*Kash View*
The flight was only about an hour but it really felt much longer. I know that they never fell for my act of behaving like it was all okay. It wasn't really okay at all, but the fact they allowed me to do it without question was good for me. There was a whole lot on my mind. My father's actions made no sense the last few days. He was ecstatic that Atlas claimed to be my mate before I came of age; but now he seems hesitant to allow it. Even to the point of getting in the way of me getting to know him.
The idea that he would deny a bond is ludicrous, and yet here I am. Sitting on a plane, after a fight with my pack Alpha. The one I called father for years, who now feels like a man who betrayed me over another. The bond I feel with Atlas is confusing. If I was honest with myself; which I have not been; the bond is strong. I do feel alone when he is not around. I am safe with his scent, and even the man himself makes me feel like I can do anything. What confuses me about it all, how do I separate instinct from real feelings. I refuse to bond if I have nothing but my omega and wolf telling me too.
After landing, Zion unpacked the luggage and placed them into a couple of cars that were waiting. Doc, Atlas and myself were standing just off to the side. Casually I observed the guards move off to the forest beyond the tarmac. Atlas was not concerned so I ignored them for the time being.
"Kash, did you enjoy the flight over? The clouds were clear and gave you a great view of the mountains." Doc was smiling as he spoke and it made me feel bad.
"I, uhh." I rubbed the back of my head. "I never really looked out the window."
"Pity. On the way back you should take the chance. After the pack pledge Atlas plans to drive back and deal with some pack matters so you won't get a chance anytime soon." Doc was still grinning while Atlas was not.
"I had plans to ignore work for a while yet. You however, Doc, had to remind me." Atlas turned to me. "I was hoping you would like to get a start on your duties as soon as you could. I could just send you back alone, but if you are willing you can join me."
He was giving me the option again. This was his way, and truthfully, I was liking it. Trying to keep my smile hidden I only nodded my head. If he continued this way it was hard not to like him more. Even without my heat coming up, he would have had turned me on. Remembering he could smell it I moved away slightly. The was no missing the smile on Doc's face. Embarrassed I turned away and watched Zion, only to realize he was done.
"Doc and I will follow behind boss. There are currently your personal guards and twenty imperial guards checking the grounds and the roads home. It should be uneventful." Zion was in full Beta mode and it was weird seeing him like this.
Atlas only nodded before taking my arm and leading me to the other car. "Is everything okay Atlas?" I was concerned there maybe a threat I did not know about.
His ears turned a little red before answering. "I might have been a little over cautious knowing you were coming here with me. It does not help that your pheromones are driving me crazy and add to the protective feelings. Ugh, forget I said that."
His admittance of my scent had me blush. "Yeah, sorry about that. I can travel in the other car if it helps?" Moving to step away I did not expect his reaction.
His growl in response was more than a threat of not to leave. It actually turned me on with how possessive he sounded and now smelled. Not sure if it was conscious, but I know I sniffed the air near him. "I am safe, but if you really feel like you need to the choice is yours."
The omega in me wanted to purr, and I just shook my head. "I trust you." Getting into the passenger side I realized he was going to be our driver. "Oh! The snooty royal does drive himself around as well? I am impressed." I made sure to smile as I spoke, so he knew I was kidding. "Thank you again for the invite."
"Yeah, before you keep thanking me, I will let you know that all pack members will call you Luna. It has to do with respect and knowing about the mate bond. Yes, it got out that I found my mate and who you are. It will take a while to explain that it is not official or guaranteed. Not everyone is happy you are here either, and also, I would like to mention, not everyone treats Omega's with respect. There are still a few old thinkers in the royal families that believe Omegas are for heir producers and nothing more." I could tell he was a little freaked out. His expression was tossed between being protective and worried.
Seeing his open honesty was a breath of fresh air. "I do not mind. Besides, not everyone can like everyone. To be honest I would be scared if they all treated me well. Honesty is best." Thinking how to word my next question I looked out the window. "I just hope I do not cause discourse coming to the pack. Will I really be hated being called Luna?"
"It will be a few royal line she-wolves. A couple of them have been trying to get my attention for some time now. Not only have I ignored them, I have had a few removed from my presence due to their behaviour. I made it very clear when I took over that I would wait for my mate. There was no pretence of possibilities."
