Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.
WARNING: SEMI-AU, LIME, LEMON, OOC, ANGST.
Pairing: Argilla x ?
Chapter IX
Theme 26: Betrayal
It was a known fact. Once the Alphas of the pack had been chosen, only they could mate with each other. Why? The selection of the Alphas was simple. The pack was to select, both directly and indirectly who was the strongest, the fastest…the smartest…the most dedicated…the most persevering…the most charming…
The list went on and on.
But one thing was for certain, once the Alphas had been selected, the mating ceremonies were of them and them alone…The inclusion of another in that equation was absolutely preposterous. No one else was to take a share in that pie. No one.
Why?
It was simple. The selection of the Alphas meant the passing of the same selected genes…The Alphas had been selected due to their superior genes; superior above the others…Above all the others.
And if someone else in the pack were to tamper with this ideal gene pool…? All would have been for naught. It would defeat the purpose of the Alpha selection. The careful balance of power would be interrupted and thus ruined. It would result in chaos and utter disorder.
The pack would fall.
The reign of inferior genes would begin. And the control of Alphas would diminish, administering in-fighting, insurgency and total lack of cohesiveness…the lack of which are the paramount ingredients for survival.
That was why…
Alphas were the only ones allowed to mate with each other.
There were no exceptions…
xxxxx
Argilla watched him. She watched him with her piercing pink eyes intently as if she were a predator and he were prey. They had been at this for hours now. Correction. He had been at this for hours now…
She wanted to sigh in order to release the tense feeling that she was getting…but she dared not do it. He would hear it if she did.
That was why she neither moved nor spoke.
If she moved, he'd wonder why…and if she spoke, he'd ask her to hold her tongue.
This was always the way it was for them…for both she and he. She had been so happy back then; she had fallen in love with him and he had fallen in love with her. There was no problem…They had no responsibilities…Not really. Their responsibilities to the pack were minimal.
They had more responsibilities towards each other. She and he wouldn't have it any other way. The Alphas in their pack were understanding and had reigned with total firm control but at the same token, leniency.
She and he had been set to mate then…But then, something dire had transpired and they all suddenly found themselves without their Alphas. Time seemed to have blurred past them back then, as if it were a furious maelstrom wreaking havoc in their lives that before they knew it, the selection for Alpha had been invoked.
She and he wondered back then…as to whom it would be. There were many among them who would make great Alpha.
They merely looked on as spectators, wondering what was to become of their pack…noting with timid interest the apprehension and tension that seemed to surge within the crowds…tension that pervaded all…but invaded nothing.
He held her hand then, his silver eyes piercing hers, telling her that it would be alright. She smiled at him, convinced at what he had said. Of course it would be alright…They trusted all of their pack members. They were all good people; courageous and smart.
Again, time had seemed to blur past them and before they knew it, they had been selected for Alpha. She didn't know what to make of it at that point in her life…She had been shocked to say the least. She and he had only been in their late teens when the selection had occurred. How were they, they, of all people, to lead an entire tribe…?
Instinct.
That was what one of the senior tribe members had said.
Instinct.
It was neither taught nor acquired.
It was something that had always been within them. That was what would guide them, the Alphas, to do the right thing…
Her stomach churned at that moment; totally unconvinced. But as of before, she dared not utter a word. She felt his hand against her once more. Their eyes had met and again, she had heard his words.
"Everything would be alright."
And again, she believed him.
That was why, it had been two years now, since the Alpha selection. His first order of business was to establish law and order. Just because the selection of the Alpha had been invoked and the choices made, it did not mean that it would be unmet by challenge.
On the contrary.
Many had desired to challenge her young lover…Many had desired her. Many had desired to vanquish her lover, her Alpha Male and take her, their Alpha Female, as their mate. She shivered then. She didn't want to be parted from him. Ever.
She did not wish for any other man to touch her…To make her his. No! It would be just him…Just him; it was his right…a right that she had given unto him.
