Suits and Rogues

Chapter 6

    It’s been a year since his beta looks close to happy around him that he couldn’t bring himself to admit that he only decided to go back to the city because he was driven out by his own father instead of his beta’s “amazing and irresistible persuasion skills” as he calls it. It only dampens Odin’s mood even more seeing as it confirmed his words that they are indeed trying to get rid of him despite his beta’s best efforts to keep his excitement in check. Well, f*****g congratulations! He thought bitterly but he’s too tired to even ponder and react completely about it. He has pressing matters to attend to and he needs all his brain cells’ help.

    “Don’t forget about the alliance with Poseidon’s Shipping Company, Alpha. Our worldwide businesses need them. It will make shipping from country to country easier and we can also save up enough money for that Titanic ship that is almost the same as the Titanic in that Titanic movie...” Odin rubbed his head to ease the headache from his beta’s endless rambling. It’s a sign that he’s excited and once again, Odin feels like an outcast.

    “There’s also a bit problem with the human laws because apparently buying a ship from another country and voyaging through their seas are forbidden now and...” he spaced off after that. He appreciates his beta’s attempt to distract him but he’s too tired to focus. Add the fact that he didn’t sleep all night just made his exhaustion worse. Worse part of it all, he had a nightmare of the hellhound claiming him in front of the whole pack. He remembered waking up in cold sweat and a pounding heart. The fear he felt that time was so indescribable and overwhelming he stayed frozen in his bed with a pounding heart until the sun rose. After that, he went to check up on the pack to make sure they’re ok and as usual, he still received those doubtful and wary reactions. He even made a public apology for accidentally taking in a spy and the pack’s eyes all screamed the word “hypocrite” from their gazes but none dared to say it out loud. And now that he’s living, he could already feel the tension of the pack loosening and it reminds him why he preferred to stay in the city lately.

    “After tidying things up-“ Odin grimaced at his beta’s wording “tidying” because once again he was reminded of his mistake. He was so concerned of saving someone in need that he let logic escape him. “-Mandy and I could come down there and help you with the business so you won’t get too stressed and you’ll also have time to look for your mate. I’m sure you’re itching to look for her-“

    “Stop.” He sighed as he and his beta walks towards the limo that would be taking him back to the city.

    “Stop talking? Or stop talking about your potential mate? Or did you mean stop reporting or-“

    “Just shut up!” Odin snapped; his temper flaring again at the very reminder of being cursed with a male as a mate. He shouldn’t be taking this out on his beta but his self-control is already stretched too thin. He’s already at the verge of going feral.

    “Oh ok...” his beta’s cheerful self deflated and a pang of guilt reached Odin. He opened his mouth to apologize but he hesitated upon seeing his father’s harsh glare in front. His father’s words during his training as an alpha echoed in his mind.

    “An Alpha never apologizes.” So Odin swallowed his apology down.

    Pausing in front of the former Alpha who is standing beside the limo, Odin nodded his head at his father as a sign of respect and farewell before opening the door himself and closing it. He didn’t bother expecting any form of affection from his father since he’s always been that way.

    As the limo pulls away from the pack house’s driveway and out of the territory, Odin took the scenery in like it will be the last time he’ll be seeing his pack. If only he knew how right that feeling was.

$=$=$=$=$

    Odin instantly knew he entered the city’s premises the very moment he hinted smoke in the air. It’s a familiar scent but foreign at the same time; familiar because he’s been inhaling that scent for the last 50 years and foreign because it’s not the scent of home – of nature. Instead of trees obstructing the view of the clear blue sky, tall and gleaming buildings replaced it instead. The sound of nature’s lullaby was now replaced by the rock music of the city’s bustle. Humans, shifters, and supernaturals alike hustle through the streets for their everyday routine. More trees and plants fill the cities now unlike the almost a hundred years ago when humans are still the known dominant specie and filled the world with their pollution. When the supernaturals came out of hiding, nature conservation was taken more seriously and enforced strictly. But even with best efforts; centuries’ worth of pollution cannot be taken away that easily. At least people treat nature a bit better now than before. The supernaturals would hate using force in order to protect nature but if necessary, they won’t hesitate to do it.

