The Queen Alpha

Silver Crest

(Emma) I must’ve fallen asleep because next thing I know, the plane is landing. My head is pounding and my stomach is twisting. I’m going to be sick. My eyes dart open, the bright lights only adding to my nausea. I frantically search for the bathroom sign, and rush towards it.

I barely get the door open before all the vodka and orange juice from earlier spills out of me, coating the toilet seat, only half actually making it into the bowl. I continue puking for what seems like forever, until I have nothing left, and I sit back on my heels, crying at how pathetic I must look right now.

There’s a knock on the bathroom door. “Emma, it’s Carter, let me in baby.”

“No! Nobody should see me like this.” I whimper, wiping my mouth. I’ve never been one to handle alcohol very well, and this wouldn’t be the first time he’s found me curled up on the bathroom floor.

“Come on Emma, the planes landed and it’s time to go.” He grumbles, a slight annoyance in his voice.

I heave myself up and splash cold water on my face from the sink. Looking in the mirror, I notice my hairs a mess and my makeups smeared. “Hey Carter, can you hand me my small bag so I can clean up a bit?”

He doesn’t answer and for a minute I think he’s left me. But then he knocks on the door, and slides the bag inside to me. “I need you to hurry. They’re all waiting on you to get off the plane babe.”

I quickly pull out a hair tie and put my hair into a ponytail. Then I grab some tissue to fix the black smears under my eyes. It doesn’t look great, but at least nobody can tell I’ve been puking my guts out for fifteen minutes.

Carter opens the door just as I’m leaving, and I can see he’s frustrated with me. “I’m sorry Carter, I tried to hurry.”

He takes a deep breath. “I know babe, I’m just in a rush. Come on, let’s go.” His reaction surprises me. He hasn’t been this nice to me in a long time.

I follow him to the door of the plane and a very brisk breeze hits me. “Holy crap it’s freezing here.” I shiver, pulling my jacket zipper up.

Carter nods in agreement and we walk down the steps towards a large suv that Kara must’ve sent to pick us up. We both get in while some of her men load our luggage into the back.

The drive is uncomfortably silent. Carter tries to make conversation with the drive but he only gives short, one word responses.

Finally, after what seems to be an eternity of driving along forest roads, we begin seeing houses and businesses. I can’t help but notice how beautiful the houses are. It amazes me how a pack so far north could afford any of this. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. Silver Crest is the royal capital of all werewolves. Legends say this is where their kind originates from, and the wilderness and mountains hold a sacred power that makes the werewolves born here stronger and more in touch with their magic than anywhere else.

We continue driving and the houses get further apart, and soon we’re nearly in the forest again. But the trees soon part and an immaculate iron gate appears ahead. Behind it there is what can only be described as a modern day castle. The main building is beautiful white brick with a black metal roof and black windowsills. It’s absolutely stunning.

The suv pulls into a black asphalt circle drive and comes to a stop. Carter gets out first, then I follow. We stop for a second to take it all in. I notice behind the huge pack house are two or three other buildings that look very similar to the main one, all connected with covered walkways. There’s people everywhere and quite a few dogs running around as well. Children play in the melting snow, some feebly trying to make snow angels while others knock down sagging snowmen.

The driver begrudgingly points us towards the main door and directs us to ask the lady at the desk where our rooms will be and that our luggage will be brought up to us shortly.

Carter takes my hand and leads me inside. I gasp at the sight. Beautiful hardwood floors stained a dark mahogany stretch out before us, the furniture and decor is made out of logs and wood gathered from the forest around us. Dark, warm fabric is inviting and the entire place gives off classy cabin vibes. It reminds me of the ski resort Carter took me to last Christmas.

“Gee, this place is outdated.” Carter whispers to me and I want to smack his arm but I’m still in shock at the sheer beauty and size of it all.

We look to our right and see a middle aged woman typing away at a computer. “Excuse me miss, I’m Alpha Carter, we were told you’d be showing us to our rooms.” He smiles flirtatiously at her.

