Red:The Alpha's Queen

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

~Ruby~

Grandma and I dwelled inside the kitchen, the both of us silently doing the dishes. The cling-clang sound of the plates as they collided with our cups and cutlery echoed inside the room. Everytime I wanted to say something, I ended up shutting up, pondering if this was the best way for me to start this conversation.

Grandma stayed quiet. I wasn't surprised. These had always been her methods, and I should have been used to them by now. However, they always ended up leaving me frustrated. I couldn't take it anymore.

"You knew, didn't you.? You knew and you still decided to keep your mouth shut. A little warning could have sufficed at least. You knew and you didn't even say anything at all. "

I didn't realise I was yelling until I was done, the echoes of my voice vibrating off the kitchen walls. She stilled, wiping her hands on a towel before facing me. "Yes. I did know, but what difference would that have made? You know best what happens when I violate the rules of prophecy. "

"At least- at least, you could have done something, and then I wouldn't have ended up m-marrying that brute of a werewolf. " My lips trembled, and I felt hot tears slide down my cheeks.

I knew I was being unreasonable, and there's nothing grandma could have done to change fate, but my frustration had won over. I didn't want any of this, and these weren't the plans I had made for myself.

I scotched down, weeping for the first time from both the lives I had lost and what I had to endure. In this moment, I felt like my world had come crushing down. All my life, I had wanted to be a strong independent woman, achieve some of the greatest accomplishments as a hunter.

Perhaps I would be a headmistress to an all girls school, and when the time came, marry the man of my own choice, and not the one fate had chosen for me. I hadn't achieved even half of my dreams, and here I was, being cast off to another land entirely.

My grandma sighed, but nevertheless, she scotched down to my level, proceeding to wrap me in her arms and let me cry until my eyes we're dry. When I was done, grandma held me to her bosom, patting my hair gently.

When I thought she wouldn't say anything, she finally spoke up. "I know you're worried, but eventually, everything will workout for you. I'm your grandmother after all, and you're my greatest pride. You think I would just stand by and let anything bad happen to you? Of course not. "

"So take heart dear, and take my word for it. You'll see. "

"But I don't want to marry a werewolf."

"Just because he's a werewolf doesn't make him a bad person. Give him a chance. I for one know he's a good man. You don't have to do it now, but eventually. Okay? "

I nodded. It's the only thing I could do.

"Now come on. Let's go put some ointment on your eyes, so we can get rid of that puffy look on your face. Okay?

I followed grandma to her workshop, and let her do as she pleased.

Once everything I needed was packed, I said my farewells. Grandma saw me off with a few herbs, and made me promise I would grow a herb garden of my own. Surprisingly, Master Milagros was there too. I hadn't expected him at all, but I was happy he was here.

It gave me a sense of courage and strength.

An hour later, I sat beside the Alpha, in a black Range Rover car. I hadn't said anything else to him, and thankfully, he hadn't said anything back, nor initiated any sort of conversation.

We stopped only to get food and water, fuel refills and toilet breaks.

Other than that, the journey was fast and undisturbed. It took us six hours to get to the nearest town portal. These were run by the fae people, and could only be used if you were an ally of the fae kingdom or if you had the approval of the Council.

Thankfully, we didn't have any problems. Since I wasn't used to using portals, the turbulence had me feeling sick but it was nothing severe. As soon as he had made sure that I was okay, the Alpha resumed our journey.

I glanced at the Alpha sideways. One of the rumors I had heard about him was that he had a really incredible relationship with the fae king. Personally, I had trouble believing that, since nobody had really ever set eyes on him.

Even when it came to important occasions whether life changing or just celebratory, the King never once showed up, always sending one of the Fae officials as a representative. Nevertheless, these were just rumors, and nothing more.

Anyway, everything I heard could just be rumors, so I fully expected it to be just that. Rumors. For the rest of the journey, I thought of nothing but the life ahead of me. I contemplated Luna's words. When she had said I shouldn't be afraid to fall in love, had she meant with him or someone entirely?

And what had she meant that someone powerful was behind all this? But if a mastermind was really behind all this, wouldn't they have taken a step by now? She had also said that Jared and I were much more powerful. Is that why she had joined our fates together?.