    “Where to first, alpha?” his driver asked him in front.

    “To Lyra’s Deja Brew.” Was his curt answer, rolling his eyes at the witch’s choice of business name.

    They drove silently through the city before they went to the outskirts near enough to the city where the structures have wider premises unlike the center parts of the city. Wide parks, campuses, and malls scatter through the place and the air in the area is much better than before. Kids milled around, riding trainer bikes or trying on scooters and skateboards. Some families are having a picnic in one of the parks with the kids competing to pop more bubbles than the other. There are some teenagers studying together and teasing each other and a few adults walking their dogs. Tree and water nymphs are either conversing with the animals around or to the people. Park rangers are watching attentively in the sidelines; making sure that no rules are violated.

    The scene reminds him of his pack, making him miss them.

    The limo stopped in front of a glass-walled shop with glittering crystals decorating the upper part of the shop. Lush green vines snake up from the rectangular plant box on each side of the entrance, creating an upside-down nature curtain. A three-stepped stair leads way to the beautiful crystal-like glass door that reflects soft rainbow lights whenever the sunlight hits it. Artistic calligraphy about life quotes decorates the glass walls and tiny fairies can be seen flying inside the room.

    Odin went out and made his way to the shop. The different scents of herbs remind him of nature but some scents also made him gag. Even his wolf let out a loud gagging sound before he retreated to the deepest part of his mind with a look that says You deal with that alone unless you go find our mate. He only rolled his eyes in response before using the sleeve of his suit to cover his nose from the various odors.

    A fairy twinkle sound rang as he opened the door and stepped in. Various customers, both human and supernatural sat in the wide lounge room filled with soft sky blue and white colored furnitures. The atmosphere was lively and cheerful. Conversation flew around just like the fairies that are flying all around them, carrying refreshments, letters, forms, towels, and even pillows. A blue fairy approached him and he immediately recognized her as the same fairy who always greets the customers.

    “Good morning, Mr. Gray. Please take a s-aaaaahh!” she suddenly screamed when their eyes met and the blue fairy scrambled away crying and disappearing down the corridor. Odin was confused and more so when the rest of the fairies looked at him and reacted the same way. What the f**k? A sudden hush fell over the place and all eyes are suddenly on him. The humans are confused while the supernaturals are looking at him uneasily. Something’s wrong. They don’t usually act like this towards him even at his moodiest times.

    A door slammed open somewhere and he heard Lyra’s heels stomping through the tiled ground. She rounded from a hallway with her ruby dagger at hand, looking around with murder in her eyes. “Which punk do I have to kill for scaring my fairies?!” she roared. Her curly red hair highlighted with soft green bounced and flailed around her as she turns her head from side to side looking for the culprit. No one dared point their fingers at him because of a certain incident where he cut off a reporter’s finger for pointing at him. Still, their eyes are darting towards him and Lyra followed their gaze towards him and when she saw him, her jaw dropped to the floor as if seeing the dead coming to life right in front of her.

    “A-alpha Gray?!” she screeched, her beautiful features widening at her shocked expression.

    “Lyra, there’s-“ he was suddenly transported to Lyra’s private guest room before he finished his sentence. A sharp flick from Lyra’s perfectly manicured but annoying nails assaulted his forehead, making him step away from her with a growl. “What the f**k is that for?!”

    “For scaring my fairies!” she snapped, red brows furrowing angrily.

    “I didn’t even do anything.” was his annoyed reply.

    “You did by coming here.” she crossed her arms defiantly across her chest.

    “What? I’m not welcomed here anymore? Is that it? Did the f*****g council ban me from places now?!” he growled, eyes flashing dark silver in anger.

    “It’s not that, moron!” she exclaimed. “Why would the council do that? Did you screw with them again?”

    “On the contrary, those pugface pigs are the one screwing with me!” he growled, sitting down on the sofa and crossing his arms and legs angrily.

    Lyra rolled her eyes at that. “I could see why.”

    Odin shot her a murderous glare.

    Lyra sighed before sitting on the couch in front of him. “So what do I owe this uncanny interruption?” she asked, snapping her fingers and making a whole tea set appear in front of them.

    “I need your help.”

