ALPHA: THE PUPPETEER

CHAPTER IV: MEET

Dominique

Tsk. It’s a good thing the kids ran before these scumbags came here. I looked around and saw several paintings decorating this historical type of hall. With high ceilings, chandelier, and statues with vases filled with colorful flowers surround the huge floor, the men who’s been holding me tightly finally let go of me as they pushed me inside a room they opened.

If they haven’t tied my hands with a thick rope, I would’ve kicked and punched and stabbed them and looked for a way out of here. But as soon as I thought of it, Emilia appeared. Don’t. Doing a rampage is a bad thing.

Shut up. One of the men who’s standing far away from me walked towards me, then grabbed me by my arm and led me in the middle area, looking like a girl who’s about to get prosecuted. These Azure wolves are getting into my nerves day by day.

Learn how to treat a lady, jerks. As soon as the huge dark oak doors closed, the cold air became colder as I felt the tension and intimidating stare of the people, who I assume, were the higher ranks in this cursed pack. “State your name.”

“My file is on your hand, old man. Read it.” I said, glaring at the middle-aged guy who’s holding a huge book filled with our, the Wrights Union members, information. “If you’re not dumb and you deserve your position, look for my name.”

“Insolent! Who do you think you are to talk to our head security like that?!” the other middle-aged man who’s standing behind the man who noticed me first stated, looking at me as if readying himself to burn me in a pit filled with coals and blue flames.

Insolent? Huh! They’re being rude. Emilia commented, her annoyance and anger is resonating in my body. Calm down, coward. You’re stopping me from fighting yet you’re eager to have one? Pathetic. She growled at me, but after a few seconds, she came back to her old self and just hid herself.

“I am Ernest Simson. The head security of the Azure Hills.” He introduced. “You’re not even this pack’s Beta.” I scoffed earning me loud growls from the other men who’s standing in front of me, all keeping the center clean as if the middle area is just made for me.

“You’re right. I’m not a Beta.” Unlike the others, Ernest answered calmly. “But I took his position because of my own strength and my small connection with the Beta. I am his brother.” He stated, his tone doesn’t even sound like he’s bragging about it.

Because of our differences in ranks, I don’t feel fear. As long as they have nothing or no one that’s close to me, I can fight. No, you can’t. Emilia contradicted. You can’t face all these wolves alone. You need me.

Ignoring her, I remained staring at Ernest whose eyes seemed to be observing me. “What pack are in before?” he asked, causing for my brow to arch up. “What’s it you? Don’t ask me irrelevant things, Ernest.”

And as if I stepped on a bomb remote, the men who’s with him turned into wolves, all growling and glaring at me. “Calm your dogs. I’m not even talking to them yet they’re being fired up for no reason.”

After what I said, the man who called me insolent lunged forward, his claws aiming at me. I ducked, then took out the dagger I’m hiding behind me and used it to slice his paw, causing for him to whimper and step away from me.

“Bastien, enough. Don’t start anything without my permission.” Ernest’s words were enough to calm, not only the man he called, but also the rest, making them switch back into their human forms. But they’re still glaring at me.

I smirked. “If you’ll punish me, just make sure that the kids who’s not here remained unharmed.” I stated. “If you can do that, you have my word that I won’t run away from any trashy punishments. Be it whips or anything stupid.”

Ernest remained staring at me. He then looked at the door behind me. After a few seconds, he nodded, then looked back at me once again. “Control your manners, outsider. The princess has arrived.”

Oh? Telepathy, huh? Just like what he said, the door behind me opened. As I turned around, I saw a girl, probably just around my age or just a year older, who’s wearing a tiara on her head and a beige dress.

“State your name.” the girl, living up to her image, has an elegant voice that made my own voice inferior to her. But of course, I won’t admit something that will damage my pride. “Ask Ernest.” I shrugged, earning me low growls from the rest, including the guy behind their princess.

Unfazed by my reaction, the princess that walked past me and stood in front of me, now the two of us were in the middle. “Untie her.” she ordered, looking at the guy behind me. Soon, I felt a pair of hands untying the rope.

Wow. Freedom. “Thanks.” I said, then moved my wrist to exercise it after being tied up for almost half an hour. Damn, they really tied my hand real tight. “If I have the liberty to choose my punishment, I’ll choose the easiest method to die.”

If death isn’t the punishment for breaking the rules in the treaty each pack signed, maybe I picked whips. “Just poison me. The one with the highest dosage so I’ll die in an instant.” I hate pain, so they better help me die peacefully.

Surprisingly, their princess chuckled. “You heard her, Darwin?” she asked. “Yes, your highness.” Darwin, who I assumed in the Beta, replied, walking towards her and stood behind her. Loyal dog.

“Why are you talking about your punishments right after you saw me?” she asked, her elegant voice has a hint of amusement as she questioned me “Why? Will you listen to me if I’ll say my side on why I nearly killed your dog?”

“Your words, lad.” Ernest commented, making me shrug as I kept my eyes on their princess. “If you can convince me, then maybe I can call your leader and talk it out.” The princess bargained.

