Although Jason got the latest breaking news from the Pack members, but he spent all night tossing and turning in the bed.

His arm was healed quite miraculously, he was certain that it was due to the fresh blood that he drank, probably for the first time in one century.


'I can't sleep."

He tossed the cover aside and came out, jolt of energy surging in his veins made him restless. Roaming in the empty streets, he reached the training ground.

'Why isn't he sleeping?"


He saw Mathew practicing in the ground alone, his hard chiseled muscles were drenched in sweat. Jason hid behind a tree and peeped at him, a wave of sympathy washed over him.

'Mathew is really a hardworking guy. He is twenty-two and still, he is handling a Pack on his own. Commendable!"


He admired the view for a length of time, then a strange thought flashed across his mind.

'Mathew is unmated. That's why he has spare time at night."

For some unknown reason, he felt an unease in his chest, his heart thumped at the picture of happily married Mathew with his kids.

'This luxury is for living. I am such a fool."

An empty smile adorned his face, he chuckled at his understanding.

'Unmated wolves commonly have bad attitudes, he will be fine after having a wife."

Jason wished him good luck and left, a sly grin spread at Mathew's face.

'It's working, my mate likes the way I look."

He stretched his arms and cleaned his bare upper body.

'Extra hour of night training isn't a bad idea, Bolt!"

He picked up his bag and planned for his next move in 'Mission wooing Jason!"

…

Early in the morning, Charlotte was called in the dinning hall by Luna Lily.

'Maddy wants to hold a prayer ceremony for his dead parents. Go, help her with arrangements. We should make her feel at home."

Charlotte clenched her fists at this absurd order,

'Melinda had already claimed this Pack as her territory, why would she need any assistance?"

She didn't voice her opinion and walked towards the Pack ground.

'Oh my gosh, Liam. I didn't even recognize you. Are you sick or something?"

Melinda's energetic voice slithered in her ears at fair distance.

'I am a sired vampire now, that's why I looked like this."

Liam's humble tone responded her query.

'A sired one? Are you out of your mind? What were you even thinking, Liam? I would have preferred to die if I were you."

Melinda's comment quickened her pace, she faced her on Liam's behalf.

'Liam was turned at Alpha's request. Friendship is beyond the identity of a person, Melinda."

Charlotte glanced at Liam's red face, who was ashamed to death.

'I can see that Eric has changed his views about the bloodsuckers. The world has advanced in a very wrong way."

Melinda crossed her arms on her chest and sneered.

'I don't want any outsider in my parents' prayer ceremony. You can leave."

Her hateful gaze was magnified by her harsh tone. Charlotte ignored her hostility, and politely offered some help.

'I can understand your feelings as an orphan, losing your parents is something unpredictable. Your wounds are still fresh, let me help you to arrange the event.

Preparing for your parents' funeral is very heartrending."

Suddenly, Melinda's acrimony turned into tears in her eyes. She held Charlotte's hand.

'You are so kind to stand by my side in this tough time. I can't express my gratitude in words."

Luna Lily saw their heartwarming display of emotions, and thanked the Goddess for this blessing.

'I am so happy that both of you are friends now. Good relation is a key to have a strong Pack."

'It's not just a friendship, Mom. Charlotte is like my sister."

Melinda softly corrected her mother-in-law.

'It's Star for you, Maddy."

Charlotte pressed her hand added to Melinda's statement.

After the ceremony, Melinda cooked lunch at the Pack house to thank everyone.

'Your cooking is same like sister Jenna, like a magic."

Melinda heard Luna Lily's appreciation with her eyes glistening with tears.

'I just tried to cook something edible, Mom. You really flattered me."

Charlotte took the first sip of soup, and looked around for a sink to spit it out. That ordinary veggie broth was hardly passable.

Charlotte wanted to salute Luna Lily's taste buds for liking this.

'You are eating, Star? Sorry, I am sounding like a dumb, but I have never seen a vampire eating before."

Charlotte swallowed that spoonful with great difficulty, and enlightened her on vampire culture.

'Born pureblood Vampires like me can eat and drink human's food. Blood is just a source of power for us.

However, for Royals, blood is not compulsory to survive. They can spend their lives at minimum consumption of blood."

Charlotte's detailed answer was heard with great interest by the Pack members on the lunch table.

Later, Melinda succeeded in averting their attention back to her with harmless questioning about the Pack officials, recognizing them to test her recovery.

'Isn't he the little Matt, Mom? He was just a grumpy little kid when I left. Indeed, I have missed a lot."

Liam excused himself after the ceremony, but later on, he was literally on fire. Pacing back and forth in his cabin, he was burning with fury.

'That woman, she insulted us and you didn't retaliate. At least, you can complain to Luna."

Liam snatched the fashion magazine from Charlotte's hands, and shouted.

'You are also not helping me. I was bullied and you didn't avenge me. I am angry at you."

Charlotte giggled and gestured towards the couch.

'Take a seat, Liam. It's not that bad. Generally, werewolves don't like vampires. Don't blame Maddy for her emotions."

'Oh! Now she is Maddy to you, too."

Liam scowled, he wasn't expecting this metamorphosis in one night.

'You were the one to stop me here. Now, when I am dealing with this matter in my own way, you are complaining.

Tell me, what do you want?"

Charlotte propped her chin on one hand, gazing at him.

'Dealing with it? You are practically letting her win. She is currying favor with Eric's Mom and Pack members, and you are doing nothing to counter her blow.

Melinda has got totally changed, Charlotte. She is a mean and arrogant lady. Furthermore, She is not that Maddy I knew before."

Charlotte nodded and acknowledged his reservations.

'Your observation isn't wrong, Liam. But Melinda is just an insecure teenager, a drama queen for me.

Over a hundred years of my life, I have seen plenty of Melindas in my hometown. She is craving for attention and sympathy, I am not a fool to provide her a juicy script for her next film."

Liam looked at her in bewilderment, his eyes popped out.

'Why I didn't think of it? You are right, Charlotte. I am such a bother to you."

Finally, coming down from the height of emotional outburst, Liam sighed and sat beside her.

'So, what to do now?"

'Just sit tight and smile at her lousy tricks. I have promised your friend that I will not go anywhere in his absence.

So, I think we are doing it just for some time."

Liam grabbed Charlotte's arm and placed his head on her shoulder.

'I am scared, I don't want to lose this competition."

'It's not a war, Liam. You can't force anyone to love you. Have faith in destiny!"