Chapter 7

2182 Words
Eugene remained in his office long into the early hours, he and his wolf discussing what they could do about this female. She was never meant to have been found, Galenos was promised to another. The long treaty that Black Moon had with Star Fall was in jeopardy. Eugene slammed his first on the desk, a frustrated growl erupting from his throat. His hair had fallen out of place and his eyes were sunken. Years of hard work were falling apart at the seams. Approximately ten years before, just before Gale’s 16th birthday, the two packs were at war. Their territories were almost overlapping one another as both packs tried to expand their borders. Eugene and Reginald eventually agreed to a truce after many lives were lost from both packs, with Black Moon losing the majority. This is where Gale had come into their equation. Reginald wanted to overthrow Eugene as Black Moon’s Alpha and absorbing his pack into his own, but Eugene played out that the two packs could work together if they were partnered. Reginald had a young daughter at the time, called Marie, to whom Eugene used as part of his proposition. To save his title and pack, he offered Gale to Reginald to become his daughter’s mate when she came of age. She was only 10 at the time, which meant the Alphas would have to wait ten years before their plan could be put into effect. Reginald had warned Eugene that if he or Gale were to break this agreement, the packs would descend into the chaos of war once more. Eugene never told Gale what his plan was. He tried to keep Gale away from the females of the pack. He routinely invited Reginald and his daughter over to his packhouse to try and bond the children forcefully. Gale treated Marie more like a sister, as he watched her grow from a child to a young woman. He would admit that she was pretty, elegant, and carefree, though he never had much interest in her otherwise. Even with Eugene hinting at how attractive she had become, Gale simply brushed off his comments as being polite. Eugene began to consider Lauressa, how she couldn’t be the right mate for Gale. Not only was he promised elsewhere, but she was far too reckless. Going after a judge is something only a fool would do. For how quickly her temper spiralled, she would never make a worthy Luna. She is far too emotional for that role. But perhaps, yes, perhaps her temperament was perfect for the role of a warrior. Clearly, a strategist was not something she wanted to do, so perhaps her going into a warrior position would be better. But also, if she was to fail, or be injured badly during combat, that would free up Gale again for Marie as well. A smile spread along Eugene’s lips, the sides curling upwards in a menacing way. Yes, what a perfect idea, he thought. Nik had returned to his room and was now standing on the balcony, with his arms folded across his chest. His mind was occupied by the events of the day. His wolf paced inside his mind as his thoughts travelled far. He too had caught the scent of his mate. Him projecting his own sultry thoughts onto Gale was simply because he could not reach his own mate. With all the commotion that Lauressa had caused, he never got a chance to introduce himself. After she had been taken away and the ranking was over, the smell of his mate had vanished, leaving him all alone. He saw someone tentatively sniffing the air during the afternoon, but he was unsure if that person was his mate or not. He never got close enough to the crowd to confirm. By his side was a small table with an empty glass laying wait. He glanced down at it before looking behind him. He snapped his fingers and pointed to the empty glass. A figure came forward into the moonlight, his wrists were bound by leather straps which wrapped around his upper arms, connecting them to his torso. The leather was tied around his waist and below, as well as up to his neck and mouth, which had a ball fastened against it. He carried a bottle of brown liquid, which he carefully poured into the glass. Nik purred at the sight, before picking up the glass and downing the drink in one. He dropped it on the floor, shattering it at his feet as he turned on his heel and grabbed at the man’s leather harness. “Bedtime,” he swooned, dragging the man behind him. The man obliged, placing the bottle on a table as he passed and laid on all fours on the bed before Nik. Nik’s eyes turned black as his wolf came forward, ready to take what it needed from their guest. Lauressa awoke early in the morning, feeling rested after the interesting day she had had. She started to panic as she looked around, not knowing her surroundings until the memories came flooding back to her. She groaned, pressing her face into the pillow. But wait, if she was here, did that mean that Gale would be outside her door? She got out of bed and slowly crept towards the door, pulling it open slightly to peer outside. He was there, laying on the sofa. He had removed his shirt and trousers, leaving him only in a pair of boxers. Lauressa’s wolf purred excitedly at the sight of their mate, but Lauressa batted away the thoughts. She slinked along the carpet until she was at Gale’s side. She took in every inch of his body, from his tight chest muscles, his smooth abs and his strong thighs. How those thighs could do some damage, she thought. Her eyes widened and she shook away the images. Not now, she muttered under her breath. She studied him further, he had to be at least six foot tall, making her five foot seven frame feel even smaller. “Admiring the view?” a voice came. Her body froze, her eyes tracing along his body back to his eyes which were now staring straight at her. “I, well, not exactly.” She said. Curses woman control yourself, she spat at herself. Her wolf howled in amusement, not helping her human focus at all. “No? I’m hurt.” Gale said, sticking his bottom lip out in defeat. His tone said a different story, one she had become all too