She wanted to help him then; in any way that she could…so that the fights would be easier. She had wanted to fight off his contenders with him…But the other members had intercepted her proposal and had deemed her to stay put…and watch from afar.
Her throat felt dry then as she realized that she had become a prize. No longer a normal person with basic freedom, she, their Alpha Female, had become nothing more than an accessory.
She then wondered, was it really worth being the Alpha…?
She shook her head then; of course it was. She would be the other half of their Alpha Male; strong and proud. She would be the mother for all of their members; nurturing all and comforting all those who needed it…
But then, one question remained.
Who would be a mother to her? Who would nurture and comfort her…?
Her eyes widened and her heart beat erratically as she watched him, her lover, fight off his contenders. One by one they fell before his agile, strong and young hands…
She was glad…
He had gotten to keep her.
After that…all had gotten…easier. He no longer had many challengers…Not really. And she? She was there, sitting atop her perch, just waiting for him…
Now that the order had been established, the next order of business for her lover would be to spawn his heirs. They did not wish to repeat the same mistake of their predecessors. The Alphas before them had no offspring. They had died too soon.
That was why he had come to her, with his pleading silver eyes, telling her that he needed her. She smiled at him then…Yes. She would give herself to him. She loved him, didn't she…?
Argilla's eyes, which were masked with a thin veil of dreaminess, were immediately brought back to reality and out of reminiscence as she heard her name being called.
Her eyes meandered immediately to her lover, the Alpha Male.
"Serph…? What is it?" she asked.
He smiled at her, "I said I'm sorry this is taking so long. Just give me a few more minutes, alright?"
She smiled at him, "Alright."
Their plans then, to start their family, had been halted…over and over again, he had put it on hold…Just as it had been halted then, it had been halted now. But still, she continued to wait and she would continue to wait.
xxxxx
She looked at him steadily as he slept…He had been exhausted. He and a few others had secured more square-feet of their territory.
That was good.
He had told her why.
It was advantageous for their pack to have such ample land so that they may support their growing number. The fertile land would provide all that they would basically need as such as their rudimentary physiological needs of food, water, shelter and others.
Their population had increased as many of their pack members were just in the same age as she and he. They were all in their primes and were raising families of their own; families who were loyal to the Alphas…As the Alphas were loyal to them.
She blinked at that.
Yes; that was the true meaning of the Alpha position. Loyalty to them by the people and their loyalty to the people. It was a simple symbiotic relationship.
But she wondered…
She wondered sadly…
Here he was, right beside her…yet he was so far from her. Ever since they had been deemed Alphas, she had listened to him as he aired to her his dreams about their pack…She smiled then; he was so full of hope…and promise.
But like the proverbial promise, he never kept them…
No.
Not to her.
The promises that he did keep though, weren't meant for her. His loyalty…was to the people…and she…? She was secondary. Argilla's heart sank at that as she continued to gaze longingly at him.
Before, when they were younger, when they were but Betas in their pack, they always dreamed of starting their own family; having many children…serving the pack…That was their life back then. It wasn't complicated.
They were to do what they were told…while maintaining their basic freedom. But now…they may lead the pack, but in reality, wasn't it them being led by the pack…? The people had them by the throats, forcing them to think and to act so that their needs may be met, their comforts be fulfilled.
She and Serph did all that.
Well, he did.
And where did that leave her…?
Out in the cold.
And once more, she would find herself asking…
'If Serph were to lead them…and have all of what they need and want be granted…who would do the same for me…?'
The answer was simple.
No one.
Why?
Because of the pervading law. She belonged to the Alpha Male. No one else but he could shower her with affection or attention…But those who created that law failed to ask; failed to think that in case that the Alpha Male had no time for the Alpha Female, what was to become of her…?
She smiled bitterly.
Stupid.
Of course they had thought of that…
The answer was simple.
She was to become nothing. She was to wait for him…No matter how long it took. She sighed as she touched his face, marveling at his beauty…Yes; her lover was a beautiful man…She was ever so amazed on how he never managed to scar his face…Despite all of the fights that he had had, his beauty remained in tact.
