The Alphas Assassin (Book 1)

The Shadow Pack

Ignoring the fear in the drivers eyes and uneasy stare, she sat back in her seat and closed her eyes. She’d paid him generously to drive her across the country. He knew who she was. Who didn’t? She was well known amongst the humans and even amongst the supernaturals. She hadn’t told him why she was travelling and he didn’t ask questions or talk to her, conditions of the payment. Trusting he wasn’t going to be suicidal enough to attack her, she drifted away and began going through her memory of the letter she’d received.

Valkyrie wondered if the Shadow Pack was still as peaceful and happy as it was when she visited back when she was a child. No more than 5 years old, Valkyrie in company with her mother Lillian, had visited this pack. The peaceful town surrounded by a thick canapé of forest trees, wildlife bursting along the first floor and people in harmony. No worries appeared amongst their people. Children playing, laughing. Laughter. True laughter. It’s what she remembered. Was there still laughter in this pack, after all these years? Surely there would be. A year later after their visit, Valkyrie had been brought to the Assassins Guild and her training begun. She only heard the ghost of true laughter after that.

5 hours later, Valkyrie looked out the window and saw she was nearing the drop off point. A long dusty road in the middle of nowhere, both sides of the road lined with thick evergreens. After not wanting to sit in the car with the driver any longer, feeling his fear and unease dripping off of him, she asked him to stop.

“Thank you. Your money is in the backseat” Valkyrie said, her face one of boredom. Before closing the door she leaned in, nearly face to face with the driver, who hadn’t said a word and spat at him, “Do not tell anyone where you dropped me off. Nothing. Not a squeak. Not a hint of direction. If someone comes asking, i want a letter immediately. Do you understand?” After an agonising minute of the driver shaking, fear all over his face, he nodded his head and gasped out, “Of course Valkyrie. Thank you for the generous payment”. She flashed him a straight white smile and straightened up, closing the door. The driver couldn’t have sped off down the road quick enough. Valkyrie laughed to herself. She didn’t like threatening people. Although she did it more than enough. She disliked the fear that she could feel whenever she spoke to someone, even her old fellow guild mates feared her. It was necessary though. She had a reputation to keep, and it wasn’t made through love.

Waiting until the car was well out of view, she hooked the bag over the shoulder and wrapped the cloak tight around herself. The walk is only an hours walk away but the weather seems to have dropped drastically compared to where she came from. Long gone was the summer heat. Here, it seemed always on edge of raining, the dark grey cloudy filled sky threatening to let a storm loose. After letting out a deep sign, Valkyrie began the walk.

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She knew she was at the border of the Shadow Pack, even though she couldn’t physically see it, the atmosphere had changed. Deep inside the forest, she stood on alert, keeping an eye out for any sign of a threat. Hand on one of her daggers, she stalked forward. The heavens had opened up to spite her earlier, soaking her cloak. It hadn’t stopped yet. The sound of the rain spattering through the thick trees above the only sound bar from her crunched foot steps.

She must have been in the border now. A trespasser could be killed on site. She hadn’t sent word, they won’t be expecting her so she needed to remain vigilant. They may be wolves, but they could be stealthy. Silent as a cat, she prowled through the bush but could see nothing. No buildings, no openings, just thick trees. Had she come to the right pack? Maybe she got the wrong pack. Fighting the doubt and urges to turn and bolt in the opposite direction, she continued forward.

Then she heard it, the snap of a twig somewhere far to her left. She looked, but the dark, dense forest let up nothing. As if the trees themselves were hiding her predators from her. She would not be prey.

She stopped, putting herself in a bored and calm position. Knee bent, withdrawing her dagger and began picking out the dirt under her nails with it. The essence of not giving a s**t. Loudly and clearly, she said into the vacant forest up, but keeping an eye on her surroundings,

“I am here for the meeting with Alpha Phillip. I know you’re there, deep in the woods”

Hearing the loud crunch of branches snapping under feet she lifted her head, masking her face with a calm indifferent expression. There must have been 15 men, all wearing shorts or joggers. Some with no t-shirts on, leaving their toned muscular chests for all to see, despite the rain. They must have shifted back from their wolves. They were definitely louder and less stealthy in human form.

