Ultima, Octavia Of The Black Moon

Chapter Seven- Fun Either Way

She smiled and nodded to me “Yes Ma'am. We have a few. You will be bathing in the private one reserved for only for the top ranks”

All of my belongings were nicely organized in the wardrobe as she pulled out my favorite silk robe with black butterflies dancing across them. After sliding into it she slid soft pink slippers onto my feet as I just stood and let her. Really this was pointless to me. At Lord Harth's castle I never let the maids do such tedious tasks I know how to do for myself. Cooking no, I cant cook anything and have zero interest to learn. I do love food though.

She quietly leads me through the bedroom doors and down the torch lined hall in front of us. I glanced behind me to see two very tall blue doors with brass handles. Ahead is a black stone hall with blue banners, few windows, and many portraits of people. My eyes skim over each of them as we walk past, noticing a familial trait of bold blue eyes and black hair. They are impressive looking men but no pictures of their Wolves or shockingly their wives. I can smell the eucalyptus in the heated water up ahead in a room empty of all others.

“Where is everyone? It seems there should be more people around” I ask her.

She smiles to me then answers gently “This floor of the castle is only for top ranking members. You will likely see the Deltas and Gamma's wandering through here but their chambers are on the next lower level. The Beta Alcrea is on this floor as well but is escorting your sister around the estate at the moment. They are all very busy throughout the day with many duties, but no one is on this floor at the moment besides the two of us. Alpha demanded privacy for you until your introduction tonight. As for the rest of the Pack members, you told them to all be quiet my Lady so everyone has obeyed your orders and stopped this mornings training and fulfilling duties.” She smiled coyly.

At this realization Octavia was stunned and embarrassed that her words had this big of an effect on them all, “Go back to what you were doing!” She yelled out and insisted.

It was curious to Octavia that life returned all around them. She could hear the clanking of metal again just outside the castles walls, and many pattering feet around the castle corridors. Octavia could hear their foot steps so well it would be easy for her to draw a map of this never before seen place. Hailey stops at a double door to their right. She swings them open for her Lady releasing a cloud of sweet steam. They enter into a room more grand than anything Octavia had ever seen or heard of. A black stone room with gray pillars. In between the pillars where granite statues of naked men in each phase it took to transform into Wolves. They displayed all along the outer edge of the room. The only door to this place looked to be the one they came in from, so no chance of anyone unwanted sneaking in.

The water was steaming with a gentle blend of Eucalyptus oil and purple allium flowers sprinkled about. The water was so deep looking like it was their own private heated pond. Deep within along the stones that held the water to this room, were glowing gem stones, lighting the copper and claystone pipes.The bath it self filled the whole room with only a walking space around its edges with steps leading down into the glowing waters. As Octavia gawked at the magnificence of this creation, Hailey proceeded with her duties to lay out all necessary items. She then went to Octavia and began collecting hair pins from her ratted up mess when the idea struck Octavia.

I play like I am slipping and about to prematurely fall into my oily bath,

"Oooops!!"

As I do Hailey grabs a hold of my arm, trying to prevent me from doing so. Thats when I grab a hold of her waist and strategically plop us into the middle of the water! I let go as soon as we hit the water and I come up on the steps grinning with pride. My robes and nightgown now suctioned to my protruding curves as Hailey comes up splashing violently gasping for air. I dont hesitate to thrust myself to her and grab ahold of her. Lifting her, guiding us out until we are standing on the steps in knee deep water.

I hear him, panicked, and thundering down the hall seconds before the door bursts open filling the room with his scent, so much so that it smothers my body with the warmth of his breath. Lord Eso. This man whose presence burns my yearning essence, with his eyes memorizing every water droplet daring to roll down my skin and across my threshold. He breathes deeply so his bare chest fills to its maximum capacity and I know he is soaking up all of me. His senses are more drenched than I. The overload to his senses releases him from needing anything else, I do not know if I can stop him if he takes action upon my flesh. He stands immobile watching my slightest movements. My stomach breathing in and out at an increased pace. The vein in my neck ever so slightly ticking to my hearts rhythm and my eyes.... he wants to see what it is I focus on in this moment.

His eyes I've seen... but my curious mind can see so much better as a Wolf. I can feel the energies of the Wolves of this Pack beyond the doors. Ever diligent to obey their Leader with none daring to disobey. Waiting tentatively for a reason to assist their Alpha. Alpha. My eyes glaze over him. Yes I see it, Alpha. He is the most powerful one for as far as I can sense. So much rage surging through him. With my eyes black I move forward out of the water the few strides it takes to reach him.

I hear a humming tune playing in my mind. My fingers dance in the air upward to the sound, so that they swirl in rhythm centimeters from touching that bare chest of his. Keeping eye contact, I don't allow myself to touch him, allowing him to be released of his longing. I only tease him. For now I see I truly am his weakness and I will make him cry for mercy before I am through with him. His death will be at my hands and before his essence fades away he will know the price is paid for his choices made.

