Queen Huntress

Friends or Foe only Werewolves Know

Blaise suffered through the main course, focusing only on what was in front of her. The Alpha was a lady killer, she had to give him that. The dark tousled hair and muscular features he had made it hard to concentrate. But the black-tie dress code was killing any lucid thought that came to mind. 

What was it with supernatural creatures and being thousand times more beautiful than humans. Blaise was pleasantly surprised when Alpha Lucien struck up a conversation. She accepted his apology and even offered an olive branch of her own. She was staying behind in the palace for an unknown amount of time, and it wasn't very gracious to argue with your host. 

Luckily their conversation was interrupted by dessert and she was able to make a clean getaway from the table. Blaise weaved through the crowd pausing only for short conversations with her fellow hunters. Blaise was excited to meet up with Alexandra and meet some blood moon warriors. 

Finally, after about twenty minutes of searching, she spotted Alexandra at the punch bowl. Blaise carefully selected a flute of champagne off of a neighboring omega's tray and made her way over to the young girl. She gently tapped the back of her baby blue, silk evening gown. 

"Blaise!" sang Alexandra. 

"Hey girl, I've been looking for you forever!" Blaise breathed. 

"Let me introduce you to some of the pack," said Alexandra. 

Blaise screwed up her nose but didn't complain. "Okay, if anyone asks I'm your date." joked Blaise with a wink. 

She earned another laugh from Alexandra. The girls walked around the ballroom arm and arm, as though they'd been friends for decades and hadn't just met that day. Alexandra was chattering about med school at the were college and Blaise had to admit she was pretty fascinated by her career choice.  

Suddenly Alexandra bounced on her toes craning her neck above the crowd. This girl had an unbelievable amount of energy for her tiny frame.

"Ou! I'm going to introduce you to a few of my classmates, come on!" squealed Alexandra. 

She dragged Blaise across the ballroom in record time. A group of girls stood around a bar table drinking flutes of champagne while surveying the room for the most eligible bachelors. They brightened at Alexandra but quickly narrowed their eyes on Blaise looking her up and down. 

"Alex!" They cheered in unison 

There were four girls in total, each of them gorgeous and tall, much taller than Blaise and Alexandra. One girl had died blonde hair and big green eyes, she wore a slip-style evening dress that was fitted to her body. It plunged low exposing a trashy amount of cleavage and had a cutout in the stomach area. Her blonde locks were styled into messy girls and the top half of her hair was secured with rhinestone clips. 

Two of the girls were identical aside from their hair color. The brunette wore her long hair in a low ponytail at the base of her neck, a shimmery gold evening gown hugged her curves, the skirt was translucent and had built-in underwear. The dress complemented her olive skin tone beautifully. The girl Blaise could only identify as her sister was wearing the same dress in chocolate brown, her jet black locks were styled in a thick blowout that fell just below her ribs. The last girl at the table was wearing an off-the-shoulder mermaid dress that had an exaggerated flair at the bottom, it blushed pink and clashed with her orange hair and blue eyes. Her hair was pin-straight. 

"Hey girls!" Alexandra said enthusiastically. "This is Blaise Nightshade and she's the second in command of the Nightshade hunters." 

The girls once again surveyed Blaise from top to bottom. Blaise smiled trying to appear as friendly as possible. The brunette in the gold dressed stepped forward and wrapped Blaise in a tight hug. 

"Hi Blaise," she practically sang. "My name is Mia Locke and this is my twin Maze." 

Mia gently pulled her sister forward to greet Blaise. She looked to be very shy and unsure of the newcomer to the group. 

"I love your names," Blaise said reassuringly. 

The dark-haired twin lightened up at Blaise's words and offered her a tight hug as well. 

"I love your dress." offered Maze. 

Blaise smiled brightly and thanked her for her compliment. Alexandra turned to the blonde in the green evening gown and pulled her towards Blaise. 

"This is Rosalind," she said kindly. 

Blaise reached out to shake her hand sensing her discomfort. Rosalind returned the handshake a little too firmly. She realized that Rosalind didn't care to meet her when she stepped back her face void of any expression. It took everything in her to ignore her rudeness but before she could even absorb it Alexandra was already introducing her last classmate. 

