Winged Warrior

Chapter 13: When Skye Meets Sea

Evie opened a tall door located on the second floor and wheeled Skye's small bag inside, "Here we are. It's a little more spacious than your last room." She joked.

When Skye entered, she questioned if this really was the right room this time. It looked as though royalty was supposed to occupy the spacious suite. Huge windows along with a set of double doors leading to a snow-covered balcony, lined the opposite wall, with elegant sheer drapes caressing their edges. A picturesque winter scene of mountains and a waterfall lay beyond a few houses.

Skye had never seen a bed so big, as it held layers of warm blankets. Across from it, a lit fireplace blazed and crackled. In the corner of the room, a large armchair sat, accompanied by a dark table topped with a lamp. Skye marveled at the unique tree-shaped bookshelf next to it.

"Are you sure this is the right room?" Skye was skeptical and not about to let herself be disappointed if this too was a ruse.

She peeked into the en suite bathroom. Marbled tile covered the floor and climbed the walls, both a large walk-in shower and a bathtub with silver legs lay wait, ready for use. A throne fit for a king sat next to a long counter that housed two bowls and fountain taps.

"This is the right room," Evie admired the scenery beyond the windows, sighing.

Skye wondered why somebody would need such a room. Especially one that could fit an entire family and still have space to spare.

"If you have any free days, and are bored, feel free to come hang out." Skye smiled, "This is way too much space for one person."

Evie gave a thankful smile, "Sure, that'd be nice."

Evie had left and Skye didn't bother unpacking. Instead, she laid her small suitcase at the end of the enormous bed on a long cushioned bench. She snooped through the vast walk-in closet, appearing bigger because it was so empty. She gazed at the titles on the spines of the books that lined the unique shelves. She wasn't sure of what to do with herself.

Skye was relieved when a knock sounded.

She greeted a handsome young man who informed her that Alpha Wallace requested her presence in his office.

She followed the young man down the flight of stairs, leading to the main floor and down several hallways. Skye noted a library as well as a rec room where some young people mingled and played pool.

When they arrived at a large door, identical to that of her bedroom, the young man knocked and entered with Skye in tow.

"Ahh, Miss Skye! It is a pleasure to meet you finally." Alpha Wallace stood and greeted her with enthusiasm while nodding thanks to Skye's escort and dismissing him.

"Same to you!" Skye struggled to match his lively energy, "Thank you so much for taking me in over the holidays." She shook his extended rough hand.

"Honestly, it's a pleasure. How have things been so far? Was the trip okay?" Skye could not believe that this overly friendly, grey-haired, wrinkle-ridden man was related to Riftan in any way. What happened to Riftan? Admittedly, she had expected Alpha Wallace to be like him.

"Ms. Acacia and I are good friends and she has told me of your circumstances, so I hope you feel at ease during your stay."

Unsure of how much Ms. Acacia had shared with Alpha Wallace, Skye nodded and expressed her gratitude in thanks.

She was permitted to explore the pack house and grounds as she pleased, given that the only rooms she could not enter were those that were locked. Usually, doors were closed for a reason anyway.

After excusing herself from Alpha Wallace's presence, Skye walked Aimlessly through the hallways. She went in the direction that she thought the rec room may be, thinking that she might find some entertainment there. With no school or homework due, Skye wasn't quite sure of what to do with herself.

When she had reached the familiar area of the servant's quarters, she knew she had gone way too far. At least she knew her way to the kitchen from here. She never did have a chance to have breakfast.

Peering into the kitchen, Skye was disappointed to see those who lingered. While cooks prepped ingredients and soups for lunch, Riftan sat comfortably on a counter, three she-wolves giggled with him, barely containing themselves. Becca, the girl who misled Skye, and the ringleader--the girl from earlier stood closer than necessary around Riftan. Skye imagined them as dogs drooling over a plate of leftovers. Surely, Riftan had gotten around.

When spotted, the girls hid their disgust and greeted Skye playfully--deceitfully. They continued flirting and stroking Riftan's ego while he retold a heroic event. Skye had never seen him so friendly before. At the academy, he had been cold towards most peers and ejected a "lone-wolf" persona.

