Chapter 27: The Unexpected Journey
**Bénard Walter’s Perspective**
The conversation with the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack was far from easy. His demeanor had changed drastically since our initial meeting. He seemed more aggressive and guarded, which was understandable. After all, his cherished daughter was about to leave her home to join another pack. Though this was a typical outcome in our world, no father would be thrilled to let his daughter go after a single evening of courtship.
The Alpha spent a long time speaking with Daniel, likely setting expectations and ensuring his daughter’s happiness. Meanwhile, Rhode and I waited in the corridor, exchanging idle remarks. Daniel had been incredibly lucky, finding his mate so quickly. This meant that our trip wasn’t entirely futile; at least one of us had succeeded in the task we were sent for.
For me, this also meant my parents might not have further justification to exile me from our pack in search of a mate. I hoped they wouldn’t continue to push, though with my mother’s persistence, nothing was guaranteed.
When Daniel finally emerged with the Silver Moon Alpha, both men were smiling, signaling that the conversation had gone well. It was obvious that Daniel had gained the trust and blessing of the Alpha. He was fortunate indeed; he had found not just any mate, but the daughter of a pack leader, a woman of strength and status.
We stayed at the Silver Moon Pack for an additional day before beginning our journey back to the Dark Shadow Pack. During the return trip, Daniel and his mate, Teresa, were inseparable. Their joy and affection for each other were evident in the way they whispered, laughed, and exchanged sweet words. Rhode and I tactfully left the backseat of the car for them, relegating
ourselves to the front.
Rhode hummed a light, cheerful tune as he drove, clearly unbothered by the couple’s constant chatter. In contrast, I felt an uncomfortable tightness in my chest. The carefree nature of their love reminded me of how much my own life had changed since becoming Alpha. Once, I might have teased Daniel and Teresa for their public display of affection, but now, I found myself growing increasingly detached from such sentiments.
Leadership had stripped me of so many things–my sense of humor, my ability to relax, and my ability to enjoy the simple moments in life. Every scene, no matter how beautiful or lighthearted, triggered thoughts of responsibility and strategy. Even as Daniel basked in the glow of newfound love, my mind was preoccupied with how we could strengthen our alliance
with the Silver Moon Pack.
Rhode eventually broke the silence in the car, turning his head slightly toward the backseat.” Welcome to the Dark Shadow Pack. What’s your name?”
The young woman blushed, her soft brown hair catching the sunlight as it rested against her shoulders. Her beige dress seemed to accentuate her warmth and natural beauty. Daniel
couldn’t take his eyes off her, as if she were the most precious treasure in the world.
“Thank you!” she said with a bright smile. “I’m Teresa. It’s nice to meet all of you.”
Daniel, snapping out of his trance for a moment, made proper introductions. “This is our Alpha, Benard, and our Beta, Rhode. I’m Daniel, the head of the guards, responsible for their safety.”
Teresa nodded enthusiastically, her curiosity about our pack evident. She peppered us with questions about life in the Dark Shadow Pack, our traditions, and even our personal preferences. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and soon Rhode and Daniel were laughing along with her. I did my best to smile and appear engaged, though inwardly, I remained distant.
Her lighthearted chatter filled the car, creating a warm and lively atmosphere. Rhode finally voiced what I had been thinking. “Well, at least one of us found their mate on this trip. But I wonder if your father will keep sending you out, Benard, until you find yours.
His words pulled me back to thoughts of my parents. Their greatest wish had always been for me to find my mate, someone who could stand by my side and strengthen our pack. I wanted that too, deep down, but finding a mate wasn’t something that could be forced.
I shrugged in response. “We’ll see.”
Teresa tilted her head curiously, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Wait, you’re this
handsome and still haven’t found your mate? I thought you came to the Silver Moon Pack for some business negotiation or alliance.”
Her words made Daniel chuckle. “Nope. Finding mates was the entire purpose of our trip,” he
clarified.
Teresa’s surprise was genuine. “Do you plan to keep searching? Or have you given up?”
I shook my head. “It’s not something you can rush. Perhaps my fate simply hasn’t arrived
yet,”
The lighthearted mood shifted when Rhode, uncharacteristically quiet, spoke in a somber tone. “I don’t think I’m in the right place for that, emotionally.”
Teresa seemed to sense the change in his mood and didn’t press further. Instead, she leaned closer to Daniel, whispering something in his ear But her voice, though low, was easily audible to the trained ears of werewolves.
Rhode, overhearing her, smiled faintly and addressed her directly. “It’s alright, Teresa. You don’t need to be so cautious. My sister, Thelma, recently passed away in a tragic accident. She fell from a cliff. We just held her funeral a short while ago.
11
A wave of sadness passed through the car. Teresa’s warm expression softened into one of sympathy. “I’m so sorry… I can’t imagine how hard that must have been.”
Hearing Thelma’s name brought back a flood of memories for me, though I tried to keep my
Chics 27 The Unexpected Journey
face neutral. The mere thought of her was enough to unsettle me. Despite her flaws, her
memory lingered in my mind like a haunting presence. She had been fragile and impulsive, yet her impact on my life was undeniable.
The more I tried to distance myself from her memory, the more it seemed to creep into my thoughts. Thelma had been a thorn in my side, but somewhere along the way, she had become something more. Something I couldn’t quite define.
Rhode, noticing the heavy atmosphere, forced a smile and continued. “I’ll be alright. Sometimes, it feels like she’s still out there somewhere, watching over us. I just wish she could have seen me happy… But I’ll move on eventually.”
The car fell into silence, the once lively chatter now replaced by a somber mood. Even Teresa, who had been the brightest presence, sat quietly, occasionally glancing at Daniel for
reassurance.
I stared out the window, lost in my thoughts. The memory of Thelma weighed on me, mingling with my uncertainties about the future. Leadership, loss, and unspoken secrets- these were the burdens I carried, and I wondered how much longer I could shoulder them
alone.
The rest of the ride passed in silence, the air heavy with unspoken emotions. For all the joy Daniel had found, I couldn’t shake the sense that my path would be far more complicated.
