The Alpha Father's Game

Chapter 12: Elder Mitius

From the moment Lucky walked through the door, she felt magic. It was all around her quickening her breathes with its heaviness. It tickled her nose with the dust while poking at her skin, like it was looking for a way to enter her. Nothing about this felt good, making her heart drum with trepidation. The gloominess from the long corridor of stone to the brown doors did not help keep her calm either. The white candles in the black candleholders did not brighten things enough to make her feel better. It only highlighted the dripping wax that formed, then disappeared only to reappear again and again while making silhouettes. Everything stunned her to stop and wait for Edge to escort her instead of just walking through the hall. She knows she could blindly walk into something magical.

This was different than when she had met Crescent Pack’s Elders. There were men in grey robes walking to and from rooms carrying something in their hands. In this temple, there was no one there, giving it a spooky feeling. It was almost like it was desolate. Or maybe they sensed Alpha Edge’s aura and ran, she thought with humor to ease her nerves. A giggle wanted to slip out at the thought. And yet, she wanted to admonish herself, especially when she felt him walk up beside her and take her arm. It did not matter if it was true or not. He could be the man that she spends the rest of her life with when she makes her decision. It would not be good for her to have these thoughts about him.

She had to tighten her face at the urge to laugh, hoping that he did not know what she was thinking about.

She looked at him, noticing that his wolf was in his eyes and a hardness molded his features. It sent a chill down her spine that mixed between fear and pleasure. His beast seemed to be looking at her in a way that almost made her uncomfortable. She had to turn her head away, feeling too disturbed by its predatory stare. She wondered if it was unsettled by the magic that she felt all around them. Shouldn’t Star feel the same way?

That took away her amusing thoughts. Her sadness slipped in along with a lot of questions that she needed to be answered to make her feel better. What if she is gone for good? What will she do then? She did not want to think like that when her wolf made her happy. The minute they had begun to talk and introduce each other, she felt a kinship to the beast. Star had made a bad situation good and drew a smile to her face. She even asked questions about her family’s mistreatment of her and soothed her heartache. The power she exuded last night could have hurt her, though.

“This way, Lucky,” Edge waved her forward before putting his hand behind his back.

She wondered why he would do that. If he was one of the competitors, then why was he not trying to wrap an arm around her waist? Did she want him to do that? She wanted to shake her head of this whole mess and just try to relax, again. She needed to be herself so that way they would be themselves. It would help her decide which man was better when they come to terms with their father's wishes.

They walked down the hall past three doors before entering the fourth on the left, which the alpha opened for her. She had heard nothing the entire way to meeting the Elders. There was no muffled conversation or footsteps on the dirt floor to tell her that anyone was there. She was sure that she had seen a shadow walk past a grey-painted wall at the end of the hall, but the lighting did not help. It left them mostly in the dark, which made her edge near the alpha. Her stomach twisted at the thought of what might be lurking in the darkness. She could not relax, until she entered a room where a grey-robed man stood up from a brown wooden table.

“Ahh! The young woman that took on the alpha!”

She was sure of it now. The magic was trying to make her crazy. He looked too nice to be an Elder with his broad smile on his round face that lit up his blue eyes. The last ones she had met were grumpy and had hardened faces. This man is too nice and the way he extended his arms like he wanted a hug and the exuberance of his voice offset her. He did not look as skinny as the others. He was tall and plump. She wanted to say that she went through a portal to arrive in a world that is the complete opposite of her world.

“Forgive me for startling you, Ms. Green,” he said as he came forward and shook her hand. He grabbed it, forcefully, making her jerk, especially when she felt something warm try to slide under her skin. “Forgive Ward. He likes to be helpful when he senses a weakened wolf.”

"It’s alright,” Lucky said shakily as she pulled her hand back forcefully. “I know what that is like.”

“Where are my manners!?” he chuckled and waved to an old chair in front of an empty table. “I am Elder Mitius. I help those whose wolves are weakened by magic, stress, or over usage. There are other reasons wolves are in a weakened state, but I am not going to get into the full list."

“It is good to meet you,” she said as she sat down, noticing that this was just a barren room. A table and two chairs are the only things in it, minus the candles sitting along the back of it. She did not even see Alpha Edge or Easter there, either, which heightened her nervousness. She knows that they probably would not fit in here together, but it would have been nice to have moral support. “How does it work? Your wolf’s healing power?"

“Well, you felt the warmth as he tried to slip under your guard to go to her,” Elder Mitius answered. “Then, once he reaches her, he will chat with her as well as give her some of his energy to heal. It feels like a jolt to the body. And finally, he heals her then retreats back to me. I go rest depending on how strong of a wolf she is or if she is really weakened too much.”

“I don’t feel her, I think,” Lucky said sadly, with her head lowered in shame. She set the flowers on the table and crossed her legs feeling her heart thump hard at his words. “I believe I do, but it is like she is not even there.”

