Chapter 20

The sun was already peaking on the horizon by the time they reached the one of the viewpoint of the temple ground. The ride was smooth, considering the terrain, but the suspension on the ATV worked like a charm.

The two Alpha were expecting at least four or maybe ten of Mackenzie’s lieutenants, but what awaited them was far more than they expected. There were like eighty people on the ground. All of them are full-grown men, and all of them are much older than her.

Serena’s heart began to beat rapidly. These men will not listen to me, she thought. She was the very first Alpha female and an anomaly, she may have the genes of the Dire Wolf, but she could never shift. She suddenly felt Rooka’s hand squeeze her’s. Even without saying anything this man knew what was going on in her mind. The simple gesture gave her enough boost to be calm and relaxed.

The men on the ground glanced in the direction of the approaching vehicles. They knew about their old alpha’s daughter. They were always informed of her success, some of them smiled fondly remembering the times when their alpha was so proud of the only female Dire Wolf. They were not expecting her to be at the temple ground this early. They also weren’t expecting the Alpha of the Middle Eastern and African Nation to be with her.

Everyone was silent as they watched them walk to the raised platform. The first thing they noticed was that she was small, but when she took off the helmet and looked at them, there was a collective gasp. There was a glint of dominance in her eyes, something that was so rare because all Alphas are male. She will be the very first female alpha. What further surprised them was when she handed her helmet to Alpha Rooka like he was her servant.

Rooka could see the confusion in everyone's eyes. The way Rena acted was confusing, but as her mate, it was natural for him to give her the space she needed to be the alpha of the region. While everyone can see her dominance, he can sense her nervousness. She glanced at him, he smiled and gave her a small nod. Rooka watched as she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and faced her father's lieutenants.

"Hello. I'm not sure if you know me -"

"You are your father's princess!" Someone in the crowd shouted.

"He would brag about you, every time we gather here, and the richest one would be forced to buy one of your works!" Another one shouted. There was a collective laugh in the air when that was said.

Her eyes began to water, to hear these people talking about her late father, was heartwarming, and painful.

"We know who you are, child. Everyone knows you. We felt what happened. We also know why you are here, be at ease, you are safe," the man standing in the front said.

She looked at him, and a memory surfaced from her mind. "Uncle Cam?" The man nodded. He looked old, like human standard old. However, he still looked physically healthy, he was not frail, just old. Even his movements were not of an old man.

“Since everyone knows why I am here, I will not explain or go into details.” There was a sudden silence. “Dad was killed by a group of people who called themselves, Black Weres. Kaz, the man behind Alpha Rooka was able to dig up some info about them. Other than their names and the basic motive, we do not know much about them. They killed my father because he did not share their ideologies. Even that is not clear.” She took a deep breath before continuing, “Help me. Like you have helped dad. I need people who I can trust, people who can guide me in this world that I was hidden from me.” She let the words sink in then added, “I cannot just trust Alpha Rooka and his pack. My loyalty belongs to the people of the region - “

“No. my child,” Cam interrupted, it was not to disrupt her but to make things clear. “Even if you are the Alpha of this region, your first loyalty will always be to your mate. We as your lieutenants will be second. The children are women are the priority, but your mate...will always be the first one you should tell about everything that you want to do. And no, not because he is a man, but because he is the other half of your soul that can help you clear the things that are bothering you. The same goes for him.” There was a glint of mirth in his eyes as he looked at the man in question. It was like there was a secret that only he knew.

Rooka glared at the old man. Of course, he knew about the mate thing, he had been mated to the love of his life up till now, and they worked so well together. Kaz, on the other hand, tried so hard not to laugh. HE is her mate, he is just not ready to tell her yet.

"Regardless, whether I have a mate or not, my dad trusted all of you, and I will do the same." She withdrew the vial and showed it to everyone. "I don't know why my dad instructed me to do this, but this vial contains their remains." Serena felt a wave of sadness in the crowd. It was so powerful that she almost fell on her knees. Uncle Cam slowly approached her, there was a heavy feeling in the air as if life was being sucked out from every being in the land.

When he was in front of her, Serena was taken aback when he knelt in front of her. Suddenly, everyone was doing the same. What happened next was totally out of a YA book.

"I," each of them said their names, "alpha of," the names of their houses, "pledge my allegiance to Serena Daire, the only Alter Dire Wolf in the world. The only Alpha Female in this region. We, as her lieutenants and enforcers, vow to obey and adhere to the laws that were established by the late alpha. To protect the land, to serve our people, and to keep our world a secret to humans. We bind ourselves to you and your future mate and to the future offspring you will bear," a sharp scent of blood filled the air. "Bound in blood, witnessed by the sky." Cam stood up and silently asked for the vial. Serena gave it to him. He unplugged it, poured the ashes on his palm, and slowly blew it away.

Rooka watched as the ashes were scattered by the mountain wind. He looked at Cam, as the last part of the pledge was said, "we will protect you with our whole life. This we vow to the ashes of the late Alpha pair. You are our new leader, Alpha Serena."

As the last words were said, everyone stood up and growled, roared, and snarled at the heavens. The sounds were carried across the land. The same with the ashes, as a family of cardinals flew by, as Serena Daire was accepted as the Alpha of the Asian Nation.

~~~~

Somewhere in Scotland

"Take care okay? I know I'm sorry. I will try to make it up to you. Just be careful and don't leave them okay?"

Once the call was finished, the person dialed another number. And all he said was, "India."

The man smiled.