It is like the day the Aleph died again.

The devastated pack members gathering at the yard, awaiting for some sort of news, assurance or anything regarding their missing Aleph's body.

Feather's strong pheromones and emotions putting them all off, causing anxiety to run across their blood. Even taking breaths feel heavier and hard.

"H-how could this have happened?! Someone dared dug out the grave and no one noticed?!!" Feather roars.

No answer comes back.

Juliene and Sam have been checking the cctvs, interviewing the patrol guards but no one knows who'd done it.

More importantly, where the hell did the body go?

Feather tried to put her all to focus on his scent but unfortunately, it didn't work because of the duration of his death is too long. His scent is long gone.

She can feel the same burn all over again, as if someone poured boiling water on her body, and she wants to kill.

While they are all huddled in the meeting room, scouring every possible scope to have a knowledge on the Aleph's whereabouts, there's a loud knock on the door.

One of the guards let it open and Myra, the witch woman, emerges, fearful eyes searching for Feather.

Her body shakes as she contemplates how strong the blow would be this time since she comes bearing news.

"What?" Feather growls, not wanting to be disturbed at this moment.

"Alpha." She bows before continuing to speak. "I have a spell. T-to contact the dead souls. I did it when you all left an- and-"

Feather is up and at her throat in a flash, eyes blood red as her nails dig in Myra's flesh.

"Stutter one more time and you won't be speaking ever again."

"Fea." Juliene rushes to her side to grab her hand down.

Myra coughs, taking scared steps backwards and rubbing around her swollen neck.

"I'm sorry, Myra." Juliene mutters sympathetically. "Please tell us what you saw."

"The deceased souls, two of them came when I called. The souls know all the souls in the underworld. So, I asked them about the Aleph.

They- they said the Aleph's soul never came to the underworld."

Feather freezes, ruby eyes turning grey dead ones as she stares at the woman.

"Do- what does it mean?" Juliene murmurs in shock.

Myra takes a few steps back and wipes at her teary eyes, not knowing how to get the words out.

But the desperate pairs of eyes present in the room urge her to utter the ultimate conclusion out loud.

"The Aleph's alive. And he's out there. Somewhere."

__________

"H- how? We buried him!" Juliene exclaims. "When and how did this happen? How could we not know?!"

"Did you check with the doctor?" Sam asks, Ryna at his side, comforting her mate since all the wolves are distressed due to Feather's excessive emotions floating through the pack link.

"Yes, I did! Doctor Hailey announced his death when I was still at the hospital. I- I didn't have the courage to see him b- but I felt the bond break. We all felt the Aleph's pack bond break. Feather felt it!"

Shaking his head, Sam leans his head against the wall, not knowing how to deal with all this. What to do or not.

"How's the Alpha?" He asks after seconds of silence.

Juliene slumps down on a chair, Grant by her side, rubbing her shoulder. He had kept quiet the whole time. Just his presence enough to comfort his love.

"She just left. It - it's all too much for her." Her voice breaks. "She doesn't deserve this. She deserves happiness. I w- wish everything was back to normal."

Then it's all silent. No one has any word to speak that'd easen the situation. No one knows if it's even possible for a wolf to be alive and not have any connection to their mate or pack whatsoever.

How could life turn into such a mess?

It's almost 10 pm now.

Right after hearing about the possibility of Florian not being so dead, Feather has run off to somewhere, away from the house.

The others are all silently mourning the dilemma they are in.

Grant has taken Juliene to their room to rest since she'd been stressing too much. They're supposed to prepare for a baby and too much stress isn't good for Juliene if they want to expect the news soon.

"Babe, have some water." Grant offers her a glass.

Taking a few sips, she puts the glass on the table and sighs.

"Dad must be so broken if he's seeing us from above now. He was so proud of Feather.

How could he bear seeing his strong daughter lose like this. What will happen to us? To our pack? To all the packs connected to us?" She breaks into sobs.

Grant sits next to her on the bed, pulling her in a tight hug, exhaling sharply.

"They have you." Juliene looks up at him in confusion. "Yes, Juls. You are far more capable than Feather to manage this pack. Be the Alpha Queen." He cups her face.

Juliene's brows knit together in a deep frown as she pushes herself out of his embrace.

"Wh- what are you talking about? I could never! I could never take Feather's place. And she is the most capable to handle everything. Ever!"

Grant tries to grab her hand again but she pushes it away, scooting away from her mate as her mind swirls with disbelief.

"How could you even think that way?"

"Baby, you've been handling it all for the past month and everyone loves you. You're doing so well.

Yes, Feather was strong and capable but since Florian's death she-"

"Aleph!"

"Huh?" Grant frowns.

"It's Aleph for everyone. He always will be. And Feather still is the strongest and most worthy." She hisses.

Something flickers in Grant's eyes, hands clenching on his sides as he stands up, following Juliene's angered posture.

"He's fucking dead, Juls! No need to call him Aleph now! He's fucking dead!"

A harsh slap comes across his face and when he looks up, Juliene's glaring green eyes flash brighter. No wolf could ever accept disrespect towards their Alpha or Aleph.

"Don't you fucking dare talk about the Aleph like that."

Grant's eyes illuminate, indicating the presence of his own wolf as he growls lowly.

"You're ungrateful!" He spits, adding more perplexion to the aching Beta's heart. "I did so much for you and you- you only pushed me down! I wanted to make you the queen but you can't see it! You're blinded by your sister's power! You're blind and obssessed and lowly! You don't know how to rein or- or how to be someone of power and you're dragging me down with you!

But you know what? I'm so damn tired of being just a second-in-command's husband! I'm freaking tired! I want to lead, next to you! Just like we deserve to!"

Juliene's mouth falls open as staggered breaths come out of her, eyes filled with tears of betrayal as she stares at the man she feels like she doesn't recognize anymore.

Eyes softening and filling with hopes, Grant walks closer to her and takes her hands in his.

"Just think about it, baby. We'd be the Alpha King and Queen and our pup, they'd be the first royal child. They'd have everything. If not for us, for our future baby. Please, darling. Jus-"

"Get the fuck away from me!" Juliene screams, shoving him away as her mind races.

"Juls, please."

"What did you do?" Her voice trembles as she comes to the ultimate conclusion. "What did you to Florian?"

Grant's previous soft eyes harden, refusing to meet the accusing ones as he looks away.

Long strides forwards and Juliene grips his chin harshly, forcing him to look at her.

"Tell me this instant or I swear on the Goddess, I'll kill you with my own hands."

A shiver runs down Grant's spine. He knows his mate isn't just saying, she can actually do that. He knows the capability of the twins.

Swallowing thickly, Grant closes his eyes, preparing himself to let out the dark truth he'd been hiding for the past month.

__________

A/N:-

We're almost there! Hang on just a little more.

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