Once Upon a Wolf

Chapter 37

CHAPTER 37

"Oh, my moon goddess," Poppy whispered. "It's him."

"Who's that?" I asked with a pitch too high, still staring at the stranger, who approached Maddox all calm, cool and collected as Maddox fumed with heat.

"They're Grey Howler pack and the wolf that just walked past us is their alpha," Poppy answered.

"Hector?!" I squealed.

Suddenly, he turned side-ways with a grin. Oh. My. Word. "Did he hear me?" I whispered to Poppy.

"I think half the pack heard you," Poppy shook her head.

My cheeks burned with embarrassment as I glanced to Alice, who folded her arms and grimaced at the Grey Howler's alpha.

"What does he want here?" Alice said with a purse of her lips.

"They travelled from the North. They obviously travelling our way to the festival," Poppy replied in a low tone.

I watched Maddox as he faced off with his apparent enemy, Hector, and his rival's, the Grey Howler pack. The air became thick with tension. Poppy sauntered closer to hear what the alpha and the soon to be alpha had to say. I followed her without hesitation with Alice behind me.

"It's good to see you again, Maddox," Hector greeted. I raised a brow hearing his voice for the first time. It was suave with a slight edge in it.

"I can't say the same for you, Hector." Maddox said his name with venom. His hands still balled into fists.

Hector smirked, his grey eyes roaming the Moonstone pack. "I'm sad you think that. We were friends once upon a time."

Maddox jaw tightened, and his left eye twitched.

"My condolences for your loss," Hector gave a tiny bow of his head. "I admired your father greatly. He was a fierce wolf."

Maddox ground his teeth. "I prefer you not to talk about my father."

"We are to honor him at the feast of remembrance, are we not?" Hector slightly tilted his head.

Maddox scoffed.

Hector smirked. "You'll see me at the feast as my pack and I pay our respects."

"Yes... Respect," Maddox warned.

Hector scoffed a chuckle. "Yet respect is earned, not given."

"It's taken in my book," Maddox countered.

"Ha!" Hector barked a laugh. "Well played. But I guess we'll see what you can take or attempt to when you announced alpha... or not."

Maddox narrowed his eyes and inhaled deeply.

"Until then, Maddox. Remember, I freely give tips on how to be an alpha," Hector smirked. "Since I've been at it for five years now."

Wow, when Poppy said there was water under the bridge with these two, she wasn't kidding. It still looked like that bridge was on fire. Animosity oozed between the two that it completely sparked my interest.

Poppy gasped. "He's coming back this way." She noticed and stepped back.

Watching Hector approach. I wanted to take a glance at his grey eyes one more time. But as he sauntered forward, he slowed his steps until he stood right in front of Alice and Poppy with me scrunched in between. I could feel Poppy holding her breath next to me. Alice frowned in confusion.

His magnetic eyes drifted from Alice to Poppy and finally landed on me. The same charming smile crept up his face, making him more radiant.

"You must be Zoey Porter?" He smiled smoothly.