A God Amongst Wolves

30

Word Count: 1723

~Venn

The moment Alvera and Belle are out of the room, I pin my brother with a look.

"You need to break up with her," I demand.

I knew there was something going on. It's not possible for my brother to do anything without ulterior motive, and finally he's revealed his hand.

Going for Alvera's sister is smart. He can remain in proximity to my life without rousing suspicion from either of them. There's more to his sinister plot, I'm sure of it, but I can't command him to leave without exposing my own secrets.

He leans back in his seat, ruffling a hand through his hair. "A congratulations would suffice."

"I'm being serious," I growl.

"So am I." He shrugs loosely, a dark shadow passing over his face.  "I actually like her, believe it or not."

I study him quietly for a long moment. Able lies as smoothly as he tells the truth, making his words virtually impossible to decipher. He could truly have feelings for Belle, but just as easily not at all.

I can't take that risk...not when Alvera is involved.

"You don't belong with her. You're only going to hurt her." I smooth my hand along the tablecloth, trying to maintain my composure.

"And how am I going to do that?" He deadpans.
 
"By letting your revenge fantasies get in the way."

Glancing at the entrance to the dining room, I listen carefully to ensure Alvera and Belle aren't close. It's hard enough keeping secrets from Alvera, but knowing that Able is close to sharing them it killing me.

I need to ensure Able has no motivation to turn against me.

"I told you, I'm over it." He mutters dismissively, dragging his fork around his plate absently. "You think I want what's going on with you? How is that going, by the way?"
 
I frown. "That's none of your business."

Telling him about the Moon Goddess and her commands for me was a lapse in judgement. Ensuring the prophecy doesn't come true is my singular priority, and I don't need him interfering in any way.

"Well, my relationship with Belle is not your business either, so stay out of it," he bites back.

"I can't. She's my Chosen's sister," I remind him.

He pins me with a look so severe it could level this house. "Yours might have to die, but mine doesn't."

"Quiet," I snap, my stomach churning as I check the door again.

I should kill him just for saying that aloud. I get the feeling he wants Alvera to overhear without having to take too much of the blame.

"Ah, so you haven't figured it out." An overt smugness appears on his expression. "And she clearly doesn't know."

"Don't—"

"Oh I won't." He leans forward, bracing his forearms on the table beside his plate. "But you're going to tell Alvera that you think I'm an excellent fit for her sister. You're going to tell her I'm not a threat to her, and that you think it would great if we were all on good terms."

He utters each word with a borderline sadistic smile on his face. He knows he has the upper hand, and he's not going to forgo this opportunity.

"Fuck you."

"It's your choice brother." He shrugs loosely, resuming his eating. "It's always your choice."

+++

~Alvera

Belle follows me out of the dining room and into the adjoining hall. I don't wander any further in case there are curious werewolves lurking who want to eavesdrop.

"So...Able." I lean against the wall, facing Belle who leans against the other.

A warmth glistens in her eyes. "He's been great."

"You love him?"

"Ah...well, I don't know about that." She swipes her hair behind her ear, her gaze pinned to the floor. "We haven't been together long."

I know my sister well enough to know she's likely in love with him. She would claim she was in love with boys back in high school who she had exchanged only a few words with.

That is why this relationship between the two unnerves me...

I should be grateful that her attentions are turned away from Venn. I don't want her attraction to him come in between hers and my relationship. Yet, I can't help feeling a growing sense of unease whenever I'm around Able.

"And he treats you well?" I ask cautiously.

The mellow warmth in her eyes is quickly swallowed by a raging inferno. Her emotions shift so quickly it can be jarring.

"It's none of your business, okay? Stop trying to act like things a normal between us," she hisses, wrapping her arms around herself.

"But I want things to be," I insist. "I want my sister back."

She shakes her head. "I don't think I can forgive you."

"Everything in my life has been taken from me. I can't leave this pack for the foreseeable future, Eldon has gone back to the city and probably isn't coming back..." I drift off. I've said to much.

