Alpha and Omega

Vanilla and Ginger

"What is his problem?"  I asked Mathilda for the third time in the past thirty minutes.  A man on the stage, who I only assumed was the Prince since the Royal Beta I had met earlier was seated beside him, had been staring at me almost the entire ceremony.  As much as I wanted to flick him off and look away, I was finding it impossible, something about him drew me in.

"I don't see a problem.  He's attractive for a human and he exudes power, we could do worse for a mate."  Mathilda purred through my mind, she whined every time I tore my eyes from his and attempted to look elsewhere, of course every time I looked else where I noticed Knox staring at me as well.  

I wasn't sure what his problem was either, each time my eyes connected with Knox's his began to swirl showing his wolf close to the surface.  My feelings were all over the place where Knox was concerned.  I hated him, had since we were kids and though I knew those feelings would never change I could feel the mate bond forming the closer I got to my birthday, that pull telling me to ignore every bad thing he'd ever done and convince him to take me as his Luna.

"We are not a Luna, we are an Alpha.  And the mate that the Moon Goddess intends for us is not a sniveling, pathetic excuse of a wolf like him."  To say Mathilda hated Knox was an understatement.  Your wolf was supposed to crave their mate, but instead of wanting to be closer to Knox, Mathilda was anxious to be closer to the Prince.  Mix in the graduation, the thought that me and my mother were going to attempt our escape later tonight and everyone in the room seeming to stare at me constantly, lets just say my mind was all over the place.

As all of the graduates stood and got in line to walk up to the stage and get our diplomas I kept my head down and focused on the perfectly formed bun at the back of the girl in front of me in line.  I thought of visiting my uncle and joining his pack.  He was my fathers brother, an Alpha of his pack north west of where we currently lived and I was excited to get there and let Mathilda really run.  We'd never been allowed to run like the rest of the wolfs in the pack, for fear that someone would see my pure white coat and report the presence of another Alpha on the packs territory.  

My uncle and aunt had been asking my mother to bring me for a visit my entire life, but mom had never been allowed to leave the pack with me and though my uncle had wanted to know why, an Alpha command doesn't work over the phone and my uncle was never allowed inside the boarder the few times he attempted to make his way here to meet me.  If not for technology allowing us to video chat I'd have no relationship with them at all.  Mom was nervous how my uncle would react when he found out I was an Alpha wolf, but hoped that since we were family he'd let me live peacefully within the protection of the pack.  If not, mom decided we would go rogue... this was a last result and I was terrified of a life on the run with my mother, not for my self, I'd be fine, I was worth more alive then dead, but mom was an Omega and no one would think twice of sending her to the Goddess's realm.

I was the last in the graduation processional leading to the stage but during my musings most of the other students had crossed the stage and come off the other side. With our town being small and our pack having it's own Pre-K through 12th Grade school, we were a small class.  Stepping up onto the stage, I held my head high and glided forward to shake the principles hand first, taking satisfaction in the fact hat I towered over her and the way her eyes grew wide as she put the name called out to the face.

"Lenora Hall!"  The Alpha called as I moved from the principle towards him to take my Diploma out of his hand.  As he handed me the diploma his eyes glided over me in a way that made a shiver go up my spine, it wasn't the way an Alpha should look at a pack member, especially one that was both still underage and his sons mate.  "Congratulations Ora, I'm proud of the young woman you've become, the pack is lucky to have you."  I kept my gaze focused on his nose so that I wouldn't risk locking eyes with him again like in the house earlier today, no reason to risk a scene here and now.

"Thank you."  I muttered as I took my hand out of his and held my diploma in both hands, my knuckles going white as I gripped the little book holding the single piece of paper.  I saw his eyebrows draw together and realized my mistake.  "Alpha."  I added quietly, dipping my head down slightly as a sign of respect.  My wolf refused to bare our neck as a sign of submission, but I had convinced her long ago that dipping our head in a mock bow would have to be allowed if for no other reason then to not raise suspicions. 

I spun away from Alpha Neo, intending to rush through shaking the prince's hand so I could get off this stage and out of the spotlight, but as I turned one of the heels I was not use to wearing slipped, my food sliding out from under me and my ankle twisting as I fell forward. What happened next seemed to play out in slow motion.

I felt my diploma drop out of my hands as I threw my hands up to break my fall and protect my face and head, my eyes squeezed shut, preparing for the pain that would come when I hit the smooth but hard polished wood of the stage, and a strangled gasp slipped from my lips as the flash of pain from twisting my ankle flashed through me.

But I never hit the floor, instead I felt warmth and the softest material I'd ever touched pressed to my cheek.  I felt pressure behind my knees and behind my shoulders as I was raised into the air, my arms reaching up to slide along smooth, warm skin that tingled my own on contact.  My eyes flew open half expecting to see Knox as my savior with the electricity flashing between us, instead my gaze met that of beautiful deep brown eyes, watching me with such heat and desire that I felt as if I were going to burst into flames right there in his arms.

I recognized that face, but it took me a moment to realize who my savoir was with the way my wolf was purring in my mind, and by the swirling black in his iris's I knew his own wolf was close to the surface.

