Chapter Fifteen

He jumped from the driver's seat, clasping his seat belt open. He opened the door, leaving the door open behind him. I ambled my way out of the car lazily. The view of the Alpha's personal estate was sumptuous, breathtaking even. The concreted courtyard was designed with intricate swirls and markings, obsequiously consolidating to form the shape of a beautiful wolf. The potted plants stood as the quiet afternoon breeze blew them in a pacific motion. Like the others, the huge fence was decorated with blue orchids and lilies with a trifle twist of morning glory vines. The building was covered from head to toe in blue orchids and lilies, some lights were strung around it and now that I think of it, all over the fences, probably meant to give the house an illuminated glow during the night.

“Wow, Samuel really outdid himself.”

What was not so peaceful was the buzzing way the concierge moved around the courtyard, coming in and out of the house with a conglomerate of utensils, gourmet dishes, decorations, only to mention a few.

“I just mind linked Samuel, he will be here any minute now. Dad informed me, mind linking me from the back of the truck where he pulled out our luggage. That was one of the abilities of a lycan with a sense of the Spirit of the Phoenix. He could easily mindlink any wolf here, despite not being a member of the pack. He could even find his way into a wolf's memories but from he told me, it was quite mentally draining. I had tried it when I felt like James or any pack member was lying to me but I couldn't ever get the hang of it…of course my father wasn't there to help me out.

I huffed at that thought.

I walked over to the trunk and grabbed my suitcase. Suddenly Dad's eyes darted up the building. I had felt it before I had turned around to confirm. The Alpha and his Luna walked hand in hand towards us, their imperious aura sinking into every wolf around them as they all bowed their heads in respect to the venerable duo. Clio on the other hand, didn't feel the least humble, reminiscing about the horrid moments spent in the office with the Alpha, while simultaneously admiring the Luna. Her unmatchable debonair radiated off her in waves, as she smiled gaily, waving all the wolves who walked past her with a megawatts smile of their own. Her golden blonde hair, cropped into a lovely side bob was glimmering in the mild afternoon sun, her lithe figure encased in a flowy white gown which ended at her knees. They stopped right in front of us and I instanteously cowered behind my Dad's well built body.

“Welcome Dave.” The Alpha said, letting go of his Luna and wrapping Dad in a manly hug. It seemed like they had been friends for years. The Luna seemed just as enthusiastic to meet Dad.

“Dave, this my Luna, Heather Guthries. Luna, this is Dave Vengua, the Commander of the Order of the Phoenix." The Alpha introduced with a notable pride in his voice, probably so proud to be friends with such a celebrity in the werewolf community. This was the part I blended into the shadows. I sighed internally.

“An honour to be of your acquittance, My Lady.” Dad greeted as he bowed, kissing her fingers tenderly.

Who the hell still did greetings like that??

The Luna of course, like other women, was totally charmed by my father's gesture. She blushed in response. “Nice to meet you too.” A small growl emanated from the Alpha's chest at that, his wolf probably coming into display as he growled angrily at Dad. I snickered a bit at the whole situation. He drew his Luna into his arms, sheer possessiveness reflecting in his grey embers.

By now, the wolves which had now shifted had come around as many mean glances followed by livid growls were sent our way. Recognizing their Alpha's annoyance towards us, they had probably seen us as enemies. I sighed, pissed at the whole situation. Was my father's womanizing going to make us an enemy of an entire pack?

The Alpha stood in a dreary manner, his large shoulders brooding in a stance to show off his power and to let us know this was his territory. The air was taut with tension, while my Dad kept wringing his hands, pretending to be unaware of the whole awkard situation.

“Well, who is this fine lady we have here?” The Luna said, her amiable nature evident in her demeanor. Probably an aversion for building up derision in the air. I looked around, the look of belligerence still in the face of every wolf warrior who passed by. The only thing evading them from tearing us into shreds was the fact we were still with their Alpha….but the displeased look on his face was helping matters either.