She slowly rose from the bed, letting the blanket fall from her nude body. Her heart stung in pain. He had promised her that this year, this Spring, now, that he would give her a child…
But just like before, he had not kept his word…
She had waited for him that night…so that he might take her…
But he did not touch her…
He had apologized and told her that he would make it up to her…soon. He and his elite team would leave again before sunrise, to patrol their boundaries and expand it yet again…
She had wanted to come with him. Why couldn't she? She was overly qualified! She was the strongest female in their midst. But again, his words were absolute. He had commanded her to stay. And stay, she did…
But didn't he know how lonely she felt whenever she was without him…? Didn't he know how her heart stung with pain every time his words to her would go unfulfilled…? Didn't he know how much she longed for him…?
Didn't he know of how much she wanted him to see…her? Her…for a change…and not just the people…
Her breath became ragged and she let it out evenly, a tear rolling down her cheek, 'Why can't you see me for a change Serph…?'
She rose from the bed and donned on her sleeping gown, and over that, her robe. She needed to clear her head…She needed to think clearly…without having thoughts of Alphas and responsibilities.
She needed to fantasize and imagine…that she wasn't an Alpha…
xxxxx
She walked the streets, the empty streets absentmindedly. She really didn't care where her feet would take her…She just knew that she had to get away from Serph for a while. She smiled ruefully at that paradox.
There she was longing crazily over him and yet, she wanted to get away from him.
Her thoughts were interrupted as she felt she bumped into something. Or was it someone?
She blinked and immediately looked up, "Heat…"
She saw with a slight sadness that he did not meet her eyes. No…that was the standard form of respect for them. Those lower than she and Serph did not have the right to meet their eyes…
"Alpha…" he breathed out, "You are out very late…Is there something amiss?" he asked concernedly, his eyes still finding the ground interesting.
She frowned at that. It didn't use to be like this…
She, Serph and Heat used to be friends…Well, they were still friends…but their status had prohibited them from being close…as close as before.
Heat was a mere Beta while she and Serph had been promoted to Alpha…It wasn't a lot of difference, when one heard it…but in their world, they were worlds apart.
"Heat…"
"Alpha…"
"Don't do that." she told him. It wasn't a secret that Heat had been once a contender for the title of Alpha…
She remembered that. It was before Serph had been officially Alpha. Heat had wanted to challenge him for the title…But then, she came to him…and asked him to relinquish his challenge. She half-expected him to turn her down and proceed with the challenge, but to her surprise, he did not.
He merely looked into her eyes, piercing them, boring holes into them…reading them…before nodding and turning away.
She did not understand it back then…
She did not understand why he looked at her the way he did…But now she did. He wanted to say goodbye…Because when Serph won all of the fights and they become Alpha, he would never again be able to look, to gaze into her eyes…
Never again.
That right would no longer be his…
It was sad…She didn't want titles and positions to separate her from her friends…But for some twisted reason, it just did. The position of Alpha was supposed to intertwine them with the people and let them hear the voices of the people…to feel their hearts…to unify them…and yet, for Argilla, it has done nothing but isolate her.
Yes.
She was isolated.
Her friends…No. She no longer had friends. Alpha Female was a friend to no one and a mother to all.
"Don't do what Alpha…?" Heat asked, bemusement apparent in his voice, rousing her from her contemplation.
Argilla was displeased. She had had enough, she reckoned. She didn't care about tradition. So far, she had done all that had been asked and deemed of her…and it did nothing but constrict and suffocate her.
Well, no more.
She refused to submit any longer.
She wanted more.
She wanted her friends back.
Argilla frowned and there, crossed the threshold of her being an Alpha.
She touched him.
Her quaint little hand came to his chin and tilted it upwards. At that moment, their eyes met. And as soon as they did, he immediately cast his face down…
"Alpha…What are you doing?" he asked, growling.
