The Alphas Assassin (Book 1)

The ball

What the f**k. That’s all she could think. That’s all she ever thought about when coming to these events. She looked around the huge ball room, at the huge bright floaty ball gowns the women wore, and the tight suits of the wealthy businessmen or tunics the warrior men wore with pride and just thought, what the f**k. She noticed no female warriors. Interesting.

The Alpha and Luna stood upon a dais at the back wall of the ball room, conversing with a pretty woman and what she assumes is her date. The room is so huge it was difficult to even make out facial expressions from her end. Of course they would be perched up there above everyone else and from what Valkyrie observed so far, only letting select few people approach them. Royals.

She turned and looked at Beta Chris, his face a blank canvas. She took the time to study him this time. He had his long black hair tied up in a messy but neat bun at the back of his head. He wore a dark navy blue tunic that had dark purple threading and dark navy pants. Head warrior outfit maybe. He looked quite handsome, and she’d admire him, if he weren’t such a pain in her ass already.

“Are you checking me out assassin? Or looking for a way to kill me?” Chris’ voice broke her stare and she turned away, facing the room again.

She’d tactically stood in a dark alcove in the room, little to no one saw her yet. Just how she preferred it.

“No. I know how to kill you already. I was merely looking at your uniform, and wondering where the female warriors are” Valkyrie replied without looking at him.

“There aren’t any” Beta Chris replied. She peeked a glance at him and saw his face solemn. He doesn't agree with that idea I see.

“The Alphas idea? Or lack of volunteers” Valkyrie wasn’t sure why she was so interested, or why it bothered her so much.

“We get plenty of volunteers" Chris sneered, finally turning his eyes towards her.

"But yes. Alphas Phillips idea. Damon wanted to change the rule. Alpha Phillips wouldn’t agree.” Chris’ expression returned to the neutral blank face of a warrior but his eyes, now turned back to the crowd, flashed anger.

Valkyrie nodded her head once and surveyed the room. She wanted a drink, but she knew as soon as she stepped out, she would be the centre of attention. As an assassin, she hated that. f**k, she hated events.

"This is terribly boring. Can I go?" Valkyrie said to the room, not looking at Beta Chris, but she knew he heard.

"No". Was all he said.

"Well in that case, I may as well indulge in the free bar the royals have so graciously offered to us measly peasants" Voice dripping with sarcasm and she took a step forward, intending to stide to the bar maid across the room but was halted in her steps.

The most handsome man she’d ever seen was entering through the main hall we had come through hours ago. Jesus gods above. He had to be around 6ft 4 with tanned skin and black hair. His thick brow and strong defined jawline shaded in dark stubble. Was this man a Greek god? Had to be. Had to be. He stood tall, back straight as he walked across the room towards the alpha table. He walked with purpose, like he was the main event. He wore a fitted black and purple tunic, similar to that of Beta Chris and fitted pants on those thick strong thighs. He was a warrior. Valkyrie smirked. I wonder if he's as annoying as Beta Chris. His back muscles shifted as he walked, showing off how strong he was underneath.

Valkyrie hesitantly tore her eyes off of him as he walked, observing the crowd. Some of the males, the businessmen Valkyrie noticed, wore expressions of false respect. Nodding and some bowing their head slightly. It was the warriors who bowed the deepest, true fiery respect and loyalty all over their faces. She noticed that the Alpha replicated this back to them.

The women however, was all lust. That’s all she could see. Deep, vulgar lust over all the female's faces. Even the women with a man on their arms. It was clear as day in their eyes.

It was obvious the attention he was getting was nothing new to this man. He didn’t even acknowledge them. Did he have a woman? A wife maybe? Valkyrie wasn’t entirely sure why, but she wanted to find out. She didn’t seek attention, although deep down she knew she wanted it. She wanted a male fighter by her side. Someone she could trust and someone to teach her to love again. But no one would be with her, because she was an assassin. And assassins can’t be trusted. That is how she was raised. Love and affection were distractions. She knew this to be true, but god how she wanted to feel those things. At least once again. If they broke her heart, she’d just cut it out of them. Smirking to herself, she shoved the self pity deep down for another day.

