SHADOWS OF POWER

CHAPTER TWO: CHANCE ENCOUNTER

LUCA POV

Seth and I walked towards the airport entrance where our driver was waiting when I caught a whiff of a scent that drove I and my wolf ‘Canis’ insane.

“What was that Can?” I asked my wolf while running after the scent.

“I’m not sure, but we need to get closer” Canis replied.

I kept running through the crowds, my bag and gamma long forgotten behind me. I ran till I was at the entrance of the airport when the scent hit me fully. It was an intoxicating smell of cinnamon and blood. The scent hit me so hard I felt heart stop breathing as my eyes lock onto the back of the person that owns it. He was walking in the midst of other men in black suits. He is probably some huge figure to have such large security detail.

My wolf kept telling to go forward but I was stuck on the spot, staring at the blonde whose backside made me question my sexuality. As if sensing my gaze, he turns back and I was met with the grayest eyes I’ve ever seen.

“MATE” Canis yelled the moment our eyes met. That word, that one word sentence I’ve longed to hear since I was a kid. That one word that makes me complete, the moment I heard it I froze. I stared at him bewildered. I thought I was doomed to be mateless, thread the earth alone till I passed away. And here I was in a state I didn’t want to be at, staring at my soul mate like an i***t without even a word. All I did was stare until he went into his car with his entourage and drove off. I kept staring at the back of the car even after they were long gone, until Seth came beside me.

“Alpha, what happened” Seth inquired “You bolted out the airport like you saw a ghost and threw your bag against an elderly couple. I had to beg and plead for them not to escalate the issue.”

“Seth, I found him” I whispered.

“Who? Did you encounter a rogue? We need to talk to Alpha Ray to reinforce his warriors” Seth replied worriedly.

“I found him Seth. He is human and a He. He smells like cinnamon and blood. Is it normal for someone to smell like blood? I mean he could work in the army or a butcher house or something? And he is marvelous. His eyes are very gray; I’d believe he was blind if he hadn’t stared at me back earlier.” I said all in one breathe.

“Who are you talk…Oh my Goddess. You found your mate didn’t you?” Seth said with a huge grin on his face.

“Yes and he’s perfect” I said smiling with tears in my eyes.

“Congratulations, bro. I’m happy for you” Seth said.

“Congratulations. Alpha King” The guy beside us said.

“Who are you?” I inquired as I didn’t even notice someone else was here apart from Seth and I.

“I’m Ronald, Alpha King. I’m your driver for today” Ronald says

“Thanks Ronald. Good to meet you” I said

“Pleasure is mine Alpha King” Ronald says.

“Let’s go before my mother starts blasting off my phone”. I said noticing her call on phone.

“Okay Alpha” They replied simultanouesly as we all walked to a car parked nearby and zoomed off.

We were soon on the Thunderstone pack border where every patrol wolf kept bowing at our car in respect as we drove by. When we got to the pack house, we were greeted by the Alpha

“My King, Gamma, it’s nice to have you both here to celebrate with us”. Alpha Ray, my sister’s mate, greeted us.

“You know I wouldn’t miss it for the world or I’ll have two Lunas mad at me”. I replied to Ray as we shared a hug.

We all walked into the building where I was met with my father walking towards us with a wide grin on his face.

“Hey old man, how are you doing?” I said as we hugged each other.

“I’ve been better. Would be the best if your mother didn’t decide to cut our journey short to be with her princess?” My father replied grumpily.

“Is that a complaint I hear from you Lucious Ravenfield?” My mom said as she marched down the stairs towards us.

“Who was it that booked a late night flight the minute he heard his princess was pregnant? Huh Lucious” My mom asked with her arms folded against her chest.

“What’s with the full name calling? I was just kidding love.” My dad said.

“Kidding my foot. You are sleeping on the couch tonight.” My replied fiercely.

“Woman, it’s not that serious now is it” Dad said in an attempt to cajole her.

“It is. Now, get you big face out of my sight so I can welcome my beloved.” Mom said.

“Hey my Queen.” I said as I pull her in for a hug.

“How have you been my King?” She asked as she pulled out of the hug to check over me.

“I’ve been miserable without you, my queen.” I said “I’ve missed your cooking, teachings and of course your scolding.”

“What do you mean scolding? I never do that.” She said.

“Your majesty” Seth and Ronald said as they bowed to my parents.

“Seth my dear, how have you been?” She asked with her attention now on him but hands still placed in mine.

“I’ve been well, your majesty” Seth replied.

“That’s good. Ron dear, I hope these two didn’t stress you much when you went to pick them up?” She asked.

“Not at all your majesty.” Ronald replied. “I’ll take my leave now, your majesties.” He said after which he bowed and left the building.

