Chapter 9 - Astraia

The wolfsbane cider, as it turned out, was significantly stronger than any of us had anticipated. Three bottles later, our pizza was long gone, and the emergency pack meeting texts had somehow become less threatening and more amusing. Even my wolf, usually on edge at any mention of Grant, was contentedly buzzed, purring at the lingering traces of Carson's scent that still clung to the territory paperwork. Freya had wrapped fairy lights around our necks like glowing scarves, declaring us "the most fashionable pack girls on campus."

The night was warm, the moon was bright, and everything felt wonderfully possible.

"We need snacks!" Odette announced, somehow making it sound like a royal decree. "To the minimart!"

"Od, it's almost midnight," I tried to reason, though the wolfsbane cider made everything feel wonderfully fuzzy.

"Exactly! Prime snacking hour!" Freya agreed, the fairy lights in her hair twinkling as she twirled. "Plus, we're all wearing green. We're basically invisible."

"That's... not how colours work," Lila laughed, steadying her cousin as I stumbled slightly.

The campus minimart was one of the few places still open, its fluorescent lights harsh after the soft moonlight. As we approached, a group of guys , mix of wolves and humans by their scents, were lounging outside.

"Well, well," one of them called out, "look what we have here. Some lost little wolves... and a human."

"Actually," Odette drew herself up to her full height, violet eyes flashing, "we're not lost. We're on a very important mission."

"For snacks!" Freya added helpfully, making Lila snort.

"We could help with that," another guy stepped forward, his wolf scent marking him as a lower-ranking pack member. "Pretty things like you shouldn't be out alone."

My wolf, despite the cider's influence, irritated by his tone. Beta training kicked in automatically as I shifted slightly, positioning myself between them and my friends.

"Pretty sure we can manage buying chips without an escort," I said, my words only slightly slurred. My wolf might be tipsy, but years of Beta training didn't just disappear.

"Come on," the first guy moved closer, his wolf energy pushing against us. "We could show you a better time than whatever boring plans you have."

Odette let out an very un-princess-like snort. "Boring? Please. We're literally on a super secret mission."

"To get snacks!" Freya stage-whispered again, making Lila giggle despite the tension.

"You heard the lady," I stepped forward, channelling every ounce of Beta authority I could muster while slightly swaying. "Super secret. Very classified. Now move."

The wolves in their group hesitated, clearly sensing something off about our little band,  probably the mix of royal blood and Beta energy, even if it was currently wrapped in wolfsbane cider and giggles.

"Aw, come on," one of the humans tried again, reaching for Freya. "Just—"

He never finished his sentence. A wave of pure Alpha power rolled through the area, making every wolf present snap to attention. My own wolf, despite the cider's influence, practically purred at the familiar scent of pine and storm.

"Is there a problem here?" Carson's deep voice cut through the night air like a blade.

The group of guys scattered like leaves in a storm, practically tripping over themselves to get away from the Alpha's presence.

"No problem at all!" Odette called after them cheerfully, then turned to her brother's best friend. "Car car! What a completely unexpected surprise to find you here. Totally random. We definitely weren't—"

"Od," Lila tried to shush her, but ended up giggling instead.

Carson's golden eyes swept over our group, taking in the matching green outfits, the fairy lights, and our obviously tipsy state. His gaze lingered on me a moment longer, something unreadable flickering in those molten depths.

"Wolfsbane cider?" he asked, though it wasn't really a question. His nostrils flared slightly, and I could have sworn the corner of his mouth twitched.

"It was for planning purposes," I explained, trying to sound professional despite swaying slightly. "Very important planning. For things."

"Strategic things!" Freya added helpfully.

"I see." Carson's voice carried a hint of amusement now. "And these strategic things required all of you to wear green and that fairy light because...?"

"Camouflage like a Christmas tree!" Odette declared proudly. "Also, it matches Astraia's eyes. Not that you've noticed. Even though you totally have."

"Odette!" I hissed, feeling my cheeks heat. The wolfsbane cider was making it very hard to maintain my usual composure, especially with Carson's pine and storm scent wrapping around us.

"I should get them home," Lila said, trying to sound responsible despite her own slight sway. "We have that... thing tomorrow."

"The thing!" Odette's violet eyes widened dramatically. "With the Alphas and the territory and the—" she made a vague gesture that nearly knocked off Freya's fairy lights.

"Speaking of tomorrow," Carson's voice dropped lower, his Alpha presence intensifying slightly. "Miss Briarthorn, our meeting. Six o'clock."

Even through the haze of wolfsbane cider, I caught the edge in his tone when he mentioned the meeting. My wolf stirred, picking up on something in his scent – concern? Protectiveness?

"Yes, about that," I started, attempting to straighten up and look professional, which was challenging with Odette now trying to readjust Freya's fairy lights while humming what sounded suspiciously like a mating ceremony song. "The timing—"

"Is non-negotiable," he cut in, his golden eyes intense despite the late hour. "Especially now that..." he paused, glancing at my clearly intoxicated friends.

"Now that Grant's coming?" I finished, the name cutting through some of my tipsy haze. "Even though he doesn't even go here?"

Something dangerous flashed in Carson's eyes at Grant's name. The air around us thickened with Alpha power, making my wolf stand at attention despite the cider's influence.

"That's precisely why—" he stopped abruptly, nostrils flaring. Another wolf scent approached – one that made my stomach turn.

"Well, well," a familiar voice called from the shadows. "Isn't this cozy?"

✧ ✦ ✧

Author's Note:

Hi Moonlings! 🌙✨

So... wolfsbane cider + matching green outfits + fairy lights = trouble? 😏 Who knew a simple snack run could get so interesting!

And that ENDING! 👀 Anyone else's wolf on edge? I mean, we were just having a nice tipsy moment with our broody Alpha and then...

Some questions to ponder:

~ Who's that familiar voice? (Though I think we all know... 😒)

~ Why is Carson so insistent about tomorrow's meeting time?

Fun fact: Wolfsbane cider really does make wolves more 'relaxed', but multiple bottles can lead to a dream-like high 🤭

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Moon's blessings,

Odessa 🌙✨