Word Count: 2037

~Alvera

I step from the car, stretching out my arms.

Traveling is a curse, I realise. Being stuffed into the back of a car and driven through lonely roads, past sleepy towns toward a pack I've only ever heard about, not seen, has taken more time than I realised.

The air here is cooler. As we passed through the rolling hills, I noted frost gripping the tips of grass, and now, my breath puffs in front of my face as day slinks into night.

Venn steps out behind me, his chest bumping against my shoulder. Able and Belle's car pulls in next to ours.

This Alpha's home is far from humble. We passed through three gates to get up this paved driveway, parking in front of a towering fountain that spouts water-coloured emerald green. The manor may be timeless and beautiful, passed down through generations, but the adornments are camp and tacky.

I'm already anxious to leave, wanting to return to the comfort of the woods.

"I would advise keeping your wits about you tonight. This Alpha has a long lineage of power and isn't afraid to flaunt it," Venn warns, casting a look between me and the manor.

I wrap my arms around myself. Walking into a den with werewolves is dangerous, especially when they don't have to be loyal to me.

"Is he going to hurt me?" I ask softly.
 
"With me here, no." Wariness stirs under his expression. "Just try not to end up alone with him."

"Trust me, I'll do my best to avoid it," I say behind a bitter laugh.

Venn doesn't want to be here, but he needs to be. Alpha's like this one need to see his power, to know he exists. And as his Chosen, and mate, I need to be by his side. Even if doing so makes me impossibly anxious.

Able and Belle join us just as a man rushes out from the manor. He appears flustered, his hair skewed messily about his head.

"Alpha Venn, may you and your party follow me this way." He gestures toward the main house. "Alpha Kalix wishes to celebrate your arrival with drinks outside."

Venn exhales slowly before nodding once. "Very well."

Able rubs his hands together, grinning. "This is going to be a great deal of fun."

We are guided not through the house, but around it. A stone path guides us through a garden and back around to the patio, where a man stands waiting.

Alpha Kalix. He looks almost exactly how I presume he would.

He opens his arms wide, grinning wolfishly. His teeth are almost blindingly bright, and his skin is doused in what I can only assume is a very fake tan. His hair is loosely curled and golden in colour, styled immaculately.

"Alpha Venn, welcome." He ushers us over animatedly. "And welcome to your extensive touring party."

His gaze passes over all of us in turn, trying to decipher who we are and why we are with Venn. His attention pauses on me for only a moment before mercifully moving on.

"Thank you for hosting us. There is much to discuss," Venn says curtly. "But first, this is my Chosen and mate, Alvera. My brother Able and his partner, Belle, are also attending."

Kalix looks briefly amused. I shuffle my feet, wishing I could flee into the hills surrounding his property. Thankfully it's only him and a few of his guards scattered about, limiting the amount of bloodthirsty werewolves to wonder why a human is associated with the Alpha King.

"I would love a personal talk with you later, Alpha," Able adds as we sit down on the half-circle lounge suite, facing a table of brightly coloured drinks that Kalix pours for us.

I will be safely avoiding those tonight. Getting drunk in front of someone like him seems impossibly dangerous.

"We shall see if time permits it. There is much celebrating to do tonight," he announces, flashing his teeth with his broad smile. "Our Alpha King has returned and our packs are united for the first time in a century."

Venn is stiff next to me, clearly unimpressed by the spectacle Kalix is putting on.

I'm still yet to determine whether Kalix is trying to knock Venn off-kilter, or if he is trying to impress him. Either way, this man seems only capable of being a cautious ally, and that's on first impression alone.

"The Moon Goddess will be pleased with your cooperation," Venn explains, taking the bluish-green drink that Kalix offers him. I eye it carefully, wondering if he's going to risk taking a sip.

As Kalix pours another drink that is sunset orange in colour, his soft brown eyes focus on me, taking their time making a note of every aspect of me.

I resist the urge to recoil, letting him study me, knowing he has let a human onto his property and I need to be careful about what I say.

"Alvera, I must ask...is there something different about you?" His gaze dips to the collar of my shirt, where the edges of Able's mark peek out.

I grind my back teeth together. I don't think I'm ready to explain myself just yet.

"I'm human," I amend, folding my hands over my lap instead of taking the drink he offers. Able takes it instead, immediately taking a long sip.

Kalix angles his head, letting out an abrupt laugh that skitters over my skin.

"Ah, so I've heard. Some are taking this better than others, however, whatever the Moon Goddess decides must be honoured." He looks at Venn, trying to check that he said the right thing.

I refrain from rolling my eyes. The Moon Goddess's intentions are hardly anything to be celebrated. She doesn't have my head on a chopping block currently, waiting for the right moment to off me so as to make Venn the ideal Alpha King.

But no one needs to know that other than us.

