Elowen sat on a chair in the small jet, a book in her lap that she had gotten from her backpack before it was put up. She hadn't said a word the whole ride to the airport and merely muttered a small thank you whenever Xander let her go before him when they boarded the plane.
They were waiting on Darius she supposed. Her and Xander had been sitting there for a good forty minutes. That was until the Beta got a call and excused himself.
So now Elowen was left alone, her gaze mindlessly flicking over the page she had been staring at for the last ten minutes.
Finally she snapped the book shut - a huff of aggravation leaving her.
Unconsciously her hand traveled up towards the dog tags that sat still under her shirt. Fingertips gently ran over the metal through the material of the clothing. Elowen still remembered the day she gave her father the chain.
The surface of the dog tag was engraved with a small message, "Family Is Strength.". On the back of it was the letter J in a beautiful font. Her father wore this necklace everyday after she had gifted it to him - alway keeping it close to his heart.
Now it was hers she supposed, and now the love of her family would be the only thing that could possibly give her strength at the moment.
She could hear her father's voice in her head, a distant memory of him telling her about how to act in front of an Alpha of another Pack.
'Never raise your voice, do not make eye contact, and always be respectful.' Killian James had told her at the young age of eight when he had taken her to the annual Alpha's meeting. Alphas and Betas from every pack would all come to Alaska in order to discuss problems and details regarding other supernatural creatures.
That was the first and only year Elowen had attended.
"Do you always stare out of windows?" A deep voice from behind made her seize up and cause her shoulders to go tense.
Darius.
He was behind her, his dark shadow casting over her. The brunette gulped softly, gripping her book tightly in her hands. His shadow had engulfed her like a blanket - showing just how much bigger he was than her. Darius could snap her neck in a second and she wouldn't have anytime to react.
'Don't show weakness, that's just what he wants - but be respectful. Better to be alive and pathetic than dead and brave.' Elowen mently rolled her eyes at the thought.
"Only when I have something on my mind, Alpha Darius." The human replied, keeping her gaze locked on the scenery outside. "Everyone does something when they think." She risked a small tilt of her head towards him, but still she did not look at him. "You, for example, will lock your jaw and tilt your head. You are calculating things - running every scenario through your mind before you act."
"You're observant for a human." The Alpha noted, rounding the chair in order to stand before her. "I do not know whether to be concerned or impressed."
Elowen offered a shrug and opened her book, returning her attention to the page she was at before. "That is up to you, sir."
Darius clicked his tongue and plopped down in front of her. She could only guess he had his massive arms crossed over his chest. "It is rude to not look at people when you speak to them."
He was baiting her, she was sure of it. Picking at her, tricking her into looking at him- but it wouldn't work. Her father had told her of this, he had prepared her.
"Perhaps." Elowen agreed with a small nod. "But, it is far more disrespectful for a human to look upon an Alpha as if they were equal." The words were bitter on her tongue. She had recited these words at a young age, and even then - they were such a pain to say.
"I see." The wolf across from her muttered. "Well, I would much rather you hold your gaze to mine."
Her lips quirked up just a bit and she slowly dragged her eyes up to meet his face. She was right, he had leaned back in his chair - arms crossed as well as his legs. His head was tilted and he was nibbling on his lip - eyes narrowing at her.
"As you wish, Alpha." She bowed and closed her book. "I do have a question, however."
The Alpha encouraged her to continue with a slight raise of a brow and Elowen had to bite her lip to keep from snorting. 'Alpha's and their stoic nature.'
"What is it you wish me to do during my time in your pack?" She cleared her throat to keep from giggling and Darius seemed to consider this. "I may be human, but I know my worth."
"Yes, you are human and do well to keep that in mind. This is not your pack." Darius said coldly, cobalt blue darkening and Elowen knew she should have stopped there and kept her mouth shut.
Her stubbornness be damned.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" She gritted out between clenched teeth.
