Trinity the last White Witch - Chapter 92

[Lyander’s POV]

“You wanted to see me?” As soon as I arrived in Ernst’s office, I asked the former Alpha of the Silver Moon pact.

I had a clue as to why he summoned me. But each time, I pretended not to know.

Ernst peeked over the bridge of his nose. He still had his form for an old man, and his body was sturdy as a rock. He could still outperform and defeat five younger wolves with just his human form alone.

At his prime, he was considered to be one of the ten powerful werewolves, and Silver Moon Pact grew with him as the Alpha. He was also my mentor and a father figure.

I wonder why Reynar didn’t have his combat abilities and physical strength. He was not even half the man Ernst was when he was his age.

“I assumed that you know why I called you here?” Ernst asked with a serious voice and face.

I took a big silent breath of air. “Is this you asking me to take on the role of Alpha again?”

Reynar was appointed the Alpha because of his father position, but Ernst wanted me to challenge his son and take the role for my own.

I forgot how many times Ernst talked to me about becoming Alpha in the past years. But I declined each time, thinking I was an outsider and that the pact shouldn’t be divided.

Ernst had no choice but to appoint his son since he was already too old, and the Alpha’s position couldn’t be delayed any longer.

Ernst nodded. “As much as I wanted my son to take the role, I had to do what’s right for the sake of the whole pack.”

“What’s right is not to divide the pack right now,” I argued with him. I didn’t want to become Alpha. I didn’t see any need for it in my life.

“Divide or not, it already happened. There are already two factions in the pack. One is rooting for you and secretly hoped that you would challenge Reynar for the position. While the remaining is on Reynar’s side. But we both know that you can easily win if you challenge him for the Alpha’s role.”

“. . . Is this you tying me to the pack?” Once I became the Alpha, I’d be officially tied to the Silver Moon Pact and would be bound in the pack forever. Not that I was thinking of leaving in the first place.

Ernst must be worried that I’d change pact since many had an interest for me to join the other group with a beta position, offering me all the luxury and comfort I wanted.

However, I had assured him time and time again that I would remain here. I owed him everything, and I was very loyal to him. Even though my stay here wasn’t the bit pleasant, the pack had still provided me food and a roof over my head. My friends were also here, and we’re already like family. Colm, Terishia, and even Ernst.

I was not about to leave and abandon them for something like power, luxury, and comfort.

“That too,” Ernst admitted. “If I’m gone, I’m afraid that the others would harm you, and you would leave the pack. If that happened . . .”

Ernst grimaced. “Then this pact will be the target of every other pact in Twilight Woods. Both you and I know that the only thing keeping them from invading our territory is because I am still alive and that you’re here.”

“. . .”

“. . .”

We were both silent for a moment. Ernst interlaced his fingers, elbow resting on his table with a serious expression on his face.

“You know how the other pacts movement right now?”

I nodded. “The strongest pact in the north, the White moon had been conquering borders after borders. In retaliation, the strongest pact in the south, Black Moon had been amassing allies and forming alliances to prepare for their invasion.”

Ernst nodded in affirmation. “That’s right. We are in between this powerhouse pacts and whether we like it or not, war is upon us. And if we don’t strengthen our pact now, we will be swept by the other pacts. We need a strong leader. A strong alpha.”

I looked at him in earnest. I didn’t know how to feel about being Alpha. It never once crossed my mind. I was contended as a soldier, a guard for the pact. But my wolf didn’t like the idea of following orders from those weaker than him. If this kept up, I was afraid a day would come when I couldn’t control him, and I would shift to challenge Reynar for the Alpha’s position.

A growl of delight coming from my wolf almost slipped from my hard-pressed lips. He liked the idea very much.

I never once imagined myself becoming Alpha and leading a pact. I didn’t have a reason to become one. I could protect the pack perfectly fine with me as a fighter.

“Your son is already strong,” I said.

“But he isn’t strong as you.”

“. . .”

Ernst and I stared at each other, gauging who would retrieve his eyes first. At my silence, he knew that I wouldn’t open my mouth until he did.

He slumped on his chair in defeat and sighed into the ceiling. “There will be a meeting of alphas three days from now. It would be held at Neutral Ground, organized by the Dessert Rose Pact for small pacts like ours. No doubt they wanted to discuss about the alliance from the ever-growing power of the White Moon Pact. A representative of the Black Moon Pact would also be there.”

Apparently, for such a gathering of minor pacts like ours didn’t warrant the Black Moon Alpha’s appearance.

“Of course, I, Reynar, his beta, and some of our best fighters are going to attend.” Ernst paused for a moment before he added, “I want you to come with us as well.”

“Are you sure it’s a good idea?” I asked.

“Don’t worry. The pact isn’t left unprotected.”

“You know that isn’t what I mean.” Reynar and I in close proximity wasn’t my idea of a companion and a two day travel from here with him nearby was a bad idea. “My wolf is agitated if I’m near your son. You know that.”

“Then challenge him.”

“Do you want me to kill your son? You know, with his stubborn personality and my wolf’s aggressive nature, it is a possibility.”

There was a ninety percent chance of killing each other during the fight for the Alpha’s position. Mainly because a werewolf would rather die than face the humiliation of defeat.

“He wouldn’t. I knew Reynar. He’s afraid of death more than a loss. And you’ll be on another carriage. I’m sure your wolf can stand an hour or two with my son within a twenty-meter radius, right?”

Even I didn’t know myself. Maybe if he didn’t try anything funny and left me alone, my wolf would ignore him.

My wolf snickered, and I wanted to knock its head.

“. . . Why me?” I asked, “I don’t think my position is high enough to attend those kinds of gatherings.”

I’d rather guard the pack than sit in meetings and be the subject of Reynar and his friends’ torment and taunting.

“We might encounter unexpected problems. It’s better to prepare than be sorry later. And besides, I’d be more at ease with you there with us.”

I frowned. “Problems?”

“With the gatherings of Alpha’s, it’s a perfect place for assassinations and ambushes. Even though the meeting was kept secret and held in neutral ground, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Neutral ground is actually a place at the center of the Twilight woods. It was a two days travel from here to there. Long ago, Loki established it as a no-fighting zone for all pacts. It serves as an area of congregations, gatherings, and meetings to this day.

But since the White Moon, the strongest pact decided to invade neighboring borders and swallowed packs after packs within its ranks, that neutral ground might not be so neutral anymore.

Ernst smirked. “You can have Colm come with you so you wouldn’t feel so . . . alone.”

I restrained a grumble. “And who is left to protect the pact while we’re gone?”

“Does that mean you’ll go with us?”

I wanted to wipe the silly grin off his face. “I don’t think I had a choice if you really wanted me to go.”

The real reason was, Ernst was old. Though he was strong before, but old age was like a wolf’s bane. Your strength and speed weren’t the same in your prime.

I couldn’t say that I was worried about him, even if it was true. He was going in a pack of werewolves with only Reynar and a bunch of fighters with him.

Like he said, if he died, that was one strong protector of the Silver Moon pact gone.

And I probably wouldn’t be able to sleep worrying about him.

“I will go if Colm will go with us.”