Witch Way to an Alphas' Heart

Tour Guide

"She isn't of any importance to you. I can assure she's of no threat or interest. Now if we can please continue to the training field?" She tried not to snap too hard, but every moment that crazed monster was near her defenseless daughter increased her risk of death. 'Disrespecting an Alpha' or some asinine reason like that.

However Ophelia failed to grasp what good her mother was trying to achieve. Instead she felt insulted. She wasn't even worth talking to? It was enough to forget her nerves. "Excuse me, you don't need to talk about me like I'm not here. I'm not scared of some wolf." Some tiny part of reason kept her from being even more crass. Politics and maintaining relationships.

Her mother's stormy grey eyes widened considerably. But instead of the fury that she expected, they were fearful. She had never known her mother to be afraid of anything, and that unsettled her greatly. "Alpha she meant no disrespect! We don't frequent guests here and she's young. I'll remind her of her manners later."

For a moment, he simply glared. His mouth forming a tight line. But then his lifted an arm. Immediately the quiet girl by Ophelia pushed herself infront of her to stand beside Esmeralda. Shielding her even as she trembled like a leaf at the intimidating aura. Kaines glare turned into a scowl at this action and Ophelia swallowed hard again. "We were just leaving, l-lets go Lia." Her best friend wasn't a coward by any stretch, but she seemed to grasp the severity of getting into diplomatic situation far more.

Kaine continued to reach forward, and effortlessly shoved Grace out of the way like she was made of mere paper. She let out a scream in surprise as she slammed into Esmeralda, both of them falling to the ground. A moment before impact however, Grace made a cushion of air, having them land softly instead of with a thud.

"Mom! Grace!" Ophelia took a step forward but her mother was already up again.

"Alpha Kaine this is unacceptable!" Esmeralda shrieked as she scrambled up, flames appearing in her hands. The black haired man even reached out to grab Kaines arm.

"Alpha, you can't do this! Just reject her and let's go!" He ignored them all, extending a finger with the arm his partner gripped towards the teen.

"You. You will give me the tour instead." His scowl faded, replaced with a smirk. "I heard you call her Mom. You know this land well enough to show me. And are less versed in politics, I'll easily catch a lie."

"No! You have assaulted my people, you have officially overstayed your welcome. Get OUT of my territory before I light you and your beta ablaze!" The flames burned even bigger, even brighter. Ophelia had never seen her mother in action and it was terrifying.

"Fine, but if you kick me out now I'll take it that you're hiding something which validates my suspicions. No more of these constant meetings whenever I absorb a new pack." He smirked even more as Esmeralda glared daggers.

"So be it, I want you out-"

"Mom!" Ophelia cut in loudly, inching over to help Grace up. "No. If the mutt wants a guide I'll play guide. I'll be fine." She would be damned if she was the reason their tensions worsened to war. He was obviously irritated at the term, but maintained his smirk anyway as he won what he wanted.

"I'll come with you then." Her mom responded tersely, her hands still fireballs.

"And have you control the conversation? No. You." He finally shifted his attention from Ophelia to Grace. "You can follow at a distance with my Beta. As for counselor Contrare, I believe you have some paperwork you need to draft? I promise to have your daughter back by dinner."

"You leave my friend out of this." She was quick to shield Cece, just as she had done for her.

"N-no. No there's no way I'm leaving you alone Lia." Even after getting shoved and visibly still frightened by the two weres, Grace would not leave her friend.

"No, I'll be fine. I -"

"I'm coming. Where you go, I go." That's the way it's always been. Ever since they were small children. Worrying her bottom lip, she nodded, and her mother released her fireballs reluctantly. They truly did not want the heavy losses of war, and for whatever reason Alpha Kaine was particularly lenient on Ophelia's disrespect.

"I'll remind you once more. You are a guest." Esmeralda looked at Grace, her features tight. The midnight haired girl nodded subtly. Of course her mother would rely more on the talented Grace over her failure of a daughter, but it still stung. With that, she stepped aside for them.

"Well. Then. My mother mentioned the training grounds, which is this way." With a deep breath, she pushed past the weres, cursing her rotten luck. But as she crossed Kaine, he subtly stuck out a hand from his side so it would brush against hers. The oddest tingle shot through her hand.

Flustered, she looked up sharply and her brown eyes locked with his blue. He knew she felt it. But what was it? And in the back of her mind she thought of the word that no one else had brought up. What did that beta mean by 'reject'?