    Lyra chuckled at his words. “Don’t everyone?”

    “Something happened in the last two weeks that got me seriously injured. Our best pack doctor tried healing me as best as he could but somehow something’s hindering my body from healing completely.” He told her as she takes a sip of her tea.

    “Let me guess, you guys think I might be able to help.” She guessed and he nodded.

    “You’re not the best witch without any reason.” She laughed at his words.

    “True.” She put the cup down before she gestured him towards the bed at the corner of the room. “I still don’t like how you scared my fairies though.” She added as Odin took off his shirt.

    “I’m not going to repeat myself.” He said stubbornly with a tick of annoyance from his jaw. From her secretive smile, Odin already knew that Lyra knew exactly what had happened in those last two weeks. She has a way of knowing things and that makes her dangerous.

    “Sure.” Was her reply but something about the way she looks at him makes him feel like she knows something important that she’s unwilling to share.

    “Any idea why your fairies acted that way?” he dared ask as he lies down on the bed.

    “Not sure...” she replied, pulling away to take something in one of her cupboards. Something in her tone made Odin unconvinced. Lyra is an intelligent witch. She knows things that most do not so the word “not sure” or “I don’t know” doesn’t suit her. Everyone knows that. Still, Odin chose to stay silent...for now.

    She came back holding out a lavender scented oil that she massaged all over his body. He clamped down the urge to shudder in disgust or bite her hands off. His wolf is angry for being touched by someone else other than their mate and it takes all of Odin’s control to stop him from tearing out of his skin. But even with his best restraint, his wolf managed to shift a bit; making his bones pop and his skin to ripple with the tell-tale signs of an upcoming shift. Lyra raised an eyebrow at that.

    “Your wolf seems on edge. What’s wrong?” she asked yet there’s a speculative but knowing look in her eyes.

    “Just the f*****g poison.” was his reply.

    “Poison? You mean the wolfsbane in your bloodstream?” she asked for confirmation.

    “That’s f*****g it.” He replied to both of her questions and also an internal command to his wolf to behave. He only bared his fangs at him in response along with a growl.

    “Ok. Then can you please settle him down. I want my hands still intact after I treat you. Better yet, tell him that I won’t be able to treat you if he decides to bite my hands off.” She said with a red eyebrow raised.

    “He’s f*****g listening.” Damn right he is. His wolf is on high alert and is watching Lyra like the predator that he is, waiting for the chance to pounce on his prey. Odin has no doubt that as soon as Lyra finishes on healing them, his wolf will pounce.

    Lyra glanced at him at the corner of her eyes but stayed silent nonetheless. He watched as she closed her eyes and hovered her hands at his center. Her whole body started to give off a soft glow and the air around her stirred. He felt the air shift and the same warm but stingy feeling enveloped him. He had experienced Lyra’s healing magic before but even after many times of going through it, he stills feels shocked from the sensations. The warm feeling became a burning one until the sensation turned into what felt like needles are trying to get out of his skin. It’s probably that advanced wolfsbane poison being called out of his system. He groaned as the poison oozes out of his pores and from his laid down view, he could clearly see the pure black liquid flowing up in the air towards Lyra’s hands.

    After a few more seconds, the sensation stopped and he started to feel lighter. He sat up as Lyra directed the floating poison towards an empty vial while he reaches out for his clothes.

    “Uhm-hmmm...this is bad.” He heard her muse as she inspects the vial on her slender hands. The black liquid sloshes from side to side as Lyra turns it around.

    “It is. A poison that strong to almost bring down an alpha is bad.” He agreed, stretching his muscles to chase away the soreness.

    “It’s not only that. This is no doubt a wolfsbane poison but the darkness of its color is alarming.” She replied.

    Odin paused to stare at the liquid and agreed. It’s no wonder Dr. Elliot wasn’t able to help. “Indeed. It’s the darkest color of wolfsbane poison that I’ve ever seen.”

    Lyra nodded. “And the darker the color of the poison, the deadlier it is.” She turned her head to look at him. “I presume such poison is not legal to your species?”

    “It isn’t, nor is it suppose to even exist. I know all the wolfsbane species and their poison potency but I’ve never known anything that has a poison as dark as that one.” Odin pointed at the vial and the alarmed look on Lyra’s face made him tense.