“Why didn’t you send word ahead, like the Alpha asked”. Brave, she thought. To be so bold to speak to her so. She smirked at him, pulling her mask down and flashing her teeth at him. Did he not know who she was? Surely her attire gave it away. He was tall, maybe 6 foot? Tanned skin and shiny black hair, which hung down to his shoulders. He looked strong, fast. She could take him down though, easily. She was faster, more agile. She could easily put him down with a dagger puncture straight through the neck.

She smiled wider, eyes flashing with the thought. She reached into her duffel bag, retrieving the letter and chucking it in his direction, it landing at his feet, “Oh I did, of course. I believe I am 2 days early? I just brought myself with it.”

The man chuckled, reaching down and retrieving the letter. “Valkyrie, the most feared assassin” He said to himself more than anything, “The Alpha knows you’re here, although he is not happy you are early.” He said, staring right into her amber eyes.

“I don’t give a shit.” Was all she replied, her smirk remaining.

“Please follow me, but rest assured. If you try anything stupid, assassin, you’ll be put on your ass before you can even lift a finger” the brave man said. She liked his guy, he had balls to challenger her like that.

She bowed low, bending at the hips, with her voice laced with humour, “Of course. I do love a challenge” smiling widely, looking directly into his eyes. There it was. Fear at last. He knew it was true.

Following the ballsy man though the dense forest, surrounded and flanked by the remaining males, warriors she thought, she kept alert. Was this a trap? Trap or not, she couldn’t stop the strange emotion squeezing it’s way through her body. Excitement. She hadn’t felt literal excitement for anything other than a new mission for well over 10 years. She shoved it down deep, dismissing it and shot her face back into a bored expression. All too easy these days.

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They broke the clearing and exposed a long driveway to the biggest mansion she’d seen, and that’s saying something. Some of her clients lived in mansions but they were half the size of this! The huge building was made of white limestone, copious amounts of windows splattered all across the building. Balconies erupted off most of the upper floored windows. They must be the floors of the ‘important’ people. She counted around 5 floors at least. Two large white doors greeted them at the centre of the building, main entrance.

Valkyrie hated large buildings, much preferring cosy properties. Small, but big enough to have room to move. Cottages, those kinds of things. She was yet to find a place to call home and mean it.

The guards edged her up the drive, all but the bold man in front getting close enough for her to know they are telling her to speed up, but none of them daring to touch her. Wise. She’d remove their hands if they did. In front of the building stood large vehicles. All black range rovers, BMWs and other fancy, expensive cars. She didn’t like cars much, one bad crash and you’re a gonner. This pack had money. It was obvious, written all over from the building, the cars to the well maintained gardens to the right hand side.

The large white doors opened up as Valkyrie approached the front porch. Two people exited, a male in his late 50s, tall, tanned skin with dark hair, speckled with grey. She noted his body was slim. Toned maybe but definitely not a fighter. Interesting. Should the Alpha not fight amongst his people? Cowardly was all Valkyrie could see it as. The Alpha should not be an easy target, and that is all she could see him as. He wore an expression between disgust and curiosity. Ah! He didn’t like fighters. Or was it because I was a woman? Probably. Most werewolves disliked female warriors. Tsk. This must be Alpha Phillip. The female on his right however, bore a wide teeth smile. A genuine one? Valkyrie did not know. She’d keep an eye on her. False kindness was worse than outright hatred to Valkyrie. The female, presumably his wife, Luna of this pack was beautiful to her credit. Tall, again, pale skinned and very slim. She was also not a fighter. Her body toned but not for fighting. Again, another weak target. Her golden brown hair pinned up in a neat white flowing gown, intricate lace sleeves draping down her arms. Was everyone here tall? Her 5ft 4 frame seeming incredibly small here. She wouldn’t let them make her feel intimidated. Height was not an issue for her when going in for the kill. She moved her attention back to the Alpha, wearing a navy and dark purple tunic and pants. Colours of the pack, royalty. f*****g hell, did they dress like this all the time? They will have a shock with me, should I stay that is.

The bold man ahead halted before the steps leading up to the porch, the surrounding guards closing in on Valkyrie, encasing her in a tight circle. Yep! They feared her. The ballsy man broke rank and walked up the steps, clasping hands with the Alpha and speaking in hushed tones. After a few minutes, the Alpha made eye contact with Valkyrie and began descending the stairs. Out of instinct, Valkyrie placed a hand on her dagger.

