ALPHA: THE PUPPETEER

CHAPTER I:MATE'S SCENT

Dominique

“What’s your name?”

A boy around my age asked, his bluish grey eyes curiously looking at me. Should I answer him? “Hey, can’t you talk?” he worriedly asked next.

Still, I said nothing and continued staring back at him. “Uh, wait.” He said and ran back to where he came from. As he disappeared behind the forest trees, I looked around the place I’ve never been with.

Trees that are three times bigger than normal trees surrounds me, an obvious sign that I’m at a boundary. But what is this place? I’ve never seen trees with purple leaves before. In our place, the leaves were white, almost like a snowflake.

As I busied myself staring at the new place, I was startled when I heard a man’s voice. “Is she the one you’re talking about?” I looked at him and saw a man with a friendly face, looking as if he can’t harm a fly.

“Yes, but she won’t talk though.” The boy said before walking towards me, followed by the man who seemed to be his father.

“What’s your name little one?” the man asked as he crouched down to my level. “My father and I are not bad, I promise!” the boy exclaimed and raised his right hand.

“I’m Dominique.” I said, looking down at my shoes that are filled with dirt. “Dominique what?” the boy pressed.

“Harlow.” I continued. Yes, I am a Harlow. Not the other way around.

With a smile, the boy raised his hands in a welcoming manner. “Welcome to the Wrights Union, Nique!”

***

I was woken up from my sleep when I heard a loud whistle aimed right at my ear. “AAAAAH!” Shouting from shock, I immediately sit up and picked the nearest thing I could reach: my alarm clock.

“What the hell?!” I exclaimed and threw the alarm clock at Gabbey Usher, my best friend and the culprit of the childish way of waking me up. “You could’ve just woke me up in a nice way, jerk!”

Despite my protests, he just laughed, so happy by the fact that he successfully pranked me and he avoided the alarm clock that was now broken because of hitting the wall. “I would’ve done that if you’re beautiful.” He smirked.

“Uncle said I’m pretty.” I scoffed. “Yeah, don’t believe dad because he’s a liar.” He responded, looking at me teasingly.

“I would’ve stayed my dreams because the Gabbey there is stupidly nice and innocent.” I muttered, glaring at the guy who stopped laughing and looked at me curiously. “Oh? What did you dream about?”

“I dreamed about the cute Gab who welcomed me 9 years ago.” I said and rolled my eyes. “He’s so cute unlike the one who’s comparable to the ugliest creature in the world. Why did you grow up like this anyways?”

“Nah. Dad said I’m handsome.” He said, grinning at me as he copied my answer from before. “Yeah. Don’t believe uncle because he’s a liar.” I said, copying his grin as I repeated his response. Now we’re even.

“Whatever, sleepyhead.” He said and blew his whistle once again, making me take my pillow at my left and throw it at him, stopping his whistle and made him laugh once again. “We’re going to Azure Hills so better fix yourself up.”

Upon the mention of the said pack, my anger rose. “Why would I step in those scums’ territory?” I scoffed, the childish prank they did on me yesterday is still fresh and will never be forgotten. Stupid azure wolves.

When I mentally said it with anger, Emilia said the words softly with a hint of sadness. Seriously? You’re only sad and not mad? I asked, getting annoyed by the way she processes things. Can she be fierce at all?

I’m sorry. She said, followed by a whimper. I may want to have my rights properly given, but I can’t do anything about it. She reasoned, fueling my anger up. You are a coward. I said, causing for her to slowly retreat and let her sadness devour her alone.

“What’s with the face?” Gabbey asked which made me look at him, the knitted brows of anger and disappointment no longer present. “What?” I asked, acting like nothing happened.

“I’ve been here for a while and all I’ve got is that expression of yours.” He said and shrugged. “Did you got in a fight with Emilia again?” he guessed, making me look at him blankly.

“She’s always a coward. Let her be.” I muttered and stood up.

Just as I was about to go and take a step, Gab spoke. “You know, you’ll need Emilia someday too.” He said, looking at me with serious eyes. “You can’t keep on hating her forever. She’s a part of you.”

“But I can manage myself even without her. I even lived without shifting for years already.” I reasoned and almost ran towards the door to get out of his grasp. “We’re going to the Azure Hills whether you like it or not!!” he shouted after I left my room.

“Why will I go back? I don’t want to see them.” I muttered, angrily going downstairs to get breakfast.

This house with three floors also served as our group’s base. The first floor is for the reception hall, living room, dining area and kitchen, which are all available for everyone who needs them. The second floor is where our rooms with built-in bathrooms were present.

Since I am treated as our captain’s, the Rogue King Austin Usher’s daughter, and the sister of, unfortunately, Gabbey Usher, me and Gab occupies the second floor; along with captain’s own bedroom.