She looks up at us and comes out from behind her desk. “Of course Alpha, you’ll be staying on the third floor in the Bennet wing. I’ll be happy to show you where that is.”

“Don’t worry about it Lauryn, I’ll show them to their rooms personally.” A cool voice says from behind us. I turn around to Kara standing a few feet back. She looks at me and for a second I think she might smile, but her poker face never cracks. “Alpha Carter, it’s wonderful to see you and your beautiful girlfriend again.”

He clears his throat. “Actually it’s fiancé. Emma and I are engaged, remember?”

“Oh yes, that’s right. You did tell me that.” She looks knowingly at me and my breath hitches. “My mistake. Anyway, if you’d follow me I’d be happy to show you to your room. I’m sure you both would like to change your clothes before coming down for the party this evening.”

We follow Kara up a spiral staircase and down a hall of doorways. She stops at one of the last doors. “This is your room, I hope it’s to your liking. Cocktail hour starts at six, there will be a band, food, and of course drinks. It’s a great time to meet potential business offers. I can’t wait to see you both there.” She makes lasting eye contact with me and I blush. Just as silently as she appeared, she vanishes.

We open the door and find another fabulous room filled with antique furniture. Our luggage is already up here waiting for us.

“I’m going to take a quick shower, would you like to join me?” Carter asks, winking at me.

I shake my head no. “I’m still not feeling well, I’ll take one after you I think I just need to lay down for a bit.” I tell him and crawl onto the large king sized mattress. He shrugs and heads to the bathroom.

I doze off for a few minutes, my head finally starting to feel better from my hangover. Carter comes out of the bathroom in a dark blue suit and he looks so handsome. “Wow, you look great.” I compliment, checking him out.

“Your turn, try not to take forever. And remember, tone it down some. I don’t want the other Alpha’s thinking I’m marrying a peacock.” He says, fixing his cuffs.

His words hurt a bit but I nod in agreement. He’s right, I need to look professional. I head for the bathroom. Carter begins walking towards the bedroom door.

“You’re not going to wait for me?” I ask.

“No, you take forever and I need to get down there for cocktail hour and start meeting some potential clients. Just come down when you’re ready and find me.” He turns and walks out the door without another word.

I undress and climb into the shower. The water feels great and after washing my entire body I feel completely back to myself.

Steam rolls out the bathroom door as I walk into the bedroom. I spend the next hour getting ready, drying and curling my hair, doing my makeup and creating the perfect smokey eye.

I open the suitcase that contains my dinner outfits and find the deep burgundy cocktail dress that’s great for this evening. It’s form fitted, with long sleeves and the velvet fabric snakes down my body, ending at my knees. I find a pair of black stockings to wear under the dress to keep me warm and finish the outfit with matching heels.

I give myself one last glance before heading downstairs to the party. The spiral staircase leads to a marvelous party in the main room.

I stop on the second floor’s open balcony and stare at all the people down below. I peer through the crowd, trying to search for Carter. I spot him off in a corner speaking with a woman. He’s smiling and reaches out to touch her arm. My heart hurts at the thought of having to be with someone so unfaithful for the rest of my life. I needed to do this, my mother’s life is on the line.

“Enjoying the party?” A voice that sends lightening bolts through my body speaks from behind me.

Turning around, I see Kara walking up beside me, staring down at the crowd. “Yes it’s a beautiful party, Queen.” I say to her and her eyes flick towards me. She looks me up and down and her emotionless mask falters for just a second, and I see her desire for me. My body reacts in a way it never does when Carter looks at me that way.

“I’m not queen yet.” She states, returning her gaze back out to the party and her mask is once again on.

I’ve never seen a woman look as calm and collected as she does, especially never all the time. Nobody can tell what she’s thinking, or how she’s feeling. I wear everything on my face, there’s no lying about how I feel.

“How do you do that?” I ask.

She never looks away from the crowd. “How do I do what?”

“You never change your facial expression. It’s like you’re made of wax.” I say, eyeing Carter take another drink from a server and empty the glass with one gulp. He’s going to get too drunk, and god only knows what he’ll do to me tonight. Maybe I should start drinking too so I can make it through the night without wanting to kill myself.