"And this is Jen!" exclaimed Alexandra. 

Jen stepped forward and wrapped Blaise into a tight embrace. 

"Hey girl," said Jen. "I have heard whispers about you being some type of weapons connoisseur. I have to say from one badass to another, that I think it's super cool." 

Blaise laughed easily. 

"I wouldn't call myself a connoisseur, more like a kid in an armory." she joked. 

Jen threw her head back and released a peal of laughter. Blaise immediately felt bad for thinking her dress clashed with her hair and eye color. Jen seemed to be the kindest of the group and here she had judged her appearance so harshly. 

"We have to spar, I feel like I could totally learn a thing or two from you." gushed Jen. 

"It's a date," replied Blaise sweetly. 

The girls chatted for a few minutes before Alexandra dragged them all out onto the dance floor. They shimmied and twerked to all the fast songs laughing and dancing until the band came back on stage. The opening rift of drops of Jupiter started and the girls dispersed leaving room for couples to share a slow dance. Suddenly Blaise felt two unfamiliar hands around her waist and she turned to find Alpha Forrest was attached to them. 

"Care to dance?" he asked seductively. 

Blaise screwed up her face in distaste and tried to move away from the Alpha but his werewolf strength was no match for her so she gave in. It's not like Blaise to cause a scene so she gave in instead. 

"Not like you're really asking," she replied. 

Lucien gave her a smug look and twirled her into his chest dramatically. 

"Maybe I want you to know that there's more to me than being an Alpha," he said simply. 

Blaise returned his comment with a dry laugh. As the song progressed the Alpha seemed to get bolder. Dipping Blaise low and twirling her around with ease. 

"Okay," said Blaise halfway through the song. "You can dance I'll give you that." 

"That's all I get?" asked Lucien as he pouted sadly. 

"I'm dancing with you aren't I?" she asked. 

Annoyance surged through her veins and bubbled into anger. If Blaise was a cartoon character steam would be billowing from her ears by now. From the age of ten years old when Blaise began training to become a hunter, she trained her brain to be emotionless. The only feelings she had for anyone were reserved for her fellow hunters the only thing she cared about was completing missions and getting her company home to the compound, alive. This alpha was determined to forge a relationship with the Nightshades right before a mission, and in doing so didn't realize he could jeopardize the whole thing. 

"Look Blaise," Lucien began carefully. "All I'm trying to do here is create a lasting relationship between the kingdom of Lycanis and hunters. Quite honestly it should have happened long ago. I don't want you or your father to hate us which is why I'm trying to break down your walls so hard." 

Blaise nodded, she completely understood. Becoming allies would be beneficial to both parties. However, in order to have a successful mission, any type of formal ally-ship would have to wait until every one of Blaise's hunters was within the safety of the compound. 

"Lucien, I completely understand where you're coming from as a leader. But hunters are human, and heavily driven by emotion. I can't have my people slipping up because we're making nice with the werewolves who requested our help." 

Lucien leaned closer to Blaise's ear. 

"Come outside with me Nightshade, we need to have a talk," Lucien said. His voice was completely devoid of emotion. 

I guess he's taking a page out of my lack of emotion book she thought to herself. Blaise turned and walked off the dance floor with Alpha Lucien not trailing far behind. She realized as they reached the foyer that she had no idea where she was going so she turned to Lucien expectantly with her arms crossed. Lucien gently tugged Blaise towards the back of the palace and into the kitchen. He briskly walked them past the industrial stoves and through a small backdoor. He was taking her to the garden she realized.

Blaise removed her arm from the Alpha's grip and continued to follow him down a dimly lit dirt walking trail. Eventually, they reached a cobblestone platform with two benches parallel to each other. A large concrete fountain sat in the middle, willow trees surrounded the cobblestone, and cement planters were strategically placed and filled with the most fragrant and beautifully colored flowers. Lightbulb lights were strung overhead to provide a warm light and intimate feel. 

Does he expect us to have some kind of romantic moment out here Blaise angrily thought? This is ridiculous do werewolves always have to make these kinds of advances in the middle of an important mission. 

Lucien sat on one of the empty benches and tapped the empty space beside him expectantly. 

"What?" asked Blaise 

"Blaise maybe I'm missing something here, but you and Commander Nightshade have been extremely hostile. What's the problem?" 