I rubbed my head, feeling a headache coming on. This was really confusing. I decided I would think about that when the time for it came.

By the time I came to, the Alpha was holding me in his arms, I slipped in and out of sleep, weary from the journey. I hadn't even realised how tiresome it would be, or if we had even arrived. "Where are we? Is this the pack house? "

"Yes."

A yawn, and then I was asking again. "What time is it? "

"A few minutes past midnight. "

"Okay. It's way past my bed time. Please take me to bed. I'm so-" yawn, "tirredd."

I didn't wait to here his response. My body had already gone slack, already drifting off into sleep once again. Perharps, if I woke up, this would all be a dream, and I would wake up from this nightmare.

****

If all wishes were horses, all beggars would ride, and I would be one with them, probably riding one of the most magnificent horses ever.

When I had woken up this morning, the first thing I had wondered about was why I wasn't in my room and why I was currently sleeping in a strange bed. And then the memories had come flooding in, reminding me of everything that had happened.

I was never one to mourn about the changes in my life, and I was going to do the same thing here. I needed to put my big girl panties on and charge forward. I found myself wearing a pink silk night dress, silently wondering where my clothes were.

And had the Alpha also changed me into it? I hoped not. I scanned the room with my eyes, taking in its extravagance. The four poster bed was made with sturdy dark oak wood, the bed frames, holding up a purple silk net, threads of gold glinting in it.

The bed happened to be also too big to be occupied by at least four normal sized humans. The floor was covered with a woolen purple and black carpet, that was entirely soft too soft on the feet. A walk in dresser was on the left, all my belongings perfectly filled in, along with lots and lots of new sets of clothes

On the right, a huge set of four stained glass windows illuminated the room, leaving no corner unexposed. On one side of the window, four wolves, all differently colored, bowed before a beautiful woman, two of the wolves laying on her garments.

The woman, who was painted on the other side of the stained glass window, smiled down on them. She wore a wreath of flowers on her head, and held what seemed to be a Shepherd's staff in her hands. In her lap, two cubs slept peacefully, her hand paused above them in a stroking position.

All in all, the room was extremely beautiful, and it was something that would completely suit me if I was to stay here. I walked into the bathroom, gasping in surprise at the large bath tub that was in there. That could probably house three people in it.

A shower stood in the corner along with a toilet. I could host a mini party in here and have room left over. Numerous baths and body works lined the edge of the tub and a let out a pleased chuckle. If there's one thing I loved, it was a well scented warm bath.

I filled the bath, enough so that the water wouldn't over flow if I got in. I wrapped my hair in a towel, before letting myself sink in the water. I let out a moan of pleasure, totally satisfied. At least one good thing had come from this.

I scrubbed myself clean, before letting my body slightly float in the water. I liked to stay in the water, until all the warmth was drained from it. But with this bath, and it's taps so near, I would drain it and then just refill it. I closed my eyes, enjoying the moment.

Just then, the door to my bathroom came flying open, almost breaking it off it's hinges. Before I could process what was going on, I was out of the water and on the floor. My nose was robbed of air and then a mouth was closing over my mine, blowing air inside.

My body struggled, my arms hitting the large body that covered mine. From the tingles that covered me from head to toe, I could tell that it was the Alpha. Thankfully, he pulled away. Grabbing my face between his arms. He studied my face, as if searching for something.

"What do you think you're doing? Is your life that meaningless to you? " He shook me with his arms, yelling out each sentence. There was also a tone of worry in them.

I was however, very confused. I didn't know what was going on exactly. "What is wrong with you? I was just taking a bath before you rudely interrupted it. "

"You weren't trying to drown yourself? '

I snorted. " Like I would ever do that. "

Silence filled the room, and I wondered what he was still doing here if we had cleared the fact that I wasn't going to kill myself. Just then, I realized where the Alpha's eyes had zeroed in. My body, that had been initially covered with bubbles, was now fully exposed, bared to him.

I blushed in embarrassment, wrapping my arms around myself as much as I could without necessarily flashing him. He seemed to snap out of it. Grabbing one of the numerous towels that were on my bathroom shelf, he wrapped me in it, then proceeded to carry me out the bathroom.

"Take care of her. "After dropping me on the bed and making sure I was comfortably settled in the room, the Alpha fled the room. I remained inside with the two women.

