YOU... PICK THEM UP

✵AERIS POV ✵

"You do not tell me what to do" I glared at him ignoring the noisy room that were now filled with the whispers of the elders.

I watched the cut I gave him on the cheek heal, his head which was still facing the side slowly turned and the blood from the wound trailed from his cheeks to his neck.

I stared him directly in the eye and I saw his deep golden eyes flicker red but then they calmed.

"This is outrageous, no one comes into the throne room without bowing to the alpha nor does anyone disobey the alphas order, no matter who, two offences in only one afternoon you've been here, whether you belong to Tharros or not, Alpha I suggest she undergoes a weighty punishment for her arrogant acts "An elder with long feather like white beards crawling around his jaw to to his neck stood to speak in his crooked voice and I just stared squarely at him as he sat back down.

" Yes"

"He's right"

"She deserves punishment"

"Yes she should be punished"

The elders commented in agreement and I scoffed.

I faced Declan and he raised his fisted hand shutting the elders up leading the room into the shallow holes of silence.

If a feather should drop, then I surely would hear the sound.

He just stared am me speculatively and frowned with a glare at him.

"I'll punish her" he whispered to my hearing only and I looked him up to down.

"Fool" I muttered crossing my arms back and I saw him frown.

He was joking if he said he would punish me, I dared him to.

I swear if he raised a finger on me, I'll break it.

" Go to Jasmine, Disperse from my sight" he ordered and I hissed loudly walking out.

I may be a little too sassy but Gawd, I hated the damn alpha to my core.. I hated him like I hated lice.

I walked towards Jasmine to see her staring at me open-mouthed.

"What, never seen someone disobey your alpha before" I scoffed gliding past her.

"Aeris, are you nuts, do you know what you did out there, do you know what it means to disobey the alpha,,, ahhhh, you're so crazy, you literally entered into death, but somehow magically walked out of it.. Cause the Alpha never spares people like you, ohhh noooo , he ends them, he kills and destroy them.. And you're lucky Melantha wasn't there, else you'd have been sentenced to treason or even worse suffer for a crime you didn't commit.

All Melantha works of course, it's surprising the alpha let you off the hook so easily.. Hmph "Jasmine said all in one breath and finally breath and I stared amusedly at her.

Was the alpha that intimidating to them, did he scare them that much.

I scoffed and continued walking.

We got to my room door and she pushed it open and I entered.

The food from earlier was still there and staring at the dishes now made my mouth water. I was suddenly craving for the meal.

I walked towards the table and sat down I picked the cutlery to start eating but.

"No it must be cold, ohhh you can't eat it cold, wait I'll get you another or warm it up if you desperately want this one." Jasmine tried to take the food but I quickly stopped her, holding her arms.

"I don't care if the food is cold Jasmine, all I want is to eat" I smiled and left her left arm quickly stuffing the food in my mouth.

I smiled at her and she sighed.

"You're trouble Aeris" She shook her head standing there as I ate.

I suddenly remembered what happened at the throne room.

I had almost put her in trouble.

"Um Jasmine" I swallowed the food as she payed all attention to me.

"I'm sorry for almost making you get punished because of my stubbornness" I said sincerely and she gave that friendly and warm smile.

"It's fine, don't apologize" she said and and I blinked.

"Oh, you should have said it quicker I already did" I said sitting and continued with my meal.

She giggled and I raised my head to her.

"What is it" I asked with a raised brow.

"Your attitude, I find it cute" She said and I blinked.

The words registered in my head and I bit my lower lip facing my food.

Cute.

Cute.

That reminded me of a memory, the day of their demise.

" Won't you eat, eating without you makes the family incomplete" My dad had said that faithful day.

I was feigning anger to get him to be with me for a little while.

I wanted him to make me come eat with them and he was already doing a good job.

"C'mon honey, let's go eat, the food must be tired of staying in the plate" He pressured.

"no" I refused and he laughed.

"Aren't you cute"

And that alone made me come with him.

If I knew he'd be leaving that day, then I would have spent more time with him.

I would have even gone to the dining to spend more time with mom.

I would have, I would have..

"Aeris you're crying" Jasmine rushed towards me with a very worried expression.

I sniffed raising my head to gaze at her.

"They left me so quickly,

Why did they have to" I sobbed, feeling that painful feeling that comes to sleep in my mind whenever I thought of them return.

Guilt.

I felt guilty for their death.

I felt guilty for not being able to save them.

"Its okay, I'm sure they're resting in the special place prepared by Goddess Luna Athena and I'm sure they won't be happy seeing you this way " She said patting my back and I felt more tears glide down my eyes.

I forgot every self restraint as I wrapped my arms around her waist obviously catching her off guard.

"I miss them." I sniffed.

"I missed them so much Jasmine" I sobbed again, fresh tears transporting out of my eyes and down my cheeks.

"Im sure they missed you too" She said and I sniffed again.

✵MELANTHA'S POV ✵

I stared out of my room window into the sunny noon.

I gazed at the Wolves working at the large field in the kingdom.

