Chapter forty four

The day of the banquet was here with all wolves in attendance. It was one of the biggest events in the history of wolves, one that saw different wolves come together from all classes and clans.

The party was already in full swing by the time Drew and his mate made their appearance. The Moon was already up in the sky, shining brightly upon the earth. Drew had never seen a more beautiful moon and with his mate by his side, he knew that nothing could go wrong.

"I've never seen so many wolves gathered in one place well except maybe our unveiling day but this is amazing’’ Laura gushed.

"I know and I'm glad to spend the first full moon celebration with you as my mate, I wouldn't want to have it any other way" Drew smiled.

They walked down the steps together, shaking hands with different wolves half of whom Laura had never seen before.

"You both look amazing" Killian smiled.

Drew rolled his eyes, smiling as his mate hugged his best friend. Killian was dressed in a dark Navy blue suit over brown loafers that gleamed under the powerful light of the chandelier.

"Where's Jack?" Drew asked

"Tending to his wife over there" Killian said, pointing in a direction.

Drew looked towards the direction he pointed at and sure enough, he found best friends with his much pregnant wife.

"I'll go say hello’’ Laura smiled, walking towards them.

Drew nodded at Killian and the latter understood as he followed Drew to a corner of the hall. Drew looked around, trying to see if they were being watched but all was clear.

"Nothing is unusual, boss. Everything is going according to plan, if there's something that needs your attention, I'll let you know immediately", Killian said.

"Alright, thank you Killian. Remember you and Jack's eyes should be on my mate when I'm not there to watch her understand?".

"Affirmative", he said.

Drew dismissed them, looking around the hall. It was filled with a lot of people and he hoped that everything went as it was supposed to go.

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"Darling" a voice drawled.

Drew knew who that voice belonged to. He looked around and sure enough, Benita sashayed towards him in one of the tightest dresses he had ever seen her wear. All her curves were on full display and he had an inkling that most of the men had a hard time keeping their eyes off her.

"Hello Benita," Drew said, curtly.

He was trying so hard to desperately keep his eyes off her but he was losing the battle, Benita was a spell, a goddess who had the power to hold men captive.

"Hey love" she drawled.

She moved towards Drew, flicking his hair seductively. She purred, stroking his shoulders as she batted her lashes.

Drew took a step back, giving her the much needed space he required. Benita was surprised by this but she smiled to cover up her annoyance.

"Is anything the problem?’’ Drew snapped.

"Why must something be wrong before I come to see you?" she said.

Drew looked up at that moment to see Laura talking with her step brother though she still kept her distance because she didn’t trust him for one bit. He couldn't understand the rage he felt but he simmered down because he didn't want to spoil his evening with petty jealousy.

"I see your mate is hooked up with her step brother," Benita chuckled.

She took a glass of wine from a passing waiter, sipping it delicately as she stared at Laura. Drew had the urge to rip her eyes out because she didn't deserve to look at his mate.

"If you have nothing important to say, I will take my leave" Drew hissed.

Laura chuckled, walking towards him. She placed her palms on his shoulders, stroking his chest. Just then, Benita let out a piercing scream. Drew stared at her and discovered her hair was on fire. Like an instinct, he looked towards the direction where his mate was and found her smiling, blowing smoke from his fingertips.

Drew chuckled, trying to reign down his laughter. Laura was one to never relent on a promise. She promised to set Benita's hair on fire if she so much as moved within an inch to where her mate was and now, she was making good with her promise.

"I'll get you for this’’ Benita screamed, pointing at Laura.

Benita left in anger, screaming profanities at people who dared to stop her. Drew could tell she was livid but he just didn't care.

Laura blew her a kiss, a wide grin on her face. Drew's laughter was out now as he held his side, trying to control himself.

"Your mate is one hell of a fighter," Jack chuckled.

"You have no idea," Drew smiled.

At that moment, he just wanted to scoop her in his hands and kiss her senseless. He was proud of her for standing up for him when she could easily have resulted in jealousy.

"Is everything going on well?" Drew said.