“Then, she is very weakened,” he said solemnly with a worried look on his face. “Tell me, was it worth it?”

“What?” she asked, confused.

“Was it worth her life to stop the alpha?” Elder Mitius asked.

It was like she was stabbed in the heart, sending pain throughout her body. She even flinched like she had been hit with a knife. It made her sad at what she had done to her only friend. She did not think about the costs or about what would happen to either of them last night. Her only thought was about stopping Alpha Edge from killing people. But was it worth risking her wolf or herself? She does not have a death wish or even want to get rid of her wolf. She was only trying to keep people from dying by the alpha's hand. A part of her felt like it was her fault that their life would end. The pain of that feels as bad as the pain now that she knows she nearly killed someone precious to her.

“I did not think about that at the time,” Lucky answered slowly. “All I thought about was the people who would die. They may deserve punishment for their actions, but death did not fit it. I love my wolf. She has made me stronger than I was before. Even now, I do not have her, and I feel weakened without her. Do I regret hurting her like I did? Yes, I did not mean for things to get out of control. I should have done something to limit how much of my aura I used against him. Do I regret using my wolf to ensure someone’s life? No.”

She looked at him holding that solemn expression on his face and saying nothing. There was only silence between them. It did not make her feel any better as he sat there with his hands clasped over his stomach like a statue. Her nerves started to tick away, but she kept his stare, choosing to make her eyes as blank as his. It was not until a full two minutes passed that he finally spoke, relieving the tension.

“You are similar to Alpha Edge,” Elder Mitius commented without emotion. “It will serve you well with him.”

“I know,” Lucky responded softly. “He does not show much emotion. His voice gives it sometimes, but his face remains the same until he is angry.”

“You noticed, too, huh?” Elder Mitius chuckled.

“It is one of the things that I have been able to do since I was little,” she shrugged.

“And your wolf enhances it,” he nodded as he began to twist his lips in thought. “Tell me, how can I make you more comfortable to let my wolf help you?”

“I don’t think that is possible,” Lucky said with a bit of a laugh. “This is all new to me. And it feels… felt odd when he tried to enter me.”

“I see,” Elder Mitius said, nodding vigorously. He took her hand suddenly and began asking questions. “How did you get your wolf? I heard that you were a human before.”

“Yes,” she said a bit breathily as she felt warmth start to slip up her arm. It did not feel good. It was like another presence was in her that she had to expel, but she knew it was his wolf. She breathed in, then out, trying to calm her racing heart down before she focused on the elder and answered his question. “I was tricked… into drinking from a chalice. It was the night of the Luna Celebration, and I was very drunk.”

“Really?” he said skeptically. “I was told Lucy and you do not get along. Why would you celebrate her receiving power like that?”

“I guess because she would be gone,” Lucky answered with a shrug. It was more like she was trying to pull her arm away. The warmth was going up her neck, heating her wound and making it throb. “Or it could have been that I just wanted some fun for once, and went on my own.”

“I guess your parents didn’t let you be free, huh?” Elder Mitius said sadly as the wolf went right to her head. “He is in there now with your wolf- Star. Please, calm down and all will be well.”

Lucky breathed in deeply feeling relieved that she still had a wolf, but this was uncomfortable. She did not like the way this man was forcefully entering her to get to her wolf. It feels like a violation and that she must fight it. Still, he senses her. She is alive. If this man can do what he says, then she will have her wolf back. She breathed out keeping that in mind and took in another breath, trying to be calm like last night. It did not relax her much, but her heart stopped pounding in her chest.

“Ahh, she is sleeping!” he mused to himself. “Oh, Ward is giving her energy now. You will feel a jolt for a half minute. Or until she is aroused.”

“Okay,” she said unsurely.

She felt it then. It was more like electricity going through her body, but without the pain. Her leg began to shake with nervous energy that she hoped would leech out of her and into her wolf. She did not want to feel like she could not sit still. It made her jittery like she had too much caffeine. This was more than “a jolt” that made her look at him to ensure that he was alright. His face seemed pale and tight from trying to heal her wolf. His blue eyes almost looked translucent. Beads of sweat started to form and dribble down his cheeks like he was putting in a lot of effort to help Star. She did not want him to exert himself just to save her. They could a little bit day-by-day until she is well.

“I am good, Ms. Green," Elder Mitius assured her. "And now, our wolves are communicating. She is grumpy, though. Ward is almost laughing at her for telling him that she is going to kick his a** for his trespass. He is explaining why he is here and how you are in danger. She is not taking it well as she senses…”

“I can feel her now,” Lucky stated eagerly.

Star, Star, please answer me.

I’m here.

