Chapter 9: The Night We Met

                                    

                                          
Harry
I don't like this idea.
I'm not saying my dad doesn't have a point. I know that their pack is the only one left of the state for me to look for my mate. But I hate the idea that he could be from that pack, I really do.
Especially now with everything that has happened, I can't even begin to imagine the trauma or conflict that we'd have to surpass, depending on who it could be.
On the other hand, I can't exactly afford to be picky. My options are looking pretty slim at the moment. My mate wasn't among the graduating high school class. He also wasn't at the centenary festival, to the best of my knowledge.
Basically, my options consist of either my mate came to the festival and died or he is from a pack out of state.
The third option being the obvious: he is in fact from Regency Falls. Anyway, I'm caught between a rock and a hard place.
None of the options are amenable to me, so I guess I have to endure this trip. It's not like I'm going to have another opportunity to explore their territory...
My father is actually being very smart. You know what they say about making lemonade if life gives you lemons.
Truthfully, I hadn't even considered that my mate could be from their pack. It just never crossed my mind, though it probably should.
Good one, dad. You are a smart Alpha.
Speaking of which, there is a bigger conversation I am yet to have with my dad. It's not exactly a conversation I look forward to, nor have I ever thought he'd be having with me.
Unfortunately, we do need to discuss the pack's line of succession now that my brother was rendered incapacitated by the loss of his mate.
It's not that he can't be Alpha anymore, but without Jessica as Luna, he can't have children. Also, he is too broken up over her death and will probably take a long time to heal, if ever.
My brother knows he is the one who was supposed to die instead of her and the guilt is wrecking him. My poor sister in law didn't deserve that. I miss a lot of the people who died on the day of the centenary, but she is the one I miss the most.
"Good morning, son. Are you excited for your trip?" My dad asked me as I took my seat in the dining hall for breakfast.
"No. I wish I didn't have to go look at their murderous faces." I replied, sulking. I am not even going to pretend I'm not in a sour mood today, I am dreading this trip.
"You probably shouldn't call their Regent murderer when you get there." Mom smirked beside my dad at the table.
"Regent? Don't they have an Alpha?" I inquired, intrigued by this. I know what the term means, but I never heard of a wolf pack being led by one.
"When Alpha Barnett died, his eldest son was yet to discover his mate. So, their wolf council decided that he should be Regent of the pack until his brother comes of age. You know there can't be an Alpha without a Luna." Dad explained.
As he said that, my brother started to cry. It was heartbreaking to see. All of us tried to comfort him the best way we could, but his loss is as painful as you can imagine. If I have a tough time being mateless, at least I still have hope to find him. Being ripped away from one's mate at such a young age can be truly devastating.
"I've never heard of a pack being led by a Regent before. If he wasn't a murderer, we could bond over our situation at least." I said, relating to him.
"It's not an ideal situation, but their hands were tied after his father's untimely death." Dad pondered, glancing at his son who was tearful.