She took my hand, drawing me out of my hiding spot behind my Dad. Her cordial smile snapped me out of all the thoughts passing through my head, all my attention on her. She was immaculately beautiful. Unlike her mate, she didn't seem the least bit old, no sign of a wrinkle or an acne. She must have been way younger than her mate.

“My, my, you are just as beautiful as your father.” She complimented, brushing my hair down my shoulders. The Alpha sent a death glare her way which she shrugged off nonchalantly. “She would make a perfect fit for Morris…. wouldn't she?”

The Alpha's eyes gleamed with covetousness at her words. “I agree.”

Dad drew me to himself. “No, my sweetheart is in college. And she will find her mate the way she ought to.” Dad said finally.

“Well, how rude of us, come in.” She held my shoulders in a welcoming gesture as she and the Alpha guided us into the house through the overly observant wolves who whizzed in and out of the house. The sweet scents of orchids filled the house. I kept staring at the porcelain marble floor, my thoughts reflecting on the Luna's last words.

‘Who the hell was Morris?’ Clio wondered.

Well the way she referred to him, he seemed to be their son but she seemed way too young to have any sons my age. The Luna had left me with Roxana, the head of the concierge team.

“Well ma'am, this is your room.” The mid-thirties raven haired woman stated in a benign manner. I kept wringing my suitcase as I studied the room in scrutiny. The translucent curtains draped over the threshold of the copious balcony. “Thank you, I love it.” I said, in order for her to leave me alone. My phone has been buzzing with messages from Miles and I longed to talk to someone even if he was mostly annoying.

“I'm glad you do, the Luna's temporary entourage will be here to entertain you shortly.” The woman concluded by leaving the room.

I spent an hour texting with Miles who was just worried about Bre because she hadn't been taking his calls. The lousy human was in love with Bre and I felt kinda sorry for him. It was quite uncertain if Bre had any feelings for him because she behaved friendly and laughed with everyone. A poignant knock came through the door, startling me.

I rolled off the bed, placing my phone into my pocket. The scent of one of the she-wolves seemed familiar.

Bre!

“Is that you,Sophi?”

“Your new friend's the lycan?! Wow!!” An over enthusiastic she-wolf sounded from behind the door.

An entourage. Got it.

I gathered myself, pulling the door knob open to reveal a group of gaily smiling girls and Bre seemed in charge of the entourage.

Of course she was.

“Hi.” I said, mustering the best smile I could. “Umm girls, I would like it if you left me and Sophi alone for a bit. We need to talk.” Bre said in a hushed to the to the other girls who were not so pleased at her statement. Being the most petite girl, Bre was the prettiest of them all. Her blonde hair was pulled into a pretty messy bun with loose tendrils hanging at all the right angles all over her face. She wore light makeup, making her prettier than usual with a blue sparkly dress which made her eyes pop out in her pretty lithe figure.

I was jealous of her. I facepalmed myself mentally.

“Okay, you get to have her this time but you just know we are going to be besties too.” The red-head said. She crossed over the threshold, stretching her hand for a handshake.

“Hi, I'm Jenna.”

“Nice to meet you.” I said, accepting her handshake. “Sophia.”

“Alright girls, enough introductions. Now leave! We need to have our girl talk!” Bre exclaimed in frustration, entering the room and slammed the door, leaving me in shock.

“Rude!!” The girls exclaimed, walking off.

“Have you see her father? He is so charming.”

“Quit such thoughts, Eileen!” One of the girls chided before their chatter died into the boisterous hallway. Bre took a seat at the dresser, making me burn with nervousness, as she slyly checked the perfumes and makeup. “These are expensive.” She observed apathetically.

“Ok, I'm sorry Bre! Quit the silent treatment! I won't talk to the vampire anymore, I swear!!” I burst out. I couldn't take it anymore.

“You guys killed someone you know?” She said, finally looking me in the eyes. Her eyes looked exactly like Miss Longwalks's when she was berating someone, the same fierce glance burning hard at me, melting me into a puddle.

I sat on my bed. “You're being mean, Bre. I didn't kill the human, Tristan did!”

“And you are friends with the vampires, someone who is a murderer?!”

I felt bile rising up my throat at her statement, allowing Clio's irate feelings to grow, fueling up mine as our anger merged making me extremely angry.