And the top floor, the third floor is made for business. It has the captain’s office, his library filled with books, files, and documents, and the meeting room. Pretty classy, right?

Reaching the dining area, uncle is comfortably sitting on his usual seat at the front of the rectangular table, his newspaper on his hand and a cup of coffee beside a plate which was once filled with his favorite toasted bread with butter and strawberry jam. That’s pretty weird taste for me but okay.

“Good morning, uncle.” I greeted before taking a seat in front of the already prepared breakfast: a mug with milk, two pieces of toast with chocolate spread, and a piece of scrambled egg. Yum.

“Good morning, Nique.” He greeted and folded his newspaper before putting it down. “Where’s Gab?” he asked before taking a sip from his coffee. “Did he fell asleep in your bed after making you wake up again?” he asked before chuckling.

For some reason, Gab has the habit of waking me up then sleep in my bed after he successfully got me out of my room. I once asked him about that and he just said that it’s because it’s warm and my room is obviously prettier than him.

“I swear uncle, you need to put more effort in decorating his room so he will sleep there.” I joked, making the two of us laugh.

Unlike my room who’s well decorated with wallpapers and has stylish curtains, Gab’s room was pretty dull and has only plain grey painted walls and normal navy-blue curtain. The difference in our rooms is way too much.

“But that kid doesn’t even have the energy to decorate his own room.” Uncle answered, making me smile before taking a bite of my toast.

“Because why would I bother decorating mine when Nique’s room has too much already.” Gab’s voice made us turn around, seeing him on his way towards us. “And dad, I can’t sleep again today because we’re going somewhere.”

Again, I frowned. “Can you just go alone? You can manage it by yourself since you said your way too good.” I said, taking another bite.

Since uncle knew what happened to me yesterday, he looked at Gab then back at me. “Face them, Nique.” He said before sighing. “Not every Azure wolf were like that, you just need to be patient with the imbeciles.”

I am patient. “It’s not my fault they keep picking on us.” I grumbled. “I don’t want trouble so why would I go there when I can just stay here and help the children train?” I bargained, looking at uncle with a grin. “Sounds great, right?”

Shaking his head, uncle’s eyes became stern. Uh oh. He’s going to use his authority. “You and Gab will be the leaders of this group when I’m gone. So, you should learn to socialize, Dominique.” That’s it. He used my full name.

“Fine.” I said, totally giving up with side. “But if something happens, it’s not my fault, okay?” I asked, causing for uncle to shake his head, while a smile is present.

“Gab will be there to fix your mess, so don’t worry.” He said, making me laugh and look at Gab teasingly. “That’s why I like uncle more than you.” I said with a smirk before taking another bite of the bread who seemed tastier than before.

Gab just glared at me before taking his usual seat on the other side of the table, which is facing me. If my breakfast is made sweetly, his is the opposite: he has two pieces of toasted bread with margarine on it, a mug filled with black coffee, and a piece of apple.

“I swear dad treats you more of his child than me.” He said, taking a sip from his coffee who’s obviously more bitter than uncle’s taste in coffee. “What am I? your babysitter?” he scoffed.

“It’s because I’m pretty.” I said with my brow raised, smirking at the guy who’s arguing with me. “Yeah, so pretty that I want to bury you alive.” He said, causing my smirk to widen.

“Your comeback’s lame.” I commented. “But you’re lamer.” He quickly fought back. Before I can defend my side, uncle’s laughter filled the place, causing for us to look at him questioningly.

“You two were like twins.” He said, automatically making us look at each other with disgust before facing him back with a glare. “Is that a joke?” we said in unison.

“No it’s not.” Uncle said, his smile definitely tells us that he’s having fun watching us bicker. “If Caroline’s alive, she will have fun taking picture of the two of you and label you as our twin children.”

Whenever uncle’s mentioning his wife which I didn’t see because according to them, she died when Gab’s born, I felt sad and happy at the same time.

I feel sad because his wife is not around anymore and he’s just reminiscing the past to keep her awake in his memories and his heart; and happy because he keeps saying ‘our’. I’m happy to see him accept me in his family. I feel that I really belong to their family.

“If mom’s here, maybe Nique’s room will be filled with pink and barbies.” Gab said with a smile. “And maybe my room’s going to be filled with robots and toy cars.” He added before chuckling, causing for us to chuckle along with him.

“What can I do? Carol loves decorating rooms.” Uncle said, his smile tainted with sadness. “She badly wanted to have twins back then. I’m lucky to have her wish come true because of the two of you.”

Before we completely fall into sadness, Uncle laughed and looked at the two of us. “So you two better hurry up or you’ll end up coming back here at night.”

***

“Hurry up!”

Gab’s voice from downstairs reached my room and nearly broke my eardrums. “Hold on I’m tying my hair!” I shouted back, still focused on tying my hair in front of the mirror.