Elowen had been nothing but kind to this Alpha, respectful - and he was throwing it back into her face. Alpha or not - she was hardly going to let this wolf in front of her treat her in such a way. She knew her worth, even if she was human.
"You thought you were special in your pack. Just because your father was Beta," Darius answered back, rising from his chair. "Regardless of his title, you are human - a little pest."
Pest.
She hated that word. Elowen had heard it everyday of her life and she had to hear it now. But, instead of slapping the Alpha in front of her she swallowed her pride and also stood from her seat - tucking the book under her arm.
Elowen was face to face with his chest so had to look up to meet his features. She didn't flinch or avert her gaze when her eyes met his glare. The human merely kept her face blank - putting up a mask she had mastered over the years.
"You are right, I am human. So if you would excuse me, Alpha." She drawled the title out mockingly, taking pleasure in the way his lips raised up into a snarl. 'Two can play at this game.'
A hand on her shoulder stopped her from walking to a seat farther away from this insufrible male. Before she knew it Elowen was being jerked back to face the Alpha, cobalt blue meeting stormy green - both as cold as marble stone.
"I will not be disrespected, Little Human." He growled quietly, leaning down to place his face in front of hers. She could see he was getting fed up with her little act of being unbothered - and she honestly couldn't find the time to care.
"Neither will I, Alpha." She hissed back, jerking her shoulder from his grip. "Just because I am not a wolf does not mean that I am under you. I will not be treated like a slave, nor an object."
Darius's eyes flashed gold and still Elowen held his scowl. Everything in her told her to look away, to submit to his wish - but she didn't. She hated to admit it, but even if she wanted to look away she could not do it.
His eyes were alluring her - like a light in the distance - calling to her, demanding her attention. The gold had covered almost all of his irises, save for the blue outer rings. Darius's jaw was locked tight in aggravation, his cheek ticking. His nostrils flared with angry breaths - a low powerful growl rumbling in his chest.
Still, Elowen did not back down.
* * * * *
To say Darius was shocked was an understatement, he was left bewildered.
The little human in front of him did not turn her eyes from his beastial ones and did not flinch away at his loud growl.
He didn't know whether to be annoyed, amused, or concerned with Elowen's bravery. Darius fought the primal urge to force her submission - to grab her by the nape of the neck and make her obey.
But, fortunately his control was impeccable.
Still he was confused about his feelings - confused as to why he would want her in such a way. She was human, and he didn't trust humans. He should not have felt the urge to make her his, to lay claim on her physically, mentaly, and emotionally.
He would have to speak to his parents regarding this. His father preferably. Goddess knows his mother would make it such an embarrassing experience.
"Am I interrupting something?" Darius blinked back into reality, eyes returning back to cerulean blue. Xander was beside them now - eyes flicking between both him and the small human that had yet to break away from the staring contest.
"No." He grumbled out and turned his attention to his Beta who was looking at him with raised brows and a small smirk. Darius could see the question in his eyes, could read the 'Are you sure?' loud and clear. "What is it?"
Xander didn't lose his grin as he answered the Alpha. "The pilot is about to take off, he requests you both sit down and prepare for take off."
Elowen hummed with a small smug smirk and bowed her head. "After you, Alpha."
Darius felt his eye twitch.
Oh, this little human had more audacity than he thought. She was standing there mocking him - giving him a smug little grin.
'So she wants to play that game does she?' Darius thought as he backed away from her and took a seat. Xander looked at him as if he had lost his mind, maybe he did - maybe he had finally given into the madness that came with being an Alpha.
"Your turn, Little Human." He flashed a fake smile, though it turned real when the small brunette scowled. She plopped down in her own seat - resembling a pouting child and Darius could not get over the sick satisfaction that it gave him.
She had a strong soul, both a blessing and a curse - and she seemed spoilt. Darius was determined to break that defiant spirit. To show her what it truly meant to be trapped in a lion's den - or wolf's den.
'Let the games begin, Little Human.'