Skye responded to the giddy girl's greetings half-heartedly and ignored Riftan. She felt his eyes burn into her as she approached a young cook, "Excuse me," She offered a polite smile, "I was wondering if there may be any leftovers from earlier? I was unable to attend breakfast." Skye thought she heard some restrained cackles from behind.

"O-oh, y-y-yes--actu-actually y-you can hav-ve some soup-p th-at is r-ready f-f-for lunch-ch." The young man stuttered uncontrollably.

Skye ignored his stutter along with the obnoxious laughter and mockery behind her and smiled, "That sounds wonderful! What kind do you have prepared?"

He smiled meekily, also drowning out the childish jeering, "I h-have-ve c-c-c-cream of mu-mushr-room and min-e-estroni."

"Which would you choose?"

"Pers-sonal-lly, min-n-nes-stroni-i."

"Then that is what I'll have!" she announced to the young man, smiling. "I'm Skye by the way." She introduced herself, catching him off guard.

"Z-Z-Ze--"

"Moon Goddess! Now he's being electrocuted!" The girls howled.

"Zeke." He finished saying, looking away shamed.

"Oh," Skye had enough of the arrogant oppressors, "Don't worry about them, they don't get out much with their heads so far up their as--"

"Hey! Watch it shrew." The girl that Skye didn't know threatened.

Skye smiled at Zeke, "Anyways, thank you." She grabbed the bowl and dipped her head, "This looks amazing!" She drooled while ignoring the scoffing girls.

Zeke tipped his head and gave her a quick grin, "Enj-joy."

She carefully walked her full bowl to an old table that sat near the exit of the kitchen. When Skye sat, Zeke delivered a slice of buttered bread. "Thank you so much!"

"W-wel-lcome." He strode away, returning to work.

"You look good together!" The ringleader shot from across the room.

Skye waved her off as she devoured her soup. The warm, aromatic broth was heaven, and Skye was sure she could eat it every day.

Astonished at Skye's indifferent attitude, the girl's chieftain moved in on her prey.

"I'm Marine--Aquamarine."

"Cool." Skye slurped her soup. "I assume I don't need to introduce myself." Skye glanced at Becca and she glared in response.

Marine threw her head back, fixing her hair, "Not that it matters anyway, you lack importance here. Just show some respect for those who are."

"I could say the same to you." Skye wouldn't allow herself to fear her. It seemed Becca did, having handed over her title.

Riftan cleared his throat, along with the tension that began to lay heavily in the air. "Mari," He used a nickname, "Relax, she's my father's guest."

Skye smiled, "Huh. I guess I am important," Skye stood with her empty bowl, "Imagine that..." She walked away shaking her head, laughing to herself. She began to wash her bowl in a warm soapy sink when a servant tried to stop her.

"Oh no! That's okay," Skye smiled up at the woman, "I've got it, thank you. The soup was delicious."

Before Skye left, she wanted to pull Riftan aside and ask about what he had wanted to tell her while at the ball. Despite the horrors of that night and the many weeks that had passed, she often thought of what he would have said. He did say he wanted to apologize--for real.

She decided against it, however, with the nosy fan girls hovering over his very breath.

Skye managed to remember her way back to her room and admired the Thanksgiving decorations the servants installed. Hanging lavish strands of colorful leaves over and through dark wooden beams on the ceiling. "Excuse me," Skye turned to a man passing the leafy garland up to a man on a ladder, "When is Thanksgiving?"

"Tomorrow," He responded gruffly.

"Okay, thank you." She had something to look forward to. Food.

Skye skipped lunch, having already received her fill, and spent the remaining hours before dinner in her room. She rolled on her giant bed and messed up the fur blanket. She stacked more wood on her dying fire and inspected the elegant bathtub, going as far as to lounge in it, fully clothed with no water. She swept some snow off of her balcony before getting cold and retreating to her fire. She probably had a nap somewhere in between, too. Boringggg. She missed Jesse, and she longed to fly.