I turn and walk back towards the steps, peeling away my robes and letting them fall heavily to the floor. Hailey quickly began straightening the bottles of concoctions our splash had knocked over. Eso stands as partial Wolf in purple pants that were tight at the waist but hung loose, tucked in at the rounded bottoms. I remove my clinging thin outer layer that no longer held my secrets. Alpha Eso's eyes widened. Slightly his jaw dropped involuntarily. I satisfied him with a devilish smirk. Does he not realized our mother had us lectured on all manner of man's desires. All apart of her blatant honesty, she felt was appropriate, for her daughters to master all arts of life because, life is art. Though I am bothered by this burning need to entice him with my little show, I will not let myself feel anything towards him as I do what is needed to be done. I refuse this pull towards him trying to consume me.

He closes his mouth to swallow, as his hand reacted in a split second. One of the half turned Wolf's was attempting to look at what his Alpha was mesmerized with. The smaller Wolf's neck laid captured in the hand of Alpha Eso. Eso looked like he was holding a few twigs in his clutch. His grip tightened on the cream colored Wolf man's throat, Octavia could see him fading away from life looking at her with half dead eyes.

“Release him” Her voice serious and echoing, but having no effect on the now fur covered Alpha.

A deep penetrating voice left Eso, “He disobeyed.” Clenching his fist closed was effortless, even with squeezing until those twigs snapped. Everything went silent before the sound sent a thundering pulse through Octavia. His dead weight hit the floor with no embrace. Octavia's fury raged for this shameless loss of life.

She can no longer look upon Eso without feeling murderous intentions and still she despises how she craves his closeness. She sees what he does towards all others. How disposable everything around him is.

I will end him. Slowly. I promise to all that the universe is, I will succeed.

“Omega,” His voice calm but deadly snapped Octavia from her thoughts and back to the present moment. “remove my mates clothing so that she may bathe properly.”

Hailey quickly bounced into action attempting to lift the night dress above her Lady's head.

“No!” Octavia demanded, pulling away from her. But Hailey wasn't stopping. She still kept tugging at the gown clinging to Octavia's body. “Hailey Stop!” She demanded.

Hailey bowed her head and went before her Alpha in defeat. “Omega what is the punishment for disobeying?” Eso asked her while his possessive eyes took notice of his mate's body's slight reaction. The cooler air flowing through the open doorway gave her legs goosebumps that were slowly trickling their way up.

Hailey kept her head lowered and her voice even as she dutifully answered. “Any punishment of the superiors choosing.” Octavia could see how Hailey ended up with that limp.

“Why have you not undressed my mate, My wife? Are you not capable? Or too weak maybe? No just too stupid to under stand a simple task!” He swings his arm to strike his inferior but Octavia rushed him. She caught him in mid swing, grabbing his arm preventing it from crashing into Hailey.

Octavia was in disbelief that her strength was on par to this beast. Hailey's mood changes as she gets out of the way of danger but keeps her head down. Offering the most respect she can display towards the two of them. She meets his eyes that shows everything he tries to hide.

He is afraid of me.

“I see you insist on having a little pet to keep around” He scoffs to his mate.

“I don't see the need to treat others as you do. Its disgusting.” She retorts.

He growls at the way she speaks to him “Get use to it. There are many beneath us and they all know their place.”

Octavia shakes her head and looks to Hailey before giving Eso a deadly glare “Is there something you needed Lord Eso? Or may I return to my private bath? Besides you're ruining it, you are letting all the warm air out and I was just finally relaxing in your old dreary castle” The words flew off her tongue before her mind recognized what it was saying. Such an arrogant attitude Octavia was giving him but there was no other way around it. She committed to what she had said, with this new found strength from with in, she felt confidence in what she was doing.

Lord Eso's eyes stayed black, as his fur retracted back and his human form remained. “You had best watch what that pretty little mouth says my mate. The more you test me, the more I will be forced to react.”

Octavia crossed her arms and raised her chin slightly. “I am a playful person. It would be a shame if you didn't learn this before rampaging through the castle killing everyone”

“Fun either way” He grins slyly enrapturing Octavia's inner self, willing her being to let go of all of herself she kept under control.

As he leaves, Octavia takes the time to admire his shirtless body. This pants held snuggly to his waist. He smelled of other sweaty men from his training with them.

That would make where the clanking noises Octavia heard outside the practice fields. Their Mother didn't argue with any of the girls interests in any art and for that they knew they were spoiled unlike other Ladies or even Princesses. Not many are as quick and clever as the Harth sisters. Nor as skilled in stealth and blades. Octavia was looking forward in having new teachers to train under.

The door snaps shut after several Pack members discretely remove the deceased body. Octavia turned to Hailey who now was releasing her intense level of worry.

“Hailey it will be alright” Octavia's gentle voice echoed as she embraced her new friend.

“No it won't ma'am...” She was almost in sobs, trying her best not to reveal any emotion.

