Ethan
I closed the bedroom door softly, a smile plastered onto my face but as I caught sight of the rogue gardener down the hallway, my expression hardened and he swallowed thickly. I stalked over to him and towered over the blonde man, bowing his head at my arrival
"Rogue Jet. Just the man I was after." My voice was back to being powerful and full of dominance, my inner wolf no longer distracted by the redheaded rogue
"Alpha Lupus. What can I do for you?" He asked, sounding meek and pathetic, the worst kind of man to be. I chuckled coldly and motioned for him to follow as I walked out of the kitchen and onto the field, him trailing a few steps behind
"Why did Rogue Ace need stitches in her leg this afternoon? Better question, why was she using a tool that could cause her harm?" My inner wolf was basking in the superiority that my voice held, never faltering for a second as the gardener shook like a leaf in front of me. I gave my orders, and even though Ace told me she had coaxed the rogue gardener into letting her do more, I was still livid that he could have given in so easily. Then again, a part of me knew I was acting out for many reasons, I just didn't want to admit it.
"She wouldn't give up, Alpha Lupus. Kept insisting that she needed to help out more and I was so busy today I caved. I didn't know she would hurt herself I swear. I would never disobey your orders like that!" His voice was high pitched as I took a threatening step towards him, having to look down due to the close proximity we were in.
"Let this be a warning, Rogue Jet. If any harm comes to her, I will see to it personally that whoever is responsible gets their punishment." I spat, turning from him and strolling over to Beta Deryn who had been watching the whole encounter from the raised observation platform.
"What was that about now, Ethan?" My Beta asked, focusing on the training that the pack was doing. I took my regular seat in the centre of the platform and buried my face in my hands, rubbing it harshly before sitting up straight and taking a deep breath
"Rogue Ace was injured whilst working. I just want to make sure that the whole pack understands my orders." I tried to play it off with nonchalance but my second in command knows me too well, giving me a disbelieving glance from the side but deciding not to press any further. We watched the pack train and my eyes were drawn to the two newest members; Honi and Jacqui who were sparring over to the right side of the field. They were still in sync, their roles in the pack not tainting their bond for a moment; though I never doubted their dedication.
"So where are we off to at the end of the week?" Beta Deryn asked, now turning to look at me and I noticed the mate mark had been renewed on his neck, looking more prominent than ever. I dragged my eyes away from it and faced the field, ignoring the same pang of jealousy I'd begun to hate.
"Idaho, I think. Though I can't imagine I'll find much there. I know Alpha Idaho very well, and he loves women more than he loves power. He would never banish one, but it's another territory to tick off of the list." Shrugging, I leaned back in my chair and my inner wolf relaxed, acknowledging that there were no threats in the immediate vicinity that I had to take care of. Deryn sighed and ran a hand through the hair that was not currently in his signature top knot, I noticed these things because it was important to know my men; inside and out.
"Why does it matter what pack she is from? If they banished her, only the Moon Goddess has a claim over whether she is to join a new pack. Her old territory doesn't have a choice." My Beta reminded me but I rolled my eyes, he didn't know what I did. She had been hurt at some point, whether out in the human world or in her old pack, and my inner wolf desperately wanted to kill the bastard who would lay their hand on such an innocent woman. I was starting to care for the redheaded rogue and I knew deep down that I couldn't allow it. Caring was a sign of weakness, just as my father had drilled into me from the day I was born, hence why he and my mother were murdered so early in our lives. He could have led as Alpha for many more decades, but they were ripped from my life before he could even see my full potential; his Luna being his only weakness. That was another reason why I was thankful I hadn't found my mate; they could be your downfall, and the pain of your mate being killed was worse than death itself, the lore told me as such.
"I have my reasons, Deryn. I will find out at some point, I just don't know when or where..." I mindlinked Raula, explaining that Ace was bedbound at least for this evening and to bring her food after dinner, before hesitating and standing up, bidding my Beta a goodbye and making my way into the house, finding Elder Trezmor in his study. He looked up when I entered and gave me a soft smile
"Ethan! To what do I owe the pleasure?" He placed the dust-covered book he had been reading on the desk and walked around it, resting against the edge of the desk on my side now. I pondered how to phrase the question I had, before deciding that brutally honest was probably the best option.
