I am Alpha

Chapter Eight.

Soon the crowd began to thin, everyone leaving to prepare themselves for the ball. The Alpha coughed as I was staring out of a window across from me, watching the snow come down in droves.

I love the snow. Perhaps after the night's events, I can sneak out to enjoy it properly. Maybe make a little snow man. Maybe I'll make Jack come with me so I can pelt him with snow balls...

"Ahem..." louder, Alpha Theris coughs.

I blink and turn to him. He's standing, and holding out his elbow once more for me to grasp on to.

I do, and he escorts me out of the main corridor, back up the stairs, which winds me more than they should due to the pressing pain of the corset.

Once we get into the main hall, leading back to the Alpha's main quarters, the Alpha speaks. "You have met him, then."

I watch bustling servants, bowing as they run past us.

"Yes." I state simply.

"And?" He presses. I avoid his gaze.

"I think... I think I have a plan."

"And that is?" He asks, almost too casually.

This time, I do look at him. "He wants me. I'm going to use that."

He looks at me, eyebrows furrowing, but not angrily. Confused and worry the only emotions I can read on his face, but something tells me he's experiencing a flurry of emotions at the moment.

"The dress you're wearing now, is your gift from Mahlia. But the dress for tonight is from me. I thought..." His voice catches, like he wasn't sure how to say what he wanted to say. Weird.

Alpha Theris always knows exactly what to say.

"I thought it would suit you. No matter what your choice was today."

I look at him once more. His face is unreadable and cold.

"Thank you." I said, and meant it.

My guards escorted me back to my tower, but I called for a maid to meet us there. There was NO WAY I'm making it up this tower in this damn corset.

Didra was waiting at the bottom of the start of the stairs, her shoulder hunched, but when she saw me, she straightened up just a bit.

"Cut me out of this damn thing." I gestured to my middle, and she knew what I meant.

"Milady it's not appro-"

"I don't give a f**k, get me out before I tear all of it off. I will-"

"Yes, Milady." She answers hurriedly and steps behind me, undoing the strings of the dress, and then starts untying the laces of the corset.

I feel it loosen around my middle and I shiver and feel a little light headed as she loosens it even more.

I breathe.

"f**k yeah." I sigh out, as I turn around two find two very red guards, and a slightly amused Didra.

"Let's do this." I say determined as I bolt up the stairs to my rooms. Heavy footfalls following me up the stairs.

...

Mira held out the dress that was selected for me by the Alpha.

I c****d my head, which is neatly wrapped in a soft cloth, freshly clean as to do it all over again.

The dress was dark green silk, so dark that it was almost black. The color of the forest at dusk. It had thin shoulder straps and a slit that rose to mid thigh, and the back, well there wasn't a back. It was simple. If anything sexy.

Gorgeous, really. And I wouldn't be able to wear a corset, or really much of any underwear underneath it.

"The Alpha said he chose this dress because he thought it would suit me?"

"Perhaps he knows your aversion to corsets." Didra said, speaking more than I have ever heard her do so.

I look at her and it seems she realizes it too, and bows her head slightly. But I feel proud. She's becoming more comfortable around me. I smile but only respond, "Perhaps.."

Mira looked at the back it came in, and set the dress down on an ottoman to pick up a thin long box wrapped like a present.

She hands the neatly green and white box to me. I behold it for less than a second before I tear into it, ripping the wrapping paper in one swipe.

I open the box in a flourish and look at the content. A thin dagger in a holster, it's handle beautifully crafted with gold and green designs , with a golden crescent moon at its hilt. I unsheathed it slowly to find the thing silver blade, about six inches long. A deadly weapon against wolves, if you know how to use it.

And I did.

There was no note in the box, but a strap was at the bottom of the box, meant for fastening the dagger to the leg. This was what the Alpha meant.

I look back up at the two made, who's eyes were on the weapon I held out in my hand. The dagger giving me an idea for tonight's ball.

"I want you two to make me look like me. I want my curls and my eyebrows back, and..."

"Say no more." Mira said beaming. She always knew exactly what to do. And this time she seemed to have free reign with the hair and makeup, because she did not argue with her orders from the Luna.

So they went at it. brings my curls to life, having me bend over and scrunch the wet strands endlessly with oils combed into them. Didra started on my makeup. I watched as she added black to my lids and blends them out.

By the end of it all, I looked fierce. Didra and Mira stepped back looking satisfied with their work.

