The Queen Of Tricks

One Fox, Two Alphas

With those final words, I turned around and walked out the office door. I didn't bother to look at anyone as I walked back into the bedroom I had fallen asleep in three days earlier. The room I was so rudely removed from.

I had to get out of here, and hopefully, hopefully, Soren would be able to help in some way.

***

Cassar Salvaterre did not know the definition of the word now.

Personally for me it meant this very second. I knew that Alpha Soren wasn't going to show up for my meeting this very second, but I was expecting sometime soon.

Not a week later.

Most of the week, I locked myself in the pink room. I would snarl at anyone who dared open it. Which was only the Alpha whose presence didn't last long after I threw part of the bed's headboard at his face. The other person was Harlen who came to make sure I was still breathing once an hour. I barely ever opened the door. Only for the pack wolves to bring me my meals. And once for a little girl who brought me her favourite books so I wouldn't be bored. That one melted my heart a little. I didn't have the heart to tell her I didn't like to read. She even suckered me into telling her she could come back sometime so we could discuss my favourite parts, so now I had to read the books.

Every once in a while Harlen would take me for a walk like I was the dog. She did everything but put a leash around my neck to make sure I wouldn't run, which included my own personal SWAT team of very serious wolves who made sure I couldn't run.

It didn't stop her from treating me like a nervous puppy who was ready to book it any loud noise. I mean, I was ready to book it, but I wasn't a nervous puppy about it.

One of my guards even tried to bring a tranquilliser gun on our walks. Harlen and I both growled at it when we saw it, but the dude was a little trigger happy. I heard Harlen threatening him that if Cassar saw it, the guard would no longer have hands to use the gun. I gave him an innocent smile as he went to go put it away. He just glowered at me.

When Harlen offered the walks to me, I was very tempted to say no. Being stuck in a bedroom gave me the jitters, so I agreed. Every step we took I mapped out my future escape route, so I found myself waiting for the perfect opportunity again.

I was back in my room reading the 32nd edition of Geronimo Stiltons adventures when a loud knock sounded at the door. I took my time as I stood up from the rocking chair facing the window and sauntered over to the door.

"What?" I yelled irritated as I opened the door a fraction. Whoever it was would know they were not wanted.

I came face to face -more like face to chest- with the big bad alpha himself. He was wearing dark khakis and a navy blue shirt that was doing wonders for his physic. As much as I hated the guy, he was attractive.

Cassar wore his classic grumpy frown. "Alpha Soren has come to speak with you."

"Took you long enough,'' I said opening my door wider so I could pass him. "I thought I was going to start going grey by the time he came."

"Alpha Soren is a busy man, Vienna. He can not just drop everything to come see you. It took time." Cassar lied, walking beside me.

"No it didn't. You just accidentally forgot to let him know about our little deal." I called Cassar out. I knew for a fact that was what had happened.

Cassar looked straight ahead. "Why do you want to meet with Soren anyways? Why not your uncle?"

"Nice topic change, but I'll let it slide." I grinned at his sorry attempt. I went along with the Beta of the Algoren Pack supposedly being my uncle. "Besides my uncle doesn't have the power of getting me out of here."

Cassar growled. "Neither does Soren."

I shrugged my shoulders at Cassar. "You sure about that?"

He looked down at me as we walked out of the packhouse and into the forest. His eyes full of strong determination. "I guess we will wait and see."

I shiver went down my back at the seriousness that splashed over his face. I wasn't a huge fan of serious situations though.

A small grin spread across my face, I couldn't help but ask. "Did SJ come?"

Cassar's eyes snapped to me, I just looked straight ahead, a fake lopsided smile plastered on my face.

Cassar's pupils flared as he simply said. "No."

I sighed deeply. "Bummer."

"Why do you care?" He questioned acidly.

"Well," I drawled. "After being stuck in a room for a week with the only thing to look at is your sorry excuse for a face, I needed something to brighten my day."

It was a lie. A total lie. If I had the choice between watching Cassar and SJ clean my pool, I would choose Cassar. Something about the way his dark features stood out against his golden skin. The way his brown eyes were always on the look out.

But there was no reason he needed to know that. Plus I was learning more and more how much fun it was to mess with him.

It worked. Cassar growled, glaring at me. "SJ? You had a thing for that ass licking golden retriever?"

