The Alpha's Daughter

III

The brothers retreated to the study to unpack the newly acquired literature. Emilio opened the first box and paused, the condition of the scripts was immaculate. "Such high-quality ancient texts”, Emmett marvelled as he looked to Emilio, “how did you come to possess these?"

Emilio chuckled at his brother’s phrasing, crouched by a different box. “It was a gift from a very old vampire", he explained as he started to unpack himself.

Emmett carefully removed the books from their packaging. “You are truly one of a kind”, he finally looked to his younger brother, “it’s only been three years but you’ve made a tangible change for the sake of the shifters and made some very unlikely alignments.”

Emilio glanced at him but didn't bother to stop his sorting, “it was a collective effort”, he shrugged.

“You don’t do yourself justice”, Emmett hummed, “if, let’s say as an example Dusan was still in power, the partnership with the vampires would've never happened." Emilio’s hand slowed, he slowly rubbed the scar that covered his right hand. The movement caught Emmett’s attention, his eyes flickered to Emilio’s scar. "What did you remember?" Emmett questioned. At this Emilio snapped out of his stupor, looking at his brother quizzically. "Whenever you recall a memory you rub the scar."

Emilio’s brows raised, and they lowered again as a bashful smile tugged his lips. He opened his mouth but the door to the study opened at the same moment. "I'm back", Emma barged in with a smile.

Emmett was a little peeved since wanted to know what Emilio was about to say but reserved his question for a later date. The Luna was armed with a breakfast platter for their leader, and for the two that had already eaten, tea-time pastry remained. They helped themselves to the study’s mini-fridge. The boys abandoned sorting as Emma arranged the beverages in the leather sitting area. With the three siblings seated together, the meeting could commence.

“Pleased to announce our alliance with the Northern Crest Coven is official”, Emilio smiled. He took a bite of ham after.

“Of course the moon continues to shine on you”, Emmett hummed.

Emma nodded in agreement excitedly. She noticed Emilio's silence and tilted her head, “was there anything else?”

Emilio nodded. His explanation continued after he had swallowed. “A good ways east of them was some idle land but when I had gone down there it was a different case.” He had a sip of orange juice. “The people in that area are under alpha Antonov, mixed species too.”

Emma's nose scrunched up as she stared at her scone, “they were probably exiled.”

“My thoughts exactly”, Emilio nodded before he took another bite. “Although there is over-crowding they manage to live peaceably with one another. Of course they hate Antonov." Emma snorted at this and Emmett adjusted his glasses suppressing a smile. If the siblings said they had a positive opinion of Alpha Antonov, they would be lying.

“Another marginalized group”, Emmett hummed, “did you get a chance to speak with them?”

“A few”, Emilio confirmed, “some already knew about us and from what I heard it shouldn’t be hard to convert those people to our cause. They’re looking for justice and fairness. The exact thing we want to give rise to.”

Emmett turned to his twin, "can we depend on you again, Em?"

"It would be my pleasure", the icon of their movement saluted with a dazzling smile.

Even if a wolf didn't directly know of the Nye family, everyone has heard of the "Saint Alpha". An alpha female who was gentle, generous and kind-hearted in nature, even more so a female in a position of power. It seemed too good to be real, of course, many didn't believe it to exist, even coming to their pack to confirm it.

Yet, she is real.

Emma didn't consider herself a "Saint" however. She didn't like sitting still so she helped in other ways. Along with her personality, the fact that she had actual power within her pack made them favourable within the public eye. In their dominantly patriarchal society like theirs, having a woman in a position of power was a big middle finger up to the Alpha Trifecta and their rules.

Yet it was only the second biggest statement, the Trifecta despises them for making a Gamma their leader first.

Emmett relaxed in his armchair, "we are closer to the reform we desire than we were a year ago. If we continue steadily we may achieve our goal much sooner than we originally predicted." The brains of their operation were satisfied, another piece on the political chessboard he could use to bring the oppressive Trifecta to its knees.

Emilio nodded as he had another sip of orange juice," this is very good for us."

Their leader embodied the spirit of their movement, as its creator. In the years the pack was scattered he developed the ideas and an extensive network, which made the transition that much smoother.

Emmett glanced at the clock above Emilio's head. He looked back to their brother, "is there anything else?"

"Not for now", he hummed, "later we can decide how we will approach the settlement and how much resources we can allot to them."

"In that case", Emmett faced his twin, "Don't you have someplace to be?" His younger siblings looked at him blankly, he pointed to the clock.

"The store!" Emma jumped up. It was an hour to opening time for her store and she wasn't in town yet. She leaned over the table and kissed Emilio's cheek, then turned to Emmett and did the same. "There's a wolf in the dungeon if you want to interrogate him personally. I'll see you both later."

With that Emma hurried out of the study. “Have a good day!” Emilio called out as Emma disappeared from sight. He huffed with a smile then turned to his brother, “let's have look at that child."

