When I woke up the next morning, I felt groggy. As if I had been in a deep sleep. I also noticed that someone else was in my bed. Turning over, I came face-to-face with Kellan, who was resting with her eyes closed. I knew she wasn’t asleep, so I curled up next to her. “I can’t believe Alice is gone.”
Kellan’s eyes opened, and she gave me a sad smile. “You still get to keep in contact with her. Just because she’s Rogue doesn’t mean she won’t keep calling you.”
I let out a small laugh. Kellan was honestly one of the bluntest people I knew. Besides Shanie Ravenswood, of course. “I know. It’s just weird…”
Kellan nodded, “Trust me. I know exactly what you mean.”
We sat in silence for a while, me thinking about what she said. Her mother had barely taken care of her. She had technically lost her Mom at a young age, and had to take care of a lady who looked and talked like her, but wasn’t her mother. My cousin was still herself… just farther away. Now, she didn’t follow the same rules as me. She was going to live a totally different life. I didn’t know how or if we would talk the same. We have totally different values and everything now.
Suddenly, Casey’s thoughts were shoved into my head. “Attention: There is a pack meeting in fifteen minutes. This is mandatory.”
Kellan let out a loud sigh. “Great. This probably has to do with the stupid visitors.” She got up, shoving her boots on.
I sat up. “What visitors?”
She moved my blankets around before she grabbed my hands and pulled me up. “The stupid visitors who intruded onto our land yesterday and demanded to see the Alpha. Alpha Damien obviously is not trusting of them, but we will have to fake it anyways. Something about ‘hospitality’ and all that crap.”
Wrinkling my mouth up in disgust, I followed her out the door and down to the kitchen. I couldn't help but yawn in my comfy pajamas and slippers, especially when Kellan handed me a mug of hot chocolate. “And how is intruding Ravenswood and demanding Alpha Damien exactly something to reward?”
Kellan just shrugged, already getting up and making my breakfast, like Alice did. Suddenly, I felt the walls around my mind become exposed.
"And wear something nice," I heard Casey smirk in my head. I looked around the woods outside the window, eyes scanning the green foliage. His wolf was huge, his back muscular, with thick legs and broad shoulders. His eyes were the same electric blue as they always were, and they stood out against the dark, fluffy brown and red coat that covered his body. I immediately recognized him.
Casey gave me a wolfy grin, which I replied to by feeling the rush of heat rise up my face followed by a small smile.
“Bacon or sausage?” Kellan asked, and I quickly turned my head to face her.
“Huh?” I stupidly replied, and she gave me a curious look. Feeling his eyes on my side, I couldn’t help but feel happy.
…
Going against Casey’s word, I showed up in my favorite pair of jeans and blue sweater I got while being on the Council’s High School swim team. My hair was its natural messy waves, but it was my favorite way to be. It was a pack meeting; I didn’t need to impress anyone today.
Kellan and I walked to the meeting point; a place in town I never been to before. We broke through the trees on a large cliff that overlooked the lake. All around the edges of the lake were hills and cliffs, with paths from the water leading through the woods and back up to the top. Due to the winter months approaching, the sun was just raising over the horizon, sending a yellow glare over the top of the cliff, the water rippling a reflective glow.
Everyone from the age of 13 sat, in at least a dozen different circles, all depending on age, sex and rank. This was the usual pack organization; each group was to discuss the situation and how it would benefit or disrupt their age, sex or rank, and present it to the Alphas. They would then choose what was best for their pack.
The Alphas stood at the front, while the Elders sat behind them, ending with the teens at the back. Some of the age groups- such as the young adults and the parents- were split up by sex. Then, in this pack, only the betas and third-in-commands were separated from the other rankings, sitting over by a group of trees at the edge. Probably to discuss the pros and cons for the safety of the whole pack as one, including the Alphas and their wants.
Kellan and I sat with the teens, next to Nathan and Katarina. Everyone was quiet, but I looked around, catching Adam's eye. He gave me a small smile, probably unaware of the empty space next to him where Alice most likely would have sat.
When Casey whistled through the silent air, all heads turned to him at once. I noticed that there was a group of teenagers standing next to them, a guard on each side. The only girl had lengthy white blonde hair with light pink tips, and pastel skin that reflected her icey eyes. She was tall and insanely thin. All three boys looked like they could have been related with coffee skin, dishevelled brown hair and auburn eyes. I knew at once that these people were our ‘visitors’.
