Chapter 96
He's sending for her now, another one of his plain summonings.
Ever since she and Damian returned back from the night shadow pack, ever since their fight, the both of them haven't been on talking terms apart from the usual ongoings that had to be discussed in the pack between them, a few words exchanged here and there, no emotions attached. Either the both of them were just too proud to admit their mistakes, apologize and make up, or both of them preferred the huge distance they were now giving each other. Miranda knew the first answer described their situation better.
"You sent for me?" She asked as she entered the court, avoiding his direct gaze.
"Yes," his voice echoed the room, reaching her, for the first time in days, he was starting a real conversation with her.
"I know that the both of us haven't been engaging in much talks lately, I'm hoping that will change soon." He wanted to say something else, then he hesitated, waiting for her to respond.
Really? "Is that what you called me for?"
"No... I haven't briefed you about how things went in the red moon court."
Not like she needed any more briefing, she'd already heard that it was the beta that was responsible for her and Samara's kidnap, not the personated alpha.
"I don't think there's a need for that, I already know that the alpha wasn't the real culprit."
"I didn't call you here to speak about the culprit, Miranda. There's something else."
"Something else?" She thought of what it could be, but then she had no clue.
"What else is there?" She asked.
"During my time in the red moon pack, alpha Jireh and I discovered a pact I never knew we once had with each other, a pact he once shared with my father."
Her face softened then, "oh..."
"We never knew that we had so much in common, even more than he did with Walden's father..."
She seemed to take more interest in the topic then, "so what then did the both of you discuss?"
"We discussed a peace treaty. This will be my first time signing an agreement with anyone since I ascended the throne."
The words he said got to her, she didn't expect to hear those words from his mouth. This... was he doing all for her? Was he doing all this because he wanted to change, for her?
He continued.
"I hope to establish more agreements with other leaders in the future. I've come to realize now that we need togetherness if we are ever to succeed in this battle."
"Is that all?"
He'd expected for her to show more expression, but whatever feelings or concerns she had, she hid them well then.
"There's still one more thing."
"What is it?"
"After alpha Jireh and I sign the treaty, there'll be a banquet following to honor the celebration. Alpha Jireh has offered to host it."
"Ok, so what then?"
"Then... you'll be coming with me. We will both be representing the leadership of the silver pack... together. That's the main thing I wanted to inform you of."
"So, when is this banquet?"
"In two days' time, we'll be departing from here to the red moon territory tomorrow night. We should spend about two nights there, so prepare adequately."
She nodded in understanding, "so I ought to start packing now, right?"
"Right... I'll get madame Jane and some servants to help you with that."
"There'll be no need for that, thank you."
He didn't bother himself anymore, "ok, then... never mind that then."
"Is there anything else you have to tell me?"
He shook his head, "no... I've told you all I needed to. Thank you for listening."
After their conversation, she turned to leave, a bit annoyed that he hadn't even bothered to talk about their argument, nor attempt to resolve it. He just called her so she could go as his date to some fancy ball. Her mind went to the treaty, no doubt, he's doing that for her, he's doing things he's never done before; embracing change, welcoming relationships to prove to her that he can be a better man. But she wants more, she wants him back, she wants the part of him that will be more open to his feelings, the part of him that won't be scared to admit his mistakes, she wants him to let go of his pride and apologize for not trusting her.
But what she saw today, sort of gave her hope for him, because she knows it's a gradual process. If he's willing to do this now, then he'll be willing to do more later.
'All in due time dear,' Lily said. 'All in due time.'
She returned to her bedroom and went into the closet to retrieve a small suitcase so she could begin packing, as she turned, something caught her attention then; a small old box that had the unity seal on it. The unity seal was the crest that symbolized peace when all twelve packs were still together, long forgotten after the war.
The box has always been there, but she somehow never seemed to notice it. Most likely because it was in Damian's part of the room. She went to retrieve the small box from his shelf, and then she opened it. Two small items were in that box, the first was an old picture, a man and a pregnant woman, and a young boy who stood in the middle resembling Damian so much.
No doubt this was him and his parents, probably one of the last pictures the family took together, but what caught her attention more was the second item, a small bracelet. She was so sure that this was her bracelet, she'd lost it many years ago; the only gift she'd ever received from her mother.
After many years, she'd given up searching for this bracelet, thinking it had been burnt down with the flames that consumed the joint training grounds. A question triggered in her heart then; of all places in the world this item of hers could have ended up, why was it here?