“Certainly”, Emmett rose with a smile, “I think you’ll understand why Emma actually took that child in.”

Emilio furrowed his brows but followed his brother’s lead, on his way he spotted a familiar figure in the foyer. “Linus?” he called to him a tad concerned.

The man in question turned around. His hand reverently touched the corner of his mouth, yet, his eyes were clouded with a deep painful longing. All emotions cleared when he realized who his audience was.

Emilio offered him a sympathetic smile. “Hold on brother”, he encouraged him.

Linus nodded absentmindedly. He offered a quick bow and stepped out of the foyer, Emilio watched him worriedly.

“I worry for both of them”, Emmett hummed when Linus disappeared.

“Me too”, Emilio took a moment to collect himself, “alright let’s go.”

They entered the family wing of the compound. Emilio paused as Samara rounded the corner. The woman was in her forties but looked no older than thirty, only the scrutinizing eye would dwell on the faint lines around her eyes and smile. She was tall, her blonde, silver-streaked hair tied in a messy updo. Wayward curls fell into her deep-set, almond-shaped eyes. Their gold was not as deep as her children's but nonetheless captivating.

“Good morning mother”, he smiled when she was close enough.

Samara stopped and stared at the both of them for a moment before she smiled, “good morning Emmett and Emilio.”

Emmett released a breath, Emilio hadn’t noticed he was holding. “It’s wonderful to see you in high spirits mother”, the eldest smiled.

“Yes”, her eyes disappeared into her smile, “a beautiful new day. I’ll be going to the nursery now.” She lowered her head respectfully.

They also lowered their head. Samara passed them after. Something so ordinary felt so out of place to Emilio. Their mother had a routine, it was odd for her to be in the family wing at this hour. He continued to watch her until her figure.

“Why stall?” Emmett’s voice brought him back.

Maybe he was just overthinking it.

“Its nothing”, Emilio shook off the feeling.

Everyone has bursts of impulse, he has no reason to be concerned. Actually, this may be a good thing. When they had recovered their mother, Samara did not recognize them. She didn’t recognize anyone.

Amnesia.

In the three years the pack has been reunited, memories had slowly reemerged but this was the first he’d seen her act out of the routine she’d created for herself. This reminded him how unsettling change can be at times, especially when it’s least expected.

Soon they reached the previously unoccupied room. A magnetism overwhelmed him. Emilio looked to his older brother who wore a knowing smile. Emmett opened the door and the Gamma’s nose was assaulted by the story of fear, uncertainty and Emma’s patience. Slowly, Emilio stepped inside the room. The child's scent moved something in his heart, something that felt familiar. Her little chest rose and fell steadily, her long lashes cast a shadow on her hollowed cheeks.

For Emilio, she felt like a vision, like he needed to touch her to confirm her existence. He restrained himself, lest he woke her.

He finally exited the room. “She hasn’t woken up as yet”, Emmett reported as he closed the door, “Seth predicts that she’ll rouse between tonight and tomorrow morning.” Emilio hummed and Emmett’s lips pulled into a smile, "you feel the sensation that comes with her also?"

Emilio’s eyes snapped to his brother, “ah yes.” His eyes were drawn back to the door, "it's hard to ignore nostalgia that strong."

Emmett nodded his agreement. He also looked back to the door, "I think things are about to get interesting.” After a moment he resumed a neutral expression, “is the dungeon our next destination?”

Emilio’s brow hardened, “of course.” His second in command nodded and sent a message to Emma’s scouts. Emilio started towards the dungeon, Emmett kept his pace close behind. “Child assault is a penalty worth death on our lands. An enemy to children is an enemy to us, time to learn who our opposition is.”

The head Alpha and Beta entered the first level of the dungeon, their intruder proved no threat so it would only be a hassle to lock him further away. The scouts that were present that night were already in the stone-paved area. They all lowered their head, and Emilio nodded his acknowledgement. “What’s the report?” Emmett looked to Zane.

“Nothing out of him yet”, the Gamma nodded to the bloodied man chained to a chair in the first cell, “lips sealed real tight.”

“You”, Emilio growled. His glowing gold eyes were on full display. It didn’t take much to realise this teenager was in another league.

“Brother”, Emmett rested his hand on his shoulder. That pushed the young leader out of his murderous haze. The Eldest Alpha smiled brotherly, “you have just returned from a taxing trip. Please, allow me.”

Emilio closed his eyes and drew in a harsh breath. “Aright”, he finally nodded.

“Thank you”, Emmett rolled up his sleeves. Emilio sat on the table next to his cousin Zane while Emmett tucked his glasses into the chest pocket of his button-up and slicked back his golden blond waves.

The golden eyes became blood red and the clicking of chains filled the silence. The intruder started thrashing, “no! Stay away from me!”

“Young man”, Emmett brushed the scars that littered his forearm, “you will soon understand why I no longer fight.”