I watched them harvest food and watched them places the food in the basket.

The soft whish of the wind blew my hair to my face.

"She really did that?" I asked my personal maid one more time to be sure.

"Yes Luna, she did " She replied and I turned around to face her.

I moved toward her gently.

"And what did the Alpha do about that" I asked again staring intently at her bowed head and I saw her gulped.

"N..nothing Luna" She replied and my eyes widened.

"He did nothing" I repeated and she nodded.

"Perhaps, because she is a sacrifice for Tharros, remember she needs to be treated with care" She replied and I scoffed.

"She disrespected the Alpha and punishment for disrespect was a hundred whips and hard labour's in the farm, why didn't he do anything and how dare her disrespect the Alpha" I fumed and slapped the vase on the table away and it came shattering to skewers on the floor.

"Calm down Luna" Shivani said rushing towards me.

"Oh no you're hurt" She gasped running to get the materials to treat it but I held her arm stopping her.

"No, don't, I'm off to the Alpha's quarters" I said and Shivani gasped.

" With the injury, no, he might kill me if he sees you're hurt" She shivered in fear and I glared at her.

"Who are you supposed to be afraid of right now" I asked and she gulped still shaking.

"You Luna, but then, the alpha is very intimidating, he really may.."

"Shut up," I slapped her mouth and she fell at the force.

I hissed and went out of my room feeling my blood trickle out of my injured spot.

I walked out of the castle heading to the backyard of it.

At the far end of the castle, inside a forest.

That was where he built his home.

Although he doesn't let anyone enter.

I was gonna wait for him outside.

I got to the door that led to the mighty house of Declan.

His house looked like a kingdom on its own

A kingdom that he ruled for now, a kingdom that we would both rule together.

I smiled at that thought and was about knocking when the door slid open.

I smiled as his handsome breathtaking frame sauntered out of the house.

His face was unsmiling, but his hotness even with that got me wet between my legs.

The sharp, cutting and seductive look of his eyes always takes my breath away.

And his calm but dangerous aura signed his breathtaking stature.

Hell, he was too hot to be compared to a Greekgod, the Greek God would bow down to him without being told.

"Alpha" I called mustering the most seductive voice I could offer.

I made sure to change my facial expression as well.

"I heard about what happens at the court.. Why didn't you punish her, huh" I pouted making sure to look my cutest.

He gazed damningly at me before walking.

I folded my fist and frowned, my wound must have healed.

I quickly bent down and brought out mountain ash from my dress, I slid my hand on a sharp stone and quickly poured mountain ash to prevent it from healing.

Oh yes, I was injured.

Perfect.

I picked up the knee part of my gown holding it with my injured palms.

I made sure to hold tight so my blood stains the dress.

I left it and ran to stand beside him.

He didn't turn, he just kept walking so I ran to stand in front of him.

"Alpha are you angry" I asked him and he stopped, his eyes glued to my stained gown.

I smirked but quickly went back to my cute face.

"What are you staring at" I asked him and took my eyes to my gown then back at him.

"How did it happen" He asked and I smiled.

"Oh, this, I hit the vase by accident and was trying to pick up the broken pieces but I got cut, it's fine anyways" I smiled but he walked up to me and held my arm.

"It didn't heal" He raised his eyes to me and I blinked.

Shit what do I say.

"Oh, you know I'm the custodian of mountain ash, I was holding at the time and it fell along with the vase. So after I got injured, I picked it up but it entered accidentally." I said and couldn't help but wonder how I became so perfect at lying.

He scoffed like he didn't believe it and began pulling me out.

And we headed out of the forest.

*CAELAN'S PLACE *

Caelan paced about the small building in total contempt and worry.

He kept folding and unfolding his fist at intervals.

He would scream, roughen his hair, and punch the wall.

Isla was there as well but she wasn't as restless as Caelan although she was worried.

"You should calm down Caelan" Isla advised and Caelan scoffed with a glare.

"Calm down, I should calm down, my Aer was taken away from me right in front of my eyes by the same bastard who murdered her parents and you ask me to calm down

I couldn't do anything again, I wasn't there for her again, I couldn't save her just the way I couldn't save her parents.

I feel useless Isla, what if she starts loving me less, what if she hates me for being too weak.

I watched her get into the wagon with a leash tied around my neck, and for that fuckin reason, I hate being a wolf "Caelan yelled, his eyes bright blue.

His nails elongated into claws and his breath came out heavily as he stared angrily at Isla.

" OK, am sorry for asking you to calm down, but what are you killing yourself for, Aeris offered herself, I tried talking her out of it but, she was adamant..

I didn't know what to do anymore" Isla said looking down.

"She did" Caelan asked as his features slowly returned.

"Yh she did, she wanted to take revenge on the Alpha" Isla revealed and Caelan kicked the wood angrily.

"Fuck, why would she do that" He groaned breathing heavily.

"I don't know what to do, She isn't safe there, am sure, the Alpha is dangerous what if he does something crazy to her, agghhh" Isla pulled her hair.

