Chapter 12
Zachary’s POV
The first light of dawn seeped through my window, waking me from a restless sleep. Today was the day. I have to start making amends with Amara.
After a quick shower and getting dressed, I headed to the dining area. The house was slowly coming to life and I could hear the sounds of pack members starting their day.
As I walked into the dining room, the scent of freshly brewed coffee, juicy bacon and baked bread filled my senses. Mason and Joe were already seated, eating and talking about something. When they saw me, their conversation halted and both bowed their head slightly in respect.
Mason was looking at me like, I was some teenager returned from a high school night out. I guess it’s because of my yesterday’s behaviour.
“Morning, Alpha. Did you sleep well?” he finally spoke.
“As well as I could. Any news about Amara? Did she settle in well?”
Before Mason could reply Amara walked in, my breath caught at the sight of her.
I was about to choke on my coffee. My goddess she looked radiant despite wearing no makeup.
Her cheeks are flushed, she wore her hospital wear and her hair is managed in a long ponytail.
My wolf purring in response. I managed to stop the rumble coming out from my chest.
She made her way to the dining table and took her seat after Mason. How stupid was I to think that she would take the empty seat beside me. She looked at me with blank expression. “Good morning, Alpha Gray”
It stings when she calls me Alpha. Mates are not supposed to use titles among them. I can’t correct her in front of everyone, since I promised her that I will not disclose our relationship to anyone. Are we in a relationship ?
“You are in a one sided relationship dumb ass” Aiden mocks me. That cheeky wolf of mine. I agree now, we both are jerks.
Keeping my composure I replied, “Good morning Amara”
She is giggling her heart out when Mason made a joke about Joe falling hard on his ass yesterday while bringing her luggage to guest room. I don’t get the joke anyway, but I’m happy seeing her happy.
Before I could ask how she slept yesterday and did she even like her room, Sam and Rose entered the dining area. I kept my mouth shut and nodded when they bowed to me.
Rose seemed particularly excited, her eyes lighting up as she spotted Amara. Both Sam and Rose took seats opposite to Mason and Amara.
“Hi, are you the infamous Dr. Amara Davis? It’s so good to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you. Can we be friends ? please!!” Rose sure is a talker.
“One question at a time babe. Hi Amara, I’m Sam and this is my mate rose. I’m Gamma of Night Blood pack and Zach’s cousin” Sam placed a hand on Rose’s shoulder pulling her towards him.
Amara’s eyes sparkled for a second. She smiled, her eyes softening. “Hi Sam, hello Rose. Nice to meet you both. And Rose, of course we can be friends. I’d love that. Please call me just Amara”
All of us settled at the table and I tried to catch Amara’s gaze, but she was focused on Rose and the conversation around her.
I heard Rose ask “Did you like your room ? If you need to change anything in the decor, please let me know”
I see conflict on Amara’s face.
Before she could reply, Mason swooped in the conversation “Oh about that.. Alpha!! Amara insisting on moving to the house near by our pack hospital. she says it would help her work more efficiently. I need your permission with that”
I placed the coffee mug little hard on the table. Now, I got the attention I needed from everyone. “What? Why? don’t you like it here Amara? If you don’t like something we can fix it for you”
“Umm. It’s not like that Alpha Gray. My job requires me to stay near the hospital. In case of any emergency I can go there faster. Please allow me to stay near the pack hospital” says Amara.
Even though she says it’s because of the work, deep down I know her reason. It’s because of me. She doesn’t want to stay near me.
“Don’t permit this. I don’t want mate staying far from us. I want her here” Aiden pleads.
“I know Aiden, I don’t want her moving either. But I can’t restrict her. If I do she will hate me more. Just trust me on his” I tried to convince Aiden.
A flicker of disappointment crossed my face, but I quickly masked it. I took a deep breath, knowing this was a battle I wouldn’t win. “Well then. If that’s what you want, you can move there. Masy, please help Amara for shifting to the new place”
“Of course, Alpha” Mason replied.
After the breakfast Mason and Amara left for the hospital. Rose went into the kitchen to instruct our chefs regarding today’s lunch and dinner. Joe and Sam went for their border patrol and inspection duty.
I went straight to my office, to work on my pending tasks and approvals. There was a pile of paperwork, that needs my urgent attention. My mind occasionally drifting back to Amara. I had to focus, but the thought of her being so close yet so distant was a constant distraction.
I didn’t notice it was already 2pm. I heard a knock on my door. I sense it’s Sam and Mason.
“Come on in” I announced.
“Zach, I need to discuss some important matters with you and Masy. It’s regarding the rogue attacks near our southern border” Sam says worriedly.
The air around us heavy with the seriousness of the situation.
We sat down and Sam laid out the details of the rogue activities that had occurred near our borders.
“Is anyone hurt?” I asked.
“The attack was swift and brutal. Three of our pack members from patrol team are injured”
My wolf started to pace back and forth. He doesn’t like someone invaded our pack land and attacked our people. He wants vengeance. “Let’s go and kill the rogues. How dare they enter my territory?” I have blocked him out for the time being. It’s easy, then to speak with him rationally.
I felt bad for the warriors who are hurt. I heard they got attacked with silver knives. I felt sick to the stomach. “How could this happen all of a sudden? There were no attacks since two whole years”
“I guess they were monitoring our borders since long back. The attacks happened when we were coming back from Blue Moon. I think they knew you were out of the pack” says Mason.
“You may be right here Masy. It’s too much of a coincidence. But first and foremost we need to find out who’s leading these rogues” We start discussing details about all the past rogue attacks on our land.
“Unlike their usual carefree attitude, these rogues were too organised. It’s just a hunch but, I get a feeling the attacks are related to Maximus” I get this eery feeling inside.
Sam and Mason nodded grimly. “Right. How could we forget him? His right hand, James trespassed our territory and committed the unforgivable. He raped one of our young she-wolves and mutilated her. You were right to hunt him down and kill him” Sam says with fury.
My jaw clenched at the memory. “I didn’t just kill him. I made sure he suffered enough similar to how he hurt that female pup”. That’s what you deserve when you mess with my pack and my people.
Memories of past kept flooding in. Maximus attacked us with a rogue army not long after that. It was a brutal battle. We lost many, but we stood our ground and defeated them.
But Maximus had an escape plan. He slipped through our fingers and escaped alive. Now, it seems he’s back, looking for vengeance.
I clenched my fists, anger simmering beneath the surface. “If he’s returned, we need to be ready. This time, we finish what we couldn’t last time”
Sam and Mason nodded. “We will be. We’ll protect our pack and make sure Maximus doesn’t get another chance to strike. This time, we end it for good” says Sam.
“Before that we need to strengthen our defences. Increase patrols on borders and ensure everyone is on high alert” I ordered.
I can feel Aiden gaining his hold back on my thoughts. “What about mate? she wants to stay far from us. We need to protect her” he says affirmative.
Right, what can I do? I can’t force her to stay here at the pack house. She will never agree to it.
“Mason, One more thing, station two of our best warriors outside Amara’s house. I can’t risk something happening to her” I ordered.
“Sure, Alpha” he obliged.
With that they bowed and left for their assigned duties.