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Misanthropy : a generalised dislike, distrust, disgust, contempt, or hatred of the Human species, Human nature, or society.
He despised humans.
The foul stench invaded his powerful nostrils the moment he stepped from the car.
Tälon, Alpha Théoner's (Thay-on-air's) second in command, scrutinized his leader's exit from the Pack's vehicle...first in confusion and then in alarm, for he did not smell it, Tälon was not affected by the rancid odour as Théoner was.
Only the senses of an Alpha are so highly in-tuned. Alpha wolves are able to detect scents from an extensively wide range, far greater than any other wolf. The olfactory organs of an Alpha male are so acute, that it would not matter if a scent was near or far, an Alpha is able to recognise every scent. From the faintest whiff drifting on a lazy breeze to the reek of a rotting creature nearby, an Alpha can identify it, and the pungent smell currently invading Théoner's nasal passages was strong...there was no doubt in the leader's mind what foul, vile creature it belonged to.
Alpha Théoner stood stock-still alongside his Pack members at the end of the ancient cobblestone drive. Every hair on the leader's body was pricked to attention from the repulsive smell leaching out from the imposing building at his feet. The towering gates stood armoured before them like two giant sentries protecting the contents concealed within.
Heavy stone doors fortified in iron, leered down on the five men who stood before the entrance. Standing at the base of the massive building, one could be easily fooled into thinking that the structure itself was alive, an ominous beast casting a sinister gaze on anyone who should desire to pass.
Théoner's men stood casually enjoying the sun on their backs and the stretch in their legs from their long journey over to the Kingdom...all except for their Alpha.
Alpha Théoner and his Pack, The Reythyra (Ray-thi-ra) Pack, live on the far western borders of the Werewolf Realm, a four day journey away from the Kingdom, the home of the Great Hall, home to The Khurnånnd (Kur-nand) Pack.
The Kingdom was not quite central within the Werewolf Realm, taking residence on the Fortis Mountain range, it lay to the south east of the Realm's borders.
In ancient times, the Werewolf Realm was a singular United state with one leader ruling on high but over the many centuries with the number of wolves growing to excessive numbers, fighting from within grew constant. It was decided that the descendants born from the original wolves, those who carry only the purest of bloodlines, would form their own Packs and so the Werewolf Realm was divided into eleven territories, one for each of the original families to govern.
The Kingdom however, would remain as the ruling state over all the territories within the Realm, this was agreed upon and the Werewolf Realm has lived in peace ever since.
The western lands, where Théoner and his Pack live, are the most picturesque of all the territories. It has the perfect combination of rolling hills, charming little valleys and a beautiful coastline with sections of majestic cliffs...a most desirable and welcoming place to live.
Alpha Théoner is very proud of his ancestral land and ensures its upkeep is maintained by all members of his Pack.
Théoner runs his Pack with a stern but fair fist. He came into the position of Alpha as a young wolf, being bestowed with the title after the death of his father. As he has aged, he has proven himself worthy to become a well respected Alpha, a trusted and an intelligent man with good values, who takes his responsibilities seriously.
His abilities of being a good Pack leader are a tribute to his ancestral bloodlines. As an Alpha, you are given the gift of inheritance, you are born with the tools required to be a leader and to lead a Pack.
But what makes a true Alpha, what sets you apart from the rest, is tribute to your own personal character. Théoner has a quality not all Alphas have...honour. It is not something you inherit and while it can be taught, it's not often learnt. It's a quality found deep within oneself, a rare and admirable trait, and hence why Théoner is not only inherited with the authority to lead, he is also given it freely by his devoutly loyal Pack.
Théoner is a dignified man standing at a height of 6ft 2in with a lean and defined athletic body, not over muscled like some. His sense of humour and style resembles every bit of his youthful and rugged appearance but his face shows signs of an age greater than that of his 32 years. Responsibility, stress and the occasional questioning of the authority of others, have etched their way onto the Alpha's forehead and encircled his eyes, awarding him with a hardened look.
His dark hair and brooding eyes keep the ladies wanting but he's not a ladies man, far from it in fact...he is not the type to take advantage of his power or his position.
