Chapter 3

“Mother, You know what you’re doing isn’t right, right?” Luisa Kim questioned.

“What is this wrong thing that I am doing wrong, Oh wise one?” Mother Yeva Lupus hung her removed jacket carelessly on the chair behind her desk. She turned to face her beta with an amused expression. “And I’ve told you to stop calling me Mother, Luisa.”

“You’ve been saying that for the last thirteen years, and I haven’t listened. Isn’t that enough time to realize that I’ll never listen?” Luisa brushed her off. “You’re the Mother of this pack, irrespective of age, everyone must refer to you as such.”

Mother Yeva Lupus sighed in defeat. Luisa Kim had been her Beta for thirteen years. Their pairing was an odd one as Luisa was eighteen years Yeva’s senior. When the previous Mother had chosen Yeva as the next alpha before she stepped down from her position, Yeva had chosen Luisa as her beta immediately. Though, no one was surprised, given that the two had been best friends despite the age gap.

Mother Yeva stared at the only friend she had kept in all her thirty-eight years of life. Her eyes softened as she noted that the grey in her friend’s hair had increased, even though her face was still as beautiful and kind as ever, with no wrinkles to be seen.

“Why are you staring at me like that? I know I’m pretty, but I don’t think it’s smart for you to fall in love with me.” Luisa warned her alpha, leaning on the door frame of the office.

Mother Yeva Lupus gave an exaggerated sigh. “That’s too bad. I fell in love long ago. I guess my case is hopeless.” Luisa chuckled at her display, closing the door as she stepped into the office properly.

She took one of the seats in front of the desk and pinned Mother Yeva Lupus with a knowing look. “Your plan to change the topic is failing woefully.”

Mother Yeva Lupua shook her head in defeat. Nothing got past the knowing eyes of her beta. “What is it you say I did wrong?” She had an inkling of what Luisa was talking about, but she would not throw herself under the bus until she was sure. Luisa also knew this, judging by the raised brow on her face.

“Eva .” Beta Luisa answered.

“And what about Eva?” Mother Yeva Lupus barely managed to hold back her smile as Luisa’s brow rose higher, almost touching her hairline.

“You’re creating enemies for the girl with your obvious favouritism.”

“Favouritism? You know I do not do favourites. I give everyone the attention of praise they deserve, and Eva deserves more than I’ve dished out.”

Beta Luisa sighed inwardly. She knew her alpha loved confrontations, so she tried another angle. “You’re a fair leader, and your pack members say that about you a lot.” She patted herself in her head as she saw the alpha visibly relax. Outside, she was a strict and serious leader, but when it was just both of them, she became her best friend again. “Eva is a smart girl, she’s well deserving of every praise handed to her. She has maintained the number one position in every training. To be honest, the girl is a prodigy. I’m insanely proud of her myself.”

Mother Yeva Lupus nodded in agreement. “Then what is the problem?”

“There’s been talk going around that you plan to make her the next alpha.”

“Well, that is not exactly wrong, the girl is the most worthy so far.” Mother Yeva Lupus said with a proud smile. “The only reason there’s talk is because other people also see her potential.”

“I know that, as I’m sure everyone does too. But it’s creating enemies for the young girl. She had always been a bright child and had a line of kids who were jealous of her. The line has become longer with how better she has become.”

“Then those jealous should focus on bettering themselves.” Mother Yeva Lupus said in a cold tone. “Have you noticed that it’s the ones at the bottom who hate on her? Tara, who is currently the second-best student, has no ill thoughts towards Eva. They’re close friends, and there’s no bad blood between them. Instead of being enemies, they work together to become better. That is what I expect of the students under my leadership. They worked their asses off to be chosen and I expect them to keep working it off and not hating on a fellow student.” She said in controlled anger and disappointment.

Luisa Kim kept quiet at her alpha’s words, knowing them to be true. She only worried about the young wolf. She had witnessed the eyes the wolf called Thomas had used to watch Eva as she left. The hatred in his eyes had sent shivers down her spine. She was scared he might team up with other team members to hurt Eva.

Mother Yeva Lupus watched the emotion flicker behind her beta’s eyes. She could feel the worry radiating off her, and the alpha in her ached to soothe her pack member. “I’ll speak to the students,” She started. “I’ll remind them to focus on being better and not on competing. If they can’t focus, they’ll be removed from the management section and moved to other fitting sections. That should wake some of them up and remind them where they are.”

Luisa Kim visibly relaxed. “Thank you, Mother.” Mother Yeva Lupus nodded, relieved to see the worry reduce. She moved on to other matters. “We’re supposed to send the hunting party out next week.”

“Yes, Mother. I contacted other packs in Damonda Forest, and they all confirmed that next week still worked for them.” Luisa reported.

“That’s good. We need more supplies from the human world before we run out. Mariah told me that the high school students are complaining of slow internet, and we need to get a faster network. Though if you ask me, I think they should spend less time on their phones, and more time on their studies.” Mother Yeva Lupus grumbled the last part, causing Luisa to smile.

“Would we be sending some of the students in the hunting section and management section with the hunting party? I think it’s time for them to see the human world and what we do there.” Beta Luisa suggested.

“No, maybe on the next one.” Mother Yeva Lupus said with a frown. The plan had been to pick some of them, but her instincts told her not to, and she always followed her instincts. “Let’s see how this hunt goes first.”

Luisa stared in confusion but remained quiet. The look on her alpha’s face told her something was wrong.