THE BLOOD MATE

CHAPTER 7 - SUPPORT SYSTEM

Monora is like any other Werewolf controlled city. Built from pale stone and light colored bricks, the houses gravitate towards the alpha's fancy mansion with the lowborns living on the outskirts in more cottage-like homes or in wooden farmhouses, to watch over the city's farmlands. It's not horribly hard for someone of his superior skill and cunning nature to slip past the stationed lazy guards patrolling the boundary lines, especially with the forest intertwining through the small city. Once past the city's guard, Alaric simply hops on one of the communal engine trains, heading towards the city's flourishing centre. Most of the cities are small whether they be of Werewolf descent or another supernatural creature. The inhabitants, some being human, don't require cars to get from one point to another - unlike with mega territories that have need of factories and airfields and the likes for the manufacturing and housing of cars and planes. Almost all of those territories have some link back to the Authority and it's royals. Alaric couldn't believe Bela is the mate to one of those aristocratic beasts. Closer to his targets, Alaric leaves the comfort of the fast moving train to walk the city bustling streets, heavy with street vendors selling food and clothes as employees make their way to work. He has known the streets of Monora since childhood but seldom sees them anymore, instead finding himself in more darker and unsavory places. Morning sunlight makes the awakening manor houses look cheerful and homey. A feeling he hasn't experienced in a while. Servants travel the gravel roads on the way to the highborn homes and some well paid warriorborns. Here everybody has a purpose that keeps the city going and thriving. No one looks hungry or cold as they carry on with the start of their mornings. Soon Alaric reaches the high gates of the mansion, the walls stretching higher than he is tall and he is no short man at 6'1. Moira must have had the walls built recently. Alaric doesn't have to wonder why, she's also been overly cautious. It isn't by chance that Alaric happens to be around the same time the Authority sends one of its prince's. Moira let him know the moment the twins received word from the prince, famously known as The Executioner, announcing his unfavorable visit. Alaric has been in the neighborhood ever since, just in case Bela or the twins needed his help and it's a good thing that he did. Commotion has the guards looking elsewhere long enough for Alaric to slip over the tall wall, taking the gap in security. He smiles, thanking the Goddess that it's been easy going up until now. But the morning has only just started and he still has to see the twins.

***

The tall wooden doors are already standing open when Moira strides through onto a stoned patio. Laura trailing behind her with a steel expression. The alpha's warriors file out before her, stretching into a line on either side of the front door and along the curved stairs of her home, when Moira finally spots Lazarus's four warriors being escorted by six of her own. The men are strapped with weapons and guns, wide cocky smiles on their faces as they meet her gaze. She spares them no more than a glance before turning her attention to Alec on his knees and snarling as one of them holds his face up by his black hair. Chains are fastened around his wrists, keeping him incapacitated. Moira's six guards look ready to murder them as they drag the struggling Alec closer.

Moira draws in air, her chest tensing as she narrows her gaze furiously, "There better be a good reason for my Zeta to be treated like this." Moira says with a voice like ice as she attempts to keep her emotions at bay.

The triggering site of her best friend at the mercy of men she does not know stirs her slumbering beast.

"Prince Lazarus doesn't appreciate you sending men to watch him. The rest are being kept safe for the remainder of the time. Let this be a warning for the future."

He emphasizes by pulling Alec to his feet and shoving him forward. Alec groans deep in his throat as our warriors catch his beaten form. His face is bleeding, matting in his thick hair.

"Get these f*****g chains off of me so I can beat the s**t out of these wankers." Alec shouts, shoving his constricted wrists at one of my guards who begins tugging at it with all his strength.

"You hardly made an impression last time, not entirely sure what you hope to achieve now. You don't want to embarrass yourself in front of your alpha." Lazarus men laugh and Alec spits blood at their feet in a show of disrespect.

"That is enough. This is my territory and you are guests here who have attacked my men and insulted my hospitality. It's disgraceful!" Moira shouts, her temper starting to boil.

"Is there something else that you men are wanting?" Laura interrupts with a pointed look at the arrogant leader.

"Actually, Lazarus has sent another message." He says, fishing a letter out of his jacket pocket.

Laura nods at her guard who steps forward to retrieve it for her.

"Since you are finished with your business, my guards will be escorting you back to your designated area," Moira commands, waving her guards forward. Her twenty odd guards surround Lazarus's four men. Moira smiles, "Of course, I cannot leave you to return empty handed." She purrs, her intent wiping the smiles off their faces as Lazarus's men become uncomfortable, shifting in their shoes.

