His Wicked Alpha

Chapter Two

“Are these seats taken?” Celestria looked at the large family in front of her who had been having a heated conversation in their native language. She only decided to interrupt after a few minutes of their back and forth.

“Ah, no. No of course not! Have a seat! I’m Luna Guiliana De Vecchi, and these are my sons.”

“Ah, Luna, it’s a pleasure to meet you! I’ve heard a lot about your pack from others and yours in the only wine my pack drinks. I’m happy to finally put a face to the name. I’m Alpha Celestria Corvus.”

The group watched the two women shake hands and couldn’t help but notice how different they were, one was like the sun the other the night. Both equally beautiful.

“Please, sit.”

Celestria smiled and motioned for her group to sit as well. Enzo felt his anger rising again as the same man from earlier pulled out Celestria’s chair.

“Thank you, Tristan.” She smiled brightly and looked back at the group in front her, and smiled lightly.

Tristan sat to the Alpha’s right and the woman with blue hair sat to her left. Lucian began kicking Enzo under the table, and Enzo kicked back.

“Enough.” Both men looked to their mother who was glaring at them and they both mumbled apologies.

“Forgive me, I didn’t introduce the rest of my group. My Beta Ashin Barlowe, Cole is down next to her and this,” she placed her hand on the man to her right’s shoulder and smiled brightly at him again, “is Tristan. Both Tristan and Cole are members of my personal guard. They are with me at all times.”

“Strange that an Alpha needs a personal guard.” Celestria looked at the largest boy at the table, dark brown hair and eyes to match, sunkissed skin. He was obviously the oldest and next in line for Alpha.

“And why is it strange Mr. De Vecchi?” Celestria leaned forward and placed her chin in her palm staring sweetly at the man.

Lucian was surprised, and a little unnerved. While she looked sweet there was something sinister behind it. Also her mate was seated directly across from her. Did she not feel it?

“Alpha’s are the strongest of their pack, therefore you should be protecting them.”

“Mm, you have a valid point, and in my wolf form, I’m perfectly capable of taking on the best, including you. But in this shape you can tell even my Beta is larger than I am, but I assure you I am able to care for myself, my pack just feels more at ease if I have a personal guard. Afterall I’m the first female Alpha that they’ve had.”

Something in the way she spoke left Lucian with no doubt that she could take care of herself.

“Excuse me, my Alpha has introduced herself and her company but you have yet to give your names.” Ashin sat back and crossed her arms over her chest. She knew exactly who each of the men before her were but it was rude of them to not introduce themselves.

“Of course! My apologies, I’m Lucian De Vecchi Alpha Heir and the oldest of 4.”

“I’m Alonzo De Vecchi, I go after him if he dies.” Alonzo looked exactly like his older brother, although more carefree and almost childlike.

“Alonzo!” He smiled brighter when his mother scolded him and Celestria couldn’t stop her laughter. Alonzo looked pleased and glanced at his brother next to him.

“I’m Dante.” This one was more serious. Short blonde hair, and the same dark eyes as his other two siblings. Celestria watched as his mother rolled her eyes at her boys, and she could tell that they were a loving family.

Finally her eyes moved to the last one, and she controlled her facial expressions but felt her heart start to kick up. She knew who he was the minute she walked in, at first he was all she could see. He was hers.

“Enzo De Vecchi.” His voice rolled over her slowly and she had to suppress a shiver.

“Enzo.” She said his name painfully slow but it tasted like honey in her mouth. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. All of you.” She held eye contact with him the entire time trying to see his reaction.

Enzo felt a blush creep up his neck and his insides felt like jelly. If his wolf could purr he would be. He abruptly stood up slamming into the table as he did.

“Excuse me.” And with that he turned and walked off quickly.

“Is he alright?” Tristan raised an eyebrow and looked at Lucian who was across from him, the only response he got was a shrug.

Not long after Alpha Lorenzo returned and dinner was served but Enzo didn’t come back. Celestria spent what felt like hours after dinner speaking with Alpha’s and Beta’s and trying to avoid those she found unpleasant. But after a few bottles of wine she found herself on the hallway balcony with Alpha Heir, Cyrus Perish.

“You are very beautiful.”

“Keep your smooth words for the other she-wolfs here. I care not for them.” She leaned against the rail looking out over the grounds, it had started to snow again and other than Cyrus, it was pleasant.

