ROWAN.
“Please,” I say as I turn towards the mansion’s entrance. “You must have had a long trip. Simone here will lead you to your rooms to freshen up.”
“Thank you,” one of them says, the tall, blonde one, Maxwell, I think. “We will do that.”
“You sure have made this place your own, even if you didn’t build it,” the shortest one says. Sven.
“Did you build yours?” I ask.
Contrary to popular belief, most territorial packs were not built. In fact, long before we had become more civilized, our predecessors had fought physical combat for the right to retain land.
Once the other was dead, the land was yours, well until another one rose to challenge you for it
So, none actually built their pack, it was won and claimed by blood.
“Yo-”
“We were just following the old traditions, that is all,” I continue. “If you have a problem with that, you can take it up with your ancestors, not me.”
“Damn, Sven, the last one murmurs quietly. “I think she just owned your ass.”
“Oh, piss off you.”
I see Viktor send me a proud grin before I turn away and gesture for Simone to show them their way.
I turn and head towards my study and I only become aware a few seconds later, of the footsteps that echo behind me.
“Viktor,” I say as I turn to look at him. “You are supposed to go with them to your room.
“The room can wait,” he replies. “I wanted to see you.”
“You saw me two days ago.”
“And that is way too long for me. I want to see you everyday.”
“Pity, you can’t.”
“Hmm, we will see. I also followed because I wanted to thank you.”
“Thank me? For what?”
“For listening. For giving me… this… alliance a try.”
“Luke you had said, we have no other choice. It was either extend our hand for help or get massacred by the Obsidian pack and its cohorts. I only did what was best for my people.”
“Still, the fact that you were willing to put aside your fears, pride, and opinions still speak volumes of you. Thank you.”
“Hmm. If you insist, you are welcome.”
“Hmm, also, if there is anything I can help you with, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Well, since you have mentioned it,” I say as I turn and begin heading to my study. “You can start by telling me about them. The Alphas. Who are they? What are their likes? Dislikes? Enemies? Those sort of things.”
“Hmm, that I can do,” he says as we walk into the room and he begins with a background of each of them.
“… Basically be firm with them,” he adds before taking a gulp from the glass of whisky in front of him. “Don’t prevocate. They respect the bold and the brave, not cowardly simpering. Be honest with them, even Sven. You made a good show today in not being vowed by his remarks. It tells them that you are not going to take any nonsense just because you need help. But don’t be too arrogant. You do still need their help. Don’t hide the ugly facts. About how you came to be. Some truth should give them some perspective, and if we are lucky, they might implement some changes on their side too.”
We.
That has to be like the eighth time he has mentioned it since we started this conversation.
We
Not you, not they, we.
He really does see himself as just as involved as we are.
Makes me wonder what other threads he had pulled on to make this happen.
Just how far did he go for me to get this alliance.
He is different from Dominik, that much is pretty clear
Controlled.
Calm.
Logical
Honorable.
Kind
Character traits that you would never see in Dominik’s dictionary.
So why?
Why won’t I just open my mouth and tell him I forgive him?
What is stopping me?
“Your pride,” my wolf speaks up and surprise is the least emotion I feel.
“Oh, so you remember you have a human now, do you?” I retort but as expected she makes no reply
How I managed to get shucked up with the most infuriating wolf in the universe is beyond me.
But she does have a point.
It is pride that is stopping me from taking his hand.
Funny, there was a time I was the most humble
Where did this queen sized pride come from?
“If that is all, I think I will go take that shower now?” He says as he gets to his feet, effectively bringing my thoughts to a screeching halt.
“Oh,” I say as I stand too, glancing out the window and seeing that it is already twilight. “Where did the time go?” I murmur to myself
“I am wondering that too, but time tends to fly away whenever I am with you,” he remarks as he gazes into my eyes.
“Hmm, right. Well, I won’t hold you back,” I say and I watch as he heads towards the door, only for it to slam open on its own.
“Louis!” Jhnelle screams as she latches onto his leg. “You are back. What do you keep leaving?”
“Because I have adult things to do,” he replies
“Jhnelle,” I groan as I walk towards them. “Didn’t I say you should stay with your teachers?”
“Yes, but I wanted to see Louis, before he left again.”
“Now, now,” he says as he picks her up. “You need to obey your mother, okay. She is only doing this for your sake.”
“I know,” she replies with a pout. “I just miss you very much.”
“I miss you too, my little wolf,” he says as he pecks on the hair.
At that moment, a knock sounds at the door.
“Come in,” I call out and one of the wolves walk in.
“Guia,” he says with a small bow. “The dinner is ready.”