'Hia, hia', went the sound from Millicent as she trained. She had been training really hard since she had that discussion with Mildred two months ago. She would train at her free time and train with Raph when he got back home. She had noticed how he looked at her tenderly, his eyes filled with love that it always tugged at her heart. She nearly asked him not to love her once but since he hadn't said anything about loving her, she kept quiet.
Mildred had once commented on her ferocious training 'You train as though you are preparing for a war. I hope we are safe?'
'Of course you are. Do you doubt your safety with me? I have been known as a weakling all my life and taken advantage of. I want to erase that impression and rewrite my own destiny', she said , a far - away look in her eyes.
'You speak with bitterness and determination', she observed. 'Were you hurt by someone in the past?'
Millicent marvelled at her perception. She had not told them about her birth pack - Crescent Pack nor a great deal about the pack from where she came - Moon Ville pack. Just the basics. She had got tired of staying there since her parents died and everything reminded her of her parents and she wanted to go rogue but before she could, their ruthless Alpha banished her for not obeying orders and mourning for too long for her parents.
It had got her the sympathy she knew it would, though she had not needed it, just an explanation why she couldn't go back to her own pack.
'Some of the Omegas bullied me and I could not fight back', she said, frowning in recollection. 'Who knows where one would find herself next? It is better I grab this opportunity and make myself stronger, so no one takes me for granted', she concluded, hoping that would put paid to the unwanted questions.
'You do not believe that the Moonlight Pack is your final destination?' Mildred probed.
'Like I said, I do not know for certain what the future holds but it is better one is prepared for anything it throws one's way'. And she continued her practice.
Mildred went back into the house, deep in thought.
That night, Raph came home thoughtful. After his meal, he looked at Millicent. 'I would like you to accompany me on my stroll', he said, looking deep into her eyes.
'Of course', she said and straightening her dress, she stood and went out with him. The pups were already asleep and Mildred waved her off when she tried to ask if she might need her help with anything.
They walked in silent for a long time and Millicent was beginning to think they might be walking into another Pack but of course it was not as easy as that. At last, Raph came to a stop in a clearing that had a fallen tree. The tree was quite large and the leaves had been cleared from it and it served as a good bench.
'Sit', he said and she obeyed, placing her hands on her knees and looking up at him.
'You have really not said much about the pack from which you came and I have not bothered you because I felt you would tell me when you were ready', he said.
'There's nothing to tell!' she said quickly. Too quickly and it did not escape his notice.
'So you say', he said smiling at her to put her at her ease. 'I am not going to prob but there is a question I wish to ask you', he said.
'Ask away', Millicent said with a shrug, hoping it was one she would be able to give an honest answer to.
'Do you er.. h..have a mate?' he stuttered. 'Of course you must have. Every wolf does. What I mean is have you er found him?'
Millicent felt that the same discussion she had with Mildred was about to start but this time with Raphael.
'Emm, that is a strange question you have asked. Is there any reason for that question? Are you planning on sending me back to my mate? Have you found him?' she countered.
' Do you always answer a question with one of your own?' he asked smiling happily. Millicent could feel the relief in his voice, and the joy reflected on his face and she bit her lip. How was she going to answer his personal questions without hurting his feelings. And this was what she had wanted to avoid all along.
'From your response', he continued happily, it is clear you've not found your mate and have not been mated to anyone. I have liked you for a long time. In fact since the first day we met. Though you have not given me an inkling about the way you feel for me, I know you could not possibly despise me', he said, humbly. Though the same utterance from Sylvester, we ould have sounded conceited. 'So I have decided that we should....'
'You did not tell me how Alpha Blake got to know I was in your house', Millicent said hastily, hoping he would catch on and change the subject or at least, the utterance could buy her a little reprieve.
'Raph frowned but decided to play along, wondering if she was playing hard to get? There really was no need for that.
'Oh, didn't I?' he asked. 'He wanted to know the new person in our pack for security reasons and I told him you were the daughter of my mother's friend and have come after a long time to visit, after losing your parents. He wanted you to work in his kitchen but I told him if it pleased him, to leave you to help my aunt out in the house we since I was not always around'.
'I was shocked when he sent for me'. Millicent said. She had wondered what he wanted. Has Sylvester got wind that she was there and had asked him not to drive her away? She couldn't put anything past Sylvester.
'You sent for me Alpha'. she said.
'You are welcome to Moonlight pack!' he growled. 'I hope your stay be everything you hope it would be',
'I know it will be', Alpha Blake. 'Your pack is one of the best around here. Am I glad to be here!' she replied, looking down, in respect to the Alpha.
'Millicent', Raph started now, Millicent could see him debating inside himself and knew the instance he made his decision. 'You must know I care very deeply about you', he continued as though he had not been interrupted and he took both her hands in his and drew close to her.. 'Do you love me?' he asked, fidgeting, but took control of his emotions and looked her deeply in the eye. 'I want you to be my chosen mate!'
