The Bald Stranger!
"I'm thinking blood red! You know, to catch the eyes of everyone there!" Dorianna purred, stretching her long, elegant legs. A flicker of something like longing danced in her eyes.
"B-but… Zeph- Zephyr…" Blaize murmured, her gaze glued to the worn pages of her book, her voice barely a whisper. "He… won't… l-like…"
"Zephyr dislikes oxygen," Dorianna scoffed, a sneer twisting her lips. "Raula thinks red will suit me, and so do I. What will you be wearing?"
"No-Not…Sure." Blaize stammered, her cheeks flushing and her sister grunted in disapproval as she straightened her posture.
The two Pack Princesses occupied a sun-drenched field bordering the Alpha's grounds. Blaize, a picture of quiet concentration, was lost in her book, while Dorianna, vibrant and restless, performed a series of graceful stretches.
"Blaize, You should be more excited. It's our pack's first appearance in two decades. A little enthusiasm won't hurt. I think you will look fantastic in…..."
Dorianna's voice trailed off and her gaze was fixed on something in the distance. Blaize, following her sister's line of sight, saw Zeeb and Ralph approaching with their expressions unreadable.
"Oh," Blaize breathed, as Dorianna smoothed her clothes and tossed her short hair.
"Ralph. Hy," Dorianna greeted, her voice a silken purr.
"Hello," Ralph replied, his gaze flicking briefly towards Blaize, who offered a shy wave. "Hi, Blaize."
"Hi," Zeeb echoed, his voice soft. Blaize offered a warm smile and a nod which they both accepted full heartedly. They were used to Blaize's lack of words.
"Pack Princess," Zeeb said with a playful smirk, earning a dramatic eye roll from Dorianna.
"Zeeb," she retorted, then turned her full attention to Ralph, her smile dazzling. "What a surprise to see you here so early."
"We had important matters to deal with." Ralph explained.
"So, would you be joining us for breakfast?" Dorianna asked excitedly with her voice laced with expectation.
"I would have loved to but I still have important matters to take care of." He answered.
Dorianna did not hide the disappointment on her face.
"You only have time for my brother. As always." She muttered in a sharp voice.
There was a moment of awkward silence which was interrupted by Zeeb's discreet cough.
"If you'll excuse us we have to leave now. I'll let you go back to your training." Ralph said with a curt nod of his head.
"See you around, Dorianna. Bye, Blaize," Zeeb offered, as they turned and walked away.
Dorianna watched them go, her fists clenched, then stormed over to Blaize, plopping down beside her with a frustrated groan. "What's his problem this morning?"
"M-meaning… n-not… returning… your… f-feelings?" Blaize ventured, earning a low growl from her sister.
"No! I meant why his face was tied up just now! He looked troubled." Dorianna said and with a frustrated groan, she added. "Just keep reading your book!"
Blaize wanted to tell her sister that Ralph was always in a serious mood, almost as serious as their brother, Zephyr but she decided to focus on her book like her sister had said.
But she had not focused for more than a minute when Dorianna nudged her.
"Isnt that Channe?" She whispered her eyes narrowing.
Blaize looked up and squinted her eyes at the figures walking down the pathway. It was Zephyr and Channe.
"What's she doing here so early?" Dorianna wondered aloud, before grabbing Blaize's hand and pulling her up. "Come on!"
"W-what?" Blaize protested, but Dorianna was already dragging her towards a thick, ancient tree.
"Shhh! We need to eavesdrop. Read their lips!" she hissed.
Blaize stared at her sister, bewildered. "Something's off," Dorianna insisted. "Ralph, Zeeb… just read their lips!"
With a sigh of resignation, Blaize focused her eyes on the movement of Zephyr and Channe's Lips.
"Some...one...sick," she finally managed.
"Mother?" Dorianna whispered, but Blaize held up a hand, still concentrating.
"Zephyr's...room. Some...one...better...in...there."
Dorianna's brow furrowed. She watched Zephyr and Channe disappear down the pathway.
Taking Blaize's hand, she led her in the opposite direction.
"We're going to Zephyr's room."
"Ria! No!" Blaize cried, fear twisting her features.
Ignoring her, Dorianna strode towards the heavily guarded door. "The Alpha sent us," she announced, her voice ringing with authority. "He said to wait for him inside."
The guards exchanged uneasy glances. "He just left with the healer ," one stammered.
"He said he'd be back soon," Dorianna retorted, her voice hardening. "Or would you rather explain to him why you disobeyed?"
The guards stepped aside, and Dorianna pulled Blaize into the room.
A bald smallish woman lay on the bed, eyes closed with her breathing shallow. She looked like a doll. Her skin was a perfect blend even though she looked pale.
They stood wide eyed and frozen to their ground but just as she wanted to move closer, Dorianna sensed Zephyr approaching.
"Moon hell!" she hissed, dragging Blaize back out.
They rounded the corner, only to find Zephyr blocking their path.
Blaize gasped, while Dorianna's eyes widened.
"Zephyr! You scared us!" she stammered.
"You're too slow. Yet you boast of how good a fighter you are." Zephyr remarked.
"This is not a training ground." She said.
"It's not. You went in to my room." He accused.
His tone was dark. Blaize was already shaking. She had never heard her brother's voice so emotional.
"We didn't." Dorianna protested just as Blaize blurted out, "S-sorry."
Dorianna glared at her sister, then turned to Zephyr with her chin raised up defiantly.
"Who is that? Why is she like that?" She asked.
She had not had enough time to observe the female but she looked unusual.
Zephyr relaxed.
He wished she had not entered in the first place but he was comforted with the fact that she hadn't noticed the Royal mark.
"Mind your business and stay out of my room!" he warned, his voice laced with anger, before turning and stalking away.
"Zephyr never lets us in his room," Dorianna muttered, her brow furrowed. "And there's a strange woman in his bed." Dorianna said tapping her chin thoughtfully . "Raula won't like this."