Blaise let out a long sigh. 

"My mom, hunter training. Pretty much everything we've done since we arrived here has gone against our beliefs and training. When you add my mother dying on your land it stacks us against you quite a bit." 

Lucien nodded in understanding. 

"Blaise I get your hesitation. Blood Moon would never harm you, or your people. What happened to your mother was a coup against the palace. She was collateral." He explained. 

Blaise looked deep into Lucien's eyes searching for any hint of fabrication. 

"Who?" was all she asked in response. 

"How much do you know about Blood Moon's history?" he asked. 

Blaise thought back to her training. Truthfully hunters don't know a whole lot about packs and their history just how to attack and kill werewolves. 

"I know about the blood moon battle." 

"Okay," started Lucien. "So about seventy-five years ago my great grandfather became the King of All Werewolves. Before him, there was no king of Lycanis. The decision to appoint a king came from the panel of elders, it was meant to restore order to the werewolf kingdom after the blood moon battle. There was a vote between the alphas of every werewolf pack and my grandfather won. For a long time, there was peace, my father successfully took over. During his reign, my dad brought a lot of laws into play. He made it possible for female werewolves to hold the rank of Alpha, Beta, and Delta, he also made it possible for them to become warriors, and leave their mates if they were abusive. A lot of Alphas didn't like these laws and they started to quietly revolt. Alpha Black from Darkwood pack was actually mated to my older sister Cierelle. She was about ten years older than me. She was eighteen and I was eight. Alpha Black believed that women were meant to be restricted to cooking, cleaning, being Luna, and producing heirs. He hid his ideologies well for the duration of their courtship at the palace. He gained my parent's trust and eventually, he and Cierelle left the palace. Six months after their marriage my sister fled from the Darkwood pack and ran here in wolf form. She got managed to get herself here in half a day but she didn't resemble the woman who left us. She had long and jagged scars over her entire body, throughout the duration of her marriage she was disfigured badly at the hands of her husband. My father was very angry and mobilized our warriors to descend on the Darkwood pack and disband it, Alpha Black managed to escape after his entire pack was disbanded and he became a rogue. My sister got better, she started to train as a warrior, she became the top warrior in the pack. We were so proud to see her healing...and then she was gifted a second chance mate. Alpha Black remained in hiding for seven years but when he heard about my sister's new mate he began building an army. He was smart though, he knew he had to get a lot of people on his side so he went from pack to pack spouting lies about my sister and the disbanding of Darkwood. My father heard about Black's rogue army and enlisted your father to help. But we didn't realize how many of our own people agreed with his ideologies, my father's own beta was his mole. Black's army attacked the day your father was traveling here to sign a peace treaty agreement. Their goal was to make it look like it was an ambush so your father would attack us. Not only did Black's rogue army kill your mother, but they killed my sister and her mate as well. Luckily we were able to locate Black a few miles out from Blood Moon in a bunker but the damage was done already." 

Blaise eyed the alpha carefully. "So it was an attack on you?" 

Lucien nodded. "My father delved deep within his grief, he was ashamed that because of him you had to live without a mother so he allowed your father to back out of the treaty." 

"I'm sorry that you lost your sister," Blaise offered. 

"I'm sorry you lost your mother." Lucien returned with a sad smile. 

They sat in silence for a while before Lucien looked at Blaise carefully. 

"Blaise, on the elevator today your eyes glowed a deep violet. You're not completely human are you?" 

Blaise panicked, this was exactly why she'd been avoiding the alpha. She feigned a laugh. 

"Of course I'm human," she replied. 

"But not completely," he argued. "How else would you have glowing eyes." 

"Honestly Lucien, I have no idea why my eyes glowed," started Blaise. "A lot of odd things have been happening lately. I would actually like to talk to some of the elders and see if they can help me figure it out." 

Lucien seemed to be looking through Blaise. She truly hoped he believed her words, it was a half-truth. She knew what was happening to her, but couldn't bring herself to tell him. She had to heed her mother's warnings. 

"I can set up a meeting between you and Elder Whitehorn if you like?" Lucien offered. 

"Thanks, Lucien, I would really appreciate it if we could keep this to ourselves. My subordinates would have an issue taking orders from a supernatural commander." 

