The Omega Queen

Chapter Seven

"Just try again, relax"

I open my eyes and give Evan the dirtiest look I can muster. He imitates zipping his lips and looks off into the dense foliage of the forest.

Evan and I have been in the woods for about three hours, we have read my mothers grimoire twice cover to cover and I decided to make a start on the easier spells, summoning each of the four elements in turn. Getting a feel of them and trying to push their energy out of my body. I have had mild success with earth and fire, creating a gentle rumble under my feet and relighting our fire pit after the cinders had died down to embers. Air on the other hand is a mystery to me. My mothers notes clearly state that I need to be calm, my mind free from worry or stress. That my emotions will hinder the use of this element, unlike with earth and fire, where my emotions fuel the spell. My mind is a jumble of thoughts and fears I cannot control and therefore I have been unable to even pull the energy towards me, never mind use it to create a spell.

"I need a distraction Evan. Tell me something." I say, my eyes still closed to the world around me.

"What?" He asks.

"Anything!" I say exasperated

"Okay, okay. I….I think I'll meet my mate tonight, at the gathering"

My eyes snap open, meeting his. He looks resigned, accepting of a fate he cannot be sure of.

"He's going to love you!" I smile

"I wouldn't be so sure of that Queeny" he says, mirth lacing his tone. I roll my eyes at the nickname he bestowed upon me this morning and move closer to him. I sit beside him and rest my head on his shoulder.

"What's not to love, you're kind, smart, have a wicked sense of humour, not to mention you are seriously hot". He pokes me in my side, causing me to squeak like a mouse and I push his shoulder scooting further away, preventing further attacks.

"I just have this feeling, deep deep down, that it isn't going to work out the way I want it to. He's been here before, we know that. In the packhouse, he's probably a Beta or Gamma and which Beta wants an gay omega wolf as a mate?"

"Any wolf would be lucky to get matched with you. Why are you so concerned being gay is going to get in the way of your happiness. There are hundreds of LGBT wolves all over the world, happily mated and flying that rainbow flag high and proud. Fly yours! Kate, Drew and I will all be there by your side."

He smiles at me sadly.

"Time will tell," he shrugs. "Now get your skinny ass back over there and conjure up a tornado to take me to Oz, I'd be quite happy living in munchkin land" I burst out laughing and grab a pile of leaves, throwing them in his face.

Unable to progress in my attempts, I admit defeat and return home, intending to get ready for Fins inauguration this evening. I plan to wear the dress and shoes I wore for my birthday a few nights ago. I have nothing else suitable. Queen or not, I cannot turn up in jeans and a hoodie no matter how much I want to. Since I ascended the throne, I haven't had to work and will not be doing so tonight as originally planned. Sol said it would be unacceptable, that the other packs would be unhappy with him if he had agreed to my request. I see his point but that now means I will have to participate in the festivities and as Queen, introduce myself to the other Alphas and packs.

Stepping into the shower for the second time that day, I tie my clean hair in a knot on top of my head and lather my body in the lavender body wash I favour. I try to clear my mind, the hot water sliding down over my body, loosening my tired muscles. I haven't tried harnessing the element of water yet. I have planned to visit the lake tomorrow with Evan and see if that helps. I take a deep breath and concentrate on the rivulets of water coursing over my body. I hone in on each drop coating my skin, feeling the slight hum each element gives off when I focus. The water droplets begin to pulse and vibrate, the hairs on my body stand on end. I raise a finger and hold a singular drop on the tip, I concentrate, feeling the power aching to become a part of me and we connect, I pull the minute amount of energy from that one drop and feel it sink into me, I then move to the rest of my body, the drops of moisture surrounding me, I feel it all and instinct takes over, like my mind and body know exactly what to do. They pull the energy deep into my being and I feel heavier due to the weight. It's a heady feeling, almost intoxicating, I feel light headed and close my eyes, bracing myself against the tiled shower wall. Needing to get rid of the power coursing through my blood, I remember my mothers instructions, 'gather the energy to one part of the body so it can be expelled at once'. This method is usually used in defence spells but I think it will work to my benefit at the moment, needing to be rid of the energy quickly. The magic gathers in my chest and I push it out as a stream, cautiously and slowly. I feel lighter as it leaves my body and sigh in relief. Opening my eyes I see that every droplet of water is now suspended above my head. I look up in awe, the sheer beauty of Luna's magic evident to my own eyes. I start to giggle at the absurdity of it all, my focus ebbs and the droplets shudder, suspended above me. I try to refocus, to pull it back but fail miserably. The droplets, released from their hold, rain down over me, drenching my clean dry hair. I laugh again, pure happiness radiating from deep within me. It's been a long time since I felt this kind of joy. I think this is the start of a beautiful partnership between me and water.

***********************************************

"Doubling border patrols and calling in reinforcements is the least you can expect Ava" Fin sighs "Axel is coming, and soon"

Sol, Sol's Beta James, Fin, Michael, Ben and I have been hashing out strategy for hours. They have all decided against my wishes to treat me like I'm a China doll, regardless of the fact I whooped Fin's ass just this morning.

"I agree with that part Fin, we have to protect the pack as a whole. If Axel knows I'm here then every single wolf is at risk. Who agreed to join us?" I ask, as I stand and pace the length of Sol's office.

