-Alpha, regarding your suspicions about your partner, I...
-It's nothing like I thought, Steven," I interrupt him, "if it were, he'd be here with me by now.
Or at least that's what I want in my heart.
-But the scent you mentioned?
-Forgotten, it was just my assumptions, it hasn't happened again -I interrupt him again- How are the preparations for the dinner coming up? - I change the subject.
He hesitates for a few seconds before answering.
-Well, just a few details are missing, Rosy is taking care of it.
-Well, thank you, you can go now.
I hate office work, it keeps me here, at my desk, reading and writing documents, it all keeps the herd afloat and to thrive, worse it's boring and exhausting.
-Do you know you can count on me for anything? I'll support you under any circumstances, as the Alpha and as my friend.
-I know," I look at him. "You don't have to tell me, I know where your loyalty lies.
Thank you.
-With your permission. -I know you don't believe me.
I know she doesn't believe me, but I can't tell her, not yet, she must be a secret to everyone.
Next month, my sister and her family are coming, it's our mother's birthday and like every year we dine and celebrate together in the forest, where my parents got married, the next day with the whole pack.
After finishing with my responsibilities, with intentions to go to the forest and see the cubs train, I was going to the entrance, but they stop me half way, Lily a member of my herd, in charge of the organization of the house, she tells me that Princess Jasmine will leave, she will return to her home.
The last time we talked I told her that she wasn't part of this pack, I regret that, a lot actually, she has been a great friend and I don't want her away.
I knock on her bedroom door twice, I hear pass.
-So it's true?
-I can't stay here anymore, my parents won't allow it.
-Will you marry him then?
She stops packing and takes a deep breath with her eyes closed. She ran away from home that night she arrived, why her parents arranged a marriage, without even knowing him.
-I'll see what I can do," he answers at last.
-You don't have to, stay," he pulls me close to his side.
-Why would I do that? I was just passing through, visitors have to leave at some point.
-You've been here for six months, you're not a visitor anymore, everyone's going to miss you, including me.
-Really? You? -she says mockingly.
-I'm sorry... I shouldn't have said that.
-You're just saying that because I know about her," she says a little more slowly.
-No, you're wrong, I know you won't talk about her to anyone, I trust you, that doesn't worry me, what does worry me, is that they control your life, you just want to be free and here you are free.
-If I stay, I'll only bring trouble to your pack, is that what you want?
-No, but we wolves protect our own.
She looks at me with teary eyes, she doesn't want to leave, you can see that from far away, she fights with herself for a decision.
-Come," I grab her wrist and push her out of the house.
The friends she made here are standing next to each other waiting.
-They don't want you to leave and they won't let you.
They come up to her and hug her.
-You are part of this pack now Jasmine and the pack protects its own," I tell her, "Are you willing to do the same? Will you protect yours?
She looks at her friends, they smile at her and nod their heads.
-I will, I promise.