"Sure Blaise, I understand," Lucien returned. 

"While we're out here," Blaise started. "I really would like to apologize for any behavior you construed as hostility. I've just been trained since age eleven to leave my feeling on the compound. It's not personal at all." 

Lucien smiled brightly at Blaise, god he was gorgeous. But Blaise had to stop thinking like this it was completely unprofessional. For some weird reason she kept wanting to open up to the alpha and she knew that if she really and truly did open up to him it would jeopardize her future position as the Nightshade Commander. 

"It's okay Blaise," Lucien replied. "This is a little new to all of us and I was pushing really hard to get you to open up."

Blaise smiled and stood from her seat right next to the Alpha. She didn't want any of her company to see them alone in such an intimate setting and get the wrong idea. 

"We should probably head back now," Blaise suggested. "I don't want my people to think I'm fraternizing with the king of all alphas." 

This earned a deep chuckle from Lucien. Blaise really wanted to believe the information that Lucien had offered her regarding her mother's death. There was one way to know for sure but using her powers in front of Lucien could potentially catch her in a lie, after all, she did just tell him she truly believed that she was human knowing full well that she is in fact a descendant of the moon goddess werewolves worships.

 Alpha Forrest led the way back to the palace. The pair made their way in through the backdoor located in the kitchen. Lucien walked out of the kitchen first but pointed Blaise towards a hallway that would take her into the ballroom by the washrooms. She liked that he understood the tough position she'd be in if any of the Nightshade hunters saw them alone together, but it made her feel oddly sad that this was how it had to be. She found herself growing to like Lucien and it was going to make things really complicated if they truly became friends. Hunters tolerate werewolves who abide by the unspoken laws but they don't like them. 

Blaise walked down the hallway and found herself back in the ballroom. She spotted Alexis chatting with Alexander and made her way over to interrupt. It looked as though they were having one of their animated arguments about some strange topic that probably didn't matter. Blaise smiled to herself as she approached, Alexis must not realize how in love with her Alex is. Not that she could ever return his feelings. 

"Look at my two favorite people arguing for the millionth time this week," Blaise sang in jest. 

"Blaise," Alexis whined. "Will you please tell this dummy that twilight IS absolutely riveting." 

"It's completely inaccurate," shot back Alex. 

"It's fiction," Alexis enunciated sarcastically. 

"Alex why do you think arguing is such a good way to flirt," laughed Blaise. 

Alex turned bright red, signaling that Blaise was right. Her big cousin had it BAAD for miss Alexis. 

"I'm not flirting Blaise." 

Alexis shot an angry look at Alex before looking to Blaise for rescue. We have a big day tomorrow and I want to have a sleepover in my suite." 

Blaise pouted dramatically. Alexis brightened and forgot all about her argument with Alex. Perfect Blaise thought we have peace again. 

The two best friends locked arms and made their way out of the ballroom. It was ungodly early to be leaving a party but the Nightshades had a job to do and a good night's rest was mandatory for a successful mission. On their way out Alexandra collided with Blaise wrapping her arms snugly around her. 

"Blaise!!!" she squealed. "I wanted to say goodnight before you left. I have classes tomorrow so I won't be working in the palace." 

"Don't worry miss Alexandra," returned Blaise. "Us hunters will be busy training you wouldn't have seen us after breakfast anyways we have to prepare for tomorrow night's mission." 

Alexandra pouted. "I'll still miss you all the same." 

"I almost forgot," said Blaise. "This is my best friend Alexis, Alexis this is Alexandra. She works at the palace a couple of times a week to pay for her medical school." 

Alexis smiled brightly at Alexandra "So you're like a genius is what I'm hearing?" 

Alexandra laughed "Basically. Yes. I'll see you girls around I've also got to head out." 

The girls said their goodbyes and parted ways. Alexis and Blaise headed towards the elevators while Alexandra made her way out of the ballroom through the kitchen. 

Alexis waited until the girls were standing alone in the elevator before she spoke to Blaise. 

"SO. Where did miss Blaise disappear to tonight?" 

Blaise rolled her eyes she was waiting for the third degree from her best friend. 

