Fin's Claim

Emptiness

"He's honoring his mate, saving himself for her from the very beginning of him taking the first breath of life. No other females can touch him except his immediate family. He will not touch any other female besides his mate. It's a great honor he's saving for her." A distant look in her eyes as they unfocus for just a second before falling back on all of us.

"I find that sad in a way. To restrict yourself so much from such a young age. Touch is a comforting thing; I want my male to have touch in his life." Her hand feeling the slight swell of expanding belly.

"Everyone has their own beliefs Meela, and that's what the Far North believes. No male Alpha should know the touch of a female beside the one meant for them. It teaches them great restraint. All Alpha's should have some form of control." Now, my mother's eyes fall on mine before looking away in frustration. I feel it deep inside me what a great disappointment I am to her.

The demon's tail is circling my neck like a noose tightening with the shame that wraps around me. He doesn't say a word just allowing me to enjoy the feeling my inner self is giving me.

Meela and my mother walking towards the females who are now part of our pack.

"You mean their pack, the north is not yours, Finian." The demon is correcting my way of thinking.

"Mom still not speaking to you." Thomas is watching me follow my mother's retreating form.

"No, not yet."

"She'll come around just give her time." Now Grey has his hand on my shoulder giving it a squeeze. I'm not sure what my mother is madder at? The fact I became the Alpha of the Southern pack or that Victoria wasn't with me today. It was incredibly hard to explain to her why Victoria left keeping it vague was the best choice; she doesn't need the details.

Walking away from the group making a call to the East.

"Alpha Fin." At least he's answering the phone properly now.

"What's Victoria doing?"

"Same as last time you called, nothing. She is just sitting on the couch watching movies drinking with your Beta." It's hard to stifle the growl that sinks deep down in my gut.

"Why hasn't Bryon left?"

"Victoria invited him to stay." This male on the phone now sounds nervous.

"Put Bryon on the phone." The rage is hard to control.

"Why so angry Finian?" The demon's forked tongue voice is hissing the syllables in my ear. "She told you she would move on. You should be happy she has someone to do nothing with all night long." I can't stand this creature that's continually whispering words just above the voice of the wind.

I can hear the wolf on the other line walking through the house his footsteps loud and deliberate. "He's not here. They must have gone for a drive."

"You tell him to call me, if he doesn't I'll send Grey to drag him back to the South." Turning the phone off in annoyance I need to keep myself as calm as possible.

The rest of the pack starts to gather around the newly acquired females, their mates making introductions to the families that are here. A heaviness prevalent in the air, nothing joyous at all about this. My father always made sure to welcome every new female into the pack, welcoming them in as if they were born here and not a strange wolf on our territory.

"Grey we should greet all the females like father used to do. I think from now on we should have this exchange in the late summer early fall. Let's make a weekend out of it as we used to when we were young. I don't care if the Far North pack participates, but at least our packs will be able to visit one another. We could set up the games again, have the hunts begin again. It would give families time to visit one another." Grey's rubbing his chin, thinking about my thoughts with a smile.

"I think that's a good idea, Fin." I can see how his eyes sweep over the gathering, looking at each wolf individually.

Grey starts to head to the Northern females while I head towards my pack's newly acquired females. It's a small contingent just over five females compared to the twenty the south just lost to the north. I'm not familiar with any of those females.

"Their mates should be happy about that don't you think?"

My demon's words are stopping me in my tracks. "Think of all the females you sent their way, I wonder what kind of homecoming they get?" The demon is scratching his scaly arm with claws that curl under because they've grown too long. I never forced those females to spread their legs for me; they did that to themselves. Trying to make him see it wasn't just me that defiled them, they also were active participants. Who's to blame more? The one standing getting pleased or the one on her knees doing the pleasing? Holding still while I wait for my demon's reply that never comes.

Approaching my Beta of the Western territory, he's found his mate; both look uncomfortable. It's an awkward stance both not knowing what to do or how to act. This is the first time witnessing his fluster.

"Alpha Finian, this is my mate Moora." He's standing proud as if he couldn't be happier with the moons choice for him.

"Cousin, it's good to see you again." Trying to make my voice a soothing calm. Embracing her in the Old Ways, cheek pressed against cheek, her hand on my shoulder before she pulls herself away from me. Her face is blank without emotion.

"Alpha Finian." The subtle tone of her voice is one of passive aggressiveness, one side acknowledging my status the other side's inflection of disgust.

"Moora, come over here." My mother's voice is strong over the gathering of wolves. Without any hesitation, the female runs into my mom's open arms both females hugging one another with love.

"Aunt Elizabeth." Moora's voice is coming out in an almost sob before burying her head in her shoulder.

"It's going to be alright; I'm proud you came today. It shows how fearless you are. How you honor the moon's wishes." How often has my mother done this, rubbing hands over females backs as they take the hardest leap of faith in their lives?

"Who will be rubbing those females backs when they arrive in the Far North?"  The demon is always putting his two cents in when already my pockets are overflowing with his observations. 

Watching how Moora folds herself into my mother, her eyes shut yet a tear still leaks out. My mother is whispering words of comfort to a female who's scared, unsure of the next step. Meela is now standing beside them with her hand on the female's back.

Victoria should be here watching this with her awkward smile that tries so hard not to show her teeth. My mother could have instructed her well today.

"Do you miss that filthy female?" Now his eyes watch mine, neck stretching, so his slitted nostrils flare slightly as his tongue flicks in the air taking my emotions in. I miss her.

Becca is coming to stand beside me. "Make sure all my females have everything they need. Make sure they are well taken care of until they are settled into the new territories. It's your responsibility, don't let me down." Walking away with orders given expecting them to be followed without argument.

Thinking of others Alpha Finian beside your precious self. The demon is feeling my head for a fever, his eyes not believing what he's seeing.

The daylight is fading slowly away with the oncoming night.

Watching the mingling of wolves while I stand to look at their interactions.

Laughter

Smiles

Touch

Thoughts all going back to Victoria who's company I'm craving since I've had such a small taste of her. The middle of my chest feels as if a deep void has taken root, ever expanding to create an empty space inside myself.

I can be surrounded by so many yet want just the presence of one female who drives me insane.