WHITE MOUNTAINS PACK
Nathaniel sat in front of his desk, his black orbs reflecting the images on his laptop screen. He was deeply focused on his work when his Beta, Gideon, strutted in.
"Don't tell me you pulled an all nighter again?" Gideon scowled as he sat on the chair opposite Nathaniel.
"We have so much work, –"
"That can be done by me or anyone else really " Gideon pointed out. "you were avoiding Hilda, right?" It was more of a statement than a question.
Nathaniel sank into his seat. How could he put it in words that his mate suffocated him. She doesn't bring him peace; she makes him restless. How can he explain what he can't comprehend. "You won't understand " he muttered flatly not giving anything away. "What are you here for?"
Gideon clicked his tongue in defeat and handed over the envelope he held in his hand, "The sender here says King Heavensworth household, the homecoming festival is held around this time, I'm guessing it's an invitation." he said passing the envelope over the table to Nathaniel. "Like always, I've sent the rejection letter."
"Good," Nathaniel said tossing the envelope into his desk drawer. "We have no business interacting with the humans. They are weak and aren't worth our ti-"
Nathaniel was interrupted by a soft knock on the door.
Seeing as the person didn't wait for permission Gideon could already guess who it was a quickly excused himself to give them privacy.
"You didn't come to bed yesterday night, again" Hilda said in a soft worried voice. She made her way behind Nathaniel, her hands kneading his shoulders gently in a relaxing massage.
"I had work to do, I'll make it up to you." Nathaniel squeezed out a smile amidst the uncomfortable atmosphere. Hilda was his childhood friend and he was glad she was his mate and Luna of his pack but something just didn't feel right.
"Promise?" Hilda's face lit up like a child who was offered candy.
"Is there anything you wish to do?"
Hilda paused her little massage and bit her lips. She sat on his laps and with an innocent look in her eyes she asked, "It's been two months since we last spent time together. Can you make out time this week and spend at least a night together? I really miss you…" she said before slowly going in for a kiss. The kiss barely lasted a few seconds before Nathaniel abruptly pulled out.
"How about Friday?" He quickly tried to salvage the situation when he saw the look of hurt in Hilda's eyes. He regretted immediately.
"Friday sounds just right!" Hilda said happily. Keeping Nathaniel promise in mind, she then said what brought her to his office, "I had specially prepared breakfast for you, come," she dragged him up from his chair to the dining room where the feast she had apparently made laid.
After breakfast, Nathaniel had a meeting with his elders, a long spar session with his warriors, a visist to the children's orpahanage, an adress with his people. In essence, he avoided Hilda for the rest of the day.
Friday grew closer and closer and Nathaniel thought of ways to escape it.
He sat in his study, staring into space as he thought of ways to escape, tomorrow, Friday. As much as he cared for Hilda, he couldn't explain the unease he felt when they were together. This started after they recognized each other as mates.
Nathaniel shook off his thoughts and decided to get some work done instead. He opened the drawer to retrieve a pen when he sighted the envelope he had tossed in there.
He picked it up and read through its content, and discovered the homecoming festival was taking place tomorrow. The escape he was looking for was in his drawer all along. Giving it some thought, picked up his phone and dialed Gideon's number.
"Prepare a carriage…we're leaving for Ravenshore in the next hour."
After the call, Nathaniel went up to his bedroom for the first time in weeks. It was late at night and Hilda was already fast asleep. Out of respect, he wanted to break the news to her that he'd be leaving but he didn't want to wake her up. He thought it wise to leave a letter, so he left a short one apologizing.
In an hour's time, he came to the front of the pack house where Gideon stood next to a carriage waiting for him.
"What's with the sudden change of mind?" Gideon asked at the sight of Nathaniel.
"A little interaction with the lower beings seemed fun" Nathaniel said nonchalantly without further explanation.
They got into the waiting carriage, and began their journey.
The distance between Ravenshore and white mountain pack was almost a day so Nathaniel resorted in getting his much needed sleep as hasn't gotten a good one in days. Gideon read some books to pass time as he was not sleepy, but soon joined Nathaniel few hours later.
Nathaniel eyes flew open at the distant sound of trumpet, drums and other instruments that filled the air. They had arrived at Ravenshore.
He gave his surroundings a quick scan. It was already nighttime of the next day but bright latern lights illuminated the paths of Ravenshore.
"You are finally awake," Gideon spoke without breaking eye contact from the book in his hands. He had been awake for some hours now.
"How far are we from the castle?" Nathaniel asked groggily, the effects of his long sleep still lingering.
"We are here," Gideon snapped his book close when the carriage came to a stop in front of castle gate.
A guard walked up to their carriage to check their identity. Gideon opened his carriage window and stared down on the guard. His eyes switched color from brown to crimson red causing the guard to stumble on his feet and fall. The guard who had turned pale as a ghost, scrambled off the floor to inform his colleagues.
Not a second later, the tall gates of the castle opened up for Nathaniel and Gideon to pass through.
"Tch tch," Nathaniel clicked his tongue in amusement, "What weaklings these beings are."
Finally, they reached the main castle.
As they alighted from their carriage, everyone close to them suddenly paused and bowed their heads against their will. They tried to lift their heads up but they couldn't.
"Would you stop using your Alpha aura already?" Gideon questioned, discomfort clearly visible on his face as most of the attention has been brought to them.
"With or without my Alpha aura, these humans won't keep their eyes to themselves anyway," Nathaniel said with an air of indifference.
Settling in a far corner, Nathaniel dispelled his Alpha aura and those who were left with their heads bowed finally regained themselves and scurried off the scene in grace shock of what had just happened.
A satisfied smirk rested on Nathaniel's lips when people left his corner one by one in fear. No one dared came close after they realized he was not an average human.
With his hands crossed behind him, Gideon bobbed his head in appreciation of how pleasant the decorations were. He watched as guests mingled in the grand hall, the flickering candlelight cast a soft glow over the scene, illuminating the shine of gold and silver ornaments adorning their attire. The air was filled with the sound of lively music, laughter, and the clinking of bronze cups, creating an atmosphere of celebration.
The festival soon set in full bloom and rumors that strange men were at a far corner circulated making people avoid the corner Nathaniel and Gideon occupied like a plague.
Nathaniel had compelled a servant walking with a tray of drinks to come to them. They collected the drinks and freed him. Once the servant came to and realized the corner he was in, he shrieked and ran away for dear life.
"You still haven't said the real reason why we are here," Gideon sipped his wine with a bored look on his face.
"For fun, I told you," Nathaniel said, slowly swirling the wine in his hand, his eyes unfocused as he tried to convince himself that he heard wrong. Not of the words Gideon spoke, but the words that echoed in his head.
"Standing in a corner watching people dance does sound fun to me," sarcastically, Gideon muttered with a chuckle. He turned and saw that Nathaniel had completely zoned out.
"What's the matter?" He asked seriously.
"Just a minute," Nathaniel said and swiftly disappeared into the dancing crowd. The fresh scent of tulip wafted in the air and he followed it with the same words echoing repeatedly in his head.
Then he saw her.
Her hazel eyes darted from left to right as her head turned in a desperate search for someone. Getting a clearer view of her gorgeous face, the words echoed louder in his head.
"Mate!"
Still trying to comprehend the absurdity of the situation, he saw her leave and with no control of his, he walked up to her and grabbed her wrist.
"Mate!" He growled.