Caitlyn's Perspective
“There’s gonna be a banquet at our pack tomorrow night, Caitlyn. You’re gonna come with me.” My father handed me an elegant dress while telling me about this.
"Really? But a human like me isn’t supposed to be allowed to show up at these occasions."
"Alpha Shaco made a special exemption. You're no ordinary human Caitlyn. You're my daughter." Daddy kissed me on the head before leaving.
A mixture of feelings rose in me after hearing this news. On one hand, I wanted to decline the invitation because I’d have to face Jayce and Talon, both of whom had abandoned me because I was a human.
On the other, a voice deep inside said the other thing, because I’d have to go there and warn Talon about the possible trap.
*******
In the evening next day.
"Dad? Dad? Daddy!" I called out while striding for my father's room, walking into him struggling with his tie.
"Let me do that for you."
After I fixed the tie for him, my father adjusted its tightness to his liking and turned to me.
"It's almost time for the banquet, Caitlyn. I'll wait for you at Alpha Shaco's house."
"See you, dad.” I breathed deeply.
"Caitlyn, are you almost here?" Leona called while I was at the last step of getting dressed up.
"I'm leaving the house. I'll be there in five minutes. Is he there?"
"Who?" She was no sure whom I was referring to.
"Talon."
"I don’t think he's here yet. I can't see him anywhere."
"Leona, I need you to do something for me."
"You’re not gonna ask me to slap Alpha Talon in public, are you?" She asked.
"No! What the... Don't do anything stupid, Leona."
"Then what’s it?"
"If Alpha Talon arrives ahead of me, keep an eye on him."
"Keep an eye as in making sure he's safe and sound?"
"Yes, that."
"Huh?" Leona was completely at a loss now.
"Leona please, just do as I say."
Hanging up the phone, I ran to Alpha Shaco's house and arrived at the same time as Alpha Talon.
Just as I was about to rush towards Talon and tell him about the trap, Alpha Shaco had came over to welcome Talon.
I had to distance myself and wait for another opportunity.
"Stop fidgeting!” Leona hushed me, “Why are you acting like our pack plans to kill Talon tonight?"
"Wait! Is this banquet a trap?!” Leona’s lips parted as if something struck her suddenly.
"Shhh, Leona! They might hear you!" I looked around, stopping her immediately. "I just don't have a good feeling about this banquet, and if anything happens...."
"You'll help Talon escape?" Leona finished what I was saying. "If only you're not a human, I'd say it's your bond with Talon that makes you protective of him."
Nothing happened as the night deepened, and the tension in me eased bit by bit.
Maybe this banquet was indeed meant to foster peace between two packs, and there was no hidden intention at all.
"Finally, you're relaxing and enjoying the night." Leona frowned when she saw me reach for the orange juice. "Did you know that your eyes have never left Talon this whole night?"
I turned to look at her, and then followed her gaze to the stage, where Alpha Shaco beamed with a proud smile.
"I’m truly honored to have Alpha Talon here today. This means a lot to the Purple Moon Pack. I’d like to take this opportunity to announce..." Alpha Shaco paused, looking in the direction where Jayce and Morgano were seated.
"…that my son Jayce, future Alpha of the Purple Moon Pack, had found his mate! His mating ceremony with Morgana Portwell from the Glorious Moon Pack will be held soon."
I felt a pair of eyes staring at me when the crowds clapped for celebration. And I knew the gaze came from Talon.
I sneaked out of the banquet when the members of the pack began to mock and gossip about how pitiful I was.
I walked towards the forest alone, wishing to find some inner peace.
"You got pull through all this, Caitlyn," As I tried to pep myself up, a car pulled over to my side.
"Hi Miss Caitlyn, I’m Bard, Alpha Talon’s beta,” A strong hewolf stepped out of the car and greeted, “He’s worried about your safety but got stuck by something else. So he ordered me to drive you home."
"Hi Beta Bard. Thank you so much for this. I really appreciate it, but there is no need for that. I live close by." Caught off guard, I declined in haste.
"Please let me. Alpha Talon commanded me to make sure you're home safe."
“Fine.” I agreed reluctantly, understanding that, as Talon’s beta, Bard had to fulfill every order from Talon.
Bard started the engine after I was seated in the back seat.
"Caitlyn duck!" Just as I was about to fall asleep out of exhaustion, Beta Bard suddenly shouted.
I ducked instinctively and saw Bard jumped out of the car with a gun, firing on a hewolf that was about to get close to the car.
My eyes widened when I saw four more hewolves emerging from the depth of the forest.
"Bard, behind you!" I screamed when two hewolves kicked him in the gut while another one dragged me out of the car and dumped me on the ground forcefully.
My face hit the ground hard. As I was finally able to look up from the ground, I found Bard bleeding and limping after getting hit with a rock on his head.
Before losing consciousness, he managed to hid me behind him as more hewolves approached us.
But with Bard badly injured and me being tortured by the pain in my tummy, I was waiting for the worst to happen until a string of familiar footsteps became more and more clear.
I saw nobody but a huge black wolf, with the flames of anger burning in its dark eyes.
A sense of safety rose in me before I finally passed out.