Théoner lives a contented life, surrounding himself with the care of his Pack and responsibilities as leader and while he would like to have the company of a female companion, he is sated with the companionship of close friends and watching the joy in the lives of his Pack families.
Théoner always puts the Pack and their needs before himself, he considers it not only his duty but also an honour to do so and coming to the annual council meeting at the Kingdom to boost about how fine a Pack he has, to him, is the greatest joy and honour an Alpha could have.
But he did not find any joy at this moment.
Théoner could feel the weight of his brow furrowing into his darkening eyes. He sensed a threat so menacing, his body responded accordingly as beastly hair began to sprout from his skin.
Muscle and bone preparing to stretch and crack into new shapes...ready to transform.
His lips curled and his mouth watered in response to the threat lingering behind the stone gates. Théoner welcomed his canines lengthening into razor-sharp barbs as black claws extended from the tips of his fingers.
The Alpha's wolf was preparing to surface, to either defend or to attack....
He hoped for the later.
"Alpha Théoner?" Tälon questioned.
Théoner understood why Tälon would query the sudden hostility he was projecting...they weren't expecting any trouble today.
Alpha Théoner's steely gaze was still firmly locked on the impressive gates, sealing the Great Hall while his security team's gaze was still firmly locked onto their Alpha.
The Great Hall was the venue where Alpha Maûrott (Muaw-rot), who was Pack leader, Grand Master and Werewolf King of the Khurnånnd Pack and of all the Werewolf Packs, held an annual council meeting to discuss the safety and general wellbeing of all who reside within the Werewolf Realm.
Since the Packs all lived in peace with each other and if any rogues or disturbances occurred, the individual Alphas and their Packs always resolved any problems before they became a problem. It was never necessary to involve the Grand Master and so for the most part, the annual meetings were just a platform for the Alphas to gloat about themselves and the magnificence of their Packs, the council had no real importance at all, nothing out of the ordinary ever happened, nothing at least to cause a stir and actually have a real meeting!
And so for Tälon to query his leaders appearance the moment he stepped from the car, was an appropriate response and Théoner wouldn't expect anything less from his second in command.
"Human." Théoner sneered, jutting his chin upwards towards the grand entrance of the Great Hall.
It was all the Alpha needed to say for his security team to manoeuvre themselves into position....alert and ready, as he already was.
The Great Hall's doors groaned in resistance, a sign of their age, as they slowly opened. The harrowing creak from the old stone hinges resembled the torturous cries of criminals long past, secured in the dungeons, deep beneath the Hall's foundations.
The tainted air now discernible to all the Pack members.
Low growls rumbled from the warriors within Théoner's group, warriors who lived for the fight, who hunted for the kill and who found asking questions an unnecessary waste of time.
A notion the Alpha often agreed with.
"Wait...please wait!"
A middle aged man pleaded to the group of men positioned steadfast at the steps before the Great Hall as he emerged from within the darkness, behind the monolithic gates. He knew of Théoner and of Théoner's warriors...none were worth trifling with.
Holding his hands out in front of him, a show of pacification, he begged the group.
"Please don't be alarmed, the Human means us no harm..."
His plea was interrupted by Tassarion, Théoner's most experienced warrior, by a growl so fierce and so threatening that Théoner himself couldn't help notice the increase in saliva now dripping off his razor sharp teeth, igniting the primal beast within.
The thought of the Human being ripped and torn to shreds in front of the Alpha's eyes, was such a pleasing thought that it caused a sinister grin to spread across his face.
Even Brinn, Alpha Maûrott's Beta, the middle aged man who asked the group to wait, who was cut off by the menacing noise....visibly jumped, and for a higher ranking wolf, it should not have been possible.
A lower ranking wolf such as Tassarion was, should not have been able to affect wolves of greater rank than he...but his sickening, blood curdling growl affected every creature that drew breath in this world.
"Please Alpha Théoner, I beseech you. There is no need to be alarmed." Brinn swallowed loudly.
"Alpha Maûrott will explain everything when the council convenes." He pleaded, a nervous sweat dripping from his brow.
"Please...come inside, you are all very safe and are all very welcome." Brinn lowered his head in respect and guestured with a wave of his hand towards the iron clad doorway, inviting Alpha Théoner and The Reythyra Pack inside the Great Hall.
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