“I'm sorry but you have no right to comment. If I remember clearly, you told me you liked Axel….. obsessed even.” I growled, presumably Clio taking over. Honestly I was a bit pissed but Clio was mad for some reason.

“But it's different!!” Bre bristled.

“So it's different huh?! You are allowed to have feelings for a vampire but I can't be caught dead with one?!” Bre's latter berative look was gone, replaced by fear?

“You have fireballs in your hands.” She muttered quietly, making her earlier belligerence dissipate as I recognized the familiar warmth in my hands. The flame balls condescended into me as I flopped on the bed, my hands on my head in a desultory manner.

“I'm sorry Bre, I didn't mean it ok?”

She left the dressing table, her echoing footsteps coming closer as she plopped next to me on the bed. “I didn't mean it either but I don't want you in danger. The vampires are dangerous.” She warned cautiously.

“They aren't dangerous Bre, they are only trying to survive.”

“Sophia, even if you are a country girl, don't be so naive. You have only know Tristan for a few weeks!” Bre exclaimed.

“And you have only been in Cercavefalls for three months!” I bristled. “You haven't even talked to these creatures before, who the hell do you think you are to judge them?!”

Clio tried whispering how she kind of agreed with Bre. After all these creatures have been sucking blood since the beginning of time and were never bound to stop. Plus they had the possibilities of being psychopaths who killed for leisure.

Damn wolf! But when we were in Tristan's arms it was a whole new story.

“There are things I excluded in our discussions about the vampires. And don't you dare go fall in love with any of those creatures!” Bre said. I rolled my eyes.

“Says the one who was obsessed with Axel.”

“I got some new information about Axel this week. And I'm no longer obsessed with him. I knew they weren't good creatures but this completely destroyed any emotion I had for them. It is right that we stay away from them. You know my human friend, Lora?”

I recalled a boisterous human girl with cat eyed glasses and ginger hair, freckles covering a large part of her blocked shaped face, a tattoo of her boyfriend's name running up her arm. It was Kevin if I remember correctly. I wondered why Bre befriended her. I found her so fucking weird.

“Well she's one of the few ones who isn't blinded by Axel's perfect face. She told me some things which I could never forget. She said Axel has been on this campus for 5-9 years studying up to 5 courses, never ever leaving campus but no one ever questioned it.”

At the mention of his name, my thoughts flickered back to when I encountered him, recalling his baritone voice speaking to me….he was cold but his very voice stirred up something within me.

“5 courses separately and even taking the most lengthy art courses but he never left campus. Lora told me that no one ever recalls this …. everyone says that he has been studying mass com and is in his 3rd year. It's like they have been hypnotized or something. Whatever it is they did, it didn't work on her.”

“Hmmm,” I said out loud. “ I wonder why?”

Bre ignored me and continued. “ Worst of, she says the girls Axel dates never remains the same.” That got my interest.

“ Plus how can you believe her? Is she a detective or what?” Bre rolled her eyes at me for interrupting her.

Getting the chills and wanting to know I pressed on. “What do you mean that they never remained the same?”

“Quinn, the first human girl that Axel spent the night with was found lying next to the train tracks by Jackson Heights subway station. She had no blood left in her. Her throat was cut into shreds…her intestines spilling out of her with her vagina completely destroyed. It was like a beast had fucked her. The horror was still evident in her lifeless blue eyes. That's what Lora told me of course. These vampires aren't normal, Sophi.”

“ And how would you know how normal vampires operates. Besides, how does this relate to Tristan?” I said, putting up a strong front as I tried not to gag internally at her horridly, vivid description.

“Sophi, the former Gamma was my father. I have heard and seen some things you haven't.”

“This is just morbid!” I exclaimed, not holding it in anymore. Clio was more confused, after all…she couldn't stop thinking about the Greek God.

“The forensics said the same, it seemed she was raped by a beast. Her minge was torn apart, tan skin a bloody pale while her throat was completely ripped to shreds, it could barely connect her head to her body.”

I gasped. “ What about the others?”