Caleb had left the group and gone to hang out with the guys in the Packhouse for what I presume to be business. Alexandra and I strolled into the tree line to get some fresh air away from everyone. As she talked about what the coming days will be like for us, she was carelessly tearing off leaves. "I'm sure it'll be more hectic because you live in the house. She said you may avoid it by staying with me for a few days.
"Yes, please", I responded out of the blue. "However, I must admit that sharing a house with Darius is like getting the golden ticket to the candy factory. A never-ending supply of delicious snacks," she said while laughing at herself, making me chuckle. Not at what she said but at her ability to cackle in that manner and still appear stylish. I sobered at the notion, "I would have enjoyed it if I hadn't seen the murder in his eyes."
"Baby, please read the room. He is irate because, like any Alpha, he is a control freak and wasn't informed beforehand. She continued to laugh carefree, and I once again envied her. "The only reason he is trying not to want you is that you are hot. Men treat you like that, Alex. Not me. That wasn't the reason he was glancing at me, though.
Alexandra frequently made smokable mixtures from dried herbs, such as mugwort and lavender, damiana flowers and mint leaves for self-calming, or mullein, a medicinal herb for sickness. She felt that I needed to relax, so she packed me one of her concoctions that was smooth to drink and was designed to ease nerves in the same way that teas do. My best friend turned to me to give me the roll and said, "You know, Julie, if you rediscover your confidence, I bet you'd be a firecracker.
I am not like you. I chuckled, but this time she didn't. "I'm happy to be in the background of confident people like you," I said. "Who told you that you weren't pretty?"Alex inquired at random. "Huh?" The seemingly random inquiry baffled me.
"You always talk down on yourself; you don't believe me when I tell you that people think you are lovely. Therefore, someone must have pounded it into your head that you aren't," she said. "You don't know how to accept compliments. She rephrased, "Who?" I started to get agitated. I didn't particularly appreciate discussing this. "No one. Some people lack confidence. I asserted, "I am well acquainted with many people. She placed her heart-shaped lenses atop her head and gave me a good look. I held my ground.
"I know we've only just met, but from what little I've learned about your life before this, I can tell you're carrying a lot," I said. She offered me a tight-lipped smile and grabbed the weed from my fingers so she could smoke again. If not me, she said, "Then you should talk to someone, anyone, to unload that burden." I sat still.
I was not too fond of it when she made such an unexpected shift. I didn't feel comfortable talking about my past. I saw no justification for bringing any of that here. They already knew who I was as a person. Anything I've omitted is merely fiction. Alex stopped bothering me after that. Instead, she regaled me with old tales from high school, including how Dakota and Darius behaved. Her portrayal of Caleb was the most incredible part.
We talked about anything that came to mind while lying on our backs in the grass, watching the clouds pass past. Uncertain of how much time had passed, I was saddened that it was over when a figure suddenly materialized and stood over me.
Time is up, Caleb yelled. We females all asked in unison, "Times up for what?" He said, "Hiding, you'll be expected to join us briefly." Who will be waiting for me? Actually, I am not involved in any of this. I said, "I'd prefer to remain out of the way. I could tell Caleb's reaction was a firm no. "Caleb, why? Although I appreciate your involvement, I would like to remain anonymous.
Alexandra said, "Nobody expects shit from me either, so she can hang back with me." Caleb scowled as he spoke. He said, sounding agitated, "This stuff is important to me, and I wanted to share it with you." Instantly, guilt began to sink in. I was unaware that he felt that way about it. I knew it was his special day, but I was unaware that this meant he wanted me to be there with him. All I could say was yes at this point.
His face changed to happiness after I sighed since he realized I had just caved in.
I extended my hand for him to pick me up, "Well, if it's important to you, obviously, I'll try harder to be there for you." He started removing the leaf fragments that Alexandra was tearing out of my garment and hair. Still, he left the little, pretty flowers I had put there this morning on purpose. Alex stood up, wiped herself off, and said, "You're a sucker. You fell right into his trap." He began to argue with her, "It is important to me, jerk," but as we all turned back toward the square, my thoughts strayed.
So what comes next? I eventually inquired out loud. They ceased joking after that. There won't be anything official until after dinner. Still, everyone will be mingling at this time, and we'll be in the pack house where the commanding families typically hang out until the business resumes. Caleb encircled me with an arm. Your households? please, I don't belong there. I tried to escape his grasp by weaving, but he was too swift.
Alexandra yelled, "Good luck" from a distance. I sighed when the witch departed.
For once, the pack house was much less chaotic inside than the streets. Caleb was guiding me towards the other room while his arm was still around my shoulder like he always does, and I could hear the murmur of deep voices there. Oh, that's great, there she is. Alpha Arles motioned for me to come over as he and his wife beamed happily, "Sweetheart come here; I've yet to introduce you to our son." It would be best if you did not let go of me. "You're coming with me," I muttered to Caleb, who had already removed his arm. He attempted to push me away, but I gave him the death gaze, which caused him to reconsider and follow me over to them.
Darius's menacing presence didn't increase until I was far from him and faced him with his characteristically ominous expression. "This is Darius, our son. The introductions began with Alpha Arles saying, "Darius, here is the girl Julie we mentioned. This deep, seductive voice corrected his father, "Only just told me. Luna Eira looked at me contritely.
"Honestly, Honey, we completely neglected to bring you up to our son with everything happening. I hope you won't take offense," she said, giving me a tiny smile as she tried to read my reaction.