After the s*x on legs had made it to the dais and was thoroughly engrossed in conversation with the Alpha and Luna, Valkyrie shifted her deep red face mask down, so it was no covering her face. She took her cape off, shoving it into the shelf inside the alcove, and whilst keeping her hood up, she became the assassin she is feared to be.

She glanced sideways at Beta Chris, who seemed to be watching her intently with his back against the wall and his arms crossed over his chest. She winked at him and strode forward out of the shadows of the alcove and into the busy crowd of glittery dresses, music and deep conversations.

She strode, her back straight, chin high and eyes observing everything, heading straight for the table with refreshments. It was like the air stopped in those moments. The crowd observed her every move, some gasping and scuttling out the way. I suppose a hooded figure strapped to the teeth with blades would make you do that. Valkyrie smirked further and continued her walk, making eye contact with as many who dared. They quickly looked away. Behind her, she could feel Beta Chris walking closely behind, close enough should she make a move, he’d be straight there apprehending her. She wasn’t stupid of course and it wasn't needed here. She had no intentions of causing trouble.

Reaching the table, the poor servant girl was shaking. A young girl, 16 years old perhaps? Pretty, but very skinny. Definitely doesn’t train or fight. She looked the servant in the eye and smiled. Not a malicious smile, but a genuine one. Uncommon these days but she managed well enough. “I will have a wine please, doesn’t matter which. Any will do” Valkyrie said pleasantly.

The young girl reached for a bottle of red wine and began trying to uncork a new one. Valkyrie noted there were already many open bottles of red wine and Valkyrie wasn’t that much of an arsehole, so placed her gloved hand on the servants and said quietly, “No need for a new bottle, already opened will do. I don’t demand the best, don’t worry”

The young girl looked up at Valkyrie as she let go of her hand and put the bottle down, reaching for a bottle on the shelf behind. Something like gratitude shone in those young eyes as she looked back at the assassin. Before the girl began filling the glass up, Valkyrie stopped her with a hand to hers and took the bottle off her. Smelling deeply into the bottle, she couldn't smell any poisons.

"Really?" Chris' dulcet tones drawled behind her.

"Would you like to test it for me?" Valkyrie purred sweetly, turning to Chris.

He did not reply, only glaring at her. She was beginning to think he didn't have any other facial expression.

Satisfied that she could smell no obvious poisons, Valkyrie damned it all and handed the bottle back to the girl and nodded.

Valkyrie took the time to look at the open bottles whilst she poured. It seems nearly all the guests must have demanded fresh bottles for a single glass. Pathetic. Pompous asses. The servant handed Valkyrie the glass, and meekly replied, “Would there be anything else I can get you, miss?”

Looking over her shoulder briefly, Valkyrie glanced at Beta Chris and said to both the servant and her close bodyguard behind her, not loud but clear enough for him to hear her over the music,

“Thank you. Why, Beta Chris, would you like anything to drink?”

“No.” Was all his reply was.

Valkyrie smirked and remained looking at the servant.

“Apparently not. What do I call you?” Valkyrie asked the girl.

She didn’t believe in being rude or making people feel fearful when it wasn’t needed. She paraded around with a show of arrogance but that wasn't her true self, just something to hide the deep loneliness she hid inside. Most of it came naturally after all this time, but when being nice called for it, she would be. As hard as it is sometimes.

This young girl didn’t feel like a threat as of yet, and she looked more scared in her own skin than of her.

“My name's Rose miss” Rose said quietly, glancing across at the Alpha table as

Valkyrie glanced across also at the Alpha table, now to her right. Indeed, neither the Alpha nor the Luna was watching the interaction but he was. He was staring directly into her eyes with a ferocious intensity. Gods above. Turning back to Rose, Valkyrie dipped her head in respect and told her, “You can call me Valkyrie, Rose. It was nice to meet you. I shall be back for more” Lifting up her wine glass to accentuate her point and walked away without another word. She did notice however, that Rose had stopped shaking as much by the end of the conversation. Good.

Walking back to her preferred dark alcove, she dragged a small nearby table and chair and sat down, half covered in shadow and swiped her cape off the shelf. Chris huffed, stomping away temporarily to grab his own chair and sat down next to her. begrudgingly of course.

“If you don’t like my company Beta, please piss off. You’re killing my mood”. Valkyrie said, not even looking at him.

