For The Love of An Alpha

Spiralling

Henri walked into his office, a smile on his face. It wasn't a large smile, but it was obvious he was happy. His eyes were bright as he sat behind the desk in the center of the room. The leather chair squeaked as her leaned back, looking down he realized he forgot to put on shoes. He chuckled to himself, shaking his head. She's going to be the end of me. Henri thought to himself. 

End of us. His wolf chimed in from the recesses of his mind. Henri smiled at his statement, just as the two men he trusted most walked in the room.

"Hey boss." Sebastian came in wagging his eyebrows at Henri.

Henri rolled his eyes at the tall man, watching as Eli came in with a book in his hand. He examined the old leather tomb carefully and then cleared his throat.

"Hey," Eli said without lifting his head. He walked over and took a seat on the couch that was to his right. The wall behind the couch had bookshelves built into it, making easy access to any of Henri's favorite books. 

"Eli, what is that?" He pointed to the book in his hands.

"Lunar Codex." Eli stated plainly as he turned the page.

"Seriously, can't you..." Sebastian was interrupted by a rude and abrupt first finger that came up from Eli. He mouthed a few words and then closed the book.

"Ok," he looked around the room, "what's up?"

Henri gave a slow sigh and then began to address the men before him. "We need to increase border patrols."

"Already done." Sebastian commented, "All patrols are in threes now, all teams are preassigned."

"Perfect. We need to get things ready for a Luna ceremony."

"I knew it!" Sebastian jumped from his seat, pointing at Henri. The trio had been best friends for years, their quirks became strengths as they learned to work off each other.

"Wait a minute, can we please discuss this?" Eli set the book beside him as he stood up.

"What's to talk about?" Sebastian was getting excited, "He found his mate, that makes her a Luna! This is awesome!"

"No, this is dangerous." Eli was trying to be the voice of reason, "She's going to put a target on the pack."

"Stop," Henri was speaking calmly, "she's not going to put a target on us that isn't already there."

"You're wrong!" Eli was becoming more elaborate in his mannerisms, as his adrenaline began to rise, "She's a threat to the pack. You saw what she did!"

"That was bad ass too!" Sebastian said with a clap of his hands.

"No! That was a sign." Eli picked up his book and quickly turned pages. "She's the Guardian." He slammed the book down on the desk, turning it to face Henri. The Lunar Prophecy displayed for all to read.

"That's some bogus prophecy." Sebastian continued to defend the woman. He was ready for another strong wolf in the pack.

"Henri, I don't trust her."

"Eli," Henri stood from his seat, placing a hand on the book, "I appreciate you passion and your knowledge, but she is my mate and I will not deny her. She will be your Luna."

Silence filled the room as his words set in to both of them.

"Henri," 

"I said," Henri's alpha tone hinted his agitation, "she will be your Luna. I will mark her and claim her!"

Eli's shoulder's slumped in defeat, he stared at the desk and the codex that sat upon. "When?"

"What?" Henri's confusion apparent.

"When will you mark you?" Eli reiterated, "How long do I have until I have no choice?" His eyes came up to look at his alpha. 

"The next full moon. I want the ceremony ready." Henri met Eli's gaze and watched as he nodded in acknowledgment.

Eli grabbed the book from the desk. "Is there anything else, Alpha?" He tried to be as respectful as possible, but he was struggling with Henri pulling the Alpha tone on him. This was serious and he was determined to get Henri to understand how unsafe she really is.

"Eli," Henri started then read the expression on his face. "I need you at my side at the ceremony. You're my Beta, my right hand. I need you to be ready to protect her."

"From who, herself?" Eli's words came out before he could stop them, the tone was horrible and Eli regretted them the minute he said them. "I'm sorry, I.."

"That'll be all Eli." Henri moved from behind his desk and set to walkout. "Sebastian, I'll join you on your next patrol."

"Yes, Alpha." Sebastian replied as Henri turned to him. 

Henri nodded a response and then walked out of his office, leaving his Beta and Delta behind. He wanted to check on his mate, he felt like he had been away from her for too long already.

Sebastian looked at Eli and shook his head. "Really?"

"Sorry, I'm an idiot."

"No, you're passionate, which is why Henri wants you as Beta. But dude! That's his mate!" Sebastian was trying to level with Eli. The pair were always keeping the other in check. 

"I know, I just don't trust her." Eli rubbed his short hair, "A wolf shouldn't wield magic, it's not possible."

