Chapter 9 A Problem

Katie's POV

"Katie, did you hear? The entire wolf's population had been declining!" Rose informed with an urgent tone but is speaking quietly. In an instant, my head sharply turned towards her. Kath was also quite startled by the uodate. Although a little earlier, my wolf was so excited and in bliss as she met my two best pals. The only sad thing is that she cannot converse with them. Khalid said that ordinary wolves should not know the truth about Alphas and Lunas communicating with their wolf counterparts. In fear of the dark history repeating itself. In the past, ordinary wolves were jealous about it. Tried their best to do the same thing, but bloodshed occurred. Alphas killed off those who knew about the secret, and until now, only the leaders knew of it.

"What do you mean?" My face turned dark with the dispatch. I am concerned about it. It is quite troubling and odd.

"Allegedly, only Khael and a few kids from other packs were born for this generation," Percy explained. They told me that they grasped hold of this information while they were on their getaway. Both of them arrived just this morning and came straight here. Pack leaders appear to be concealing this information, as I've just become aware of it now.

"So how did you know about this?" I inquired, my eyes shaking from fear. It is, honestly, quite alarming. Once everybody notices and knows about it, chaos will ensue. I just hope it won't come down to that moment.

"Some dethroned Gamma told us," Percy replied. I covered my mouth, astonished by the details.

"Are you both insane!? That was so risky! What if someone had caught any of you since you knew of this dangerous news? And from a dethroned gamma nonetheless! What if you were branded as spies or an accomplice!?" Their heads jerked backwards when I slammed my hand on the table.

"C-calm down, Katie. And tone down your voice, or else we'll really be in big trouble." Rose placed her hand in front of her as if signaling me to cool off. She looked around, checking to see if someone could hear us. That is impossible though, we're by my cabin, so no one would be around here. I blew out a huge sigh with a very audible 'hooh'

"Please don't do anything reckless again. Both of you!" I reprimanded, and they repeatedly nodded.

As I sat, Rose and Percy looked at each other. Then look at me. When I met their gazes, they immediately looked away.

"What else?" I glanced at them with suspicious eyes.

"Chill out, Katie. It is mellow news." Rose smiled awkwardly. Tilting my head sideways as I await her 'mellow news'.

"Uhm.. So.. you know about the mating ball that is being celebrated every three years, right?" She started. Her face was quite tense as Percy looked away to stop himself from laughing.

"Yeah? It is literally a day before my birthday. I have such irritating memories during those times. Alpha Fredrick dragged me outside the house once they came home as it was coincidentally twelve at midnight on my twelfth birthday, remember?? So of course, won't forget about that one." As I was refreshing them with the memories, their faces went pale and weary. They both chuckled uncomfortably. Rose glared at Percy as if telling him, 'You say it!', Percy's eyes shook as he hesitated but still chose to do her mate's request.

"Crimson will host it this year," he directly said, and my jaw just dropped. Wow. So that is why Alpha Fredrick has been busy. He was either doing his best to host the mating ball or trying to figure out how to pass it on to other Alphas. Since I thought he would be focusing on banishing me first. Maybe this is good. He couldn't possibly exhile me in front of those elites. Not until they all left. It should give me time to go to Khalid's friend.

Someone knocked on the door, and Percy opened it. It was the least person that I wanted to see right now. The head maid. Just her very presence being here could only mean one thing: back to work.

"It is still my day off!" I argued, and she shrugged.

"The ball is tomorrow, so we need all hands so we can get Princess," she sternly said, and I just grunted with my face grimacing for her favorite callsign for me. A mocking one.

Percy and Rose couldn't do anything about it since it would backfire against them. They need the Alpha's blessings to have each other as mates. As of now, they are still engaged. Alpha Fredrick could deny their bond, and they cannot do anything about it if that ever happens. They both gaze at me apologetically. I tapped their shoulders and hugged them both at the same time.

"It's fine. See you both tomorrow though." I winked at them, and they smiled.

The head maid led the way to the central packhouse. They have already started the initial preparations. She pointed to the incomplete stand by the entrance, where the guests would enter.

"Are you serious!? All by myself?!" I queried, and she just shrugged.