"Had? More like have." I waved him off. After all, as far as anyone else knew, before I got stuck here, I did have a thing for the 'ass licking golden retriever'.

"Had." Cassar corrected me. "Make sure to use the past tense, babe."

"Don't call me babe." I glared at him. "And I still have a thing for the male. I don't think his body could change that much in over a week for me not too."

A goofy smile spread across Cassar's face. "Well if it's the body your after, babe. I'm all yours."

He even dared to wink at me.

I let my eyes slowly trail down his body for show, making sure they did not get stuck along the way.

"Meh, I've seen better." I shrugged my shoulders.

"Liar." His grin widened. Maybe it wouldn't bother him as much as I thought.

I raised an eyebrow at him. "It's good to know we're adding arrogant bastard to the list of your fine qualities."

"I am what I am," Cassar added. "Besides he poses no threat."

"Oh really?"

He grinned down at me again. "None."

We seemed to be getting closer as we walked through the woods. "And why's that?"

"Because" He grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me closer.

My breathing quickened by a fraction. Wherever his hands touched, my skin tingled.

He whispered against my ear, "You would chew him up and spit him out. He wouldn't know what to do with you."

I took a step back, scared he could feel how fast my heart was beating. "And you think you know what to do with me?"

He took a long step closer to me, our chests were flush against each other. His arms touching my sides. I could feel his heart racing. Cassar gave me his goofy grin. "I'm learning."

I stared up at him, a smirk on my lips. I whispered lowly to him. "Let me know when you graduate."

With that I pushed his shocked body away from mine. Nervous at how close we were getting. I turned around and continued down the trail. Trying to put space between us.

His laughter followed me once he got over his initial surprise. It didn't take him long before he was beside me again.

"You know why it wouldn't work between you and SJ? Besides me." He asked, when I didn't respond he continued on growling softly. "Both of you have letter names. V and SJ. That would never work."

Maybe it did bother him a little. "I'll just call him Soren."

Cassar's face scrunched up in annoyance. "Soren and V? Vienna and Soren? Mouth full."

"Anything with Vienna is a mouthful." I pointed out.

"Cassar and Vienna. Vienna and Cassar. Sounds pretty good to me." He winked again.

"Yep." I clicked my tongue. "Sounds like an arrogant bastard to me."

Cassar chuckled softly. Stupid arrogant asshole alpha.

After we had walked in silence for a couple of minutes, I asked Cassar. "Who came with Soren?"

Quickly his goofy grin was wiped from his face. His face becoming grave. The face of a powerful Alpha. His lips thinned in a tight line as he contemplated.

"Only three warriors. He seems confident that we won't attack."

"Will you?" I asked. Soren was a good dude, and I didn't want a war between two packs. I wasn't that desperate, yet.

"Depends on how this meeting goes." He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, as if a m******e of an Alpha and his pack meant nothing.

"They're nice people Cassar," I told him.

"They're not if they try to keep my mate from me."

"I'm not your mate."

"You can say it all you want. That does not make it true." Cassar said with a sad sigh.

Knowing I wasn't getting anywhere with the male I changed the topic. "Where is this meeting?"

"About an hour walk to the south." Cassar pointed down the trail we were walking.

"An hour?" I groaned.

"It could be shorter." He smirked down at me. "If you trust me."

"I don't trust you." I gave him a wary eye. "But how?"

"Climb on my back and I'll run in wolf form."

"No way." I scoffed.

He looked at me annoyed. "I'll make sure you don't fall off."

"I'm not worried about falling. Last time you touched me in your wolf form you attacked me and bashed my head into a rock." I snapped.

"I told you, that was an accident." He grumbled embarrassed.

"Yeah right. That was probably your failed attempt at killing me."

"Again, why would I kill my mate?"

"Again, I'm not your mate, so why wouldn't you kill me." I seethed.

"We aren't getting anywhere with this conversation. Would you just get on my back?"

"No." I cried angrily.

"You either get on my back and I run there, making the time ten minutes." He persuaded. "Or we walk and take an hour."

He had a point. On the plus side, he can't talk while in wolf form. The whole country would be thanking me.

"Fine." I snapped at him. I gestured for him to shift.

He gave me a small smile as he went behind a tree and shifted. In replace of the giant male, a giant grey wolf took his place.