"Mine."  He whispered, dipping his face into my neck and running his nose along the sensitive skin of my neck, the electricity he left with his touch sent sparks down my spine and I involuntarily dropped my head back over his arm, my own tightening around his neck, pulling him closer, the deep chuckle that vibrated through his chest send heat licking through my veins and I heard a soft moan of delight slide from between my lips as his lips placed a searing kiss right under my hear.  "Pure perfection and you are mine."  He growled this time and the sexy foreign accent lacing his voice pulled me from my dazed state, my eyes flying wide in shock at I looked his features over again.  Did the Prince just call me his?!

"No!"  I heard someone in the crowd holler, then the thundering of feet as someone rushed the stage.  I came crashing back to reality.  I was on stage, in front of almost my entire pack being held and devoured by the Crowned Prince of our species.  Holy s**t what was going on.  "Put her down!  She's mine and even you can not split a mated pair chosen by the Goddess herself!"  I knew that whiny voice, I didn't even have to look to know that Knox was now on stage, facing off against the prince.

The prince was ignoring him though, instead just watching me, a happy and contented smile gently curving his sexy lips.  Goddess, everything about him was sexy as hell, including the faint scent of ginger and vanilla that was drifting off of him and filling my lungs with it's intoxicating fragrance.  Sweet and spicy, it fit him perfectly.  

"I said get your hands off of my mate!"  Knox growled, from the feral tone I feared he may be close shifting and the last thing I wanted, or needed, was a fight over me to take place in the middle of our high school graduation.  

Putting my hands on the prince's chest I tried to push away and move my legs off of his arm to stand, but he just tighten his hold and lifted an eyebrow in an arrogant look of 'Where do you think you're going?' 

"Respectfully Alpha Prince Gideon, please put me down."  I whispered softly, going still in his hold instead, hoping he'd respect my request.  Instead his brows drew together in confusion, as his eyes searched my face.

"Why would I set you down when your ankle is hurt?  I do not want you to be in pain."  His voice made my heart race, that accent should be illegal on a man as attractive as him.

"Because..."  I started, but was unable to finished, because I had no good reason.  Respect for Knox was the last thing I cared about, and honestly, I loved being in his arms. 

"Stop ignoring me you arrogant prick!"  Knox snarled, as he stepped closer to me and the Prince, who seemed to still be ignore my enraged mate, not caring that we were causing a scene, and not seeming to give a flying fu*k that the Knox was getting closer.  His gaze simply continued to drink me in like he was seeing water for the first time after days lost in the desert.

"Watch your mouth pup!"  Thundered another heavily accented voice I recognized as the Royal Rising Beta Jaxon, who I'd met earlier.  Pulling my eyes from Prince Gideon's I looked over at Beta Jaxon as he went head to head with Knox, clearly unafraid of the weakling Alpha to be he was staring down.  But Knox didn't have the good sense to leave it be, and instead shoved against Beta Jaxon's chest, trying to shove him back but he didn't budge.  I half expected Beta Jaxon to attack, but instead he stood there with a dangerous smirk on his face.  "Want to try that again pup?"

Knox growled and pulled his fist back, I could hardly believe he was raising his hand to a Royal and watched in stunned silence as the sound of flesh hitting flesh sounded through the silent auditorium.  The sound made me wince, knowing that had to hurt, but instead of stumbling back as I would have expected, Beta Jaxon chuckled and slowly unbutton his suit jacket, slipping it off his shoulders and handing it to a beautiful young woman who walked up to him, taking it over her arm, she was shaking her head in exasperation but a humorous smile curved her lips.

"My turn."  Beta Jaxon said darkly before delivering an upper cut so powerful it knocked Knox into the air and flying off the stage, to land  among his surprised class mates.  The woman stepped back up to him and offered his jacket back, still shaking her head, though now she had a big smile on her lips.  "Thank you my dear."

"You are acting like a cave man."  She mumbled back placing a hand on his arm as they both walked towards us.

"You can't attack my son after attempting to steal his mate!  This is not how things are done!"  Shouted Alpha Neo as he stalked closer to the royals and my self, still held closely to Prince Gideon's chest.  I felt the prince's arms tighten subtly around me as he turned to face the angry Alpha, as his gaze met the Alpha's his eyes became hard and his lips thinned.

"You are already on thin ice Neo, take another step towards my mate and I will have no choice but to challenge you."  Prince Gideon's voice was soft, but full of dark promise, the coolness of which made me shiver again.  Did he just say mate?  Did the Prince just call me his mate?  But that was impossible, Knox was my mate, I could feel it even without being fully of age yet.

"I've been telling you for years that we are special.  You don't even know the half of it yet Ora."  Mathilda whispered through my mind smugly.

"That is impossible!  Knox has known she was his mate since his birthday last year, the only reason she isn't marked is because her birthday is in two days and we both know what happens to a wolf who marks an underage she-wolf."  Alpha Neo growled, but I noticed he stayed where he was, crossing his arms over his barrel chest and glaring at the prince.  "I forbid her from leaving, she is my son's mate and future Luna of this pack.  Even you can not go against the ancient laws."

