Chapter Six: Melissa

Alessia POV:

Fuming out of the Alpha's office, I head towards my lodge. But, I can't find the room the Beta says is now my lodging. The doors are all identical, and I just can't bring myself to go back to that office and seek the Beta's audience in front of that Alpha! 

Everywhere suddenly feels suffocating. My wolf Kaya groan "Shift Alessia, let's go running", she says. 

She is tense and it is affecting me, she wants to take control. My fangs are out and so is my claws. I dig my claws into my palms, as if that will give me control and whisper, "Calm down Kaya. I can't shift, not now, not here". She growl at me and withdraw. Still I feel hot, sweating profusely.

I decide to go to the garden for a breathe of fresh air. And gratefully, the air is indeed fresh. I sit on the garden swing, swinging back and forth, I take off my heels and I can feel the soft stroke, beneath my feet, from the blades of the carefully more garden and in a way it calms me. I notice a sudden movement in the little bush close by. Soft rustling, the movement stops almost immediately it begins. I see a greyish white fur. 

Could that be another Shepherd Wolf.

I thought, walking towards the spot. Suddenly, a wolf spring out on me flooring me flat, baring it's fang at me. It is unusually tall, it's fang longer and eyes glows bright yellow. A werewolf!

"Can you get off me?! You'll make this dress really messy and I have to return it!" I say, somewhat irritated by the rudeness. 

It step back, and I stand up to dust off the dress, but some of the stain from the mud isn't coming off. I try to scrub it out by sprinkling water from the garden fountain when I hear the melodious voice say:

"Forgive my rudeness please".

I look up to see, a gloriously naked, 5'8 inches tall, brown eyes, pointed nose, full lips, slightly chubby and very beautiful looking blonde staring down at me with curious eyes.

"Not a problem. Except the dress!"

"Ohh...I'm so sorry. It's my fault miss"

"Absolutely your fault", I agree, smacking my lips.

"I can have the dry cleaner wash it. That's if you don't mind. It will be as good as new afterwards". She offers, with a doe eyes.

"Of course I don't. Infact, I will really appreciate it". I chuckle.

"Good!" she smiles. "You look new. Are you from around here? she asks.

"Hmm...Not really".

"Ohh..... forgive my thoughtlessness. I'm Melissa. Mel for short", she introduce herself, holding out her hand for a handshake, I which take, in a firm handshake.

"Pleasure meeting you Melissa. I'm Alessia." I say in return, feeling intrigue by her seemingly innocent appearance. There is some unspoken elegance in the way in which she speaks.

"Why in the world are you gloriously naked Mel...?"

A voice interrupt us. One I recognize. Beta Darren.

"Darren..! Do you have to spoil this moment?!" Mel rolls her eyes jokingly.

"Where are your clothes Mel? Do tell me you didn't shift in them?" he asks to my surprise playfully. 

"That's a new tone!"

I thought. 

"Don't nag me please, Darren", she reply, pouting her lips playfully.

Though nakedness is not something new among werewolves. We see those everytime, as we can't shift back and forth in our clothes or else they become shreds. But the nonchalant and unashamed way Mel stands naked in front of Darren, amuses me.

"Do you mind throwing me my shirt please?" she asks, Darren laughing.

"Where is it?" he says.

"Under the large stone beneath the swing", she points at it.

"Here". He throws the shirt at her.

"Are they mates? They get along so well." I thought.

"I see you've both meet", Darren says, finally acknowledging my presence.

"Ohh yes we have. In a quite an unusual way". Mel reply, winking at me smiling.

I smile.

"She's the Alpha's guest Mel. Treat her nicely". He says somewhat sternly.

"Ohh c'mon Darren! You make me look a bad person. I'm usually very nice to pretty girls of course. People of your look Darren do not have my patience". she reply jokingly, zipping up her trousers zipper.

"I had look for you in your room, I couldn't find you. So I decided to check here, since you were intrigued by it earlier." Darren says, directing his gaze to me.

"I lost my way. I couldn't quite figure out which room is mine. The doors look all identical", I reply with a shrug.

"I'm so sorry you lost your way, my lady. Some modifications will be made to make it easier for you. A plague bearing your name will be added."

"Ohh...no. Don't take the trouble. I'll get use to it. I'll just try take full note of it's direction this time for sure."

"You're staying in the Alpha's Mansion?!" Mel interrupts.

"Yes!" I respond.

"Why? Who are you? An Emissary?" she asks again, curiously.

"Oh...No. I'm just Alessia. And yes, it's just a temporary arrangement. Until my case is settled of course". Turning my gaze to Darren for support.

He nods in support, and he says:

" I'll see you to your room if you don't mind". 

"Of course." I reply. 

"Can I come along?" Mel asks with that innocent look which almost made me 

laugh. A look of a child asking for a bar of candy.

"Sure!" I reply gingerly.

"At least, here is someone apart from Darren that I now know in this maze!"

We all walk back towards the room. With Mel being the chatty Cathy and a quiet Darren trying to keep up with the conversation at her pace, his eyes glowing. I feel a connection between them. 

"Could they be mate?"

I look at Mel through her low cut shirt, but I still can't find the mark. The mark that she's mated.She didn't have and neither did Darren!

I can hear their heartbeats. Mel's is steady and bubbling with life. Darren's is beating unusually very fast. And there are few things that could make a werewolf's heart beat at that rate. Maybe his wolf is tense? He's struggling for control? He's lying? Or he's extremely worried about something!

On getting to my room, Mel springs on the bed joyfully.

"Manners Mel", Darren says, eyeing her sternly.

"C'mon Darren I'm sure Alessia won't mind". She retort, looking my way.

"Of course not. Feel at home" I reply, rather awkwardly.

"Alright Ladies. I'll leave you two now then.; Mel please help Alessia get to know everything about the park please. I have some really urgent matters to attend to," says Darren, excusing himself.

"All my pleasure Old boy". Mel reply, winking at him.

"And don't forget the Alpha's procession is in three days. You're in charge of leading the warriors Mel."

"I have that noted on my calendar Darren so quit worrying," she tease.

Darren walks out of the room. And despite that, I can still hear his heartbeats clearly, as if I have my ears on his chest.

I walk into the dress room to clean up and take off the dress,while Mel roll lazily around on the spring mattress.

"What an Alpha's procession like here?" I ask curiously.

" It's a meeting of respected Alphas, the rarest of all Alpha's in honor of one refer too as the Lycan. For now Derek holds that rank."

"Derek? That name sound really familiar".

"You've never attended an Alpha's procession?" she asks, cutting into my thoughts.

"Yeah....I did. Once, that was long ago though. I was just a little girl. Though I've watched Sentinels lead the procession in my park".

"Your park? What's the name of your park?"

"The Waterwoods Pack". 

"Led by Alpha Daniel of the West?"

"Yes." I reply in a small voice.

"Ohh dear! I'm so sorry. I heard what happened to your Park."

"No it's fine. It's totally fine".

Just then a knock comes on the door.

"Yes. Come in!" Mel snaps.

An attendant comes in with the message:

"The Alpha request your presence lady Alessia."