Freya's POV
In Snowland.
The Alpha palace buzzed with song and dance.
Alpha Craig occupied the head of the table and raised his glass to Henry, saying, "I wonder what's next for you, Alpha Henry?" Craig asked, a smile playing on his lips.
In a calm voice, Henry responded, "Alpha Craig, didn't you want to discuss the future of the Snowwolf Pack with me?"
Henry didn't answer Craig directly and changed the topic.
"As you can see, Snowland has been frozen for years, supplies are scarce, and I don't believe the Snowwolf Pack can develop rapidly. For the time being, I plan to establish Snowland as a separate state with distinct laws and policies."
Craig eloquently expounded on his political views, concluding, "But, you know, I need allies. I wonder if Alpha Henry would consider entering a long-term partnership with my pack."
Henry looked at Craig calmly, paused, and replied, "Of course, it would be my honor."
Craig was visibly pleased with Henry's response, erupting into a series of chuckles before taking a soft sip of his drink. He then shifted his attention to me, remarking, "I hear you're Eric's mate, Marian? Eric is an excellent mate—young and talented."
I pretended to nod shyly. Craig, adopting an elder-like tone, continued to say to Eric, "Your father would be pleased to know you've found a mate."
Eric's father and Craig had been close friends, but Eric's father met an unfortunate end during a skirmish while searching for supplies.
Mavis, seated beside Craig, frowned slightly. "Father, you're a bit drunk."
Before Craig could respond, Mavis handed him a cup of antidote tea, saying, "Father, this is an antidote tea for you. Please use it."
Craig accepted the hangover tea and drank it in one go. In the next moment, Craig's eyes closed, and he collapsed onto the table.
Mavis exchanged glances with a few of us.
Mavis proclaimed loudly, "Alpha Craig is drunk; I need to take him to his room first so he can rest. The party is over."
The crowd scattered, and Mavis and Eric escorted the unconscious Craig to his room on the second floor.
Henry and I hastened our pace as well.
......
Late at night, Snowland, perpetually plagued by ice and snow, suddenly grew quiet. However, the more subdued it became, the more unsettling the atmosphere. Pedestrians were scarce on the streets.
The silence was abruptly shattered by the eerie howling of wolves.
Henry and I stood by the river, with the bound Gamma Leavis of the Snowwolf Pack and his troops by our side.
"Look, I have no intention of causing harm to your lives," I declared as I stepped forward, locking eyes with Leavis, who stubbornly resisted my gaze. "On the contrary, I'm here to help you."
Leavis sneered disdainfully, "Is that so? I hadn't realized that your idea of helping involves tying us up."
Dozens of military vehicles rumbled by, raising a cloud of dust. In one of the leading vehicles sat Danny, Henry's Beta. He swung the door open and emerged, accompanied by a group of armed werewolves.
Danny approached us and nodded at Henry. "Everything's settled."
I flashed a slight smile before walking over to Leavis and, to his astonishment, untied him. "I'm sorry, Leavis. I had to do this to ensure our conversation could be peaceful."
With his freedom restored, Leavis stood up, flexed his muscles, and then scanned our group and the sizable contingent behind us. Clearly, he had foreseen the unfolding events.
"Who the hell are you guys? What do you want?" Leavis fumed, yet the circumstances compelled him to engage in a somewhat amicable conversation with us.
I raised my hand in a gesture, followed by a dull thud as everyone behind me threw their weapons to the ground.
I then said to Leavis, "I am Luna Freya, of The Shadowmoon Pack, and this person beside me is my brother, Alpha Henry, of the Moonlight Pack. As for your second question—what do we want? I think I already told you; we are here to help you."
Leavis looked at me and was silent for a brief moment, then spoke coldly, "Is that so? As far as I know, Alpha Kingsley of your Shadowmoon Pack is dead, and the new Alpha, Robert, has long since entered into a partnership with our Alpha. You are now nothing more than a fugitive hiding everywhere from Robert's pursuers. I really can't think of how else you can help us."
"Alpha Kingsley isn't dead, and..." I looked at Leavis and said calmly, "I think you know very well what kind of person Robert is. Are you sure he can give you all everything you want?"
Hearing what I said, Leavis fell into silence. Then he looked up at me and said, "Then what do you need me to do? Since you are able to be here, I'm sure you already have control of Alpha Craig and the entire pack. I don't understand why you are still coming to me."
Hearing his words, I realized that Leavis had begun to waver, and I continued, "Because I need your help too. It has never been my intention to control your pack. Instead, I need you and your men to support and assist Mavis in becoming the next Alpha of your pack. After all, Alpha Craig is getting old, and as you know, older people are always prone to making poor judgments. I'm sure your pack can have a bright future under Mavis' leadership."
Leavis was a smart man, and he quickly realized what my words meant. He thought for a moment, and instead of hesitating, he nodded his head, then led his men to the palace to meet up with Mavis.
By the time we reached the palace, everything had been settled. Mavis, wearing her beige coat, approached me with a slight smile and said, "This went well. Thank you for this opportunity."
I observed Mavis, her eyes red from obvious crying, and inquired, "Is your father okay?"
Mavis paused before responding, "He woke up angry and had a big fight with me. However, no matter how upset he was, he realized that nothing he could do would help. I talked to him for a long time, and then he finally just looked at me and said, 'Mavis, it looks like you've really grown up.' And then there were no more words."
Mavis' tone dropped, leaving us in suspense about the nature of her conversation with her father. Judging by Mavis' expression, it seemed destined to be an unhappy one.
"What's your plan now?" Mavis suddenly inquired about me.
I stood up, walked over to the window, and calmly said, "I think it's time to take Kingsley back. Robert has been in a position where he doesn't belong for long enough. Besides, as the Luna of the pack, it is my duty to protect my pack."
Mavis walked up to me, took my hand, and said, "Though we initially worked together as a trade, I have long considered you my friend in my heart. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know."
I looked at Mavis, whose eyes reflected sincerity, and nodded.