Chapter 5 - Mari

Standing awkwardly at the entrance to the packhouse, awaiting their arrival, I was all but trembling. Under strict instructions from my father not to mess this up. Yet, I was not entirely sure what it was I was meant to be doing…

I had been excited to have this opportunity to get out of my day to day routine but the threat of being closely monitored and punished for anything that I may do wrong terrified me. I knew I was pathetic. But, all my hopes of fleeing or standing up to my father had gone the moment my wolf was weaker than I expected.

That first day I should have realised when we struggled to shift… he had been giving me wolfsbane somehow… weakening her before she had even arrived… ruining things for me… only contiuing everyday since. Just enough to sedate my wolf enough so I was never able to fight back. Never able to shift. I was vulnerable to him, just the way that he liked. Having to do as he wanted. But, this morning he ordered me to do as I was told, and he would allow my wolf to run free. Truth be told, he knew a strong Alpha may smell the wolfsbane, I was sure of it. But, I was not about to argue. I wanted my wolf to be free. Have that chance to bond with her. I had to do as he asked. I wanted to know what being without the wolfsbane was like.

I gave my head a shake, forcing myself to focus. I was not about to think about the mess I was in right now. I had an even more ruthless man to deal with. And he would be arriving any time. I had had to rush around as it was. Only just managing to shower and dress, making myself look presentable before arriving in time to see Alpha Aaron to be told to meet the guests because apparently, waiting outside in the sunshine is below our pack Alpha. It must be below my own father too, as he had quickly left me, and stalked off to his office, with a warning that if he heard of an issues I would be made to pay. I did not question his threat. I knew the things he was capable of. Today was not a day I was looking forward to. Now there were two men, potentially more I needed to be wary of...

A long line of black SUVs approached the parking area in front of our large packhouse, and began to pull up. It would appear that not only the Alpha of Obsidian Storm Pack had arrived. He had brought half of his men too. I move to walk down the steps of the house to meet them, as a car door slammed near me, making me jump at the sudden loud noise.

“Oh, wonderful. A jumpy little thing." A deep voice broke the silence. "Were we not considered important enough for the Alpha to greet us himself?” A deep voice demanded, taking me by surprise, as I raised my gaze to find the piercing blue eyes of a fearsome looking man stalking toward me. He already looked angry, and I had not even spoken yet. My stomach tightened with nerves. A wave of nausea taking over...

“Erm…” I found myself stuttering, seemingly having lost all ability to talk. “I can on…”

“I don’t particularly want to hear excuses little shadow…” The same deep voice began. Little shadow? I found myself questioning the bizarre name he used for me.

But, before I am able to say a thing someone else talks. “Alpha Carter.” The blonde haired man by his side, with a warmer, and friendlier face interrupted with almost a warning tone. “Good morning, You must be Mari, I believe?”

I smiled awkwardly in their direction, nodding, so unsure of how to respond. I was sent here to greet our guests, and quite honestly the Alpha was far from polite...

“Beta Hudson.” The blonde man offered me his hand, which I quickly shook. “And the lump of happiness by my side, as you may have gathered is Alpha Carter. I do believe your Alpha is expecting us, we plan to stay for a number of days while we work upon the business arrangements.”

This was the same information as I had been given. Though I had not expected quite so many of them, I think, as my eyes drift over the number of people now stepping from the multitude of parked cars now within the parking area and I was unsure if my Alpha had. Did we even have enough space to accomodate them within our packhouse guestrooms?

“Pleased to meet you both.” I said, trying hard to sound confident, but disappointed as my voice betrayed me in the way that it trembled. The way that man’s presence loomed over you was intimidating, of that there was no doubt. And the disgusted way in which he continued to look at me…

“I will take you to meet Alpha Aaron, he is awaiting you arrival…” I started.

“Shame he did not have the decency to do so by meeting us here, instead of using some lowly she-wolf.” Alpha Carter interrupted, giving me yet another dirty glance.

I found myself giving him a glance back, not appreciating the rudeness, but knowing I would never have the courage to disrespect a man of his standing. He could kill me so easily... I simply offer a wry smile, and continue with what I was saying. “As I was saying, I shall take you to meet the Alpha. But I may have to enquire what will be arranged for your men as I do not believe they were expecting quite so many.”

Yet another dark, and repulsed look was thrown in my direction. Seemed I was doing well with impressing this cheerful Alpha. “And you expect me to travel unaccompanied do you, Little Miss Nobody? I do not know how much you aware of how a pack works, but an Alpha travels with an entourage if he wishes to be well protected.”

I glanced across at the Alpha. This man was far from being small. Well over six foot. Muscular. As an Alpha was meant to be. His whole aura was dominant, and that was simply standing here talking to me. I highly doubted he needed an entourage to protect himself. I had to bite my lower lip to stop myself from saying something I may regret. But one thing I did know, this man was beyond rude. “Perhaps you men would like to follow me?”

“Sure she is used to that.” One of the other men within their group piped up from behind them, causing a few chuckles from a number of the men. But a deep roar erupted from further back within the crowd, startling us all. I turned to look back, with wide eyes. A delectable scent hitting me as I did. Only as I do look back, do I see a handsome, dark haired man striding confidently toward us his dark eyes solely focused upon me.

“Alpha, I need to speak to you, please.” The man began, a man I could only assume was one of Obsidian Storm Pack’s warriors going off the way he was dressed. And, from the tantalising, manly scent tickling at my senses, drawing me in, I had a feeling he could well be my fated mate too. But, without my wolf being present it was hard to confirm. Talk about bad timing...