ALPHA: THE PUPPETEER

CHAPTER V: INTRODUCTION

Dominique

Great. I’m stuck with the Azure princess, the Lone prince, the Union prince, and my- her mate. “Why did you made us stay?” I asked, may hands on the back on Cain and Light as they clung on my sides, and Ellen hiding behind me and just peeking.

“Just call me Gelli.” She said, then fanned her face before heaving a sigh. “Man, that was intense!” she said, looking at us with wide, amused eyes.

What in the world? “Did I do well?” she asked, looking as with excitement. I turned around and looked at the rest, seeing that Gabbey and the prince were looking confused like me right now. And my-her mate? Never mind, nothing changed in his face.

“What do you mean did you do well?” Gabbey repeated, causing for her to laugh, sounding more freely and normal, unlike her polite, controlled voice before.

“I’m trying to be authoritative and a princess-like.” She said, looking at us with a sweet smile. “Those ugly old wolves- I mean cute middle-aged citizens of our country wanted me to be the role model or some sort.”

"But!" She clapped her hands. "Since they're not here anymore, that means I'm free! Yay!" She exclaimed, then raised her hands up in the air and waved them enthusiastically.

Okay? "And I'm sorry, kids!" She said, causing for the three kids to jump in surprise of her behavior before trying to fit themselves behind me, using me as their shield against the bipolar princess.

"I didn't mean to scare you!" She said, her eyes looking at the kids with sincerity and apologetic expression. "I really hoped to finish this without any bla bla here and there but they're just stubborn." She frowned.

While I'm still confused, the prince of the Lone Woods' laughter made us look at him, causing for him to stop laughing and clear his throat, acting formal once again.

"What is it?" Gelli asked, looking at the prince's face who's about to burst while he's trying to control his laughter. "Just say it, there's no one who'll scold us here. We’re all, how do I say this, friends, here."

With her permission, the prince laughed once again. "It's just that-" he faked a cough. "The rumors I heard about you is true. I thought those rumors were just rumors." He smiled.

"What kind of rumor?" She curiously asked. "Azure Hills is known for its welcoming behavior. According to the rumors, they have a princess that is as sweet as honey, as gentle as a mother, and as emphatic as a saint." He answered.

"If the citizens find me good, then why are Darwin and the others wanted me to be a better ruler to make a better town?" She asked, rolling her eyes upon the mention of her being a better ruler.

Shaking her head, she chuckled once again. "Anyways-" her next words were interrupted when Gabbey cleared his throat, making all of us turn to look at him. Get us out of here, Gab. I'm getting suffocated. His scent is making me crazy.

Go near him then! Don't stop yourself from talking to our mate. Emilia quickly replied, making me feel her excitement and restlessness inside me. Maybe, if you'll do that, he'll be nicer to us or something.

"Why did you made us stay? Do you need anything from us or you want to form a secret pact?" He asked, finally blurting out the question that will clear things out, making us free to leave this room anytime soon.

Gelli shook her head. “Nah. I just want to make you all my friends!” she said, opening her hands as if welcoming us. “And, I want to apologize in the way they treated you back then.” She said, lowering her hands and looked at me with sad eyes.

“And the way people, those who’s discriminating you, treats you too.” She added, her lonely voice reflects her honesty in her every word. You should be like her, Dom. Feminine and lovely. Emilia stated.

Shut up. I’m me and she’s her. We’re different. “It’s okay. It’s not like it’s something new to us anyway.” I shrugged. Gelli lowered her head. Why? Is she going to cry or something?

“Anyways!” she lifted her head and clapped her hand, surprising me with her enthusiastic behavior.  “I already stated my name, what’s yours then?” she asked, her head turning to left and right as she gave all of us a glance.

“You already knew mine.” I shrugged, earning me a light slap on my arm as she chuckled. “I want you to introduce yourselves as, you know, beginning of our friendship!” she said with glittering, excited eyes.

“You’re wasting our time.” Hearing his voice, I felt my confusion disappear as I turned to look at him. Man, don’t get fooled by him. He’s just attractive to you because he’s your- her mate!

