Betrayed by the Beta, Loved by the Alpha

14. Raise Your Head

Eden’s pov:

Cindy and I arrived at the training grounds just in time. There was quite the crowd, and everyone was whispering, making assumptions about what had happened, about the kind of crime the Gamma must have committed.

I tried to tune them out, knowing that as long as the Alpha himself didn’t explain, nobody would be sure of a damned thing.

“Quiet,” soon Beta Mark appeared.

Not a word of objection followed, not even a whisper, and the hush that followed was almost eerie.

From where I stood in the right corner, I could see some of what was going on despite my small frame.

Hunter stood to the side, looking at everyone, his ever-present scowl making him far and unapproachable. I remembered yesterday’s smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. That man was warmer, full of quirks, almost affectionate too. As he stood on the right side of his father, however, he appeared to be a completely different man…

I preferred yesterday’s easygoing side of him – it wouldn’t take a genius to figure this out – but I knew he could not be lenient with everybody.

But that begged the question: Why had he let his guard down around me?

Susie, dumb*ss, a part of me argued.

He actually sees you.

The voice from my dreams was barely a whisper… And while I didn’t try to find the source this time around, it bothered me ever so slightly. I was no Jeanne d’Arc after all.

I wasn’t big on silent moments, but going nuts wasn’t exactly my idea of a fun time either.

“We are gathered here to discuss something with you,” the Alpha spoke at long last.

The anticipation could be cut with a knife, as we all waited with bated breath

“Daniel Hill was found guilty of harra*sment, child abu*se, and statutory ra*pe,” he declared in the same breath, his face made of stone.

Gasps followed everywhere, and the whispers restarted again, fiercer and angrier.

“Quiet,” Beta Mark all but growled again, his eyes boring into the crowd.

“I understand that this must be shocking,” the Alpha went on. “I wouldn’t have believed it either, if not for the evidence. And I am afraid this has been going on for a few months already…”

More whispers, angrier this time around, and demanding justice followed.

“I understand your fury, but please know that he will meet a punishment befitting of his crime,” the Alpha nodded after a beat, and everyone went silent again. “That being said, we must all thank three people for the role they played in uncovering this truth. Firstly, I would like to thank my son Hunter for trusting his instincts, and ordering his most trusted friend, Peter, to carry on an investigation about him. Needless to say that Peter played his own role by carrying out the investigation so promptly. Putting an end to the man’s despicable deeds couldn’t wait. And last but not least, I would like to thank Eden Summers for being the first to speak out against the harassment.”

Like the rest of the pack members gathered around, I was clapping, and my own name didn’t register until a moment too late.

Cindy nudged me, none too gently might I add, and my hands dropped to my sides at once.

“He didn’t really call my name, did he?” I whispered, turning to her, confusion no doubt written all over my face.

“He did,” she nodded eagerly at me, her eyes wide and pleading with me to say something adequate.

But what was I supposed to say?

“I did call your name, Eden,” the Alpha’s lips curved up ever so slightly, and my cheeks burned a furious red.

Oh heavens!

Oh ground, open up and swallow me whole. He had heard me.

Of course, he heard you, dumba*ss. He’s a werewolf! A part of me argued right back.

I shook my head negatively, ready to tell the Alpha I didn’t do anything.

“If it hadn’t been for you, this matter would have been delayed some more,” he beat me to it, uncaring of my flabbergasted face. “We know. We know now that you’ve been pushed to drop training, not because of your own shortcomings, but because of what he kept telling you.”

Many surrounding pack members looked at me, as if seeing me for the first time. And the attention was almost too much for me.

My eyes, however, went to Hunter, who was looking straight at me, no nickname rolling off his lips, no wink, no smirk… but those beautiful hazel eyes of his were almost affectionate. And instead of feeling flustered, I felt some courage build up in me.

“Accept our thanks,” Luna Emily offered me a small smile, which I could only mirror. “It was not only brave but also wise of you to confide in our son, Hunter.”

Thinking fast, I soon bowed my head, willing the tears threatening to make a fool of me away, begging my throat to collaborate, “I am the one who should be thanking him. He listened, didn’t see me as less than, and even investigated this matter.”

“It’s only natural,” Luna Emily drawled in her ever-soft tone of voice.

“Raise your head, Eden.”

My name on Hunter’s tongue did something to me. Illogical. Inexplicable. And completely and deliciously forbidden.

“Thank you.”

Long gone was the firm voice I used to thank him, and now I felt like any high school girl with a crush.

A crush? A part of me all but squealed. You don’t stand a chance, girl. Don’t you delude yourself.

And yet, as I tried hard not to fidget under the crowd’s probing eyes, I felt like I could stand prouder somewhat. For the first time, I was acknowledged for something other than being a defect, and it felt hell-a good.