Chapter 3: The Alpha Of Moonfang
***A few days later***
Fay was making breakfast for the family but her mind was on Sabel and how close they had gotten since she arrived at Moonfang. She not only made a friend, she made a best friend, and Fay loved it.
“Who put you in such a fabulous mood?” Finch asked as he took a seat at the dining room table. “I hope it isn’t a boy.”
Fay giggled at the thought. “It’s Sabel. She said she’d take me shopping today.”
“It’s nice to see you having fun with people your own age,” he said, sipping on the coffee that Fay made for him. “As long as you stay away from the Alpha, I’m happy.”
“Why should I stay away from Elias?” Fay asked, bewildered by the statement.
At that exact moment, Melanie walked in. She gave her husband a peck on the cheek before heading over to the stove to help, but Fay was already done. They dished the food before joining Finch at the table.
“We didn’t tell him that you don’t have your wolf yet.” Finch said honestly. “We don’t want it to slip out,”
“Why would you lie about that?” Fay asked in a panicked tone.
“Because we were afraid he wouldn’t allow you into the pack if he knew,” Melanie answered. “You saw how you were judged at Bloodclaw. We don’t want that to happen again.”
Fay was completely taken aback by their confession.
“I know you’re doing this to protect me, but we can’t just lie to an Alpha,” Fay said, her alarm evident in her voice. “We could be thrown out of the pack… If Elias is in a good mood.”
“And if he isn’t, things can be a lot worse,” her father said as he took her hands in his. “But we don’t care about any of that, darling. All we care about is you.”
Such behavior wouldn’t be taken lightly. Fay knew that all too well. It was disrespectful. But Fay was obligated to obey in order to protect her parents.
“I promise I’ll avoid him at all cost,” she mumbled as pushed her food around on her plate.
They had finally settled into their new home, and even though Fay felt guilty about lying, she knew it was for the greater good. At the end of the day, her family’s safety was what mattered most so she would do whatever it took to protect them.
Fay was busy washing the dishes when someone knocked on the door. She looked down at her watch, thinking she might’ve lost track of time, but Sabel wasn’t supposed to arrive for another hour.
Her brow furrowed in confusion, and she went to open the door.
“Hi, Bestie!” Sabel chimed as she threw her arms around Fay. “I know I’m early, but you guys have been summoned by Elias.”
“Summoned?” Fay asked as her bewilderment grew.
“Yes, he wants to see all three of you,” Sabel said with a nod. “Now.”
Fay’s heart was pounding against her chest. Her breathing became shallow, and she was fidgeting with her nails as panic rose within her.
What did he want with them? Did he figure out that she had no wolf? The questions kept repeating themselves, knocking against the walls of her skull as if they were trying to break free.
A searing pain ripped through her head, nearly bringing her to her knees, and suddenly she felt a reassuring hand roaming over her back.
“It’s okay,” Melanie’s voice echoed in her mind. “Everything is fine. Just calm down.”
The mind link she shared with her parents must’ve alerted them of her dismay, which she was grateful for. Melanie’s soft voice always had such a soothing effect on Fay, and she really needed it at that moment.
“What’s wrong?” Sabel asked, her concern evident.
“I’ve just been having some headaches lately. Nothing serious,” Fay lied. “Do you think he found out about me?” Fay asked through the mind link as Sabel escorted them to the Pack House.
“He probably just wants to find out how we’re doing,” Finch assured her.
As they arrived at the Pack House a great sense of unease overwhelmed Fay. She didn’t know what it was until they bumped into Tybalt, who was blocking the way.
“Elias wants to see each of you individually,” Tybalt said, raising Fay’s concern even more. “Mrs. Walker, please go through to the office.”
Tybalt waved Melanie in, and while he was distracted, Fay shared a look with Finch. This kind of thing wasn’t normal. It could only mean that the Alpha was suspecting something. This was an investigation, there was no doubt about it.
“Promise me you won’t reveal your secret about being wolfless,” Finch said through the mind link. “It doesn’t matter what happens, you have to keep this secret.”
“Mr. Walker, you can wait in the room around the corner,” Tybalt said, motioning to the corner he meant.
“Promise me, Fay!” Finch said. His panic could be felt through the link.
“I promise,” Fay whispered as she watched her father walk away.
Fay just stood in the doorway, frozen in fear and feeling extremely uncomfortable. She had no idea what to expect. But the more she thought about it, the more dreadful the situation seemed.
They had never been questioned like this before, not even by Jared, and they’d never been separated. Once again, Fay felt like a burden to her family, which was something she couldn’t change, even if she wanted to.
“Why don’t you take a seat?” Tybalt asked, drawing her from her thoughts.
He gave her a sweet smile as he gestured to the couch in the corner. Knowing that she didn’t have much of a choice and that they’d probably be waiting for a while, she sat down.
