Above^^^^ is what the inside of the pack house looks like. Enjoy!
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This honestly isn't what I was expecting.

The wooden bridge was long and winding, and I swear to the Goddess that I saw at least seven alligators...and four snakes in the twenty minutes we walked on it.

And just when I thought we were clear, from the sight of the bridge ending at a dirt path lined with large trees that form a thick canopy overhead, one look down it made it maddeningly obvious that we had at least fifteen more minutes of walking to go before reaching this Alphas pack house. Not to mention that this heat and humidity is oppressive in it's own right...I already have dots of sweat soaking through my shirt...why in hell did I wear a black t-shirt and jeans again?

The sound of crows are the only ones besides our footsteps and slightly labored breaths, and I keep hearing a rustling noise that seems to disappear every time I look for its source.

How in the goddesses name can the wolves stand it here? Between the prehistoric creatures, the noxious smell, the heat...and don't get me started on the bugs...how are they not being driven mad?

The rustling sound returns, this time even louder, and as I search for it, a scent hits my nose...and it brings back memories...

Vampire...at least a hybrid one...

"Good evening gentlemen." A male voice calls out pleasantly, making me jump.

I look directly upwards to see a man which I assume is the source of the hybrid scent I caught moments earlier, standing precariously on a branch in the cave like canopy of tree limbs above us. I take in his shocking silver white hair, styled in short spikes on top with shaved sides and his silvery blue eyes look at us with amusement, his pale ivory skin contrasting boldly with his dark blue jeans and the black and gray band t-shirt with sleeves that go to his elbows, the words 'Black Veil Brides' written on it in gray print.

I would ask if he was hot in that get up, but I have no room to judge, I'm in all black myself.

"I'm here to have a meeting with Alpha Blackrose, who are you?"

I call up to him, and he smirks, dropping down from the tree in a graceful way, stepping off the limb instead of jumping. That action would break a humans legs if they did it, and it certainly wouldn't have been graceful if it was done by a pure werewolf.

Landing in front of us, I automatically can feel the power rolling off of him, and Henley stiffens in response. He's no Alpha...but he definitely holds rank in this pack...which is odd, considering he's not as tall, or as built as most pack leaders are.

He leans down slightly in an almost bow, one like you would see in a dance.

"Beta Julian Le Tourneau at your service."

He straightens up, a broad smile his face. Beta, huh? So this pack does have hybrids in it, interesting...

"Alpha Stephan Andrews of Shadow Mist, and this is my Beta Henley."

I gesture to my second in command beside me, and Beta Julian's eyes widen in recognition, so he has heard of me.

"The Alpha Stephan? I must say, the stories I've heard do not do you justice. Follow me, I'll show you to the Alpha."

A devious, knowing smile splits his face, but he turns on his heel as he starts heading in the direction we were formally going prior to his interruption. The whole time following him, all I can think about is what stories he possibly heard about me...and why he thinks they don't do me justice.

When we finally clear the dirt path, I'm greeted by the sight of numerous wolves and hybrids, some sparring on a covered, raised arena while others stretch, lift weights, and do push-ups around it. Some fighting in their wolf form, but most are in human form, practicing hand to hand combat and endurance training. None of them are wearing clothes other than shorts and sports bras, and they are all coated with sweat, and if I'm not mistaken, there seem to be more women than men...

But what stands out the most is the fact that there are more hybrids than werewolves, the scent of vampire and witch lingering heavy around them...some of which I can tell are pure vampire...

This is bizarre indeed...

My eyes get drawn to a male werewolf in the center of the arena, taking on multiple opponents at once, no doubt pushing his abilities to the fullest. He looks young, probably 19 or twenty, and he's wearing a pendent around his neck. His skills, though impressive, are a tad bit uncoordinated, which leans towards him being a new recruit...this might be why he's pushing himself so hard to begin with.

"I see you've noticed our newest member. That's Romain Cavalier, our new Gamma."

I quirk an eyebrow at the kid who's fighting. New? Three years as a pack and they just got a Gamma? Strange...

"He's being put through his paces, as well as his younger brother Brazil, the new warrior down at the punching bag. They've been here about two weeks now, and they're improving pretty quickly, much to Alpha Blackrose's delight."