“As much as I’d like to, I can’t. I’m guarding you temporarily” The Beta paused and then turned to look at me, dead in the eyes. “Why was you so nice to her, the servant girl?”

His question threw her off. What a stupid question. “It doesn’t take much to be nice Beta. Even a cold assassin like myself, who has no reason to be nice, can find it in themselves”

He didn’t reply, both just savouring in the silence of each other, listening to the music. Valkyrie kept catching glances off guests and noticed that no one came to close to the table. She didn’t mind though.

She finished her wine, slung her cape around herself and pulled her scarf back up her face. f*****g hell, this was agonisingly boring. Closing her eyes and leaning back in her chair, she listened to everything. Music, the chatter of females and males, the scraping of a chair and the incoming footsteps coming closer, closer..

“Who do I owe the pleasure of speaking to” she said, when she felt someone standing in front of her, the dark shadow cast over her still closed eye lids.

“Boring you, is it?” A deep, husky voice said.

Gods above she could listen to that all day. Snap out of it! Opening her eyes, she looked up and saw the handsome Alpha from earlier stood directly in-front of her on the other side of the table. His piercing deep green eyes slicing into hers.

"No i'm enthralled in this" Valkyrie drawled, swiping her arm across the front of her towards the flurry of dancing people. "I don’t care for balls or events much. I was forced to come here” she spat, glaring directly at Beta Chris, who for once had the biggest smirk on his face.

“I apologise for my Betas insistence however, I must take blame for it. I wanted to meet you before the meeting. It seems you’ve made quite the impression already” His deep voice echoed back. His eyes were raking down my armoured tunic and daggers.

“I don’t wear dresses. I’m a fighter you see, not a dancer. So, you’re Alpha Damon? What a pleasure” Valkyrie meant it, but would not let him know the true reason. He was a pleasure to look at. She stood and extended her gloved hand.

"Valkyrie. But call me whatever you want" She purred. He clasped it and held it tight, she returned the grasp. After a few seconds, they let go. However his eyes never left hers, pinning her in place. Did he always stare this intensely? Gods give me strength.

“The pleasure is all mine, Valkyrie” He replied, in that sexy voice of his. My name, rolling off his tongue just sounded, right? No. Snap out of it. You can’t do this Valkyrie.

Standing back, Valkyrie looked at his beta and back at him. Looking at a large clock on the wall, she decided she couldn’t breathe in this place a second longer. Why was she reacting so weird around him? Get some self control! It took everything in her from turning and bolting without another word.

“I think I will take my leave and head back to my cabin. It is late and I am up early. Thank you for inviting me and it was a pleasure to meet you”.

Without waiting for a reply, she walked around the table and around Alpha Damon towards the exit door. She swear she heard him sniff her as she passed. Weird wolves.

Half way to the pack house doors leading outside, she still heard Beta Chris following her, so she abruptly stopped and wheeled on him, nearly coming face to face with him,

“You don’t have to follow me everywhere Beta Chris. I agreed to the rules Alpha Phillip set. As an assassin we do not break oaths. I will not flay someone alive, or kill any members of the pack or it’s visitors” Valkyrie said, eyeing the large ball room behind. She continued before he could but in, “I will also not go onto another floor of the pack house but this one and I will not leave the borders without telling an Alpha of this pack about it. And you know what Chris, I won’t go breaking into your house at night. Don’t worry. I just want to have some peace and quite. Please”

Taking a long breath in, she stared him down, showing him she meant every word. Because she did. She just wanted some peace and quiet.

He nodded his head but did not move.

“Go back to the ball Beta Chris, I have no ill intentions here on this pack”.

Before he could reply, Valkyrie span on her heel and marched out the door, slipping into the night. He did not follow.

——————————————————

Valkyrie found herself perched against a tree on the floor, moonlight beaming through the canapy onto her. The rain was still falling in heavy droplets, but she favoured the rain. It calmed her inner self and cooled that inner anger she always held onto. Wrapping the cloak tighter around herself, she sat there, against the tree outside her cabin, legs outstretched and crossed over each ankle.

Although Beta Chris hadn’t followed her, she noticed an increase in warrior guards patrolling around her Cabin. Most in wolf form. She didn’t mind, they kept far enough a distance she wasn’t disturbed but she could sense the eyes look at her as they passed by. The rain was coming down in droves now but she didn’t mind, and remained seated there, completely at peace for once.