    “Even the poison category in the ancient books?” the way Lyra asked that caused dread to wash over Odin.

    “What are you implying?” he asked although he has a fair idea about what she’s trying to say.

    “Plants like these, beside the goddess’ signature plants and trees, have been extinct 2,000 years ago. A few years after the first supernaturals roamed the world.”

    Odin’s mind reeled. “So this specie of wolfsbane had only existed during the ancient times, the times of the great monēre.” Lyra nodded. “Then they should be extinct.”

    “Exactly.” Lyra affirmed. “And the fact that the council have this and using it and probably producing it too spells bad things.” She looked back at him. “It seems you were right to cut off you and your pack’s ties from them.”

    Odin scoffed. “Damn right. I knew they’ve always had bad skeletons hidden in their closet since I was 18. The fact that they managed to manipulate the whole supernatural world by making them loyal to them to the point where they turn a blind eyes towards the bad things they’re doing is a proof that they’re more evil than they let on.” He continued, buttoning up his suit as he remembered the councils’ evil actions.

    He remembered how they randomly picked a pup and claimed that the goddess chose the pup for a divine purpose only to burn the pup in the forest while laughing 55 years ago. They even commanded that all “imperfect” pups or any pups born with a disability shall be killed. Even old alphas that got a limb or two cut off during battle were prohibited from leading a pack because in the council’s standards, they are already crippled and are not fit to rule the pack anymore. It’s almost the same as Odin’s case where the council is using their powers to overthrow him from the alpha position just because he hadn’t found his mate yet. For old people who were suppose to be wise, they should know better that no standards are enough to measure one’s capacity and effectiveness in leading. Odin had proved to them over and over again that having a mate is not the measurement of a good leader. He knows a lot of alphas who have mates but are still assholes and even beat up their mates and pups. The council should know better. But the reason why Odin was triggered to cut off the ties of his pack and the council is when the council proposed a law to de-virginize all females at the age of 12 as “preparation for their mates” as they disgustingly claimed and allow all males to enter any territory in search of their mates with or without the permission of the alphas. Worst of all, they want to enforce a law that allows males to claim, mate and impregnate their mates even though they’re not in the ripe age of 18 yet. Not only is it inhuman but it is also disgusting and abusive. Odin refused to subject his pack to such horrors.

    What angers him more is that, most packs agreed with it despite how wrong it is.

    “Then let’s sue them. We have evidence right here.” She suggested, shaking the dark liquid in her grasp.

    If only it was that easy, Odin would’ve done it already. He’d love to torment those sick council members but it will be harder than hard. Odin knows what they are capable of. Their level of manipulation is beyond Odin’s skill and abilities to defeat alone. If he wants to bring justice to the council, he needs a lot of allies who genuinely stands for what’s right. That in itself is a very hard feat since the order and supremacy of the council had existed far in the past and it’s not easy to change an entire system. Humans had tried and failed to do so in the last few millennia. Who’s to say this time will be different?

    “It’s not that easy, Lyra.” He stated. “We’ll need a lot of people on our side, people who are trustworthy and would stand firmly for what’s right. Besides, even if we do have the evidence and present it to them, they can twist it up and say that they are concocting poison to use at rogues or the...hellhound.” He faltered at the word hellhound. His wolf yipped happily at the mention of their mate but it only made Odin grimace.

    “A good point but only fools would not suspect that something fishy is going on.” She wrinkled her nose in disgust.

    “Just our luck then. A lot of werewolves are fools.” Was his gruff reply.

    “There has to be a way to convince the others otherwise.” She suggested, looking at him hopefully.

    “There is.” Odin replied. He had already formed theories and outcomes about their topic and the more he thought about it, the more he concludes that the outcomes are bad. One way to sway the others is by presenting a valid and plausible motive as to why the elders are concocting such dangerous ancient poison. Not only is the process hard and the outcomes dreadful but the reasons as to why the council are doing these are more alarming than what he wants to admit.

    After all, why would the council suddenly take up interest in ancient poison, concoct it for their use, and use it to fellow supernaturals? That is unless....they’re preparing for war.