“You know we could be chosen mates, and join our packs. We’d be the largest pack on the continent.”

“No, thank you.” She turned around to head back inside but came face-to-chest with Cyrus.

“Why are you standing so close to me? Did your parents not teach you any manners?” For a moment she forgot that she and left Tristan talking to a pretty she-wolf in the hall and Cole had escorted Ashin back to the rest of the pack.

“You seem to be the one lacking manners. You should be more polite to your host.” Cyrus reached up and twisted a strand of her hair around his finger, but Celestria quickly slapped his hand away and stepped around him.

“I’m extremely polite to my hosts. The Alpha and the Luna of the Evergreen pack, but to their brat child…” She trailed off and smiled sweetly.

“You little-”

A breeze blew past Celestria and before she fully realized what was happening Cryus was leaned backwards over the rail.

“If you ever dream of touching her again, I will wage unholy war upon your pack Cyrus Perish. She is not for the likes of you. Do you understand?” Cyrus nodded and Enzo released him, turning to face Celestria. Neither noticed his quick escape, only staring at each other.

“I can take care of myself, you know?” Celestria pushed stray hair behind her and was still staring at the man in front of her. If a man could be beautiful it was him, he had the strong stature of an Alpha, broad shoulders, muscles from years of training. Naturally sun kissed skin and shoulder length golden hair, eyes a shade of blue she’d never seen before in her life highlighted by the black rimmed glasses that sat perfectly on his nose.

“If I had to watch one more moron put his hands on you, I was going to lose my mind. It’s been the same all night since you walked in the doors. Do you not feel this? Do you not know who I am?”

“Yes, I know who you are. What if I told you it was happening long before I walked in the doors. That there are others who know more about my body than you could ever hope for?” She walked around him slowly, dragging her finger across his back, her heels clicking loudly against the stone of the balcony. It was then that he noticed that her leather boots had heels of silver.

“Is this a joke to you? Am I a joke to you?” His voice was shaking with anger. What was this woman’s problem?

“It’s not a joke, but the truth-” Suddenly his body crashed into hers. The places that their skin touched felt like fire, and looked up at him just as his lips crashed into hers.

Her stomach felt like she’d just gone over a hill too fast. Her entire body felt electrically charged; she had a fire burning within her that she’d never felt before. She quickly pulled her lips from his which caused a whimper to escape the man before her, and she smiled.

He didn’t stop, without access to her mouth he pulled her closer and moved to her neck. The unexpected contact allowed a moan to escape her lips. She felt the growl rumble in his chest and her knees grew weak.

“If what you said is true, then I’ll just have to touch everywhere another has touched you and have you in more ways than any other.”

His hand snaked up her shirt and one hand almost covered the whole of her back.

“Aah.” She wrapped her arms around his neck to hold herself up and his nails scraped her back as he nipped the spot he would later mark on her neck.

She slid her hands up his neck and into his hair. With two fistfuls of hair she pulled him backwards and to his knees in front of her.

She stared down at him, his eyes no longer blue, but a haunting green, she knew that his wolf had taken control.

“Tsk, tsk. Come now. That was a very naughty thing to do to me out here in the open. Tell me wolf, does he not have more control than that? To allow you to the surface so easily. Or was it you the entire time hiding just enough?”

“You are my mate, and I am yours. We will have each other.” His voice was deeper and darker and it sent another wave of pleasure through her body.

“Perhaps… but not tonight. For now, sleep.” Her eyes glowed brightly and she gently laid the slumped man down on the balcony. Fixing her hair and her clothes as she walked off.

The next morning Celestria woke early and quickly dressed. Wrapping herself in a thick quilt she stepped out onto the porch with a cup of coffee. Halfway through the door opened and Ashin joined her, wrapped similarly.

“Good morning, Celestria.”

Celestria smiled and continued to sip her coffee, watching the work taking place on the grounds.

“You know, this is a rather large guest house, how many of these are there?”

“20.” Celestria chuckled as Ashin choked and spit coffee back into her cup.

“20? 20 guest houses the size of a mansion? What in the world…”

“It’s because the Evergreen pack has remained neutral since they were first established. Therefore most of The Gatherings are held here. One day I hope our pack is able to have such extensive pack grounds.” Celestria watched as structures were lifted and piles of wood were spread out to start the bonfires later in the morning.

