Against the Black

Chapter 7

Different attendants filed out from the corners of the room and opened the left wall. From the outside, it looked like any other mountain scape, rocks and trees with weeds scattered in between. But once the wall was opened, you could see right into the ballroom. This was just another way they kept the castle’s secrets. Once the wall was opened, it let in a soft cool breeze that caught the skirt of my dress and danced with it.

The room grew more crowded and finally my mom returned to the table carrying our drinks, when a man from the table next to ours spoke up.

“Lenore, good to see you. Are you still playing Alpha?” He taunted, and his entourage snickered.

“No, actually. I passed on my title last week. What about you, Alpha Brian? Are you still playing at being a loving mate?” She shot the man her most award-winning smile while placing drinks on the table. Alpha Brian frowned at her.

“I don’t have time to pretend like some packs. Who did you pass your title off to? Did you finally get wise and find a real Alpha?” Before my mother could speak, I interjected.

“She did. How can I help you, Alpha Brian?” I smiled at him with my most polite glare.

“Who are you, pup?” He barely glanced at me before returning his gaze to my mother.

“You’re speaking to the Alpha of the Obsidian Falls pack, and I suggest you show some respect.” Babs snarled low. I placed a light hand on her shoulder. Alpha Brian returned his gaze to me, assessing me this time. Then he let out a loud belly laugh.

“Your pack is so… cute.” He wrinkled his nose as if talking to a toddler. “I love that you think you’re a real pack and a real Alpha. It really is adorable. A pack full of women. Tell me, do you have any men in your pack, or are only lesbains allowed?” Alpha Brian lifted his drink to his lips, smirking at me over the rim as though he’d just said the most hilarious thing.

“We have plenty of males in our pack, as a matter of fact. We just don’t let them make a mess of things by trying to run it.” I took a sip from my drink, matching his energy. His face fell into a sneer.

“That’s big talk from a woman who has barely come into her role as Alpha.” He spat the word out as if trying to use it as an insult.

“There’s a reason your silly pack is the only one run by women. It doesn’t work, so it’d be better if you’d all just stop pretending and put a man in charge already.”

“Interesting point of view. However, I do believe my pack has been around for the better part of two centuries. How long has your pack been around?” I placed my finger to my lips as if deep in thought. “I think I recall your pack being announced only ten years or so ago. Is that right?” He looked murderous. “I also think I remember hearing you’re having a power struggle. Oh wait, no, you had the power struggle already. You killed your father to take over as Alpha before he believed you to be ready. That must cause tension within your pack. How is it dealing with all of that unease?” Before he could respond, I continued. “But, I guess you don’t have to deal with it too much since your pack members flee to our lands seeking sanctuary.” I turned to Babs. “You’re in charge of new pack members. What did that woman say? The most recent addition?”

“Please let me stay. My mate will kill me when he finds out I’ve left.” She gins at Alpha Brian with a twisted sense of satisfaction. Alpha Brian’s face changes to one of unbridled rage.

“That’s right.” I looked back at Alpha Brian, drinking in his fury. “Don’t worry, since we’re a pack run by women, we know how to… care for other women.” I shot him a sly wink and took another sip of the bubbly liquid. My mom placed her hand on my arm as a warning to tread lightly. But I had no intention of backing down. I knew taunting an Alpha with their mate was a fight waiting to happen. This fight would set the tone for how Obsidian Falls will be treated in the future.

We’re a pack of women, caring and nurturing. We watch out for one another and defend ourselves when needed. But we never go looking for a fight until today.

“How dare you keep my mate from me? You’re holding her hostage, and I demand you release her at once.” His voice boomed and everyone in the ballroom turned to see what was happening.

“I’m not holding anyone hostage. And as I recall, she rejected you already. You simply refused to accept her rejection. Now, correct my foggy memory, I just became Alpha. There’s a lot to do and my silly little woman brain can’t keep up with it all. But didn’t you lock her in your dungeons after she rejected you? That’s where she claimed she escaped from. And as we all know,” I raised my voice, projecting over the crowd. “There’s no crime worse than mistreating your goddess gifted mate. If you were to be found guilty, that would have your pack either disbanded or handed to a more worthy Alpha.” I grinned like the Cheshire cat. Alpha Brian’s face turned purple in anger.

“How dare you accuse me of such a ridiculous accusation when you’re the one holding my mate prisoner?” He bellowed, flinging spittle as he did.

“As I said before, I am holding no one against their will. And to prove such, I would happily invite the royal Beta to come and investigate. Can you say the same?” I kept my eyes locked on his, but could hear murmurs drifting throughout the crowd.

“I refuse to listen to you anymore. You will hand my mate over, or you will face me in an Alpha challenge.” His words were barely coherent as he launched them at me. I broke his gaze, smoothing my dress from this flying saliva before making contact again. I paused for a solid minute, the ball room so quiet you could hear the heartbeat of everyone in the room, waiting in anticipation. Then I shrugged as the cool night air played with my dress, blowing it in billowing clouds around my legs.

“No.” I turned my back to him. I heard the tearing of clothes and turned back to face Alpha Brian’s large brown wolf. He snarled a challenge at me. I threw my hands in the air,

“Fine, if you want to act like a child, I will put you in your place like one.” I sighed and walked away to grab one of the attendants standing not far off. When I turned, Alpha Brian snapped at me. I slapped his snout away before his jaw could graze my skin.

“How dare you attack me in the hall of the royal palace!” I snapped and bared my teeth. “We will take this outside.” I turned and snagged the arm of the shocked attendant standing closest, then dragged him outside behind me. Once outside, Alpha Brian came leaping out and stood across the clearing from me, growling low, ready to pounce. The crowd gathered at the edge of the open wall to watch.

“Unzip me.” I instructed the confused attendant.

“Roxanne, what are you doing?” My mother hissed from the edge of the clearing, just outside the ballroom.

“Martha made me the most stunning dress. I refuse to rip it to put this pup in his place.” I spoke to her, though my eyes never left Alpha Brian. “Now, unzip me.” I ordered again, and this time the attendant did as he was asked. I slipped out of my dress and shoes, handing both to the attendant. Standing in the mountain air as naked as the day I was born with a crowd behind me gave me goosebumps all over.

“Thank you, you may now wait over there,” I motioned to where my mother and Babs were standing. Vera stood off to the side of them with her phone out to record. When she noticed my gaze, she offered me a thumbs up. I rolled my eyes. “This won’t take long. Once I finish here, I will grab my things from you. I nudged the attendant in the direction I’d pointed and he scurried away, before turning back to Alpha Brian.