Chapter 40

The figure froze and then turned slowly to face us. 'What, Rhys?" I gasped in surprise. He looked shocked. I wasn't expecting him to be the one even though we mentioned him to be part of those we expected to be responsible. He smiled sheepishly, as he stood watching, having no explanation to give. 'Liora, this is not what you think, please. I will explain my actions." Mira could not hold herself again as she burst into laughter. 'So this is who's been tormenting us with loads of gifts? I knew from the onset that it must have something to do with you!" I blinked, amused at the show before me. Likewise, I tried processing it, but it wasn't connecting. 'Rhys, what exactly made you start this madness?" Already embarrassed, he ran a hand through his fluffy hair to ease his nervousness. I didn't like the idea of waking you up each time I come here, and also creating a scene. This pack isn't mine, and from history, we have been rivals. Any member of this pack won't appreciate my presence here. Talk more of when words get to the Alpha about me. To show you I truly care, and that I am still waiting for your answer, I brought more gifts, more than the first one. Showing that I am the giver each time I come here might mount pressure on you to accept me. I don't wish you to take me because of what I do for you or what I can do. I prefer you to choose me because you want me. Mira, by now was already on the ground because of laughing too hard. I find it cute that he was hiding his identity. He wanted me to make my decisions not through the influence of gifts, but because I prefer to do. 'Rhys, it still won't have taken anything from you if you had knocked. The door wasn't quarreling." 'I am aware of that, but..." He paused, clearly not comfortable anymore. 'I didn't fancy getting attention from you just because I gave you gifts. And there's every possibility that you won't want to see me after our meeting, at least not so soon." I sighed in frustration. 'Rhys, you should know better. I accepted the gift you addressed me as a friendly gift, but this...this particular one is unnecessary and unacceptable. I think it's time you stop dumping gifts at my doorpost, it's getting creepy by the day. End it all to avoid having more misunderstanding with Jaxon about sneaking into this pack uninvited." With slumping shoulders, he continued. 'I'm truly sorry, Liora. It was my little way of showing you how much I care for you." Mira, giggling, added meanly. 'Well, nice display, mission accomplished! Now, can you do us the honors of going so that we can get some sleep?" Rhys clasped his hands together apologetically for the last time before taking his leave. Without another word, he disappeared into the dark midnight, having me both angry and worried. The whole drama was overwhelming, and I didn't know what to make out of it. I turned to see Mira was a mess already. What is so funny about this discovery that she had to lie on the ground? 'Well, at least our mission tonight was successful. The source of the gifts has been exposed, and to think it's someone we less expected still amuses me. This should serve as a warning to not trust anyone too much on anything." I said rather in a shocked tone. Mira smirked knowingly. 'Oh, this looks like a lot of fun already, and it seems the fun part is yet to start. Let's see how the Alpha lover, Jaxon, would react after finding out about this." "Well, he wouldn't find out if you don't go to him with your tap of a mouth. No one saw what happened here today. If you don't go to Jaxon, he wouldn't notice. Please, Mira, don't tell Jaxon." I tried to make Mira reason with me. "I won't break the girls' code, I am here with you forever." Mira assured me. Unknown POV At midnight, I slipped through the shadows. The night already matured and the tension built up. I waited for the most critical moment; the heated clash of two Alphas. Jaxon, since I know him, had repeatedly been a hot-headed Alpha, but Rhys, right before he became the Alpha of Midnight Howlers, has consistently been a no pushover. They stood facing each other with venom emitting from their eyes. From my hidden places just behind a gigantic tree, I watched the scene display, my smirk growing wider each minute. I had made plans, plans of destruction for these two, and they are playing along so effectively, more than I ever predicted. You would wonder how Jaxon got to know Rhys was in the Silver Moon Pack with gifts. Well, I had my eyes everywhere. I simply informed him of the legitimate place to be at the proper time. I had predicted Jaxon would act immediately and confront Rhys before he leaves the pack's territory, and he didn't disappoint at all. He played his role perfectly. The anger clear on his face could burn down the entire pack. 'Rhys, you!" Jaxon's voice echoed at night as he caught Rhys trying to leave the pack's territory. The men circled each other. And by now, I hate to admit that I had to stretch my ears to grab every word they uttered there. Rhys challenged Jaxon to fist combat, snarling and smirking all the way. 'Jaxon, what a pleasant surprise! I never imagined that I would see the Alpha roaming around." I couldn't help but grow impatient at his bravado. Why can't they take action already, they need to engage in a fist fight already. Jaxon growled in fury, his countenance changing fiercely. 'You have grown guts to think you can just stroll in and out of my territory to play the knight in shining armor? What brought your pathetic self to my pack, Rhys?" This was the fun part I had been waiting for. The two Alphas are willing to devour each other, and I take the chance to penetrate the pack and destroy everything. Everything happened so fast with precision that I wondered how better it could get. Every exchange of words at the place was like a burning coal on the heart of anyone who hears it. It strokes blazing flames, and their batter doesn't look like it would end soonest. 'A peaceful visit to Lioras'. When did that become a crime?" Rhys asked rather harshly with a smirk still playing at a corner of his lips. He was nonchalant with his approach, not minding if his reply would cause more harm, owing that he was trespassing in another pack. 'Friendly visit?" Jaxon inquired in disbelief. 'You've been shamelessly sneaking in and out of this pack for days just for the so-called visits? What are your aims? What do you intend to achieve through your shameless acts, Rhys?" Perfect, this was just how I had imagined them in my head; Jaxon was unable to control his anger, and became reckless in his approach, leading to more damage. This was it. It's working as planned. 'Trying to achieve something through a harmless visit? It's no big deal. This is me doing my best to be there for her, something you are not familiar with, as you keep yourself busy with the affairs of Seraphina." Rhys's words came raw without filtering. 'Don't you dare mention her name here again! You will always be a betrayal to me." Jaxon thundered, taking more steps than necessary closer to him. I chuckled from my hiding place, clearly enjoying the scenes before me. 'Who betrayed who? Aren't you the one that left her stranded when you were supposed to be her strongest ally, but is back now to claim where you didn't work? How pathetic of you? All I've been doing is helping Liora! But unfortunately, I can't say the same to you. All you know is how to lead her on and abandon her along the way. She deserves to be loved, and you are in no position to do that." Rhys fired back at Jaxon. As their voices continued going low and high, I knew it wouldn't take long before they eventually used their fist on each other. How disrespectful it would be to not only their personalities but also to their different packs that their Alphas were seen fighting because of a woman!They couldn't solve their differences, leading to a fistfight. I had no hand in whatever that was coming. All I did was ignite the fire, but they foolishly accepted it without thinking twice.