“Are you guys enjoying yourselves here?” Tybalt asked as he joined her.
Fay nodded and looked down at her entangled fingers. She suspected that her father’s words counted for the Beta as well. And since Fay didn’t want to cause unnecessary trouble, she decided it would be best to just keep quiet.
“Are you afraid of us?” Tybalt questioned, catching Fay completely off guard.
Her eyes widened at the sudden realization that she might be putting her family in danger, or making them look suspicious with her silence. At that exact moment, Melanie walked out of the Alpha’s office, looking less afraid than she did when she went in.
It was a sight for sore eyes that allowed Fay to relax a little. The two women didn’t say a word to each other. Melanie simply left the room when Finch was called in for questioning.
“I guess anyone would be afraid under these circumstances,” Fay mumbled as she fiddled with the hem of her dress. “This inquisition is strange to us, especially since we have nothing to hide.”
Tybalt barked out a laugh as he leaned back. “This isn’t an interrogation. It’s Elias’ way of welcoming you to our pack.”
“So… he won’t hurt us?” Fay asked. For the first time since they arrived, she looked at the Beta.
“Of course not!” he said incredulously. “What makes you think he would?”
Fay was pleasantly surprised by Tybalt’s forthrightness and friendliness. But she was also amazed by his ability to put her at ease with nothing more than a chuckle. She felt her nervousness dying down with each minute they spent together, and pretty soon she felt as comfortable with him as she did with her parents.
“We’ve heard rumors,” she said, leaning back as well. “Some say he’s the most feared Alpha in the world.”
“I guess that would be true in some cases,” Tybalt said, moving closer to her. “Elias can be very authoritative, but he’s also loyal, especially when it comes to the people he loves.”
“Does that mean he found his mate?” The question slipped out before Fay could stop it.
“If he did, the whole world would know about it.” Tybalt chuckled as he winked at her. “Elias might look strict, but that’s only because he has an image to uphold. But he’s just like the rest of us, searching for the person who can make us whole again.”
Fay could see a great fondness in Tybalt’s eyes when he spoke about Elias. It was as if the two of them had known each other for centuries and that gave her the impression that their friendship was deep-rooted.
During the discussion, she also realized that the way Tybalt described and spoke of Elias didn’t match any of the stories she’d heard. He didn’t seem like the monster those tales painted. He seemed like the complete opposite.
Even her own experiences with him proved that. From what she’d gathered, she could tell that Elias was tough and that he didn’t take shit from anyone, but that didn’t make him a devil or some kind of demon.
It just showed that he was a good, respectable Alpha.
“What about Cassidy? I heard she has a… crush on him,” Fay said cautiously.
“If that isn’t a perfect example of how quickly rumors spread around here,” Tybalt laughed. “Cassidy doesn’t stand a chance! Especially not now when his eyes are set on someone else.”
Fay looked down in an attempt to hide the flicker of disappointment that flashed over her eyes. She still didn’t understand why this topic affected her like this, but each time it happened, she was happy about the promise she made to her father.
Fay had already caused enough problems for her family. She didn’t want these confusing feelings to muddy the waters even more. She’d just stay as far away from him as she could and pretend he didn’t exist.
“Do you have any other questions?” Tybalt asked, seemingly intrigued by her reaction.
Fay pointed her thumb at Elias’ office. “What will happen in there?”
“Nothing too serious.” He gave her a charming smile. “He’ll ask you some questions to find out if you’re a danger to the pack and you’ll be free to leave.”
Well, that doesn’t make me feel better at all, Fay thought to herself as her nerves crept back in. Her heart pounded even faster as she thought of all her secrets. There were just so many of them.
Because of that she was a burden to everyone in her life, including her new pack. Was she comfortable with that? Not at all. Was she worried about what it would mean? Definitely.
“I’m a little nervous,” Fay admitted.
“I could come with you if that would help,” Tybalt offered, as he placed a reassuring hand on her knee.
Fay was baffled by the way those words made her feel. It felt like she meant something, and only her parents ever managed to do the same. It was such a nice sensation that it encouraged the smile that played at the corner of her lips.
Fay was about to accept when the office door opened. When her father stepped out he still looked as skeptical as he did when he went in, which frightened her. It was clear that Finch didn’t share the same experience as Melanie, and Fay couldn’t help but wonder what she would face.
Elias stepped into the hallway. The sight of him was enough to make Fay’s heart stop beating. He looked extremely irritated by her presence, and that could only mean that she was in a world of trouble.
“Dad?” she questioned through the mind link.
But the only reaction Finch gave was a slight shake of his head.
“Fay,” Elias said as he motioned to the door.
She looked over at Tybalt, who had a look of utter confusion etched into his face.
