I'm Sorry, Little Wolf | Werewolf Romance

[3] ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ

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Two packs, complete stark contrasts of each other. I didn't think it was possible to pull either side to a further polar opposite than we already were. One side proper and poised. Skin golden, kissed by the gentle rays of the sun. Clothes draped over the most intimate parts and more, sheltering the aspects that only one soul would be granted to see. Emotions, though rather intense, we sternly kept to glares and gazes with stagnant faces.

A mere few feet away were roaming eyes and judgmental looks. Scoffs and tisks kept beneath their breath while their eyes spoke a thousand words. They leaned over one another, hands traveling without hesitation on one another's bodies. Skin a ghastly white, nearly translucent with hair as dark as the bottom of the ocean. Lastly, there were their clothes. All dark and sleek, chains and metal strings hanging in all types of fashion.

Surprisingly, Alpha Dean Sutton wore the most clothing. I couldn't decide if it was a gesture of kindness or an act of mockery. The stiff clothing seemed to fall unnaturally, crisp seems still embedded in the fabric from it's time in a box or folded in the drawer. It was obvious to me that he didn't dress this way very often. He didn't move as if he was uncomfortable in that many layers, instead seemed unbothered by it. Even if I couldn't decide on why he chose to dress that way, it brought me a sense of comfort knowing I wouldn't have to constantly force my eyes upward to avoid his blinding skin.

Four days, three nights. That was how much time we would have to stick around before returning back to gleaming BlueRidge, my home. By then I knew I'd be aching to feel the sun soak into my pores. WhiteAsh didn't get sun. It was always hidden behind a sea of clouds in the sky, only producing enough light to be able to distinguish day from night. During this time WhiteAsh would be celebrating their cherish Lunar celebration, which they had invited us to join, but I was set on using this time to gather information. As Francis had mentioned to me before, it was a learning opportunity. Dean had information, as did I, and there was a chance that together we could figure out who was killing our people.

They were the reason I was here. My pack. My people. I owed it to every one that I had buried after their unjustified deaths. I owed it to the living souls of those who had lost their friend or family. I owed it to my own parents, both taken from me before I had a chance to say goodbye to them. They were all the reasons I would submit myself and my pack to the WhiteAsh territory for these days. Afterwards, I had no intention to ever speak or see Dean Sutton again.

But for now, the two of us would be getting rather close.

"We are happy to extend our home and refreshments to you all while you are staying with us!" A voice chimed in to break the staggering silence between the packs. Metal softly chimed together with the sway of her hips as she emerged from the crowd. The forced smile on her lips told me those words weren't ones from the heart. I wouldn't have been surprised if she would have been handed a script by the alpha before our arrival. The crowd moved around her, allowing to way without any need to look where she was going. It was a sign of respect. The way the others moved around her was enough to tell me see was the beta if her scent alone didn't make that clear. Betas had their own odorless scent as alphas did. It wasn't a scented aroma, but instead a feeling that rushed down your spine when it their presence. It heighted our natural urges to show respect to the position even if we had no intention of doing so.

As she took a stance slightly off and behind Dean, I could feel Estelle - beta of my own - draw closer to me. Her confidence radiating from her. I had always adored that about her, as my beta and my best friend. Her eyes was almost a head length above my own. Unlike most alphas, I was quite small - a few inches below any other one I had come into contact with. Although I was small in stature, I reminded others that I was and still am an alpha for a reason. Never had a member of my pack challenged me for the position.

"Charleigh," Dean addressed her while his eyes remained firmly on me, "why don't you and the others make our guests feel right at home?" He asked with a hum at the end.

It was a question, yet not one that was looking for a response. Like a snap of the fingers, his pack all turned, dispersing themselves along the grand entry way and front room. Not one BlueRidge muscle flinched, remaining firm and frozen. The bushy eye brow of the alpha rose towards me, questioning my motive as I stared back at him challengingly. He should have known better. No one orders my pack but me. Glancing over both shoulders, offering a soft and reassuring smile, I nodded towards them to go. Cautiously they went, each passing a glance to Dean as they walked by and into the manor.

Estelle remained by my side, uncertain about leaving me alone in the presence of Dean. Her eyes met mine, gleaming with uncertainty and soft curls falling around them. Softly I patted her arm, rubbing a bit to comfort her, before sending her off. Then that left the two of us.

