Tainted: A True-Blood's Tale

Mixed-blood

Alec

Thick red wavy hair, bright emerald green eyes, rosy cheeks, full lips, curvy body, a little below average height... and the awful smell unique to mixed-bloods.

Alec was confused as to how she got into the building. Normally mixed-bloods and other supernaturals were respectful of territories and even if they accidentally trespass, as soon as they set a foot in, the aura alone was enough to get them to flee.

Yet, that pretty little mixed-blood looked right at home in the middle of wolf territory. Alec thought she refused his hand because she finally realised where she was, but seeing how relaxed she was, he knew she was the clueless type. The type oblivious to the supernatural world, the type that didn't even know they were also supernaturals.

There was only one rule concerning mixed-bloods. If you see them... you kill them.

That was the first thought that came to Alec's mind. Well, right after he thought about her beautiful she was. Besides that, she was a mixed-blood, a tainted supernatural and she wasn't allowed to live.

But his dad and alpha made his own rule concerning the mixed-bloods. If you see them... you look the other way.

Maybe that was why he was confused when his dad personally invited her to follow him. What was her name again? Ravenelle? Right!

Alec didn't know what his dad was thinking and he was a little worried about it, but he decided to let it go. It could be his father just wanted to offer her some advice, probably warn her about her stench or something.

He ignored the matter and went about his task. After all, it was his first day as CEO, he didn't have time to worry about a stranger.

Except that he had to worry about this particular one, because later that evening when he came downstairs for dinner, mixed-blood smell was suddenly heavy in the air.

That could only mean one was close by. He had barely completed that line of thought when he saw her walk in through the front door, accompanied by Elias, one of the wolves on guard duty.

Of course Elias' face was contorted in disgust. Not everyone could endure the smell. It was especially hard on the wolves because of their heighten sense of smell.

Alec watched her as her eyes darted around with a small smile on her face. She was obviously admiring the decor, but what was bothering him was the bags Elias was carrying. Did they belong to her? Was she moving in? That sounded impossible even in Alec's head. His dad may not want to shed innocent blood, but that didn't mean he would welcome one into their home.

Her eyes finally met his and her smile vanished. Alec understood what that look was. She was skeptical about him.

"Elias?" He called, getting the younger man's attention. Elias put down the bags and hurried to meet Alec.

"What are you doing? Why did you let her in here?" He asked in a low voice so that Ravenelle wouldn't hear.

"Alpha's orders. She works here now." Elias replied to Alec's shock. Elias chuckled at the look on Alec's face. "This is my first time meeting one. I heard the smell was bad, but this is just plain awful. How does she live with herself?"

Alec frowned, annoyed at Elias' words.

"They don't smell it." He replied in a tight voice. "You can return to your post, I'll take it from here."

Elias nodded and walked away, seeming happy to have her off his hands.

Alec's eyes darted back to Ravenelle's. She was staring back at him. Somehow that annoyed him. Mixed-bloods had a natural fear for core supernaturals. The fact that she could look him straight in the eyes without cowering was really strange.

How exactly did she live that long if she had no knowledge of the supernatural world? He had a lot of questions, but at the same time he didn't need answers to those questions. What he needed was to get her out of his territory.

Just as he opened his mouth to speak to her, he got interrupted by his father's entrance. He was accompanied by a young were-woman. Alec couldn't remember her name as she was one of the newest pack members.

"Ravenelle, you made it." His father said, going over to meet her.

"Hi again, Alaric." Ravenelle said brightly, shocking Alec. He didn't understand why she would so easily address his father, alpha of the Mooncrest pack, by his first name.

He couldn't even understand how she was standing in his father's presence. The only other mixed-blood Alec had encountered was back when he was a teenager.

He had gone hunting with his friends from a different pack while in their human forms, when they came across a small cabin deep in the woods. It turned out that a mixed-blood and his human wife were living there. Tyrone, the oldest in group and an heir just like Alec, approached the mixed-blood and asked him why he was trespassing on wolf territory. The mixed-blood was so terrified, he couldn't say a word or even look up. He was groveling and shaking to the bones while he soiled himself.