He couldn't help it. He would always feel paranoid especially when he was within a gathering. He always felt this fear associated with being in a place with people who he wasn't so familiar with.

"Yes. Nothing is amiss" Jack said.

"Good. Thank you, please keep your eyes and ears open" Drew said.

Jack nodded , walking away. Drew headed to a large table where most of the wolves were settling down for a meal. He walked towards his friend who sat at the head of the table, talking with an elderly wolf Drew had come across at a certain time.

He stopped for a minute, staring at his friend. He hated to imagine it but his friend had aged twice as much since the last two days he saw him. There were new lines on his face which weren't there before and when he laughed, he seemed to shake vigorously.

"Friend, are you we'll?" Drew whispered.

He didn't want to make it obvious especially to the other wolves that his friend was Ill. Wolves had pride and Drew made sure that his Friend's and his were protected.

"To be honest son, I don't feel so good," Alpha Nikolas said, sipping a glass of water.

Drew knew that he was only putting on a brave front so he wouldn't appear weak in front of the other wolves. He took the chair beside his friend, sipping a glass of wine. He tapped his feet in quick succession in tune with the orchestra that stood in a corner of the large hall. He couldn't help it, he knew that something bad was about to occur but he couldn't quite place his hands on what that was.

"Do you want to go upstairs to get some rest?" Drew asked.

"I think I'll take you up on that. I'm afraid my bones are too weak for partying" he said.

Drew helped him to his feet, leading him towards the doors that led to the private quarters. Drew glanced at the main doors that led outside and he was glad they were firmly shut, there would not be going out or coming in. The full moon was set to appear in an hour's time and Drew didn't want any additional stress.

They got to his friend's room soon as Drew led him to the double poster bed that sat gingerly in the middle of the room. He noticed that his Friend relied heavily on his support which buttressed his point over his failing health.

"I'll be good now" Alpha Nikolas said, removing his mask.

Drew removed his too, placing it on a nearby table. He wanted to stay with his friend as much as he could because he had a feeling that this night might be the last night he got to speak with him.

"I'll stay with you for a while before I head back," Drew said.

"Your mate would miss you" Alpha Nikolas croaked.

"I've mind linked her, she knows I'm here.’’

Alpha Nikolas smiled, nodding his head. Drew stared at his friend, wishing there was something he could do to ease the pain he was currently facing. He knew that ever since the stroke he suffered, his body had never remained the same.

"I remember vividly when me and your mother began life together. She was so full of hope and positivity, at times I relied on her to keep me going" Alpha Nikolas sighed.

"I miss mum. I miss her so much that at times, it hurts" Drew sighed.

"We all miss her son. Your mother is the perfect example of a mate should be. I see her traits in Laura, she'll be good for you" Alpha Nikolas said.

"Laura is a total ballgame entirely dad" Drew laughed.

"She is but she has a heart of gold. I've seen her when she looks at you with pride and love in her eyes. Hold her close Drew and do not ever let her go" he said.

"I won't be friends, I promise," Drew vowed.

"Thank you. I feel I won't stay long, I feel weak" Alpha Nikolas said.

Drew gripped his hands, giving it a gentle squeeze. He fought valiantly to keep his tears at bay but he couldn't as the first drop of tear fell from his eyes. Just then, loud thunder claps filled the sky and Drew knew his friend was no more.

He looked down at his body, feeling his soul slowly depart from him. Drew bowed his head a bit as a sign of respect to the man who had been a father, a mother and a great friend to him. He would never forget his words of wisdom on days when Drew felt like given up.

Alpha Nikolas had actually took a bullet for him when he was much younger. Drew remembered that event like the back of his hand. The palace had come under attack and the only way the young Drew could escape was if he bypassed an intruder who was pointing a gun at him.

Alpha Nikolas stood at the other end of the room but he knew any slight movement could have the intruder shooting him dead.

At the last moment before everything ended, Nikolas pushed him towards the window, the only route of escape just as the intruder fired his gun. For several weeks, Alpha Nikolas was in and out of the hospital as a result of the bullet piercing a major organ.

That was something Drew would never forget. He paid his final respect to the man who had taught him to be a man before walking out of the room.