"Then would you rather swap positions with me and work with Alpha Fredrick?" she offered.

"Absolutely not," turning my head as I headed straight to the huge wooden pillar.

Good thing is that, at the very least, they still have a heart, even for a little bit. For what its worth. They didn't lemme carry these two massive pieces of wood. Some other omegas are already carving the centerpiece. My task is to etch the two pilars. Yep, two of them. Gigantic ones. Gaping at the timber, my feet first went to the maid's room. That is where my tools for wood carving were.

Once I came back, I started the job. Slowly and meticulously carving the woods with some moon phases first. After that, my hand crafted some other designs, like celtic knots, wolf paws, mini-forest scenes, and any abstract ones that I could think of. Making sure that it fits the theme. Of course, I would never forget the symbol of the Crimson Pack. A fierce wolf in front of a full moon. It is a bit tricky since I need to emphasize that the moon is on the back. Using my chisel, mallet, and wood carving knife, my work is almost done. For the first pillar..

I carried the ladder to move it to the next pillar. By the time I sat on top of the ladder and was about to start the job, three so-called elite wannabe she-wolves appeared. They were either related to the beta or gamma. But one of them was familiar. Gosh, just let them leave for today, please.

Fate had other plans for me. Of course, they tried to taunt and annoy me. The latter is getting on me though. Ignoring them, I kept on finishing my job, as the head maid promised this was my only task for today. It seems like they don't like me not minding them as they kicked the ladder and I fell. It was a couple of feet tall, and if Kath hadn't cushioned the damage, my body might already have broken limbs from the impact. Pretending my limbs hurt, my body faked that it used all of its energy just to stand up and confront them.

"Do you really want my attention that much, Lexie!?" I hissed at her. She was quite shocked that I didn't just let it go and even managed to face her. Yeah, I had enough. In two days, my ass will be kicked outta here, so might as well leave with my head up high.

"D-did you just talk back to Lexie??" one of her lemmings asked.

"Can you believe it?" I sarcastically asked.

"You have no right to do so!" The other one stated.

"Why? Have you forgotten all of us are omegas?" Raising my eyebrow while I cocked my head sideways.

"Yeah, but the uncle of her sister's mate is the beta!"

"Oh, please. Spare me the riding of coattails drama!"

I want to laugh at them. That is their definition of 'related to the beta and gamma'. Even if one of their friends had a mate that was related or even had just a teenie bit of blood connected with the elites, they immediately claimed to be close.

Some other omegas are often tricked because they are scared of the punishment if they ever upset someone who had connections with high-ranking wolves. They cannot bear to risk the consequence so they just let themselves be bullied. But not me. Not anymore and not today!

Lexie tried to slap me. She was embarrassed to be humiliated in front of the other she-wolves. Unfortunately for her, I instantly caught her hand. Thanks to Kath's senses. She had been quiet all the time because I still needed to get used to her presence. But she never let me get hurt.

She yanked her hand away and was being so overdramatic that I bruised her wrist. What an actress! She was the one who started it first! We stupidly had a catfight as we grabbed on to each other's hair. I had the upper hand as she was about to fall, but her mate caught her, Mike. The douchebag who seriously thinks I had a crush on him just because I begged him to be a temporary mate. Looking back, I want to punch myself.

"Stop it, Katie!" He ferociously growled and used his pheromones to intimidate me. I was overwhelmed, as it was the first time I felt hostile pheromones with Kath. She is extremely sensitive right now; we both are. Getting used to each other is still hard for us at the moment. Although I want to fight, but still need to hide Kath's existence. Just until my birthday.. I will finally be free and get out of here. I have mixed feelings about it because of the four of them and Khael.. But I need to leave. I know I have to.

The mates of Lexie's lemmings also came. They held on to each other. I cannot stand properly because of the pheromones, and shifted my weight one foot while my hand was on my chest.

As I glanced at them, I felt emptiness in my heart. How nice would it be to finally have a mate? To be in his arms? Finally feeling his presence and warmth.. I turned away, as tears are now gradually building up. If there's one thing I would want to prevent, it's for them to see me cry.

"Katie.. Mate will surely come.." Kath purred inside me and calmed me down.