2. A Bloody Beginning

Once again a hush fell over the crowd.  Jove sat down in front of his family as Geb stood at the front of the stage.

“This is a proud day for the Harvest Moon Pack.  Today, your prince and future Alpha returns home!”

The gathered crowd erupted into cheers as Andraste rolled her eyes.  Having caught the look she received a swift but subtle kick from her mother.  Once the crowd settled down Geb continued, “We are also blessed with the honor of hosting his Majesty, King Apollo of the Iceni Pack.  Any moment they shall arrive and I need not remind you that we represent one of the finest packs in all the land.  Make me proud!”

The crowd responded in unison “To the Harvest Moon.”  Then all bared their necks in a show of submissiveness and loyalty.  This was not because Geb gave an Alpha command but pure loyalty from his pack.  Very rarely was his Alpha command ever felt but that was just the type of leader he was.  His pack followed him out of respect, not fear.

As Geb retreated towards his seat, a howl could be heard in the distance.  A human would not have heard it as it was still so far away but this gave ample notice to those gathered that the party was nearing.  A buzz of excitement sent shivers down Andraste’s spine.  There was something that felt unique about this moment.  It puzzled her because she could truly care less about her brother’s return home.  But her ability to sense something coming had never been wrong before and she wasn’t going to start doubting it now.  As the moments ticked by her anticipation only heightened.  Each step the incoming party took towards her it was as though her heart could feel the same beat.  And soon enough before anyone else could see, Andraste saw the flags bearing the King’s crest.  Moments later others in the crowd began to see the approaching caravan of wagons, horses, and werewolves.

A hushed murmur passed through the crowd.  It didn’t take long for those on the platform to understand the whispers.  The overpowering smell of blood wafted to them, its distinct copper bite was heavy in the air that carried in with the King’s entourage.  Panic began to spread through the square, but Geb stood and silenced them with just the raising of his hand.  Andraste could see the fear etched on his face though and smell her mother’s panic.  This is not what she had been expecting with the anticipation she felt and for once she cursed Selene for not giving her more than just a feeling.  If she had known at all what was coming, couldn’t she have steeled her pack for this?

Andraste looked over to her best friend while trying to stay calm.  Ceres on the other hand was already a frantic mess.  Her eyes kept darting back and forth searching for Seth.  As the carriages and horses got closer the pungent smell of blood was laced with the unmistakable scent of wolfsbane.  The joy that had permeated the air was quickly replaced with fear.  Who or what could have possibly attacked King Apollo and his pack members?  There was certainly no pack in the area that wasn’t a part of the alliance and the humans wouldn’t dare.  But the wolfsbane.  It confused everyone.  Toxic to wolves but useless to humans how was it that the injured were carrying that scent?

As panic began to creep in, Geb cleared his throat.  At once everyone looked towards him and those on the platform.

“Gaia.”  Softly and quickly she appeared at his side with Leto right behind her.

“Yes my Alpha?”

“Start organizing the people into medical stations and supply runs.”

“Yes Alpha.”

“Jove.”

“Yes Alpha?”

“Gather our warriors and create a perimeter that cannot be breached.  Then with the remaining warriors organize a scouting party.  I want to know who attacked our leader and why before the sun sets.”

“Yes Alpha.”

“Andraste, Ceres.”

“Yes Father?”

“Gather the young and take them into the Great Hall.  Ceres, I want you to remain there along with any of the other she-wolves that don’t have their wolves yet to keep an eye on the children.  Andraste, once the young are gathered I want you to see to the worst of the injured.  Your ability to calm may be in much need right now.”

“Yes Father.”  Andraste knew he spoke of her aura.  Ever since she was a little girl the rest of the pack seemed to find a sense of ease, calm, and peace when she was around.  Andraste attributed it to the same thing that gave her a sense of the future.  Even if they weren’t able to heal the injured, maybe her presence will at least bring them some comfort.