"A total of forty two Alpha's from around the world so far. They cannot leave their packs unprotected, but the moment we perceive a threat, they will make their way here and stand with their Queen." James answers.

"Some packs are out of range, like the Alaskan pack and we have had to resort to snail mail to get word to them. I anticipate their allegiance." Sol adds tiredly, rubbing the stubble apparent on his tense jawline.

"Great, I take it all packs close enough to make a difference when the time comes have joined us?" I question, thinking specifically of my own mate and his continued absence.

"Yes, all packs within two hundred miles" Fin says as I sit back at the table.

If Grayson has confirmed his allegiance then I will see him again. He clearly doesn't want me anymore, which I welcome overall, even if it causes my stomach to churn in a most uncomfortable way. Maybe he'll break our bond and save me the trouble.

"Fin, go get ready for your ceremony, i'll update you on any further decisions tomorrow, we can ….." Sol says to Fin before being interrupted by shouting in the corridor outside his office.

"You cannot enter. It is a private meeting" the guard outside the office states.

"I am the queen's mate, I should be present" I groan and everyone turns to look at me. I lower my head, banging my forehead on the desk in front of me.

"Really thought he was gone for good" I mumble against the mahogany wood.

The door of the office opens and I raise my head. Everyone nods at Grayson, but he ignores them, his eyes finding me. I roll my eyes and turn back to Fin, ignoring him completely.

"Get going Fin, if you show up to the ceremony looking like that, Heather will kill you" he chuckles and salutes

"Everyone out" Sol states with authority once Fin has left the room. I stand and start to leave, Michael, Ben and James exiting first.

"Not you Ava!" Sol states exasperated and I return to my seat. "Grayson, good to see you again son. We thought you were gone for good"

"No sir, I had some loose ends to tie up in New York." He says still looking directly at me. From what I can see, he hasn't looked at anyone else since he entered the room.

"I'll leave you to it" Sol says, clapping Grayson on the shoulder as he passes. The door of the office shuts with a resoundingly loud click in the silent atmosphere.

"Ava" Grayson says quietly, as if he's scared i'll bolt if he's too loud. "Would you look at me please?"

I snort but turn in his direction.

"Here to break the bond?" I ask conversationally "I heard the pain isn't too bad if you haven't spent much time with your mate." I smile but it doesn't reach my eyes.

"What, no. Of course not. Why would you think that?" He asks, unable to hide the shock from his voice.

"Well I'm sure we had a date this morning and you didn't show" I say calmly using air quotes around the word "date".

"I had to do something, in New York. It couldn't wait" he says running a hand through his straw coloured hair.

"Well if it was urgent and important, why did you bother coming back? You could have stayed there" I say shrugging my shoulders. My nonchalance clearly making him uncomfortable.

"I meant what I said last night. I want you. I want to show you how good we can be together" he says, pulling out a chair to sit closer to me. I sit back creating some distance.

"And yet you didn't show up to a date you wanted in the first place" I state calmly. I'm not overly bothered he didn't show, I don't want him as my mate anyway but I am shocked he didn't put any effort in before he gave up.

"I was in New York to renounce my pack and step down as Alpha" he states, finally looking away.

I snap my head in his direction at his admission. No Alpha has ever stepped down before. It's unheard of.

"What, why? Why would you give up your birthright? I don't understand.."

"I did it for you, for us." He interrupts quietly "How can I properly commit if I have to keep running off back to New York. How could I show you how serious I am when I say I want us to work. You have to know that this bond between us and protecting you from the rogues is the only thing that's important to me now." He rubs the back of his neck, showing the level of vulnerability he feels at his honesty. I can only stare at his profile, words failing me for the first time in my life. I have nothing to say.

"Ava?" Michael says as the door opens and he joins us in the room. I look away from Grayson "the ceremony is due to start. You are needed on stage" he says before leaving the room as abruptly as he entered. I stand and Grayson follows suit. I pass by him and head to the door.

"You look heart stoppingly beautiful tonight Ava" Grayson says to my back. I am wearing the birthday dress and shoes, my hair is curled and piled on top of my head, ringlets framing my face. Drew even insisted on makeup. Mascara and a nude lipstick. I liked the result, but it won't be a regular occurrence.

I turn to face him. He looks beautiful himself, not that I’d ever admit it to his face. He wears his grey suit to perfection, the tie loose around his neck like he's been tugging on it for hours. His blue grey eyes so clear and hypnotising.

"Thank you" I say genuinely. No one has ever called me beautiful before, not since I was five at least and my father would call me his beautiful princess. Grayson continues to look me up and down and I can feel my heart rate increase at his scrutiny. The bond between us flickers to life and I feel his attraction, pulsing and pulling, his gaze skimming over my curves, like he's stripping me bare with his eyes, layer by layer. Trying to get under my skin. My temperature spikes, my skin erupts in goosebumps and I realise I need to leave now. His blatant perusal isn't uncomfortable but it's far too honest for me to cope with right now. I step back, breaking the spell he had cast over me and leave the room. My breathing returns to normal a few moments later. I need to put some space between us. The last thing I need right now is the bond making me feel things I don't want to feel, making me want things I don't want.