Fated: Alphas of the Compass

Chapter Six - Getting to Know You

I stand in front of my mates in the pack house, very nervous. I've never been alone with all four of them before. I take a long, fortifying breath before finally speaking. "Well, I put together some welcome bags for you and your betas. They aren't anything fancy, but the priestesses wanted to do something to make you all feel welcome and to set the right tone. They have your room assignments, too," I say, stepping over to where I left the box. The betas had conveniently left to explore the city before we came inside earlier. It was more likely just to give us all some privacy, so I leave their bags inside the box for the moment.

"Alpha Emron, this one is for you. You'll be in the Ruby suite with Beta Merric, if that suits you," I say quietly, passing the deep red bag to him. He steps up and takes it, his hand lingering on mine for a moment. He looks into my eyes, and for a moment I forget how to breathe. His eyes are the most wonderful shade of dark chocolate brown, and I can't seem to look away.

"You don't have to call me alpha, darling," he says, pushing one of my brown curls behind my ear. My face warms a bit, and I nod. "You're going to be a Luna, our equal. Our betas are no longer above you, either. You are below no one."

"Alright... Emron," I say quietly, but he smiles. I'm once again caught in his eyes when a throat clears. I look to Luka, blushing profusely. His bright blue eyes hold no chagrin, only love. I blush a deeper shade of red as I reach for his dark blue bag. "Luka, you and Osric will be in the Sapphire Suite. I hope you like the rooms." Luka nods, coming close to take his bag. I look at my feet, not sure how to take all of this attention.

"What Emron said is true," he says, lifting my chin. "No one is above you, so you look down to no one." He smiles, and I feel nothing but loved and seen as he does. I nod again, stepping back to pass the next bag. He steps back, and I pull out a midnight black bag.

"Elias, this is yours. You and Ruston have the Obsidian suite. It's across the hall from the Ruby suite," I say a bit louder, growing a bit more confident. He steps forward and takes his bag, giving me an approving look and taking my elbow.

"You're quite the fast learner. Keep that, and you'll make an amazing Luna. We'll just have to work on your coordination." He winks, alluding to the night we met, then steps back.

I roll my eyes, laughing loudly, and all four alphas' eyes are caught on me as I do. I blush again, and stop laughing, self conscious. My father always told me that my laugh was too loud, and that no male would want a female who laughs with so much abandon. "Sorry..." I say, trailing off. "I know I'll have to work on that before I become a Luna."

Ronyn shakes his head and steps forward. I pick up his bag, but he doesn't take it yet. Instead, he does something unexpected; he wraps his arms around me and whispers in my ear, "No, little mate. Don't you dare change. Your laugh is amazing. It has life, and that's not something every female has. Especially not when they're going to be a Luna. I love it." He leans back and cups my cheek for a moment, running a thumb over my cheek. It makes me shiver, this time in a good way, before he leans in and kisses my forehead. He then takes the bag from my hand and steps back. All of the alphas are quiet for a moment, nodding. With their superior shifter hearing, I know they heard every intimate word he spoke into my ear, but somehow it doesn't bother me.

I take a breath and nod, wrapping my arms around myself. I don't know how to deal with this new amount of vulnerability. I'm not used to it at all. Not since I was dumped on the temple steps. "You and Virion will be in the Emerald suite. It's across the hall from the Sapphire suite."

I'm not sure how to proceed, and Emron seems to sense that. He steps up, taking my hand, and squeezes it gently. "Why don't you show us where the rooms are? I don't think any of us really know where anything is here."

Ronyn shocks me when he adds, "Then we can help Erylis and Ellyana with your things. Does that sound good?" I can't hide my shock that he remembered my friends' names. Priestess' names, at that. The other alphas looked surprised, as well. He just shrugged. "They're important to you. I know my pack doesn't have a lot of respect for the priestesses, but I can try, can't I?" I nod, smiling at him a little. Maybe there's more to you than I thought, Ronyn. He smiles back at me, winking, causing me to roll my eyes and laugh. There's the Ronyn I know.

I turn to Emron and smile, thankful he's taken charge. "I think that's a great idea. Both of you," I say, turning to Ronyn, who puffs his chest a bit at the recognition. I let out a small chuckle and turn to pick up the box with the betas' bags. Elias stops me.

