gabriel will walk you back out to the dining hall. I am sure your stomach is chewing on your backbone by now, so I will leave you to it. When you are ready, Gabriel is also over everything to do with training so he is who you would go to for all your questions. He can provide you a training schedule, and you can begin training when you feel ready. Please, take your time and make yourself at home.”

Alpha Titus gave me a smile that reminded me of the way that my father smiled at me. I fought the tears threatening to flood my eyes.

“Thank you, Alpha Titus and Alpha Gabriel, for everything. I will work to become a productive member of this pack and do my part with loyalty and pride.”