"The ancient laws that state that a mated pair brought together by the Moon Goddess can be torn apart by no wolf or man?  Those laws?"  The prince asked as he returned Alpha Neo's glare with one of his own, but as soon as Alpha Neo nodded his head once in agreement, Prince Gideon's face lit up with a bright smile.  "Excellent, then we are in agreement, I will be taking my mate with me.  Because rest assured, she is my mate.  Me and my wolf feel the pull.  Why the Moon Goddess gave her two mates is beyond my own understanding, but she is in fact mine."  His voice dropped to a growl before he continued in a dangerous tone.  "I do not share and if anyone has any ideas of attempting to take her from me, I will gladly help you reach the Goddess's realm."  

With that, the prince turned on his heel and walked from the stage, caring me easily as he left the silent auditorium and a man in a black suit opened a side door for us to exit out of.  What the hell had just happened?!  How did I process any of this?  First I needed out of his arms, his scent and the sparks licking at my skin every time my hand touched his neck was clouding my mind and my judgment.  I needed to think.

"Stop!"  I commanded, a little surprised when the handsome man holding me came to a quick halt and looked down at me in question.  "Put me down, now!"  I demanded, pushing against his chest again, as I had earlier.  "My ankle has healed, so your earlier argument is no longer valid, so put me down.  Now!"  

His eyes grew wide as he searched my face curiously, but his lips turned up into a sexy smile after a moment and he chuckled.  "But I am enjoying holding you close.  I have searched for you for years, I never want to let you go."

His words had a double effect on me, making my heart skip a beat at the sweetness and drawing my ire at the fact that he had yet to take me seriously, he had yet to respect my wishes and my boundaries.  He was acting as if I belonged to him and he would do as he pleased.  I may find him incredibly attractive and react to his touch, but it changed nothing, and if the growl Mathilda was sending through my mind meant anything, she didn't appreciate being treated like chattel either. 

"I said put me down.  Either respect my wishes or I'll reject you the moment I turn eighteen just as I plan on doing to that ass hat Beta Jaxon just knocked unconscious."  I guess something I said made the prince realize how serious I was because he immediately moved to set me on my feet, his hands remaining on my waist as my legs steadied under me.  As soon as I knew I wouldn't fall I stepped back, out of his reach and wrapped my arms around my mid section, hugging my self as I watched him apprehensively.  We stood like that for a moment, just watching one another, when the door to the building opened again and out walked Beta Jaxon and the beautiful girl I had see take his jacket earlier, from the way their hands were interlaced I assumed they were mated.

"Well, you sure do know how to make a statement Gideon."  Jaxon laughed as he moved his arm up to wrap around his mates shoulder, pulling her against his side as they joined us.  His amused gaze flicked to me and I couldn't help but return the smile he was flashing me.  "I knew I liked you for a reason.  That strength of yours will do you well as a royal princess and eventually queen."

"Queen?"  I whispered, my head snapping between each of the royals before me in utter shock.  I hadn't had a moment to even think about what the Crowned Prince claiming me would mean, but I didn't have time to consider it now either as the door swung open again and the man who'd been guarding the door came out with a hand wrapped around my mothers arm as she yelled at him.  

"Let go of me you big brute!  I deserve to see to my daughter!  You all can't just kidnap a minor!"  Mother was hollering as she attempted to beat at him even as he dragged her towards the small group of us gathered in the parking lot.  Mathilda and I both snarled at the harsh treatment of my mother and a growl spread through my chest before leaving my lips.

"Release her NOW!"  I commanded, my Alpha aura spreading out in waves as anger shot through my veins, fueling the power I had tried for so long to keep hidden.  The guard let go of my mother immediately and fell to his knees on the concreate gasping for air as my aura forced the air from his lungs.  My mother ran to me, throwing her arms around me and pulling me to the ground, her hand petting my hair softly, calming me.  I pulled my aura back in and buried my face in my mothers shoulder as I held her and calmed my pounding heart.

"Was that..?"  The Jaxon's mate asked softly, not able to finish the sentence in her awe.

"I think it was."  Answered Jaxon, his own tone devoid of amusement for once.

"But that is impossible..."  Started the woman, trailing off when the prince spoke over her.

"We have to get her out of her immediately."  Prince Gideon stated, as I heard his expensive looking dress shoes stepping closer to us, gravel crunching under the pounded leather.  "Kai, get the vehicle, now."  He ordered the guard even as the man stumbled to his feet.  I felt warmth and tingles spreading through my body as his hands brushed my shoulders.  "Come Lenora, you do not have to accept me right now, but you and your mother are in danger here, please come with us, we can keep you both safe."

Pulling away from my mother I looked into his beautiful, chocolate brown eyes.  "You promise to keep my mother safe?"

"On my own life."  He whispered vehemently back, his eyes shinning with honesty, and just like that I trusted him.

I nodded my head and before long we were being ushered into the back of a dark sedan and speeding from the school just as the double doors burst open a pissed off looking Knox with blood staining his mouth, chin and graduation gown ran into the parking lot, kicking gravel towards our departing vehicle.