My dark red hair was large, in coils that reached my shoulder blades. My eyes had a smokey look to them, making the color of them pop out in they're dark outlining. My lips were tinted a dark red, and my eyebrows were brushed up, their thickness prevailing once more.

The silk of the dress clung to my curves. I was wearing no brassiere, and only a soft black silk scrap that served as my underwear. The slit of the dress went to just above mid thigh and I strapped the holstered dagger just above it. Easy access.

I looked untamed and alluring. Everything about this look made me look powerful and sensual. Dangerous and daring.

Everything that embodied my spirit.

"Eat your heart out fellas." I mused allowed, and Mira gave a a stifled laugh.

I was once more escorted by my guards, and through the castle to the Grand hall. This time I would walk down the steps alone, according to Jack who told me the orders given to him by the Alpha.

When Jack first saw me he went rigid, and his eyes raked my body head to toe, a heat lingering behind them long after he averted his gaze.

"We are to follow you but to remain invisible. So if you need anything, or feel threatened, raise your left hand, okay?" He said, his voice clipped. He's worried.

I land a kiss on his cheek. A wet and forceful one. He looks at me agape, my lip stain tinting his cheek slightly, hardly darker than the blush that creeps on his face.

"Thank you guys." I look at bruno, who was standing by silently and watchful. He gives a nod and so does Jack.

...

I make my way down the steps of the Grand Hall once more. The Entire place was lit by what seemed like star light. hundreds of thousands of candles lit around the elaborate room, and Fae lights, called wisps, moved across the ceiling, and among the people, uncaring and roaming freely. Happily caged.

The outside was dark, but alight with snow, as it still came down with vigor.

People all watched me as in my descent for the second time today. I did not notice their reactions as I looked for someone specific.

And there he was, Alpha Brenigan. Looking at me from a far wall, a beautiful blonde young woman on his arm, and a giant bubble of empty space where people intentionally avoided him. I looked away from him lazily, continuing to scan the crowd as if he was not what I was looking for.

Catch me if you can Alpha.

Though maybe he wouldn't... if he had a date, perhaps he was already mated. And if he was mated already, what did he want with me?

It's difficult to trap a man I know nothing about. I should have gotten all the information I could have from Alpha Theris while I had the chance.

There wasn't much public knowledge of this Alpha. The information that we did have, often contradicted each other. No one knew where he lived, or worked. Nor did they know what family he came from.

He rarely made public appearances, in fact he never did, until this one. News articles were always some form of propaganda such as HOW THE NORTH THRIVES UNDER HIS HIGHNESS or THE ALPHA KING WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO OWN THE CONTINENT.

All I know is he is not from The New Moon Packs Alpha bloodline. He killed the New Moon Alpha in a challenge to the death, and without an heir, the Alpha title was passed to Brenigan. Then he started war over the entire Northern continent. The why or what he wants, I am assuming is the reason for anything. Power.

That is why I chose to look like me today. I am not some frilly, silk haired princess to be dressed in daisies and marigolds and sparkles. I am darkness, untamed and unbridled power. I knew it in my bones, despite the world seeing me as weak. They would not see a drop of weakness tonight.

I cleared the steps, smiling at a few guests, either politely or in recognition. I make my way to get a drink from a passing servant, who stopped to let me take a small square glass of a golden liquid.

The liquid burned as it went down, but I liked it. It tasted smokey and sweet.

"Can I get another one of these here in a bit?" I say as I take another sip, a warmness creeping over my body.

He nods and smiles sheepishly. I smile in return and make my way through the floor

Beautiful music starts playing, a fiddle playing a light fun song, a jig. The band plays from the far corner, slightly a lit.

There were less people here than earlier, the Winter Solstice Ball only attended by invited High-born wolves.

I decided to walk towards the band while sparing a look at Alpha Theris, who was sitting at the daise with his Luna. She looked at me with something like shocked disapproval on her face as I made my way through the floor.

Before I could reach the band, who was playing the soft light hearted melody, a man approached me, bowing low and smiling. He was tall, and muscular, like many of the men here. His Skin was dark chocolate brown, and the contrasting teal blue of his eyes. The man looked good enough to eat.

His smiled at me, his gorgeous eyes alit showing that the smile was genuine.

"We did not get the chance to meet earlier. My name is Beta Thomason of the Regulus Pack of the Eastern quarter."