The pack sprang into action as the King’s group continued to get closer.  By the time they arrived within the town borders Gaia and Leto had the square looking more like the infirmary than the celebration it was originally meant to be. Jove was busily checking last minute measures for the perimeter and reporting back to Geb who remained on stage to oversee his pack’s coordination.  Andraste and Ceres had gotten all the pups rounded up so Andraste was making her way back to her mother.  A wave of knowing swept over Andraste and she faltered in her step.  Before she could regain her composure her father was at her side.

“What is it Andraste?”

“I’m not sure, but it is unlike any sense I’ve had before.  It feels dark and incredibly sad Father.”

Geb wiped away a tear Andraste hadn’t even realized had fallen.  Looking at his beautiful daughter it tore him apart that she should have to feel such things.  Most in the pack claimed her to be blessed, but Geb knew it was a curse and one he would have moved mountains to ease her burden.  However, it was the will of Selene, and who was he to question the goddess.

“We are ready daughter, fear not, we are strong.”

“Yes, Father.”

At just that moment a man taller than even Geb had reached them.  Geb immediately bowed and so following her father’s lead Andraste did the same.  But there was something that piqued her interest in his scent, something almost familiar.  

“Geb, my dear friend, rise.”

“Your Majesty, I am ever so relieved to see you unscathed.”

“I only wish I could say that of more of my companions.  As always, your ability to understand and adapt to a situation astounds me.”  Apollo’s eyes scanned the square and the organization of his wounded that was already taking place.

“Your Majesty, dare I ask, what happened?”  Apollo’s gaze flickered over towards Andraste and she could tell at that moment that the King had mindlinked with her father.  Apparently, they were words not meant for her ears.  Though the two were from different packs, Selene in her infinite wisdom had taught the Alliance how to have their own link among the Alphas to create that brotherhood.  It’s only flaw was distance.  The Alphas had to be within a certain distance or the link didn’t work.  Thus, there had never been a stress signal.

“Ah, yes, my apologies to your Majesty.  Let me introduce my daughter, Andraste.”

“She is as beautiful as reputed.”

Though her eyes were still cast downward in her curtsy Geb could see the flush of pink her cheeks now held.  And it didn’t go unnoticed by Apollo the look of pride on Geb’s face.  What Apollo found even more interesting was the sense of calm he now had, something that hadn’t been present since the attack.  Having been in Geb’s presence more times than he could count, Apollo attributed that to the daughter.  It intrigued him enough that he decided he’d have to ask Geb about it later.

“Your Majesty, I know you have many that are yours to care for, but what of my son, Seth?”

No sooner had the words left Geb’s mouth than Gaia could be heard shouting.

“Here, bring him here.  No one else is to touch him!  Andraste!  Andraste!”

Andraste quickly followed the sound of her mother’s voice to the entrance of the square that the parade had been flowing through.  Geb was quick behind her and she could feel the fear coming off of him nearly choking her with dread.  As soon as she got to the spot her mother stood, Andraste’s heart dropped to the bottom of her stomach.  There lie her brother covered in blood and reeking of wolfsbane.  His wounds that would normally be nearly healed by now were still gaping and bleeding profusely.  Instead of writhing in pain, Seth lay there unconscious, something very rare for a werewolf.  Kneeling beside the litter he was brought in on was a she-wolf covered in blood as well.  Andraste quickly realized that it was not her own but Seth’s.  The she-wolf was barely breathing between the sobs racking her body.

Andraste looked up at her father.  Geb, just as before, shook his head indicating that he wasn’t prepared to discuss who this she-wolf was.  So instead, Andraste knelt beside her brother and laid her hand upon his forehead.  She then laid her other hand on that of the unknown she-wolf.  Immediately, the she-wolf’s sobs became softer and her breathing more even.  Seth’s breathing also became more regular.  The she-wolf looked up in surprise, meeting Andraste’s eyes.

“You must be Andraste.  Seth has told me so much about you.”

Andraste could do nothing more than smile weakly as she still had no idea who this was to her brother.  But as the fear and angst was replaced with calm, Andraste began to feel the strongest connection of all.  Of course, this was Seth’s mate.  Andraste’s heart broke for Ceres right then and there.  As much as Ceres was her best friend Andraste prayed that she wasn’t around when Ceres found out.  She could only hope that the next full moon brought Ceres’s mate to her and make her suffering very short lived.

