Beta Alpha

Part 1 - Mission

       Artima stared out the window of the carriage admiring the lush green countryside that spread out before her. This was the farthest she had ever been from home. A part of her felt uncomfortable with that idea. Her other side thought this was the most exciting thing that could ever happen to her. Artima felt the familiar hum beneath her skin. It pained her to deny herself the joy of exploring the wide expanse in front of her. Their father had told both Artima and her sister, Loura that they would not be able to indulge in their birthright gifts after they left the Territory Lands. Artima understood the political tensions that she and her sister were calming with one of them marrying the heir of the Massif pack. Artima knew a lot depended on a smooth marriage occurring for one of them. Still the bonds that were being placed upon her and her sister as they traveled made Altima’s skin feel tight. 

    Loura watched as her sister stared out on the unfamiliar land. She was already homesick, but she knew that the task that was before them was something that would change the course of her life. Their parents had spent years designing this treaty so that the two packs would be strengthened against their common enemy, the Necrimein. Loura wasn’t one for politicking. She preferred to remain in her books and her art, and she loved to plan outings for the rest of the Dell court. Loura was never one to pass a chance to entertain and meet new people. To her this journey was a thrilling challenge. 

    “Do you think that we will have time for a hunt?” Loura asked innocently. 

    Artima stared out the window blissfully unaware of her sister’s question. Her mind was far away thinking of the battles that had taken place on the now prospering land they were sailing by. The depictions of the harsh barren battle ground that had been shared with her was not what she saw now. She had overheard the legionaries talking about how the land would be forever scarred from the magic, pain, and death that had taken place. Deep down Artima wanted to experience what those old soldiers talked about. She wanted a chance to prove her worth, beyond the walls and plains she’d always felt trapped in. Her father had said that the graces and political challenges of the court was its own battle ground, and it was there Artima should focus her attention. It was on this idea that Artima and her father disagreed. 

    “Arty! Did you hear me?” Loura broke her sister’s train of thought. 

    “What?” Artima shook her head rejoining her sister in their carriage. “Sorry, no I was thinking about the Fray. Lou, you realize how much history took place out there and we are just driving by it like nothing ever happened?”

    “Arty, of course something happened out there. That’s why we are cooped up in this giant crate like a couple of misbehaving pups. Do you ever think about anything normal? Like things ladies are supposed to worry about like art, music, gossip, or stitching?”

    “I know all those.” Artima rolled her eyes at the trivial topics that seemed to fill her sister’s priorities. “I just don’t see what benefit they have when there are things we need to be worried about. I thought you liked this carriage. I remember you said once it was ‘The perfect way to start a glorious adventure.’”

    “Don’t change the subject, Arty. Did you miss the note that you are an alpha b***h? All that requires our attention is fun normal things. Not complicated wars with long extinct gross Necromein. You missed my question. Do you think we will have time for a real hunt while we are visiting the Massif pack? I want to do something grander than a common picnic.”

    “No! Don’t be stupid. See if you had studied the history you would know the Massif’s leaders have forbidden any Shifting. Their Alpha line was lost in the Fray. The Necromein wanted to be sure that all Shifting was eliminated, but the Massifs protected our family so that our line could continue. Out of respect for their law while we are here we must not Shift at all.”

    “You mean whichever of us marries the Massif heir won’t ever be able to Shift again?” Loura’s mentally forming plans instantly faded away with this news from her sister. 

    “It’s our duty, Lou. The two packs have been separate for so long. Each has been trying to rebuild and one has been more successful than the other. This marriage will have the chance to bring our two packs back together. A marriage like this has never happened, a Beta taking an Alpha as a mate. Who knows what will happen.”

    “I don’t like it.”

    “We don’t have to like it. We have to do what we are told.”

    Secretly Artima agreed with her sister. She didn’t want to have to give up the freedom and power she gained from Shifting. It was unlike anything she had ever encountered. She believed it was the greatest gift any pack member could possess. A knock came to the side of their carriage pulling Artima from her thoughts.

    “Miladies? Would this be an acceptable time to stop to rest and water the horses?” The captain spoke from outside of the carriage.

    “Yes, Captain, I think that would be a lovely idea.” Loura answered in her usual bubbly manner as she pulled back the drapes covering the window. 

    “There seems to be a creek ahead. It shouldn’t take us long to reach it.”

    “Wonderful.” Loura clapped her hands together as she smiled brightly. 

    The two sisters did not talk about the purpose of their journey the rest of that evening. Their mother and father had sent them with a modest legion of trusted alpha and beta soldiers along with advisor from noble families on their journey to the Massif den. Of course the girls had their own underlings with them as well as a handful of their usual attendants. Artima realized how many were with them and thought this was slight overkill. They really needed about half of the number they had with them. However, with the prohibition on Shifting into Dyer forms, the large band that was traveling with them did seem wise. Artima could not think of any predators that would bother such a large group. 

    “Have you been to the Massif den before, Captain?” Loura asked their chief protector once the girls had stretched their legs. 

    “Yes, Milady. Your father sent me several times to the Massif den.”

    “Are they as different as the rumors portray them?” Loura asked enthralled with the idea. 

    The Captain chuckled. “No, Milady. I find in my experience that the rumors are only because some are afraid of what they don’t know. Massifs are no different than we are. Their skin, hair, and fur of their underlings usually carry a lighter pigment than those of us in the Dell.”

    “I see. Thank you for your insight, Captain.”

    “Of course, Milady.” 

    “How much further is it to the Massif den?” Artima asked.

    “Half a day Milady, if this is our last stop. However, your father instructed that we were to rest and allow you both to arrive unburdened. I anticipate the day after next we shall arrive at the Massif den.”

    “Captain, is my father among your men?” Artima asked shortly.

    “Uh, no, Milady.”

    “Also, my father is not with our attendants.” 

    “Uh, no Mi--”

    “Captain that was not a question.” Artima interrupted him. Loura stared at her sister, stunned by this sudden show of authority. “I am tired of having to slowly trek through this terrain. I wish to sleep with a real roof over my head. Be sure all are fed, and rested. The next time we stop we will be arriving at the Massif den.”

    “But Milady-” The captain started. 

    “I did not stutter, Captain.” Artima intruded again. “I want to be there sooner than my father called for. You do not understand the type of stress this prolonged journey is putting on my sister and myself. The sooner this sensitive matter is settled, the better.” 

    The eldest sister turned on her heels and began to sort her belongings. The silence that followed her departure set the atmosphere for the rest of the camp. The sisters of the Dell pack were the only ones that could control their own fate from this point on. Artima and Loura knew that one of them would be the alpha female to the Massif pack. Their husband merely a steward until one of them could birth a true alpha male to rule. In Artima’s opinion she wanted to have the decision made and done. 

    The camp was only delayed another hour. Before the sun was half way in the sky the entire company was back on the road heading to the Massif den. Loura rested her head against the side of the carriage and was asleep within a matter of minutes. Artima returned her attention to the country side again. Her mind wandered freely, bringing to life the phantom figures still fighting the Fray all these years later. Slowly even she drifted into a restless and uneasy sleep.