My eyes flicker to the young male warrior at the punching bag closest to me, the kid looking no older than 16. He does favor the Gamma a bit, but not a whole lot.

"You can meet them later if you want, they need to finish up their training first. Besides, I'm sure he'll be done once the meeting with the Alpha is over."

He continues walking, and I follow him through the trees to the clearing, only to stop at a black, wrought iron gate that wraps around the huge pack house. The gate itself standing at least twenty feet tall, with sharp arrow shaped points on the top. Definitely a trespasser deterrent...on top of the long distance and maze of swamps...it's practically convenient protection against outsiders.

Julian unlocks the gate, swinging the two sides open for us to through, and they automatically clang shut behind us as we enter...but I'm too busy staring at the huge house in front of us.

It's far from decrepit, but is has an old look to it that makes you feel like you've jumped back in time...the white Greek columns and carved sections of fighting wolves and French words making it both ominous and inviting. The only new addition seems to be a copper sign with black engraving, the words 'Blackrose House' sit in large letters, with the phrase 'Welcome Friends, But Foes Beware' underneath it in smaller writing.

"That's a pretty clear message."

Henley states, a bit of a nervous look on his face. I can't blame him, it adds to the inviting but ominous vibe to this place.

"Indeed, I told Alpha that it kind of reminds of that Danté quote: 'Abandon all hope, ye who enter here'. With a bit friendlier sound to it, of course."

We walk up the stone path that leads to the large front door, and he pushes it open effortlessly, despite how heavy it looks...he's definitely stronger than he looks.

My thoughts stutter to a halt as I take in the inside of the place, and I can see Henley's jaw drop with mine.

The foyer is large and pristine, the black and white checkered marble floor, and the aged gold and white walls giving the interior a gothic royal look. Many doorways leading off to different sections of the first floor, and a large staircase covered with red velvet sits in the center, its gold and wood rails leading up to the second floor, where a bronze statue of a woman poses elegantly, seeming to be paused in the middle of crowning herself as she stares upwards to the sky...or in this case a lit, crystal chandelier.

"Impressive isn't it, when deciding what to do with this place after buying it, Alpha Blackrose chose to keep it as it was and clean it instead of redecorating. I think the only thing we changed was the appliances and the bed sheets, but of course those were necessary....and I'm glad too, I love the feel of this place...it's so full of history."

I catch myself staring at the bronze statue again, the woman's fierce and triumphant expression giving me chills...

"And that's the Alpha's favorite part of the house...it's called 'Born to Rule' by us, even though we don't know it's real name."

I turn to the Beta, and catch sight of his glazed over eyes...no doubt conversing through mind link.

"The Alpha will be down shortly, just needs to handle one quick phone call before coming down."

I take in the details of the house, enjoying the cool air that is a welcome presence, I wonder how much it takes to keep this place cool in the summer. A sudden movement catches my eye, and I look down to see yet another bizarre sight...

A cat...

The black cat glares at me from its perch on the curled end of the rails, it's bobbed tail twitching back and forth as it does. The creature seems to personify pure hatred, and with the scar that runs over its left eye and his left ear half torn off...he looks even less friendly.

"Oh, that's Noir, he's the house cat here...he came with the house actually...don't let the murderous glare get to you...he hates everybody...except for the Alpha..."

The creature hisses and growls irritably, the fur of his neck puffing up in response. If this little demon only likes the Alpha, he must be one hell of a man...

"This truly is a treat..."

My body turns cold at the voice, its loud ring sending my heart into a erratic rhythm. I slowly turn my head towards the voice...part of me doubting its actually real...but it's real...

Standing at the top of the stairs, looking even more beautiful than the last time I saw her face...is the woman who's very name has been haunting every corner of my thoughts...

Scarlett...

I can only stare at her, taking in the black corset that hugs her body and accentuates her curves, the fitted ripped jeans that seem to cling to her like a second skin, and the black studded heels that make her taller than her 5'6 stature...

But like in my dreams, her eyes are what draw me in...their depths an even more beautiful reddish brown than I remember...the silvery eyeshadow enhances their warm darkness, and the burgundy lipstick only makes her beautiful ivory skin pop even more...her hair flows like a river of ebony silk down to her hips...

For the first time in three years, Midas speaks...

~Mate...~

She's alive...and she's still as bewitching...if not more so.