This was what she remembered it being like. Peaceful. Valkyrie often wondered what it would have been like had she not been dumped on the assassins guild's doorstep that night. If she weren’t an assassin, would she have a chance with him? Would she have been capable of deep love and trust? Her thoughts drifted to Alpha Damon. He is clearly a warrior, his body and posture proves that. Valkyrie sat up straighter, heart rate beginning to quicken. She’s never lapped up a man before. Yes, she’s found men attractive and had meanless one night stands but, she’s never thought of them hours later. Most of them she wanted to kill after 10 minutes. Why was he so different? Valkyrie began to wonder what weapons he used in fighting, if any at all and if he was even a good fighter. Whilst being wrapped up in these ridiculous thoughts, she nearly didn’t feel the presence approaching.

She felt him before seeing him, his Alpha aura seemed to pulse off of him but it didn’t scare or intimidate her. She was no wolf. No, she’s been up against worse. It was a trait of him she could recognise anywhere though. Power. Strength.

“Good evening Valkyrie.” His deep voice seemed to bounce off every tree in the dense forest. “May I join you?” He asked. Sitting down opposite her against another tree, stretching out his legs and crossing them beside her own, and stretching his large biceps behind his head, supporting it and closing his eyes. She should have said no, should have told him to piss off but, she didn't. Instead she leant her head against the tree and looked up into trees above, cool rain spattering her exposed face.

“I guess it’s too late to say no?” She replied, her amber eyes shone with humour. He looked up into the rain,she wished he would look at her again, and chuckled at her question. Ignoring it, he stated out of the blue,

“I love the rain. Especially though the forest trees. I guess that’s why you’re sat outside and not inside your cabin?”

She ignored his question and just observed him, the way he moved his eyes back down to hers. His eyes didn’t roam her body in a vulgar way, but with interest. She didn’t mind much. He observed her armoured tunic and the daggers she had strapped to her. Not fear, or uneasiness but, well, nothing. Nothing she could read. Was he impressed?

“Why are you here, Alpha Damon” She needed to know. Why, in the dead of night, was he sat on the forest floor in the rain staring at her. Wasn’t there some pretty wife somewhere? The question got the better of her and she blurted, “don’t you have a wife to go to? One of those mate things you wolves have?”

The flash of hurt in his eyes, for some reason made her regret that question instantly.

To Valkyrie’ surprise, the Alpha laughed but the hurt in his eyes remained. “No. No wife, and no mate. No longer” No longer? Interesting.

“I’m sorry?” She questioned, trying to sound like she genuinely cared. I’m terrible at this, Valkyrie thought.

He chuckled, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down in his thick neck with the motion. “Don’t be. It was a long time ago. I actually came here to tell you something. Though I don’t think I should really” Alpha Damon paused briefly, scanning her over. She didn’t move a muscle, she made her eyes blank canvases. She’d gotten good at it.

He continued, “I saw your interaction with Rose. Thank you, for being so nice I mean. My father, well he doesn’t really treat the servants well. I try to but, most have trust issues now I guess” He looked back at her to gage her reaction. She was doing the same back. He seemed genuine, the pain in his eyes proved that. What what Alpha Phillip treating them like? She’d fine out. She may be an assassin, but she is also known as a protector.

“It’s fine Alpha Damon. Kindness costs nothing.” Valkyrie replied honestly.

“Please, just all me Damon. I’m not Alpha yet” he stated, chuckling. She realised it. He was stalling. What did he need to tell her which he was so hesitant.

“I shall. What is it you need to tell me, Alpha?” Valkyrie inquired. She knew that look, the look of backtracking. He wasn’t going to tell her, but she’ll find out eventually. She hated that s**t.

As suspected, Damon spoke softly, “Not tonight, another day maybe. I’ll leave you be for now. Good night, Valkyrie” standing up, he began to walk away, in the direction of the pack house. She didn’t reply, she didn’t need to. He was gone before she’d stood up.

Entering her cabin, she did a once over checking for any hidden guards and checked the locks on all the doors and windows again and made her way to her room. Laying across her bed, she was sleep before she had managed to scrape off the sodden clothes. f**k it.