Unraveling Secrets

「 Chapter 8 」

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"I'm so mad at him. He didn't even tell me he was leaving," Madeline spoke, playing with the grass. She was sitting in front of Nathan's grave again, sharing the news with him.

Talking to her brother always comforted her, even if she knew he wasn't ever going to respond. She felt as if he could hear her and enjoyed her company. Besides, she had almost no one else to speak with. Everyone in this Pack was very busy, working all day, or simply had no interest in speaking with a human.

"I'm not actually mad, I'm just... sad. I can't really describe how I feel about Matthew. Sometimes he makes me really nervous, but I like being around him. Especially when he holds me, it feels so nice and safe. And when he compliments me, I think about it for hours. He reminds me of you a lot, except... it's different. I don't understand-"

She paused to look up at the sky. It was a beautiful blend of pink and purple, given that the sun was setting. Above her head, she noticed a heart-shaped cloud. Her eyes widened as the realization hit her.

"... Nathan, I think I have a crush on him."

She hid her face in her hands, shaking her head.

"I know it's stupid. I'm a human, I'm not supposed to feel this way about werewolves. He'll never feel the same about me. You'd probably be laughing right now if you were here... But, I really like him," She mumbled against her hands.

"Excuse me, Miss." A voice behind her made her jump. She turned around to see the Pack's Beta standing a few feet away.

"Me?" She asked, pointing to herself.

"Alpha ordered me to keep you inside after sunset."

"Oh... But he's not here right now. Let me stay here longer, he won't know."

The Beta rose his brow, intrigued. "You know I can't do that."

"Why?"

"If he ever found out I disobeyed him, he'll kill me. Now follow me back inside."

Madeline hesitantly stood up and began following him. She was rather confused by his claim. "I feel like you're exaggerating. He won't ever kill anyone like that."

He kept walking, not bothering to respond. The young girl decided to keep quiet; it was clear that he didn't want to speak to her. When they arrived to Matthew's house, he opened the door for her.

"Thank you," She uttered, stepping inside. Before he left, he handed her a letter.

"This is from Alpha." And with that, he closed the door, locking it from outside..

She stared at the letter curiously, before opening it:

"I will be gone for the next week, or maybe longer. My Beta is in charge of keeping you safe, so be good and listen to him. If you ever need to talk to me, you can ask him to call me. Take care, doll.

Also, do not go down to the basement, under any circumstances."

The last sentence piqued her curiosity. Madeline did not even know where the basement was, and now, she was itching to find out.

She scolded herself for having these rebellious thoughts: "Don't break his trust, if he doesn't want to you to go there, then don't go." A wave of languor immersed her, so she began preparing for bed, smiling at how he had called her 'doll' in his letter.

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Matthew watched as his opponent collapsed on the ground, panting from exhaustion. The two Alphas were discussing territorial disputes, and he had challenged him to a fight, which Matthew was quick to accept.

"That's all you've got? I was hoping this fight would be somewhat challenging, but I guess not," He scoffed, while the spectators gaped in awe. Their Alpha was at least ten years older than Alpha Blade, and had far more fighting experience. How could he possibly be losing?

"I think that's enough. Alpha Blade may have all the territory he wants," The Pack's Beta intervened, rushing to help her leader.

"No! I must keep fighting. That was purely luck on his part, but this time, I won't hold back," The Alpha scowled, getting up to face his rival again. Matthew mentally smirked, shaking his head while he sensed him running closer.

As the Alpha raised his fist to hit him, Matthew grabbed it and wrapped his free hand around his neck, turning around to choke him against the wall. His movements were so quick, the crowd could not even register what had happened.

"If I kill you, all of your territory along with your entire pack will belong to me," Matthew growled, tightening his grip on his neck and crushing his windpipe. His opponent's face had turned red from the lack of air as he spluttered, flailing around helplessly. The members of the Pack observed in horror, but none were brave enough to intervene.

This was not the first time he killed an Alpha to take over their territory. According to many rumors, Alpha Blade used to be a rogue. At the age of sixteen, he had challenged the Mystic Moon Pack's Alpha to a fight, and killed him within seconds, effectively taking his position as Alpha. His incredible strength had everyone doubting the rumor; how can a meager rogue be so powerful? He was impossibly strong, even for an Alpha.

Matthew let go of the body and took a step back. Everyone watched as their Alpha lifelessly fell to the ground. He then turned to the crowd, who stared back at him with terror-struck eyes.

"From now on, I am your Alpha."