Fighting Instincts

Chapter Thirteen - Demands of the Alpha

I stood and followed the alpha down the hall. The formal dining was connected to the kitchen and on the other side of the kitchen was a less formal eating space and living room. While the library was on the third floor a lot of the pack house amenities for day to day living was on the second floor. A few others had gathered for food. Probably guards, taking a later lunch break after having someone come to cover. They nodded to Derek who gave a nod back. Like Xena, they also slightly tilted their heads with their nod while Derek did not. Eventually I would ask about it, however, there were more pressing issues.

"Did you find anything out about the man you captured?"

Derek turned, his face giving nothing away but there was a pull of muscle on his face. Well if he didn't want to talk about it here then he should have come to me sooner to discuss it. "No, nothing to use in tracking his partners. A rogue, paid by untraceable means by the leader of the group. He's served his purpose, but we are keeping him to be safe.

A part of me wanted to hide away and cry. A dead end. Useless information to bring us no amount closer to vengence for my parents. I sighed and took a seat next to Anna who was at the island pouring over a book and a steaming cup of green tea. It was the only thing she was known to drink other than water. Anna, as wonderfully intelligent as she was, could zone anyone out. I pulled out the phone Xena had given me and checked for any messages. We were awaiting for any word about the investigation. The officers had called Derek, a fact I only knew because Xena had informed me.

After rummaging around Derek pulled a few dishes out of the fridge and placed them in front of me. “Pick your posion.”

“No thanks, I would rather live,” I joked under my breath. There was a snort beside me. Is it just a little show then? Maybe Anna paid more attention than she let on. Or concidently she was reading something funny.

“No more games Sylvaline.”

“I told you I wasn't hungry,” I replied rolling my eyes. He always seemed so demanding. Manners go a long way Mr. Alpha.

“You're a wolf, you're always hungry. Beside, the rabbit food you eat is not a healthy diet for a wolf.” He unwrapped sliced steak and moved to the microwave.

“Don't you dare reheat that in there unless you intent to dry it out and use it as cardboard.”

I jumped up, grabbing the plate and pulled it into the safety of my arms. I set to work looking for a frying pan, a bit of butter and then started warming the meat properly. Derek leaned against the island and studied me. “So you do know how to cook meat.” I rolled my eyes at his obvious statement.

I noted the bread and the cheese. I diced a pepper and onions. Then I sauteed those with the meat, sprinkled it with some additional seasonings. I added cheese on top to create a version a Philly steak sandwich. I plated it, cut the sandwich in half and handed it to Derek. He peered at it and then me.

“I have a meeting,” he said taking the plate I offered. I began to plate my own. I wasn't hungry, but I needed to choose my battles. I also had to be healthy enough to fight those battles. “Walker will be taking you out tonight. Get what you need to be comfortable here.” Clearly saying please or thank you is a death sentence. I am living with a bunch of barbarians.

Except they weren't exactly barbarians. They had their own society inside social norms. I bit into my sandwich angrily and chewed out of habit. Derek and Zen were not being subtle about integrating me. No, they were very much prepping me to be one of them. I shoveled the food into my mouth so I could get the rest of the day over with. Walker met me in the lobby. He patted the top of my head, a gesture of endearment he showed even Xena who appeared from behind him.

“No offense, but dad doesn't understand what we need. So I am coming along. So is Quinn.”

“Quinn?” I asked, I had heard the name once or twice from Xena. We had yet to meet.

“No,” Walker stated firmly.

“We need him,” Xena said with a pout.

“No, he stays here.”

“You're just upset because he would be on my side,” Xena said with her arms crossed. “I already told him and he's meeting us there. He will already have everything set up so we can be in and out.”

I watched this conversation, my head volleying back and forth like a birdie between the two badminton players. “I will leave you behind,” Walker warned with a low rumble hiding in each of the uttered words.

“That's not fair. Sylva deserves to be treated, you would just go in and buy her a lumberjack outfit and call it quits.”

“I won't be picking things out. Neither will you or Quinn. This is for Sylva.”

I cleared my throat to show them I was in earshot and could hear them perfectly as they decided things for me.

“Syl, tell father you want Quinn to help with your wardrobe.”

“Wardrobe?” I said.

“You can't just keep wearing scrapes,” Xena answered, hands now propped on her hips. “Don't you want a proper closet of clothes?”

“I have clothes at home,” I stated.

“Well, yes, I know that. It might be a bit before you retrieve those. Besidestomorrow is a great chance to dress up a little. You never know who you might meet.”

“Xena,” Walker said sternly, “Sylvaline is not trying to find potential mates. She could wear whatever. Don't worry dear one, this is not a formal event. Some ladies make it more than it is but most just wear something casual.”

He was fully focused on me. Perhaps my face had blanched when I thought about needing to go all out for an event I wasn't prepared for and was still hoping to get out of. “Zen pointed out you're not comfortable with what you are wearing. So we just need to go out and get something you will be more comfortable in.”

“I appreciate it but I don't want to have to owe your pack more than what I already do,” I said carefully.

“Don't worry about it,” Xena interrupted and wrapped her arm around mine to guide me to the door.

“Xena,” Walker grumbled with a tone I had yet to hear from him before. It commanded me to stand still and I felt Xena stiffen beside me. “You will stay here. The alpha has something for you to do and you can cancel whatever you have arranged with Quinn.”

“Daddy please, Sylva doesn't have any friends and you've no sense of fashion. Don't do this,” she was begging and there was unshed tears in her eyes. Clearly she had pouting down to an art. Walker stilled and there was a tightness to his lips. He was faltering, ever so slowly his control was snapping under the pressure of Xena's expression.

“Xena,” a voice rippled through the silence. “Office, now!”

Derek had appeared in the second floor balcony overlooking the lobby before turning and walking where he had come from assuming his orders would be obeyed without question.

“This is so not far,” Xena whined and released my arm. “Make sure you spend every cent you can,” she whispered to my before taking slow steps towards the spiraling stairs.

“Come along Sylva,” Walker said, opening the door like a kind gentleman escorting a lady. “Where do you prefer to shop?”

I stumbled on the thought. I didn't usually do my shopping. My mother and father took care of such things. However, when I did go out the mall was one of my favourite places. A little bit of everything was the way to go.

“Is there a mall nearby? Or a shopping strip?”

He nodded, guiding the way down the few steps and into a Jeep.