"The big bad alpha cornered me and wanted to know why us hunters are so hostile," she replied. 

Alexis wrinkled her nose. "God forbid a human doesn't want to sleep with him eh?" 

"I don't think that's it," replied Blaise, "It seems like he's just trying to be a good leader and help his people." 

Alexis eyed Blaise "Help them by having a creepy interest in a Nightshade Lieutenant?" 

Blaise laughed "I know I thought the same, but he keeps apologizing and trying to figure out why we hate him. I think he wants to talk to dad about a peace treaty." 

Alexis silenced for a minute, her brows furrowed in thought. 

"That's pretty bold," she spoke finally. "Considering how the last peace negotiation went." 

Blaise nodded she really needed her bestie's perspective on Lucien. "I know and he mentioned an Alpha Black from Darkwood pack staging that attack." 

Alexis raised an eyebrow, her expression screamed skeptic. "Yeah, we'll have to see how that one pans out." 

Blaise smiled mischievously. "I already promised Dad that I would do some digging." 

The bell of the elevator dinged announcing that the girls had reached the seventh floor. Blaise fumbled for the keys to her suite. As she opened the door she dramatically gestured for Alexis to enter. 

"You got nicer digs than us," scoffed Alexis. 

"Probably because mine is more permanent," sighed Blaise sadly. 

Alexis looked down, probably thinking about how much she was going to miss her best friend. 

"I'm sorry girl, I know how hard being away from the compound is going to be for you." 

Blaise put on a brave face. "You know Alexis this could be a really great opportunity to work with the elders and develop some new weapons. It won't be all sad." 

"Girl, you are so full of shit." 

Blaise laughed at how easily her friend could see through her brave words. "I'm just glad the alpha can't read me the way you do." 

The girls started getting ready for bed. Alexis was rummaging through Blaise's pajamas to pick a pair she'd like to borrow. Blaise peeled off her dress and got down to just her shapewear. She walked into the walk-in closet and reached around Alexis to grab her favorite flannel short set before she washed her face. Alexis picked a pair of Blaise's fluffy cream pajamas and made her way to the sink to wash her face. 

Blaise laid in the king-sized bed and waited for her friend to wash up as she removed the bundles from her hair and took her ponytail down. She ran her hands through her hair to remove any bobby pins that she'd placed. The whole time Blaise's heart panged knowing this could be one of the last sleepovers the pair had for a while. For some reason, Blaise felt like she wouldn't be returning to the compound. 

The girls bundled up and didn't waste any time getting to sleep, they'd be gone all day surveilling the rogue packhouse for demon activity and they desperately needed rest. Sleep took over and it was peaceful for once. No nightmares and sadly no messages from Blaise's mom. At some point in the night, the girls were woken up by incessant banging on Blaise's suite door. Blaise woke up with a start and pulled her sheath from her night table. Alexis was right behind Blaise pulling a gun filled with silver-wolfsbane bullets from the walk-in closet. 

Blaise signaled to Alexis to stand flat against the wall so when the door opened she'd be hidden from view. Blaise expertly concealed her sheath at her side. 

"Hello, who's there?" she asked calmly. 

"It's me." slurred a drunken alpha. 

Blaise shot Alexis a look saying don't move. She opened the door a crack using her body to block the entryway, her hand holding the sheath was pressed flat against the door. 

"What do you want?" she asked impatiently. 

"To talk," replied Lucien. 

Blaise looked over her shoulder to check the time displayed on the digital clock sitting on her bedside table. It read two-thirty am. 

"It's two-thirty in the morning Alpha Forrest." 

"I can't sleep without getting this off my chest. Blaise please," he pleaded. 

"Fine, you have five minutes," she answered curtly. 

"I don't know why you wear that outrageous perfume, your natural scent is divine," he moaned. 

"You're drunk," Blaise stated. 

"But I mean it," started Lucien. "Drunk words are sober thoughts." 

Blaise rolled her eyes at his words. Of course, he had to show up at her door at two-thirty in the morning. Thirsty-ass alpha she thought. 

"If you don't stop acting like a drunken fool then your time will be up quite soon." 

"Miss Blaise," he slurred. "No time for fun always business." 