"Allow me," he says, picking it up with ease. I blush and start leading them out of the living room and into the foyer. Then we start up the large curved staircase to the left. The large building is called the pack house, but it's just a large mansion that houses the king, Luna, prince, and princess. It's also where any visitors stay, and where all meetings and parties are held. Anyone who lives outside of the packs and chooses to settle under the rule of only the king lives in one of the many houses surrounding the house and the temple. All shop owners in the Sacred City live in the houses, along with any tradesmen.

Each pack is known for a different, specific trade, and I feel the need to ask the alphas. I need to know all I can about the packs before I decide which mate to choose. I make a mental note to ask them later on. We make it to the top of the stairs and I gesture to the large white double doors in front of us. "This is the Opal suite where Erylis, Ellyana, and I will be staying," I say, then gesture to the left, then the right. "The Ruby and Obsidian suites are to the left, and the Sapphire and Emerald suites are to the right. Your betas' rooms will be connected to your suites."

Ronyn clears his throat. "Why don't you show us all of them? It'll be nice, especially if it means more time with you." He winks at me, and I chuckle, as do the other alphas. They all mutter their agreement.

I nod, turning towards the left hallway. "I guess that's fine. So..." I start, feeling awkward and unsure. "I know each pack is known for a specific trade or good. The Aurora pack is known for their Sky Opals," I say, remembering the beautiful necklace I had before, sparkling like the night sky was inside the dark pendant. If it caught the light, it looked like the Aurora Borealis was caught inside as well. It was beautiful.

"Well," Ronyn starts, "We're mainly known for the opals, but all of our jewelry and gemstones are popular. You won't find purer gems than in the mountains of Aurora." He puffs his chest a little bit, obviously proud of his pack. What he says, from personal experience, is true. The gemstones of Aurora are unlike any other, and the skill of jewelry makers there has always been unmatched.

"What about you, Elias? What does Nocturne have?" I ask, turning slightly to the male carrying the box to my left.

"Oh it's amazing! Our carpenters are unbeatable. The pieces they create are amazing. Especially what they make from the Ethrac trees. They're stunning, and sturdy as those mountains Ronyn was blabbing about," he says, chuckling when Ronyn huffs behind us.

"What are they like? I've heard stories of the trees, but I've never been able to see one," I ask, intrigued. I've always wanted to see the different packs, but I never had the chance before I came to the temple, and priestesses rarely travel anywhere.

"They're huge, bigger than any other tree you'll see anywhere else, and their leaves look like fire. Their bark looks like it's been scorched, black as midnight, but it's living just fine. They're truly amazing," Elias says, wonder filling his voice, and I can't help but grin.

"Emron, what about you? You're being especially quiet. What makes Dawnrise special?" I ask, excited to hear.

He rubs his neck, a little nervous. "Honestly, we don't have much. We have scholars, and so many libraries. We treasure learning. But our Irien birds are like nothing else I've ever seen. Feathers made of fire, and wind, and water, and earth. We make quills out of their feathers, if we're lucky enough to find them. They're beautiful." Then he looks at me and smiles. "Almost as beautiful as you."

I blush bright red, and he chuckles. "Well I'm not sure about that," I say, then to Luka I ask, "And Duskfall? What do you have there?"

"Batri shells," he says, shrugging. "They're alright, I guess. Kind of like giant clams, but with crab legs or octopus tentacles, depending on the type. They're bigger than me. Some of the richer pack members enjoy making furniture or decorations out of them. I've never really seen the appeal, but to each his own. We also have a lot of really amazing chefs. I'm not much for cooking, but it's pretty cool if you're into that sort of thing." He shrugs again, but by the smile he's trying to hide, I can tell he's just downplaying it.

"They sound amazing. I can't wait to see them all. I've always wanted to see all of the pack lands, but priestesses don't really get a chance, you know?" I try to sound nonchalant, but by the time we make it to the Obsidian suite, I can't hide my excitement. I think they catch it, because all four of my mates are smiling when I look at them. Maybe this isn't so bad. Good goddess, I hope you know what you're doing.