Skye's prayer was answered when Evie knocked on her door to inform her that dinner was ready. As usual, she was ravished.

Skye made her way to the dining hall, inspecting its completed decor. Many colored pumpkins and squashes of various sizes and shapes, decorated the halls along with brilliant red cranberries. Spread across the dining table, an enormous cornucopia sat, spilling pumpkins, vegetables, and yellow and orange flowers. Skye had only seen holiday scenes such as this in movies and in shop windows.

Folks greeted her as she entered the room, and Skye felt slightly underdressed while comparing her loose jeans and sweater to the dresses and skirts around her.

Alpha Wallace took his place at the head of the long table, smiling proudly at his pack members. Riftan took his at the opposite end. Alpha Wallace raised his wine-filled cup and made a toast to the pack, chugged his glass, and sat. Once Riftan took his seat, the rest of the pack then sat.

Skye sat near the center of the table with the younger members, many of whom she recognized from the academy. Girls--including Becca and Marine, giggled and waved at Riftan, desperate for his attention. He nodded in return and glanced at Skye. She looked away.

Carts wheeled out from the kitchen with small Greek salads, topped with delicate greens as garnish. The servants placed the petite bowls before the members, beginning at both ends of the long table, and making their way towards its center.

"Thank you." Skye addressed the old woman who served her dish, and she was surprised to see that nobody had thanked them. Skye decided she wouldn't be like them because it didn't matter what status one was, no life was more valuable than the other, thus respect was necessary. She continued this when she received the rest of her dishes or when her cup was refilled.

Becca and Marine sat on the opposite side of the table, slightly closer to Riftan, and they whispered and giggled.

When Skye glanced at Alpha Wallace, he winked causing her to smile in return. When she spotted Evie, she gave her a quick wave, causing her to smile, but not return the gesture.

"Skye!" Marine spoke louder than needed, "Let us show you around after supper! We are all gonna hang in the rec room after."

"Wonderful idea," Alpha Wallace agreed with approval from across the table.

Great. "Sure," Skye swallowed her sarcasm, "That would be great!" Casting a small smile in her direction.

The girls smirked.

The main course consisted of a shredded roast with mashed potatoes and carrots, which Skye, of course, inhaled. Dessert was a delicate slice of blueberry cheesecake decorated with a thin piece of chocolate.

When the meal was dismissed, Skye was surprised by how tolerable Becca and Marine were being. They showed her many rooms and explained their use and purpose in detail. Their last stop was the rec room.

It was quite spacious and housed two pool tables, there were dart boards, young men crowded around a foosball table, there was a T.V. that sat with an image bouncing on the screen, and a door led to an impressive private movie theatre. Young people sat on the couch crowding Riftan, chatting about weather and sports. Marine and Becca were thrilled to see him.

"Riftan!" Becca exclaimed.

Marine cut it, "You never come here," She glided to his side, "You must have missed the pack while you were gone!" She winked.

He shifted uncomfortably and made some room on the couch for Marine, "Yeah, it's been a while." Despite the height of those around him, Riftan looked like a bear in comparison.

"We should celebrate," A boy Skye recognized spoke, walking to a cabinet. He opened the glass doors and grabbed a few bottles of liquor holding them up proudly. He received laughs and whoops of joy in return.

Skye had had her fair share of alcohol with Uncle Rad. She was almost 20, but with all of her traveling, it was legal for her to drink at younger ages. Not that it would have mattered to Uncle Conrad anyway. Given her size, however, she knew her limit, and it didn't take much for her to become intoxicated.

"Should we play a drinking game?!" Marine hopped up excitedly.

Skye turned her head and caught Riftan's eyes as he did the same. They held the connection a moment before he broke it, "What would you suggest?"

"There's truth, dare, or drink, there's beer pong--without the beer," Marine winked, "We could play drunk jenga, or there's buzz?"

"When we're smashed, let's play 'Kiss, Marry, Ditch'." Becca giggled. Skye didn't know what that was, but it didn't sound good.

"Okay well, let's at least start with a classic," Marine spoke again. Skye noticed she enjoyed being in control. "Beer pong. Boys versus girls!"