His wolf form was big. Bigger then most wolves thanks to his alpha genes. He was roughly the size of a small car. His head the same height as my head, his shoulders meeting mine. His hair the same colour as his fur. Dark grey.

Most shifter's had strange hair. The human form matching their animal fur.

Except for foxes, who are completely different. Which described why my brown hair shifted into silver fur. It was a trick foxes had so other shifter's could not easily tell what our animal form was.

A trick I constantly used to my advantage.

Cassar glanced at me, catching me staring at him. Instead of looking away, I gave him a disgusted look.

"I'm more of a cat person."

He walked up beside me nudging me with his nose to get on his back.

Cursing under my breath I walked to his side. Cassar lowered himself so I could throw my leg over his side like he was a horse. I accidentally put a little too much power behind my leg, kicking him right in the ribs.

He flinched but didn't whine. I dangled my head over his, giving him an angelic smile. "Sorry."

He rolled his eyes at my obvious fake apology. When I was safely on, he started to walk forward slowly, making sure I had my balance.

"Appreciate it while it lasts Cassar. This is the only time I will ever be riding you." I laughed at my own joke. Cassar just raised his wolf head to the heavens, shaking it.

After he was done, he took off. He was fast, so fast I had to dig my hands into the scruff around his neck. My fingers tangling in his fur.

His fur was a lot softer then I expected. I was expecting it to be course like a horse. Instead it was soft like a warm fuzzy blanket.

He ran fast, but Cassar was still calm. He bounded over fallen trees and rocks easily. I hardly moved from the safety of his back.

Keeping his word, ten minutes later Cassar slowed down and allowed me to get off his back. No one was around, but I could smell the presence of others nearby.

After I was firmly planted on the ground, Cassar gave me a meaningful look. Stay here. His eyes seemed to stay.

He walked behind another tree to shift back in his male form. Of course, I didn't listen to him. I started walking towards the sound of quiet chatter.

In the middle of the woods sat a small, short cabin, it reminded me a little bit of another cabin I had been in a couple of years earlier. I didn't let myself think about that day.

I heard Cassar growl from the woods, the sound of his stomping echoing off the ancient trees in the forest. Before he could catch up to me, I slipped inside the cabin.

The cabin was one big room with no furniture inside. Six wolves standing stiffly around the room. Four of them I recognised.

Harlen quickly came to stand beside me, as if she was protecting me from the four Algoren wolves. Beside the spot Harlen had just left, stood Gage calmly watching the other wolves.

On the other side of the cabin stood the middle-aged Alpha Soren with a kind smile on his face. Surrounding him three of his warriors. One of them Christan himself.

They all stared at me as I entered. Then their attention shifted to the Alpha behind me. His presence filling up the room around us. He growled at them. His eyes sang death.

With one look, I saw why the stories about him existed. When we were alone he seemed like a normal guy, an annoying asshole, but normalish. Now though, he looked like he was planning a war. He looked liked he had already thought about how they were each going to die. And their death was not going to be quick or painless.

"Don't be such a sour puss," I told him, breaking the tension in the air.

He glared at me, but didn't say anything back. Easily changing the feel of the room. From a nervous energy that promised pain, to a relaxing calm that was shared between friends. Or as relaxing as you could get while Cassar was still glaring at everyone.

I gave a wicked grin to Christan who easily smiled back. "You heal up well."

"Thanks to some speedy healing abilities anyways." Christan looked down at his now fully healed leg and moved it around a little. Not a trace of the pain he went through over a week ago.

"Thank the Goddess for that." I laughed.

"I do. Everyday." He assured me.

Before I could reply, Cassar growled from behind me. He was getting impatient.

"Relax buddy. I'm trying to catch up with my good friend here." I hushed him.

"You knew him for a day." Cassar pointed out.

I waved him off, grinning back at Christan. "It was a good day."

Christan nodded his head, going along with it. "A very good day."

Cassar growled again, but before he could say anything I looked at Alpha Soren who was watching us with amused eyes.

I frowned at Soren. "I believe we are all here for a meeting."

Soren nodded his head smiling softly as me. "Yes, I believe we are."

"An unsupervised meeting." Annoyance laced my voice. Everyone looked around the room confused. Cassar avoided my eye contact. "Or did you accidentally forget that part too?"