familiar with while knowing Felix. A smile swept across her lips. Gale lifted his arms up and over his head, puffing out his chest as he did. “So, breakfast?” he queried. Lauressa’s smile widened and she nodded. “I will go get ready,” she said, almost sounding giddy. She turned around and trotted over to the bathroom, cursing herself under her breath as she went. Gale smiled to himself before linking with Archibald. “Are you there?” “Always here, sir,” Archibald replied dryly. “Could you pop up to the guest suite for me please?” “On my way.” Gale got up from the sofa and stood in the doorway, not wanting any knocks to disturb Laurie as she showered. Archibald rounded the corner and stopped before Gale. “How many I assist, Alpha heir?” He mused. “Could you stay here for a moment? I need to shower.” Gale replied. Archibald chuckled at his remark. “Of course.” He nodded curtly. Gale began walking away but reversed back to face Archibald. “I want to take Laurie out, but I know unranked members never usually have formal clothes. How do I ask her what size she is to arrange getting some clothes for her?” he asked. Archibald laughed this time. Gale jumped back, horrified by Archibald’s laughing, it was so dry like his appearance. “Alpha heir, you never ask a woman for her dress size, while courting or otherwise,” He said, still chuckling to himself. Gale’s eyes furrowed. “Fortunately for you, I am aware of the art of courting, to always do these things discreetly. I noted down her size yesterday when collecting her clothes from the dormitory.” A grin grew across Gale’s face as her listened to Archibald speak. “Could you perhaps obtain something nice for her?” Gale asked. Archibald nodded. “Right, perfect. Thank you. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He said, hurrying down the corridor to his own room. Archibald sighed, a small tear sitting on his eye. How he missed his days of young love and courtship with his Esmeralda, and how he missed her too. He blinked away the tear, regaining control of his senses and entered the room. Lauressa exited the bathroom, dressed in a flowery frock, her hair half tied back to show off her long neck. She also appeared to have put on some mascara around her eyes. Archibald smiled as she approached him. “Who got me these clothes?” She asked. Archibald smiled cunningly, earning him a pout from Lauressa. “That is a secret, Laurie,” he said with a wink. She blushed, realising Gale had obviously told him about the name he had chosen to call her. Seeing the dismay in her eyes, Archibald relented. “I arranged for the dress, my dear. Do not worry.” Lauressa let out a breath and nodded thankfully to Archibald. They exchanged smiles and continued to wait for Gale to return. Gale soon returned wearing a plain t-shirt and jeans. He had brushed his hair back, showing the shaven sides of his head. He paused as he entered, his eyes travelling over Lauressa’s frame. “You look lovely,” he smiled, trying to hide how slightly choked up he was. “So do you,” Lauressa said quietly, returning his smile before lowering her head, trying to cover her flushed cheeks. Archibald nodded to them before he left the room, leaving the couple together. “Shall we go?” Gale asked, holding out his hand to Lauressa. “Are we not eating at the packhouse?” She asked, visibly confused, taking a hold of his hand. “No,” Gale scoffed, “Only the best for my mate.” He mused, pulled her towards him into an embrace. Sparks ran over their chests as their bodies joined. Gale kissed her hair, tilting her chin up to look at her eyes. “Anywhere you would like to go?” “No,” she replied after a moment, “I’ll go wherever you wish to take me.” She said coyly, leaning into his embrace. Gale grinned; he was pleased they shared a similar humour. He released her from his hold, took hold of her hand and escorted her out of the pack house. Eugene was standing at his window, his teeth grinding as he saw them leaving together, especially holding hands. His wolf growled with concern, but Eugene reassured it with his plan from the previous night. Gale guided Lauressa through the streets, their fingers still interlocked as they walked. Lauressa tried to ignore the stares they were receiving as Gale seemed to be paying them no mind, but he was the Alpha heir after all, he was used to the looks. Excited whispers and giggles filled her ears as they moved. Lauressa could feel her hands starting to get clammy but she didn't want their hands to part. She only hoped Gale hadn't noticed. He slowed down as they reached one of the many cobbled streets, finally stopping at a small café. Its walls were built from stone, blending in with the stoney path. Ivy had woven itself around the building's exterior, tracing its way around the window and door frames. A few vines hung loosely over the entrance, brushing against the door whenever it was opened. "Here?" Gale asked, though the pleasantly surprised expression on Lauressa's face was all the answer that he needed. "How come I never knew this place was here?" She asked, her shock seeming through into her voice. Gale chuckled to himself but replied in a hushed tone. "It doesn't allow unranked members." He said, watching Lauressa's face falter. His wolf's ears drooped. "I see, that would explain a lot." She said. After a short pause, she continued, "Am I ranked now? I didn't accept the role." Gale pondered for a moment. "I'm not sure about that, but I doubt they are really going to deny you entry with me at your side." He fired off, giving off a smug, almost proud smile. "Being Alpha heir should have its perks." Lauressa laughed at his response, he was so brash and she loved it. Butterflies twirled inside Gale's stomach, her laugh was as beautiful as she was. They stood outside a few moments longer, enjoying one another's company. Gale tugged on Lauressa's hand and showed her inside the building.
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