“How are your mate and pups doing Seth?” She asked as we all moved upstairs.

“She is well. The kids are as mischievous as ever.” Seth replied.

“Oh please, they can’t be as mischievous as you lot when you were younger. You, Luca and Jeff nearly drove me and your mothers crazy. You were like little demons.” She said with laughter.

“C’mon mom. We weren’t that bad, right dad?” I said looking at my dad for backup.

“No you guys weren’t bad.” Dad said.

“You hear that mom”

“You guys were TERRIBLE.” Dad yelled “I remember making you three an award for the most disastrous pups to make you feel bad. But you trio held the award and ran round the whole pack with it.”

“It was a chaotic day. All the other pups running with them and destroying almost everything on their part. Ah, it still gives me shivers.” Mom said faking a shiver.

“Me too dear.” Dad said mockingly.

“I remember none of it.” Seth said defensively.

“Me neither. You guys love making up stories about us all the time.” I said

“What are you guys chatting about?” My sister Lucy asked.

We’ve been chatting all the time we didn’t realize we’ve already reached her door and her mate Ray has opened the door to her room for us to enter.

“We were talking about the trauma they put the whole pack through as kids.” Mom said.

“You guys were the worst brothers ever.” Lucy said with a smile on her face.

“Oh come on Lucy bear. I know you don’t mean that.” I said as I pulled her in for a bear hug. “It’s nice to see again my little fool.”

“It’s nice to see you too, grumpy old guy.” She said laughing.

“Hey, Lucy bear. You keep looking more like a bear as the years go by” Seth said as he also pulled her in for a hug.

“You guys need to stop calling me a bear already.” Lucy said.

“You’re right. You’re now a fully grown bear so you’re definitely aware of who you are.” I said as my gamma nodded his head with his hand wiping off imaginary tears from his eyes.

“You guys are unbearable.” She retorted.

“Jeff isn’t even here, Lucy bear” Seth says.

“Thank Goddess.” Everyone in the room says, feigning relief.

“Lol, where’s the little champ we came for?” I asked playfully.

“You didn’t come for me.” Lucy asked as she put a hand on heart.

“I’d rather watch a bear on YouTube than take a flight to go see one.” Seth replies and I nodded in agreement.

“That hurts, you monsters.” Lucy says.

The room was filled with laughter as Lucy threw a pillow at the both of us and her mate went to her side to whisper sweet nothings in her ear. My mom brought the baby to me and he really was a cutie.

“Looks like he’ll be breaking more hearts than you did Luca.” Seth said.

“Like he broke any.” Lucy says sticking her tongue out to me.

“Definitely, he inherited the best part of the gene.” I said while giving Lucy the middle finger.

“What about me, Uncle Luca?” Esme, Lucy’s 7yr old daughter asked as her bright eyes stare up at me.

“You’re not allowed near any boys. You promised you’ll be with me forever, didn’t you cupcake?” I said. “And any boy who messes with your heart is going down.”

“In the worst way imaginable.” Ray finished.

“Exactly cupcake.” I said.

“You too can’t keep her with you forever, you know.” Lucy says.

“Try me. I’m the King; I’ll like to see who will go against me.” I said.

“My mate will. He’ll stand against you, will sweep me off my feet and take me to hos beautiful castle.” Esme says laughing as she runs to her mother’s side.

“Ray, I think we’ve got an issue.”

“You’re right, brother.” Ray replies.

“We’re gonna have to lock her up in a tower or something. We can’t have some mugrat sweeping her off her feet now, can we?”

“You’re right, what if she falls and breaks an arm?” Ray said panicking.

“You two kill that thought right now. She decides whatever she wants. No one will keep you from your mate okay. Mama will make sure of it.” Lucy says.

“You’re the best mama.” Esme replied as she went into her mother’s arms.

“That’s okay. Where’s Este?” The queen asked after noticing her other granddaughter hasn’t come down yet.

“She is in her room sleeping.” Esme replied.

“Okay.” The queen said.

“Her favorite uncle is here and she’s sleeping.” I ask.

“She needs it. She wouldn’t leave her little brother side and even came up with hundreds of names for the little one.” The queen replied.

“So what name did you pick for the baby?” Seth asks.

“You will know tomorrow at the naming ceremony.” Lucy says.

“Can’t you tell us? We’re family after all.” I told her.

“What’s the point of the ceremony if you all already know?” She says “You’ll know tomorrow and you’re gonna love it.”

“Whatever you say. I’m famished by the way.” Seth says.

“It’s time for Lunch already. Lets all go down for lunch. I’ll have yours sent to your room Lucy.” The queen says.

“Thanks mom.” Lucy says.