As though he was reading her mind, Geb put a hand on Andraste’s shoulder.  Andraste looked up to her father, unable to read his face.  She didn’t have time to sort through the emotions running around in her mind.  It was time to focus on her brother.  Their pack needed him and she was going to do everything she could to help ease his suffering.  Gaia had fallen to pieces seeing the state of her elder child and Geb seemed to be frozen in time.  Andraste knew what had to be done and without hesitation stepped in where her parents couldn’t.

“Leto, take Seth up to the platform, all other tables are full but we need him off the ground.  Freya,” she called out to one of the healers, “go see to my brother, we must get the bleeding stopped.  Jove, it is up to you to see to the warriors till my brother has recovered.”

And that is how he found her.  There she stood in a sea of bloodied wolves, her pale skin almost too bright against the crimson.  Fearlessly barking orders to those who stood around her while her Alpha and Luna consoled one another.  His heart stopped.  He didn’t need a full moon to tell him that he would never love another.  He had found his mate.  He was so lost in his thoughts he didn’t even notice that another had joined him.

“Beautiful isn’t she?”

Adonis turned to see his father Apollo standing next to him.  Like his father, Adonis stood well over 6’6” and was broad in the shoulder.  Both father and son had sculpted features that made any she-wolf melt, with strong cheekbones and deep set eyes that were the color of a stormy sky.  Adonis however had a wicked gleam true to his nature that had made many a she-wolf lift her skirt for him.  Apollo was aware of this and feared what thoughts his son might have in regards to the princess of his closest ally.

“Son, she is not one of your Omega’s you like to toy with.”

“I don’t toy, I enjoy.  There’s a difference.  Besides, at the moment I’m just enjoying the view.”

“I mean it Adonis.  She is the daughter of Geb, sister of Seth.  She is not to be ‘enjoyed’ as you so delicately put it.  Do whatever you like with any of the Omegas here, but she is off limits.”

Adonis could feel the Alpha aura start to roll off of his father.  It was always present but didn’t usually weigh on him being the future Alpha himself.  Currently however the pressure of it was becoming just a tad uncomfortable for his liking.

“Father, you have my word.  Andraste will not be a part of that lifestyle.”  Adonis wasn’t ready to let his father know what Adonis felt he knew about Andraste.  She deserved the right to know first and if he recalled correctly Seth had told him that she wasn’t going to be 18 for some time yet.  That’s fine.  He could be patient.  Maybe have a little fun while he was at it.  He figured what’s the point in being the prince to the King of Alphas if you couldn’t have fun from time to time.

Suddenly, Andraste turned and looked at him dead on.  He felt a jolt of electricity through his body.  Her eyes seemed to look right through him.  He knew she must have felt something too as her whole body stilled for just a moment.  Then what felt like an eternity, she gave him a brief smile, just enough to make her blue eyes almost shimmer.  But as soon as it had all happened it was over and she was back to coaching the pack in what needed to be done.

Andraste could have sworn her face was on fire after catching the way she was being watched.  Her curiosity finally won out and she had turned around to see who it was. He stood feet apart in a stance that conveyed all the arrogance of knowing how good looking he was.  Yet she couldn’t stop the warmth that spread up from her core.  She felt the pulse of her core become stronger and stronger the more they just stared at each other.  If she didn’t do something fast the whole square would smell her arousal.  She had to get a grip, this was so unlike her.  So Andraste did the only thing she could think of.  She gave him one of her half smiles that she so often used with her mother hoping he would just take it as an acknowledgment and nothing more.  She then returned her focus to the tasks at hand.  There were still so many that needed to be attended to.

As an afterthought, Andraste wondered if she should get the handsome stranger to pitch in rather than stand there and stare.  She turned around to do just that but he had disappeared.  Andraste chose not to think about it too much but it didn’t stop that ball of lust that settled in between her legs.  Flushing again at just the thought she decided it was time for her to find something she could do with her hands as well.