Calloused hands clasped in front of the Alpha, thumbs tapping together as his dark eyes studied me. His head tilted slightly. I could see the questions and thoughts swirling behind those eyes, just as they did that day in the apple orchid. Yet again I felt myself drawn to ask, wanting to know what burning questions he kept locked behind those lips. Peering past him I could see into the room. Packs mingled among themselves, but were greatly avoiding one another. Besides passing glances and forced smiles, no one had yet to pass that invisible barrier to the other side. If I was going to learn anything while I was here, the tension had to ease - even if it was only temporary. Standing as the example, I took a few small strides closer, to the length that two people could hold a decent conversation.

Small clusters of ice crunched beneath my boots, a sound I was still unfamiliar with. My arms warped around me, concealing any extra heat that tried to escape. As werewolves we had a natural tolerance to heat and cold, but extreme temperatures still got to us. Especially as a wolf who spent her whole life parented by the sun, this weather was not something I was used to. Dean had seemed to noticed, but didn't speak.

"It has been some time, Dean." I offered a smile, that was nothing but polite. I extended a hand towards him, expecting him to take it as a respectful greeting. Although I did not like him, it did not mean I wouldn't show the natural respect to another alpha. His eyes glanced towards my hand, lips curling to reveal a wide set of white shined teeth. A deep laugh rumbled in his chest, head shaking as he let out a sigh.

"I am afraid we are a tad more formal than first names here." Those thick lips curled into a smile. "Alpha Sutton will do just fine." He corrected me, hand taking the one I had offered early before I could retract. His skin was ice cold, like a wet stone that had sat out in the woods overnight. The hair rose across my arm, goosebumps popping up beneath the my long sleeve. His tone was firm, leaving me to guess that any other name wouldn't have been taken lightly. Slowly he lifted my hand up, ghosting his lips across my knuckles. He hesitated only for a second, if I had blinked I would of missed it, before firmly placing a kiss to my skin. Unlike the rest of him, his lips were warm and soft. His hand gave mine a gentle squeeze before releasing.

Before another word was spoken, he offered me his arm. Without eyes on us, I could tell we were being watched. We would be the entirety of our stay. Every move I made and every step he took wouldn't go unnoticed. If my pack wasn't going to even consider, let alone make the move, to talk to the people of WhiteAsh if they witnessed me being closed off as well. With a deep breath I looped my hand around his arm and entered the building.

"I must say," I started again once inside, "I was a bit stunned when a letter arrived on my desk with your scent on it."

I allowed Sutton to lead, following his direction as we spoke. As we made our way through, my eyes took in the details of the manor. Inside was just as gloomy and dark as the outside. Walls were forged in dark granite and floors a deep cedar. Tall, dark grey curtains decorated the trim of windows. All decorations from picture frames, to chairs and tables, to doorknobs, were either black, brown, or grey.

"Our packs history is no secret to either of us." Dean turned and began to lead me down a vast and quiet hall. "With the recent events, I felt that now would be an appropriate time to mend things."

I couldn't help but scrunch my face in confusion. Mend things? Is that what he thought was happening over this holiday? Years of bloodshed, war, and torment weren't healed over a simple cocktail and bonfire - if that's what they did at WhiteAsh anyway. Alliances were long, stretched out processes that ended with an official treaty. Laws and boundaries were laid out for each side to agree upon. Perhaps he was just as daft as my mother claimed he was. Regardless, I unscrunched my face and gave a simple hum in response.

Dean had found us a secluded room to discuss things. It was an empty corridor that curved into an office-like space. It was nothing official like an alliance conversation would suggest. This was only a small office space decorated with a drink cart, a few sofa chairs, numerous bookcases, and a wall with floor to ceiling windows. The second we passed over the threshold, Dean's show of a courting gentleman ended, dropping my arm and finding his way towards the window. The pale hand that was grasping mine over his arm seconds ago, raked through his dark locks. His face was firm, hiding any emotions for me to decipher.

"Let's get right to it." His voice grew cold and shallow, eyes glaring out the window and towards the deep woods, "Both of us are claiming to have nothing to do with these murders." He stated bluntly, turning towards me as he remained at the window. "And unless you BlueRidge are complete f*****g liars, we need to figure this out."