Argilla looked at him sadly, "Why do you call me Alpha…? That is not my name Heat."
He growled and said nothing. She sighed; he would not speak…because it was against the law. He wasn't supposed to speak ill of the Alpha. She knew this. That was why she had urged him to continue.
"I order you to speak your mind Heat."
Her words, her command was simple…Heat knew that. But didn't she realize that its implications, the effect of the words he was thinking could have dire effects on their relationship…?
"Speak."
He turned his face to the side and spoke lowly, "You are no longer the friend that I had. You are an Alpha…and I am a mere Beta. I cannot…look upon you."
"Heat. I had not changed. I am still your friend…" she said with outmost sincerity. But it would seem that it fell upon deaf ears as the recipient of her words did not reply.
"…"
Argilla growled and shoved passed him, "I had not changed…Just you." she told him with a low voice.
Heat watched as she walked away from him, feeling his chest sting. If she only knew how much he wanted to believe her…
But alas, the law…was absolute.
xxxxx
Argilla gasped in his mouth as the back of her head hit the mattress. He kissed her with arduous fervor; his hands meandering all over her nude body…
Oh how she had waited for this moment…
She had her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, bringing her lover closer against her as his mouth continued to plunder hers…Finally…
Finally, he was keeping his word.
His hand traveled from her collarbone and settled on her right breast, massaging it carefully. Argilla could feel her body beginning to heat up in anticipation…
It wasn't a secret that she had not any experience.
It was part of the ceremony…The Alpha Female's purity could only be breached and claimed by the Alpha Male…
No one else…
That was why she was so happy. She had wanted to give herself to him for a long time…She had waited for him for countless of hours…And now, it was here. It was happening.
Serph let her mouth free as the need for oxygen became incessant. Their eyes met and he smiled at her, running his hand over the smooth skin of her face…She moaned and closed her eyes as she felt him against her.
"I love you…"
Her heart melted at that sound…
She immediately opened her eyes and widened her smile, "I love you Serph…"
At that moment, again, she found his lips against hers in an ardent kiss…
Soon, his lips traveled down to her neck. She turned her face to the side to let him kiss her skin fully…She hissed in pain as he bit her neck painfully, tearing her pale and sensitive skin…Blood flowed from the small wound and he took each drop of it into himself…swallowing it in sheer drunk pleasure.
Soon, he drew her long legs apart, situating himself in between them.
This was it…
This was the jump, no!-the leap that they were to take together…and finally, they would be joined…united…as full-fledged mates…
Nothing could be better for her…
"Sir! The Vanguards had attacked our Northern and Southern bases!"
The two froze as they heard the yells on the other side of their doors. Serph immediately got off of his lover and walked over to the door, "Alright. Assemble the team. We leave in ten minutes."
Argilla watched him as he wordlessly prepared for battle…donning on his uniform…and finally…going for his trusty handgun.
Her breathing stopped as he headed for the door…Not even sparing her a glance…He must've forgotten about her; failing to take notice of her confused figure on their bed…
A moment later, he was gone. She was alone again. She cast her face down, clutching the blanket against her chest in sadness…He didn't even say goodbye… But it was alright. He had more important things to attend do…She'll be alright…
"Everything would be alright."
She remembered his words as clear as crystal. He may not have been there to tell her herself, but she imagined him doing it all the same.
xxxxx
It had been a month now…And again, he had forgotten.
After he had reclaimed back those bases that had been attacked, he had acted as if he had forgotten all about his promise to her…And had…acted accordingly.
There was a war now. Their tribe, their pack, had declared it against the Vanguards…She, needless to say, had been immensely worried. He would fight more and more battles…
And he did.
He scarcely ever came home to her. No. Now, the battlefield was his home. And his counterpart, his handgun. Where was she now? Nowhere.
She wasn't a part of his life any longer.
She sobbed lightly at that.
She had accepted being isolated from the rest of the world, so long as she had him. But now, even he had been taken from her…Taken by fate's cruel hand.
