Chapter 18

Nymeria

My new mask looked scarily unfamiliar as I quickly looked at it in the mirror. Shoulder-length straight black hair, dark, thinner eyes and a crooked nose with a defined bump. No scars in sight, and a healthy, lightly tanned skin tone. I packed quickly, with only a small shoulder bag, fitting two sets of underwear, sports clothes, a button-up grey shirt and a pair of easy to move pants for clothing, but I also made sure to throw in needle and thread, a tiny fire machine called a lighter and the best masking cologne I could find. Then I remolded my skin into looking like a maid uniform was coating me. I didn't like faking clothes, you still felt naked, but at some times it was the best option. I gathered the covers of the bed and walked out the room, not a person batting their eyes at me as I strode down the corridors towards the kitchen entrance. Front front right front out. I dumped the laundry in a random trash can on my way, and when I entered the large kitchen where I used to work, nobody looked at me twice, no pair of eyes meeting mine showing a hint of recognition. I grabbed a bag of trash and exited the back door, leaving the trash in a waste disposal. I then simply walked, changing into the grey shirt and pants. I walked to the border with a roaring in my head, and then the guards stopped me, but I wasn't scared or stressed. There was no room for such feelings in my mind.

"Female. State your identity, origin and reason for trying to leave pack grounds." One of them asked, a cold, frigid look surveying me.

I snorted. "I, am the escort of the esteemed western alpha pair. I have been instructed to fetch the luna certain… necessities." I said in a tone that was both cocky, yet also suggestive of the 'necessities' I was to fetch. The border guards exchanged looks, but asked no more questions as they stepped aside, letting me free to the world for the first time in, well, five centuries. I wanted to scream in happiness, and Vyn wanted to roll in the grass which was seemingly greener on this side of the border, as I crossed it. It was like a pressure lifted from my chest, like gravity was lighter here. As soon as I got out of sight from the guards, I shifted into my wolf form, but to Vyns discomfort, I changed it to fit my new mask- smaller than Vyns wolf which was clearly of pure alpha blood, with dark fur and eyes, and smaller paws and teeth. And I howled.

Rowan

I had seen Nymeria leave, and I understood. High society had been a lot for me in the start as well, Even though I did feel a ting of… disappointment at it. I had watched for hours now as people danced and mingled and feasted and danced again. I participated in a few dull conversations and drank a few glasses of red wine- tomorrow. Tomorrow the talks would start. Tomorrow I could talk to Nymeria, but until then all I could do was watch and drink.

I surveyed the powerful men in the room, together with their entourages. Alpha Kevell was introducing his son to all his acquaintances. Nevenn had recently turned 176 and was preparing to pass on the title to his only son who would soon turn 50. His elder child, Rienne was on the other side of the room, making futile attempts to make connections with men who simply brushed her off. As I watched the young woman her brother and father approached me.

"King alpha." Kevell said in greeting, bowing at the waist- the movement shocking his son who soon hurried to do the same.

"Alpha Kevell. And your son…" I had no clue what his name was, but the cub stood up and cut in:

"Ryen." Irritation was clear in his voice, as if he was someone memorable and respectable- causing his father to quickly elbow him in the side, in his still bowed position. I quickly decided to Ignore the lad.

"Rise." I told his father.

"How is Rienne doing?" I asked, only mentioning the oldest child to mark my disapproval of the son. I had no clue why I had memorized her name, but minded little at the fury on her brothers face, and the distress on her fathers.

"My daughter is doing well." The alpha answered shortly. I nodded, then made a face as if I had forgotten something, turning to the son. A grin spread on his face as I opened my mouth. As if he saw my speaking as approval.

"Right… Ryder. You are dismissed." I said, and refused to even look at him again.

In the next few minutes I Glanced at the alphas son once, and he looked pissed. He didn't seem to realize he had one of the lowest statuses in the room- he hadn't even been officially announced as heir, and he was but a second-born. Even the people serving food and drinks had higher positions than him until his position was announced.

I and alpha Kevell continued our conversation for a few minutes, but the longer he was away from his son the more distressed he seemed of the chance that his son would do something stupid, and as much as I would enjoy seeing that, I had enough respect for the alpha in front of me to dismiss him politely.