Alpha's Fire

Henry Delta

The next morning Prue had breakfast at the dining table on her own. Thankfully her enhanced healing abilities meant she wasn't too stiff from the day before. She sat quietly enjoying honeyed porridge, with a sprinkle of blueberries, listening to the birds early-morning songs outside. 

The sun had not yet risen and it was so peaceful. She was sipping from a cup of camomile tea letting the warmth spread through her, thinking about how she could get used to this. That was when Dean entered the room.

"Prue," he purred, "What do I owe for the pleasure of your company this lovely morning,"

Prue blinked over her steaming cup, "Good morning Dean," a gentle smile played on her full lips. She had hoped she would bump into Dean again. Not just because he was one of the most attractive men she had ever met but also because she wanted to get to know him. Hopefully she could also find out why he did not get on with his Alpha. The fact that he looked like a god was a bonus. She could have thought of worse jobs.

He swaggered over to her, going for a plate of bread rolls. He leant so close to Prue they were practically touching. He lingered for a fraction more than one would expect before perching up against the table, as close as he could get without sitting on her lap.

"You know there is a plate of bread roles closer to you, don't you."

He winked, a charming smile spread across his dashing face, "I didn't notice."

Dean was so close she could smell his scent - peppermint and cut grass. Prue gulped feeling the heat radiate from him. He had a sort of ruggedness about him that made her want to touch him. His skin was tanned and his features defined. A straight nose and strong jaw. And those lips, what she could do to those lips. 

"So how are you settling in?" he asked.

"Great thank you. I haven't had chance to see much of the village though," she batted her eyelashes casually. 

Dean's eyebrows rose, "What would you like to see? I am sure I could give you what you want and need," his tone suggestive. 

She could feel Elena rolling her eyes internally, trying to block out what she was listening to. 

Prue stood up from her chair. His baby-blue eyes admired her toned body before coming to a stop on her face. She took a step closer, so they were almost touching, but not quite. Her eyes were level with his, from where he was leant against the table. The tension could have been cut with a knife.

"Dean," a voice boomed, making Prue jump. 

Dean didn't take his gaze from Prue as he said, "Yes Alpha."

"The trainees are waiting for you," Henry was back to being his normal self although he seemed especially angry today, his eyes dark, she noticed.

"See you later Prue." Dean grabbed an apple and took a large bite before swanning out the room, not sparing a look at his Alpha. 

"Prue let's go," he commanded. She gritted her teeth at the Alpha's orders, he was speaking to her like she was another one of his lackeys. She scoffed.

As she followed the Alpha, she thought about Dean. He seemed like a typical ladies' man. He obviously saw something he liked and just went for it, she admired his decisiveness in a way. She wasn't sure how long she would let the flirting go on for but she knew one thing, she'd catch more flies with honey than she would with vinegar. The double bonus was that the harmless flirting would anger Henry, he obviously had trust issues with this man.

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Gingerbeard had been correct. Henry had made her run 21 miles. It had been a slog and he had been an absolute prick the entire time. Barking orders, taunting her to run faster. At one point he had even shifted and nipped at her heels, pushing her to speed up. She had kept up most of the way and had only had to stop a couple of times, thankfully.

Afterwards, he actually did take her to the training ground, which was at least progress from the day before. She arrived sweaty and boiling - the sun beating down on her head. She had opted for her crimson cotton outfit.  Making her a vision in red, with her bright blonde hair standing out against the clothes that hugged the curves of her body so nicely.

After catching her breath, Prue surveyed the training ground. It was large and open. It was split up into different sections. There was a shooting gallery equipped with bow and arrows, crossbows and throwing knives. Another sections was fitted with a number of practice dummies, stuffed with straw. 

Wooden fences had been built, creating a number of sparing rings, all of which had been filled with sand to soften falls. Trainees, all young looking, were practicing in pairs being overseen by mentors, barking orders.

Henry led Prue over to one of the sparing rings, "Today we will be working on hand-to-hand," he rubbed some white power into his hands and wrapped them in white linen.  

"Wait what? I thought I was going to meet your finest fighter today."

She prayed he wasn't about to say it was him. He glared at her like she was stupid.