“As you all may know,” Alpha Damien said, his ‘Official’ voice easily reaching all corners of the cliff. “We had some unanticipated companions last night. They are not to be harmed; they are here on Alpha business. They will be remaining here in the pack house for a few nights, and then parting with no difficulties. In custom of such significant companies, there will be a greeting party tonight. Please, talk amongst yourselves and we will be coming around to introduce you and adress any inquiries you may have.”
“What kind of ‘Alpha Business’ you think they’re here for?” Kellan burst out. Rapidly, each person put their own ideas into the circle.
Some boy, who looked roughly fourteen, suggested, “I heard they were Rogues who got caught by Alpha Damien!”
Another girl ridiculed at the child, “Oh, please. They don’t even have yellow eyes, idiot.” She played with her raven hair as she whispered, “My older brother, you know, the guard, told me they were working for the vampires!”
Someone else rolled their eyes. I knew this boy from one of my classes. “Why don’t they have bite marks?”
“Maybe they are hiding them!”
“Whatever. I think they’re hunters.”
Everyone went quiet, considering this. It would make sense. And just as quickly as it came, the calm left. As Kellan joined the argument, Casey moved into my thoughts.
“These people are very dangerous to you.”
I looked around, trying to make eye contact. But Casey’s back was to me as he ventured over to the Beta’s with the group of cryptic wolves, almost completely ignoring me and being oblivious. The four newcomers seemed anxious, their eyes flickering back and forth between individuals.
“They are not to be trusted. Especially not by you. Do not give them any clues that we are mates.”
“Why?” I asked back, keeping my eyes on the ground in front of me, hoping I wasn’t suspicious. “Who are they?”
Casey’s eyes flickered hastily to mine as they moved to the group right next to us. He seemed collected and didn’t let his eyes dawdle on me.
“Meet me before the party. Follow the scent to my room and I’ll explain.”
Pushing my eyes to stay on the ground, I let the other exchanges continue around me. Nothing in my mind could come up with a realistic explanation to whom they were and why they were risky. Vampires would be immediately killed. Hunters would be no danger to our pack as a whole. An unsafe werewolf would be sent away. Except, if there was more going on here…
“…And these are the youths.” Alpha Damien introduced, finally reaching us at the back of the cliff. Everyone in the circle went quiet at the sound. I didn’t risk my eyes looking over at Casey, as I could feel the girl observing each one of us, one at a time.
“Children, these are our guests, an assembly from the Council. Lucy Caroline, and her cousins Quinn, Philip and Dalen.” Greetings went around the ring and more questions were tossed around. But all I was concentrated on was the intent look Lucy was giving me as her eyes landed on me. I dragged my sweater down over my hands, as if my tattoo was visible through the cotton.
“So,” her voice was croaky and hoarse, like she yelled a whole lot and damaged her vocal cords. “You are Major O'Conner's daughter?”
I just nodded, not trusting to use my voice. She offered me a look up and down and made a sound of mocking, almost like she could sense the fact I was jumpy and alarmed of her.
“I think that is all, Father.” Casey cleared his throat, giving his dad a meaningful look. “We should give them some time to get ready for the party.”
Alpha Damien nodded. “Good idea.” Not even needing to raise his voice, Alpha Damien looked towards the rising sun and said, “Meeting dismissed.”
…
I had left my house an hour early, with my dress and products in a bag dangled over my shoulder. Dodging Kellan was not easy, but I told her I was having some stomach issues and without Alice, I’d have to go see the nurse. She wanted to come with me, incase “I was pregnant”, but I reassured her I wasn’t and quickly moved on.
The pack house was exactly how I recalled it, with the white and red marble floors, the giant glass wolf statue standing right in the middle of the winding staircase. The living room where I first met Kellan and Madelyn was to the left, while aromas of cooking food came from the right. The man at the door let me right in, and I wondered if he knew about me and Casey.
I was about to head right upstairs when I noted Lucy staring at the statue. I hiked back a few steps, and cleared my throat. I wasn’t going to let her alarm me again. “It’s stunning, isn’t it?”
Lucy turned to look at me, her sapphire eyes gazing cold into mine. “Yes.” Whirling fully away from the figure, the way she looked me over made me realize she recognized me. “I thought I sniffed… something.”
“I thought you’d be used to the scent of the council by now. Since you live there, and all…” I hoped my voice gave way that I was onto her. She didn’t appear as cleared and genuine as she tried to be.
Lucy leered, shaking her head. “No… I smell…” Her eyes tightened, but as she let the words hang between us, her eyes fixed onto the bag I had slung over my shoulder, packed with everything I needed to get set for the party. “What’s with the bag?”