All wolves are the same. She’s just lying to me. “As if you’ll really-” before I could continue, she raised her hand, signaling for me to stop. What’s her problem? “Alright. Send them in.”

After her order, I heard the door opened. Another group of Azure wolves? Am I that dangerous to make them hold a meeting just to decide my fate? My eyes widened when I heard cries and shouts. “Nique!!”

I quickly turned around, and as I saw three guard carrying the kids like a sack of rice, I can feel myself burning. With our heightened senses, I jumped forward, my hand already ready to pierce their hearts.

But before I could reach them, Ernest stood in front of me, stopping my actions. “Calm yourself, lad.” Instead of listening to him, I tried to pass by his side but he took my hand, twisting it.

With a groan of pain, I felt myself falling down the cold floor, my hand feeling like it’s been crushed by a thousand boulders. “D-damn. Let them go.” How much strength does he have?!

“Dom!!” Cain and Light called, the three kids had tears flowing in their small faces. Use me. Use me, Dom. Emilia’s words kept on ringing on my head. Before I could agree with her and let myself run loose for the first time, their princess spoke.

“Put the kids down.” I looked at her and saw her looking at them with pity. “We don’t your pity. Stop looking at us like you can feel our pain!” I growled, feeling Emilia’s energy starting to slip away from her container.

“Domonique Harlow.” Ernest said, saying my full name. “You are in the presence of Princess Gelli Fischer, you need to pay-” I glared at him. In that instant, I can feel my body burning up more and more.

“I have no money to pay for you dogs. Stop taking everything you don’t deserve.” I said, almost not recognizing my own voice. Emilia. Go back. I called, because that dominative voice doesn’t technically belong to me. Emilia. I said. Go back.

The majority, except for Ernest who’s looking at me with the same expression, looked surprised after hearing what I- what she said. “What pack do you belong to before you joined the Union?”

“I have no reason to answer you, mutt. Release the kids or I’ll make this whole town cry blood.” I growled. Emilia! Pull yourself together! No matter how much I call her, she’s not listening. She’s trying to overrule my body.

“Damn trespasser! How dare you talk-” In one swift move, that man who was supposed to shout things at me is now lying on the floor, a dagger is buried in his chest, fatally damaging him.

“Quick! Bring him to the infirmary!” Darwin ordered, making the two men standing beside the injured man to support him in walking. After that, he turned at me, looking like he’s ready to kill me anytime soon.

“Princess, allow me to execute her right-” Before he could continue his words, a shout of a soldier from outside was heard. “Prince Kaiden of the Lone Woods is here!” With that, the men who’s fussing over me started to become quiet.

A future alpha, huh? But instead of focusing in the news of having the other land’s Alpha in the Azure Hills’ grounds, I can feel myself regaining the control of my body as I felt Emilia being calmed down by the familiar scent of sweet chocolate with a slight mixture of honey and sugar.

And I was right. Now standing in front of the door was a man who, just like the princess, looks like just around my age. And behind him, was the man who made me feel flustered, excited, and attracted against my will. Our mate! Emilia shouted in joy.

Why is she being a bipolar all of a sudden? “Greetings, Azure Hills’ future Luna.” The man in front of our-I mean, her mate. Just admit it, Dom! Emilia said, followed by a giggle that made me irritated.

“No one informed me that you will come here, Prince Kaiden.” The princess said, her polite smile in her lips as she formally addressed their visitor. “If your reason of entering our territory is not urgent, I would like to ask you to leave for a while because we are in the middle of-”

“That’s exactly why I’m here.” The prince interrupted. What does he mean? Even my confusion in his words, I found myself turning to look at the guy behind him. But as I stare longer at the man who’s looking at his side, my eyes went wide when he suddenly turned to look at me, forcing me to avert my eyes.

“Will you elaborate your statement?” After she asked, I heard her footsteps echoing in the smooth wooden floor. Before I could turn to look at her, I felt her hand on my shoulder, making me look at her hand that is decorated with a bracelet made of pearls and a silver ring.

“Are you saying that you’re here for this woman?” she asked, and I can feel my shoulder getting cold. Not because my clothes were still wet, but I can feel her hand emitting water. I see, so this is the ability of the Azure Hills ruler bloodline eh?

Ruler bloodline is the name for the line of Alphas and Lunas in a pack, which means it traces back to the first ruler, and that ability is only available to those who’s destined to be the Alpha or the Luna.

Are you curious on how to use yours? Emilia asked, causing for my mood to be more bitter. No way in hell I’ll acknowledge that cursed bloodline. “I’m here as a witness.” The prince said, causing for the men to start murmuring their opinions and remarks about his sudden response.

“Pardon?” the princes asked and removed her hand from me, making me see the place where she placed her hand wet again, and it’s taking the shape of her hand. Great. If I’ll get sick because I’m not changing my clothes yet, I’ll blame the universe.

“You heard me. I am a witness that saw what really happened.” He said, causing for all of them to whisper again. But because of our heightened senses, their whispers, of course, are audible to me.