“You seem to be in a surprisingly good mood. Did something happen last night?” Ashin wiggled her eyebrows and winked at Celestria.

Celestria smiled and thought back to the balcony. “No nothing really.”

“Right… did you not speak with Enzo again?”

“We may have run into each other. Now enough chatter, let's get everyone up so they can assist in preparations.” Celestria stood and headed inside leaving no room for further conversation.

Once everyone was out of the guest house and helping as directed Celestria used this chance to walk around the grounds and pack house some more. She smiled and greeted many of the Luna’s she’d spoken to last night but quickly noticed many of the men were missing.

“Typical. Goddess forbid they do menial jobs.”

“Agreed, Alpha.”

Celestria turned around and saw Alpha Lorenzo standing behind her, “My apologies Alpha, I meant no disrespect.”

“No apologies are necessary Alpha, I completely agree with you. That’s why my boys are up and doing work. The work of an Alpha is not just to protect and rule. We should be active in all areas of the pack.”

“You are very wise, Alpha Lorenzo.”

“Thank you. Would you mind taking a walk with me?” He held out his arm, and Celestria almost refused it, but decided he was simply being polite.

“It would be my pleasure.” She wrapped her arm around his and they continued walking the way she was already heading.

“Alpha Celestria, I’ve recently discovered that your pack specializes in homeopathic medicine. Is this true?”

Celestria was stunned for a moment because it’s only been in the last couple of years that they’d begun expanding outside of their own pack.

“Hmm, in a manner, yes.”

“In a manner?”

“Yes, you see our medicine is homeopathic but it’s also magical. As you know we are a pack of Ravens and Wolves. Therefore we have access to magic without the use of witches. We’ve used magic and natural medicines to cure our own people for decades. We’ve just recently begun dealing outside of our borders. Why are you in need of something?”

Alpha Lorenzo stopped walking and turned to face the woman next to him, “Actually I was hoping you’d be open to making a deal with my pack. As wolves we heal quite well on our own but there are times when we need a little assistance. If you’d be willing, we could sit down and work out a contract.”

Celestria stood shocked, this was the first time she would have the option to make an agreement with another pack. The other arrangements they had were from deals made between former Alpha’s.

“Of course, Alpha Lorenzo. It would be my pleasure. Though I feel there’s something you should know before our conversation goes any further.”

“Go ahead, though I doubt anything you have to say will change my mind.”

“I’m glad you feel that way. Your youngest son, Enzo-”

“Ah please forgive him, he doesn’t enjoy the company of others. He prefers to keep to his books.”

“Yes, well that’s not the issue, the thing is… your son is my mate. And I wish to take him home with me.”

Celestria was suddenly wrapped in the other man's arms and being squeezed tightly. “Praise the Goddess!! I’m so happy! I thought that bookworm would never find his mate! I knew that was a reason that I felt he must attend this year! Yes! Please take him home with you!” At this point Celestria could see others on the grounds and stopped what they were doing and were staring at the pair.

“Excuse me, Alpha?”

“Yes?!”

“Do you mind?”

“Oh! Oh, I’m terribly sorry.” He immediately dropped her and then steadied her on her feet. Face split into a wide smile.

“There’s more Alpha Lorenzo, and this is where I fear the problem will be-”

Lorenzo held up his hand cutting Celestria off, “Worry not Alpha, my son is not meant to be an Alpha. I love him dearly and while he has Alpha blood in his veins he was not meant to rule.”

Celestria sighed and visibly relaxed, “Then I shall leave it to you to break the news to him that he will be returning with me in 2 days time.”

“Of course, of cour- wait? What?” He looked around but saw that Celestria was already walking off quickly joined by the two men from last night and sighed.

When Lorenzo finally found his Luna, she apparently already knew that his mate was here and was both happy and sad knowing that he would not be returning home with them. They decided that perhaps they would break the news to him together.

And of course they found him in the library buried behind a mountain of books.

“Enzo darling, we wish to have a word.” He looked up from his book and pushed his glasses further up his nose.

“Alright.”

“You’re father and Alpha Celestria have decided that it would be best for you to return home with her when The Gathering is over.”

“Very good amore mio, just rip it off like a bandaid.” Enzo watched his father give encouragement to his mother and immediately felt defeated.

“It seems that the matter has already been decided and I have no choice. I do not wish to be the Alpha.”

“Good, because she will not relinquish her title.” His father smiled even wider.

