"Beta," Alpha Axton said, immediately he went out of Natalia's sight.
The young, acting beta stepped closer, eager to listen and obey. He had caught Alpha Axton's eyes during one of their terror sprees, with his agility and intelligence. Now that Alpha Axton was going to banish his Omega, he decided he would be the best person to assume the role.
The boy, Scott, was just like him, and that reduced a lot from the friction of fear that normally bridged the path to Alpha Axton. Alpha Axton wasn't sure if that awed him, impressed him, or unnerved him.
"Yes, Alpha." Scott said eagerly.
"Do you know how to organize a welcome ceremony? With loud drums, music and gaiety?"
"Yes, I do. Even though there has not been much around here...it is actually quite easy. I know a lot of people that can produce music without having to go to the human territory..."
"I do hope we will not have to go there." Aloha Axton said. He could remember the treaty between the human and his father, and why they were so secluded from them in the first place.
"No, we will not, Alpha. I assure you. Do You want to organize a ceremony for your return? One that befits a king?"
Alpha Axton turned to him, a small smile om his face. "You're efficient. I like it. Make it look like everybody here is in love with me. Make it look like everyone is happy to see me. I need to put Natalia's mind at least regarding me."
"Your wish is my command. Do you want it tonight?"
"Yes. Tonight."
The beta bowed and excused himself. Alpha Axton stood in the hallway, his mind far off. He did not need to actually do anything to Natalia, but...after what happened, he just could not stand looking at her in the eyes.
He was more afraid of what she would see in his eyes, than what he would see in hers.
A knock came on the door and Natalia ran to open it, expecting Alpha Axton. He was not the one, but a smallish, brunette omega holding a tray of food.
"Al...no, Axton has asked me to bring this to you. He said to make sure you eat."
"Where is he?"
"Probably outside mingling with his subjects." The girl was shaking slightly as she said it, and Natalia knew something was wrong.
"What is wrong with you?"
The omega shook her head. "Nothing, miss. Here. Please take it."
Natalia looked from the girl's face to the food, then took a step back in. "Tell him I shall not eat till he comes to me himself."
It was not something new to her. When her father would refuse to grant her permission to see the gardens, or go out and enjoy a little bit of freedom, she would stop eating till he begged, and complied. She would do the same with Axton if need be.
"Please, Miss. I really can not go back to tell him this. Please take it, please."
"I refuse." She said, quite simply and determinedly, and promptly shut her door.
The omega slowly walked back to Axton, expecting the very worst.
"Very predictable," was all he replied, as he waved her and the food away.
The preparation for the welcome party was in full swing, and each and every wolf emptied the pack house on the beta's strict order to come help out in the grand square. From Natalia's window, it did look like a gathering of happy subjects welcoming their king.
In reality, it was just an awed city gathering to see what their ruthless king was up to.
A small knock graced Natalia's door again, and this time she just ignored it. She was looking out to the grand square from the large window in the room, and knowing it would not be Axton, she did not deem it good enough to lose sight of what was below.
"Natalia. It is me. Open up."
"Axton?"
"Yes, me." His voice came again through the closed door.
She walked to the door slowly, expecting a prank or something, but was positively surprised when she opened the door and he was standing there, with a wooden box in his hands.
"You refused your food earlier."
"I wanted you to bring it to me." She answered, lowering her eyes from his.
"I figured." He walked in, and the same omega followed suit with another tray of food. He directed her to keep it on the bed and she did, then excused herself.
"I thought you were not going to see me anytime soon."
She still could not explain this crazy hunger in her when he was around her, and the starvation when he was not. She did not even need to be able to explain it. All she wanted was for him to feel the same.
"I did not intend to abandon you, if that is what you mean. I just wanted to put the city back in order. Have your meal now."
She obediently sat on the bed as he took the small stool, and sat opposite her.
"You are going to watch me eat?"
He shook his bead. "I wanted to bring this to you myself." It astonished him how calm he could be around her. "I found out they were organizing a welcome ceremony, with loud drums, music and gaiety so I decided to bring a dress for you to wear to it."
He gave it to her and she slowly collected it, then balanced the box on her lap.
"You want me to accompany you...by your side?"
He nodded, not seeing any reason why she should not.
"But, that is..." Her voice trailed off, as she ran her hands across the wooden box.
"That is what?"
"That is...something a couple do, Axton. Are we a couple?"
Never in his life did he expect to be asked this question, but even more surprising was how he did not seem to resent the idea.
"No, I...you are my guest, so you should...be with me. At the ceremony."
He cleared his throat and stood. "Try it on later."
"Axton?" She called and he stopped mid step. "What am I to you?"