Arabella
The Calypso Pack House is the most magnificent building I’ve ever seen.
It’s at least three times the size of the Nova Pack House, and if it wasn’t for the imposing fortifications surrounding the marble behemoth, it might be mistaken for a luxury resort. The mansion is built on a hill in the center of the capital city, Tartarus.
Clearly the architect designed it so the Alpha can look down on all his subjects, never freeing them of his watchful gaze and never letting them forget their place beneath him.
Glorious. I think wistfully, finally, a true Alpha.
The entire city makes Elysium look like a third world slum. While the Novas seem content to remain living in the past – preserving ancient buildings, outdated traditions and muddy forests – Tartarus was built with only strength in mind.
The city’s towering border walls keep out any undesirables, and the few that slip through the cracks are dealt with in short order. The poorest members of the pack are kept well out of sight and out of mind; living beneath the streets in the sprawling underground chambers which made up the civilizations of old – before the modern city was built overtop them, of course.
It really is much better this way. The aboveground is preserved for the shifters who’ve earned their place, who actually contribute something to society. After all, the aristocracy’s taxes pay for almost everything. Why should they have to share the bounty of their wealth with those who won’t even make an effort to better themselves.
So many of my problems would have been solved if Elysium was organized this way. Keeping the classes separate just makes everything so much cleaner and more tasteful. I swear, as soon as I get control of the Nova pack, I’m going to recreate Elysium in the Calypsos’ image.
I’d like to think I have a chance of winning over Blaise, convincing him to take me as his mate, but I’m not only doing this for power. Sure, I’ll take it if I can get it, but I want revenge more. That means I can’t commit to anything until I’m sure every bridge with Bastien has been burned. Worst case, I have to simply take Bastien’s pack from him by force – but we aren’t there yet.
I’m just glad my audience with Blaise Denizen has finally arrived. It’s taken me two weeks to secure this meeting, and I’ve been trying to be patient, but it’s not easy when all my plans are at stake. Bastien’s cousin Frederic turned out to be such a disappointment, I’m ready to meet a real man, a worthy partner.
I’m wearing my best dress, at least the best one I threw into my suitcase when I fled Elysium. It’s red and slinky, showing off all my best assets. This Alpha isn’t going to know what hit him.
My eyes immediately lock on Blaise when I enter his audience chambers. He’s seated in an ornate chair on a raised dais, dressed in all black and looking so powerful my knees go weak. He’s a bit older than I’d like. His dark hair is streaked with grey and slight wrinkles gather at the corner of his eyes, but he’s in excellent shape and Goddess knows he’s younger than that gargoyle, Grigore.
I strut down the aisle, swinging my hips and shooting the dominant wolf my best “come hither” look. I can see his dark eyes glinting from across the room, and I know he likes what he sees. Then again, who wouldn’t?
When I’m finally standing in front of him, I lower my gaze and curtsy, waiting for him to address me before speaking. I can feel his eyes raking over my body, lingering on my full breasts and the smooth swell of my hips.
“Tell me your name, my beauty.” He orders, not giving me permission to stand.
“Arabella Winters, Alpha.” I murmur, “I am of the Nova pack and have traveled very far to reach you today.”
“I didn’t ask you for your life story.” He snaps, sending a shiver of fear through me, “But since you offered it, what brings you to my doorstep.”
Nervously licking my lips, I say, “I have a proposition for you. An opportunity to spread your power to new territories.”
I can see Blaise standing out of the corner of my eye, but I’m too anxious to risk looking up at him. “Do you believe I am not already powerful enough?” He hisses. “You think if I did not want more power, I could not take it?”
“No Alpha!” I exclaim, my heart racing. “That isn’t what I meant. I’m simply looking for an ally. Your biggest competitor on the continuent is the Nova pack, and they grow stronger every day, but I know how to beat them.”
The Alpha is right in front of me now, his muscular body so close I can feel his heat. I can’t bring myself to look him in the eye, but he solves that problem for me, latching his fist in my hair and yanking my head back. “And how do you know that?” Blaise demands, his eyes black as coal.
“Because, I was raised by Gabriel Durand.” I explain huskily, “And I helped kill him.”
Blaise’s eyes widen imperceptibly, and I feel a small rush of confidence, “I know Bastien better than anyone else. I know what motivates him. I know his weaknesses.” His hands aren’t nearly so harsh now, and I raise my head, meeting his gaze head on. “If you want Elysium, you need only ask.”
________________________
Frederic
My mother has always been a cold woman. Even when Dad was alive, she was never the doting matriarch so many families boast. No, she was cunning and calculated, the perfect match for my ambitious father.
When I was a boy I used to feel cheated. I saw the other pups getting hugged and kissed by their parents, and I would while away the hours imagining what such a life could be like. However I quickly learned the error of my ways. My mother explained to me that love never got anyone anywhere in life, and there was no place for it in our family’s mission.
My father should have been the Nova Alpha, but he was born second, and trying to claim his rightful place got him killed. Still, I can’t deny how love has interfered in our plans. Mom says I’m weak, and maybe I am, but I can’t help it. I don’t want to hurt Selene. I can’t stand seeing her with that mongrel, Bastien.
I did everything I could to keep my mother at a distance, but after Selene and Lila returned to Elysium, she refused to stay away. Now I’m stuck with her hovering over me, criticizing my every plan.
“You’ve failed.” She says, setting the dining room table. “How are you possibly going to challenge Bastien now?”
“We can still separate them.” I insist, prodding the sauce I’ve been doctoring on the stovetop. “Selene is vulnerable, easy to manipulate.”
“And this is the woman you’ve thrown everything away for?” Mom gripes, throwing down the napkins she’s supposed to be folding. .
“That isn’t fair.” I argue, “She was abused, mistreated. Her vulnerabilities are perfectly natural.”
My mother snorts derisively as she returns to the kitchen. “Only weak women let hardship get the better of them.” She pulls the wooden spoon from my hand, raising it to her lips and grimacing, “Too salty.” Reaching into the cabinets for some citrus, she continues, “I don’t care what happened to her. She’s a fragile, silly little whore who doesn’t have enough brains to recognize a true Alpha when he’s standing right in front of her.”
“Don’t talk about her that way.” I growl, ripping the spoon back out of her hands.
“Well, well.” Mom raises her brows, “it seems caring for her has grown you a backbone – if nothing else.”
“I have news for you mother.” I grouse, “I intend to take Selene as my mate once Bastien’s out of the way. You’d do well to get used to the idea of having her as a daughter-in-law.”
My mother’s lip curls up, and I brace myself for her ire. “You cannot take a mate who has already borne a pup to another Alpha. You need someone pure– fresh.” She insists, “Unless of course you’re willing to get rid of her pup along with Bastien.”
“Why would I?” I demand, “Her pup is a girl, she’ll never rule.”
“And since they’ve been back together?” Mom presses, “Are you sure she isn’t already breeding again.”
“Well if she is, I’ll be the first to know.” I grumble. “Besides, it’s only been a few weeks.”
“You’re smarter than this, Frederic.” My mother shakes her head, “don’t let one foolish she-wolf undo all your hard work.”
“It isn’t that simple.” I counter, “I can’t change how I feel.”
“Well you’d better.” Mom orders, “or so help me I will finish the job for you – and I won’t spare the little halfling.”
“Enough!” I thunder, “I’m done listening to your insults and following your orders.” I exclaim, relishing the way my mother cringes away from me. “This is my plan, my quest. Your time is past. You can fall in line, or you can get out!”
For a long moment, I’m sure my mother will contradict me. I’m sure she’ll fight back. Instead, she quells. “Whatever you say, son.”