That's absolutely OK. I was apprehensive and unsure whether to address him by his title or name, so all I could say was, "Um, hi, um." He continued to look down at me while crossing his arms over his chest. He questioned, "Um, what?" "D-do I, oh, refer to you by a title? Arles the Alpha? I focused on the person who typically held the position of authority in this place.
"Sweetheart, simply address him by name. He clapped his son on the back and chuckled, "You'll give him a big head if you acknowledge his title too much."
"I wrote the title. Why can't she refer to me as Alpha? I just overheard her refer to you in that manner," he now pressed his father. He appeared to comprehend Luna Eira's sweet look as she gently grabbed his arm. Darius finished with "Anyways" before patting Caleb on the back and motioning for him to leave us. I was left standing there on my own and felt uncomfortable, as usual.
I silently left the room and entered the rear kitchen, tucked away and out of sight. I began assisting there, where the staff performed the primary cooking. I was welcomed, which I appreciated because no one seemed to wonder why I may be hiding. A bit later, when I heard my name being called, I thought about ignoring it, but then I remembered Caleb's face when he told me this meant something to him, and I couldn't let him down that way.
He walked over to me and unfastened one of his shirt's buttons, saying, "Oh, there you are." Many wolves our age were hanging out in the man cave and listening intently to their new Alpha when he said, "Dakota wants to meet you." He then brought me there.
Dakota is more prominent and has rougher features than his two closest companions. His brown eyes are virtually black in color. He at least smiled when he greeted me. "Hey, human girl," he said with a smile. He giggled as a result of my rolling my eyes. Dakota laughed and motioned for me to sit at one of the stools lining the counter area where the refreshments were. He said, "We were really startled to hear about you. "Yeah, I know this is...unusual for you guys, but your pack got used to me over time. I managed to get out the words I had been trying to say to Darius but couldn't: "I hope you give me the same chance."
He chuckled, "Oh, I like you already. My eyes widened as I tried to determine whether he was serious. "Yeah, my parents mentioned a few of the nice things you do for individuals in the community. You're cool, but I'm interested in the circumstances that brought you here. He paused, thinking I'd jump in to fill in the blanks because the specifics had been so hazy up to that point.
"Here's the cliff notes version," I said. Caleb made an effort to prevent me from having to speak too much. "She was attacked by rival thieves and was saved by several of our guys. I moved closer to him as if he could serve as my defense. Dakota kept saying "vague". He resumed his question, "Why were you in these mountains?"
"I wasn't; I just fell into the wrong group of guys while traveling through one of those mountain communities near the base. I was taken here against my choice, and then suddenly, I was bewildered and surrounded by thieves. Before another pack of wolves showed in and appeared to be chasing away the ones who had hurt me, I was hurt. I clung to Caleb's arm like a kid might to their mother when they're too shy to approach a stranger.
I responded to the call to analyze the situation by bringing the woman back with us. Caleb made a firm decision while standing tall. He didn't want to face any criticism for it. Dakota nodded in agreement.
Tell me, you witnessed human and canine transformations, yet you weren't terrified to return to the monster's town. Dakota asked with an arched brow. "I've seen more terrifying beasts. They had both saved me, and it was clear that they were doing their best to assist me. I had no fear of that. I shook my head and looked up at Caleb, who had decided that day that I should return to the pack so that Alpha could assess the situation personally and make the final decision.
I feel safest with Caleb because he has had my back since he first saw my bloody, filthy shape. Dakota began observing the two of us, and I could tell he was doing just that. Julie, it sounds like you were in a terrible circumstance. Is anyone down there going to miss you? The Delta was finished. I said "No" to that. I wasn't going to give this stranger any more information.
I jumped as Darius suddenly leaned on the counter next to me. I had no idea he had been watching this entire conversation from behind me. He tipped his head toward me while supporting himself with his elbows. His translucent eyes flitted around in his head as he read my reaction, "Scarier monsters than us, huh." His low, rumbling voice shook between me and the granite countertop, "I think Caleb might've been teaching you the wrong things about our kind if that's what you think."
The new Alpha, Beta, and Delta suddenly felt too overwhelming, surrounding me on all sides. I moved away from them until I was standing next to Caleb. Darius observed this. "Pricks, don't try to scare her." Caleb comforted me by rubbing my arms, and I nodded to him to let him know I was well. After a few silent looks between Darius and Dakota, Dakota spoke.
"What's up with you two? She has been glued to your side," Dakota said, giving me an uneasy look.
After saying, "We're friends, and you freak her out, so yeah, she'll be here for now," he threw a shielding arm across my shoulder and led the way as he led us away. As we rounded the corner and were no longer in earshot, I heard a rumbling noise that might have been a growl. "You see, they are merely carrying out their responsibility and learning the history. An excellent Alpha would. Try to have some fun tonight, will ya? They haven't once threatened to expel you. Caleb's earthy odor enveloped me as he worked. I embraced him tightly.
He laughed, "What's this for?" Thanks. You provide me with protection and comfort. I trailed off because I didn't want to start crying if I tried to say how much Caleb meant to me. He gave me a more vigorous hug. "I realize that. And I shall continue to be, Julie. I swear. And I honor my commitments. Julie, I won't let you down in the same way that others have in the past. He gave me a peck on the top of my head and then released me.
Since I knew Caleb and his pals had been away for a while, it took me some convincing to get him to go back inside and hang out with his buddies, but once I did, I left to look for Alexandra.
Hey, girl," a stern voice yelled.