Like a switch he had flipped from one persona to another. Even if the first one was complete bullshit, I preferred it over whatever this was. This was much more like the Sutton that everyone claimed the WhiteAsh alpha to be. The one stories were created on. It was as if his entire being changed. His eyes darker, shutting out any form of emotion. He seemed impossibly taller, spine straight and shoulders back. He came off as defensive instead of assertive. All of which made my guard rise and senses perk up.

The obscenity had fallen from his lips so naturally. I had heard foul language before, it was nothing new, but we didn't naturally speak it in every other sentence in BlueRidge. I may have thought with a lot of them, but they didn't pass my lips. In my home, that language was reserved for the dying or fighting. There were numerous other words you could use to speak.

"If it were either of our packs being deceitful, I wouldn't be so quick to put it past your own Alpha." I glared towards him, warning him to tread lightly. There was nothing holding me back from gathering my people and returning home rather quickly.

"But if you're truly eager to get to the bottom of this, as am I, then I am-" my voice stopped, feeling as though I was going to choke on the words that were about to come out of my mouth. "I am willing to work together."

Closely I watched him, looking for any form of a reaction in his face or body language. I wasn't daft, nor was I naive. He was playing games. Friends close and enemies closer. I didn't disagree with the idea, knowing if I had any chance to get to know more I had to let him in. It was the only way I would get a chance to catch him or one of his people in the act. One thing was for certain, I was not going to bow nor be silenced in this home. Being on another pack's territory, I would respect it, but I would not submit.

"Would I be wrong to assume that you have conjured up a few things you wanted to discuss by bringing me here?" I continued on, drifting towards one of the seats to make myself comfortable for the long conversation I assumed was about to start.

His large frame leaned off the window, once again flashing that bright smile of his while he approached. Scoffing he shook his head,

"I did not state that you were liars Alpha Dusken, I simply commented on how badly it would be if you were." He smirked, twisting his words to shift the light onto me.

The warm heat of the fire was comforting as the light of the flames danced against my face. The heat radiated from the fireplace towards the pair of chairs I had found myself it. It wasn't unbearable, but the perfect distance to grant me a sense of comfort in the cold home.

"That's a good girl." He added when I didn't respond to his comment. My eyes shot daggers towards him, nearly releasing the growl inside of me that was tempted to erupt. I could see from that taunting gleam in his eyes that he didn't see me as a threat. I was used to being overlooked due to my height and frame, but something about it coming from him irked me more than normal.

"As for conversation," Sutton lowered himself into the chair across from me, "I want to establish a firm expectation of respect." His toned lowered, as did his gaze on me. "Your kind do not believe in the same ways we do or the customs we have here." Obviously. "We ask that you all exhibit respect towards our Moon Festival."

"Tread lightly Alpha Sutton." I rasped towards him, offering my own smirk in response. My hands clenched together in my lap, hidden by the crossing of my legs. We did not have to like each other, but respect would be a two-way street. I wouldn't allow him to refer to me like one of his harem.

"It was a compliment." He snapped back quickly. "I tend to forget you BlueRidge are quite prudish and can't stand that kind of lingo, but maybe after some time here things will change."

That was another way that WhiteAsh was so drastically different from my people. Harems were not shocking and were actually seen to represent a person's power. I had no doubt that Sutton had printed other wolves. Printing them would allow him to call them his, without marking them. It was permanent and a form of ownership, but didn't have the bond or love that marking did. You could be printed on by multiple people, but only marked once. There were a lot more details that went into it that I wasn't completely able to remember since BlueRidge saw printing as completely unnatural and a mockery to the seriousness of marking.

"I can assure you that my pack and myself have no intentions of being anything but respectful." I ran a hand through my shoulder length blond hair. "Furthermore, I will personally handle any of my pack who get out of line." As much as I despised this man, I not allow my pack to disrespect another alpha. We were welcomed here as guests, regardless of his intentions. "I expect that this will be mutual."

He hummed as if he was entertained by my response. "You should understand that my pack is quite on edge with your arrival. They aren't too fond on having visitors during our sacred holiday. I would just be extra cautious." He sat up from his seat, leaning towards me with his arms draped over his knees. "In addition I'll be sure to involve in any meetings I hold during your visit."

I only gave a nod in response, seeing that we were as close to being on the same page as we would get.

"Now to less dreary matters." his hands clapped, quickly rising to his feet. "How would you fancy a drink, Alpha?"

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