Reborn- His Scarlett Moon

Sherizad was out of her pack again and in the company of her best girl, Midnight. The two of them had snuck out of their tents without alerting anyone, specially Sherizad’s father. It wasn’t that she was doing anything wrong, per se, she just didn’t want anyone to know that she was meeting with Alpha Ryan, outside, informally.

They had agreed to meet at a local inn. It wasn’t really a secret meeting, as the inn was a popular spot for wolves to gather and socialize. It was located beside the woods where it coincided with the borders of a few wolf packs. It was not lavish but it was not small either.

As they entered the inn, Sherizad saw that place was bustling with activity, and the aroma of roasting meat filled the air. The innkeeper, a stout old wolf with a bushy mustache that could replace his tail, greeted them warmly and led them to a table near the fireplace.

Ryan was already there, along with two of his ‘packlings’, Beck and Josh. Sherizad had met them both before. Beck was loud and brash, always trying to make himself the center of attention. Josh was quiet and reserved but he could let out louder.

“Hey, Sherizad!” Ryan called out as they approached the table. He got up to give her a hug, and Sherizad felt her heart skip a beat.

” You look bohemian! ”

He tried complimenting her, looking at her manly attire. An essential tool that aided their disguised expedition.

“Hey, Ryan,” she replied, smiling up at him.” And you look as stunning and handsome as always. ”

She wanted to add the last bit as a complement but ate up her own words even before she could utter them.

Beck and Josh both nodded in greeting, and Sherizad and Midnight took their seats. The innkeeper brought them a plate of roasted meat and a jug of ale, and they all dug in.

For a while, they just chatted and caught up on each other’s lives. Sherizad and Ryan talked about their packs and what had been happening. Beck regaled them with tales of his exploits, while Josh listened quietly.

As the night wore on, the conversation turned more serious. They talked about the state of the kingdom and the ongoing wars with the neighboring packs. The situation with the Grey wolf hounds being the major cause of concern. Sherizad listened intently as Ryan poured out his precious perspective on the topics. His voice was like music to her ears. She felt like she could go on listening to him for eternity.

At one point, Ryan excused himself to use the facilities, and Sherizad felt her heart sink. She was left alone with Beck and Josh, and she didn’t really know what to say to them. Midnight was too engrossed in her food so there was no point of her being included in the group. It was like the world was coming to an end and she just had to stuff everything up in her belly.

“So, Sherizad,” Beck said, leaning in. “What do you think of our Alpha?” He was chuckling as if he had hit the bull’s eye.

Sherizad felt her cheeks flush. “What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean,” Beck said, winking at her. “Do you like him?”

Sherizad hesitated. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to admit her feelings to anyone else, especially not Beck. “Of course I like him. Who wouldn’t? He is the Alpha of your pack and now a revered member of the All Alpha Council. ”

” Come on lady. You know I didn’t mean it that way. ”

Sherizad felt the question to be too heavy. It was heavier than facing her enemies in the battlefield.

” What’s the gossip? ”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

To Sherizad’s immense relief, she felt she could finally breathe when Ryan walked back in. He sat between Beck and Sherizad and looked at them puzzled.

” Umm, we were talking about the Greyhound Wolves. Sherizad jumped in as if afraid Beck might rekindle the topic in front of Ryan.

Before they could continue talking or take their next bite, the sound of a ruckus just outside the inn distracted them.

They could smell blood.

Sherizad and Alpha Ryan quickly jumped up from their seats, their wolf senses on high alert.

” What on earth happened to him, ” Sherizad gasped as they saw Alpha Tristen’s condition.

He was bloodied, mutilated and severely injured. Even though Sherizad did not like him romantically, she had known him for years. She rushed to his side and supported him while Alpha Ryan called for his pack healer.

They brought him carefully inside as the rest of the crowd dispersed in confusion and fear.

“What happened, Tristen?” Sherizad asked, her voice trembling with concern.

“They attacked my pack. The Grey wolves, hounds, whatever. We were ambushed ,” Tristen said, gritting his teeth against the pain. “They caught us off guard and again attacked us while we were tracking them. ”

Alpha Ryan’s eyes flashed with anger. “I knew their case was more malicious than appeared. I would like to see how their Alpha now denies their violent endeavors. ”

Sherizad could not but admire the fact that Ryan held no grudges against Tristen. In fact he was more concerned about the mischief makers.

“They killed all of my men,” Tristen said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sherizad and Alpha Ryan shared a look of grim determination. They knew that it was time to put a stop to this aggression.

“Get Tristen to the healer,” Alpha Ryan ordered as soon as Josh was back with their pack healer in tow. “We’ll take care of this.”

Beck volunteered and lifted the massive Tristen up in his arms like a peanut.

Sherizad nodded ,”They won’t get away with this. Midnight, let’s go report this to father. ”

Just as Sherizad was about to head out, Ryan caught her arm. She stopped and looked at him.

” Be careful on your way to Sherazad. Danger is lurking in the corners until we are able to nab it right at its birthplace. ”

Sherizad beamed as his concern.

” I will, ” They nodded at each other before she headed out.