Chapter 5 The Invite

"You are kidding, right?" Beta Harry asked, his eyes crinkling at the corners, as he chuckled. It seemed as if he had just heard the funniest joke in his life.

"Since when have you known me to be a comedian?" Derek's expression remained solemn. "Anyway, I didn't tell you so that you could laugh at me, I'm telling you because you are my best friend, and I think something is definitely wrong with me," He bowed his head, his face etched with frustration.

He didn't know how to describe it, but he knew the way he now felt for Daphne was different from the way he used to feel. The sudden connection he feels is not explainable. Her scent- mint and apple, sweet and delicious, draws him to her like a magnet.

"Are you sure you're talking about the same Luna Daphne you've been married to, for what? Five years?" Harry asked again to confirm he had heard him right. This time, his amusement was replaced with curiosity.

"Yes, I'm talking about Daphne. It's like, I'm with someone different, I just can't seem to explain it," He responded with a mixture of confusion and longing on his face.

"Alpha, I think," Harry paused, his eyes darted around the living room to ensure that no one was listening to their conversation. "I think the problem is that you are grieving the loss of your Fated Mate, and it's beginning to affect your judgment of character," he added.

"Oh, that must be it," Derek said, and they both chuckled, but before they could continue with their conversation, one of the workers walked towards them.

"Alpha, you have a message from Lord Damon of the Wolfsburg Pack," he said, as he handed over an envelope to Derek.

"Thanks," he said, as he began to open the envelope. "You can go now," he said in his hoarse voice, and waved his hands dismissively.

His mouth opened wide as he read the contents of the note in the envelope. He couldn't believe his eyes.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked, his tone was more of concern than curiosity.

Derek didn't answer but instead, a smile plastered over his face, and from that little smile he started laughing hysterically, making Harry's curiosity pique.

"You need to see this," he handed the note over to Harry for him to read.

"Is this true?" He blinked his eyes severally to ensure he was seeing well. "They're organizing a burial ceremony for Beatrice?" he added.

"That family has never been up to any good, and I can't help but wonder what they're planning to do with this charade they call a burial ceremony," Derek responded.

"Come to think of it, this could be the beginning of their change for good." Harry shrugged dismissively.

"We'll see soon enough," he stood, and retrieved the note from Harry. "The burial is tomorrow. I'll be going to pay my last respects to my fated mate," He winked at Harry.

Alpha Derek and Beta Harry poured themselves a cup of wine and continued to chat on topics that ranged from security against werewolf hunters that posed a threat to their kingdom, and the preparation for the burial ceremony they were attending the next day.

But throughout their conversation, Alpha Derek realized that Daphne was mind-linking him, but he continued blocking her. He knew she was probably bored, since he had asked her not to leave the room, but he was still engrossed in his conversation with Harry, and didn't want it to end anytime soon.

But Beatrice was tired of being alone in the room, she was not used to being a Queen, she had finished cleaning the entire room- leaving it looking and smelling a lot better than before. All the clothes that had been left lying around have been stowed away, folded in the closet. Books and magazines are put back on the shelves, shoes and boots placed in neat rows, giving the room a look of satisfaction.

She then got out of the room to take a stroll, against Derek's orders.

She looked carefully around before descending the steps from her room to the living room, but there was no one in sight, except for two servants. She knew they were servants because of their uniform going quickly down the steps. She prayed that they could not be in the living room which he wasn't, and so she decided to feed her eyes a little bit more, but as she continued to admire the castle. She came to an abrupt halt as a voice called out, "STOP!" in a tone that brought instant obedience.

Swinging round, she saw the tall figure of Derek standing before her, and before she could say anything, he caught hold of her arm and led her down to their bedroom.

"Did I not tell you to stay here until I got back?" He said grimly.

Beatrice's face paled, but her chin came up as she said, "Well, you don't have to be angry. I was hungry, and I also needed fresh air. I would have stayed if you hadn't kept blocking me when I linked you," She concluded.

Derek shot her a malevolent look and let go of her arms.

"I told the maids not to come here today, so who cleaned the room?" His voice softened as his eyes darted round the room.

"I did," She flushed. His eyes, of a deep blue as sea, regarded her steadily for a long moment. Beatrice tried to meet them, but blinked and looked down.

"Is there anything you remember at all," he asked in a tone of frank disbelief.

"My name, Daphne, that's all I remember," she rolled her eyes in frustration.

"Alright, I'll fill you in with some important information before your memory comes back- We have been married for five years without pups. You are my chosen mate, and the Queen of Moonhaven Kingdom. And lastly, you have two friends, Lillian and Kara. They are also Lunas. You have to keep this from them. It's enough that we don't have pups. I can't have the whole kingdom knowing that you no longer have your memories," he concluded with his lips curling sardonically.

"Thank you," she said politely.

"I know it's your memory loss that has made you nice all of a sudden, but in reality, Daphne, you are not a nice person," his voice sharpened.

Beatrice clenched her fist, trying to fight the spurts of sudden hunger. "I am hungry," she said curtly.

Derek also wanted to add that they would be going to Wolfsburg Pack for the funeral of his fated mate, but he knew that even if Daphne forgot everything in the whole world she would not forget her hatred she had for Beatrice. She had always hated her, and he doubted that he would want to go for the burial.

"Can I go out now?" she gestured towards the door.

"Of course, you can, since I have told you the necessary things. You have maids to tend to your needs, you are not a slave, act like the queen that you are." He said with a sharp tone.

Beatrice knew he was referring to the way she had cleaned up the room earlier, but she ignored him and turned to leave. As she reached for the door, Derek's voice cut through.

"We'll be going to Wolfsburg Pack tomorrow, to pay our last respects to Beatrice. You might not know who Beatrice was, but she was my fated mate." he paused to see Daphne's reaction, but she had a poker face on, so he continued, "You have always hated her, and I won't force you to go if you don't want to" He concluded.

"What if I want to go? At least she's dead now, what's there to continue hating her for?" she shrugged dismissively.

She already had plans for the burial, the beginning of her revenge towards the family of Lord Damon, and she wasn't going to let the opportunity to kickstart her plans slip from her grasp.