Chapter 4 Council Grounds

Seeing all the wolves that have come to the meeting made Rex shiver as though there was something off about the number of wolves he didn't know, versus the ones he did know. Walking back to his cabin to get the box with the Blood Amulet in it. Makai looked up as Rex entered.

"Rexxy! I thought you would be out sniffing all the wolves, looking for your mate?" he joked with his Alpha.

"Makai, tread carefully, I may be your friend, but you know my situation. If I don't find my mate within the next few years, my Wolf's Spirit will fade and I will no longer exsist as a wolf." Rex looked down.

"Hey, Rexy, I didn't mean to offend, only tease. I know you have been distracted by finding your mate, all of us know your struggles. We are behind you whatever your situation." Makai said lightly, using his childhood nickname.

"Thank you, my friend. I just want to get meeting his highness," Rex said, rolling his eyes,

"Out of the way so I can focus on finding that scent." Rex grabbed the gold box and walked out the cabin door towards the Royal's cabins that looked more like mansions than Rex’s log cabin reserved for his pack.

"Well, time to mix with royalty," he sighed and lifted a hand to knock, but stopped because a movement in the woods just behind the tree line behind the mansion. He sniffed the air slightly, trying to pick up this intruders scent, but couldn't. There was a sweeter scent on the air, one that he hasn't come across in a millennia. His mate.

He found the house, now he needs to find the wolf this scent belongs to. Rex forgot all about the intruding scent and knocked on the door, his wolf already knowing there's someone special in there that he must get to.

After a few moments, a beautiful dark haired, curvy, shorter woman answerd the door. She had a long purple colored dress on around her neck there was a chain with a purple tear shaped stone on it. He recognized the stone as a Luna Chain. This was the new Royal's Luna. She had no wolf in her at all. This was strange, making a mental note to inform his Betas to investigate this Royal pack a little better.

"Can I help you?" The Luna asked quietly, big doe eyes searching him for any hint of his Wolf Spirit, finding it disappearing quickly, she looks up at him, eyes full of fear now where the doe eyed look was moments before.

"My name is Rex, Alpha of the Royal Sakura pack." He bowed and took a few steps back extending out his arm, palm up, to offer her the box with the Blood Amulet inside.

"This is for your Alpha, an Offering to welcome him into the Packs." Rex smiled.

"Oh, Thank you, Rex. Please forgive my reaction earlier. You are the only Alpha I don't know much about. Would you like to join my Alpha and I for a proper introduction?" The Luna asked.

"Why not? My beta can handle things till I return." He ran his fingers through his hair nervously and followed the Luna into the mansion.

There was a lot of purple in this house. Curtains, table cloths, and a grand fountain in the reception hall that was littered with amethyst and diamond stones glittering off the water adding dancing lights in with the candles lit around the room.

"Wow! This house is amazing...its much bigger than my Pack's log cabin across the Grounds. What is your Alpha's name?" Rex asked realizing he hadn't taken the time to learn his name or anything about him.

As if reading his mind, a tall, brunette, well built man walked down the stairs. Wearing a black pants, and an open chested white shirt, that buttoned just above his stomach, showing a broad, proud chest, and bare feet. Rex thought this Alpha was something...special, he just couldn't put his paw on it.

"Welcome, brother Alpha. My name is Tristan, this is my Luna, Anatashi. I am pleased to meet you..." Tristan smiled, obviously wanting the Alpha's name.

"I'm Rex, Alpha of the Sakura pack. This is for you." Handing over the gold box that he'd been fiddling with ever since the Alpha came in the room.

"A gift? For what? My birthday isn't until the last day of the Council gathering." Tristan smiled at Rex.

"It's tradition. When a new Royal Alpha is crowned, the other alphas are to bring a trinket as a sign of welcome, respect, and brotherhood. Rex had a hard time meeting Tristan’s gaze for too long. There is something about this wolf that is starting to feel familiar about this Alpha.

"Are you afraid to look at me, Alpha? You are of Royal blood too, aren't you?" Rex nodded,

"As I understand it, you are the Alpha cursed to live alone forever? That has to be a sad and lonely life? Why do you keep yourself and your pack so hidden?" Tristan asked Rex.

"I'd rather not dredge up the past. I am not proud of what I did, I went against Nature's balance and Vuk Majka cursed me to walk through eternity without my mate. I cannot die, only my Wolf Spirit feels the pain of loss.” Rex shuddered, thinking about the last thousand years he has spent alone..

“I will lose all my Wolf Spirit if I can't find my mate before it disappears. I'll be cursed to walk Gaia as a human. A small, frail, weak human." Rex didn't know why he was opening his heart, spilling out past trauma to this new Alpha, but Tristan was so quiet, attentive, and kind. He found it hard to believe he was an Alpha.

"There is nothing frail or weak about you, Alpha. Maybe this Council will be the one where you pack comes out of the shadows and live among the packs, the light is here for all of Vuk's Creations, even the Rouges." Tristan rationalized with the other.

"You are a wise wolf, Alpha. I should take my leave now, my pack will be wondering where I am. Be careful when wandering the Grounds, as there have been reports of Rouge activity and your beautiful Luna will be an attractive target for some glory seeking Rogue trying to make his bones with an easy kill.” Rex warned.

“They don't play fair, so you shouldn't either. We had Rogue scouts shadowing us the entire way here." Rex said seriously, bowing, and turning to leave when Tristan grabbed his hand.

"Thank you for your visit and advice, Alpha. I will take your words under advisement." He shaking Rex’s hand with a wide toothy grin on his face. Rex wrinkled his brow in confusion at the young Alpha, hiding a smile.

"Good evening, Tristan. If you need any assistance, please send word to my beta, Makai, and he will get me the message." Rex turned and left.

That was an interesting turn of events. Rex didn't think he was going to like the new Royal, but Tristan was so real, and had an easy way about him. He hopes his Luna is strong, because the Council is not known for being easy or understanding a softer Alpha, especially knowing Tristan’s father was a tough, old school wolf. He was a big part of the reason the Council had defeated the Rogues in the past conflict by beheading the Rogue Alpha of his generation.