Chapter 5

~Rielle

He was upon me in an instant. His eyes glowed with an otherworldly light and they bore into my chest. He placed a calloused hand over my heart, the stench of blood still clinging to him. His palm was hot, sending waves of heat right to my core.

My chest suddenly felt like it was on fire and the heat spread out, engulfing me. It did not physically hurt yet something innate began to burn. I watched as the Alpha pulled on something until it was taut. Then he yanked on it and the snap that came after reverberated throughout my entire body.

He let me go but he kept studying me.

"Where did he mark you?" He asked.

I flushed before I reluctantly pulled down my bodice to show him a now fading bite mark.

His face hardened but it was gone so fast that if I had blinked, I would have missed it. The expression was replaced by cold indifference as he said, "It will be gone before we reach our destination."

He sat back down opposite me and looked away. He consumed too much space, it was not just his broad shoulders or build, it was his aura. He was not intimidating, he was intimidation.

"What will you do to them?" I asked.

He knew who I was asking about. A muscle ticked in his jaw and his red eyes glowed briefly. His wrath was poorly veiled. "In all due time, princess." Was all he said.

"Who were those men?" I asked.

The silence stretched so long, I thought he wouldn't answer.

"Shadowfang forces," he said.

The Shadowfang pack had had bad blood with the other two Triad Packs for as long as I could remember. I just hadn't imagined that it would reach as far as to ambush each other in the woods.

The smell of smoke had signified that the now dead men had camped out for the ambush. The Triad Packs used to be united until the time the Lunas of both the Scarletmoon and Crimsonclaw packs were killed in a single week. The Triad Packs were known for being discreet but it had been rumoured that the Lunas murders had been ordered by the Shadowfang pack Alpha.

That was before Raphael became the Alpha which would mean that if the speculations were true, that would mean his mother was killed by the same pack who attacked us today.

"Don't look at me like that," His tone was sharp.

"Like what?"

"I don't need your pity." He said.

I pursed my lips. I had not known that my emotions were so plain on my face.

"I am sorry," the words spilled out before I could stop them.

He finally turned to me, his red eyes darkened to scarlet. "Don't…"

I didn't mean to… I shouldn't have...I am…"

"Sorry?" He completed for me.

I flushed with embarrassment. The silence that enveloped us was charged.

"May I ask a question?"

He raised a brow.

"Why is any of this happening? Why me? Where are we going?"

"I know you are brimming with questions but I am in no place to answer."

I blinked. "Who will answer my questions?"

"The ones we are to meet."

"Who?"

He turned to face me squarely. He gave me a look that said he would not answer further questions.

I took a deep breath and leaned into the seat. Despite his attitude, he had saved my life and that best I could do was trust him. I had nowhere to go. Jameson and his family would stop at nothing to be rid of me. I would do well to leave the pack as a whole. I had no place there. But an inkling of something continued to gnaw at me. Why else would the red-eyed lycan be here with me?

*****

After two more days before we reached civilization. The Alpha stayed out with his men and rode on horseback. As they entered, the people ceased what they were doing and made way. Men bowed in respect but Raphael kept his eyes forward, his eyes grim. Young ladies blushed and children looked up in awe.

One of the Alpha's men took a ladies handkerchief and winked at her. Another remove his ring and gave it to a little boy. All the while the Alpha kept his eye on something in the distance.

We reached the Alpha's castle and I could not help but stare in awe at the magnificent building. Jameson's castle was a hut compared to what Iaid ahead. The carriage stopped and the door was opened by a well dressed old man. He reached out a hand for me to take. I tentatively placed my hand in his and he led me out of the carriage. The Alpha was right in front of us and as he walked we followed, the rest of his men behind us.

The castle's interior was as opulent as the exterior. If it was not for the anticipation at what was to come, I would have been tempted to look around. The halls were large as we continued to walk. We walked up stairs with rails made of gold.

We were lead to large ornate doors that gleamed in the morning light. The door was guarded by men who stood at attention. What awaited us was a throne room that put Jameson's to shame. On the dais was a throne made of gold and on it sat the Alpha of the pack. I knew him from the portraits, I had seen of him in the past. He had a scar over an eye that was now coloured gray unlike the other eye's sapphire blue.

Beside him were his sons. My heart sped up into a gallop as we walked in and the large doors were closed behind us. Raphael turned to me, and took my hand. We walked forward together to the front of dais. Alpha Lucas' eyes were on me, intense and curious.

"You are welcome to Scarletmoon pack." His voice was filled with authority that I felt it resonate in my bones.

I knelt down. "Thank you for your hospitality, Alpha." I replied with my eyes to the ground.

He said nothing but I heard him get up from the throne and he walked down the dais. Had I said something wrong? Fear seized me with it's cold fingers.

Soon, he was in front of me.

"Rise," He said.

I complied but my eyes were still glued to the ground.

"Raise your eyes," He said.

I did as he said and I was shocked to see his expression had become soft. "You look just like her."

I had not yet processed his words when the Alpha pulled me into an embrace. He kissed my head and whispered against it. "Welcome back home, my dear daughter."