Belle finally meets my eyeline, genuine shock contorting her gaunt features.

"He left?"

"Can you blame him?"

"No." She huffs out a breath. "You're better off without him."

I've heard that so much but I don't believe it. Everything is both a little easier and a lot harder now that he's gone. I miss his emotional support, even if I don't miss the blame he's seated on me for all of this.

"I have no one. Just Venn, and I don't know how much I can trust him." I rub my arm uneasily, lowering my voice. I know werewolves hearing is far superior to our own.

"You can't, okay." Belle's voice drops to a harsh whisper, leaning closer to me. "Able has...told me things."

I frown. "What things?"

She opens her mouth, but quickly presses it closed again. Her hesitation is obvious, only adding to my growing unease. If she's not willing to tell me what she knows, there must be some influence coming from Able.

"It doesn't matter, just keep your wits about you. I mean, you always have." She clears her throat, looking uncomfortable at the compliment she just offered.

I could press her more, but I'm afraid too much insistence will send her running again. At least she's here, and she's agreed to speak with me. It's the most of got out of her since before I left for the city.

"I want us to be okay," I murmur.

She drums her fingers against her thigh absently as she stares at me, contemplating something.

"It's getting really tiring hating you, and I don't have much energy these days," she admits warily.

"I'll do whatever you need me to do."

"Able wants us all to get along, including Venn." She pauses, drawing in a deep breath. "I think I want that too."

Each word sounds like a great pain for her to force out. She's in two minds about being in my life again, but Able's words have convinced her to try...I'm unsure if I should be grateful or concerned about Able's motivations.

I'm sure he just wants what is best for Belle...stop being so judgemental, Alvera.

"And you don't mind that your lover is a werewolf?"

"It was strange at first, but I kind of like it." A smile creeps onto her lips as her eyes glaze a bit.

I have no idea what that means, and I'm not sure I want to...whatever her and Able are doing in their own time is not for my consideration.

"As long as you're happy," I muse uncomfortably, teetering on my feet.

"So have you and Venn slept together yet?" She asks softly, her grin revealing her familiar crooked front teeth that she insisted as a girl she didn't need braces for. She's never liked change.

"No!" I scold lowly, my face warming. "I'm still with Eldon...kind of."

"I figured from the way you acted at dinner." Her shoulders shake as she laughs merrily. "Once you're done with Eldon, you need to try it."

I gape at her. "Why?"

"Because if he's anything like his brother, you're in for a wild ride." She reaches out to nudge me.

"Belle!"

"Hey, I'm just being honest. You have to accept that if you want things to be good between us, which means honesty from you too," she notes.

I steady myself, slowly shaking my head. I'm silently appalled at her line of questioning and the topic of our conversation, but I'm more so grateful she's talking to me at all.

This reminds me of when we were younger, laying in beds opposite each other talking about all our new crushes and experiences. It reminds me of before she hated me, before she looked at me like I was a monster.

So, despite every urge to insist everything is fine with Eldon and that I don't think about Venn at all, I lean into the meagre hint of trust she's offering me.

"Fine, you want honesty?" I fold my arms over my chest, mustering an ounce of courage. "Once a month, I'm overcome with an overwhelming urge to fuck Venn."

Her mouth drops open with exaggerated shock. "You what?"

"I can barely control it, but it's fine," I brush off, even though it is definitely not. "I'm working through it."

"It could be worse," she muses.

"Could it?"

"He's an Alpha. There isn't a single werewolf in any pack that doesn't want a piece of him. Even the human girls want him," she tells me playfully, although the truth in her words cannot be understated.

Of course there are plenty of people that want him. I'm begging to be released from being his Chosen when others would do anything to get in this position. It doesn't change my mind on how I feel, but it definitely makes me think.

"Belle..."

"Watch out, or someone is going to take your man." She winks at me before turning on her heel, heading back to the dining room.

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The Night I Met The Alpha

~Midika 💜🐼