Chapter 11
853 Words
Alpha Lucas almost jumped out of his skin when he was grabbed from the side. He twisted quickly to lash out, but felt a comforting, friendly arm slide over his shoulders. Beta Marcus stood there, a huge grin on his face.
"Alpha Lucas, let me apologise for my Alpha's behaviour. He is not always educated on the etiquette of being in other packs. He doesn't get out much."
Lucas was startled. This Beta had to have a death wish, speaking about his Alpha like this, especially in public. Marcus pulled him closer, squeezing his arm around his shoulders, before releasing him.
"You see, he was kept locked away as a child, very tragic. He didn't learn to communicate well with others. I became his friend, because... well, someone had to take pity on him. Poor Alpha." Marco let his boyish grin shine through. "So it was just me and him for a while. I taught him everything I know but, sadly, he just doesn't have my charm or charisma. He does his best, but it sometimes escapes him."
"He's going to pay for this later, isn't he?" Shadow linked Gabriel, sounding amused.
"Maybe," Gabriel linked back. "It depends on how this all plays out!"
Marco was still talking about the poor, fake, made up childhood that Gabriel had. Alpha Lucas was stammering along. He didn't seem to realise his feet were moving underneath him as Marco steered him along.
"I'm sure you had a wonderful childhood," Marco continued. "Such a strong, smart, well rounded Alpha like you, it's clear you were brought up so perfectly. Your pack is a testament to that. So well run, so clean. It truely is a beautiful pack, and the people - so well trained, so accommodating. You must be so proud."
"Well... yes, of course..." Alpha Lucas stammered, his eyes wide at the Beta, unable to take in the situation he found himself in, to make sense of it. He looked out the window that Marco had planted him in front of. Pack members were out, going about their daily business and enjoying the sunshine. Lucas swallowed hard, wondering when the last time he just stopped to enjoy the sight.
"All these people, all these families, just able to live peacefully. No worries, no risk of harm. It's beautiful, it's truly an incredible achievement." Marco went on, gesturing at the view through the window with one arm. The other remained firmly clamped around Lucas' shoulders. "My Alpha is being a silly goose!"
Lucas turned his head, staring at Marco in surprise. The Beta was bordering on treason as it is, but to outright call his superior a 'silly goose' was just unfathomable.
"One hundred percent, a silly goose!" Marco continued, ignoring Lucas' incredulous expression. "He clearly hasn't connected the peaceful and well trained pack with the exceptional leadership. To me, with my Beta brain, it is so clear. You are truly an inspiration."
"Um, well, thank you," Lucas said, shifting a little uncomfortably on his feet. "I..."
Marco cut him off before Lucas could say more. "It makes complete sense to bring all the Alpha's of the continent to this example of perfection. They could all do with learning a thing or two." Marco gave Lucas a wink, tossing his blonde hair out of his eyes. Lucas didn't return the wink, he simply didn't know where to look. They just stood there together, looking out of the window. It was only when Marco leaned his head against the Alpha's in an affectionate manner, that Lucas decided he'd had enough. He shuffled himself out of Marco's arms and turned to face him.
"Well, thank you, Beta Marcus, for that ... erm... illuminating insight," he said, rubbing his hand on his shoulder as if he was trying to remove dirt from his suit. Or Marco's scent. "As you mentioned we have a lot of Alpha's arriving today, so I really need to make sure everything is ready."
"Of course," Marco said, giving Lucas a deep bow. "I completely understand. You are a busy man! You run this entire pack with such grace and..."
Lucas held his hand up to stop him. The last thing he wanted was another praise filled speech. He actually did have things to do. "No need for all that," Lucas said. "But I must be going."
Marco just nodded and watched as the Alpha strode off towards his office. The Beta grinned. Lucas had completely forgotten about what had happened at the dungeon door.
"Did it work?" Marco mind linked his Alpha. "It must have done, because you aren't here anymore!"
"So I'm a silly goose, am I?" Gabriel responded. "There is going to be some payback for that one!"
Marco grin grew. He knew that comment would rile his Alpha up no end. That is exactly why he used it.
"Oh shush you," Marco taunted back. "Go find your orchid bouquet!"
Because what the Moon Valley Alpha didn't see, what he had missed entirely, was Marco frantically waving an arm behind his back.
And Alpha Gabriel Ballad slipping through the door, towards the dungeons.
- Writer
