Alpha's Embrace

The sky darkened as the blackness began to cover the land when the clouds rolled in. Thunder cracked, breaking the eerie silence that had descended the New Hope compound. Alysslin looked up at the bleak and dreary sky, then sighed. She looked at her side, “Come, Xabo, let’s head back before father has a complete melt down. And of course, you know what that will mean?” The dusty prairie dog looked up at her and tilted his head, understanding every word. Xabo was not your average prairie dog. He was the size of a normal house cat. His fur was coarse and was not quite a brown color but an off color of brown. His big black eyes stared at her then he rubbed it against her leg, letting her know he was with her. She didn’t know what she would do if she didn’t have Xabo. More thunder cracked again, making her jump slightly. It was a good thing they were not too far from the compound. She quickly picked up Xabo, knowing that the sky was about to open with a hail of rain. She hurried to the large steel gates of the compound. It was an imposing structure that she absolutely hated. Alysslin wished she was still in New Cresthill. “Indigo, open the gates?” She called out as she continued to eye the sky.   The gates opened and she quickly walked inside just in time because the sky completely opened up. Rain poured from the sky. The gates slowly closed behind her. “Your father has been looking for you and he does not seem happy.” Indigo mentioned with his arms crossed and he leaned against the concrete wall.   “When is he ever happy?” She mumbled but loud enough for Indigo to hear. He cracked a small smile, knowing she was right. She walked away holding Xabo close to her chest, almost like a shield. Xabo could sense her unease and snuggled closer to her to try to comfort her. As she walked through the compound navigating the long corridors, she ran into Brock, her father’s so-called right-hand man. She groaned. Just the person she was hoping to avoid.   Brock slowly smiled. A smile she assumed he thought would bring her to her knees. Obviously, he doesn’t know her as well as he likes to think he does. “There you are Alysslin. Your father was looking for you. I was about to gather some guards and head outside.”   “Well, no need to go to all that trouble, but at the moment I don’t think you want to go outside. It began to rain.” She stated as she went around him and continued walking.   He quickly caught up with her and he was frowning. “You know how dangerous it is to be outside, especially when the sky darkens.” He scolded gently.   Alysslin looked at him with her jaw clinched. He always tries to scold her like he even had the right. “For the record, I can take care of myself. And I should mention that you are not my father nor my husband. So, you do not have the right to scold me or tell me what to do.”   He flinched slightly, but he recovered quickly and he had a sly smile across his lips. His smile made her blood run cold. She had a feeling she wasn’t going to like the reason for the smile. “Your father is in his quarters. You may want to stop there first.” Then he turned and began walking in the other direction. She watched him. He had told her what to do when she told him not. Even though she knew he was right. She didn’t feel like enduring her father’s wrath.   Alysslin sighed as she looked at the double doors of her father’s quarters. She looked at Xabo. He looked up at her with his black eyes. He snuggled closer to her, sensing her discomfort. She sighed heavily again this time as she knocked. “Enter.” Her father said in an even soft tone, but she didn’t let the soft tone fool her. She knew he was fuming. She slowly opened the door and walked into her father’s quarters. Vularak looked over his brown eyes, almost black. He stared at her. She could feel his anger from where she was standing. “Close the door.” She did as she was told. Then looked back at him defiantly. Knowing it would piss him off. His eyes narrowed and his jaw clinched. “Sit down.” He said evenly.   Alysslin knew this was not going to be a heartfelt father and daughter talk. Their talks never were. She wondered what those kinds of talks were even like. As she took a seat, she really wished her mother was there. When she was alive, he seemed like a different man. Even though he could be harsh. People saw a softer side, though it wasn’t often. When she died, Alysslin thinks apart from him, died as well. From what she has heard from people that have known him for years. Vularak was meaner than he was before he met mother. Which did not bode well for this interaction right now. “Is everything okay, father?” She asked almost timidly, but she hoped he wouldn’t notice.   Vularak didn’t answer right away as he poured himself a whiskey. He took a sip then slowly turned to face her. He still couldn’t believe how much she looked like Silvinna. He had to look away to compose himself, then he looked back in her direction. It also pissed him off how much she acted like her mother as well. “What was the meaning of leaving the compound like you did with the sky darkening?” His voice was levelled but she could hear the anger beneath it.  “Father, you trained me to handle myself. I knew when to return and how much time I had.” Alysslin answered, her voice held conviction and her head held high.   Vularak grunted. He knew he had trained her. All of them were trained well. However, she was his daughter and the rules applied differently to her and she knows it. “That is beside the point. Need I remind you that you are my daughter and need to be protected at all costs.” He replied evenly as he glared at her. Then he cracked a rare smirk. “Brock was worried about you.”   She rolled her eyes. “I doubt he was that worried.” She knew what Brock wanted and she wasn’t about to give it to him. She couldn’t stand him.   The smirk fell from his face. “You know he wants to marry you? He asked for my permission earlier.”  Alysslin stared at her father. “I hope you declined.”   “Of course not.” Vularak said, scoffing at the very idea. “He is a good match for you. He is strong and would make a great leader someday.”   She came to her feet and glared at him. “The only reason he wants to marry me is so he can lead one day. He doesn’t want me for any other reason than I am your daughter.”  He stepped closer to her, but she held her ground. “Brock said he loved you and I believe him.”   Alysslin shook her head at the very idea. It was ludicrous. “Brock doesn’t love anybody but himself and power. That is all he cares about.”  He just shook his head. “That is ridiculous and you know it Alysslin.” He turned his back on her to refill his snifter with some more whiskey. “I gave him my blessings and permission.” Vularak said after taking a sip of his whiskey.   She came to her feet, startling Xabo awake. “You didn’t.” Alysslin said, almost in a panic. “Please tell me you didn’t. I am not going to be his wife. I refuse to be shackled to a power-hungry buffoon.”   “That is enough, Alyssin.” Vularak roared. Alysslin didn’t bat an eye at his sudden outburst. He narrowed his eyes at her. “What is done is done. I cannot go back on what was said. Besides, Brock is a good man.”   Alysslin nearly laughed at the idea of Brock being a good man. “Yes, you can go back on what was said. You are the leader dammit.” She shouted and continued before he could say anything. “Tell him you changed your mind. It isn’t that hard. And for the record Brock is not a good man. You are just blind to his failings.”   Vularak glared at her and his face was flushed. His lips thinned and he snarled. “You may be my daughter, but I suggest you watch your tongue.” She knew he was holding onto his temper with a tight leash. “Now get out of sight.” He grinded out with his hands fisted at his side.   Alysslin held Xabo closer to her chest. “Fine, but know this I am not marring Brock…ever.” She turned om her heel, and left his quarters slamming the door on any response he may have had. Vularak glared at the door. She was getting more defiant with each passing day. It was all of Sylvanna’s damn teachings. She was getting to be more and more like her mother. He had to reign her in before she got out of control.  Alysslin was in her quarters pacing back and forth while Xabo watched from the bed. “I cannot believe this.” She said angrily to Xabo. Xabo tilted his head to one side. Alysslin looked at him. “They will be sorry. I told him I would not marry Brock and I meant it. Even if it means leaving the compound for good.” Xabo made small noises signaling his displeasure. “Damn, I wish I was back in New Cresthill.” She plopped herself down onto the bed and sighed heavily. Why is her father insisted they create a compound here in the middle of nowhere, insist Azmar is desolate and there is absolutely nothing to do. No nightlife to speak of. She enjoyed the nightlife in New Cresthill. After her mother died, it seemed her father was anxious to leave all New Cresthill behind. Not caring about his daughter’s feelings or even asking for her opinion. No, he had to drag all of them here and create New Hope…what a joke. Being in New Hope is like a prison. It’s not going to change anything that happened that night. No matter how hard her father tries to tell himself that it will.   There was a knock on her door. She sighed as she went to answer it. She groaned at the sight of who stood on the other side. “What do you want?”   Brock smiled as he leaned against the wall. “Came to see you. I gather he told you the good news?”   “If you want to call it good news.” She grumbled but loud enough for him to hear. His smile faltered and that actually thrilled her. “Oh, and for the record, I am not marring you. I don’t care what my father says.”   This time the smile on his face fell and he came closer to her. “Oh really, well it will happen one way or the other.” At that he stormed off.   She quickly shut the door and leaned against it. Why can’t her father see Brock for the man he really is? Alysslin moved away from the door, making the decision to leave New Hope. She threw some clothes in a small bag. She will leave in the morning. With this smaller bag she can at least make an excuse as to why she has it, if anyone asks. She looked over at Xabo, “You, my little friend, will stay here.” She picked him and up and petted him. “You will be safer.” Xabo wined as he snuggled closer to her. “I know I’ll miss you too.”