"Hmm." His response surprised me and gave more for me to process. My head was hurting a little so I decided to enjoy the ride as much as I could. My heat was a day away at most. Which meant most of my visit I would be locked in my room. I wanted to see what I could and enjoy it while I was able too.
The plane landed on the packs lands, but Atlas had explained that we still had a ways to drive. The view was already full of a lush forest. The forest was old; trees reaching heights I had not seen before. The trunks were wide, not as wide as the red wood trees but darn close. Looking closer at the trees as we drove by, it was their colour that had my attention. It looked like they had extra green leaves, then I realized it was moss. The moss was bright green coating the forest floor and creeping up the bark of the older trees. There were even strange white coloured mosses hanging from the boughs adding a mythical feeling.
Once in a while I caught a shadow of a wolf running between the trees. I turned to Atlas and asked him about it, and he explained it was the royal guard. Knowing they were following had me try and catch them when they dodged in and out. I am sure I called out loud when I finally spotted one or two, since Atlas would chuckle.
At one point we drove through a small town. Atlas told me we were about half way now. He explained that the town was a full wolf pack town. A different pack than the royals, but still part of the same pack. He was still their Alpha. It turns out that most of the members that came to the ball were from that town. Many smiled as he drove by, some even waved. Just looking at the majority of the so called lower ranked wolves I could tell he had not just the respect as Alpha but the love as a king.
Turning away from the window, I looked back at Atlas. He was really a good guy. There was much about him I did not know, except, I know that the more I found my omega side and got to know him personally, the stronger I felt the bond connecting us. Right at this moment, I felt lucky.
Soon the forest gave way to open fields. The meadows had long grass and wild flowers dotting the forest of green. The flowers were colours or blue, orange, red and yellow. Near the edge of the meadow on my side, the forest in the background there was a small lake between it and the meadow. My wolf was jumping for joy at the sight.
"Atlas is this an area I am free to be in?" My voice could not contain the excitement.
He chuckled. "As soon as we hit the meadows it was the estates land. So, yes, this is some of the areas you are free to roam. With guards preferred." He was a little hesitant to request the guards, and I could see why.
"Guards are fine. I like Colton and Karr. They seem kinda cool. Besides, if I get to explore this area it will be worth it!" The trip was becoming more and more worth it.
"Kash. Look in front." Atlas's soft voice pulled me from my own window to look ahead of us.
The place was huge. When they said palace, they meant it! If you have not seen the old castles in Germany, I suggest you look. This place was just like them. Most people think of moats and draw bridges when they think castles. This was a fortified fortress, aged hundreds of years. The walls of what looked like stone were faded in areas the sunlight reached while the stone that it did not, had the green from moss. The huge windows looked smoky, with a few having stain glass art shining in the light. The road changed to a red stone as we passed the large fenced gate that stood a good twenty feet in height. I saw what looked like guards inside the door as we drove by.
"This is like a fairy tale you know that right?" I could not help but make the comparison. "A useless pup turned royal."
He laughed. "Ahh, so can I kiss you and turn you into my prince?"
I was not ready for him to get back at me and his comment had me blush right away. "Jerk. You know what I meant." Turning to look out the window I saw familiar faces. "Hey! That was Colton and Karr! How did they get here so fast?"
"That is a trade secret." Atlas winked as he pulled up beside the front doors.
Seeing what was waiting for us, I sunk into my seat. Outside was more wolves than I had seen in one place at once. My father had maids and stuff, but this was ridiculous! "I can't go out there. Why are there so many people?" They lined up like a fence leading the way inside. It was unnerving.
"These are mainly the house staff. My butler, the maids, and a few of the royal family heads to greet me. This is custom and very normal for my arrival." You could hear in his voice that he was a little bored of it.
"I do not care who they are. There is no way I am getting out of this car with so many looking." Then I realized I had a better reason. "How many are Alphas?"
It took this one question for him to realize what I was saying. Every Alpha will smell my pre-heat. The was no way to cover up my pheromones. "Shit." His concentrated look had me realize he was mind linking.
Looking in the side mirror, I saw that behind us Zion and Doc step out of the car and were walking over, followed by the royal guard. I quickly waved when I saw Karr and Colton. When they smiled back it made me feel like I kind of made a friend with them. Soon the folks waiting were redirected back inside. The normal guard that Atlas had around him stayed, including Karr and Colton.
