Taming the Alpha

Chapter 2 – The mission

Avery

"The king would like to speak to you. Personally," my superior addresses me after my training. Arthur Kingsley is a very old and experienced vampire warrior, who himself was an active agent for many years. Many of the new vampire warrior look up to him and have him as a role model. A long scar runs from his upper arm down to his wrist. It is very rare to see scars on vampires, because normally we heal very quickly, and no trace of the wound remains. But this wound must have been incredibly deep or poisoned to interfere with the healing process. Arthur once told me that this scar was from a fight with a wild werewolf.

"What would the king want from me?", I think aloud, not expecting an answer.

"He has a special mission for you," Arthur replies anyway. Wow, I didn't know the king really knew who I was, even if I am his niece. So far, he has shown surprisingly little interest in me. During my training, Arthur has taken me under his wing and continued to train and protect me. He has made sure that I am one of the king's finest warriors. Thanks to him, I am what I am today. He gave me the confidence I needed and always kept an eye on me. I usually get all my orders from him.

Together, side by side, we walk down the endless corridors of the castle to the throne room.

The doors are opened for us and we enter. The throne room is large and long. A red carpet runs down the middle, and the walls are as big as those in old cathedrals. I don't come here often, because somehow I always feel a little intimidated by this grand elegance. Like I'm just a little insignificant vampire who has no influence on anything. Across from us sits the king on his throne. The magnificent throne stands on a high pedestal with countless steps leading up to it. Soon my cousin, Prince Elias, will sit on this throne and rule. He often does so now to represent his father, but today it is not Prince Elias who sits there, but his father. The man must be thousands of years old, but to me he looks more like a man in his fifties. He has graying hair and a beard, but much more striking is the grim countenance with which he looks down on us. He is one of the most powerful vampires on this earth. I feel incredibly small again. Get a grip, you are the best warrior he has, you have a powerful gift and you are his niece. I try to encourage myself. After all, he has called me to him with a special mission and I will show him how good I am. Just before the stairs, we stop and bow deeply to the king.

"Arthur," speaks the King and Arthur takes a step forward and bows again.

"I bring, as requested, your niece Lady Avery Monterey," Arthur speaks in his deep bass voice, so deep I think I can hear it vibrating even in my chest.

"Very well," the king replies, looking as if he finds this anything but very well. I try not to show any kind of expression. It's better if the king doesn't know what I think about him.

"Step forward Lady Monterey. I understand you are an excellent warrior with very special talents."

"Yes my king," I reply, stepping back up beside Arthur and bowing again as well.

"Very well, your talents are needed for a very special mission," the king continues in a monotone and expressionless voice. He almost seems as if this assignment is anything but important. I am confused. I can't figure out the king, what are his intentions? Is he sending me on this assignment to get rid of me? Maybe he's just calling this a special assignment and it's actually a punishment?

I notice how my thoughts drift into the negative. Actually, I have no reason to distrust the king and his intentions, but that's just me. It is often difficult for me to trust leaders and not see any bad intentions in their actions. I am not naive, and I have seen far too often how little men think of capable women, because they are not so easily suppressed and immobilized. Perhaps I am a thorn in the king's side because I am the only female warrior?

But maybe it is exactly the reason why I am here today. I call myself to order and swear to myself not to jump to conclusions. I should wait and see what the king has to say, after that I could still decide whether he wants to punish me or get rid of me, or whether he really needs my talent.

"Far away from this castle live werewolves, they are so far away that they often defy our laws. We have little control over them. However, there is one very promising pack, the Clearwater pack. I intend to take advantage of this alpha to bring the other packs under control. To do that, however, I need you. You are the best spy I have. You will travel to the Clearwater pack and watch over the alpha and protect him. Meanwhile, you'll be listening and watching and report everything back to Arthur."

I need to process this first. I'm supposed to live with werewolves and protect an Alpha? I don't really see yet why I of all people am needed for this. I'm going to live in the sticks until this mission is over. Which is a really good question, by the way.

"When will the mission be finished?", I ask hesitantly, unsure if I'm even allowed to ask questions.

"We'll find out when the time comes, but you should be prepared for a longer period of time."

I nod silently, still just as smart as before.

"This mission is of the utmost importance, we wanted to prevent a revolt of the werewolves. We have already learned from other spies that the werewolves are banding together to join forces against the vampires, but we cannot allow that to happen," the king says firmly as he slams his fist on the back of his throne. Arthur and I remain silent. At least now I'm not raging that the order is completely unnecessary. A werewolf revolt would be bad, we would have many casualties, but beyond that it would also create unrest among the people and destabilize the fragile peace in the country.

Apparently, the king has nothing more to say now, for he raises his hand and waves us away dismissively. Arthur and I bow deeply to the king again and leave the throne room. While Arthur heads in the direction of the training hall, I turn in the other direction. Before I leave to guard an alpha, I will say goodbye. I stroll down the long corridors of the castle until I reach my dear cousin's office. I knock. Chances are he's here. If not, I would look in his chambers.

"Yes!", I hear his muffled voice from inside. I open the door swingingly and step inside as if I own the world. With a wide smile that stretches almost from ear to ear, I look at him. Elias scoffs softly in response. How I love my cousin, he is always so joyful and happy.

"What do you want, Avery?" he asks, running a hand through his hair before looking at me.

"You almost look happy Elias. What happened?", I ask him as I study his face. It's much less cold and forbidding than usual. But then, he's in love, and I noticed early on how much Lyn enriches his life.

"I was able to make Lyn happy," he explains, and even smiles. As he does so, his eyes light up. A shiver runs through me. I've never really seen him smile before, and I've known him for a long time. He's always so serious and scowling. Of course, that's part of his image and I know he's not always like that.

"What do you want?" he asks again.

"Don't worry, I wasn't going to see you at all, I wanted to see Lyn and say goodbye."

"Lyn is busy, you can't interrupt now," he says in an annoyed voice, "why do you want to say goodbye?"

"Curious?", I ask teasingly.

He growls low and deep.

"Somebody's in a bad mood."

"I was in a very good mood until you walked in the door."

"Ow! You're hurting me! How can you say something so heartless?", I play the hurt one. He just rolls his eyes.

"So?"

"I got a top secret and super important assignment from your dad," I tell him with excessive tension in my voice.

"Uh-huh, and what's it about?"

"I'm sure I'm not supposed to tell, but I'm supposed to protect some alpha werewolf, and incidentally keep my ears open for a possible werewolf revolution. However, that also means I can no longer babysit your brother in his search for the white wolf."

There is silence for a moment, during which Elias thinks about all that I just told him.

"I'll keep an eye on Jaromir. You go about your business but be careful and keep your eyes open. Remember that werewolves can be dangerous too. We vampires always think we're the most powerful race, but enough werewolves can take down even a vampire."

"I'll be careful."

He stands up, glares at me for some time, and then, surprisingly, walks toward me. I'm frozen to the spot. He spreads his arms and actually embraces me. The ice-cold cold-hearted Prince Elias embraces me. I can hardly believe it, so it takes me a while to break free of my stiffness and wrap my arms around him as well, hugging him tightly to me.

"Take good care of Lyn in my absence."

"I will," he says in a soft voice I've never heard from him before. I pat him awkwardly on the shoulder once more and turn to leave.