“No need for any of that.” Waving his hand at my hand clasping the hilt of the dagger. “I didn’t expect you so early. Well, I didn’t expect you at all actually” Alpha Phillips said in a strong, political tone.

Valkyrie hated Politics. “I apologise Alpha Phillip for being so early. Your, ‘contact’ didn’t deliver my letter until yesterday. So I delivered my letter, along with myself” Valkyrie smiled at the Alpha. A fake smile, but a smile nonetheless, she knew better than to anger him right now.

“Of course. We don’t have spare rooms in the pack house” Alpha Phillip pointing to the large monstrosity behind him, “but we do have a small cabin in the outer skirts of the village. I hope you understand”

Ah! This was a power thing she supposed. Little did he know, she much preferred cosy spaces anyway. Putting on an even bigger, faker smile, Valkyrie said, “That would do me just fine Alpha. Thank you for your kindness in allowing me to stay on your lands” Ugh! She hated this fake-ness.

Alpha gestured his companions towards him and they followed in order, down the steps and stood beside him. Luna on the right, ballsy guy on the left.

“Let me introduce you to my wife and Luna, Sophia.” Alpha Phillips said, love written all over his face as he gestured to the brunette standing next to him. Hers, in equal love. He then turned to the man on his left, a small glimmer of distaste in his eyes as he said, “and my son Damon’s beta, Christopher” Christopher grimaced when he said his name. Interesting.

Alpha Phillip continued, “I apologise that my son is not present currently. He is arriving tomorrow. Damon is the soon to be Alpha of this pack. He will be present at the meeting also” He said this like she gave a s**t. Trying to remain on their good side, Valkyrie bit her tongue and said sweetly, “Nice to meet you Luna Sophia, Beta Chris” There is was! The look of surprise on Christopher’s face. No grimace, she wondered if he hated his name in full, or all together. What would this pompous Alphas son be like? Probably just like him, no doubt. They always were carbon copies of their fathers.

“I will have Beta Christopher show you to your cabin, make yourself at home” Alpha Phillip said, staring into her eyes intensely. “Oh and also, assassin. There are some rules you must abide by, whilst on my pack lands”

Valkyrie said nothing, and just nodded her head for him to continue and he did.

“First, no killing my pack members or visitors of this pack which I have invited on. Wolf or human form. No matter what. Should something happen in which harm is to be made, there shall be no killing. They will go to trial by me.

Second, if you want to leave the pack borders, you need to inform me or Alpha Damon before so. We have many intruders on these lands, it would be a shame to consider you one.

Other than that, make yourself at home. You can use the gym, training grounds and go into town for shopping. The pack house is open to all on the ground floor, but nowhere else than that. Understood?”

The Alpha was pinning her with a cold stare. He meant it. HA! Like he’d stop her.

“Understood, Alpha” Was all she said.

Beta Chris and the guards flanked her around and they began down a long path leading further into the village. It was quiet, peaceful. Just how she’d remembered.

After around a 10 minute walk, they reached a small wooden cabin just under the canapé of some large evergreens, at the edge of the village. Valkyrie noticed it was the only building far enough away from the Pack house and villagers. He didn’t trust her. Good.

The guards filtered away but Valkyrie noticed the beta remained behind. She turned and looked at him, studying him from head to foot. He was stood in a warriors stance, his shoulder length black hair swaying in the breeze.

“What” Valkyrie spat at him.

“You called me Chris back there. Why?”

His face was blank of emotion, hard to read. So she replied as she would anyone, “Why does it matter? Would you prefer Christopher?”

“No.” Was all he said. Though his face remained blank, she saw the distaste in his eyes.

“I thought not. Do you need anything or can I go and asleep? It’s been a long journey” Her face plastered in a bored expression.

“Please go ahead, assassin. The Alpha would like you to attend a ball tonight. I will pick you up by 7. Be ready or make your own way” Chris spat, venom lacing his words

A ball? The Alpha didn’t mention any ball she needed to attend. f**k, Valkyrie hated royal balls. Disgusted framed every angle of her face and she did nothing to hide it. “A ball? Alpha Phillip never mentioned any ball Beta Chris. I won’t go” She wouldn’t, if she can help it.

“Unfortunately assassin, you have no choice. I have just been informed Alpha Damon returns in an hour and he, is the one who wishes you to be there”

Alpha Damon? He must have received that mind link thing they have, as he definitely didn’t get a letter or phone call.