"I get it, but she's special." Sebastian clasped Eli's shoulder, "Have you seen him smile since Theresa passed?"

"You got a point." Eli looked at Sebastian, "We said it would take something powerful to make him smile again."

"I'm just happy to see him out of the garage for a change." Sebastian smiled, "Maybe he'll even join us for dinner."

"Not likely." Eli smirked, "If it's anything like when you found Asia, we aren't going to see him again for a week."

The pair were back to normal and joking about the situation. Eli made a point that he would make it up to Henri by trying to get to know his mate. He also decided it would be best to educate himself on the threat that was coming, because convincing the Alpha to not keep his mate wasn't going to happen.

Henri opened the door to his apartment and looked around. The sun was setting and the rooms were filled with the setting sun's dim light. He shut the door and walked back down the hall, his bedroom door was open. Looking inside, the room was empty. A towel hung on the door knob to the bathroom, but that room was empty as well. Henri relaxed and began to search for the scent of the woman he longed for. The tart smell of warm carnations began to fill his nostrils, with subtle hints of cinnamon. He smiled as he walked out of the room, following the soft fragrance down the hall and up the stairs. Turning the corner of the landing, the fragrance became stronger as a soft breeze from upstairs came toward him. A smile formed upon his face as he closed his eyes, breathing in deeply. He quickly took the rest of the stairs two at a time, his pulse quickening and the hunger to hold her in his arms coming over him. 

He reached the top and looked about the large library. It was two story, going up to the fourth floor, where the entrance from the pack house was. The center was wide open and the railings for the second floor lined the edge of the ceiling. He made a note that the library was empty, as he moved quickly to follow the scent. He moved to the staircase that took him upstairs, moving quickly with his feet making soft noises on the wood floor. He reached the top and made a sharp turn to the right, almost running down the walkway. His fingertips skimmed across the banister at his left as he passed row after row of bookcases. At the end of the aisle, in an over-sized beige chair he saw his desire. She sat wearing one of his t-shirts, her bare legs were thrown over the side of the chair and her back against the other arm of the chair. Her right hand held her head up as the elbow rested against the back of the chair.

Henri smiled as he watched her from a distance, taking in the beauty she radiated in the dimming light. He watched her feet bounce as she seemed to read to the beat in her head. She was relaxed, at ease. This was how he wanted to always see her, calm and at peace. He took the risk of disturbing her, the desire to hold her in his arms growing from just watching her. He cleared his throat softly and approached. He watched as her head lifted from her hand and she moved her hand to hold her place in the book she was reading. A soft smile forming on her face as her gray eyes met his. 

"You look comfortable." Henri said as he came to side of the chair where her feet hung over.

"I'm tired." She said it groggily, Henri wasn't sure if she was reading when he walked over or dozing in the chair.

"Want to come to bed?" Henri asked as he began to massage her foot.

"Hmmmmm..." she moaned softly as she absorbed the warmth of his hands on her cool feet. 

"Sure." She went to move and Henri stopped her.

He walked around to the front of the chair and scooped her into his arms, her head resting against his chest.

"I need to put my book back." Jhera said softly, her voice already giving sounds of exhaustion.

"Bring it back when you're done with it." Henri smiled, kissing her lips softly. 

Jhera smiled and rested her head against his chest, pulling the book close to her chest. Henri made a note of her love for reading and how she cared for books. He smiled to himself as he thought about his cousin, Eli. How he probably didn't like her because he saw himself in her. He almost chuckled out loud, but thought better of it. He would do anything to not disturb his sleeping princess. He walked slowly and carefully, trying his best to not bounce as much as he could. He was nearly to the stairway, when the door at the end of the aisle opened.

Eli walked in and regarded the pair carefully, walking over to the stars down to the alpha's apartment. He gave a small smile to Henri, as he removed the stopper that blocked the doorway open. He stood there, holding the door for his Alpha and Luna.

Henri mouthed a thank you to Eli, who responded with a smile and a nod. Henri saw Eli's glance to the book that Jhera was holding tight against her breast, a look of astonishment mixed with respect appearing in his eyes. Henri walked through the threshold into the stairway down to his apartment, soft moans could be heard from his charge as he took each step. When he arrived at the bottom Jhera stirred lightly.

"Did you bring food with you?" She half mumbled, causing Henri to smile.

