1. The Intruders

AITHNE'S POV

The sky was a blanket of darkness when I set out for Alsernia, the forest of doom, as it's renowned.

I was accompanied by my mate _ Odin, as well as five of the pack's strongest warriors I had selected, as my father had allowed.

And as Majesty led us through the highs and lows of the pathway to Alsernia, I was reclined in her subconscious, reflecting on my passionate but brief lovemaking with Odin before we had left Mooncrest pack's territory.

Majesty purred in agreement of my reverie, as she tilted her head longingly towards the big wolf moving in similar pace beside us.

Odin's wolf was huge, grey and strong. His strides were confident and almost graceful.

Although he was bigger than the regular warrior wolves, my wolf _ Majesty, was still slightly bigger and stronger than him. My Alpha title explains the difference in our abilities better.

This fact was never a problem for us because it's no news how fiercely and passionately I love and respect him. I love him with every fiber of my being and with such powerful tenacity that never ceases to amaze many.

And Odin loves and adores me even more and he made sure I know. He's proven himself worthy of my love in many different ways.

In no distance time, we arrived at our destination and Majesty halted her pace and the five escort wolves halted as well, few steps behind us.

Alsernia was located between Mooncrest Pack and Fieryflames Pack. It was more like a boundary between both territories.

However, there was a different pathway most travellers, the omegas most likely _ with little or no strength to ward off unforeseen attacks from wandering rogues _pass through to avoid using the route of the renowned forest.

And though it was late in the night, it didn't affect our sights; as werewolves have the special ability of clear and sharp foresight.

We had arrived at a moderate clearing in the middle of the forest and Majesty sniffed the air and earth for the umpteenth time for any possible hint of Morwen's scent but she got nothing in return. It was as though he hadn't neared this vicinity at all.

She was about setting off into another direction in search of him when we were suddenly surrounded by a pack of snarling and vicious looking rogue wolves.

.....

My eyes narrowed through the eyes of my wolf as we stared challengingly at the obvious leader of the intruders.

His hazel-grey eyes looked vaguely familiar...

But perhaps, because he was in his wolf form, I couldn't recall where I had seen him and not even Majesty could recall.

As if reading my thoughts, the rogue wolf retreated backwards and within a few seconds, transformed into a very familiar but unwelcomed face.

Now in his human form, how could I not tell who he was?

The stupid bastard... How dare he show up in front of me?!

And suddenly, he smirked. A very wicked smirk I haven't seen in over three years.

Majesty's paws gravel the soft earth slowly, she was trying to keep still from instantly attacking him for my sake.

Dyson -The banished gamma.

"Well, well," he began, approaching us with such familiar menacing pace. "If it isn't our pretty little, Aithne." He paused, tilting his head to the side as if remembering something. "Or should I say, Majesty?"

Majesty let out a low warning growl the moment her name left his lips. He dared to say her name when no one else other than Odin, our mate, had that permission...

And as expected, his arrogance and menacing approach caused Odin's wolf to growl loudly in disapproving anger and irritation over the condescending manner this intruder dared to talk to us.

But this face wasn't unfamiliar to him either. And as such, he also tried to keep his cool. Instead, he took a few steps forward, ready to protectively defend us if needed.

And this made me proud of him yet again.

"Would you transform, sweet little Aithne..." Dyson's voice was laced with malicious mischief. "...so I could see your gorgeous face one last time before you're dead? Or would you rather __" He eyed Majesty condescendingly, "...communicate with me as 'Her Majesty, the all powerful heir of our wonderful Alpha?" He continued sarcastically.

At this point, Odin was raving mad and it took all the self control he could muster to stop his wolf from charging forward and throwing Dyson against a tree trunk. I could feel his rage through our mate bond. And I was equally fed up with Dyson's disrespect.

I felt a tug at the back of my mind and I recognized it instantly. Odin was trying to get to Majesty through our mate bond.

'It's alright, my love. I got this,' I said telepathically to him via our mind link.

'Are you sure?' He returned, and Majesty tilted her head in his direction. Her blue eyes locked with his, silently communicating with him and he understood. Words were no longer necessary because we understood each other that deeply.

Majesty returned her gaze to Dyson. His lips were now curved up in a lazy smirk as his eyes scrutinize us, making Majesty extremely irritated.

*It's okay, Majesty. Now let me handle him.*

I said and she understood, her silence indicating she was ready to retreat inside and let me out. Well, temporally, because it's obvious Dyson didn't ambush us for just a chitchat.

And if necessary that we must indulge in exchange of blows, Majesty was the one best capable in handling a vicious rogue werewolf as himself.

.....

"Awwn, our darling Aithne is still as gorgeous as ever, isn't that right?" Dyson said, the moment I had transitioned to my human form, as his hazel-grey eyes roam my body lustfully. He was definitely undressing me with his eyes...

Hmmph...The fool! How thankful I am I wasn't naked, otherwise, I would have been food for his lustful eyes.

"The nerve of you Dyson," I began, my finger lazily coiling a strand of my long black curls. "I must say I admire that stupid wit you think you carry around you. It's clear you've not yet learned your lesson properly." I let my gaze level at a very notable and ugly scar on his cheek__an obvious mark of Majesty's victory over him during a duel few years back. "I say, the scar I see on your right cheek should have thought you some manners at least."

"Don't you dare, Seraphina!" He thundered and I scoffed.

"I see I hit a very sensitive spot, Dyson." I sighed dramatically. "You see, you're the least person I ever want to see again. You were banished by the Alpha because of your treasonous heart. Why, by the goddess, do you think you still stand a chance against me? You've certainly not learnt properly. And I assure you, if you don't get yourself and your pathetic pack of rogues off my sight this instant, you and them all would be the one facing your demise."

"Hahaha!" Dyson bursted into a fit of scornful laughter.

"My, my," I clicked my tongue pathetically at him. "Now you've also gone crazy."

"Oh dear, you're still as sharp-tongued as ever, Aithne Seraphina Luwen. How wonderful though, your sharp tongue must have also gotten you on the bad side of Varda."

Varda??

"How do you mean? Do you now dare to blaspheme against the chosen Luna of Mooncrest Pack as well?"

"Oh pleaseeee," Dyson scoffed. "You and I know that you've never considered her anything other than a pathetic attempt of a replacement for Ares, your darling late mother."

My hands dropped to my side loosely, my teeth gritting tightly at the hurt and truth of his words. But I won't let him win! Not when we have the company of the Pack's warriors, who shouldn't be hearing such conversations.

I crossed my arms beneath my chest and smirked at him, tilting my head slightly and narrowing my gaze at him.

"Y-you are spewing nonsense. And as I'm sure you don't know, I have a mission I must accomplish here in Alsernia. And you..." I gave my fiercest of glares at him, "...are in my way!"

"You mean you're looking for Morwen." He stated as a matter of fact, stunning me silly.

How did he know? Or does he still have spies in the Alpha's court? Or perhaps...

"And how did you know that?" I frowned. "Don't tell me you're holding him hostage."

"You wish," he smirked and I lost my patience.

"What ever is your deal, Dyson? Stop wasting my time! I'm certainly loosing my cool!"

"You should, my darling." He uttered, the playful teasing in his voice gone, now replaced by a strange note of seriousness and intentionality.

"What?!"

"Because none of you all are leaving here alive today." His words caused the pack warriors to simultaneously burst into a rage of snarling and howling, even Majesty stirred in my head. It was clear she's lost all her patience and couldn't continue keeping still letting him insult and belittle us.