The Prophecy

|| Chapter Nine ||

“Oh my goodness this is amazing.” Bea moaned as she placed the spoon in her mouth. Her eyes drifted shut and she smiled while the savoury flavours danced in her mouth.  

Jasper and Matthias had led Bea to the quiet village nearby. There were little cafes with alfresco sitting areas, quaint shops, and a pub. They told her that the village was the most alive on Sundays as most of the pack gathered for the weekend market followed by the pack gathering in the packhouse. “Pack bonding!” Jasper had told her with a grin.  

The village was beautiful and reminded her of home.  

They had explored for a few hours before escorting her back to the pack house, excusing themselves before heading for the drawing-room. It was almost noon and for the first time since she arrived, her stomach rumbled. She grinned. 

Bea found her way to the kitchen and had stood watching by the doorway afraid to interrupt. When the cooks did notice her, they jumped and bowed. The cook who appeared to be in charge had introduced herself as Molly and shaken her hand. Bea shook it warmly and reached out to grab an apron.  

“What are you doing Luna!” Molly gasped as she tightened the apron strings around her waist.  

“I want to help! Back in my pack, I loved helping Mrs. P in the kitchen with cooking the pack meals. So, what’s cooking?”  

“No, no you can’t Luna! The Alpha won’t allow – “  

“The Alpha isn’t here. Besides, I do what I want.” She pretended to pout like a spoilt child and crossed her arms in front of her. 

Molly had crossed her arms and glared at her but when she saw Bea pout, her eyes softened and twinkled with laughter. “Oh alright. Come here,” she gestured towards a bar stool by the island, “you can taste test.”  

She was given a spoonful of soup that sat bubbling away on the stovetop as she happily bounced into her seat.  

“Give her another.”  

The chatter in the kitchen died down and turned towards the doorway. Alexander leaned against the frame, staring at Bea, completely ignoring the kitchen staff as they bowed respectfully.  

He moved towards her and wound his arms around her waist, he grabbed the spoon from her hand and handed it back to Molly. Slipping an arm under her knees he lifted her easily and headed back out the kitchen – “We’ll have lunch in the drawing-room” he called out behind him. The younger kitchen girls giggled as they left the kitchen. 

--- 

He had deposited her onto the chaise lounge in the drawing-room and leaned over her, staring into her eyes. He traced her collarbone gently, lovingly almost.  

“Luna.” 

“Alpha.” 

Alexander pushed himself off of her and took her hand in his. “Come.” 

They approached the two doors at the end of the drawing-room. She recognized the door on the left to be his office, but he opened the one on the right and stepped in.  

It was revealed to be another office, decorated similarly with a slightly more feminine touch. Where Alexander’s office was dark wood and accented with navy walls, the large leather couch, and the intimidating mahogany table, the walls here were a lovely duck egg blue and sported maple furnishings and a plush grey couch. “This is your office.” 

“Why do I need an office?”  

Alexander shrugged – “Can’t run the pack myself.”  

“You’ve managed just fine so far. You big burly men can just growl your way through all your issues, don’t need a little girl getting all up in your business.”  

He had rounded on her ready to snap when he saw the smile she was fighting to hide. He softened then settled on the edge of her desk with his arms crossed in front of him. “You seem happier. More yourself.”  

“I’m about to get my revenge, why wouldn’t I be?” she responded coolly.  

She ran her hand across the desk and settled on the chair behind it. There was a knock on the door and an omega walked in with a tray with bowls of soup and some French bread.  

They ate in silence and Alexander nodded approvingly as Bea tucked in with vigour.  

“Keep eating like that and I might even allow you to start training with the warriors.”  

Bea’s eyes lit up and she jumped from her seat. “Really??” she exclaimed excitedly.  

He nodded. “Matthias and Jasper reminded me of the position you would have held if you had stayed home.”  

Her eyes dulled slightly at the mention of her pack and she fought her tears back. Guilt rushed through her body, but she shook herself slightly. No more wallowing in self-pity Bea. You have grieved enough. We need to fight.  

“Besides,” Alexander continued, “I’d love to see how my warriors take to a little pocket rocket like you.”  

She could slap him, the cheeky prick. Instead, she walked around the desk and placed a kiss on his lips, running her tongue over his lower lip, but breaking it off before he could react. She twirled around and swiftly walked out of her study. Two can play at this game.  

---

She had spent the afternoon reading under the tree as she watched the Lycan warriors train. She ached to be with them but knew that as much as she just wanted to jump in there and spar her mate was right. She’s not strong enough yet.  

Bea had shocked herself with what she did in her office but deep down, both she and her wolf had enjoyed it. Perhaps she had grieved enough over her family, or maybe it was the allure of revenge, but she had made her mind up to let it go. Grieving daughter Bea needed to go, we needed Warrior Bea back now. 