"I didn't forget. Unsupervised is not necessary." Cassar said in a dry tone.

"That was part of the deal." I fumed. "You promised."

Cassar rolled his eyes, looking at me. I looked back at him, my eyes blazing. After a small staring contest, Cassar agreed. "Fine."

Cassar nodded to Gage and Harlen, they slowly started to make their way out of the cabin. Soren's warriors were not as easily connived to leave.

They looked between Cassar and Soren, not sure what to do.

"It's fine. Go with the others." Soren said kindly to them.

They nodded their heads, but walked out the cabin. With one more warning look directed at me and a glare to Soren, Cassar left, closing the door behind him.

At first, we were both quiet, watching the other. I marvelled at the similarities between Soren and his son. Soren was the older version of SJ.

"So," I started, breaking the silence. "How are you getting me out of here?"

Soren closely walked over to me. "Do you know why I wanted you to join my pack Vienna?"

"Because you want me to destroy all of your enemies."

He gave me a small smile. "It is because I felt bad for you."

"I don't need your pity." I snapped, knowing where this conversation was going.

"We have all heard the stories of the Silver Fox," Soren whispered, my heart squeezing at his words. "The things you have done. They say you were banished from the Foxes because you were too conniving, too wicked, even for a fox. But I have always believed that you had no choice. You did it all to survive."

"Well you're wrong. It was all my choice." I disagreed, even if my throat felt like it was getting tighter.

Soren shook his head. "I wanted you to join my pack because I wanted you to have a home, Vienna. A real home. Somewhere you did not have to lie, and steal, and cheat. Somewhere safe for you to sleep soundly."

I held my chin up. "I do sleep soundly. With money tucked under my pillow."

"I don't believe you." His eyes were full of kindness. "When I found out your age, I knew you had been through too much for a child."

"Do I look like a child to you?"

"But you were, and it was time you finally found a safe home." Soren held me by my shoulders.

"So give me that." I pleaded. "Let me join your pack. Take me away from here."

"Vienna, you have a home now. With the Viribus pack. You have something even better. You have your mate."

"You know that's not true just as well as I do."

"Crazier things have happened in this world."

I shook my head. "You're really not going to help me out of here?"

"I am helping you. I will not tear two mates away from each other."

"We are not mates." I gritted.

"Are you sure?" He looked at me as if he cared what happened to me. A look I was not very familiar with.

"You're useless," I growled in frustration.

"Vienna you may be the only creature in the world that can tame the fearsome Alpha. And he may be the only creature to tame you."

I growled at him. "I do not need to be tamed."

"I'm sorry Vienna." He said. "One day, you might just thank me for this."

As fast as the conversation had started, it was over.

"Don't tell anyone what was said," I warned him. "Or when I do get out of here, I will come after you."

I turned my back on the cowardly alpha and started to walk away. Before I could open the door, Soren called to me one last time.

"You should tell him."

I stopped in my tracks turning to face him. I scoffed. "Which part?"

"All of it." Soren's face was full of kindness. "He's your mate. He will understand."

I rolled my eyes, opening the door, giving him a final wave that may or may not have been only one finger.

Outside the cabin the wolves glared at each other, separated by an imaginary line of loyalty. One for Algoren and the other for Viribus.

Throwing a smile on my face I walked in the middle of the wolves who looked ready to tear the forest down to kill each other.

Christan was the one to break the glare first, glancing at me. "What happened?"

"Looks like I'm going to be here a little bit longer," I said lightly to him. Not showing anyone how much it bothered me.

From the corner of my eye I saw Cassar's lips turn up just a tad.

It was enough for me to send him a shriveling glare.

Turning around to face Christan again, I gave him a mock salute. "Now if you will excuse me, I have a date with a young pup to discuss the latest adventures of Geronimo Stilton and his cousin Thea."

I turned around and started walking back to the packhouse, too tired to try to escape at this point. I heard someone call my name.

"V," Christan yelled, running up beside me. Cassar and Harlen both glared at him as he got closer, Christan ignored them. "Good luck."

Christan held his hand out for me to shake as a final goodbye. I grinned at him, taking his hand in mine. "Thanks, I'm going to need it."

With a sad smile, Christan turned around and walked back to his Alpha.

