Tangled Hearts - The Alpha's Baby Mama
Chapter 56: People need to believe in something...

Chapter 56: People need to believe in something...

Xavier POV

"Reject the moon goddess?" I stared at Kurtis wide-eyed "Why would I want to do that? And what has she got to do with anything?" I asked.

"The easiest way to rise above everyone and to dominate is to believe in nothing but yourself. If you depend on some bunch of creatures and whatnot, it will limit you. Whenever a problem arises that needs critical thinking, you’d end up looking for solutions in stupid places,".

I shifted uncomfortably as I regarded him... I didn’t know what this was all about. First, I was still confused over the mysterious creatures that attacked us some hours ago and not this.

"And if I don’t agree to do it?"

"Then it’s a no deal," Kurtis shook his head sadly "I can’t be in alliance with someone who relies on deities and the supernatural. I am my own god... I am the god of my people but still, I made sure they’re all independent. They know, I have limitations to saving them, only they can save themselves,".

"People need to believe in something, Kurtis... that’s is the only way they can remain hopeful. You think if I suddenly announce to my pack that we no longer would worship the moon goddess... you think that would not cause fear and panic amongst the people?"

"I didn’t say the transition would be smooth, Xavier," Kurtis walked up to me, holding my gaze "Of course, the people would cry and wail and may even revolt or threaten to leave the pack but, once you make them see reasons why everyone should be gods to themselves, they’ll catch on,".

I shook my head as I pictured myself trying to announce to everyone in Greyhound that we would no longer serve the moon goddess. Not only would it be with raised eyebrows, a lot of people would leave.

Our pack was just recovering from experiencing, episodes of ill luck and the tide not being in our favour. Doing this now would piss the people off.

"I can’t, Kurtis," I said finally "These people have served the moon goddess for decades, learnt her ways and a bunch of things. If I do this, it’ll make them run out of patience and give them reasons to leave,".

"Ah!" Kurtis hissed as he paced the tent before walking up to Selene who had grown quiet since our interaction. "Tell me, Selene, how many times have the moon goddess granted your request? Don’t rush to answer, but think about it first," he urged Selene.

"Don’t bring her into this, Kurtis!" I growled my warning and went to him, standing between him and Selene "We can have the strongest of alliance and still have different beliefs, that’s the beauty in it,".

"No!" Kurtis shook his head again "Look around you, Xavier... a lot of alphas are depriving and depraving their people because of the so-called Moon goddess. Open your eyes and see for yourself,".

"That’s enough, Kurtis," I raised my hand to stop him "Since we cannot agree, and our emotions are high right now, why don’t we meet another time and talk about this properly."/

"There’ll be no next time, Xavier. You either choose now or never and you know I am not bluffing. Once my secrets are saved with you without sanding a risk of a compromise, only then can I be sure that we’re on the same page,".

"I’ve always wanted an alliance with you, Kurtis but this is an offer that I must refuse,".

"For fuck’s sake!" he exploded "When was the moon goddess when you had to go through a lot of pain because your mate bailed on you? When was the moon goddess when my father dragged me along a stony path with his horse or when I had to survive meal to meal? Where was the moon goddess?"

"She’d watch from wherever the fuck she thinks she can while people keep suffering. Packs going to war with each other, fighting, every fucking single day. Where was she when you were desolate and wept to bed countless times missing your mate? I Kurtis would put an end to this once and for all,"

"If we stop believing in the moon goddess, you do know that we would also stop taking our fated mates? Do you realize how many institutions established a thousand years ago would be brought to their feet?"

"Institutions established by greedy and corrupt people. Besides, life then and now are two different things. You know what, just because I am so enthusiastic about becoming close to you, I’ll give you 24 hours to think about it,".

"Thank you!" I murmured knowing that I wouldn’t think too much about it.

I watched as he turned on his heels and left the tent. As soon as he left, Selene looked up expectantly at me. I could see she wanted to tell me something but she was finding it difficult to.

"What’s wrong?" I asked moving closer "Did something happen?"

"W-We need to leave, Xavier," tears filled up in her eyes "I am getting scared of everything going on here and I do not feel safe. This morning, I had to watch my children helplessly and not being able to know what to do. So, please, let’s just leave,".

"And you will dear," I nodded trying to hold her but she flinched and took some steps backwards. I could sense she was in so much pain.

"Then let’s leave tomorrow. Ask some of your soldiers to help us prepare for the trip. You can come at any time to visit the girls, so... I hope you can understand,".

"Sure!" I nodded quickly "I’ll call them at the airport and have them ready a flight for you all. I’m not just doing it because of you but for the girls. I want them to be fine and safe at all times. I know this might be a herculean task for you since they’re a handful... but can you take care of them?"

"I have been taking care of them since they were babies. I’m sure this will not be different. Anyway, I need to check on Noah I hope he is doing well. Do you know what’s wrong with him?" she asked.

"He got injured from fighting one of our enemies but he’ll be fine, okay,".

"Yeah," she nodded and gave me a curt nod before leaving the tent.

A few minutes later, Lucius entered the tent, his eyes swept the room as they rested on Xavier. Crossing the room to where he was, Lucius bowed his head in courtesy. "You sent for me?"

"Yes, I did," I nodded and indicated a space on the couch I was sitting on in the tent. I waited for him to settle before I started speaking.

"I spoke with Kurtis a while ago and he’s it’s looking like he would accept our proposals. The only problem now is the conditions he gave us,".

"Conditions?" Lucius’ eyebrows shot up "What do you mean?"

"He asked for a few bunches of things before he said that if he must ally with us, then we must renounce the moon goddess,".

Lucius shrugged as he shrugged, his eyes cold and unreadable.

"And what did you say?" he asked.

"I said No!" I stared at him strangely "Why on earth should we stop worshipping the moon goddess. That will spread disaster faster than an epidemic,".

"How much disaster has Kurtis and his pack experienced since he stopped believing in the moon goddess?"

"What are you driving at Lucius?" Anger sparked within me, "Don’t tell me that you’re serious considering that we do that,".

"If it will advance us, why not?" he shrugged again "The moon goddess hasn’t done much for us, Xavier. When you were sick and bedridden for months, do you know how long I prayed and asked but got no response? Our crops were dying, strange illness in our pack and yet the moon goddess sat in her splendour and didn’t bother to help us. All because of a stupid curse,".

"Lucius!" My eyes darkened "Don’t say that,".

"But it’s the truth, Alpha... how many packs practice the laws and principles laid down by the moon goddess? How many have gotten away with committing heinous crimes? Why haven’t they been punished yet?"

I was speechless as I watched, Lucius...I hadn’t been expecting that from him. No matter what... I had always believed he was a staunch follower of the moon goddess. In our young days in training school, he would spend hours of the days, reading old tales and laws established by the moon goddess. To hear and see him revolt like this, made me question if I should just do it.

Because they were all right.

"And a word of advice, Alpha... if I may," he broke into my thoughts "Kurtis is the best gift you could give to us. You see how swiftly he saved us yesterday and how much he has contributed so far. We’re staying in his safe haven... he has one of the strongest, most disciplined and largest armies in the region. Isn’t that enough reason to see that believing in things that do not exist will keep crippling the people with fear,".