Bea 

What? She snapped at her wolf. 

You need to regain your strength.  

Why? 

He likes us strong.  

Bea growled internally at her wolf. To hell with what he liked. She can do what she wants. She was about to snap back at her wolf when she continued faintly… 

You need to be strong when I cannot be there for you… 

 --- 

After dinner, she settled on the veranda, enjoying the cool breeze ruffle her hair lightly. She felt Matthias settle next to her with a bottle of beer in his hand. 

Satisfied that it was just them, Bea let her eyes slide shut and her mask fall. The soft smile on her face dropped and exhaustion overtook. From the light of the house, Matthias could see the dark shadows under her eyes peek out from her fading concealer. He watched as her breathing hitched in her throat and a lone tear slid down her cheek.  

It only lasted a few moments and she took a deep breath, opening her eyes to smile sweetly at Matthias.  

“Hi!”  

“What are you doing out here Bea?” 

“Enjoying the breeze. You?” 

He took a swig of his beer and shrugged “Same, I guess. How are you feeling?”  

“Fine.” 

“Bullshit.”  

Her mask flickered momentarily, and she stared at him. “My wolf has been whining in my head all day, my body is betraying me around him, I have no idea what being a Luna entails. This isn’t me Matty. I’m a warrior, not a luna.” She swept a hand over the dress she wore with annoyance. “The shoes are great though.”  

Matty threw his head back and laughed. He took another swig “Bea, you’re not going to go at it on your own, being a Luna isn’t as hard as you think.” 

“Speaking from experience, are you?” 

He flicked his ponytail back, batted his eyelashes, and pouted seductively, “Of course.”  

This time, she laughed at him. She cradled her sore abdomen and relaxed against the chair. “I don’t know why I’m here, Matty. I don’t feel welcomed.”  

Matty reached over and touched her shoulder – “Of course you’re welcomed here. It’s just Alex – “  

“What?”  

“Look, I’ve been his best friend for 250 years. I can see it in his eyes that he wants to be with you as much as you want to be with him. Nobody can deny the mate bond. But he hasn’t been the same since Olivia. He’ll come around”.   

Now she sat up, staring right at Matty. “Who?” 

Matty’s eyes were wide “No, I shouldn’t have said anything.”  

“Matthias…” she growled, “Tell me!”  

“She – “. His eyes glazed over. When he came to, he grimaced and look at him. “Well, fuck.”  

He drained his beer and stood up, offering her a hand. “Come in little wolf, it’s bedtime.”  

“No, tell me!”  

Matty growled and pulled her to her feet. “No, Beatrice, it’s not my story to tell. Come on, Alexander says you need to rest.” He tucked her hand under his arm and led her to the elevator.  

“So much for being my friend…” she grumbled under her breath and angrily blew at a strand of hair that had settled over her face.  

 ---

Alexander’s eyes flicked to Bea as she walked into the bedroom. He was sitting on the armchair with a book in one hand while swirling a glass of amber liquid in the other. He sipped slowly and placed the glass and book down as she entered.  

“Beatrice.” 

“Alexander.” 

They regarded each other for a moment before she turned towards the wardrobe.  

She felt his presence as she rummaged through her bags for a sleeping shirt. She made a mental note to unpack properly but was interrupted when his hand touched the back of her neck. The dress loosened as he tugged on the zip and she shrugged her shoulders, letting the dress pool around her feet. She allowed him to trace a hand down her spine for a moment before she stepped away.  

He growled.  

The conversation with her wolf and with Matty played back in her head and she laughed internally. I’ll show you strong. He didn’t want her? Fine. But she could still have some fun. She was done letting him take control of her emotions.  

Keeping her back turned, she walked towards his side of the wardrobe and grabbed a white t-shirt. Bea turned to face him with a mischievous look on her face and her lips twitched. “I know the mate pull is strong, Alpha, but until you can accept me as your mate, fully accept me as your mate, this body is mine and mine alone.” She shrugged her bra straps off her shoulders and undid her bra, letting it drop to her feet.  

She could hear his breath turn ragged and his eyes darkened while he watched her. She stepped closer to him and hooked her fingers on either side of her underwear, slipping it off her hips and adding it to the pile on her floor. Her heart pounded in her chest.  

The adrenaline pumped in her blood, and she loved how she felt. Empowered. Beautiful.  

His eyes were dark now, but Bea could see on his face as the man fought the wolf for control. He growled low and stared into her eyes. She smiled and walk towards him but as she got close enough for him to touch, she turned sideways and slipped out of the wardrobe and into the bathroom, locking the door behind her.  

Bea could hear him pace frantically in front of the bathroom door before a bang caused her to jump back away from the door.  

“Now, now Alpha, you know my terms.” She called out at him. She heard an angry growl from the other side of the door and a moment later, heard the bedroom door slam shut. Satisfied, she stepped into the shower.