"What are the reasons for a wolf not being able to heal quickly?" I took a seat in the plush armchair in front of the desk, not wanting to disrespect the Elder that had looked out for me in my years as Alpha. He seemed deep in thought for a moment before meeting my eyes
"As you know Ethan, every wolf is different, some heal slower than others. But as you are here asking me, the usual factors are stress, a surge of emotion or adrenaline, or a lack of strength, caused by not training or eating enough. Though I don't need to tell you how dangerous the last one is." His eyes narrowed, believing for a second that I was referring to me. I audibly chuckled, rolling my eyes and tensing my bicep muscles, indicating that I was training and eating just fine.
"Thank you, Elder Trezmor." I nodded to him and stood, making my way to the door when he cleared his throat
"The Moon Goddess blessed me with a premonition over the last few days Ethan. She tells me that you will not find the answers you seek until you stop looking. Everything you have been searching for is here in front of you but there is a pain in your heart that you need to let go of before she will come to you." My eyes widened but I recovered quickly, offering a tight-lipped smile before I left the study. Why wouldn't I find my answers? By the Moon Goddess, I knew better than to question the decisions of powers above my control, but it still infuriated me. Who is coming to me? I didn't need a mate if that is what the Moon Goddess was insinuating. I had pain in my heart because those assholes killed my parents. Ever since I was named Alpha, I had vowed to avenge my parents' death ever since they were murdered in some decade long blood feud. The Farkas family was going to bleed red when I had my chance, I was biding my time.
"I've brought Asterbelle to your study, Alpha. You look like you could use the stress relief." Delta Kurt's voice appeared from beside me and I blinked my eyes, realising I'd already made my way back to the West Wing. I nodded once in silent thanks and pushed open the door to the study, spotting the ginger rogue lounging on the sofa. She had red lipstick that was very clearly overlined, heavy eyelashes that batted seductively towards me and as I took in her outfit, it left very little to the imagination in a two-piece bra and panties set that glittered blue under the sunlight that lit up the room.
"Alpha Lupus. What can I do for you today?" Her voice was low, seductive as she stood and circled me. I took her by the hair, bending her over the desk and pushing her lingerie to the side. I didn't bother with any foreplay, just thrusting sloppily as I closed my eyes, feeling my inner wolf wind down as the pressure of today melted away. After a while I pulled out, dragging her over to the sofa on her knees where I sat spread eagle, waiting for her to finish me off. She complied, dragging her nails down my thighs and I growled, shoving her hands off of me. I didn't want the whore to touch me, but I closed my eyes and allowed myself to come undone at the feeling of her mouth anyway. Once she'd finished she move from my lap, readjusting herself but I kept my eyes closed, resting my head against the sofa, buttoning up my jeans.
"That will be all, Asterbelle." I dismissed her and I could feel the eye roll from here as she stalked out of my study. I could still smell rogue but cringed; this time it smelled of sex, not the usual scent one that surrounded Ace; similar to the human scent of vanilla.
"Fuck's sake..." I breathed, realising as soon as I'd forgotten about her, the redheaded rogue was back inside my thoughts. I stood from my position and walked into my bathroom, locking the door and stepping into the shower. I allowed the warm water to wash away the scent of rogue sex before I was satisfied, stepping out and wrapping a towel around my waist. As I exited the bathroom, Louvel was hovering in the hallway and her eyes travelled down my chest to the towel.
"What are you doing here, Louvel?" I growled, moving past her to my bedroom to put on some clothes
"Oh just cleaning up your personal quarters. Nice tattoos, Alpha Lupus." Her voice was teasing and I growled louder, causing her to jump as I entered the doorway to my room.
"You are dismissed, Louvel." With that I closed the door and walked over to the mirror, eyes travelling over the tattoos I had that the brunette maid was referring to. I had the Alpha tattoo on my shoulder; a werewolf howling at the moon, and then a few abstract pieces across my chest that my closest two men had chosen after we had a few too many drinks not long after my parents' death. I didn't feel the need to cover myself with tattoos, it distracted people from the hard work I'd put into the muscle in my human form. It reflected well on my wolf, still being larger than any other wolf I'd encountered in my 6 years as Alpha. The sun was setting and I'm sure I'd missed dinner but I threw on a hoodie and a pair of jeans, slipping my feet into some converse trainers before making my way downstairs.
Are you in the kitchen? I made my way down the narrow hallways and it took a few minutes for Raula to respond
No, but help yourself to some food. She must be with Beta Deryn in their room, though I pushed away any feelings that arose, fixing my face with a cold glare as I rounded the corner to the empty kitchen and began fixing myself a sandwich.
Can you offer Ace something? I didn't question why, and Raula offered no explanation.