She wanted to realize a very simple dream in life. She just wanted to quietly settle down and have a whole and loving family. But it would seem to her that that simple dream was the hardest to realize.
"Alpha."
Her mind froze and she turned around, she was met with her friend's profile. She smiled ruefully; he still would not meet her eyes.
She had been leaning on the railing by their streets, overlooking a lake when he found her.
"Heat. You're awake."
xxxxx
Argilla gasped but he muffled her as he slowly tore through her barrier. She screamed and dug her fingernails onto the skin of his back…He endured. And so did she.
He waited for her until she had adjusted to his length and shape…
He released her swollen lips and looked into her eyes, "Are you alright?"
She was happy.
Now…he met her eyes…
She nodded, "Yes…"
He heeded her words and slowly began his pace within her…Soon, they moved in rhythm, together…Argilla arched her back as he took her higher and higher upon the pedestal of pleasure.
Again, she found his lips upon hers…She kissed him as passionate as she could. She knew that this was taboo…This was something that had never been done before…
She shouldn't be there…She shouldn't be in his room…Within his arms…She shouldn't be kissing him…
She shouldn't be giving him her purity…
But she did.
She didn't mean to be selfish…But she was falling deeper and deeper in the pit of insanity. She needed to feel loved…She needed Serph…She wanted him; she needed him…she loved him…But where was he? Where was he to fulfill his word…?
She knew that he was out there, fighting, upholding his position as Alpha to protect their pack, their people…but she was surprised to realize that she no longer cared.
She didn't care whom he was fighting for…or for what cause…
She was selfish; she knew it…and she didn't care. She had waited for him enough…And now…a few hours before did she realize that someone else, other than Serph, had loved her…
Heat loved her…
That was why he had wanted to challenge Serph that day…So that she would be his…But at the sound of her plea and the look in her eyes, he had relinquished and had settled for the position of being a forever Beta, knowing full well that she would never get to be his…
He did all that because he loved her.
That was his ultimate sacrifice.
They had been drawn to one another like a moth to a flame. She needed to be loved and he had been there. He needed her…He needed her gaze, her touch…her love. It may be selfish, but they themselves had been through being selfless…
She had waited for him long enough…
He had watched the two of them, longingly, long enough…
Their needs…their loneliness had fueled their desires…And finally, after too long a time, their feelings had fought all of their inhibitions, ramming their way up to the forefront of their consciousness…screaming at them to take action…to fulfill this need…this desire…to fill the void of emptiness.
The two had cried out…together…They had cried out their sensuous cries as they had arrived in nirvana…
He fell on her as gently as he could…
And she accepted him with open arms. The arms that she would have accepted her mate with, she had accepted Heat with…She held him to her, letting her hands run up and down his back as if to soothe him.
She had not been numb…nor had she been deaf. She could feel the rigid tension on his muscles as they danced their forbidden dance…She could hear his strangled breath; becoming heavy pants…heavy with apprehension…anxiety.
She, as well as he, knew that what had happened between them that night could never be repeated. It was an act of treachery that no one could dare know…
She nuzzled her face on the crook of his neck, just inhaling his masculine scent…He smelled so good…She smiled…She was memorizing him; she was imprinting into her heart and mind, forever, his features. Her hands meandered all over him…all over his body, making certain to remember everything about him…every contour of his flesh…every fold of his skin…every bump of his bones…
She wanted to know all of that…
Because when the sun rose…she would disappear with the moon…She, like its pale silver rays, would melt into the morning, fading…blurring forever from his room…from his arms…from his life.
She kissed his neck and he stiffened.
She smiled; her lips tugging upwards wider still as she felt his hands meandering all over her features…mimicking her. Yes…He was doing the same as she…
He knew that he would never have her. Never again. But he had been happy. His happiness, the happiness that he had felt only moments before, within her arms, was something that could be ever replaced…or surpassed. Long had he dreamed and fantasized of being with her…with his Argilla…his friend…his comrade…his Alpha…
The immense bliss that she had enabled him to feel was superlative. It would never recede or fade. No…This was a memory that he would forever etch onto his soul. She had not been his; she was Serph's. But tonight, while the pack slumbered on and the war waged on, she had been his…Even for a mere few hours.
