I still had it in mind to visit Alpha Cosmos. I knew he had been made very powerful by his alliances and greed. I also knew someone had to talk to him. He is fated for me. Maybe he would listen.

“Hello Mom, has Dad spoken to you?” I asked my Mom, who was just coming into the living room.

“No, Mandanline, is there any problem?” She asked.

I would not want to prompt her as I did not want to get ahead of myself. If my Dad had not spoken to her before now, then maybe he was waiting for the right time. I felt it was better we sorted this out before I met with Alpha Cosmos.

I was not going to tell my parents about my planned visit to Alpha Cosmos because I thought it was the right time to have a chat with my mate. I was so sure he would listen to me.

I looked at my mom. She had been looking at me expecting an answer. I thought my dad had spoken to her and I just wanted to plead with her to see reasons and also find a way to appeal to Alpha Cosmos on behalf of my father.

“No Mom, there are no issues. I raised something with Dad and he promised he was going to seek your opinion,” I said.

“Oh! Don’t worry about it. It’s okay, I am sure you know that your Dad likes taking his time, he always comes through and I will let you know when he does,” she said.

“Thanks, Mom, you are the best,” I said, and walked out of the house. I was going to give Tony the news that we were going to sell the land and factory to him. 

Tony was about to become the newest Steelsmith in town.  I was so happy for him and I was so certain that he would not reject the offer. At least it would make him feel relieved about telling those secrets of his, about my parents.

Tony was not around at his shop so I had to wait. I don't like waiting at the town square because everyone would be staring at me. It is true that I am very beautiful, but  Tony thinks my skin is made out of glass. He often tells me that they glitter.

I saw Amy walking towards the shop, gosh, “This girl must be stalking me,” I thought to myself. She was walking with two of Alpha Cosmos’s men. I recognized them when they came to the house with Alpha Cosmos the other day.

Why was she coming with the men to Tony’s shop? I thought she just wanted to show up. But why was she even with Alpha Cosmos’s men? It was strange to me, but I would rather not cause a scene by engaging her.

Hello fake Luna,” said Amy.

I was not going to answer her. I would rather let this go. If not for the Alpha’s men with her, I would have lashed out.

“The lady greets you and you refuse to answer or are you deaf?” said one of the men with her.

I kept quiet looking at the three of them with so much disgust. Now the crowd, sensing that there might be an issue, started gathering around.

“If you love yourself you will kneel and greet Lady Amy,” the other man with her said, coming so close to me, bringing out his knife.

“If you are going to bring that out to threaten a lady, better know how to use it,” I said, causing him to look at first embarrassed and then very angry.

“What did you say to me?” he shouted.

Someone from the crowd shouted “ Leave her alone, she is Gerald’s daughter.

“I do not care, she just insulted me and insulted my lady and she will pay for it.” said the man as he drew even closer.

He raised his hand to strike me and in one swift swoop, I held his hand, turned him around, and took his knife while he was on his knee facing Amy and the other man with my feet on his back.

“Now, who is kneeling to greet your foul-mouthed Lady,” I said.

This angered them and they rushed at me. But I was saved by someone. 

At first, I could not see who it was as he was fighting very rough and dirty. He almost made me laugh.

The two men were disarmed while Amy was on the floor being struck mistakenly by one of her men.  Kent turned towards me and smiled before reaching out to Amy and stretching his hand.

“I am sorry my lady, your men are rather rough and ill-prepared for a fight,” Kent said.

The crowd started booing Amy and Alpha Cosmos’s men that came with her. She turned down Kent’s hand and called the men as they took their leave amidst booing from the crowd.

Kent turned to me, “That was easy. Could you be my princess so that I can continue to save you from such men,” he said.

‘I could do that without a scratch, your arm is bleeding and no I do not like to get into brawls every now and then, so don’t save me,” I said, smiling.

I took out my scarf and started wiping out the blood. I tied the scarf around his arm and our eyes met and, before I could fathom what was happening, my lips met his.

It was one of the best kisses of my life. It was sweet and succulent. I could smell his cologne and it got me hooked on him as though I could not pull out. My eyes were closed. I do not know how long the kiss lasted, but when I opened my eyes, Kent was gone,  missing in the crowd.

“Who was that? He does not look like he is from this part of the world,” Tony said.

I ignored his questions. I was not in for any sort of argument or explanation. 

‘Where have you been? I was nearly killed at your shop by Amy and her gang,” I said.

“Amy and her Gang? When did Amy start going around with guards?” Tony asked.

“I came here to see you but I can see this was not a good time. I will come back again when I think the time is right,” I said.

As I left the square, I was still searching for Alpha Kent. A part of me wanted more of whatever that was. He was so young and looked like someone I could have given birth to, but that kiss was from a mature man!

When I got home, news had already reached my father. ‘ Damn, that was fast’, I thought to myself. Dad asked me to sit down and explain to him how I ended up in a fight with Alpha Cosmos and his men.

“Dad,  I did not get into a fight with anyone, it was Kent who came to my rescue when Amy wanted to use Alpha Cosmos men to harass me,” I said.

“Okay, Mandaline, but that was not what I heard,” he said.

“I swear by the moon goddess, that was what happened. Kent was the one fighting, not me,” I said.

“So where is Kent now?” Dad asked.

“I am still looking for him,” I said with a smile.

Later in the evening, I went to see Alpha Cosmos. He has built for himself a very magnificent building. The interiors were beautifully decorated to show the Alpah of a great pack. But we were not a great pack.

We were running from the war of the wolves and found ourselves in Zandex. It was my father's skills that built the city and it was Alpha Cosmos’s ambition that made him Alpha. He robbed my father of the position, and one way or the other I am going to get it back.

 I was led to his room or something he loved to call his Chambers.

“Who do I have here?” Alpha Cosmos said.

“Good day, Alpha. Thank you for seeing me,” I said.

“Have a seat, it is not every day one is greeted by someone as beautiful as the moon goddess herself,” he said trying to flatter me.

“Please do not let us say things that will result in a taboo,” I said, smiling.

“Hope you have not come to ask for my hand in marriage?” he said, laughing.

“I am mated to you. Would that be wrong?” I said.

“It is not the right thing, but I am sure no one in this world or the next would refuse your hand in marriage,” Alpha Cosmos said.

“Well, it is good to know I am still in your good books. Is there any reason you would send Amy to attack me in the Town Square with two of your men?”

"And you were saved by your lover, right?" he replied.