Alpha's Fire

A New World

Prue let go of the Alpha like he burnt. She didn't want to be touching him any longer than she had to. Not that he noticed. 

They were stood at the centre of a small village square surrounded by log and stone cabins. More buildings and woodland areas stretched out beyond that she couldn't see much of. There were children laughing, adults chatting and milling about. It was so peaceful. 

There were small stalls in the central courtyard selling everything from flowers to fruit and vegetables. Some even had fresh meat and fish on offer. Vendors chatted with passersby, who all seemed to just be helping themselves to whatever they needed, not paying for anything.

Prue c****d her head in confusion. It was so strange to see the inner territory of a pack and how it worked, especially that which belonged to the Alpha of all Alphas.

Henry made his way over to a grand bandstand that stood just off the centre of the square. Wild jasmine grew up each of the columns. It was beautiful. 

Gillian, Gingerbeard and Eric sat in the middle of the stand playing cards.

"Took you long enough," Gingerbeard taunted not looking up from his hand, "Was the she-wolf a little faster than you anticipated Alpha."

Henry didn't take the bait, "You all have sentry duty in an hour. Don't be late."

Eric looked up from the deck and whistled at the state they were both in, "Blimey, she really gave you a run for your money."

Prue still had dried blood stuck to the one side of her face. Henry nose didn't look much better. 

She barely even heard Eric, too engrossed in surveying her surroundings. 

"Not what you expected ay Prue," Gillian said. 

"Not at all actually. I had no idea a pack could live so peacefully."

A stern look from Henry made sure Gillian didn't dare ask why. 

"Prue, let's go, I need to give you a debrief."

She nodded and followed. Looking at all the women who wore floor-length dressed as she went by. None wore trousers like her fighting leathers. Whether this was by choice or not she didn't know but she knew she would probably find out.

Henry led Prue to a large stone cabin which was surrounded by a wide porch on all sides. Prue couldn't help but think how perfect it would to lounge on with an ice-cold lemonade on a hot summers day. Maybe even with some friends, that is if she had any. 

They entered a family room first which was decorated with muted tones and white walls that were lined with framed hand-drawn pencil portraits. A number of ceiling-high book cases sat in one corner, next to two comfy armchairs. In another was a chess and games table. A grand fire place was sat the other end of the room, surrounded by a number of seats, perfect for family and friends to get together. It felt like a home. Nothing like any pack house she had seen before.

Henry led Prue to a locked wooden door. He pulled out a key and led her into what she assumed was his office. It smelt like the sea air with hints of orange and slight twists of musk. Like him she realised. 

Henry took a seat behind his desk and gestured for her to sit in front of him. 

"I have decided to tell my pack you are here as part of a diplomatic agreement between packs. The only thing anyone needs to know is that you are here to learn new skills in exchange for the knowledge you will also pass on during your stay. My pack members will offer you whatever training you please during your time here."

Prue picked up a knife-shaped letter opener from his desk to clean her nails, slouching back in her chair.

Henry continued on, "You have a room here and I will offer you whatever assistance I can."

Prue nodded. Not saying a word. 

"Is there anything you need to ask?" He pushed. 

She sighed. "I guess you need to tell me what you about the killings."

Henry looked tired. "My Beta was murdered in his bed a few weeks ago and two of my sentries were taken out on separate occasions last month. My Beta's room was undisturbed and I have no idea how anyone managed to get anywhere near him without waking him, he is," Henry corrected himself, "was, one of my best-trained men. There was no evidence of a struggle at the scene."

Prue thought on that and added, "I'll need to be shown the scene. Do you have any suspects?"

Prue stood replacing the letter opener with a glass paperweight that she then tossed between her hands as she browsed the leather-bound books on the shelves behind Henry's desk. 

Henry silently confiscated the item bag before saying, "That can be arranged and no, people tend to clam up around me. Even the innocent ones."

Prue tutted and smirked as she said, "It must be that award-winning personality of your's Alpha. So what do you want me to do?"

"I want you to blend in, get to know people, be their friend. I suspect it was an inside job but have no way of proving that."

"Oh so you want me to discover the darkest secrets of your pack mates, loose lips sink ships and all that."

Prue slouched back down into her chair picking up the letter opener again, "Okay, I'll need a list of everyone who was on sentry duty during the murders. And another one of anyone who might bare a grudge against you." 

"Done." 