Kara seems to be watching him too. She avoids my question. “Your fiancé seems to have wandering eyes. I’ve presented him with plenty of business partners to try and make contacts with, and his only objective has been flirting with the young ladies in my pack.” She steps slightly closer to me. My body starts vibrating. “If you were mine I would never look at another woman.”

Tears brim in my eyes as he clumsily grabs a woman and brings her close, dancing with her to the classical music. “I could never be yours. I belong to him.”

She scoffs. “You don’t belong to anyone. He doesn’t own you. You have free will Emma. Is it because I’m a woman? Because you and I both know that kiss was something neither of us have ever felt before.”

I shake my head. “You don’t understand. If I left him, horrible things would happen to everyone I care about.”

“I could protect you. I’ve seen his pack, and now you’ve seen mine. I have connections around the world. Carter would never stand a chance.” Kara tells me.

I feel my eyes welling with tears again and I force them back. “Kara please, let’s just make this as painless as possible. I love Carter, and I only want to be with him.”

Kara pushes away from the balcony suddenly and grabs my hand. I can’t help but gasp at her touch. “Where are we going?” I ask as she drags me up the stairs towards the bedroom hall.

“Somewhere quiet we can talk.” She says, continuing past my room and up another set of stairs.

Finally we reach the fourth floor and she brings me to the end of the hall and opens the door to an empty guest room. Once inside she shuts the door and locks it behind us.

“Kara, I need to go downstairs, Carter is going to be really mad if I don’t show up soon.” I warn.

She turns around from locking the door and takes two long strides, her black dress parting along the slit to expose her toned legs and red heels. She reaches out and gently cups my face, pulling me in for the most tender, affectionate kiss I’ve ever received. It’s not full of need and desire but rather, passion and love. Kissing her gives me hope that maybe we can find a way to be together.

Kara pulls away far too soon and looks into my eyes, still cupping my face. “If you loved Carter, you wouldn’t be here with me.”she takes her hand and places it above my heart. “If you wanted him, your heart wouldn’t be beating so fast just from a single kiss. Whether you want to admit it or not, you belong with me. Not to me, with me.” Kara’s mask finally falls and her smile is full of devotion.

Gods, I love the way her lips curl at the edges into the cutest little grin. Her blue eyes shine with so much happiness just from being in this room with me. I finally give into my heart and reach forward to kiss her again. This time I grasp her face, feeling the warmth in her cheeks. Kara’s skin isn’t course like Carter’s, it’s so smooth and pleasing to touch. I flick my tongue along her bottom lip, tasting her lipstick by accident. I chuckle against her, even makeup tastes good when it’s coming from her.

I indulge myself for a few more seconds before pulling away. “Kara, I can’t leave him. They have my mom. Susan said she’ll kill her if I don’t marry him.” My voice cracks and I wrap my arms defensively around my chest.

“Susan? You mean Carter’s mother right? Why do they need you so bad? You’re not even his mate.” Kara questions. Now that she’s let her guard down, her emotions show up all over her face. Right now she seems angry and confused.

I take a deep breath. “Because I’m a purebred witch. My father comes from a Salem original, and my mother was from a long line of witches in France. They think if I were to have a hybrid it’d give their pack an advantage over all the others. They think it could become the King, or Queen Alpha.”

Kara snorts. “So they want my pack’s title. And by forcing you into marriage, they think they would get that. I don’t understand why you don’t just kill them all.”

I flinch at her brutality, slightly hurt. “Well I’m not the type to kill, and until recently I thought being with Carter is what I wanted. I love his pack, I loved him, until he started to change. He’s so controlling now I’m scared I’ll breathe wrong.”

Kara sighs and crosses her arms. “I’m going to fix this. I’m going to save your mother and kill his for ever threatening you. But first I need a plan.” She places a hand on my shoulder. “We’re going back down to the party now. You go first and I’ll follow shortly after.”

I nod and head for the door. Just as my hand reaches the knob, Kara spins me around and kisses me one last time.

We part and I open the door, ready to face the party.