Enzo, himself, had mixed feelings. On one hand he would miss his family deeply, but he was happy to have found his mate… on the other, if what she said was really true then were the others who’d touched her been within her pack?

“What are you thinking, son?” Enzo looked at his father and then glanced at his mother.

“Nothing, I should probably go speak with my brothers.”

“Good idea! And try to enjoy The Gathering. Spend some time with your mate!”

Enzo grumbled and left the library quickly heading outside. The winter weather was cold and harsh but he knew that there would be plenty of bonfires and he’d probably be able to find a cloak.

Enzo spotted Celestria the second he stepped outside. Her laughter seemed to carry over all the other noise. Once again she was clothed head-to-toe in black and the fur cloak she’d worn the night before was draped over her body. He noticed a steaming mug in her hands, and the next thing he noticed once again sent anger coursing through him.

He’d been angrier in the past 12 hours than he had in his entire life, and it was all that woman’s fault. After last night he had no doubt that she knew exactly what she was doing.

As he walked toward the group standing around the bonfire he recognized them all. The group she came with last night and his brothers. She had her arm hooked with the man she’d introduced as ‘Tristan’ last night. His other hand rested on hers, rubbing it gently back and forth.

When he reached the group he joined his brothers and eyed the rest out of the corner of his eye. He immediately noticed that Tristan had not removed his eyes from Celestria and it increased his rage.

“Well don’t you look cozy” Enzo sneered.

Tristan immediately snapped his head to look at the newcomer and his eyes narrowed, “The Alpha is not used to the cold of this territory, therefore we do what we must in order to make sure she remains comfortable.”

“It seems that you are the one enjoying it.” Lucian placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder. Hoping to calm him down but letting him know that if a fight were to take place then they would have his side.

“I enjoy all aspects of my Alpha.” Tristan continued to glare and Enzo and Celestria just watched the exchange with mild amusement.

“Tristan! Do not forget your place. He is an Alpha.” Ashin stepped in and chidded the other wolf. He was going to cause a problem speaking to the son of an Alpha in such a manner.

“Agreed. We are here to meet and get to know one another, and perhaps some of us will meet our mates. But we must still stand on ceremony. Not everyone here is your equal.” Celestria patted Tristan’s arm gently and smiled at the group.

Enzo felt his anger turn to something else, something he couldn’t really explain. A lump formed in his throat and he turned, walking away quickly.

“Ah forgive him, he’s not normally like this.” Alfonzo spoke to the group with a small smile and Lucian openly glared at Celestria.

“It’s fine I know his problem and I will speak to him in a few minutes. But I do have a question, your father’s name is Lorenzo, you are Alfonzo and your youngest brother is Enzo, obviously it was done intentionally, but why?”

At this Lucian’s glare broke off and he began laughing, “It’s because my father was away at the time of Alfonzo and Enzo’s births. She wanted us all to have names sounding like my father but he refused. I was almost Lorenzo Jr.”

“Ah, I see.” Everyone was laughing and Celestria was watching as Enzo made his way into the pack house.

“If you will all excuse me.” Celestria removed her arm from Tristan’s and headed into the pack house. No doubt he’d returned to the library, if what everyone said about him was true.

Once inside the library she removed her cloak and hung it by the door. She wandered around for a few minutes before noticing a large pile of books on a table near the back corner. She slowly made her way over and just as she reached the table Enzo snapped his book closed and glared at her.

“What do you want?”

“I simply came to speak with you. To make sure you were alright.”

“Alright? Alright? How could I possibly be alright? I remember telling you last night that if I had to see another man's hands on you again, I’d lose my mind! And the very next time I see you, you’re arm-in-arm with him and he’s rubbing your hand staring at you like you’re the most precious thing in all the world! And you don’t even bother to stop it when I arrive, you continue on as if it’s nothing!”

“Ah so some of that was you last night, and not just your wolf.” She turned and sat on the desk pushing some books out of her way.

“If you didn’t like it, why didn’t you stop it?”

“I- well- I- I have no right as the mark hasn’t been set.”

“If that’s the case mark me right now?”

“Wh-what?”

Enzo watched as Celestria leaned her head to the side and pulled her shirt further away from her neck, exposing the spot where the mark would sit.

He felt desire flare in him and he closed the distance between them in an instant. Celestria wrapped her legs around his, locking him in place.