She did not greet her in the usual manner. It was more surly and croaky sounding like she had just gotten up. Elation filled Lucky anyway. She did not care that her wolf sounded bad. She felt better and wanted to jump up and down in her happiness. There was no more feeling like a piece of her was missing. Her wolf was back making everything brighter, like the sun had finally come out from behind the clouds.

You have no idea how happy I am to hear from you.

Yeah, well, we’ll discuss that later. Another wolf is here telling me that you’re wounded.

Let him heal you! I will be fine.

Lucky felt her wolf’s grudging consent, but she did not care. She could feel her, again, and hear her voice. It was lonely without her after having her for two weeks and then nothing. She could not let her go or die because of her. It was just like she could not let Alpha Edge kill her family. She does not want to be responsible for a life ending. And if she did not do something to help her, then she would feel worse. She would feel like she had killed her friend.

“There!” Elder Mitius said as he removed his hand. “Your wolf is healed. And your wound will be soon. I think it is safe to say that you and she need to talk. She sounded very angry, according to Ward.”

“I know,” Lucky said sadly. “I nearly killed her, and she has every right to be upset with me over it. But if you could…” She paused a moment and bit her lip thinking of how to phrase her next set of words. “Tell Ward to not say anything about what he sensed.”

“We never do,” Elder Mitius said a little confused.

“Even to the alpha,” she added with an arched brow.

“I see,” he said with a nod of his head. “I will keep whatever secrets he found about you and your wolf.”

“Thank you,” Lucky breathed, feeling relief as her senses returned. She could feel the truth in his words. It was like everything was heightened from smelling things that she did not want to hearing things she should not hear. It was not something she missed, except it was something that told her about a person like this Elder. “I do not want to fight my wolf when she wants to kick your a**.”

“Understood,” Elder Mitius chuckled with a nod, looking amused by Star’s antics. “Please, the other elders await you outside. Alpha Edge was giving us time so I could heal your wolf. Save them before he rips their heads off.”

“Of course!” she squealed and rushed for the door.

He watched her snatch the flowers off the table and rush to the door before he let a smile slide up his face. He knows what her wolf is, and he is delighted that she came to this pack. There is no other that would protect her until she is grown. He wonders, though, who all knew that she would be this type of wolf. There are tests that are not known to all wolves. Did someone make her for the alphas or just for this pack to help it? There is so much that he does not know about Lucky and her wolf, but he is sure that she will be back.

Edge Titan

Lucky left the room in a bundle of energy that sent her into the arms of Edge. He did not mind it like he had the other female pups her age. She was acting like a child given a gift that made him smile. It was like he was dreaming while awake. Her body felt good against his sending a rush through him all the way to his manhood that went erect from her softness. He would like her to give him hugs more often or touch his hand or anything but keep a distance between them. Her breasts were crushed against his chest and went perky from their contact. It caused her arousal to fill the air, making her blush when she pulled away. He relished her fruity scent that was whole instead of half, which caused his wolf to resent it. He did not want to let go of her, and yet, he had to so the other elders could talk to her.

The entire time that he had waited for her to be done, he had paced. It taxed his nerves to the point where he almost barged in and demanded to know why it was taking so long. It amazed him that she flew out of there and graced him with her beautiful smile. The color was back in her face, too. Easter hid her zombie-looking appearance well with makeup, but now, he knows that it was her wolf’s essence that made her this way. She would not be whole without her there, making her the woman that he sees now.

Liken, his wolf, was spiraling in happiness now. His wolf encouraged him to take her hand, give her a kiss, or something to show her some affection. He could not do it, and before his wolf could do anything, he pushed him to the back of his mind. She had no idea how much this swelled his heart with happiness that he was able to help heal her wolf. This feeling surging inside of him felt too strong, but he had no idea if it was a mate bond or something else. It did not feel like one, so he wanted to keep a space between him and her. He was not hoping for much since she was a newborn and resistant to the alpha pull, currently.

He went into Mitius’ room wanting answers after the Elders carried her away with Easter, following her. They did not want her to go without answering their questions, and so they could get to know her. He was sure that they would sneakily test her without her knowledge, except he was sure that wolf of hers was smarter than that. Something says that she will get an invalid test result that leads to more questions than answers.

“I do not have the answers you seek,” Mitius answered before he even closed the door.

“And how do you know I have questions?” Edge asked curiously as the door clicked when he closed it.

“It is the same as you had done with your last mate,” he replied casually. He looked at him, noticing the bit of boredom on his face mingled with weariness from using his powers. He can hide it from those he heals, but only for a few minutes or so. “I have a question for you, though. Did you deliberately bring a she-wolf here to dangle in front of your son's nose just to take her away?”

“No,” Edge answered with a hint of anger.

His face turned red from the insult this man gave him. He wanted to retire for a while before coming back and taking up the reins, again. It would be a decade or a century before he would do so, but it would be worth the break he needed to heal him. He was hoping it would end the curse or help him gain a new perspective for the future. He may even find people that know about his condition. Now, he was faced with a dilemma that hinders his retirement- Lucky.