“No, I’m not!” she frowned. “I already planned to make friends with her after I dismissed the people.” She said, then her lips stretched into a smile as she walked near me and held my hand.

“But!” she exclaimed, then looked at the three guys in front of us. “Since y’all are here, let’s make this meeting a fateful encounter! Let’s all be friends!”

“No offense but,” I held her hand and removed it, then walked away with the kids following behind me. “You’re way too close and we just met each other for the first time. You know that, right?”

She’s just being nice, though. Emilia countered. She’s being a creep. Just like you. I corrected, my eyes still looking at the princess who seemed to switched into her twin and talked to us like we’re her buddies.

“Kaiden Thompson of the Lone Woods.” He introduced, playing along the demands of the weird Azure princess. “He’s Jaxson, my friend.” He introduced next, his hand gesturing at the guy who’s now standing beside him.

“Jaxson?” I asked. “Where’s the surname?”  I asked next, causing for the prince- or for Kaiden to smirk as he looked at me, causing for me to look at him with my brow raised in question.

“No wonder you’re his.” My eyes widened in surprise. How did he- I looked at my-her-Jaxson, but he just looked at me with his usual blank stare. Curse him and his attractive dual-colored eyes.

“He’s an i***t. Don’t mind him.” He said, causing for a sigh of relief to escape my lips. But wait- “Your future Alpha’s an i***t?” I asked, stifling my laughter as I looked at Kaiden with amused eyes.

But I don’t think he’s- Before Emilia could finish her words, I mentally scoffed. What? An i***t? Emilia sure is still the Emilia I know. “And this is the prince of the Wrights Union.” I said, gesturing at Gabbey who’s ahead of me, but beside me.

“Gabbey Usher.” He introduced. After all of them stated their names, they looked at me, but my eyes were focused on a certain someone. Is he waiting for- duh. Of course not. “Dominique Harlow.”

No matter what, I have this weird feeling that I should look at his reaction. No. You’re not attracted. It’s Emilia, not you. “So,” I looked at Gelli. “What now?”

Her eyes sparkled with joy as she looked ta the kids behind me, which, in return, made them gasp and try to push each other to fit behind my back, making me slightly move because of their naughtiness.

“Hello, kids!” she greeted cheerfully, then crouched down to see them properly. “I’m Gelli Fischer, you sweet kids can call me anything you want.” She said, then stretched out her hand as she smiled at them.

However, just like what I expected, none of them reached out for her hand, causing for her to visibly sadden as she stood up, lowering her disappointed hands. “You can’t blame them, they saw how your wolves treated them. You’re like, the boss of those.”

Gelli nodded. But in an instant, as if a light bulb lit up in her head, she looked ta the kids with a bright smile and raised her hand. “Watch this, kids.” She waved her hand, and we all watched how a dolphin made out of water was formed.

The kids, just like what I expected once again, looked ta it with awe and slowly moved past me, their eyes concentrated at the water animal figure. “It’s just like Meldy!” Ellen said, then looked at me with excited eyes as she pointed at it.

“Yep. That’s a dolphin, just like Meldy.” I smiled, then watched her pull the two kids and walked closer to the princess, all forgetting their fear as amazement filled their innocent mind.

Know that they were occupied by the dolphin that they can only see in picture books before, since our territory doesn’t have any oceans to really see a real one, I looked at Gabbey.

“Did they really fetched you just for you to know what happened?” I asked, making him nod. “Prince of the Lone Woods said you’re trouble because of a crime you didn’t initiated.”

“Don’t call it a crime if you believe that I’m not the one to blame. It sounds weird.” I frowned. I then looked at the prince Gabbey’s talking about. “You lied. You’re not there.” I said, almost like a whisper.

He smirked. “I’m just a spokesperson.” He pointed at my-her-Jaxson. “He’s the one who really saw you and I just stated what happened.” He explained, making me look at him.