And the most important thing was that…she had been fully his. She had given him her most sacred jewel…Her purity.
Even if he were a mere Beta, he felt, even for but a moment, as if he had been an Alpha.
He rose from her, supporting his weight with his elbows and looked at her. His heart skipped a beat. He was still quite perturbed whenever their eyes would meet. It had been simply too long since they had exchanged glances. Now, this would probably be one of the last times he would be able to do so.
Time froze…Time stood still for the two lovers. It would never happen again. She needed him and hence, he gave in and comforted her. Things would return to the way they were once more before when Serph returned.
With a trembling breath, he uttered his desperate words, "I love you…"
She smiled at him and said nothing…And instead, drew him closer to her, enveloping his shaking form, his shaking heart and soul with her warmth.
This was the least thing she could do for him. After this, they would never look upon one another's eyes ever again…And she would put this behind her and never look back.
"Everything would be alright." she whispered to him, soothing him.
Funny; those were the words that she had been yearning to hear from him…Those were the words that uplifted her spirits…words that gave her the eternal promise of tomorrow.
But, at the moment, he wasn't there.
And now, there was someone else who needed to hear it; someone who needed it more than she. She knew that Heat believed her…she knew because he held her as tightly as he could…
xxxxx
The pack had been victorious in their war…
The Vanguards had been vanquished. She watched as their soldiers had come home…He had come home.
She watched as he walked closer to her…Her eyes lighted up in extreme mirth as she came face to face with her mate…her lover…her Alpha.
"Serph…" she spoke, still not quite believing that he was there…
She froze however as she felt an additional two pairs of eyes on them; on her. From the corner of her eyes, she saw her forbidden lover. He had a look of anguish on his face but he concealed it.
Her heart stopped at that. But she promised herself that whatever had transpired between she and he had ended and had been shut tightly within his room…
No one could know.
She wondered, then, as Serph took her in his arms, embracing her tightly, sensuously, as to whom the other pair of eyes belonged to. With her intuition, she had pinpointed the source. Her heart, once more, stopped.
The other pair of eyes belonged to a female.
She wanted to burst in pain at that moment as she came to know, to realize the depth of the silent rendition that noisily, carelessly displayed for all of their pack members to see and behold. Her eyes began to water immediately and she couldn't help but sob in his arms…
The crowds before them, around them cheered happily on as the war had been won…and their Alphas reunited.
None of them knew the reality within.
But she knew…
That was the reason why he wouldn't take her along with him, wasn't it…? Was that why he wouldn't touch her…?
She smiled bitterly within his arms…
It had been because of that other woman. The black-haired, silver-eyed girl. She had kept Serph's heart prisoner, hadn't she? Right under her nose…
"Everything would be alright." he cooed gently in her ear.
She sobbed harder as she heard that…Would it be alright…? Would it…really…? For the first time in her life, she doubted him.
xxxxx
His control for his lust had lasted only until they had reached the confines of their chambers. Right after their doors had closed…did he finally keep his word…
He was too late though…
The jewel that he sought was no longer hers to give. It had been Heat's now…
Her heart constricted as he entered her. What would he do when he realized that he would not be her first…? That she had already been breached, conquered…?
She blinked as she realized that he had not made any note of it…
Soon after, their unity had been sealed…
And now, as she lay there, on their bed, she gazed at him sadly as he continued to dream. Dream…She could only wonder of what he dreamed about…or of whom…? Did he dream of her…? Or her?
She sighed.
She really didn't want to think about it…She had pretended that everything was fine; that things were in the way they were supposed to be…He didn't notice.
He didn't notice her pretending…
She laughed at that. Of course not. He did notice.
