Fairytale - A Blue Lake Falls Novel

Chapter Two

"Mackensie Edward Lucian Hunter you get here this instant or I shall not be blamed for the consequences young man!!" As the last of the dishes were placed on the dining table Rose, the chef for tonight shouted up the stairs to the Boss. Mackensie sighed as he made his way down the 3 flights of stairs to the kitchen, his kitchen he corrected himself. Rose was the only one he allowed to have full use of his name and the use of his kitchen when she and her family visited, she had raised him after all right from the start and when she used his full name he knew to comply and quickly. One glance at the table had Mackensie’s mouth watering, he didn't realise he was that hungry until now.

"This is absolutely unacceptable, no, there simply isn't enough food!" Mackensie smirked at Rose,

"Oh you wicked boy. You know how to tease. Now take a seat and dig in with the rest of them" motioning towards the table in the dining room.

Mackensie eyed the chairs that were left with tactical surveillance wondering which one would give him the biggest chance at getting the most food. "Sit there, Now!" Roman boomed in his head as Mackensie sauntered over to the head of the table. "Oh so you're awake then" he replied.

"Only when Rose cooks for us. Now, let's eat". Mackensie noticed how Rose placed the majority of the meat in the middle of the table but left a huge chicken right in front of where he sat, prepared just the way he liked it. Sweet chilli sauce with 2 cans of Dr Pepper cooked to perfection in a slow-cooker forming a sticky sweet glaze which coats the skin and leaves the meat falling off the bone, framed with the crispiest roast potatoes baked in fine olive oil and a good helping of rock salt placed around the edge so they soaked in what oozed from the chicken. If s*x was on a plate this was it he thought to himself, Roman agreed completely as he took over reaching with force for the whole plate and sliding it with a deep growl of satisfaction towards his place setting.

"Better eat up everyone and start conserving your strength for the next 3 weeks, by Goddess let's pray it is a good one" Rose advised as she sat down at the table, "Especially if you want to make sure you're in top form for The Hunt this year".

"s**t!" Mackensie slammed his fist down on the table earning himself a cold stare from Rose and surprised reactions from the rest of his dinner guests.

"Surely you remembered? It starts in two days and will last for the full three weeks just like every year before it and the years after. I assumed because you were still here that you've decided to take part this year. Mackensie, Mama Rose wants her grand babies my boy or have you forgotten Roman’s promise? Hmm".

"s**t!" He had forgotten.

Every year for five weeks he leaves his pack and his responsibilities behind for a full tour of his lands towards the border. He is the Northern King, the Alpha, the Big Bad Wolf of Canada. However, when he took the position he earned and rightfully deserved he made it so that he would never take part in The Hunt. The Hunt consisted of three weeks of pure unchecked lust among all wolves across all packs of the world where the Moon Goddess herself, Selene, heightened the senses of Her wolves so they could find their soulmate, bonded for all eternity.

During this time wolves have the freedom to cross territories and oceans in search of their other halves without fear of being labelled a dark wolf and a trespasser thus getting themselves killed on sight before their search had even begun.

Most mated wolves used this time to take a holiday and live amongst the human world and enjoy some quality time with their families, the young unmated wolves however cannot ignore the strong pull to find their missing piece and spend as much time as they can visiting other packs and various tourist spots around the globe. The majority of families in the Hunter Pack travelled south to where their Alpha owned hotels in the Caribbean which they could stay at for free, just one of the perks of being within the Kings pack, Mackensie regretfully had left it too late this year.

Whilst everyone resumed their dinner Mackensie glanced around the table at his friends who he called family. There were 7 people in total this evening which included himself, Rose, her husband Ronald and their two 10 year old twin daughters, Anna and Emily and his best friend Channing sitting alongside his father and the Alphas Beta, Marcus. This was his family, they knew him the most and why he always left at this time. He left the running of the pack and territories to Marcus whilst he secluded himself alone to avoid the one thing he dreaded most of all, to be mated. Marcus was able to remain here as his wife, Channing’s mother sadly passed away 5 years ago so he was immune to The Hunt but Mackensie was not. He ruled with an iron fist but was fair and just to all who lived on his land, he was often referred to as the King of Mercy.

