LEADERSHIP

Suddenly, everyone's eyes were on me as every corner of the training grounds became silent. My heart

began to race, and my brain was slowly getting closer to a state of panic. Alpha Draven glanced at me

briefly, letting me know that the next move was up to me, but what the hell was I supposed to do?!

"Lilith, think for God's sake!" My mind activated the logical mode. "While they were sent here to join the

pack on the battlefield, the vampire army kneels before YOU. If you don't do something quickly, there

might be no peace treaty, and you will be forced to choose whether you want to be with the vampires or

the werewolves!"

The silence extended, and it forced an awkward smile on my face. I could see Draven clenching his

teeth. It didn't look like the Royal Army would acknowledge him as their leader merely because the

legions were sent there. I knew that I was going to regret what I was about to do, but I felt as if I had no

other choice…

"Thank you…" I spoke and paused.

I suddenly realized that I had no idea how to address Patrick. At that moment, he had earned his

position in the Royal Army. I couldn't simply call him Mr. Kim, could I? I glanced at him pleadingly,

hoping that he would help me out. Luckily, he responded to my awkward stare.

He slightly covered his mouth and said, while clearing his throat, "Commander."

I smiled at him, "Thank you, Commander Kim." I took a deep breath preparing for my speech, "I am

thankful that the Royal Army came to fight alongside the Moon Hill Pack. Let the battles we fight

together lead to eternal peace between races."

Patrick grinned at me, and on his mark, the whole legion began rhythmically hitting the ground with

their fists, as their sign of loyalty and respect. Just like before, the ground started to vibrate under their

strength. It lasted a while until their commander gestured at them to stop, and his eyes landed on me

again. I gulped, completely uncertain of what I was supposed to do, yet I knew that I should keep my

confidence no matter what.

"Rise, Royal Army!" I called out, trying to think what would Sariel do in this situation.

At my command, more than a hundred soldiers stood up, giving out a celebrational roar. I held my

breath until Patrick slightly nodded at me, assuring me that I did well. Inside, I was trembling, but

clenching my fist helped me keep a serene and decisive façade. There was one more thing to do… I

gritted my teeth and reluctantly moved my hand towards Draven, then manifestly grabbed his palm. Content © provided by .

Draven gazed at me, surprised, and immediately raised our entangled hands as a sign of union.

With his gesture, warriors from the pack threw their fists in the air, triumphally exclaiming their will to

fight together, and once they did, the Royal Army joined them in their unison roar. My heart hammered

watching hundreds of throats chanting Alpha Draven and my name. It was the first time I felt like a

leader, even though I wasn't sure if I was cut out to be one.

Draven smiled at me, and I could notice gratitude in his eyes. Well, he should be grateful. I think I

resolved his problem with leadership over the Royal Army's legions perfectly. I only hoped that he

wouldn't think that I had suddenly decided to become his Luna because, at this moment, I was

nowhere near accepting him as my so-called "mate."

For once, I was grateful to Draven that he took over as a leader from there. He swiftly shifted

everyone's eyes from me to him and led the rest of the ceremony. Thank God, since unlike me, he

knew exactly what was supposed to happen next.

Finally, the vampire and wolf warriors were supposed to join in the celebration… which required a lot of

food and hectoliters of alcohol. Once Draven announced the party, I used that moment to release my

hand from his grip. He frowned at me but instantly changed his expression when he met my glare.

"We'll talk later," I hissed, leaning closer to him, and then walked away from him so I could finally greet

Patrick.

Seriously, I was proud of myself once I treated Draven this way. I had him within my grasp for once. I

was equally respected by the Royal Army and the warriors from his pack, and he owed me. I couldn't

help but grin at my thoughts and gloat, even a little. Draven was left with nothing else but to pretend

that there was a great relationship between us while knowing that I held all the aces in this game. I

enjoyed crushing that enormous ego of his.

I didn't care what anyone might have thought about it and just rushed towards Patrick and threw my

arms around his neck.

"I missed you!" I called out teasingly and watched this respectful commander flush nervously.

His subordinates covered their mouths, hardly restraining themselves from bursting out in laughter. I

knew that he felt embarrassed, but still, he didn't push me away, not decisively at least.

"Lilith… please…" he whispered, forming a nervous smile.

I snorted, "Very well, Mr. Commander," and released him from my embrace.

I kept grinning while looking at him. I felt as if someone made me the sweetest gift sending him as a

leader. I also had to say that he looked amazingly sexy in that position. His clothes were just like

everybody else's: combat boots, dark cargo pants, and a matching jacket with a black fitted shirt

underneath. His black beret also looked exactly like the ones the rest of the soldiers had, and yet he

looked superior. His expression meant power. Even back in the Palace, I was aware of how strong he

was, but I was still impressed by how quickly he had built his position within the Royal Army.

"I'm glad that you are here, Patrick…" I said, sincerely happy.

"I volunteered myself to come here. General Gotha opposed it, but King Sariel finally sent me here,

once I promised that I would keep you safe," he explained.

"Sariel… wanted you to keep me safe?" I muttered, stunned.

"Yes." He nodded and looked me up and down, "But I guess you don't need a bodyguard anymore,

Lilith…"

"Well, I could surely use a friend, if you don't mind?" I grinned.

"This I can promise you," Patrick chuckled, gazing at me with his usual warmth.

"So…" I pointed at the big military tents, "Are all of your soldiers going to camp out here or something?"

"Of course not!" he burst out laughing. "The soldiers here are from the division I lead personally, and

we are the representatives of the four thousand Royal Army soldiers sent to support the Moon Hill

Pack. While we are temporarily staying here in tents, the rest of the army is building our barracks, right

outside the town. We will join them in a few days," he explained.

"I see," I sighed, slightly disappointed that he wouldn't stay near the mansion for long.

Once a smile dissolved from my expression, I could see that Patrick's gaze was becoming more

serious as well.

"Are you going to accept Alpha Draven and become their Luna?" he asked with a fit of anger painting

his eyes.

When I met his gaze, I flinched. I didn't know how to answer his question. I could say that I was

adapting to life inside the pack, but I felt that Draven and I grew to be even bigger strangers than when

I left the Palace with him.

"I don't know what to do, Patrick," I sighed, bitterly smiling.

"King doesn't love Elora, and he misses you like a madman," he tossed suddenly.

"Patrick… why-"

"He fucked up for sure, but you don't have any idea what has been going on outside the Palace for a

while. Someone's attacking vampire families. He burns their homes to ashes, and we don't have any

clue about who that is… The only hint we had was that Queen Elora might have been somehow

involved in all this."

I had never heard him sound so serious. Suddenly, I found my little love problems childish. Perhaps I

had been acting like a little ignorant girl. I wanted to live a peaceful, harmonious life, discarding the fact

that the world I was living in wasn't peaceful nor harmonious. Patrick looked around to see if anyone

could hear his words.

"We will talk some other time. Private matters should be discussed in private." He winked at me.

I nodded and watched him walking towards his subordinates, and those who passed him by bowed to

him. He looked different now: more mature and more aware of everything that surrounded us. Perhaps

it was the time for me to open my eyes and see the world in its real dirty colors…