Althena

5. Immune

The next day, Conner comes in at 9:30. I'm the only one here.

"Are you on a secret spy mission?"

"Sort of. Have you ever went to school?"

"Why does it bother you?"

"I'm curious. Especially, considering your pack marks."

"I went to public school in the west district. My aunt decided I knew how to read, so that was enough school. I haven't been back."

"Do you want to go back?"

"I'm not sure I could now. I've been out for a long time."

"What do you do during the day? Ellen said you don't work before 3:30. She thought you were in school."

"It's not your concern. I'm perfectly fine."

"Alright." He turns around and walks out.

I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm lying. But that's ok. I would rather him believe I'm in school. I close the shop and walk the few blocks home. I go in the front door because there's nobody on the street and his foot blocks the door from shutting.

"What are you doing?" I shove him and end up falling backwards instead. Then I try to crab walk away from him.

"Don't be scared. I won't hurt you." He picks me up and puts me on my feet. "What is this?"

"My place."

He scratches his head. "What is going on? There's nothing here." He walks into the back room then comes back. "Are you joking?"

"About what?"

"You live here? How did this come to be? You're 15 years old."

"It's my place. My uncle said there weren't any apartments close to his house. He rents this so I can have a place."

"There's no food here."

"I don't know why you're so stubborn. I'm not your problem. I'm healthy and happy. This is my place. It's not perfect but it's something."

He crosses his arms and his eyes turn dark silver. "Where do you eat breakfast?"

"My aunt and uncles house. They leave in the morning. I do laundry, shower, eat, and pack something for dinner. Then I get out before they come home."

He rubs his face. "Do they know?"

"Yes. I'm supposed to clean their house. But my aunt doesn't want me touching their stuff. So she keeps cleaning people. I tell them to do everything. I worry about myself and leave."

"This is bullshit."

"No, it's not. I like my place. And the arrangement works for me. I even found a job. I'm happy here."

"You're 15 years old."

I throw my hands up. "That doesn't make a difference. It's not like I'm 4."

He nods and walks out.

I don't think I've heard the end of this. I shouldn't have said anything about school. It's my fault if my life gets f****d up this time. I lock the door and go to bed.

The next day at work is awkward. I think he's mad at me. I ignore him and smile for everyone.

"So, what do you know about the planet?"

"Not much. It's big. Mostly salt water. 1 big continent around the middle. 3 mega-cities on the continent."

"Do you know the names?"

"Darkburn, Eldervale, and Crystal Falls."

"Do they get along?"

"I have no idea."

He chuckles. "Yes, they do. They're actually so far apart, it wouldn't matter if they didn't. And you know each city has a king?"

"Yep."

"Do you know their names?"

"I only know of King Gold. King of Crystal Falls. I don't know the others."

"That's alright. Do you know what pack he's alpha of?"

"Gold Moon?"

"Yep. Gold Moon Pack is in the city center district. They have all the skyscrapers and penthouses."

"It would be neat to see one of them someday."

"How many districts are in Crystal Falls?"

I rub my eyes. I remember learning about this in school. "10?"

"Perfect. Market Square. Arts. Academic. Temple. West. South. City Center. Harbor. Wizards Quarter and Entertainment. The harbor district is called the East District sometimes. How many packs?"

"Oh, I have no idea about that."

"There are 16 stable packs right now. New ones will start up randomly and weak ones can get pushed out. The 16 have been around a while though. Do you know how to tell if you come up to a pack's territory?"

"The smell?"

"Yep. Their territory will be heavily scented. Most of them will also have their guards around."

"Woodland always had guards out. Moonlit hires a security company. They're very different."

He laughs. "Yea, that would be. Mostly they'll have guards out though. The entertainment district is neutral. As well as, the airport, train stations, bridges, this area of the market. Neutral means, a pack can't claim it as their territory. It's an area for everyone to use."

"That makes sense. It would be a disaster if someone tried to claim the airport. They can claim the harbor though?"

"Yes and no. It's kind of like the market. Certain areas can be claimed. The main dock can't be claimed. But the pack there. I forget the name. They have their own docks for trade and do a lot of fishing. It works for them. In Darkburn, there is a district called Beach District."

"I need that in my life."

He laughs. "Most of the beaches are free for everyone. But there is a pack there that claims part of a beach, in their territory. So, if you're ever there, make sure you keep an eye on the scents."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you need to understand before you go roaming around. You can get hurt or killed if you step in another pack's territory. Even if it's an accident."

I glance at the mark on my arm. "They'd probably try to hold me hostage and get some money."

"That's possible too."

"Well, if you ever need money, I guess we have a plan."

He chokes on coffee and cracks up laughing. Then he backs up.

I put an eyebrow up and turn around. There is one pissed off alpha standing in front of me. He's red and may start murdering people. The shop clears out so fast. I get a big cup of black coffee and hand it to him. He throws a $20 on the counter and leaves.

"That's the best tip I've ever got."

"You couldn't feel that?"

"Feel what?"

"His aura."

Alpha aura's feel like pressure. A lot of pressure. They can make people bow or run away. Get scared. Shift into wolves without wanting to. I've never had a problem with them though. "Yea. They don't bother me. I can feel them but nothing happens."

"Are you an alpha? Alpha aura's don't work on other alpha's unless they're a lot stronger or weaker."

"I have no idea. How can I even tell?"

"I don't know. There are 1,000's of alpha's in the city though. It's not super rare. Mostly they live together. Only the really strong ones with large followings can make packs."

"That's not something I'll ever have to worry about." I smile. "I got an $18 tip."

"He was really strong though."

"Maybe I'm just immune."

"Never heard of that. You didn't even back up."

"And he didn't even order. I guessed."

"Wonder what happened?"

"Maybe he'll come back and we can ask."

"I DID IT." Ellen runs in and jumps up and down. "I hired someone else. I am officially off work at 5 everyday. He starts next week." She spins in a circle. "Why is the place empty?"

Conner pours himself a coffee. "An alpha nearly exploded. Everyone ran away."

I nod. "They'll be back. It's only a break."

"Oh I heard Blood Stone Pack increased their territory. It had a bank in it and they're refusing people access to their money."

Conner rolls his eyes. "That'll start a war fast."

"Is it close to here?"

"No. It's in the academic district. A couple of hours away."

Ellen nods. "It's kind of on the other side of the arts. Closer to City Center though. I bet the king gets involved."

"Probably. That's people's money. They can't claim that."

Then another alpha comes in pissed off. Ellen and Connor back away from him. I roll my eyes and smile. "Cream or sugar?"

"Sugar."

"What happened? People keep coming in mad today."

"That dumbass pinhead Blood Stone Alpha blocking people from getting their money."

"I heard a rumor the king is going to get involved."

"He better quickly or he's going to be dealing with a war in the academic district."

I hand him his coffee. "Odd place for a war."

He laughs. "Yea, it really is." Then he leaves.

"I guess that was it."

They nod at me.

"She's immune for some reason."

"That's different. Anyway, new guy starting next week. He'll work the days when Conner isn't here."

"Can't wait. I'm glad you'll get more days off."

"Me too."