Nestled across the Canadian/American border the Hunter Pack covered the whole top half of Ontario. The home of the King came with a lot of perks, other than owning major hospitality businesses across the world pack members also created large towns and villages throughout their territory which not only encouraged human holiday makers to visit but they were also able to conserve the nature around them something that Mackensie took great interest in. If their pack was going to live here then they had to respect the land and what it provided them with. There were many humans living unaware of the wolves around them and Mackensie made sure every member kept it that way. He took a special interest in helping any human who wanted to open a business in a town predominantly occupied with wolves because he wanted to assure not just their safety but their businesses success on the off chance they became wolf aware and that everyone deserves a chance to succeed in life. He knew how cruel the banks could be to someone starting out and if he had the ability to help those less fortunate he would. He would always listen and act accordingly to the best of his abilities when it came to duties across the packs, mostly involving trivial disagreements about fence borders. The whole of Canada was under his rule as King however he was only Alpha to his own pack. The remaining packs had their own hierarchy of sub Alphas and Betas to which they reported to Mackensie should it be needed in-between their quarterly Alpha meetings where a run through of each packs develops, problems and solutions were discussed. As much as he had grown accustomed to the nickname he couldn't turn his back on his other side, the side where he showed just how ruthless and calculating he could be when it called for it. However much he was fair to those under him he wouldn't flinch at slitting someone's throat or ripping them apart should the need occur or even erasing whole communities of supernatural beings. This paved the way for his other name to be started, one used to scare little children into running home after curfew or those who would harm others for their own selfish intent, the name Mackensie preferred, Hades. He had once overheard a mother use it on her teenage children after they were caught messing around on the edge of their territory by the packs patrolling warriors. They hadn't believed her but later that night when he took his shift circling a section of woods he spotted them making their way towards the town where a lot of humans lived and decided to add some spice to this tale. He started running towards them only to change direction at the last minute, the ground rumbled from his heavy steps alerting the pair to his presence. He remembered how he had heard their pulses quicken as their eyes darted around trying to peer through the darkness of the night. When they were brave enough to carry on towards their destination he had jumped down from a tree behind them on all fours, the lads had fallen straight on their asses earning them a light chuckle from Roman. Once he had their attention he knew how to get them running back to their mother with tails between their legs. He had slowly stood up until he was at full height on his two large legs, taking one pace forward bringing it down for added effect causing another pulse of movement through the ground. He brought his head level to the pair of terrified faces staring blankly back at him, bringing it forward into the moonlight, showing the side of his face he usually kept hidden from everyone but his family as he watched the colour drain from their faces and uttered one word, "Boo". He had never seen such speed in a teenage puppy before, his deep laughter boomed into the night making sure it followed the lads home, he had become who they feared him to be. Hades was who the folklores were written about, Hades was the stuff nightmares were made of, fictional fairy tales passed down through generations, Hades became legendary. 

The world of supernatural beings and creatures or supers as they liked to be known was complicated but everyone kept themselves to their own kind, only mixing when they entered a neutral zone where no harm is to be caused to any who visit including dark wolves who were packless. This allowed for a calm and peaceful supernatural world with little human interaction and interference allowing different species to operate their own businesses and politics although during The Hunt if a werewolf found his mate and they were of a different species as long as they were fully mated by the time The Hunt ended they were allowed to remain together. Once mated you become one with them, you can see deep into each other. From your dreams and wishes your mind creates to the passions within your heart, they complete you wholly. However all the leaders of the other species knew of Mackensie or at least had heard of Hades and were silently impressed by his work to maintain his peaceful kingdom. Often visiting during these few weeks of freedom to relax in the North of Canada surrounded by beautiful scenery and hospitality. Especially the vampires, they loved nothing more than just the cold mused Mackensie. Another reason he had to find a way to leave and by tomorrow, female vampires lusted after the Alpha males of any species due to their ability to perform certain activities in the bedroom and Alpha Wolves were their sugar on top of the sweetest fruit. 

"I leave first thing tomorrow. I'll return once it’s over, as usual you have control Marcus whilst I'm gone". 

"No problem Son, consider it done. However are you sure you want to leave?" he asked tentatively. 

"Dad just leave it, you know Mac never wants a mate" explained Channing sighing into his dinner which was cooked to perfection as always. 

"We want another sister Mac, please! I ask you every year". 

"Don't sulk Emily, if Mackensie says No. He means, No. Now eat up because it’s almost bedtime for you two" said Rose waving her fork from one daughter to the other. 

"I'll go down to the border as usual and make sure it holds between us and the Americans. I'll check the environment whilst I'm at it. I've heard the deer stock are decreasing ahead of schedule and the matter needs looking into" he replied, adding more gruff to his voice and with that the end to the conversation of Mackensie joining this year was closed, allowing for a more lighter conversation to take its place until the meal ended. 