"There it is safe now. I had hoped to give you a tour but I think it best you go to your room and get settled first. Would you mind if I took you to your room, or do you just want your guards?" He was so generous that I felt a little bad.
"If you would like to show me, and have time, I would like it very much. However, if you are busy the guards are fine." I wanted him to know I understood he had other things to do and it was okay to leave me if he had too.
"The stuffy people can wait. Zion will hate me, but he will also understand." He jumped out of the car and walked around to open my door. "Grab your blankets. I will grab your bags." His kindness to keep minimal scent from my stuff was taking hits on my heart.
As we walked into the palace, I could not help but stop and look around me. The room was massive. The ceiling went right to the top. Stairs were on either side to take you up to the second floor. Looking at the height, I knew there had to be at least two more floors on top of that. The floor was polished to a mirror finish that looked to be black granite. The walls were not painted and had a similar stone finish as the outside but cleaner looking. The far back had huge carved wooden doors of some sort of red colour. Looking closer at the pattern and it looked like dire wolves.
Following Atlas up the stairs on the left I kept looking around until his voice called me when we got to the top. "Look at the main floor. This is my favourite part."
Doing as he asked, I had to look twice. The mirror finish floors were not a solid colour. Etched into them was a silver line. That line of art drew the Royal crest. It was so simple and yet so beautiful. "That is gorgeous!"
"I hoped you like it. It has been there since the palace was built." He then started walking once more and I followed. "This hall is the rooms set for the guards. Since we have fewer guards, they are allotted a single room each now. When my great grandfather was in charge there were three or four to a room. The paintings between the room are of the guards who went beyond their duty. Many of their family are part of the guards now. The next floor we will skip today. You and I have a separate staircase. The third floor is where Zion and his family are. Doc also has a place there."
"We are on the same floor?" The idea he would be so close was a catch twenty two for me. One half, I knew he could help me with the heat like before. The other half of me, deep down, wanted him to help more.
"Yes. I asked them to clean out the room beside mine. If it is not to your liking you can ask to move." His sudden realization of what he said had him add the second part.
"I am okay with it. Like I said, I do trust you." This was the absolute truth. Not once did he take advantage of my bond heat. The whole time he was caring. "Is there a lock on the door?"
He nodded. "It is on the inside only. Both doors. Right now, it is a simple code. One, two, three, four. When we get inside, I can explain how you can change it."
I cocked my head to the side and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Both doors?"
His little cough of embarrassment would be cute if I did not have an idea what he was talking about. I waited to hear from him first. "Yes. One is your main door the second is attached to my room." He threw his hands up when I stopped walking. "Before you say anything! The code is on the inside. I have absolutely no access to open the door unless you open it from your side. The room I gave you is usually the Luna's room. If you wish to change it, I can."
"The Luna's room. Why am I treated as though I have already accepted the idea?" A little bit of anger came out, and it could not be helped. "DO you think that I will agree just like that? The fact that the bond drives me nuts, and is enough for me to decide to throw common sense out the window and do what is expected?"
"Not at all. I just wanted you close. Like back at the cabin. Your scent helped me get the best sleep in my life. I am being selfish. I know I am, but having you near helps me in ways I never knew I needed before. My wolf begs me to mark you, but is compliant and happy enough that you are safe and near. When you are not close, I struggle more."
His words were gentle and open. He knew that I was not ready and has been fighting his own wolf on it. I knew how my wolf felt as well and it was scary. For an alpha as strong as himself to fight instinct, showed a lot to me of his real character. "This room is fine. Thank you for explaining it. That dose not mean your royal ass will get my code either!"
He laughed. "It only works from the inside. This I made sure of. Zion fought me on it. He said we should have an emergency access if something happens."
"What would happen? I have two of the best guards and a very temperamental alpha around." I huffed my reposed and it had him chuckle more.
When we got to the last floor I was in awe. First, I noticed was that no guards followed us up. Second, there were a few other doors we walked by before I saw the two at the end. Atlas explained there was a library, common room, and separate offices. One for the Alpha and one for Luna. That way if the duties overlapped, there was space. The two doors at the end were just as decorated as the main one downstairs.
"Why the dire wolves? I thought they were always a bad omen in stories." I could not contain my curiosity any longer.
"The ones you see as dire wolves are actually more a depiction of Fenrir. The Norse god Odin's giant wolf. It is used to remind us that no matter how large we become, we must always be humble and never break from our chains of duty."