The Last Pack

12. A PACK NEEDS AN ALPHA

Iselda had led Fidella to the gladiator’s bathing pool as Ewan had instructed her to. Preparing a pleasure slave for the evening was a ritualistic process. Firstly, Fidella had been taken to the steam room where a scraper was used to remove the impurities of her skin, then the painful process of waxing began until not a single remnant of hair remained on her body. Fidella had teared up during this process, not because of the pain, but because it was so personal and she had never appreciated the autonomy she had over her own body before it was gone. She was sitting on the steps of the bathing pool as Iselda was washing her body with a sickly, sweet floral-scented oil.

Ewan had led Conri to the bathing pool without any of the guards watching. Fidella was sitting looking miserable with her knees drawn up to her chin and her arms wrapped around them. Despite the expression, Conri still thought she was the most painfully beautiful person he had ever seen.

“I’ll leave you to soak for a while,” Iselda whispered to Fidella before leaving her alone.

Finally, being left to her own thoughts, she gave in and let her tears fall, furiously wiping them off her face. She ordered herself to stop.

“Are you OK?” Conri spoke, from the shadows of the washhouse.

Fidella raised her head, looking in the direction his voice came from as he emerged from behind a column. Even though she was still angry at him, the wave of relief that doused her fury was unavoidable, and Conri could feel this as he stepped closer to the edge of the pool.

“Why didn’t you say something, or do something?” Fidella asked. “How could you stand there and not help Iselda and then complain about your late start to training, whilst I was being condemned to be a w***e to anyone and everyone? Do I mean so little to you that the thought of other men and strangers putting their hands on me has so little impact on you, not even enough for a growl of protest to pass your lips?” Fidella continued to question in an accusatory tone.

A deep and menacing growl simmered from Conri’s chest, because she doubted his feelings and branded him insincere with her own misjudgement.

“You have no idea what you mean to me if you can ask me those questions. You are beyond precious to Einar and I. We have never had anything belonging to us before, and everything I have ever had was given to me and easily taken away. When I look at you, I instantly know you are mine. You can never be taken from me, because I can’t feel the seam where you stop and I begin. You are the thread that has stitched me whole. Can’t you see that? Can’t you feel that?” Conri pleaded to her.

Fidella hadn’t realised she had walked up the steps closest to Conri, while he devoted himself to her. Too many words had already been spoken, and this was a rare opportunity she didn’t intend to waste. Placing her hands on his rib cage, she pulled him gently towards her and kissed him. It was her first ever kiss, but it felt natural as she poured her love through him with her mouth as he had done with his words. Conri’s lips were smooth and warm and the sparks that erupted between them felt like the sound that lightening was missing.

Momentarily, Conri was shocked they had been arguing and now she was naked, pressed against him, setting his lips ablaze. She had started the kiss softly and tentatively, but he couldn’t calm his passion for her as he ran his hands up each side of her ribs, caressing the side swell of soft spheres with the back of his hands. Brushing her neck with his thumb, he skimmed her lips with his tongue attaining entry into her mouth, where he leisurely mapped out each surface. Planting a mental flag in the places that produced the most salacious moans. She gently pulled away, inhaling a deep breath and it was only then he realised that his own lungs were burning with need for air. Conri found it ironic that he had defended his championship title in the arena thousands of times, but forgetting the need to breathe while kissing his mate was what nearly killed him. Mutually, they both stepped towards each other once again and held each other tightly.

“I hate this flowery scent on you, it’s masking your natural scent because it is so strong,” Conri complained.

“What do I smell like to you?” Fidella wondered.

“You smell like almond milk and honey to me, utterly edible,” Conri laughed as she blushed at the provocative undertone.

“You smell like raspberry and lemon to me, it was my favourite drink before I was taken, you smell like home and happiness,” Fidella confessed, and Conri nuzzled her neck, knowing she was where he belonged as well.

“Say the word Fidella and I’ll kill every gladiator out there, before they have a chance to think about touching you,” Conri promised her.

“I have a better idea. I was thinking if you claimed the gladiators as your pack, using your Alpha power, you could command them not to touch me,” Fidella explained, “Just visualise each face in your mind and accept that as the most powerful wolf it’s your responsibility to guide, lead and protect them,” She instructed him.

“What if they don’t want to be led by me?” Conri queried.

“As the Alpha, you are speaking to their wolf, Einar will demand that they give their loyalty. One wolf could challenge you, but since you are already the champion, that won’t be an issue. Plus, it is instinctual that wolves run in packs. The loneliness that we all feel will be eased by you joining them together as their leader. Most of all, the fact that you asked that question at all shows that there is no-one better to lead. You are putting the needs and opinions of your pack above your own wants. That is the quality of a true Alpha,” She reassured him.

Conri thought about the conditions that Ewan insisted upon. To be an Alpha and to accept his mate. Since finding Fidella, there had been an undeniable shift in his demeanour. Although he had never done harm to any of his brothers or the house slaves, he hadn’t helped them either. Fidella had been there just over a month and had already saved her friend and managed to distract Ewan from his own agenda long enough for him to help her and help Iselda. He could be anything he wanted with Fidella by his side and he wanted to be the Alpha. The first person he wanted to think of in his pack was Fidella and this train of thought led him to ask his next question.

“My queen, Ewan, said I needed to ask you how to accept our bond. I told him I already had, but he said that you would know the words to say,” Fidella’s face glowed at the question.

“If you bring forward Einar and I bring forward Isla they will know what to say,” Fidella replied, beaming.

Both Einar and Conri were present as they declared, “I, Alpha Conri, accept you Fidella, as my mate and Luna, this vow I make to you with the Moon Goddess as my witness.”

“I, Luna Fidella, accept you Conri, as my mate and Alpha, I make this vow to you with the Moon Goddess as my witness,” Fidella and Isla said in unison.

Nodding his head at her, he focussed on the faces of all the gladiators, Ewan and Iselda. Einar stretched his Alpha power and mind linked each and every one of them.

“From this day forward, I am your Alpha, and I swear by the Moon Goddess to protect you, fight with and for you, and lead you with my Luna, Fidella,” Einar pledged to them all. “My first command as your Alpha, is that Fidella, my mate and your Luna is not to be touched or harmed in anyway. She is precious to me and must be protected by us all,” Ordered Einar.

“Yes Alpha,” was the collective reply, and Conri gave a sigh of relief. Fidella put her forehead to his and smiled.

“We will include the wolves from the house at a later date. I don’t know them all and I don’t know who to trust,” Conri explained, and Fidella agreed.

“I told you every pack needs an Alpha,” enjoying the security of his protective arms for as long as she could.