Alec starts to laugh deeply, making him look stunning despite the blood and sweat coating his face as he realises exactly what's about to happen. He flexes his hands, his wrist finally free as Moira gives him a nod. Laura and Moira turn away to leave Alec to his own devices.

***

Laura and Moira find themselves in the dining room of Moira’s palace with an array of foods for breakfast spread across the table. The tall glass windows flood the elegant room with sunlight that glisters on the chandeliers. Moira finds the coffee first. She always has her meals here unless she is hosting guests. Any other time, she allows the servants and warriors to dine in the larger dining room. She believes in happy, healthy people to create prosperity. So when intruders walk into her homeland and attack people she's sworn to protect… Well, consequences be damned. Even if those consequences come from The Executioner himself. She will be damned if she'll let those men behave like that in her presence.

"What does the letter say Laura?" Moira asks, noticing the intense look on her sister's face. It makes her nervous that something might be wrong.

Laura skims over the polished words and then passes the letter on in disgust. "Well, I'd bet your Zeta got too close to Lazarus's stake out of Bela's mansion. He has Bela and her mate. Apparently they tried to run and according to the Law of Challenge, breached the rules. He’s moving the date to today at Midnight.”

Moira reads the letter too, her lips pressing together as she considers the letter and it's harsh words, “We shouldn’t be allowing this. It feels like we are just lying bellies up and letting this prince do whatever the hell he wants on our land.”

“I agree, but unless you feel like dying so that Bela can keep her omega mate a little while longer then we don't really have too many options.”

“And if it were our mates going into this challenge?” Moira questions.

Laura sighs, “We wouldn't have accepted such a weak mate to start with. If she had waited, if she had settled on a highborn, he would have stood a chance against the prince. Lazarus is still Bela’s mate and she will grow to love him as well.”

“We should insist on him returning them into our care for the remainder of the time.” Moira says, “No doubt he has separated them and they at least deserve Nate’s last few hours together.”

Laura is about to respond when the twins both notice a change in the air. They surge from their seats quickly, nails extending into claws and eyes changing from blue to black as their wolves rise to the surface. The Sigma, or better known as the lone wolf, strolls out from the entrance to the kitchen. The twins visibly relax, sinking into their seats once they deem the person non-threatening as Alaric finds his own at the table.

“Alpha Laura, Alpha Moira.” He acknowledges in greeting, lifting his hand to his face and removing the silver mask before helping himself to their food.

The twins aren't shocked that Alaric would reveal his identity with only them in the room. The twins have known Alaric their whole lives, before everyone else knew him as the Sigma.

“Alaric, to what do we owe this pleasure?” Laura grimaced, dislike twisting her otherwise lovely face.

Alaric seems for all the world pleased as he gives Laura a wide full toothed smile, “When Bela calls, I will always answer.” He replies, sticking a pancake into his mouth, “A witch by the name of Alice will be arriving soon to perform a spell on Bela’s omega mate to enhance his performance during the Challenge. It's not a guarantee that he will win but he will stand a fighting chance of winning.”

Moira and Laura exchange looks, passing a message through their eyes.

"And what did the witch bargain for to owe you?" Laura snaps.

Tsking, Alaric shakes his head, "Client confidentiality." Alaric watches them closely, narrowing his eyes at the sisters, “You aren’t pleased with the news?”

The twins are conflicted whether they should confide in him. He has always favoured Belavina. He would not be pleased if she were hurt in any way.

Laura speaks first, grumbling, “Lazarus is better suited to be Bela’s mate. Nate is weak and he cannot provide for her. Lazarus is a prince of the Authority. Bela would never be forced to protect herself ever again. He has money, power, an influential position…”

“Then you mate with him, Laura.” Alaric says, putting more food into his mouth, his dark auburn head bent over his pancakes and strawberries.

Laura stares at Alaric like he has grown horns, “That’s not… I would never! He is Bela’s mate!”

Moira tries to hide her laugh in her palm. No one could make Laura flustered like Alaric. He just knows exactly what to say to have her snarling like a deranged beast.

“A mate she does not want.” Alaric stands, his chair scraping backwards. He winks at a smiling Moira and scolding Laura as he leaves the table, having finished his self-help food, “Have a great day further Alphas.”