“Then, tell me,” Mitius said with an edge to his voice, “why are you courting her? The gossip around the pack is that you and she looked good together last night. And they were also wondering why the sons are not taking an interest and you are.”

“They never wanted a mate chosen for them,” Edge answered, wishing that he did not answer that. He knew, though, that he had to play this man’s game or get nothing. “Then, they turned around demanding that I let her find her fated mate.”

“I can tell you she has none,” Mitius said in a singsong voice.

He scrunched one brow up, skeptical of this man’s ability to be able to know that. The Moon Goddess was particularly fond of creating fated mates for her wolves. He was no exception to the rule, so neither should Lucky. Why was she so different that the goddess would snub her? This just makes that woman more peculiar to him while fueling his desire to own her.

“How do you know?” Edge asked, sounding almost unsure.

“Her wolf told mine,” Mitius chuckled.

“Did it say why?”

“No,” Mitius shrugged like it was no big deal. “I can say no more anyway. I must gain her trust and that of her wolf, Star.”

“I see,” Edge said, feeling irritated that he would do this to him. He was alpha and when he wanted to know something, then they should give him the answer when they had it. This was just irritating him more, feeling his anger starting to surge, until the thought of Lucky entered his mind. She instantly made him calm down, which made him question why. She was not his fated mate, he was sure. Why was she so different? “Is there anything else you can say about her?”

“Trust is a valuable commodity when it comes to Ms. Green,” Mitius replied blandly. “If either her wolf or her or both cannot trust you or your sons, then do not expect a mating to happen. Also, I would like to be there when she shifts. I think it would be an interesting sight.”

“I will see what I can do,” Edge responded, feeling pleased that he could give this man a dose of his own medicine. “Lucky may not want a lot of people there.”

“True,” he agreed, like it was no big deal and that ticked the alpha off. He wanted to see him squirm or at least become undone by his words. It would make him feel better about the way this man acts too stoic around him. “But then, she might benefit from my presence. I believe she will benefit from all the alphas’ presence, too.”

Edge knows how true that is when it comes to any wolf’s first time shifting. It is a terrible process that the mind struggles to handle. Children are especially fearful of the pain, which makes it the alpha’s duty to help them through it when they have no parents. Lucky’s family is human and her sister, who was a wolf, is useless to help her. She will need, at least, one of them to aid her through it, which he hopes that she picks him.

“I’ll leave you to your work,” Edge huffed as he turned around to leave.

He was irritated over the lack of answers and only riddles that he must solve to know if she could help him. Her aura said that she could, and even her wolf’s resistance to his dominance says it, too. Even if her beast gets aroused by him, it was one more thing in his favor to ensure that she was with him forever. She could be the mate that he needed to make him, him, again. His suffering can end with her, but he knows that was selfish of him. His sons were hurting from their mates being gone, and he wanted to resign as alpha, too. No child of his- female or male- had come close to being the alpha that was needed for this pack. He hopes that this woman will make them one when they become mates.

Father, I heard that Ms. Green is awake. I would like to have time with her, too.

Edge was surprised to hear his eldest son, Andrew, mind-link him. He thought he would have to get a forklift to pry him from his grief. His melancholy over Elaina has gone on for a decade, but he understands. She died with their heir still in her womb, which would hurt any male wolf. She was fated to him by the Goddess of Wolves, too, which adds to the pain. Maybe the attack on Lucky was a good thing, he thought, before Mitius called him, again.

“One more word of advice before you leave, Alpha. Even if things do not work out the way you want, do not throw her out. She is made for this pack."

“I had no intentions of doing so, Elder Mitius,” Edge said offhandedly as he walked out the door.

He felt a little confused as to why he would say that. She was tricked into drinking the potion, already attacked, and had proven herself useful. Why would he think about throwing a woman like that out? He knows that his temper is bad and can make him lethal with his aura to kill someone like yesterday. It did not make sense, just like his son who was waiting for his response. None of this made sense and he needed it to so he would not feel so d***ed confused at every turn.

I was speaking with an Elder, Son. She will be at the back entrance to the garden in an hour.

Did you begin courting her?

If you and your brothers will not accept this woman as a mate, then you leave me no choice. I will become her mate, gain another heir, and it will become the alpha.

Father… Alright. Have it your way.

He knew that it was dirty and underhanded to go that far, but he had to do what he must. At least, this candidate was something special, unlike the last few that were greedy she-wolves. He tossed them out quickly before they even had a chance of seeing his entire territory. He did not want anyone destroying what he had built over the decades. His sons did not need someone to persuade them to do wrong. Alpha Cullen’s mate proved that much. He wanted to make sure that the woman he chose for his sons or him would be someone decent. She would be a good person, and Lucky fits the description of a Luna.