“Do it. What are you waiting for?”

Enzo felt his breathing become ragged and his mouth lowered to her throat but just before he opened his mouth he jerked fully away from her, almost throwing her onto the floor as he went.

“What’s wrong, Enzo? Why do you hesitate?”

Enzo’s eyes snapped back to the woman sitting casually on the desk, like he wasn’t about to sink his teeth into her and claim her as is.

“Do you feel nothing? You act as if this is all some big joke. Some game, I don’t f*****g know. Why am I the one so deeply affected by you and you act as if I’m just some other lovesick mutt chasing you. Did you offer to allow them to mark you too?”

For the briefest of moments Enzo saw hurt flash across her features, but as quick as it came it was replaced with the same smirk that she always seemed to wear.

“I see you’re very upset with me. I suppose part of it is because your father has already spoken to you. I understand that coming home with me is probably uncomfortable, but I will answer any questions you have and we will do everything we can to make sure that you adjust well. We are not as rich as the Evergreen pack, but we certainly do well. Secondly I believe the exchange last night showed that I do, in fact, feel something, with you. Third, you are the only person I’ve ever asked to mark me, mates are not a joke I will not be the mate of just anyone.”

At this point Celestria was standing having slowly made her way over to Enzo, who had stepped backward at every step she took and now found himself sideways in one of the overstuffed armchairs scattered throughout the library.

Celestria placed a knee on the arm of the chair and leaned across looking down at Enzo, her face inches from his, “And finally, any questions you ask me about my previous partners will be answered with the utmost honesty, so long as you ask them. You are welcome to continue to speculate and come to your own conclusions, but if you do that remember that you are the cause of your pain, not me.”

Enzo was absolutely terrified, her voice had started off light and airy but when she was finished chewing him out it was cold, commanding and harsh. She was without a doubt, a powerful Alpha and powerful person. Terrified… and excited?

He’d very felt so electrified at being chewed out before in his life. Her eyes were blazing and for the first time he noticed the amethyst rings around the dark brown color of her eyes.

He found himself unable to speak and simply nodded his head. She removed herself from over him and he suppressed the urge to pull her back.

“Good. You should go speak with your brothers, they’re worried about you.” Enzo watched as she turned and walked away. He didn't move until he heard the door to the library close.”

By the end of the night, Celestria was pleased to discover that many of the pack members she brought with her had managed to find a mate, about half choosing to go live with their mate’s pack. Celestria happily gave her blessing with the promise that they could always return for good or to simply visit.

“It was a good idea to attend this year.” Celestria was stretched across her bed, when Ashin came into the room.

“Agreed. Did you discover your mate today?” Celestria rolled over to her back and sat up, pulling her boots off careful to avoid the heel.

“I’m going to have to buy you more than one pair of those.” Ashin laughed and sat on the bed across from her.

“Do avoid the question, Ashin.” Celestria stood and made her way to the dresser as she began undressing.

“Ugh, maybe. I don’t know. Yes.” Celestria turned around with her eyebrow quirked and stared at her Beta.

“That’s multiple different answers.” She tied the wrap of her robe around her tightly and waited.

“Yes. Yes. Yes. But I ran away.” Ashin buried her head in the bed and began kicking her feet like a child.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“Do you?”

“Fair enough. So instead, how about you join me in the pack bath house?”

Ashin jerked up immediately, “The what?”

“The pack bath house. It’s kind of like a Japanese hot spring, but man made. It’s mostly outside but it is covered, because minors and children aren’t allowed in.”

“Is it separated men and women?”

“In a werewolf pack? No. Nudity is no big deal, most packs members see each other naked all the time.”

“But… we’re not all in the same pack.”

“Your mate might be there.”

“Give me 5 minutes.”

The two girls walked quickly to the back of the pack house. It was cold and their robes were little help, it seemed to drop 30 degrees since the sun went down. They could see people still sitting around fires here and there, and they were pleased that everyone seemed to be getting along so far.

As soon as they entered the bath house the warmth wrapped them in its warm embrace. They quickly showered off and entered the bath area. It was large, almost the size of a basketball court, filled with steam and voices talking.

It was completely made of stone and almost fully outside. The snow fell around them and collected on the stones around the water.

“Celestria! Ashin! Over here!” Both women turned and spotted 3 of 4 De Vecchi brothers lounging along the edge in the water.