With everyone busy in whatever business they had,life went on just well and to mark Luna Rachel's birthday, Alpha Gabriel declared a dinner party for all. As was the way of Helen,she led in planning the outdoor event with Accalia's help.
The party would entertain the entire town and some guests who didn't mind an opportunity to relax and unwind. Accalia made sure the roast was well done and the food served evenly. She was usually excited about helping in any way she could.
Helen and Rachel had taken her as family and she wouldn't do anything to contradict that. For Alpha Gabriel and Max, they treated her with respect and Ethan wouldn't even let her out of his sight.
The party was at its peak and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves when a young werewolf ran from the dark woods injured and bleeding profusely to the fright of everyone. As Alpha Gabriel rushed to him,he changed his werewolf form to human and the scratches on his body were deep.
Alpha Max had been invited to the party and he was sitting with Helen,when the event unfolded. He rushed to Gabriel's sight to investigate the injury,when suddenly he stood alarmed, watching the woods.
The young werewolf laid there breathing hard as the entire town gathered around, alerted. The warriors began to roar, ready for their Alpha's call. The Beta, Ethan crouched down to the injured to catch the scent when Alpha Gabriel announced the origin of the wounds.
"It's a greyhound. A wild greyhound's scratch. Alert the gammas to treat his wounds and warriors,get ready. A war is brewing", Gabriel said and the crowd gasped in fear.
The younger werewolves began to cry and they were led to a safe haven in the chambers. Luna gathered all the children,teenagers and women to the chambers for refuge,while the Alpha started giving orders to the warriors.
Alpha Max didn't want to be left out. He was a guest but then he had spotted a greyhound,few months ago and he wanted to help. He stared at Helen and pleaded she should be calm and keep Adam close to her.
He was agitated. The last time someone threatened him,he lost Adam's mother. No one would threaten him again, especially not when he has found his happiness.
They were set to disperse when they heard the loud growl of a greyhound and then a deeper growl. The last growl sounded like a strong wolf and everyone shrieked at the reality. A werewolf that ever worked with a greyhound was a rogue and rogues were merciless.
People gasped at what they had done to attract the rogue's attention. A rogue left no victims.
Suddenly,they watched as a shadow cat walked towards them from the woods. It was a pair of greyhounds. Alpha Max and Gabriel roared and were slowly changing form in rage at the uninvited guests.
The greyhounds had their eyes red and their fur was shiny black. They walked with dexterity then slowly they changed to human form. They changed into men and had black on with bald hair. Alpha Gabriel roared at them and they paused in their tracks.
Even though the people were anxious,they strained to catch a glimpse of the intruders. Like others, Accalia strained her neck to see. She stared hard at the greyhound-man, trying to recall where she had met the face.
"Dearest Alphas..mind our presence at your party? Where's the celebrant or do we say Luna?",the tall bald man said with a smirk.
"How dare you step foot in my territory? What do you want?", Alpha Gabriel barked authoritatively.
"Easy your highness! We mean no harm",the man mocked.
"You are breaking the laws of intruding in another territory without permission. Can't you see? Your presence is forbidden here",Alpha Max spoke up.
"Well..that's because you have our property with you",the man said nonchalantly, looking at his fingers.
"And just so you know,our master is in need of it and whoever stands in his way would have himself to blame",the man said wagging his blistered fingers.
"And what could your master own,in my territory?", Alpha Gabriel retorted.
"Not what..mind you. Who?",the bald man announced to everyone's dismay.
"You are mistaken. I'll give you the last chance to leave..",Alpha Gabriel said but was interrupted.
"Or else what? Look..we have come for no war,all we seek is my master's property",the man said with a mock bow.
"Tell your master that we have no idea what or who he is talking about. Now leave!",Beta Ethan commanded.
"..the lover! I'm so scared of you. Please don't hurt me.. Actually the property has been in your care for so long a time. Hope you've had your moments with it",the bald man said walking towards Ethan.
"Where is it? Bring it out now or face our master's wrath",the man said in a fearful tone, staring intently at Ethan.
When the man spoke to Ethan, Accalia remembered where she had seen him. He was the bald man she saw with Penny a month ago at the coffee shop discussing. She gasped in shock.
"And in so doing, you hurt my pack member?", Alpha Gabriel thundered, referring to the injured.
"My apologies. He just stood in our way, nothing personal",the man said with a shrug.
"You are speaking in parables and you're wasting my time. Speak clearly or leave now", Alpha Gabriel said with rage.
"You have been harboring a liar who has served as the master's slave for years. This pretender has brought harm to your people. Not me. Hand it over",the man said and as he spoke,his nostrils flared.
"The master has missed the warm loins of his slave and has asked me to fetch it",he explained and the town murmured.
People began to murmur amongst themselves, wondering who the rogue was referring to. Accalia's thoughts raced within her and her eyes became clouded with tears. This wasn't happening to her.
She was the reason that the once peaceful town was under an attack and that young werewolf was injured and fighting for his life. Accalia looked around and saw the disapproving looks from everyone and the angry faces on the warriors.
Tears rolled down Accalia's cheeks as she saw Ethan, angry at the bald man who had threatened him. If anything happened to him,it would be her fault. The rogue would fight him for sharing his slave without his permission.
She heard Alpha Gabriel's thunderous voice address the crowd and she froze in fear. "My people,I'm certain not one of you would risk the lives of others in this manner,by taking or keeping the property of this rogue".
"However,if you by mistake have it or know someone that does, please speak up. This war can be evaded", Alpha Gabriel said looking around.
After some minutes of silence,no one spoke up and Accalia was too scared to say a word. Gabriel turned to the greyhound-man and said, "You can now leave".
"Hmm. I would have. But a member of your pack hinted at the existence of this fellow and I've been here before,and seen this person with my eyes. She's..",the man said but was interrupted.
"My Alpha,it's Accalia Monae. She's the slave who has brought this war to our doorsteps. She is the rogue's property",she spat angrily.
"There you have it",the bald man said with pride.