"I'm getting her out of there" Caelan said with determination and Isla raised her head to state at him.

"Hmph, since when did you start joking" She scoffed.

"Does this look like a joke " He glared and her eyes slowly widened.

" Caelan are you insane she's Tharros sacrifice now" Isla yelled standing up to face Caelan.

"And she's my fiance" He yelled back glaringly and Isla just breath.

He picked his leather bag that was on the table and faced Isla.

'' I'm getting her out "He said and left the room.

Isla stared at the door through which he passed through and she sat back down.

" He wants to go against the Alpha "She thought and scoffed.

" He's Insane "She said lying on the chair.

*EMBER WOLVES DISTRICTS *

" I got information that they're waging an attack, plans to carry it out soon but problem is I don't know when "Davis, the gamma, said to Fillion.

Fillion hummed and nodded.

" Those bastards, Ravenwood Pack sure has guts, "Fillion scoffed.

" We're always prepared, so no worries "Fillion said confidently as they treaded the hall.

Each pillars of the kingdom, strong and accurate.

The kingdom had spent centuries yet was still strong.

" Did you hear about what happened at the Throne room today, the new intake, Tharros's sacrifice slapped the Alpha, it was a once in a lifetime moment, everyone's talking about it, everyone now knows what happened" Davis said and Fillion stopped walking holding his sword by the waist.

"What did you say she did" Fillion asked and Davis stopped as well.

" She slapped the Alpha, You're his beta and you didn't know this, so unreliable" Davis scoffed and Fillion raised his hand like he was going to hit him and Davis cowered.

At that moment Aeris was walking towards their direction with Jasmine by her side.

"That's Fillion, the Alpha's beta" Jasmine pointed and Aeris raised a brow.

"Speak of the devil" Davis said and Fillion straightened up with a straight face.

" I recognize the one beside him, he is the guy who came with his men to abduct us" Aeris pointed at Davis.

"Oh, that's Davis, The Alpha's gamma, he carries out the activities left by the beta or ordered by the Alpha" She said and Aeris just glared as they finally reached them.

" My lady, I am Fillion Darren of House Darren, The Alpha's beta" Fillion gave a deep bow and Davis frowned but a side leg kick from Fillion made Davis bow as well.

"Davis Douglas from House Douglas" He mumbled and they both rose up at the same time.

"I'm Aeris" Aeris simply said and Fillion nodded.

"So I've heard, I heard about what happened at the thr.."

"So what you wanna chastise me" Aeris glared at him and he pressed his lip together slightly.

"No my lady, but the Alpha should always be respected, what you did at the.." Aeris already started walking away ignoring Fillion completely but..

"throne room was wrong and unacceptable, You deserve punishment but your luck is he hasn't ordered it" Fillion said staring at Aeris back as she walked and Aeris slumped her shoulders tiredly.

Fillion turned around and started walking away while Davis followed.

"Does he talk that much" She turned to face Jasmine who was passing her a look.

"What, don't tell me you're crushing on him" Aeris rolled her eyes and Jasmine's eyes widened.

"Of course, who wouldn't, no no, I mean you shouldn't be that disrespectful, He is the beta for a reason, you walked out on him, after the Alpha, he's next, so being disrespectful to him is tantamount to disobeying the Alpha" Jasmine cautioned a non-concerned Aeris as they walked on the hallway.

" I already disobeyed the Alpha, so it's non of my business" Aeris said and out of no where someone bumped into her and the objects of the person fell.

Aeris gasped moving back from the force and she raised her head to see who she bumped into.

It was Melantha and the witch was smirking cruelly.

Aeris winced feeling her legs hurt as one of the object cut her flesh.

Melantha had intentionally bumped into her and she had dropped a lot of kitchen equipment, part of the kitchen equipment was a knife and it cut Aeris's feet.

"Are you blind" Aeris screamed venomous like, crouching to tend to her hurting foot.

" Shut up bitch, not even started with you, how dare you humiliate the Alpha by disobedience at the throne room, who do you think you are to do that, you're Tharross's sacrifice and then what, the fact that you have to be treated specially doesn't give you the right to be insolent bitch, you.... "Melantha suddenly stopped like she saw someone and her expression changed to that of hurt.

" Come on Aeris, you're the one wrong here, you should pick up the utensils, I want to question the Alpha about something "Melantha suddenly said and Jasmine frowned while Aeris scoffed.

" You're a fool, you know that, what are you tryna.... "

" It's okay if you don't want to pick them up, I will do it myself "Melantha said with such a pitiful expression and she bent down like she wanted to pick it up but..

" Melantha stop "An authoritative thunderous voice that caused Jasmine to bow and Aeris to frown spoke.

Melantha gulped bowing meekly as she rose back.

The voice belonging to the feared Alpha whose hand was held behind his back came to stand in front of Aeris beside Melantha.

His stoic gaze glued to Aeris who passed him the same expression he gave.

"You.. Pick them up" He ordered in the tensed situation where both he and a girl's head was held high while two others bowed down.