"I wanted to check on you first." He spoke softly to her. "What would you like? I can get it for you."

He had reached the bedroom and was trying to figure out how to pull down the covers and lay her in bed at the same time.

"Anything?" Jhera looked up at the man that had stolen her soul.

"Anything." He smiled to her, the innocence in her voice stole his heart away. He could feel his wolf wanting to do anything for this gorgeous woman he would call him own.

"Pizza?"

Henri smiled, prepared for some outrageous request. "Absolutely." He sat her on the bed and knelt down to be the same level as her, "What do you want on it, my queen?" Henri took her hands in his own and kissed the back of them.

Jhera's smile was genuine and she felt Scarlet dancing around at the gestures he was presenting. "Sausage, Mushroom and Olive?" She smiled at the look on Henri's face as he processed the request.

"I'll return with food for you, my love." He kissed her hands one more time, then rose to his feet and kissed her lips softly. "Wait here for me?"

Jhera nodded slowly, pulling the book she had been reading to her chest. A soft smile formed on her lips as she took in the amazing alpha that doted on her. She still wasn't sure if she wanted to be with a pack, but she knew she wanted to be with him. She started to realize how much she missed having a home, a place that was safe. The realization crested in her mind, she was tired of running. 

She looked down at the leather bound book she had brought with her. The Edict of The Eclipse held tight in her hands. Thoughts of the devourer and the things it spoke of swirling through her head.

She laid back on the bed, resting on the pillow that smelled strong of the Henri's scent. She let her mind wonder and listened as Scarlet spoke to her, trying to guide her in revelations, but neither of them understood the devourer, or the Crescent Love. She determined that when Henri returned with food she would ask him. She yawned loudly and stretched, waiting for his return she flipped open to the page she was on. Before she finished the page she was asleep.

Henri heard her softly mumbling in her sleep as he entered the apartment. A large pizza in his arms, with fresh chocolate chip cookies from the amazing Asia. He walked into the bedroom and debated if he should wake her or not, thankfully she made the decision easy. Watching on, Henri took note of how she stretched and her body looked long and elegant when she did. Her eyes were drowsy, but they were hungry, for him or the pizza he wasn't sure.

"Can you please bring that deliciousness over here?" She spoke up from her spot on the bed as she sat up.

"Me or the food?" He smiled as he walked over.

"Both!" Jhera said, kneeling on the bed and pulling him into a kiss before he sat down.

"In that case, a delivery, My Lady." He smiled to her, his blue eyes dancing, "Sausage, Mushroom and Olives pizza, and for dessert we have Fresh Chocolate Chip Cookies." He leaned closer to her, "The soft and gooey kind." He winked at her and watched her cheeks turn a light pink.

Jhera didn't wait for him to put the food on a plate, she quickly grabbed a slice and took the biggest bite she could muster. The moans that came from her throat made Henri's eyes widen. 

"So I have to be a pizza to get you to make those noises?" Henri grabbed a slice from the board.

Jhera smiled and half shrugged to him. They both started to laugh as their conversations turned to silly banter. Henri talked about some of the antics from when he was a kid. Jhera told stories of the towns she had lived in and her time in the North. 

When the pizza was gone and the cookies were down to crumbs, they both turned in. Henri laid down first, pulling Jhera as close to him as he could. She shifted so she could bury her nose in his chest, taking in his scent as she started to drift off. Henri tilted his head down and kissed her forehead.

"I'm glad you made it here." Henri whispered.

"I'm glad I found you." Jhera spoke softly, barely audible, "I'm glad I found home." She drifted off as Henri absorbed what she said.

Home, she thinks we're her home! Henri's wolf pranced around with excitement, his chest puffed out with pride.

I know. We have to be careful to not push her away. Henri spoke back to his wolf.

There was a pause between the two, then they both spoke their realization, Eli.

They couldn't shield her from his beta, but they didn't want to have to play goaltender either. Maybe she was stronger then they thought and she could handle it, but did they want to risk it? These thoughts plagued Henri as he drifted off to sleep.

Little did he know that his precious charges sleep was overtaken by thoughts of the devourer and the things to come. She was plagued with the drive to protect him and would do anything to save him. Nightmares of the pack hating her and casting her out, sending her away crept into her dreams, filling her heart with dread. By the time morning would come, fear will have set in and Scarlet was doing everything she could to mitigate that energy that was toiling around her mind.