"What pack shall I say I am from?"

"I don't care, somewhere remote that no one will question. You have been all over Europe right? I'm sure you can think of something."

"Fine. With regards to the training , I want to train with your finest fighter."

"I'll arrange for you to start in the morning. Be at the bandstand at sunrise, sharp." 

Henry was already studying papers on his desk, clearly hoping the conversation had finished.

"So where am I staying and where can I get food?"

He didn't bother looking up, "Your room is the last door on the right at the top of the stairs. Supper will be served in an hour. The kitchen is the door to the right of the fireplace in the living area."

Prue left without a word and made sure to stick the fancy letter opener into the large mahogany desk, leaving a permanent mark.

----------

Her room was spacious and beautiful, decorated in blues, greens and white. It had an ensuite bathroom and a balcony overlooking woodland to the back of the property. A large four-poster bed stood at one end and looked heavenly. It was perfect. Prue didn't take long cleaning herself up, before she went to hunt down food. 

When she entered the kitchen, Pure found a dainty woman with a messy light brown bun on top of head. She was putting together platters of meats, vegetables and bread. They were over flowing with fresh fruits and nuts, making it look like a feast fit for royals. 

"Hello," she exclaimed, "You must be Prue. My brother told me you'd probably be down soon. I'm Keira," she smiled sweetly.

"Oh. Who is your brother?"

Keira was a natural beauty with petite features and a warmth about her that made her seem so gentle and pure.

"Henry of course."

"Oh. You're Henry's sister. You seem opposite in every way."

Keira didn't seem offended by the remark. "Yeah that brooding stoic thing really throws people off and that pesky sense of human or lack there of," her laughter was like music. 

Prue was taken aback at how upfront Keira was but also how kind she seemed at the same time. She knew, in that moment, she was going to like Keira.  

"My brother is complicated and misunderstood. He has a lot on his shoulders and a lot of people rely on him that he doesn't want to let down. He doesn't always have time to be people's friend."

"Famous last words," Prue muttered under her breath. 

It was then that Prue stomach led out a loud gurgle, begging for some of the delicious food in front of her. The honey roast ham and roasted potatoes looked especially tempting.

"Oh you must be starving," she came around her work station and linked Prue's arm with hers as she led her to a cosy dining room with a long table at its centre. This room was decorated in warm colours - lots of oranges and reds and dark wooden furniture.

Gingerbeard and Eric were arm wrestling, both laughing and taunting one another, while Gillian refereed. When they spotted Keira they jumped up like naughty schoolboys pretending they weren't doing anything. Keira laughed again and said, "Come Prue, sit next to me. It will be nice to have some female company in the house for once. Food is ready by the way boys."

"Ah brilliant, thanks Keira," Gingerbeard gave her a gentle peck on the check and the other two followed suit before disappearing into the kitchen. 

She gave Kiera a questioning look.

"Oh yes, I let them do the heavy lifting, bringing it all in and out, you know. We take turns cooking though."

The three men returned holding platters in each hand, Henry in tow bringing in jugs of what she assumed was wine or ale.

They all sat around the table before Keira said: "Who will be saying a prayer then?" 

"Oh I will," Gingerbeard smiled mischievously. Everyone joined hands and he began. "Thank you for this delicious feast that has been put on our table and for the hard work Keira has put into cooking our meal. We are thankful to the moon goddess for bringing Prue here and we wish her every luck with her....Training." 

Gingerbeard winked at Prue who scowled back.

The night was fantastic and so much fun to watch. Gillian, Gingerbeard and Eric chatted and laughed the night away with Keria. They all got louder with every glass of wine. They were a true family and it was hard to not find their merriment infectious. 

Watching them together tugged at Prue's heart. It reminded her of all the things she had never had or experienced in her life. She choose to spend most the evening quietly observing them all, only speaking when someone asked her a question. Prue always believed that she could learn the most from somebody by just siting back and listening to them talk. 

She noticed Henry had barely said a word all evening, not that she cared much. 

Gillian and Eric eventually pulled the short straws for the washing up, leaving Gingerbeard alone to whisk Keira around the living area, dancing and laughing until their eyes' watered. 

Henry retired early which gave Prue the opportunity to do the same shortly afterwards, once she was sure enough time had passed that she wouldn't bump into him on her way to her room.

She was interested to see who their finest fighter would be. If for no other reason than to kick his ass and show Henry and his men up.