“I’m here visiting Shanie.” I retorted, allowing the lie to come out straight through my teeth. “We were going to get ready for your party together. Speaking of… shouldn’t you be preparing for that?”
Lucy cut my question, crossing her arms in a way that made me sense I was being interrogated. “So you are close with the Alphas?”
“Just Shanie,” was my instant reaction. I could feel something burning off of her that didn’t quite feel precise. “I mean, Casey and Noah were always sort of my rivals since we were little.”
She grinned at my uneasy rambling. “I caught that somewhere.” Allowing her to do her full body cavity gaze, I waited. I wasn’t going to give her anything to feel arrogant about. When she was finished, she met my eyes again. “You shouldn’t leave your friend waiting.”
“Of course not.” Running up the steps, I could feel her gaze on my back. But in order to track down Casey’s room, I had to overlook that.
I stopped at the top, which provided me with three long, glorious hallways, emerging from each direction. Each had red carpet, with mirrors, vases and pictures coating the gold walls among the doors that appeared every couple metres. Closing my eyes, I emptied my mind, letting my nose take control. It wasn’t easy, but taking deep breaths, I caught onto the scent. All Ravenswoods smelt alike, but when you only hung around with two of them, you started to learn their specific quirks. Shanie, for instance, constantly used coconut shampoo. Casey smelt solid of Playboy cologne and –for some bizarre reason- cherry.
Each hall I passed led me to another. Before long, I thought I was doing well, but I ended up in the game room.
“Figures,” I scoffed to myself. Where else would a teenage boy spend all his time? Besides his room, of course.Spinning around, all I saw was a jumble of hallways. I sighed.
“Hello? Earth to Casey? Any direction?”
I tried, but his mind seemed jammed. His effort at blocking it was dazed, as if he wasn’t aware of it, but it was still- for the time being- firm. With no other choice, I followed some weaker scents that directed me to another tiny stairway of four steps. At the top, to the left, was a solo gold door.
“This is more like it,” I murmured, before bashing on the door.
Casey responded, looking worn-out and running a hand through his chaotic hair. His bed behind him was messed, so he was visibly napping. But what I noted most was how he was shirtless, wearing nothing but pajama pants.
“Took you long enough,” He slurred in a drowsy voice.
I crossed my arms and scowled, regardless of his striking voice. “Well, I got… misplaced. You could have helped me but you were too busy sleeping, clearly.”
Casey slipped passed me and looked around, as if looking for someone. When he saw nothing, he snatched my hand and hauled me inside. I don’t know what I thought Casey Ravenswood, His Highness’s room would look like, but this was not it. There was a double bed across from the doorway, a couch with a TV, and a dresser by the bathroom door. I think I thought it’d be… bigger or fuller or something.
“What?” Casey asked from behind me. I moved away from his body heat and sat on his bed. When I turned around, he was putting on a shirt- sadly.
“So… what is it about these people you needed to tell me in secret?”
His face swiftly turned stern, and he strode forward, getting on his knees so we were face-to-face. Casey’s arms went on either side of me, keeping me there. “These wolves are not from the council doing Alpha Business, like they are trying to assure us.”
I rolled my eyes, “No offense, but ‘duh’. After living there for a few years you start to know a few people.”
Casey groaned, “They aren’t employees of the council. They are Bounty Hunters.”
“Bounty Hunters?” I asked, raising my eyebrows. “As in people who look for criminals?”
“In the werewolf world, Bounty Hunters keep to themselves. They are hired by packs to abduct people.” Casey met my eyes, “The reason Lucy is here is to capture you.”
I opened my mouth, trying to speak, but I couldn’t make words. “Why me?” I finally asked.
His eyes still stayed piercing mine. “If they take you, I can’t become Alpha. That means, if something were to happen to my father before he appointed a beta as Alpha, our pack would, by rule, be-“
“Powerless to exist on their own territory,” I replied, putting the pieces together. On the council, you learned all the procedures. One big one was that if an Alpha didn’t have a mated heir by the time all males turned 18, or a beta appointed as backup, they weren’t able to manage their own land. It’d be taken away, and the pack would most likely be wrecked. “They want our land.”
Casey nodded. When I exhaled an annoyed sigh, he fell back onto the ground, finally done with his demanding mission. “We have to be more cautious than usual. They are trying to find out who you are- who my mate is- and if they find out it’s you… I couldn’t handle that.”
I just dazedly nodded, clutching my bag and heading to his bathroom. When he gave me a confused look, I told him, “I just need some time alone… I’m going to get ready.” As I sealed the door, I yelled, “And don’t even try to come in.”