Dragon's Blood

BETA (N) A TITLE HELD BY SIX STRONGEST WARRIORS AFTER ALPHA

Atlas and I stood side by side as the horse-drawn carriage slowly approached. Behind us stood all of Luna Alba.

“At least they had the decency not to bring their metal monstrosities onto our land,” Atlas scoffed, his arms were crossed in front of him his huge muscles bulging in the frosty air. He didn’t seem to notice the light amount of snow that had started to fall or even care. “No letter or nothing, they just show up at our border and expect to be let in.”

As a member of the alpha family, it was my duty to greet guests alongside Atlas. Just add that to the list of reasons everyone thinks we’ll end up being mates. Rolling my eyes at his statement I had half a mind to tell him to take a timeout when someone spoke.

“We’ll have to warn them about locking up those horses. The wolves haven’t been able to satiate their hunger as of late.” Fionn came up on my other side he flashed me a quick smile before turning to study the black stallions. “What with the winter being so heavy they’ve been hunting more jackrabbits than anything else.” He paused and glanced at Atlas. “Unless we want to trap them here.”

“They’re Lycans,” Atlas rolled his words a hint of annoyance in his voice. “Trust me the carriage is just for show. My only question is where have you been?”

“Yeah, Atlas almost killed their messenger like a few minutes ago.” I craned my neck to look up at him. “You should’ve seen it. His names Bolin, by the way, a nasty little guy.”

Fionn had grown up with us and become a beta after Atlas appointed him. At nineteen he was two years older than us and he’d earned the title of the first beta through his hard work and dedication to the pack. As first beta, he’s in charge of making sure all of Atlas’ orders reach the other five beta’s and that then the entire pack hears about it. If Atlas is the lawmaker, then Fionn is the enforcer.

“I was…” A rosy color took over his cheeks and I was almost taken aback. At first glance Fionn is intimidating, the scar taking up half his face proves his prowess and his broad chest and heavy muscles don’t help change his impression. Even now it’s still so easy to forget that he’s usually pretty easy to embarrass. “I’m here now, and I solemnly swear that I’ll keep this one from starting a war.”

I laughed but Atlas scoffed. That was also a part of the job description apparently.

The carriage finally came to stop a few feet in front of us. My spine straightened and Fionn and Atlas looked stoically ahead as Bolin jumped off the back of the carriage and bowed in front of us.

“Alpha Atlas,” This time he said it with a refreshing hint of fear in his voice as he stood back up.

The corner of Atlas’ lip twitched but he quickly scowled.

“Bolin allow me to introduce my first beta, Fionn,” Atlas motioned to the burly man, Fionn nodded sharply. Bolin seemed to shrink lower. “And Aether, a member of my family.”

Bolin's eyes shifted to me and they flashed with recognition. “The woman from the mess hall? I’m in your debt.”

“I didn’t do it for you. If my Alpha were to kill you Lucia would undoubtedly want a war, and honestly, I’m quite liking these peaceful times.” I immediately explained. “Rest assured that I will not be getting in his path a second time.”

After the whole mess in the dining hall, Atlas had—after much probing—told me what Bolin had done to set him off. Apparently, the Lucian messenger called Luna Alba a pack of ‘strange beasts’. His connotation was enough for Atlas to want to imminently plot his death.

“Well yes,” Bolin’s face was an angry tomatoey color and he stepped back. Reaching for the carriage door he almost pulled it open before it was thrown open from the inside.

Out stepped the most intoxicating man I’d ever seen in my life! Eyes a dark rich red amber that swept through the courtyard almost tiredly before landing on me. He ran a hand through his silver hair causing a few strands to fall around his face loosely. He was dressed in a dark tailored suit his face a mask of impassiveness as he came out of the carriage and stood before us in all his glory. He stared down at me and I gawked up at him. My fingers were going numb and my mind was completely blank. What was happening?

“So, this is Luna Alba?” A woman stepped out of the carriage behind the man, her hair a dark gray and her eyes a soft blue she was dressed in a revealing dress. Wrapping her arms around the man’s bicep she looked out at us and smiled flashily.

“May I introduce Prince Orion and Princess Layla.” Bolin quickly recovered and bowed again.

“You are Alpha Atlas?” Orion’s voice was borderline brooding as he stared between Atlas and then me. For a second I thought his eyes flashed a darker red. “Thank you for allowing us entry.”

“Yes, I’ve granted you permission to remain on pack lands out of the kindness of my heart. I expect you’ll all be on your best behavior lest you seek to meet my wrath.” Atlas was evidently done with the niceties for today. This time what set him off was even more elusive than with Bolin. I looked between the two Lycan royalty quickly before taking a half step forward.

“My name is Aether, a member of the alpha family.” I cleared my throat fighting the urge to reach up and touch Orion. What was wrong with me? No matter how sinfully good looking and captivating he was and no matter how much I wanted him to touch me…

Color flooded my cheeks and Orion smirked, or I might’ve imagined it because he was quickly frowning again.

“We’ll offer you a tour of the pack land after you’ve been, um…situated.” I forced my gaze away from his. “You’ll be staying in our home.”

“Very well,” Layla tightened her grip of Orion. “Lead the way.”