“I didn’t do anything.” Great. He’s too quick to defend and I didn’t even say anything. “I never said anything.” I responded, causing for their prince, Kaiden, to let out a loud laugh as if seeing us banter is his past time.

Gabbey moved near me and nudged me, telling me to stop. “I just stated the truth. I said nothing.” I said, frowning as I turned to look at him. Maybe because you’re being way too immoral and impolite in front of the pack rulers. Emilia spoke.

Shut it. They’re still werewolves. The only difference is their bloodline. I replied, then pushed her away before turning to look at the kids, now seeing them enjoy the different types of animals made of water being displayed in the air, moving as if they’re real and alive.

“Good for you.” I said, making Gelli chuckle as she looked at me. “They’re sweet kids.” She smiled, looking fondly at the children who already warmed up to her. I guess it’s alright for them.

“Go on kids, say your names.” I encouraged, causing for, the usual hyper energetic Ellen to go first. “Me! Me!” she exclaimed, raising her hand up to get our attention as she readied her best smile for her introduction.

Gelli chuckled and gestured for her to go on. “I am Ellen Dew. I am five years old and I’m turning six after,” she paused, then started counting on her hands. “I don’t know, 1000 days?” she giggled.

“A year only has 365 or 366 days, sweetie.” Gelli corrected, gently smiling at the kid who looked at her with awe, happy to learn something new. She then looked at the two boys. “How about you, princes?”

“I’m Cain Freed, I am five years old and-” before he can continue his introduction, one little cupcake interrupted him. “But he’s older than me! Miss Nique said so!” she said, beaming widely at Gelli before turning that bright smile to me.

“-I like animals.” Cain added despite her interruption. After he introduced himself, he turned at Ellen and frowned at her. “Why did you talk in the middle of my innroduckion? Miss Nique said it’s bad!”

Gelli and I chuckled. “It’s introduction, Cain.” I corrected, causing for him to turn at me with wide eyes, red slowly creeping up his embarrassed face. I mentally cooed. “It’s okay. Your pronunciations are getting better!” I cheered, causing for his lips to stretch in a smile.

“Hah! Beat that!” He said, looking proud as he mocked Ellen who’s about to burst in anger, her face showing her disagreement. “Why you-” before she could say something more, Light covered her mouth and decided to take the spotlight.

“I’m Light Rene. I am also five years old but I’m going six after many days.” He introduced, smiling at Gelli before letting go of Ellen who’s about to cry. Uh oh.

I hurried took Ellen and carried her, caressing her back to comfort her in hopes of not making her cry. “It’s okay cupcake, Light meant no harm. Right, sweetie?” I said, then looked at Light who’s looking apologetic as he stared at Ellen’s back.

“Y-yes.” He croaked out, his eyes were threatening to release his tears of apology. Uh oh. Not him too. Before I could call Gabbey and tell him what he needs to do, he already walked towards Light and carried him.

“Come on, freckles, don’t cry.” He said, then touched Light’s nose. “A cool man will face the problem and won’t back out, right?” he asked, wiping the stray tear out of Light’s freckled cheeks.

He nodded, making Gab smile and walked near me, purposely making the two kids near each other. “Go on, say what you need to say.” Gab encouraged.

While we’re busy making the two make up, my eyes turned to Gelli who’s looking at Cain that’s busy looking at Ellen’s back with a frown. She tapped his shoulder, then gestured to me, or rather, to Ellen, before stretching her hand, inviting him to let himself be carried up.

Cain looked at me, asking for permission. I smiled and nodded, bringing a smile on his face before facing Gelli and lifted his arms, letting himself be lifted by the Azure Hills’ princess.

“Ellen,” I softly called, trying to make the young girl who’s already crying quietly with soft sobs to look me. “Cain and Light are ready to say the magic word.” I spoke next, then gently tapped her back.

Can you feel him staring at us? Emilia asked excitedly. I can feel it! His eyes were just on us! Seriously? We’re having children crisis here and Emilia’s still head over heels with our-her mate? Stop. I don’t care about him.

