Chapter 28: win his heart

Emily followed her father quietly.

Her mind was full of questions. She still didn’t know whether she should tell him about her mother’s strange cravings for ginger. She also couldn’t tell him everything Hazel had told her.

Especially the part about her mother having a witch friend.

That information could be dangerous.

Very dangerous. They walked past the main building until they reached a large garden surrounded by tall trees. In the middle of it was a wide open area filled with wooden targets.

Emily smiled faintly.

It was the Blackwood Archery Garden, where members of the pack trained with bows and arrows.

Alpha Gebriel walked to the weapon stand and picked up a bow.

He placed an arrow on it.

Whoosh!

The arrow flew through the air and landed directly in the centre of the target.

Emily raised an eyebrow as her father picked up another arrow.

Whoosh!

Another perfect hit. He continued shooting without saying a word.

Emily sighed. She knew her father so well. He had a lot on his mind. But Alpha Gebriel was not someone who easily opened up.

Instead, he would shoot arrows until his anger disappeared.

Emily sat on a nearby bench and watched him. "You knew Scarlett was lying."

Gabriel pulled another arrow. He didn’t answer. He simply shot.

Whoosh!

Another perfect hit.

Emily sighed. Of course. She wasn’t getting an answer that easily.

Then her phone suddenly beeped. She looked down immediately; it was a message from Hazel, and she smiled. "Look who finally remembered she has a sister," she whispered.

She opened the message.

Her smile disappeared almost immediately.

Hazel had told her what Rita had revealed to her in the library, about the deal. Her mother’s witch friend and the spell.

Emily’s eyes widened. "Witch friend?" she whispered.

"What witch?" Emily nearly jumped the moment her father asked, while releasing another arrow.

She quickly locked her phone. "Nothing."

Gabriel looked at her for a moment.

Emily smiled awkwardly. "I mean... Scarlett may be working with the dark witches."

Her father sighed and shot another arrow. "Of course."

Emily blinked several times to understand better. "Of course? You mean... Yes??"

"She’s half-witch," Gabriel added.

Emily’s mouth opened slightly.

He knows?

So her father knew Scarlett was a witch? Then why was he still allowing her to stay?

Emily suddenly remembered the strange voice she had heard before.

The voice that had warned her. The voice sounded exactly like her own. Could it have been connected to Scarlett?

Her mind started moving quickly. If her father already knew Scarlett was a witch, then why wasn’t he doing anything?

And why didn’t he seem surprised?

There was also Rita. Emily had always found Rita suspicious. She was a witch, yet she had a badge from the Werewolves’ headquarters.

She didn’t even smell like a wolf. But the academy documents described Rita as one of the strongest beings in their headquarters.

They called her Light.

She was beautiful, almost like a doll, and somehow everyone loved her.

Emily frowned.

What is really happening in Basileia? What happened to the rules and regulations? Before she could think further, Hazel’s name appeared on her phone.

Incoming call.

Emily quickly answered. "Hello, Hazel?"

"Emily!" Hazel’s voice sounded nervous. "Do you know anything about a secret door in the headquarters?"

Emily blinked. "What secret door?"

Her father suddenly stopped shooting. Emily swallowed. He heard Hazel, of course!! "Errr..." Emily glanced at him. "Is there a reason why you’re—"

Gabriel walked toward her and gently took the phone from her hand.

He sighed. "Hazel."

There was silence from the other side. Then Hazel spoke nervously. "Father... Alpha..."

Emily almost laughed. Hazel clearly didn’t know what to call him. Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "You better stay away from that door for now."

Hazel became quiet for a moment. "Why?"

"Why?" he frowned in disbelief "Look, if you don’t want to die young, stay out of any secret that relates to him"

Emily nodded.

Gabriel continued calmly. "If you go near that chamber, he won’t wait before tearing you apart."

There was silence again.

Then Hazel laughed nervously. "Ohhh... wow. Okay. Father... Alpha..."

Emily rolled her eyes. She’s scared to call him " father"

Gebriel sighed. "Focus on your training. Train with the high-ranking fighters." He paused. "And make sure you capture His Majesty’s heart too."

Emily raised her two brows. She quickly looked away to hide her smile. He can’t even wait to use Hazel against the Supreme Alpha.

There was silence on the phone. Then Hazel finally spoke. "Ahhh... but Fat—" She stopped. She didn’t know what to call him.

Gabriel chuckled. "You really think I will kill you that day?" His smile disappeared; he sighed softly. "It doesn’t matter. I don’t believe Scarlett from day one, but we all have to play along."

Emily looked at him in surprise.

Her father continued. "Focus on how they fight. Learn how they use their swords and skills; you need it. You have much to do as the wolf queen, and the High Priest will be your guardian."

He paused."Take care." Then he ended the call.

Emily looked at him.

Gabriel handed the phone back. "Be careful about what you discuss with her. Some things can put both of you in danger."

Emily scoffed. "How is talking to Hazel dangerous?"

Gabriel ignored her and picked up another arrow. Then he looked at her. "That reminds me. You’re coming with me to the Blood Moon Pack tomorrow."

Emily sighed. Of course. Ever since they discovered that her mate wasn’t in their pack, her father had been taking her to different packs.

He wanted her to find her mate. Emily didn’t know if she was ready. She looked down at her phone.

Hazel’s words came back to her mind; she clenched her fists. She desperately hoped Hazel’s visions would not come true.

Because if they did...

Something terrible was waiting for them. That’s a big taboo! And Emily had a feeling that her father didn’t know exactly what it was.