I could not hold any longer and I decided to go to the riverside to clear my head. I knew what I had done required a lot of thinking for now and the future. I prayed that Tony would be able to fight back when Alpha Cosmos came calling. Tony looked too gentle for the Alpha. He was entirely the opposite of Alpah Cosmos.

As I sat down, I felt someone was watching me. I could not help but turn to find out that it was Kent who had been watching me for some time.

“Are you stalking me?” I asked. Truly surprised that I had not seen him all the while he was there.

“Why should I do that?” he asked back.

“How long have you been watching me? Please, you have to stop stalking me. If not, you will get into a lot of trouble,” I said.

"A lot of trouble from whom? I can take care of myself and can surely take care of you. No one should be troubling you," he said, like a teen who could only see his present condition.

Kent was just a lad who just wanted to enjoy everything that life would throw at him. If not that he had been there for me, I don’t know what would have happened, but I was sure I could take care of Amy and the men. I had my skills too.

We sat by the river that ran through my pack's territory as claimed by Alpha Cosmos, its waters reflecting the moon's silvery glow.

"Mandaline, you seem troubled," Kent observed, his eyes filled with concern.

I nodded, feeling the tears welling up in my eyes. "Kent, there's something I need to tell you. Something I've kept hidden." Something I have done and I did it out of revenge.

I was not even certain that I should tell Kent, he was too young though he said he was an Alpha, but I needed to tell someone. I needed this out of my mind and my entire system.

He reached out and took my hand, his touch reassuring. "You can tell me anything, Mandaline. I am sure that you know that," Kent said. He was not speaking like an Alpha, he was speaking to me as a friend, and I was glad he did.

I took a deep breath, the words heavy on my tongue. "My father’s land, Kent. I made a promise to Alpha Cosmos. I agreed that after I inherit it, he could take ownership of it."

Kent's grip on my hand tightened, and his expression darkened with a mix of surprise and anger. "Mandaline, why didn't you tell me this before? You should have discussed it with your father, and  made a decision together." He blasted.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I met his gaze. "I know, Kent, and I'm so sorry. I didn't want to betray him, but I also wanted Alpha Cosmos to pay for what he did to my father,” I said.

“The land was not yours to give or to negotiate with,” Kent said.

“I know,” I said.

Kent's anger seemed to dissipate, replaced by understanding and compassion. 

"Mandaline, you're not alone in this. We can figure out a way to resolve the situation, to find a compromise that protects your pack's interests and your promise to Cosmos," he said.

“Alpha Cosmos does not even believe in the pack. His only interest is whatever that would benefit him,” I said.

“There is always a way out of every situation, please relax,” Kent said.

I sighed with relief, grateful for Kent's support. My heart felt lighter knowing that I had confided in Kent, and I was determined to make amends for my secrecy. He was not like a stranger to me anymore and, though young, he had shown commitment to helping me.

"Wait a minute Mandaline! You told him when you inherited the land, right?" Kent said as his eyes lit up with hope and excitement.

'Yes! So what are you implying," I asked.

"You have no land to give yet, as the land has not been handed over to you as an inheritance, Your father is still alive and you have no inheritance," Kent said with a certain

"I do not think the Alpha would see it that way," I said.

"As we speak, Mandaline, you have no inheritance to give. Your agreement with him, though verbal and not a written agreement, was based on the hope that your father will hand over the land to you when he is alive or you possess the land when he is gone," Kent said.

"I hope the Alpha will see it that way because I did what I did to hurt him not hurt my father," I said.

As the day of the land transfer approached, the air was thick with tension. Tony arrived with his lot to take possession of the land, and my parents greeted him with smiles that concealed the sadness of saying goodbye to a place that had been our home for generations. 

Tony, unaware of the complexities of the situation, was eager to start a new chapter for the land.

My heart ached as I watched the exchange, torn between my duty to the pack and my secret promise to Cosmos. I knew that the challenges ahead would test our pack's unity, but I was determined to find a way to honor my commitments while protecting the bonds that had held us together for so long. 

The path forward was uncertain, but I was ready to face it, no matter the sacrifices it demanded.

Kent went missing and did not show up for days. I wondered where that boy would be. Maybe he needed to be at his pack’s meeting. Unlike our pack, Kent said they have a pack meeting where every family can give their opinions on certain matters that affect the lives of the werewolves in the pack. 

No one had heard from Alpha Cosmos, so everything seemed quiet and quite good for now. Tony was very happy with his new acquisition and started operations almost immediately. He did not change how my father operated the place. I think it was out of respect.

“Thank you Mandaline, I know this has your backing and I also know that it was what you wanted to tell me when Amy attacked you,” Tony said.

“You are welcome, just don’t fail my Dad,” I said.

“So you do love me,” Tony said, holding his chest as if to demonstrate that I was closer to him than he thought.

“This has nothing to do with love,” I said, and I wish he knew. This is about revenge for me.