11 Chapter 11: Wolves and Awakening

"Dismissed." The whole pack of wolves left, leaving the betas, gammas, and deltas. They stood still, waiting for Jake's next move. He sat still, deep in thought, his head resting on his hand.

Heaving a heavy sigh, he said, "I already explained the situation to everyone and I have to take at least three wolves. Who are... willing to come with me?" He was hesitant, knowing that this is a selfish move. After serving the whole pack for seven years, he hoped they would understand and accept his wish.

During the meeting, everyone was disappointed and reluctant, but they still accepted and said their regards to the princess. Until now, the wolves in front of him still have disappointment in their faces, even how hard they tried to hide it.

"I will follow you, Alpha," Xander said, walking forward then kneeled in front of him. "You are my only leader, and I will respect and do whatever you wish for. I owe you my life, and will serve you until the day I die."

A small smile formed on his lips as he kneeled down in front of Xander, raising his head up. Their eyes met, gray empty orbs stared curiously into Xander's orange ones. As they kept their connection, a conversation that only they can apprehend was done. After a while, they both stood up. Jake kept his smile while Xander still has no emotions, other than the hint of happiness in his eyes.

"With that, I entrust the whole pack to you, Roan. This is only temporary, I will make sure to come back alive with those who will follow me. Do you accept the responsibility, Beta Roan?" He asked, his voice full of dominance and reassurance.

Roan is a wolf with spiky, red hair and deep, ocean blue eyes. He has a fair built, and good looks.

Roan smiled and kneeled in front of him, "If that is what you wish, Alpha. Thank you for trusting me," he said. Jake patted his shoulder and gave him a supportive smile as Roan stood up.

"Alpha, I volunteer to join you in your adventure. Will you accept this humble wolf?" Tasha said. She is the only female wolf to reach this rank and has a very muscular body. Her long, peach hair was tied up into a pony, highlighting her bulky shoulder and arms. She also has bright orange eyes, like Jake's orbs.

"What is the reason behind this sudden decision, Tasha?" Jake asked, putting more emphasis on her name and squinting his eyes at her. Tasha got her position, not only because of her strength and power but because of her cunning thinking.

"I am only curious about what your, so-called mate, looks like. Is she more powerful than me? More beautiful? Can she... kill me?" She replied, a glint of excitement in her eyes. Did I forget to mention? She is insanely possessive of Jake and is also a narcissist. Crazy, right?

Another wolf with blonde hair and orange eyes emerged from the shadows. "If my sister is coming, then I will follow," he stated in a low voice. He has the biggest built out of all of them.

"Why are you still here, Zeta Jared?" Jake replied in a lower voice, a low growl escaped his mouth. Out of all the wolves in the pack, Jared is the only one that Jake has bad blood with. Every time they meet, they will always give deadly stares to each other, as if waiting for the right moment to kill.

"What should I do? Bringing these siblings, especially that guy who has a sister complex will bring trouble. Do I have to risk it?" He thought to himself, as he looked at the other Deltas who avoided his gaze. Heaving out a deep sigh, he came to a conclusion.

"Alright. Prepare to leave by tomorrow at noon. I have to go back now," Jake said and left as fast as lightning, Xander following him closely.

"Don't you have to prepare your things?" Jake turned to Xander when they arrived at the garden.

"I already predicted this and prepared in advance, Alpha. You might need some assistance so I followed you," he answered. Jake nodded in awe and went back to the mansion, Xander closely following him.

The maids greeted them with anxious looks. "Master Xander! You're finally back... we have a problem... in lady Lareia's quarters..." A maid said, panting from running.

"Tell me the details," he said, worry written all over his face.

"I think it would be better for you to check the situation, young master," the head maid said. She is quite old, and he kept a calm expression.

Jake left at a fast pace, heading straight to Lareia's room. Xander kept up with him and followed calmly. "Alpha is panicking, this is new," Xander thought to himself, watching Jake's fidgeting hands as they walked.

The door to her room was destroyed and the whole room was a mess. The smoke covered their sight, leaving them stuck in the entrance. As the smoke disperses, a dark glow greeted them. Lareia's body is giving away a black glow, or should I call it the "demonic glow?"

"Oh, she is simply recovering," Jake said blankly, but a feeling of relief wrapped his system. After finding a sturdy chair, he pulled it beside her bed and gazed into her sleeping face. It was still the same as before, peaceful and not a single trace of pain and sadness.

"I know that you are in peace, but that peace won't last. So, please, wake up already, my lady. You can't escape your cruel fate by staying unconscious. This fate of yours should be met head-on," he whispered, taking her hand into his, holding it tightly.

"Water..." Lareia suddenly whispered, her eyes slowly opening. After adjusting to the light, her eyes opened completely as she let her gaze travel the whole room. Jake smiled and Xander quickly left to take a glass of water.

Out of nowhere, Jake hugged Lareia tightly. "I'm glad. You're finally awake, my lady. A day has passed since... you went on a rampage," he said, his voice full of happiness as he held back his tears.

"What... happened...?" she asked weakly.

"You rampaged a little because of the sudden rise in power. Don't worry, no one was hurt and you returned back to yourself on your own," he lied. He can't let her fall into despair, once she found out how many maids died that day. He also made a promise with Remiel, and he will keep it.

Xander came back with a glass of cold water and gave it to Lareia. She drank it in one go and satisfied her thirst. She finally felt awake and alive, regaining her cold demeanor.

"How is Valor?" she asked.

"Still locked. He seems calmer though," he answered. "You should rest first. It's only noon, you still have the night."

"Give me two hours to prepare. Also, can I have a pen and paper?" she asked.

"For what?" Jake asked, but handed her a paper, quill, and ink from his pockets. She ignored his question and start scribbling some words.

"Please prepare all of them within two hours. Can you?" She asked while Jake is reading the list. His eyebrows knitted, but he nodded and left with Xander. Still confused, Jake gave Xander the list and ordered him to gather all of them.

After they left, Lareia quickly gathered herself together and went to take a hot bath. As she slipped into the warm water, her tensed muscles calmed and the chaos in her mind dispersed. This warmth always helped her calm, and she is grateful for that. Without it, she wouldn't know what might happen to her mental health.

Staying for thirty minutes, she went out of the bath and took other modern clothes. A black crop top with a hood on top, a red skirt with white chains hanging from each side, and black leather boots. It felt very comfortable and easy to move in.

She sat down in front of the mirror and took out her black rose jewelry collection. She got it from a famous designer from the Emerald Kingdom, and it is one-of-a-kind. All of them are made of pure gold, painted with black, and has a rose design in every piece. This is the only jewelry she wore, because of her sensitive skin. Only those made with high-quality materials are allowed to touch her precious, soft, pale white skin.

She took out a grimoire and scanned the pages, and stopped at the page with a title of, "Διαχωρισμός Δαίμονα." Another language that most people won't understand. After reading and murmuring things in a different language, she closed it and went out.

She found the pair standing in front of Valor's prison, waiting for her. Jake still has a confused look in his face as he handed out a bag full of what she asked for. She took it and checked the content.

"A pouch of salt, any weapon we have that is made out of iron, and a bottle of holy water. It's complete, what do you plan to do?" He asked curiously.

"A battle of immunity."