The two women shuffled uncomfortably on their feet, as if at a loss on what to do. I decided it was best if I put them out of their misery. " You can go. I'll dress myself. "

The two exchanged glances before the brunette one spoke up. "The Alpha told us you'd probably say that. So he ordered us to stay and assist you nevertheless. "

I rolled my eyes at that. Not that I would expect anyless from him. " Go ahead, but make it quick. "

"Yes Luna. "

The girls replied. The brunette one stayed, taking charge of my hair and the redheaded one disappeared somewhere inside my closet. She came back holding a baby blue dress and a matching pair of white ballet shoes.

I protested the moment I set my eyes on the clothes. "Oh hell no. There's no way I'll be wearing that. "

"The Alpha also mentioned you'd say that. So he ordered us to explain. " I rolled my eyes again. Was he going to predict another action I would take? Since when did he come a seer.

At the end of the girl's explanation, I scoffed at how old and ancient some of the behaviors and customs of this pack were. As the Luna, I had to be paraded in entirely feminine garments, as a symbol of the mother of the pack that had descended from Luna herself.

It showcased, diligence, strength and a nature loving presence, while it also presented everything that symbolized a woman. Courage, love and femininity. While it held so much importance to the pack, it was merely nothing to me. I had met so many Lunas that didn't portray any of these attributes at all.

Once the girls were done, they showed me their handiwork. I gasped at my reflection, surprised from the outcome. The girls smiled, proud of their handiwork. My hair had been held back in a high ponytail, a large white bow tying it in place.

My makeup was simply done, almost barely noticeable I looked liked a dolled up version of what I expected I would look like if I was a doll. Deciding it was best to not keep the Alpha waiting that long, I asked the irls to lead me down stairs.

Just then, I remembered I hadn't asked for their names yet. "By the way. What are your names? "

"I'm Maria" The brunette one bowed, followed by the redheaded one. "And I'm Naomi "

"Alright, Maria and Naomi. Lead the way. "

The dining hall was much bigger than j expected, but for now, it housed lesser people than I expected. Perhaps fifty or sixty people.

The pack stood at my entrance, their eyes completely fixed on me. I looked forward, my gaze completely focused on the Alpha. He took my hand, leading me to a seat right beside his. After begging everyone to seat, he sat me down, before proceeding to do so himself.

Just then, a commotion broke out, and before I could figure out what was going on. A large body flew into me, smashing me into the wall, breaking the chair I was sitting on in the process. The air wooshed out of me at once, and I was sure my ribs would bruise later on.

The large body was flung off me, and I sucked in much needed air.

The pack members watched on, murmers going through the small crowd that had been gathered, looks of horror and disbelief on their faces.

Two female guards helped me up, and then Mary and Naomi came, dusting my dress and already administering first aid to the minor wounds I had sustained.

Just then, I heard the Alpha growl, anger simmering just beneath his breath. "Shift."

The werewolf that had been sustained by two werewolves much bigger than it had no choice but to obey the command. As bones cracked and the fur disappeared, all was left behind was a small pale woman, with dark hair and amber eyes that shone with anger. The moment our eyes met, she snarled, baring her fangs at me.

"What is the meaning of this, Aira? "

"Like you don't know that you brought a murderer and made her your Luna. I won't just stand here and accept it. I refuse to do nothing about it. "

"Shut up, Aira. You know nothing about this. "

"I don't care, and I couldn't give a single f**k." She yelled at the Alpha, her voice carrying through the great dining hall. Just then, she faced me, he eyes glowing yellow. I knew her wolf was in control this time. " I, Aira Sinclair, challenge you, Ruby Winter for the position of Luna, as the pack rules declare. "

Silence echoed in the room, quickly followed by gasps of shock and much louder murmurs. The deranged woman smirked, a gloating looking on her face. Even though I barely knew who she was, the look on her face was extremely annoying. I was very much going to grant her wishes.

"I accept. I accept your challenge, Aira Sinclair. "

The murmurs were louder this time, and the almost crazy woman was led away. Her manic laugh rang through, echoing within the halls. "I'll make you regret this. I'll make sure you regret this, you life stealing b***h. "

I waved back at her, small smile on my face. " I'll be waiting. "