The Alpha Queen

The Court Begins

Once we got to our suites, we tipped the man and opened our doors as he scurried away down the corridor. The first thing I noticed was the view. We were only 20 stories up, but the floor-to-ceiling windows gave us the perfect view out across the Thames. Looking out, I saw Tower Bridge in one direction, and the Houses of Parliament in the other, all lit up by the fading afternoon light. I stood in awe, until I looked down and was reminded how far up “just 20 stories” was. I backed up and turned to look at the rest of the room, and this new King had spared no expense welcoming his Alphas to court. The glass coffee table in the centre of the 10-person seating area was topped with cigars and whiskey of the finest quality, as well as champagne, chocolates, and flowers for any accompanying Lunas. I’m sure Irina would help me to finish that bottle of Whiskey later this evening, not that I needed help with my wolf’s enhanced metabolic system.

Walking past the large flat-screen TV, I walked down the corridor and further into the apartment, find the large, black-tiled bathroom with tub and jacuzzi, a walk-in wardrobe so big I thought Narnia was somewhere in the back, and finally the bedroom, with white carpets, tall black-out curtains, and a four-pillared king-sized bed in the centre. I resisted the instant urge to leap into the middle of it and ruin the beautifully arranged cushion mountain and mind-linked Irina:

“How many cushions does one bed need? I mean I get the basic ones, but the 17 decorative ones?”

“Mmmhhm….”

“Irina?”

“So comfy – you don’t mind if I just take a nap while you do your conference thing-y right? You know that thing you said about my spine being grateful? Well it is and it doesn’t want me to move.”

“IRINA! Don’t even think about sleeping right now – come on we have half an hour before we are both needed in that Court and I will drag you by the tail myself. Now get out of bed!”

“Mmmhhhmmm?”

“I will use my Alpha voice, I’m warning you”

“Oookkayyy, fiiiinnne” I smiled to myself as I could almost hear her drag herself out of the bed cushions, although I knew it was just my imagination. This building was werewolf owned and every bedroom was sound-proofed for good reason.

I grabbed my handbag and headed for the bathroom to touch up my hair and makeup. I never wore too much makeup unless it was for special occasions such as this, and I kept my mid-length brown hair braided away from my face. It was easy to manage that way and gave the impression to most people I met that I was always ready for whatever came at me. I took another quick look at the rest of me, anxiously smoothing down my knee-length, black bodycon dress.

What are you anxious about? You are an Alpha. You are a gift from the Moon Goddess Herself. You belong here just as much as anyone else in that room. Said Runa, pushing herself forward so I could see her eyes in the bathroom mirror.

You’re right, I just want to do what’s best for my pack and forming alliances while fighting my sense of imposter syndrome will be hard. I replied.

You knew it would never be easy, but the Goddess chose you for a reason, you just don’t know for what or why yet. But you’ll find out sooner or later. Now go and make me proud! Runa howled in my head and fell back into me, so my regular green eyes remained.

With the small pep-talk I headed for the exit. Irina was waiting for me outside the door, looking determined. With a sharp nod at each other, we headed back towards the elevator. When it arrived, we stepped in and hit floor 56, which was the highest floor not dedicated to tourist restaurants and viewing platforms. We climbed in comfortable silence, until the doors chimed open. We stepped out, our shoes clicking on the marble floor as we made our way to Conference Room 1. Irina grabbed the handle and opened it for me, gesturing me to go first. I looked into a room already half full of Alpha men and their Betas, who all turned and stared at me in response. I walked in with confidence, putting the thoughts of my pack first while the chatter died down, trying to ignore the stares from around the room as we made our way in.

“Alice?”

A familiar voice broke my focus and I turned to see James, Alpha of our neighbours, the Moon River Pack. Our packs were close allies, and my father got along with him so well that I grew up knowing him as:

“Uncle Jamie! How are you?”

“Me? I’m well my dear, although I can’t wait for my boy to come of age, I’m getting too old for all this running around!” Uncle Jamie was one of the toughest fighters in the country in his prime, but even now he could have easily taken on an Alpha half his age.

“Apologies, it is Alpha Alice now, of course. Look at how you’ve grown! A fine young woman. You’ve taken over the family business I see!” he continued, and I nodded. The silence around us broke as the Alphas returned to their conversations.

“How is little Tommy?” I asked.

“Tommy is well, growing strong, just not growing fast enough. Goddess only knows how much I want to retire and hand over the reigns to him! But he’s only just turned 14 this summer.” Uncle Jamie was never a patient man, especially with his son’s age. He prayed every night to the Goddess to make him 18 the very next morning!

“How is your family, dear Alice? I haven’t spoken with them face to face in, why it must be 2 years now. That will not do, I must arrange a visit as soon as I we return from these… festivities.” He looked around at the youthful crowd of young men, and rolled his eyes, making me laugh.

“My family is well thank you, my mother will always worry for me, even with the training father has put me through. Yes, you must come visit us next winter...”

We continued our small talk as we waited for the new King to arrive. The room continued to fill with more Alpha men, each one noticing the only 2 women in the room, but Uncle Jamie was enough of a distraction, with his stories of battle and untamed ginger mane that flew about with a mind of its own. After a while, some Alphas including Uncle Jamie took their seats, while I headed to the window to get away from the powerful smell of testosterone. I looked over the dusky, London skyline once again. I never really liked cities, and certainly not this high up, but I knew I would have to put up with the dizzying skyscraper views until the Alphas' Court was over. Just one week of all these masculine Alphas together in one room discussing treaties, alliances, and their plans to expand. In one week, all the Alphas would have submitted and promised their loyalty to the new Alpha King. In just one week, it’ll be over and I’ll be back to my pack, in the cold wild North.

Suddenly, the door of the conference room opened, and everyone fell silent. Those who were already seated rose, bowing their heads in respect. I began to copy their movements, facing the door and was about to bow my head when the sweetest, richest smell filled my nose. I inhaled deeply and heard someone else do the same. I looked up and saw him. Runa howled, muttering the words in my head I had dreaded since turning 18:

Mate.