Chapter 186: Falling.
Parties lost and won. That's all. Despite how tragic it was.
I realized she wasn't making eye contact with me even if I was in front of her.. She didn't have to bother about being ashamed, I couldn't recognise her because I barely knew anyone my age outside my pack.
"Nice to meet you.I don't know much people outside my pack but I hope we get to see each other–"
"What pack are you from?" she finally made eye contact.
"Ah, I can't say that right now because I'm trying to keep a low profile." That reply came faster than the lightning strikes I suffered. "But it was nice to meet you."
Her eyes narrowed at me and she leaned towards me. "Are you actually in hiding because your pack has been defeated back then?"
Why was she whispering? I shook my head. "My Pack recently lost its Alpha and that's why I'm mourning. Nothing serious, I assure you."
She stepped back and took in my uniform before nodding. "I hadn't heard about the death of any Alpha recently. If you want to hide your identity, you don't have to lie."
What did she mean by that? At worst, she could assume I was Shaeva who was the present 'Alpha's daughter' of the pack and not to deny my father's death.
"You did not hear about it? Surely you jest."
"What pack then? None of the big packs had lost anyone recently. There was even a big marriage in the Night Sky Pack and I know they wouldn't throw a party that big if their surrounding packs lost an alpha. It would be rude."
That shut me up. Night Sky Pack had actually had the wedding before the day the Alpha died, which was a bad omen to the wedding but no one paid it mind.
At least, I fulfilled the omen by cutting the life of the bride short. I was now awaiting her husband to come for her but he had been taking his time and it's already been a week.
Still the death of an Alpha, especially of a pack as popular as ours had to be spoken about even if Shaeva might've tried to hide it to save face.
What would she even be trying to save face for when it was she and her mother that killed my father. It crossed my mind what she had said before her death.
Had she used her witch abilities to do something to the pack? It seemed things were functioning as they should.
"I don't know what to say to not reveal my identity. I hope you achieve what you want, but I'd advise you to learn to fight instead of depending on getting married to the Crown Prince. Your people would need an Alpha afterwards."
Something sparked in her eyes as she stared at me. I hoped I taught her something. Using the royal family for personal gain wouldn't be as easy as assumed.
I left their presence and they resumed their talk, telling her what to wear and the hairstyles to make to impress the Crown Prince. I sighed and walked faster.
"What do you think? Should we pay a visit to our pack?"
"Not yet. Orson would still be there and the people… I doubt they were in the right senses if they weren't even talking about the death of their Alpha."
What had Shaeva threatened them with that they kept quiet about my father's death? In the case of my mother's, no one spoke much about it because she had lost a war..
But this time, their Alpha died after his daughter was rejected by her mate and forced to marry a Crown Prince who also rejected her. How could they not cry about it?
Tara faded to the back of my head and I made a run to the settlement, realizing I had spent quite a while out of the place. The kids should be all bathed now.
"Don't worry, when I bring the rice they will forgive me." I muttered to myself. Or should I return there, with my hair out and face mask gone to take a second bag?
"Zillah." Dean called, and shook his head as if he had been waiting for me. "Where have you been?"
I increased my steps and crossed the border entrance of our settlement. "Around… look what I got." I raised the rice but he only sighed. Has he gotten there already?
"Baki is here and was looking for you and you went to buy grains? I mean it's good but he was really searching and left to Rumble Dogs thinking you're there."
I lowered my hands and handed the rice to Dean. What did he want with me now? "Did he say why he didn't show up since, only to be pressed about my whereabouts?"
"I don't know but he seemed really pissed and he wasn't wearing his mask…" Dean checked my reaction then smirked. "But of course, he had a scarf around his face and hair but his eyes were visible. I feel like I'd recognise him if I saw him on the road now."
What's that guy doing? Did he not care about his image again? Well, it shouldn't concern me what he wanted.
I explained what the Spirit Demon and marriage to the Crown Prince was all about to Dean and the old lady.
The old lady only hummed, then left again to continue what she had been doing. She had been really flat for a while now and it was beginning to bother me.
"What do you think? Many young girls plan to join the contest?" I asked her directly so she'd speak up.
She paused, dropping the knife she held to cut leaves. "Do you want me to contest, or what?"
My shoes crease. That was the first time I heard her speaking in such a sarcastic and annoyed tone. "Um… no, of course. I mean, many girls want to get involved…"
"You should try then. He might accept you this time."
I frowned. I would never want to try this again. "No, thank you…" I paused and panic flashed on my face. "Wait, how did you know that I was… I never told you about that."