I bowed and curtsied casually. "You may call me Faire." I said.

"Faire, I will be honest with you. I came here not knowing what to expect of you. But may I say you are one of the most extraordinary women I have ever seen. And I was hoping you might allow me to have your first dance."

I smiled politely and nodded. he held out his hand for me to take as he led me to the dance floor. I knew how to dance to probably every song that was played, due to my extensive training with the Luna on How to become a lady.

He was a clumsy dancer, which I found amusing.

"My Lord, do you not know how to dance." I say teasingly.

His face held a whisper of embarrassment and chagrin. "My lady, I dare say I am a lousy dancer. Most of my life I've been trained to kill enemy wolves, and dancing was not a skill I was able to pick up."

I laugh as he turns me clumsily and then leads me close into his arms. Pressing me into his chest.

"Woops." He says as he holds me there and sways in time to the music.

"You sir, have got nerve." I said, chuckling a bit as I allowed him to hold me close.

I've never had the attention of men before. Not really. Jack was my first kiss, and my only kiss, and that's because I forced it out of him. I had wrestled him down when I was 17 and planted one on him. I wanted my first kiss to be someone I trusted.

But that was as far as my experience went, and this desire for me... that was new.

All of these men knew I had no wolf yet, right?

Someone tapped on Beta Thomasons shoulder as we both look up to see and cold and menacing Alpha Brenigan stood there. Beta Thomasons looked wary but eyed him bravely.

"May I cut in?" He asked it like a question, but shot his Alpha Aura at both of us. The beta took a step back immediately though he gave Alpha Brenigan a hard look. The Alpha looked at the Beta, daring him to challenge him. The Beta then bowed to me, as he left me alone with Alpha Brenigan.

He held out his hand in expectation and this time I did not take it.

"I grow weary of dancing." I said, and went to make way to the band once more when a large rough hand tugged me by the elbow, making me slam into a hard chest.

Electricity shot though me from everywhere I touched him. I look up at him. His face had cold fury etched across it. A new expression. I noted it.

"You will dance with me." He shot out his Alpha aura again and I pushed against his chest with enough force to create space between us, though he still stood close. Too close.

I glared at him.

"You will ask me properly if you want to dance with me, Alpha Brenigan. " I say with a sneer, trying to copy the power he was putting behind his words into my own.

His eyebrows furrowed and a look of confusion flashed across his face before it was gone. His face polite, but gaze scorching me when he took a step back and held a hand out and asked.

"Would you please, do me the honor of having this dance with me." I looked at him, at his hand, and then back up to his face. I knew he would not take "no" for an answer, but that also meant that he did indeed want me.

I took his hand, ignoring the heat that rolled through my veins at the contact. The music was softer now. The beat was quick and sharp however, the cello playing a low and sultry tune. A Viennese waltz. His left hand grasped my own, his right hand on my bare back. A shiver escaped me and I cursed at my body.

My hard eyes met his as we danced, quick steps traveling through the room, around the others that were on the dance floor. He was adept at dancing, just as I was. It was a small surprise to have a worthy partner, that I forgot to not have fun.

The music slowed, as it did his hand lowered on my back and then slid up, leaving a trail of electric heat where he touched. I tried not to hitch my breath, focusing on breathing in and out fluidly.

My undergarments were soaked and my core tightened and throbbed. My body was an absolute traitor.

Our steps slowed to a languid trot. A slow classic waltz now, taking up less space on the dance floor, less space between our bodies as well.

"Shouldn't your date be jealous of your attentions toward me." I say, trying to look for the beautiful blonde.

"She is irrelevant." He said, his voice husky, betraying the lust he so carefully hid from his face.

"And why am I relevant?" I ask.

"I didn't say you were." He said, his face cold as he hautily raised an eyebrow.

"Then I should take my leave." I said. making to pull away but he held me in place. No longer dancing he look down and stared at me. A heat blazing in them once more.

I raised an eyebrow, mimicking his early expression.

"I should like to have you." He said, something both sinister and another emotion I can place lingering behind the meaning of those words. His hand sliding lower to my exposed lower back, just above my ass.

I push away from him, and look at him seriously.

"And why is that? Why are you here? Because I doubt it is for me."

He took a step closer and leaned down to whisper in my ear.

"You are the reason that I am here," His voice was soft, and his mouth lingered near my ear, lips pressing softly on the lobe