Mated to A Rival Alpha-Chapter 162: A Step In The Right Direction?

[JIHOON]

"The king wants the warrior healer and Rania dead, and their bodies taken to him," Daehyun added carefully, knowing that his brother could probably have his head for uttering such attributes.

But this was the werewolf king they were talking about, a man who was so brutal and could do the dirty work himself if he had to. And clearly, Rania and her brother had made the worst mess for him.

"Impossible," Jihoon said, the denial so clear on his face. He knew what was coming and he knew that this was the one time he would regret siding with the crown, but what else was there for him?

He had a people to rule, he had people that depended on him and his family to protect.

Park Jihoon had more things to lose, and if he didn’t follow the king’s declaration, there was a high chance that the king would use him as an example. If only he still hated Rania. If only, but then he was past pretending to hate that which he loved.

He was past acting like the world didn’t revolve around Rania for him. He was in a situation that didn’t make any sense to him and maybe, just maybe he would think with his heart, right? It couldn’t be so bad, no?

"The king has sent word to all the packs to send out warriors to hunt them down. It’s a kill order, Jihoon. And it’s also a declaration, which means that it had to be followed," Daehyun added, looking at his best friend.

He could see a lot of emotions conforming on his face.

Of all the packs, there was just one pack that the king knew would never follow his declaration dn that was the incayon pack. Which left sixteen more packs to look for Rania and Chang Wook.

Everything was just so confusing at the moment, but was it, or was it just emotions that were clouding their minds?

"Send the warriors. I have to go check on Yanna," Jihoon said after a long silence, and it was then that Daehyun knew that his best friend was going to go on some dumbass crazy mission. But was it crazy when this time Daehyun was cheering for him in silence?

For months Daehyun had been haunted by the changed destinies.

He had hated himself for not having a clear sight and being the sensible one between the two of them. And when he met Yanna a month ago, he realized that all this time, his loyalty had always been with his alpha’s mate.

All this time, he had always been sworn to Rania, just like all the pack betas were there to serve the pack and more than anything, to be their Luna’s assistants. It was crazy, but at least something was going to be right with him.

"Are you sure about the warriors? Don’t get me wrong. But sending warriors to hunt down their own luna isn’t something that makes sense in any land," Daehyun said, daring to call Rania Calindra’s luna for the first time.

He was expecting his brother to fight him or even defend what he was saying, but instead, Jihoon just smiled thoughtfully like he was in his own world.

"If she were any other Luna, I would be worried. Rani’s strong and powerful. She can handle herself. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Warriors came back limping. Anyway, prepare the dispensary for them once you dispatch them, alright?

"They will need a lot of care when they come back for the hunt, if they happen to encounter her," Jihoon said and Daehyun rushed to his brother, hugging him properly.

It had been a long time since Jihoon had spoken without so much worry.

It had been a little too long, and seeing him this carefree even in such situations was just what everyone needed. And so he could walk out and go on the mission, with a clear head, knowing that his brother was always going to have their backs.

"We’ll be okay, brother," Daehyun whispered and Jihoon just nodded while patting Daehyun’s back gently.

"Yeah. Let’s go back to our duties," Jihoon said and they pulled back before they both went in different directions.

****

Alpha Jihoon had a lot on his mind, even as he walked in the dark night to where the dispensary was. He had been trying to think of a way to deal with Yanna, now that she was back, but up until now, he hadn’t found a solution yet.

Instead, the only thing that was on his mind was Kim Rania.

Sighing, the Calindra alpha shook his head, as if to share the thoughts of Rania away.

However, part of him knew that he would always be having Rani on his mind, he just had to have a new schedule and adjust to it. Especially now that Yanna was back in here.

The walk to the dispensary wasn’t long and soon enough, Park Jihoon got there. It was quiet all around, the candles lighting up the dispensary building were brighter with every step Jihoon took in that direction.

He could see some of the sick wolves resting outside, while most were inside, probably because of the cold and the mosquitoes. As he walked by, they greeted him tiredly, and he just nodded at them in acknowledgment.

What was he even supposed to say to them anyway?

They already knew he was here because of their luna who had apparently come back from the dead, the same woman they had watched the world go crazy about.

Now that they thought about it, everyone was silently questioning why Rania had accepted the punishment, especially given Kim Rania always had her facts straight no matter what happened. Then again, she was hard to understand.

"Where is Yanna?" Jihoon asked Nurse Choi, an older woman who was tasked with taking care of all the pack members of Calindra.

She looked like she was having a hard time believing that her luna was back, but so was everyone else. No one had ever imagined that Yanna Park would show back up, but then here they were anyway.

"Alpha, are you okay?" Nurse Choi asked, and Jihoon just nodded.

How was he supposed to tell this woman that he wasn’t really okay because their Luna was in potential danger?

How was he to explain to the woman that there were so many chances that Yanna was never going to be the Calindra Luna ever again?

Jihoon had so many wrongs to right and maybe this night would be the first one of them all.

"I’m fine. Where is she?" Jihoon asked again and this time, Nurse Choi figured that the alpha wasn’t ready for any more questions.

So instead of her insisting, she just pointed to the alpha ward, the one place that Jihoon could have known to look, but had been too preoccupied with thinking of Yanna as just another wolf in the Calindra pack.

"Thank you. I’ll take my leave now," Jihoon said, as he walked in the opposite direction. He couldn’t get himself to get into Yanna’s room and while that was strange in so many ways, Nurse Choi understood him.

Maybe that was also why she didn’t say a word, even when he told her to take care of the patients and not forget to get some rest herself.

"You’re avoiding me," Yanna suddenly said, but Jihoon didn’t stop.