"Your understanding is appreciated. Alvera is important to me and my reign, and I expect nothing less than all Alpha's to be welcoming to her on this tour." Venn moves his arm back to rest behind me. It's oddly comforting, knowing he's not here to dangle me in front of Alpha's like Kalix, and that he would much rather us be home.

"You may have a harder time with some of the other, more traditional Alphas," Kalix muses, leaning back on his seat, taking up as much space as possible. "Here, my wolves are encouraged to enjoy humans at their leisure."

I freeze under that heavy stare. Even Venn has stilled, a frown passing over his brow.

"That is something I intend to talk to you about later," he says tightly. He doesn't want to launch into a political conversation with Able right beside us. It gives him a chance to jump in, and use his leverage to get something he wants.

Kalix's eyes gleam. "Am I in trouble?"

"We shall see."

I look over at my sister. She is sitting on the very edge of her seat, uncomfortable. Now, her head is tilted back as she desperately drinks down the entire glass offered to her. I resist a wince.

She's going to feel that in the morning.

"Hmm." Kalix switches his attention again. "Alvera, has Venn completed the marking ceremony with you?"

I clear my throat, knowing this conversation was coming. It delegitimises Venn and embarrasses me, but there is no avoiding it now.

Able immediately cuts in. "Actually her and I are connected. It is my mark she bears."

He reaches to pull down the collar of my shirt, but I slap his hand away, scowling at him. Kalix watches on, amused.

"And why is that?" He purrs.

Able shrugs, grinning. "Let's just call it a family tradition."

Venn doesn't say anything, letting Kalix think whatever he likes. Claiming this is a family tradition is definitely better than admitting that he was tricked and now his brother is vying for some of his power.

"How strange. I've never heard of such a practice," Kalix muses, rubbing his jaw thoughtfully.

"I am responsible for her safety as much as Venn is, so you should probably stop eyeing her like you wish to undress her," Able says suddenly.

I startle, my head snapping in his direction. I was not expecting that to come out of his mouth, and he looks entirely serious. Even Belle looks confused, eyeing her lover like he's spouted a second head.

Kalix doesn't appear defence in the slightest, nor does he look apologetic. I didn't notice him looking at me in any way in particular, but now that I focus upon him, there is a sultry darkness in his eyes that suggests a sense of entitlement.

And after all, humans are nothing but toys to them here. He doesn't view me as a real person.

"I wish for far more than that." He drums his fingers against his thigh. "I apologise Venn. Perhaps I am out of line for assuming that if you two share her, then I can too."

"I don't exist for your enjoyment, Alpha," I seethe through my teeth.

"Right." He waves his hand dismissively. "Here, any humans that cross our lines are seen as free property. They know what it means to come here, and my pack members take full advantage of that."

My throat dries in horror at the thought. Why would humans ever cross these borders knowing what werewolves would do to them? Is it a fun thought to be taken by them, to be used and discarded?

"That is a sick practice," I growl.

"One that will be stopping immediately," Venn cuts in sternly, the authority in his voice startling even me. "Werewolf relations with humans are fragile enough. Were the wrong human to learn of this practice, a war could ensue. One my pack would be obligated to fight, so I am going to need to ensure this ceases immediately."

Amusement bleeds from Kalix's face, but Venn doesn't flinch.

"I don't appreciate being told what to do in my own pack," he says tightly.

Everyone is still, watching the interaction between these two Alpha's Venn doesn't seem bothered by this sudden flare in Kalix's anger, his expression impassive.

"I am your Alpha King. You will do what I tell you to," he demands.

Kalix pours another drink, his jaw hard as he brings the edge to his lips. He isn't going to challenge Venn's authority, not now, even when we are in his pack. Werewolves care about the Moon Goddess and her influence, and won't act against it.

"Very well," he concedes. "I think you are all due to a refill."

The pitchers in the middle have become empty quickly. Mostly Able and Kalix are responsible. One snap of his fingers from the latter sends staff running to take the pitchers to be refilled.

"If it is alright, I am tired after traveling and would like some sleep." I stand, giving Venn a reassuring nod that I'm okay.

Kalix smirks. "Shall I escort you?"

"No. I was hoping my sister would, actually." I cast a look at my sister, who scowls at me. She doesn't want to be dragged from this meeting, but I need to speak to her about becoming a werewolf. There's clearly a reason why Kalix hasn't yet suspected she's human too.

"Sister? This continues to get more interesting," he exclaims, rubbing his hands together like this is a reality show unfolding right in front of him.

I give her a sharp look. "Belle?"

"Fine," she grumbles begrudgingly.

"Maid, take them to one of the guest's rooms please," Kalix orders dismissively.

Looping my arm through Belle's, much to her dismay, I pull her away from the table, trying not to think about the way Kalix's eyes linger on us as we leave.

❤️••❤️

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The Night I Met The Alpha

~Midika 💜🐼