Blaise moved to slam the door in the Alphas face but he muscled his way in. Within minutes Blaise had Alpha forest pinned with his head locked between her knees. Alexis slammed the door and locked it in one fluid movement and stood over Lucien's head with the gun aimed between his eyes. Lucien laughed dryly. 

"I'm not here to hurt you Blaise," Lucien slurred. "You can tell your bodyguard to lower the gun." 

"Nice try Alpha," Alexis whispered. "The gun will be staying on you until Blaise tells me to lower it her god damn self." 

Blaise moved to kneel on the Alpha releasing his neck from her grip. "Alpha Forrest. What the f**k are you doing here, and why did you have to force your way into my room?" she questioned. 

He wriggled around under Blaise. It was no use she had him flat on his back. 

"I wanted to see my mate." 

Blaise paled and the Alpha used it to his advantage. He wriggled free from her grip and stood slowly. He staggered over to the sectional in the entertainment nook facing Blaise and Alexis. Blaise remained on the floor in shock. 

"That's not possible," Alexis shot. "She's a hunter, there's never been a pairing between wolves and hunters." 

The alpha laughed. "You really think a run-of-the-mill hunter could pin an alpha?" 

Alexis looked to Blaise confusion was displayed all over her face.

"Blaise," Alexis pleaded. 

Blaise was still on the floor, but she had moved to sit in a corss-legged position. She looked to be in shock. 

"Blaise. Snap the f**k out of it," Alexis snapped. 

Blaise looked at her friend in defeat and stood up. "Alexis is right Alpha Forrest. That can't be possible." 

Alexis slowly moved back from the Alpha giving herself enough space to turn on a lamp and pull the trigger of the gun if the Alpha moved suddenly. 

"Seriously Alpha, why are you here?" Blaise asked incredulously. 

"I told you, Blaise," he sighed. "You're my mate." 

Blaise rubbed her hands over her face in frustration. 

"If I was your mate, then I would feel the bond too, wouldn't I?" she asked. 

Lucien shrugged. "Only if you're supernatural. You don't usually feel it until you get your wolf at eighteen." 

"I'm not even going to do this with you right now," Blaise replied. "I'm twenty-one clearly not a werewolf or any other supernatural creature. Please leave." 

Alexis looked between the Alpha and her friend, unsure of her next move but prepared to fight with Blaise if she needed to. 

"As you wish Blaise," Lucien said as he staggered off the couch and towards the door. "But no human hunter could have pinned an alpha. Drunk or not." 

Blaise walked behind him and slammed the door shut. Locking it before she returned to bed. Alexis was still glued to her spot by the lamp, the gun held tightly to her side staring at the spot where the alpha was sitting. 

"Alexis," Blaise started. "Come to bed we have to wake up at 5 am." 

Alexis snapped out of her stupor. "Blaise, what if he was telling the truth." 

Blaise sighed. "He can't be telling the truth. You know werewolves they use that line all the time to get female werewolves to sleep with them." 

The words made sense to Alexis but Blaise had a sinking feeling in her stomach. She couldn't be his mate, it made no sense to her. But still, she knew Alpha Forrest wasn't the type to pop up at someone's bedroom at 2:30 in the morning for a booty call. 

Sleep came easily, but this time it was restless. Blaise saw herself back in the garden where Lucien had taken her earlier that evening. This time it was early morning, she was by herself just watching the sunrise bundled up in a cashmere blanket. Lucien appeared next to her with two mugs of coffee. She smiled brightly at him and took a steaming mug from his hand. He sat down and lifted his arm for her to cuddle into and she did. And then a bright glint caught her eye. A large diamond ring sat on her left hand, with a matching wedding band. 

The dream vanished and was quickly replaced with the Blood Moon ballroom. Pink and Blue balloons littered the room. Rolled diapers were tied into four-tier "cakes." Blaise waddled into the room sporting a massive belly. Lucien was not far behind her. Suddenly the room filled with people. Blaise spotted Nightshade hunters dressed in their official uniforms, Blood Moon wolves donned their regalia. She could see herself and Lucien at the center of the room holding a large black balloon. The balloon popped and pink glitter wafted into a mushroom cloud above. A gender reveal? 

Blaise woke with a start. Breathing heavily and covered in cold sweats. Alexis was still sound asleep beside her.