He wasn't stupid. He knew; he knew that she had not been pure. She had not been chaste when he was away…So why didn't he say anything…?
She frowned.
He knew it but he was pretending that he didn't see it…that he didn't know it.
He had been cold to her the next few days and she knew why. Although he had not said anything about her act of treachery, she knew that he knew.
She did not pressure him.
It had been his decision…The least thing that she could do was to respect that. She had trampled his dignity enough. She had insulted him enough; she had mortified his sense of masculinity enough.
Yes. She knew the scope of the act that she and Heat had done. She spat at everything that Serph stood for; everything that the position Alpha stood for.
But…
She simply didn't care.
xxxxx
The people, their tribesmen, their comrades all held their breath. It had been announced. The Alpha Female was with child. She was smiling. She was happy. Finally, she would get the family that she had yearned for, for too long a time.
Suddenly, she stiffened as if someone had whispered into her ears, ominous news…
She then smiled ruefully.
'A happy family…?' she thought poignantly, 'That's not possible any longer…'
There was an invisible crack in between she and he; a crack that they both saw and knew about…a crack that neither spoke about. And what she feared was it stretching…stretching widely until it tore them apart. That, she mused, would be the repercussions of selfishness…and betrayal.
xxxxx
A few years had passed and she looked onward…There, on the distance were her mate…and their daughter, playing.
She was a beautiful little girl…An angel…the center of her and Serph's universe. She was their world…Argilla was glad…
She had been wrong. Before, she thought that her dream would not come into fruition; that her fantasy of having a happy family would forever remain that; a mere fantasy…a mere flight of fancy…
She had been mistaken.
Finally, she had had the life that she had yearned for…Serph had been a faithful mate to her…and a passionate lover.
She had lain to rest her worries and anxieties…
But despite her apparent happiness, there was still something that continued to gnaw at her subconscious. There was still that soft melody of an ominous dirge having a rendition in her mind.
She still had a source of lament…The only one source of her lament…
The one cause of it all…
And it was staring her in the face…It looked upon her everyday…every night…
She smiled at her daughter as she waved at her, her soft wavy pink locks swaying so gently within the cool breeze. Argilla's heart stung in pain and suffering as she stared into her daughter's ruby eyes.
She could perfectly remember and recall as to Serph's reaction when their daughter had been born…He smiled wholeheartedly and beamed, taking the child in his arms…never questioning her pedigree…
Not once.
They had been taught, all their lives the delicate balance that the Alpha Male and Female provided within the pack…
The careful gene selection.
Her act of treachery had transgressed all of the teachings that she had always firmly believed in. Serph knew that too…
But he didn't seem to care.
No. That was wrong to presume. He knew the implications of such a violation. But he did nothing about it. He had not had Argilla tried for treason or had confronted her about it. The gene pool would become weaker, wouldn't it? But still, he did nothing.
Even when the staff of the infirmary had begun hinting at possible treachery, and had the news spread within the pack like wildfire, he had put all rumors to rest. Fights had threatened to break out but he averted them. Many dared to openly challenge the child's origin but he silenced them all; in one way or another.
He vowed to her that their pack would not fall…It would not crumble. And all would welcome their daughter.
He had welcomed his daughter into this world the way a king would his princess…
He loved the little girl from that day on…
Argilla could feel her heart breaking at that point…
Why!?
Why was he loving her!? Why wasn't he questioning her pedigree!? Why did…he just stand there…perfectly happy…?
That was a question that pervaded her mind for the first year after their daughter's birth…But now, after four years of her life, as her blood-red eyes became all the more prominent, Argilla now understood why…
'You're trying to make it up to me…' she thought knowingly, as she stood there, from afar, with her arms crossed, watching the two of them play…
Yes. He was trying to make it up to her…
One act of treachery begets another…
One act of forgiveness begets another…
That was the logic in it.
At that moment, Argilla felt a tear roll down her cheek, "That's what it is…isn't it Serph…?"