“I always have a choice Beta Chris. It is my choice to make whether I go or not. I guess we will see on the night” Turning to the cabin and stomping up the steps to the door. I guess you could call it stubborn, but Valkyrie hated it when people demanded things of her. She owes no one. Before slamming the door in his face, she turned to the Beta and hissed, “And I have a name Beta Christopher. It’s Valkyrie” before turning and slamming the door shut.

Through the wooden door, which was barely blocking out the breeze, she heard him shout, “See you at seven!”

Chuckling, she turned and observed her stay for now. Immediately inside the door was a living room, cosy with a sofa facing a fireplace. Behind the sofa was a set of stairs leading upwards and to the right of the stairs was a small hallway leading to the rear of the cabin. Valkyrie stalked down the cabin, hand on dagger, just in case. On the right, around half way down the hallway, was a door which led to a small downstairs toilet and sink. At the end of the hallway was the kitchen / diner. A surprisingly larger kitchen than she expected. No food in, of course but there was counters on the left hand side of the room in a U shape. A fridge freezer, stove/oven, sink, washing machine and dryer. There was even a small island with 2 barstools. To the right of the room was a door leading to the back of the property which led into the forest and a kitchen table. 6 chairs placed all around the table. Valkyrie laughed to herself seeing the table. She didn’t have any friends, that table will go to waste.

After checking the back door was locked and windows secure, she heading back down the hallway, also checking the front door and the windows in the living room. Heading upstairs, there was 2 doors. One straight ahead and one to the right.

Heading through the one on the right first, she stepped into a small bedroom. A single bed with a chest of draws at the bottom and a door next to that, which she only suspected led to a small en-suite. After checking the room, it was indeed a very small en-suite with a toilet, sink and small stand up shower. Enough for her least.

Leaving the bedroom back into the hallway, she checked the door straight across from the stairs. This was another bedroom. A double bed stood proudly to the left of the room against the wall, a bed side table on either side. A chest of draws and a wardrobe stand against the opposite wall, again, next to another door. She dropped to her stomach and checked under the bed. No one hiding. Good. Going to the door in the room, it revealed a larger en-suite bathroom. This one included a large bath, a toilet, sink and a separate stand up shower.

The decoration throughout the cabin was very much dated and dusty. Clearly the cabin hadn’t been used for a very long time. It reminded her of Jacobsons cabin, funnily enough. How ironic.

Happy that the house wasn’t filled with waiting wolf guards to trap her, she walked towards the double bed and threw herself onto it.

Would she attend the ball? She didn’t have any fancy ball gowns to wear, but that didn’t bother her too much. After numerous agonising minutes, Valkyrie decided she would attend the ball. She will just wear what she is wearing. So, with that in mind, she striped her armour off, placing a dagger below each pillow and drifted off into a restless sleep.

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Valkyrie awoke to banging on her front door. With precise accuracy she clasped the dagger and jumped out of bed, her near nakedness in just her underwear long forgotten and she analysed the threat.

“Valkyrie, you better answer this f*****g door or I will break it down myself” The god awful voice of Alpha Damon’s beta bellowed up through the house. Groaning, she stomped downstairs and threw open her door, dagger still clasped in her hand.

“WHAT” She screeched at him. She hated behind awoken rudely. What a way to piss off an assassin.

“Put some f*****g clothes on and I’ll speak to you” Chris was actually shielding his eyes. Jesus f*****g Christ.

“Have you never seen a bare woman before Chris?” Valkyrie was loving this, giving him her widest smirk so much so, her eyes shone with humour.

“Oh course I have! Get dressed for heavens sake. And let me in, it’s pissing it down” Beta Chris snapped at her. Without hesitation, she stepped aside and allowed him entry, checking outside for others before closing the door.

“Stay here” she spoke, pointing the dagger at him, before spinning on her heel and stomping back upstairs.

15 minutes later, Valkyrie was washed, dried and in her gold, black and deep red armour from earlier. Same weapons strapped to her.

“What is that you’re wearing?” Chris stated, his eyes roaming over the numerous weapons strapped to her.

“What do you think Beta Chris? I’m an assassin, not a princess. Move, let’s go. I want this over with as soon as possible”

She swear she saw him smirk at her. Before following her out into the rain and up to the mansion, not saying a word more.