While I’m busying myself to perfect my ponytail, my room’s door bursts open and Gab entered, glaring at me. “How long will you tie your hair? A century?” He asked, making me roll my eyes at him being impatient.

“Shut up. It’s not like you tie your own hair so you don’t know the struggle.” I said, glaring back at him through the mirror.

Shaking his head, he walked towards me and swatted my hand away. “What do you want?” I asked, blankly looking at him who’s inspecting my pony tail.

Nodding his head, he pulled the ponytail away. “What the?!” I exclaimed, unbelievingly looking at him. “Did you just waste my efforts, Gabbey Usher?!” I asked, making him smirk and nod his head once again.

“You look better with your hair down.” He said and used his hand to fix my hair. “I can’t ruffle your hair when it’s tied so don’t tie it.” He said, but this time, it was a smile and not a teasing smirk.

“Fine.” I said and turned around to look at him properly. “Let’s go.” I said and walked with him just a few steps behind me.

As we reached the first floor, many of our group members were in the dining area, all eating their breakfasts. “Good morning.” I greeted when I met Ellen’s eyes, one of the children who’s undergoing the combat training.

“Good morning, miss Nique!” she greeted cheerfully, her brownish eyes sparkled with joy. “Do you want some?” she asked and offered me her strawberry cake slice.

I laughed and walked towards her before sightly bending over to pinch her rosy cheeks. “No thanks, cupcake. You can have it.” I said and smiled, making her giggle and eat another bite of her cake.

“Wer a’ u goi’n?” she asked, her words almost not understandable because she’s chewing while talking if not for the obvious syllable she said.

“I’m going to buy groceries in the Azure Hills with Gab, cupcake.” I said, making her nod. After she swallowed her food, she smiled and waved her hand. “Bye!”

Seeing her cuteness made me laugh. I stood up properly and waved back at her. “See you later, Elle.” I said and turned around to go with Gab who’s standing by the door while watching us.

“Do you want to have a kid that badly?” he teased, making me glare at him before hitting his arm. “I’m just 19, in case you don’t know.” I said, causing him to chuckle before walking once again.

Stopping a few steps away from the door, he shifted into his wolf form. Since we are not a pack and we are not connected by links, we use gestures to communicate whenever they’re in their wolf form.

Gab moved his head to the right, his sign whenever he’s saying that I should hop on. With that, I nodded and walked towards before getting on. I can feel his soft fur brushing in my ripped jeans.

Folding my purple long sleeves up until my elbow, I slightly leaned to him and pat his neck. “Let’s go, Gab.”

Getting my signal, Gab positioned himself into a runner manner before taking a leap, making me feel the wind brushing on my skin.

His fast pace made the view look like a blur, fortunately, because of our high senses, the wind doesn’t affect my eyes too much so I don’t need to blink or close them. My hair ran wild, blending in the wind. Even if I enjoy this feeling, I know my hair needs a lot of combing after this.

Since our territory is part of the East, we reached the Azure Hills within a minute, all thanks to Gab’s fast pace.

Quickly getting off of him, Gab immediately shifted back into his human form and took our passes, the one issued by Azure Hill after they signed the contract, from his pocket and showed it to the guards.

“Oh look, the untrained pups.” One of the guards mocked after checking the pass and gave it back to Gab. “Get in, losers.” The other one mocked next.

Calm down. Don’t lose your control. I encouraged myself. I can’t cause a scene early in the morning. Just as I was about to pass by the two guards after Gab entered the territory, I smirked and faced the two guards.

“Have fun doing your lame jobs.” I said before looking straight and moved forward. “What did you say, rogue?!” one of them shouted, but instead of replying back, I just raised my hand and waved them even without turning back.

Now walking side by side with Gab, I looked ta him and winked. “You’re really looking for a fight, aren’t you?” he asked, but unlike before, he’s not scolding me. He’s more like amused with what I just did and he’s ready to support me at all cost.

“They started it.” I said and chuckled, making him laugh along with me. After a while of walking, we reached the busiest area of the Azure Hills, the marketplace.

Looking from side to side to check the items, my hatred with the rude Azure citizens were replaced by excitement as I saw the others being friendly with us. “Don’t wander too far, okay?” Gab reminded me.

“You always whenever you’re not in our territory and in the boundary so stick with me.” He added, looking at me with stern eyes. “Yeah, yeah.” I replied, not paying attention to him because of being enchanted with the hair pins on display.

“Hey let’s go to-” before I can continue my words, I felt myself being excited, or more like, it was Emilia who’s been dying to shout her happiness out.

What’s this smell? I can smell the sweet chocolate with a slight mixture of honey and sugar. That scent alone is enough to make me run to it and taste the food.

It’s not food, Dom. Emilia said, her voice is far from her usual because of her excited tone. It’s our mate.