"What's the matter Stephan? You look as if you've seen a ghost..."

The sound of my name on her lips gives me chills, and that devious smirk nearly undos me. She begins walking down the stairs, her walk slow and swaying, and I still can't say a word...but I'm not the only one, none of the wolves from my pack seem to be able to speak either.

She stops a few steps from the bottom, rubbing under the cats chin affectionately as it gives her a rumbling purr.

I finally muster out a sentence, chocked on emotions and disbelief...

"Scarlett..."

She glances at me, and I can't ignore the flash of hurt that fills her eyes...it reminds me all to well what I did to her...

"What are you doing here?"

Henley asks in my place, and Scarlett flickers her eyes to Julian...who I actually forgot was here for a moment...

"Gentleman...I'd like to officially introduce you to Alpha Scarlett Blackrose, Alpha of Blackrose Swamp..."

I notice the chain hanging from her neck, the gothic black wolf head with red jewel eyes similar to an Alpha pendant...the left arm that used to bear my packs crest now baring the image of half a wolfs face merged with a black rose...and a red Fleur de Lis is tattooed on her right inner wrist...along with her numerous new tattoos...

"Blackrose? Don't you mean Thomas?"

Scarlett's smirk deepens at Henley's question.

"My mothers maiden name was Thomas...but after I was rejected and disowned by your pack, I took the last name of my vampire father. Vincent Blackrose."

Her chilling voice quivers with power, and I can suddenly feel it filling the room along with her intoxicating scent...she truly is the Alpha...

"Don't look so disheartened Stephan...you were right after all..."

She clears the last few steps, continuing to hold my gaze.

"I wasn't meant to be your Luna...instead, I was meant to be an Alpha."

She holds her arms outstretched, gesturing to the foyer around us. The years of regret and anguish wash through me, and I no longer care what my subordinates think of me...

"Scarlett...I'm so sorry...I never meant-"

"To hurt me? To cut me off from my home and life? To not only destroy my heart, but rip away my sense of purpose as a warrior?!"

She strides up to me and pushes a finger into my chest painfully hard, glaring up into my eyes with a bitterness and rage that's been simmering much longer than my anguish.

"To not only reject me for petty reasons, but to cast me out to the rogues and hope I would die?! I hate to burst your bubble Alpha, but sorry doesn't cut it."

Her Alpha voice seethes with hostility, and I actually begin to quiver at her rage.

"You threw me to the rogues, but you never expected me to lead them. You thought they'd eat me, but instead they bow before me."

She backs up, seeming to compose herself a little, and I'm still speechless.

"Stupid Alpha, did you really think I'd wither away? Did you honestly expect me to just disappear like the rest of your problems?"

She starts laughing darkly, making everyone else but Julian step back in fear. She closes her eyes, dropping her hands to her sides.

"Stupid Alpha. I'm stronger than you ever were, and even more terrifying."

Her eyes open, and I gasp in shock at her now glowing blood red orbs...crimson with a frightening glow.

"I'm Alpha of the Rogues, and your apologies mean nothing to me."

The glowing fades after a moment, and I let out a shaky sigh of relief as they return to normal. But her twisted smile remains, and it sends a wave of dread through me.

"Since it's only fair...I'm going to return the favor to you..."

My eyes widen at her emotionless words, and I can already feel Midas bracing himself.

"I, Alpha Scarlett Blackrose of Blackrose Swamp, accept your rejection."

A sharp twisting pain sears through my heart, and I can feel the wind being sucked from my lungs as my knees buckle beneath me.

Her eyes have only the slightest bit of remorse in them, but that quickly fades.

"And furthermore...you are never welcome to return to my territory ever again...doing so will mean your death."

The words I spoke to her all those years ago are practically playing on repeat...and I can't even force out a sound.

"Romain...remove them from my territory at once."

A sudden appearance of seven warriors, one being the Gamma himself, startles the rest of my pack members. But I continue to stare at her as she walks back up the stairs, forcing myself to speak...

"Scarlett...please..."

She stops, turning to glance over her shoulder at me...her cold stare making the pain in my chest hurt more.

"Goodbye Stephan."

My vision is then blocked by the warriors, and I don't even fight as they wordlessly escort us out...Midas howling mournfully inside my head as the pack house doors close behind me...