And that was a grown man. Yet a tiny person like Ravenelle was feeling at home in his father's presence.

"Emily will show you to your room where you can put away your things and then come down for dinner." His dad said to Ravenelle who nodded and picked up her bags, following Emily.

Alec saw Ravenelle glance at him before she walked past him and went upstairs.

"She's a lovely little rose, isn't she?" His father asked once they were alone.

Alec frowned, walking over to close the distance between them.

"Elias said she works here now, is that true?" He asked his father.

"Elias might have no filter when he speaks, but he's not a liar. Why then do you doubt his words?"

"Why would you employ her? Her kind can't be here. If the other pack learns of this, our reputation would be in the mud." Alec said in protest, but his dad's expression was neutral.

"How can you talk about our reputation after meeting that innocent soul? I'm sure you've noticed that she has no knowledge of our world."

"Yeah, I noticed. But dad..."

"She's special... she's pure. I want to keep her close, to protect her." His dad said, cutting him off.

"Are you seriously going to risk our entire pack for one tainted?" Alec asked, making his dad frown deeply.

"You know we don't call them that. Besides, they are only tainted when created for the wrong reasons."

"So, how do we know for sure she wasn't created for the wrong reasons?" Alec asked.

"First, I don't think she was created. Yes, her scent is the same as the others, but there is also another unique scent she gives off. I think she was born that way."

"That's not possible, dad. Mating between different species is forbidden. That's the one thing we supernaturals agree on."

His dad scoffed to that.

"Creating mixed-bloods is also forbidden, but you don't see that stopping those bastards from making more, do you?"

Alec remained silent.

"Like I said, Ravenelle is special. She was born that way. And since whoever birthed her kept her and our world separated, it has to be because they want her to live a normal life."

"Then why did you bring her here? It's only a matter of time before she finds out of our true nature."

His dad nodded slowly.

"I had no choice. It's obvious that she has lost her protection. Being naive and unprotected in our world, she won't last a minute out there. I'm taking full responsibility of her. You will support me, won't you?" His dad asked, peering into his eyes.

Alec knew he had no choice. It wasn't just his father asking him, it was also his alpha. It was his duty as heir to support and stand with his alpha no matter what.

"Yes, dad. I fully support you." He replied, gaining a smile from his dad.

"Good. So, I will entrust you with telling your siblings." His dad said quickly and walked away towards the dining room.

"Wait! Dad?!" Alec called out, but his dad was already out of sight.

He couldn't believe his dad was giving that task to him. Unlike him, his siblings were all thickheaded... most especially his brothers. He knew they wouldn't be as understanding as he was. They were probably going to find a way to get Ravenelle to leave on her own.

He sighed, making his way towards the dining room as well.

He had just taken his seat on his dad's right when Ravenelle appeared, having an awkward smile on her face.

"Come, child. Have a seat." His dad said to her and she obeyed, seating across from Alec, on his dad's left.

"I'm sorry it will just be us three tonight. My other children are out for the night, but I will be sure to introduce you over breakfast."

Ravenelle smiled without saying anything and that was how it was for the entire dinner... silent.

Alec was okay with that. At least, it meant he didn't have to force himself to make conversation with her. To be clear, he was only tolerating her presence because it was his father's wish. He had no other choice.

After dinner, he retired to his room. Exhausted from the long day and yet he couldn't sleep. It seemed like the mixed-blood smell had stuck to him.

He opened his window to let in some air, but along with that came a different scent. It was like a breath of fresh air in a dense forest. It's a mix of earthy notes, like wet soil after a rain, combined with the sweet fragrance of wildflowers. There's a subtle hint of spice and warmth, like the comforting aroma of cedarwood on a cozy evening.

It's captivating and alluring... drawing him closer with every inhale.