…

"Do you want me to come with you?" Channing asked whilst reclining on a lounger by the fire pit outside. He always loved this house and its views, endless tall, dark green alpine trees with each breeze drifting their heavenly winter scent to his nose. He inhaled before he spoke again,

"I would love to see what the South has to offer. The Canadian women bore me during this time, I need to find someone with a little spark in them. Like this fire pit here!" he says whilst adding more logs to keep the flames from dying out.

After dinner the Men retired to the deck outside and lit the fire pit, warding off the impending frost. The night was calm and silent apart from the bugs and night animals making their way around the forest. Occasionally a howl would sound off in the distance, starting a chain reaction around the pack but they were howls of joy and happiness and nothing for Mackensie to be concerned about. 

"Mac my boy, I'll take good care of the Hunters whilst you're gone. Believe it or not I've had these plans laid out for weeks ahead of The Hunt. Just in case you know. So you can leave tomorrow at your leisure." 

"Thanks Marcus, I appreciate your help." 

" What’s a Beta for eh!?" Marcus knew Mackensie needed this time away so was ready to step in and be as helpful as he could be during The Hunt. He knew what happened last time Mackensie attempted to find a mate. It pained him to see how it continued to affect his adopted sons future. 

"As for you Son, are you staying here or going off to parts unknown. I don't need you watching me for the next few weeks. I'm quite capable of running this pack, I've done it before you know"

"Well I had thought of asking the big bad himself here whether he wouldn't mind a buddy this time. I fancy a challenge. And what's more challenging than roughing it in the woods with only a tent and a torch" 

Mackensie tried to hide his bark of laughter, Marcus however wasn't so lucky and start to chortle even if he did his best to smother it. "Tent?" 

"Motel then" flicking his gaze from his father to his best friend. No, they couldn't possibly mean going rogue, and in the Canadian woods for heaven’s sake. 

"Chan as much as I love your company man, tirelessly it seems. Give me a chance to miss your stubborn ass. Besides, this year you might find your love with me gone. Consider it a gift from me to you, I'm giving you a fighting chance if I'm not here. My chiselled physique won't distract them and take them away from your witty charms".

"Bastard! I can do well enough with or without you".

"Yes Brother. Of course you can" Mackensie couldn't help but smirk at their banter. Channing was one of a handful of people allowed to have freedom to converse with him like this. Channing wasn't affected by his energy so they could simply be with each other without fear of the unknown, the same with Rose and her family. Other members of his pack and those who he met occasionally were not so fortunate, their instinct was to submit immediately or suffer painful consequences. Mackensie never acted towards those who took longer to show their submission to their King because he truthfully wouldn't have minded if he had more friends who he could trust deep down to his core.

He loved Channing as his brother, and Marcus and Ronald as Fathers. How could he not? Mackensie was l5eft orphaned during the Winter War 32 years ago when the Night Crawlers decided to invade their lands the summer after his birth. Leaving him to be cared for by Rose and Ronald rather than his own parents. How he wished he had longer with them, especially to see his mother's beauty for himself. Pictures don't do her justice, he never hid from them, never allowing the pain of their absence to hinder his leadership as King. Instead he chose to display them proudly around his home and offices making sure everyone knew just who saved them during the war. Every year on the anniversary of the battle he promises to carry on their work, to be a loyal King to the land he stands on and to those who live here even though that meant he stood alone. He didn't and couldn't afford such distractions as having a mate. It would bring chaos into his uncluttered world and his home didn't need a female touch.

"You let Rose use the house as she pleases" moaned Roman "I'm not ashamed of my wishes for a mate, doesn't make me less of a wolf because I wish to love and to be loved in return." 

"No one wants us, remember the last time. Better to be closed off. Why put ourselves in line to suffer again when we can just avoid the whole situation" linked Mac "No one wants ‘The Beast’ Roman. No one!" pain and heartbreak laced his words. The sound of crying echoed in his mind as Roman went to sleep for the night, his last words before he let his dreams take him "I know Mac, I know". 

"Fine!" 

Channing’s sudden reply brought him out of his internal conversation with his wolf. Using the best smile he could muster he faced the only family he would need, 

"But mark my words dude, you will find her one day. She will be a torturous firecracker, a magical feminist Goddess on this earth with the ability to smash those walls of ice around your heart if my wishes ever come true. What you deserve after that comment dear brother" their laughter and conversation drifted over the cold night up to the Moon and Stars above.

The Fates listened intently to these words and smiled with glee, Diana called out "Sister's!! It's starting".