Yes…She knew now. She had always known. She had known ever since he came home from the war with the Vanguards. She knew how his heart had gone astray…
This was his way of putting the past behind him. It was funny though, how the two of them were quiet…how the two of them never spoke a word about it; not a peep about it. She would never ask him about his silver-eyed woman and he would never ask her about her red-eyed child.
They were both playing pretend… Like children playing house while refusing to confront their mistakes…their sins. Well, there really wasn't a point in doing so, in Argilla's opinion. He had forgiven her treachery…and she had forgiven his.
The Alpha position…That was what had condemned them, wasn't it?
'Stop it!' she mentally scolded herself, 'Do not shift blame…He wanted it. I wanted it…That's all there is to it…'
It was ironic…The Alpha position was supposed to be the symbol of eternal loyalty…the symbol of the ever strong, the ever steadfast…
And yet, here they were…their souls wallowing in the sins of the past…Deep within their minds, the streams of their consciousness and rational thought, stayed the memories of their transgressions. It would never be erased…ever.
Ever loyal…
Yes…He had been loyal. He had upheld his position the best he could…He had been loyal to his position, to his cause, to his objective…to the people…
All except her.
They both had been loyal to the wrong cause. The Alpha Male should've been loyal to the Alpha Female first and the pack members second. It was because without the Alpha Female, there would be no pack, no life. She was mother to all. Pack members were easier to replace…while the Alpha Female was not.
He had kept his word to all but her. He had taken her for granted and had forgotten all about her. And if that wasn't enough, he had even given a piece of his heart to someone else…
And because of that initial act of treachery, the Alpha Female had gone astray. Drowned in loneliness and isolation, she had done the same as him and had let her heart meander…
It was ironic how the position of Alpha was supposed to represent loyalty to each other, more than anything…and yet, that was where they had failed.
However, that was all in the past. Now, he was faithful to her. He had put her as his topmost priority; to hear her cries of loneliness and to soothe the anguish that burned ever so malevolently within her…This time, at the birth of her daughter, her heathen child, he had used his Alpha position to protect her. This time, it was she to whom he had listened to. He had listened to her and made all of her fears go away…like a father would to a daughter.
Finally, someone had comforted her.
Now, they had pieced together their family…
Serph was happy…Nozomi was happy. She was happy.
Nozomi…
It was a name that she and Serph had agreed to name their daughter. A name meaning "hope"…It was fitting, they reckoned.
They named her that because Nozomi was their hope. They had forgiven one another, yes, and their daughter…was the eternal binding tie between them. A symbol of forgiveness, hope…and happiness.
Yes. She was.
But to Argilla, Nozomi was much more.
She was the symbol, the personification, the embodiment of Argilla's paradox…The epitome of Argilla's hellish and nightmarish requiem and her divine and sacred melodious hymn.
The person, the child, who would both condemn her and be her savior…
What Serph did with that woman…and what she had done with Heat was over and done with…Now, the two of them, with Nozomi could look onto a brighter future…together.
"Mummy…!"
She smiled again, forgetting all of her dire and ominous thoughts and walked over to where Serph and Nozomi were…She looked with bliss as her mate had taken the little girl in his arms, carrying her. Their eyes met and they exchanged smiles…
"Hey…" he softly spoke.
"Hi…" she replied.
"I love you…" he spoke gently, eyes peering into hers. Yes; he meant it. She could see it in his eyes. Again, she felt emboldened. The past was the past…
"I know." she replied curtly, "I love you too."
"Everything would be alright now…Finally…" she breathed out.
Forgiveness…Hope…Happiness.
xxxxx
FIN
A/N: Watching a documentary about Wolves and their social hierarchy was what inspired this for me.
For them, there are the Alpha, Beta and the Omega.
The Alpha position is of leadership, the Beta is more confusing. It could range from being second in command to being the nurse for cubs and so forth. The Omega is the unluckiest. That position is the underdog of the pack; the one who gets the least food and is the one constantly picked on. Ouch.