Liar. I looked at him with a brow raised. Why is he saying nonsense? While looking at him, a thought made way in my mind as I looked at the man behind him who, coincidentally, is looking at me right now. Did he-

Maybe he asked their pack leader to save us! Emilia rejoiced. Even with her carefree attitude, seeing her snap back at those Azure wolves and nearly broke her container just to overwhelm me and make me let her rule over made me rethink whether she’s really a coward, ignorant wolf, or not.

But nah. Emilia’s still Emilia. She’s still that same, stupid, she-wolf. “State what you saw then.” I said, looking straight at the prince who’s claiming something unreal. “If you can convince them, then nice. You saved us.”

“Lad, you’re in the presence of the Lone Wood’s future-” Why do they always care about labels? “I know. I’m not deaf, Ernest.” I said, turning to look at him and matched his eyes that tries to intimidate me.

The prince laughed. “You’re feisty.” He smirked, but just made me roll my eyes at him before shrugging. “So what do you want to say?” I asked, raising my brow as I waited for the smirking man to speak.

 “The thing is,” he started, then walked towards us as he stared at the princess beside me. “She didn’t do anything that broke the law. Because if self-defense is a crime, then all of us should be in jail.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, then casted a glance at me. That’s the question I wanted to ask him either. I mentally replied even if the question’s not for me.

“I am in a tree when the guards approached them. I saw everything from the beginning, from the time when this lady and the three kids went in the lake, until the time the guards asked for money in return of their freedom.” He stated.

With furrowed brows, the princess turned to her right, looking at Darwin. “Is that true?” she asked. “Troupe Echo said nothing about it, princess. All I know is that these four trespassed in our territory.”

“If you just let the ids ran away from here, then your problem should only be me.” I scoffed, making Darwin look at me with a glare. Meh. I saw lots of glares already and I can say mine is the fiercest.

“They threatened her to give her diamond necklace in exchange for their lives. Because of that, this young miss betted everything and made the kids ran away. She made herself the bait so they could escape.” The prince continued.

I looked at my-her mate. You’re the one who told him that, don’t you? Even if he can’t answer me, I kept staring at him, thinking about his possible answers and reasons on why is he helping me.

Wait-he’s helping me? “The Wrights Union have the rights to step in this land. Even with the pact formed between the two packs, the rogues still experience discrimination. And what happened today is a proof of unfair justice.”

“You speak as if you’re the rogue who’s being maltreated, future Alpha.” I commented, earning me another series of low growls and glares from those who’s not even included in our conversation.

“Your mouth needs to learn how to speak properly.” He said, looking at me with amusement evident on his eyes. “What’s your name?” he asked, making my-her mate to look at him before looking at me.

Is he waiting for me to say-Ugh. Stop. “Dominique Harlow.” I said, but my eyes were fixed to that man who looked like he’s about to reject me the first time we met. But maybe he wants us now! Emilia exclaimed.

“Well princess,” he said, looking formal once again as he stared at the girl beside me. “Is my story convincing enough for you to let Dominique go?” he asked, looking serious as he stated his every word.

Silence. None of the Azure wolves said anything. After a full minute of having nothing but silence, the prince sighed. “If you won’t listen to a witness, then you should talk it out with her leader.”

Uncle’s coming here? “If you want to do this legally, then he should-” before the prince could continue his words, Gabbey burst through the door. “be here. Gabbey Usher, the future king of the Union.” He still finished.

“Greetings, princess.” Gabbey said, then looked at with his serious eyes which made me smile at him. “I did nothing wrong. Future Alpha over there said so.” I said, grinning at him as I saw my escape in a brighter light.

Ignoring me, he looked at the princess once again. “Dominique Harlow is like a sister to me. Even with our close relationship, I won’t shield her if she’s the one who’s in the wrong.”

“But I believe that this incident, as briefed by Prince Kaiden, she’s innocent and what she did is just a self-defense.” He added. “And to top it off, that Azure wolf is not dead and she didn’t violate any rules, so killing Dominique is not an option.”

“With all due respect, young rogue.” Darwin stated. “She still violated a rule. She trespassed in the Azure Hills’ territory and that is still a serious crime.” He added, making me feel like he really wanted me to die.

Gabbey glared at him. “In all honesty, Dominique is just a victim, and it’s the three kids who dragged her in your lake. But I can’t and won’t say that I will sacrifice any of our members just to save one.”  

Nice decision. Because if you chose me, I will be a ghost that will haunt you forever. “Okay, you heard him.” I said, pinning their attention to me. “I already forgot that our crime is trespassing, and not me wounding your pals but,”

I smiled. “Since you’re here to punish me in the crime that we really do, then go. I won’t say anything.” Hearing that, Gabbey stepped forward and was about to say something when the princess raised her hand.

“Everyone, my decision is final.” Silence followed.  With none of them saying anything, the princess continued her announcement. “Dominique Harlow, and the kids, Ellen Dew, Cain Freed, and Light Rene, will be freed and none will get executed and punished.”

“But your highness-” Darwin’s words were halted when the princess looked at her. “Now,” she said, then roamed her eyes around the wide room. “I want everyone to leave. Except for the Lone Woods and the Union members.”