Some short words were exchanged between Soren and Cassar, but I didn't bother staying to here them. I was just happy none of them had noticed Christan slipping the small bottle into my hand during our shake.

I risked one glance at the bottle when no one was watching. I recognised the contents as soon as I saw it. Sleep syrup. One drop and a shifter would be out cold for hours. If I was lucky, they wouldn't even notice the effects.

Before anyone could notice, I slid the bottle into the pocket of my coat. Keeping it safe. Just in time when Cassar appeared beside me again. Joining me for the walk back.

We walked in silence, until I decided to break it. "I think I will join you guys for dinner tonight."

Nobody noticed when I inspected the food while it was being cooked, or how my hand travelled a little too close to the gravy just before it was placed on the table.

No one noticed how I didn't take any of the gravy.

And no one noticed how sleepy they were before the sun had even finished setting.

Almost every night Cassar would eat dinner with a few of the pack members in the huge dining room downstairs. Tonight it was Cassar, Harlen, Gage, Gage's mate, and a couple of the packs warriors.

When everyone else started yawning, I copied them. Pretending sleep was taking over my senses too. In reality I was buzzed with excitement with the thought of finally getting out of here.

Dinner was really good. It was cooked by Gage and his mate, Rose. I recognised her from the football game, she had sat on the sidelines giving water to the Viribus Pack team members, her hand always protectively placed over her growing stomach. She was pregnant with their first child.

From what I could tell they made a great pair. Always smiling at each other, whispering in each others ears. It was kind of sickening. Cute, but sickening.

Gage might have looked like a famous football player, she looked like a professional ballerina. Honey blond hair tied in a bun, long limbs. She was also incredibly sweet. She was always making sure I was comfortable and had everything I needed. She was one of the pack members that brought me my meals when I stayed in the room.

She was complaining about how she hadn't had a goodnight sleep since she hit her second trimester. I didn't feel as bad for coating the gravy in sleep syrup after I heard that. I was just helping a girl out, I reasoned with myself.

All night Cassar watched me. My every movement as if waiting for me to blow up about Soren not getting me out of here. Jokes on him.

It didn't take long for everyone to excuse themselves from the diner table earlier than normal, and head to bed. Apparently, today had been an exhausting day. But mine was only getting started.

I didn't bother saying goodnight to Cassar as we silently walked to my cell. Or goodbye, which was more fitting.

When I got to the bedroom, I walked straight in ignoring him completely. I slammed the door in his face and started pacing the room. It was going to be a long wait.

The sleep syrup would take a little while to fully take effect. Especially on Cassar because of his alpha blood. His blood would try and destroy the syrup as soon as it entered his system, so I only had a couple of hours to put my plan into action.

It wouldn't physically harm someone. It just put them into a deep slumber. If the user knew what they were doing, their target wouldn't even notice they had consumed any to begin with. Some parents gave a little bit to their children when they were desperate.

I had used the same type of syrup on multiple occasions. Once I used too much of the syrup and the two cheetah brothers who had been killing humans for sport, had slept for four days. They didn't even stir when they were transported to a prison. One night they were just drinking a smoothie, the next they woke up in a dirt covered cell. The only thing to keep them company was each other and the prison rats that tried to eat their flesh. I never felt sorry for them.

I waited until the moon was high in the air, and the clock said it was well past midnight. Silently I crept out of the bedroom, making sure the coast was clear.

Not a sound came from anywhere in the house.

With the silence and confidence that only came from years of experience, I stepped out of the door. It wasn't the first time I had sneaked out of a wolf's territory and it probably was not going to be the last.

I didn't bother bringing my stuff. I could replace it when I was in another territory.

Even the guards that surrounded the house, just for me I might add, were sound asleep in their wolf form.

Cassar was going to be pissed when he woke up. The thought had me lost wanting to stay just to see his reaction.

As sly as a fox I manoeuvred around the bodies.

When I walked by the warrior who wanted to turn me into a sitting duck with his tranquilliser gun I made sure to 'trip' over him, kicking him in the head. He didn't even stir.

I easily avoided all the wolves that had not been at the dinner and were still awake. The wolves who were on patrol and the ones sneaking into or out of the houses of their friends. Some would find it difficult to sneak around a pack territory. I found it comforting.