“Come on, cupcake.” I softly touched her brownish hair. Feeling her nod, I smiled and waited for her to lift her head. As soon as she did that, I wiped her tears away before pointing at Cain and Light who’s being carried by Gelli and Gab.

“I-I’m s-sorry.” Light apologized, his eyes, at the same time he said his first word, turned at his side and didn’t looked at Ellen’s teary ones. After him, the three of us looked at the other kid who needs to say that too.

“I’m sorry.” Unlike Light, he stated it in one go without stuttering, but his voice, unlike Light, is so soft and almost inaudible if not for our abilities. If making up and saying sorry is easy as this, then maybe I’ve forgiven lots of people already.

Once the two were cleared, I smiled and looked at Ellen who’s looking back and forth with the two. “What will you say?” I asked, causing for her to look at me before wiping her own tears.

“It’s okay. I’m sorry too. Let’s not do it again next time.” Then, the two boys looked at her with a big smile, the three of them already forgetting the small argument they have. Deeming that it’s safe to put them down, the three of us put them down, almost at the same time.

And the next thing they did warmed my, or maybe, all our hearts, they hugged each other. “Let’s play hide and seek!” Ellen enthusiastically suggested before pulling the two on the corner on the other side of the huge room.

Soon, the kids who’s about to throw a huge fit if not stopped, were laughing while Light became the ‘it’. “Wrights Union seemed to be a fun place, huh?” Gelli asked, looking fondly at the kids who’s looking for a place to hide.

Before Gabbey could brag about the beauty of our territory, my-our-her-ugh. Jaxson spoke. “I’m sure you’re not here for friendship. What do you want?” he asked, his voice is so smooth and manly.

Wait. Don’t fantasize. “I don’t mind being your friend if you really mean it, but his question does makes sense. What do you really want?” I asked, causing or her smile to drop, all of us feeling her disappointment.

“Azure Hills is known for its friendliness in other packs.” She started. “But I know that they’re being biased and, they only respects those who has marks.” She said, then looked at me, then at Gabbey.

“So I wanted to make a change and try to be the one who’ll create a real peace.” She smiled. “But that doesn’t mean that I forced myself to make friends you all. My intention is pure.”

“That’s good to-” again, Jaxson ruined the mood. “I don’t care.” All of us turned to look at him, his dual-colored eyes looked lifeless, as if they’re crystals placed to fill in his eyes.

Without waiting for their prince, he walked out, leaving all of us watching him as he disappeared behind the door he closed soon after he left. “Rude.” Gabbey commented.

Even if that comment’s not for me, I turned and looked at him with a glare. “What?” he asked, causing for me to roll my eyes and just shrugged. “Nothing.”

Kaiden, on the other hand, just sighed. “I’ll go now. He’s bad at dealing with people so I need to watch over him or he’ll cause trouble.” Upon the mention of trouble, I remembered the first time I saw him.

He’s one reckless guy who saved- or rather, did that just for his own, who’s mysterious in all aspects. Those eyes. I know he’s hiding something. While in thought, Emilia’s voice interrupted. So is Kaiden. I know he’s hiding something.

“But before you go, I want to prove that I’m honest.” Gelli said, making us turn to look at her that’s brimming with determination. “Let’s meet at the center of Azure Hills by 2 p.m.”

“What for?” I asked. “I want to tour you guys and make you see that our people can be kind too. I want to make my intention clear so we can be friends.” She said, smiling at all of us as she tries to convince us.

“If I can drag Jaxson with me then, okay.” Kaiden shrugged. “But if I can’t, I won’t come either.” He said, causing for Gelli to nod before looking at us, the Union members.

I looked at Gabbey, mentally saying that it’s his choice. “Fine. It’s not like we expect to be treated fairly anyway.” He shrugged, making me nod and look back at Gelli who seemed to be sad at his words.

“Don’t pity us. We don’t need that.” I said. Mark my words. I know that us walking along the future rulers of the Azure Hills and Lone Woods, will just make us look like beggars and thieves.