Noticing Something Different

The meeting with Tagadi Town's leader went surprisingly well, just like the hunters’ leader, he promised to speak to the teenagers so long as they speak to Pierre about his behavior. Alpha Ciandra was glad they had a consensus because she needed to think of mate shit.

As they returned, the two elders spoke to each other in hush tones, she kept hearing them mentioning her name, and not once did she ask them why they were being disrespectful. So long as they didn’t speak to her, she was okay. After all, she needed alone time and in whatever way it came, she embraced it. Unfazed, she walked beside them as if they were speaking about fresh vegetables at the market town and not about her.

When they arrived at the Dark Shadow Pack, she narrowed her eyes at the two she-wolves guarding the gate, they looked down in respect but something told her it was directed to the two elders and not her. "Go report to him." Elder Kalera said firmly. Alpha Ciandra nodded slightly and walked towards the packhouse. 

She could feel their gaze boring into her head.

Arriving outside the alpha’s office, she hoped he didn’t bore her with mate issues, she knocked twice and when Alpha Alphonso asked her to enter, she almost counterchecked. Neatly dressed in a green polo t-shirt that hugged his arm showing his bulging biceps, his eyes dull, as if he was bored seeing her there. He glanced at her only once, pointed at the chair, and returned to read what he had in his hands. 

Slowly, she lowered herself onto the cushioned chair in front of Alpha Alphonso, studying his handsome face, she just couldn’t help herself. She looked away immediately when Alpha Alphonso looked up.  He hummed, his eyes darkening as he turned the page of the file in his hand.

For ten minutes straight, he didn’t glance at her, and Alpha Ciandra leaned back on the chair and watched him working. She was so into her head, with the thoughts of her father, the mate she never asked for, and the moon goddess and if it meant sitting there for the whole night so long he didn’t open his mouth, she wouldn’t mind.  

Closing his file with a grim look, he spoke, "are you always this patient?” 

“You seemed focused, I am here to serve you, I can wait as long as you want.” She said. 

“I like obedient and patient mate. Once you learn your lane, we should get along pretty well.” Alpha Alphonso said with a smile that didn’t reach the corner of his eyes. 

Inclining forward, she held his gaze, she noticed something new, something dark in his orbs. They were not as flirtatious as when they met last time, the mischief in them not there at all. And even if the last sentence were laced with arrogance, she didn’t feel them.

Her stomach dropped, and she leaned backward wondering, “am I supposed to notice these things? Am I noticing them because I turned out to be his mate or because I am a good warrior with pure intent in my heart? 

No answer came. 

She didn’t have time to ponder it more as Alpha Alphonso rose, pushed the seat making it fall with a thud, and asked, “do you want us to stay in here all night? Just you and me, you staring at me as if I am a chess piece? Or would you rather do your shit work and get the fuck out.” 

It wasn’t a question. 

Alpha Ciandra stood, “my apologies, Alpha Alphonso.” She unconsciously licked her lips, those words seemed foreign, and she was even surprised they existed in her vocabulary.

He had a lopsided tired grin on his face, he sat on top of the table,  and repeated with a sigh, "report." 

Alpha Ciandra explained, "it was simple, he said he will handle it." 

"What do you think?" 

“He meant it. After talking with the leader of the hunters and the Tagadi Town leader, I deduced they are harmless.”

"I guess you have another trip to plan." Without explaining what he meant, he pointed at the door. 

Alpha Ciandra nodded, she walked slowly to the door, her heart starting to thump slowly, unconsciously wondering if he would stop her and act as he had in the morning. Luckily, he didn’t stop her. She closed the door behind her and headed to her bedroom.

Almost at the door, Beta Pierre stopped her, he had had a plate with yummy food, he pushed it to her hand and said, “find me tomorrow, we need to speak.”

Nodding, she refrained from throwing the plate on his head. For real, this man was going to be a problem and she hated to think she had to deal with him most of the time just because he was a damn beta. And why did everyone have something to talk to her about?

Arriving at her bedroom, a tired heave escaped her lips, she could hear some murmurs from inside her bedroom, if she was inside her pack, she would have turned on her heels and headed for a run, but here, there were lines she couldn’t cross and doing things without thinking wasn’t in the list. 

One thing was for sure, Alpha Ciandra was never going to get a glimpse of personal space and privacy anytime soon. 

Both Elder Karela and Elder Delora had their feets dangled in the air, they sat on the three-by-four bed as if it was theirs. "Can't this wait till morning?" She asked, leaving the door open, she didn’t try to hide the fact that she hoped they leave.  

The two werewolves shared a grimace look, "it can’t.” 

"What is it, Elder Karela?” Asked Alpha Ciandra as she placed the plate on top of the table in her bedroom.

"You can't go around ordering your elders, it is rude and punishable." Elder Delora said. 

Shifting her weight from one foot to another, she nodded. 

"I don't know if it is because I am a part witch and part wolf and that was why I crumpled under your command, but let me just say, I do not want you to ever do that again.”  Elder Karela had a fire in her eyes, she was so ready to fight the alpha if needed. 

Lazily she listened as they explained to her the hierarchy of the pack and how it worked. By the time they finished, Alpha Ciandra was ready to get under her cover and close her eyes for a few seconds.

“We have an understanding?” Elder Delora asked. 

“Yes, Elder Delora.” 

“Good.” Elder Karela sniffed the air and stood, she leaned into Alpha Ciandra making her take a step back. The elder hummed, stared at Elder Delora, and finished, “great to have it out. Have a pleasant night, Alpha Ciandra.” 

“Rest well.” Alpha Ciandra smiled at them, her face hard, she looked like someone in the toilet trying to poop after eating a bunch of guavas.

Rubbing her face, she ignored her stomach’s grumble, she hasn’t eaten since morning. 

She lowered herself to the ground, lamenting for never asking her pack warriors whether they ever met their mates while on duty. Alpha Ciandra was utterly lost, with lots of regrets and no one to lean on or someone to answer her questions. 

And unbeknownst to her, it was just the beginning...