“Hailey I promise you I will protect you.”

“My apologies ma'am but you wont be with me every step of my day”

A thought occurred to Octavia, “Well why not?”

“Ma'am?”

“Instead of your servants quarters being on the lower levels I want you moved into my personal attendants chambers, I'm sure this castle has one as most do.”

“but ma'am...”

“No arguing, and everywhere I go you will go, If I am to eat you are to eat. If I take a lesson on painting or history you too will take the class with me.” The Lady Octavia was adamant.

Octavia finally stepped away from her, allowing Hailey's mind to process what all she had just said. Octavia took this moment to peel the rest of her garments off and take a proper bath. "I would take a hot bath every day for the rest of my life if it was in here. Hailey!”

“Yes ma'am?”

“No more calling me ma'am”

“Pardon me Ma'am...”

“I hate it and I wont stand for it. You may call me Octavia or any variation of it you like”

“But M... Miss Octavia that is not acceptable...”

“And why not?” Octavia's voice airy and exasperated.

Hailey chose her words mindfully, “Did your mother's attendants really go around calling her by her given name?” She looked seriously to Octavia, “You are of the highest importance and should always be seen respected. I would like to call you Luna if it is alright with you?” Hailey bowed slightly then looked to Octavia with the happiest look on her face, like this was a real honor to her.

“Sounds pretty. You've said it before but what does it mean?” Octavia asked

Hailey lit up, her face glowing with pride as she told her tale, “Luna is the pride of the Pack. She holds the power to heal all. To communicate to the spirit of the moon we know as our Moon Goddess. Through her ancient love and power she blesses Packs who are deserving, with certain... gifts.” Octavia tilts her head curiously at Hailey's words while she begins washing soaps through Octavia's hair. “What do you mean by gifts?” Octavia wondered outloud.

Hailey's smile pure “Maybe by bringing forth someone with the power to change Fate's Course.” She pauses to pour pitchers of water over Octavia's red and orange glistening hair, however, Octavia flings herself into the water, away from the attempts of Haileys helpful ways, splashing her again. Octavia stayed down below the surface holding her breath, running her hands through the long strands, being sure to get all the suds out. Looking around there were small and large tunnels down here, with water coming and going humming through the pipes.There were large clay pipes and copper smaller pipes coming in from the large tunnels, going around the outer walls and then back down the tunnel beneath her that now seemed lik an endless pit of water. The pipes were a work of art in their own right. Keeping the Castle heated and in fresh supply of hot water but once again the attention to detail was something to get lost in.

Mermaids and sirens swimming. In their own groups doing different dances, singing towards the surface. Looking down Octavia realized she would not be able reach the bottom. With toes pointing down she thrust her arms against the water pushing herself upon the wall so that her knees bent, then push off.

Rising from the water Octavia was pleased Hailey has the same look Nanny gets. Utter annoyance. It makes Octavia chuckle outwardly and Hailey breaks with a smile. Octavia asked, “So I am as powerful as Lord Eso now?”

“Yes Luna,” she smiles, “with the addition of all those gifts the Moon Goddess bestows each Luna. Unfortunately there is a practice our Pack has grown accustom to. Having their Luna's essence and powers stripped from her body and then filtered through their mate's. Leaving within the Alpha all the Luna's powers from the ancients, aswell as being subserviently bonded to their Alpha. The past Lunas were all lost of most senses bestowed to Wolves, however not all their essence's were permanently damaged. Many others were clever and found ways to survive and be of use. Primarily keeping Alpha soothed. The ones who are obedient and participate in this newer tradition are the ones who generally get to live their life out as the Luna by Apha's side. Those who deny their Alpha's demand are always killed and her essence taken in the process still fulfilling the reign of the Diatrox Lineage. A long line of Wolves who have ruled for nearly one hundred winter solstices with destruction and fear. humans are little more than cattle while all other creatures are too low for Wolves to acknowledge. races mercilessly killed to extinction. knowledge hordered for personal gain but they treat their own just as foul.” Tears tickled her bottom eye lids as she fought through the pain to finish her confession. "Wolves were not of this. Our kind were proud. Warriors of strength yes but of cunning and wisdom and oh how we worked with other kinds and with the lands. Wolves had lands to roam until the lands shifted and broke apart. separating the many packs who once worked harmoniously. Now those ways are not allowed to be spoken of and are long washed from the memories and hearts of the Black Moon Pack. Still, few speak in hushed whispers in broken corridors of the world we came from. Though we are careful we few fully accept that death comes with every word spilled. That our Alpha has a quick temper and is quicker to kill than speak." Hailey shuddered at her thoughts that came with her words. Octavia had sunken into her own mind, lost in worlds of variables and alternatives.

The weight of Hailey's words had little effect in scaring me from my goal, I know deep from with in that this is where I am meant to be. It is I who is to destroy this beast or die trying. Hell, it will be fun either way.