"Of course it is you," she muttered, going over to a pail of water and taking a drink. She almost spit it out when Henry took off his shirt. He was now only wearing a pair of black leather trousers. She eyed him over her cup, trying to look like she hadn't noticed. Dean was attractive, but like this, the Alpha was a whole new level - like a god of gods.

Henry's muscles bulged, he was broad and built like a warrior. Prue didn't think even both her hands would reach around one of his arms. As he moved, his toned eight pack glistened with sweat. He ran a hand though this light brown hair and then scratched his short beard, looking like he was thinking while talking to his men. 

She couldn't help but think what a shame his awful personality was. Still though, nice to look at when no one was around to notice her eyeing the candy on display. 

Elena purred in satisfaction. The wolf side of a soul was simpler than the human half. They relied more on instinct. Like Elena, she-wolves appreciated males that were strong and could provide food and protection. They were more animalistic. Not that Prue didn't appreciate the same types of things but she also wanted something more, things like a good mind, compassion and kindest. She wanted someone that could surprise her, someone she could lose herself too. But, she knew she could never let anyone get that close.  She had promised herself that she would never put herself or another person at risk. She would not let her past catch up to her.

She carried on watching Henry, as subtly as she could. He was so overbearing, cold and harsh - almost like he was haunted by something. He spoke to his men with such authority, lacking emotions. 

The men he had been speaking with began to clear out, vacating one of the sparring pits. Prue followed Henry in. Everyone started to slow and there was a noticeable difference in the amount of talking and noise coming from the others who had been previously been training. She glanced around and caught a number of the Alpha's men trying to watch what was going on.

"Gear up," he told her. 

Prue looked down at his hands, "Oh I wont't be needing that. I saw how you fought outside the cave remember. I wouldn't go so 'easy' on me this time if I was you," she taunted him. Prue knew she shouldn't have, he had been in a foul mood all day. It had made her feel particularly spiteful though and she wanted to give him at least a little taste of his own medicine. And, if she made him angry enough, maybe he would become sloppy, giving her an edge. 

He came at her hard and fast, trying to tackle her where she stood. She twisted and lunged out his grasps, keeping ahead of him each time he tried to make contact. He was quicker than she thought a man of his size could be. His tanned body was all muscle and strength. A creature of grace and beauty. It was like a deadly dance, every time she stepped left, he stepped right.

They both panted as they became a swirl of movement, both of them kicking, punching, twisting. The whole training ground had gone quiet, except for the occasional gasp when one of them made a good move. 

Henry was gaining ground, pushing her backwards towards the fence. Prue wasn't worried, she only needed an opening to get the shoe on the other foot. Her blood thrummed in her veins. It was like fire and ice. Her heart slammed against her chest as she pushed herself to go faster and faster. She lunged forward jabbing him in his armpit but as he twisted he kicked her off balance.

Before she registered what was going on, she was falling back, she grasped at air desperately trying to find something to stop her fall and catch her balance. She felt a warm arm wrap around her waist, suspending her in mid fall, making her gasp. Henry was now holding her, his face so close to her's she could feel the hotness of his breath. She tensed against the strong body that held her; her own tingled with the electricity of his touch.

He watched her, unmoving, making her core heat and her heart beat faster than she ever thought possible. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, a swirl of fear and want, all at the same time. It was near unbearable. She momentarily forgot where she was, feeling like they were the only two souls in the universe. Her lips parted, as did his own. His jaw tensed like he was trying to control himself.

Henry's eyes then blinked and shifted to something behind her head. Prue managed to turn back enough to see what he was looking at. A razor sharp double sided axe, that would have split her skull in two, was mere inches away from the back of her head, embedded in a piece of wood at the edge of sparring ring. 

Prue closed her eyes as her stomach sank, embarrassment washing through her. She scolded herself for ever thinking, even for a moment, that this Alpha was any different to the rest. He was cold and heartless. 

Unable to stand the feeling for even a second longer, Prue twisted from his grasp and regained her footing, grabbing his arm as she went. Onlookers gasped as she pulled the limb behind his back and kicked the back of his legs, faster than he could react. Within half a second his face was inches away from the double sided axe. 

"Tap out," she growled. He didn't, so she applied a little bit more pressure. She felt the tap on her lower leg. Before he could stand, she swirled, storming off. Henry and his men gaped in her wake, not really sure what the hell had just happened. And, if Prue was being honest with herself, she wasn't quite sure either.