Settling down and years later

“A doctor? Wow, that is another surprise coming from you. How old are you, Conri?”

    “I don't think it matters but I am twenty-five years old”. 

    “That's okay, we will talk in a few minutes. Go and get things sorted concerning memory loss issues”. 

    Inspector Farcas was surprised that Conri lied about forgetting his name but he was glad that he pulled that stunt. It had been a long time since a new wolf came into Suncity but having two that didn't know each other on the same day at the same place seemed a bit odd. Nonetheless, he decided that he would do his best to help them out in any way he could and kept the hope that they would go back to their packs soon. He didn't like the idea of more wolves coming in so there would not be any problem. 

    Meanwhile, Ashina refused to let baby Tala go. The doctor cross-checked the baby again and she seemed perfectly okay. So he had no choice but to let her go back with her baby. The nurse helped to push her wheelchair back as she held her baby happily. 

    Inspector Farcas, Boris, and Ralph walked behind as Ralph inquired if he had gotten information about her family. Inspector lied that she couldn't remember anything except feeling dizzy and collapsing in a bush close to the road where they found her. Ralph felt very concerned for her. 

    So on arriving at the room after the nurse left, Farcas told Ashina that he would arrange for a foster home where she would stay until she remembered what happened. Ralph asked if she remembered her name. 

   “My name is Ashina, that..that is all I remembered”. She responded before Farcas could stop her. 

   “It's a good thing, you remembered your name, what about your husband?”. 

    “My husband? I.. I..don't know” 

    She pretended not to remember as she stared from Ralph to Boris and Farcas. Then stared at her baby as if she were directing the question at her. 

    “Oh, my sweetness, who is my husband? Of course, I have one. You surely have a father. I will surely remember who he is. Oh dear, he might be searching for us. Oh what do I do, I can't even recall his face”. 

     Ashina's persistent queries and concerns continued to the point where Boris and Farcas struggled to contain their amusement, their faces twitching with suppressed laughter. Meanwhile, Sir Ralph's expression turned increasingly worried, his brow furrowed with concern as he repeatedly urged her to calm down. Eventually, he suggested to Farcas that they publicize her picture to reach out to her people, but Farcas assured him that his team was already investigating the area where she was found. He reassured Ashina, 

    "Don't worry, Mam Ashina, I'll arrange for someone to take you in until you regain your memory or your people arrive." 

    To everyone's surprise, Sir Ralph offered his own home as a temporary refuge for Ashina and her baby.

    Initially, Ashina declined the offer, much to Farcas's relief. However, Sir Ralph persisted, insisting that he wanted to help until she was back on her feet or her people claimed her. Ashina expressed her reluctance, fearing she would be a burden to him and his wife. Sir Ralph clarified that he was unmarried and would be happy to have them in his home. Ashina paused, weighing her options, her mind racing with uncertainty. Farcas mind-linked her, advising her to decline the offer, but she unexpectedly accepted Sir Ralph's hospitality, leaving Farcas surprised and concerned.

     Sir Ralph was delighted to offer his assistance, but Farcas harbored concerns about Ashina's decision to accept his hospitality. Boris, noticing Farcas's unease, reassured him that he would keep a watchful eye over Ashina and her baby.   

     Meanwhile, Farcas and Conri discussed the latter's future, and Farcas helped him obtain the necessary papers to work as a doctor after passing his exams. However, Conri didn't get the chance to connect with Ashina and her baby, and when he inquired about them a few days later, he was told they had already left with Sir Ralph.

     Initially, Conri wanted to gather more information about Sir Ralph to ensure their safety, but he refrained from doing so to keep his connection to Ashina and her baby hidden from Farcas. Besides, he feared that Ashina might think he was around to end her life just as his father instructed. Nonetheless, he cherished the hope of one day reuniting with them, he pushed the thought aside, missing Tala for years. 

    Ten years passed, and Conri's life took a new turn when Priestess Reika from his pack arrived in Sunset City, seeking him out. After exchanging pleasantries, she delivered news that left him less than thrilled.

     “Conri we had no time, your father is dead and I am sorry for your loss,” The priestess said. 

    Conri felt bad as he asked her what happened to him.  Reika explained what she knew. 

    “After they took Alpha Gonzalo and his people into captives, the three Alphas decided to share the Moonstone territory. Unfortunately, they couldn't reach a particular agreement since all of them wanted the best part of the territory. The issue got them into a serious quarrel. They were still at loggerheads with each other. Then we woke up one day and found the three Alphas that attacked the Moonstone pack all dead with their Betas and a few warriors”. Reika explained. 

    “What?” escaped Conri’s lips as he stared in confusion. 

    “Yes, that was what happened. No one knew who or what killed them but there were traces of poison in their body and no one knew how it got to them. Even the oracle kept quiet about it. In confusion, some believed it was the moon goddess that killed them due to their greediness. So the issue set in fear on the people which made them release Alpha Gonzalo appealing to him to be in charge of the whole pack”. 

    She paused to be sure that Conri was getting him. Without showing any interest he said to her. 

     “Since the whole pack wanted Alpha Gonzalo to take charge of the packs, why did you come looking for me? Let him go on and be in charge. My permission is not needed for the Alpha to continue as the leader. So go back and support them. I don't have a problem with Alpha Gonzalo being the Alpha King. I am living my life here freely and without stress. So go back and support your king”. Conri concluded. 

     “Conri, or should I say Alpha king, do you know that Alpha Gonzalo held you in high esteem? He thought that you would have killed his Luna as your late father instructed but you didn't. He was glad that you didn't take after your late father” Reika kept on. 

    “Talking about Luna Ashina, I haven't seen her since she delivered her pup. Has she returned?” Conri asked. 

    “Yes, she returned last month with terrible sickness. The finding showed that she was being poisoned by a witch. It had eaten her up deeply and she might not survive it. The pressing problem at hand is that she didn't come back with her daughter. She said her daughter, Tala, was in good hands. So she came alone and wanted to be sure that the land was peaceful before she would bring her home”. Reika replied

     “Did she mention where Tala was staying?” Conri asked with hope that he would go and take a peek at his daughter. 

     “No, she had not mentioned where besides, Alpha Gonzalo was concerned with her getting well first. After all, she assured the Alpha that her daughter was in safe hands. So Alpha, you had to come back with me to take your rightful place. The moon goddess chose you, and Ashina gave the message herself. She said you should be called home to see your people”. Reika concluded. 

       “Come on Reika, I am not the Alpha. I have a life here now and I am okay with my peace of mind here. There was nothing I could do over there. I'm not interested”.  Conri concluded. 

     Priestess Reika stared at him suspiciously and asked if he had found his mate. He responded that he hadn't met her yet. So she tried to make him see reason, but he didn't yield. 

    “I can't go back Conri, you had to come with me, the fact is that the oracle called out your name. Moonstone pack priestess called your name as the Alpha king before she died. I got the message as well. So you are chosen by the moon goddess to take care of packs. So Alpha Gonzalo wants you to be enthroned as the Alpha king as soon as possible ”. 

      “Me, the Alpha king. I think something is wrong somewhere”. He said in confusion. 

      “Come on,  Alpha king, moon goddess is just, so the oracle says it all. Another thing is that your father told Gonzalo that you are the father of his pup”. 

     “What?”