Ascendant Moon

Chapter Eight: Culture Shock

"Dex, please stop with that infernal chuckling." Gideon said flustered. How was he meant to have known she wouldn't recognise a toilet of all things? It wasn't like he was an expert in other world's facilities. A huffing noise still emerged from the Beta's muzzle, even if it was quieter than a minute ago.  

     A stroke of inspiration struck him. "You know; you can have first guard duty while she settles in. I'll be in the study, just need to check something out." Gideon stated as Dex finally stopped laughing. "Oh and if she has any more questions, be sure to help her out." He smirked at Dex's look of horror before walking off towards the study. 

     Something she had mentioned bothered him. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. She was confident, this unseelie fae, but she had been ever since they'd found her. But when she spoke of trading prisons, it was as if it was more than confidence. As if she knew without a doubt he would trust her eventually. 

     Was she going to employ some trick or magic to ensure his trust? The idea of being bewitched, not having full control over his own mind terrified him. Under a fae being's influence, he could order the pack to follow whatever agenda she had and lead them all to their deaths. It was unacceptable and if there was a way she could do it, then Gideon wanted to know. 

      He walked into the study, pulling the book from under his arm. The scrap of paper was still wedged in between the pages where he'd left it. He could have read it outside the warrior woman's room, but he didn't want her to see and attempt to gain some sort of advantage. That, and he also dreaded what other questions she could ask. Well its Dex's problem for the next few hours. 

      Gideon perched back in his chair, glancing over the box on reflex. The strange blade belonging to the Fae was still secure.  He lay the book back down on the desk and turned the pages to the point he'd marked. He'd told a half truth to the strange woman, he had only gotten as far as discovering what she was, but had not read any further before Dex had entered the office. Now his eyes devoured the written text sprawled across the delicate page.  

      Unseelie fae had harsh lives it seemed. They came from the Unseelie Court and their world revolved around power, gaining it and keeping it. They were brutal and cruel but extremely intelligent. They were trained in battle from an early age and made some of the best warriors in the Fae realm. If they were that skilled, then it was no surprise the woman had beaten his best wolves. From the sound of it, she'd been training for a lifetime. 

     Gideon continued reading. Unseelie fae had more malevolent weapons than most fae, in order to maximise the damage they inflicted. That explained the jagged edge on the blade. It was also why they looked the way they did. Their appearance was another weapon and they used it to intimidate and unsettle their opponents.

       He leaned back in his chair for a second, letting the information sink in. The Fae he had in his house was a living, breathing weapon. Everything about her was designed to ensure her victory against her enemies. She was more dangerous than he had imagined but it would also make her a great asset to the pack. No wolf he knew could say they had trained under an Unseelie fae, hell, apart his pack, he doubted other wolves even knew of their existence. Her training would elevate his warriors; Gideon was sure of it. 

      There was another section towards the bottom of the page and he leaned forward again to finish off reading. Like all fae, Unseelie fae share the same inability to lie. Inability to lie? Did that mean she was only physically able to tell the truth? No wonder she had seemed arrogant after being released. She knew she couldn't lie. The startling realisation hit him that all her answers had either been vague or deflective of the questions he asked. Just because she had no choice but to tell the truth didn't necessarily mean she had to. It seemed she would be deciding how much he knew and when. 

     Gideon reached his hand out and closed the book. He debated putting it back in the library, but something in him made him place it in one of his desk drawers. Perhaps it would still be useful in the days ahead. Armed with the new knowledge, Gideon rose and headed towards the kitchen. He'd ordered a plate be set aside for the woman and now was the time to collect. 

     As he walked into the kitchen, some of the rowdier teenaged wolves were laughing and having a good time. He breezed by, heading towards the plate of steak and chips. He'd guessed from her teeth that the Fae woman would be more inclined towards meat, but the book hadn't really mentioned Unseelie diets. 

    As he picked up the plate and walked back, the group of teenagers had noticed him and had quietened down significantly at his presence.

 "Hello Alpha," one of the boys, Adam, Gideon thought his name was said respectfully. 

"Hello," Gideon returned, nodding his head in acknowledgement to the group. "How are you all doing?" 

"We're good Alpha," one of the girls, Delma, he recalled answered. "We were just talking about the Lunar festival next week."

"Yes, we're really looking forward to it." Another chimed in. 

       The Lunar festival, of course! How could he forget it was so soon? Well, considering he'd been seeing paperwork and approving things for it for months, he supposed it all blended together after a while. He made a mental note to check on the preparations as soon as he was finished with the Fae woman. "I'm glad you're all so excited." He smiled, suddenly remembering at least one thing he'd been asked. "I have it on good authority Violetta will be making her famous steamed buns." He smiled and winked before carrying on, leaving the teenagers to fall back into excited chatter. 

      With haste, Gideon made his way back to the fae's room. He paused, noticing the lack of Dex by the door. Cautiously, he pushed the door open and immediately heard a loud shout from the woman. "Well how was I supposed to know it did that? You need to give better instructions!" 

     A very soaked russet wolf ran out of the bathroom, dripping water all over the floor as the Fae appeared in the bathroom door, clutching a shower head in her hand that was still spraying water.

     After digesting the scene for a second, all Gideon could think to do was raise the plate in her direction. 

"Dinner?"