The bus came to a hault at the familiar stop outside Moonsglow territory, and Michelle got out, carrying her handbag and suitcase.
It had been almost three years since she had set foot on this village, but this year was different. She had heard of Arya Hunter Moonstone, her Alpha's mate, and her luna. She desperately wanted to meet her and tell her all about her life.
She had informed Trevor, their gamma, who also acted like the messenger in between Alfa and her, of her decision in visiting, and also to attend the Moon festival that was in the human town.
But yesterday, Ronald, the beta who rarely spoke, called her and told her that her acting services were needed for a very important job.
He had told her that he'd brief her on the situation in the car when he came to pick her up.
For her, that was very strange because normally, when she came, an omega would pick her up, not the beta.
Michelle spotted the black sedan parked at the opposite side of the bus stop and the short man standing outside.
As soon as he spotted her, he ran up to her and helped roll her suitcase into the trunk. Then, he opened the front door for her to sit in.
They both sat in silence for a good long minute before Michelle decided it was too much. "So... you wanted to talk to me about something?" She asked.
Ronald took in a deep breath before saying, "Yes, Alfa needs your help..."
He went on to explain everything to her, including what they spoke about yesterday, and if she says yes, she'd become a rogue to enter Rodriguez territory.
"Hhhmmmm, so you're saying that Alfa fucked up, and now he needs me to clean the mess, just because I can act!" Michelle said.
"No... you can act more convincingly than any of us!"
"And when do I... um ... sorry, when does Alfa declare me a rogue?"
"He'll talk to you when we reach there... we have reached here... and he will explain what you will say to convince them."
"Great!"
Nostalgia swept over Michelle as she stepped on the front door of the mansion.
The familiar voice of the doorman announcing her return and the scent of power and domination of the Alpha hit her.
"Mishie, you look different," came the familiar voice.
"Of course I look different. You haven't seen me in three years, Alpha!" She replied ironically.
"Of course! I believe Ronald has told you about our situation. Do you have any questions?"
"Yeah... why me?" Michelle asked, folding her arms across her chest.
"Because you're the only one I trust. And because Aria has seen everyone, except you," Alfa replied.
"And how am I supposed to give you the information from their pack... if they take me in, that is?"
"Yalandro and Marius will always be stationed out of the pack gates. You can either write on a paper and throw it out, or say whatever they've planned to anyone near the gate, so they can hear you. And if I have to send you any messages, you will spot blue smoke miles away from the pack, in the west direction."
"About the sacrifice part, where will she get the virgins?" The young girl with deep green eyes asked.
"Tonight's festival, as I predict. Tomorrow is the full moon, so she'll do everything to get at least one girl today!" The blue-eyed man replied.
"Michelle, how lovely to see you!" Came a cheerful voice from behind.
Turning around, she saw Genevieve, Alfa's mother, walking in.
"I wish I could say the same thing about you, luna!.... Sorry, old luna," Michelle replied, venom in her voice.
She had despised Genevieve ever since she forced her to get out of this territory and study outside.
Michelle was convinced that luna Genevieve hated her, that's why she separated them. She didn't approve of the bond that had formed between Alfa and Michelle, although they both admitted multiple times that it was nothing more than sibling love.
Eversince she had come into this pack, she had heard that Alfa was betrothed to Aria Moonstone, the daughter of the Alpha of Moonstone pack. Well, not technically an Alpha, but future alpha, who never really became one.
They say it was Alfa who caused their accident, which claimed the lives of Aria's parents and unborn brother.
It took years for Alfa to completely heal from the guilt, and when he became Alpha of this pack, he made sure to change every rule, so that no one would go through what Aria had to go through.
Michelle was just four years old when the accident happened, and seven when Aria disappeared from the pack. She didn't understand the gravity of Alfa's pain until her mate rejected her.
No one knew, and she never could tell anyone because of the treatment rejects get. But she understood one thing, the pain of losing your mate is immense.
"Mishie, she's my mom. Please show some respect!" Alfa said, his voice stern.
"I did say sorry," Michelle said, rolling her eyes. "Besides, we both know she's lying. She would never feel lovely to see me. She's the one who kicked me out... and look at the irony. She needs my help to bring back her son's mate!"
"Mishie, please..."
"No, Flower, she's right! I did kick her out, and now we need her help because she's the only one you trust!" Genevieve said to Alfa.
She then turned to Michelle and said,
"I owe you a genuine apology, Michelle. I'm sorry for the way I treated you over the years."
"You really think one apology overrides years of loneliness? I lived among humans, and none of them understood why I suddenly wanted to run through the forest in the dark! I couldn't even change into my wolf, even when I was alone, because of fear of getting caught! I wanted to talk to someone, but no one was there, and whenever I tried to come back, you stopped me, and you think that one apology is enough? Even Kane didn't say anything! I told you over and over again that Alfa felt like a brother to me, yet you didn't listen. I'll rather die than forgive you." Saying that, Michelle walked right out, leaving Genevieve standing there, shocked, and Alfa sitting there, stunned.
He had many times wondered why she hadn't returned back, and his mother had told him that Michelle loves the new place.
He was told that she had lots of friends and that she was enjoying life.
"Mom, is this true? Did she want to return, and you stopped her?" Alfa asked slowly.
Her heartbeat gave her away before she spoke.
'Mishie...' Alfa mindlinked her, but she just said, 'Yes, I'll do it.' Through the link.