The Human In The Wolf Pack
Chapter 19

The guest will be here soon.

That was all that Terran would talk about, everyday, a suspenseful handful of words that sent a wave of anxiety through my b***d every time I heard it. I sighed, shaking my head as she sunk back into the recesses of my mind. At the present moment, I was attending my first official meeting as Luna by Rider’s side. It has been a month since I had that dream, and woke up with that star-like mark. Along with my new gifts, I have been training to become Luna. Rider’s Beta, Blake, introduced me to his mate, Claire. She has been showing me the ropes as the Beta Female, and the person who would help me the most as Luna. She was sweet, and amiable. Though she was only four years older than me, she had a pup on the way, and glowed as an expecting mother as she taught me everything I would need to know.

With that said, I haven’t had a moment of free time lately. Everyday was filled with training, either for the pack, or to understand my new found power. The auras came easily now, and would find their way to the surface of a person without any focus on my part. Seeing the color was like reading a person’s mind, each hue and their meaning were so clear to me now, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell Rider.

My gift enraptured me. A part of me felt resentful at times though. I didn’t understand what the gift could entail, or what the guest wanted from me. I felt that it came at a price no one dared to tell me, and that made me anxious. Looking towards Rider who sat by my side at the long, wooden table in the meeting room, I wondered what he would think about my situation. I shook my head. No, as a Luna, I needed to focus on the situation at hand.

Blake, Rider’s Beta, was currently in human form beside Rider, which was a rare sight. The two of them were focused on the unknown male across from us. He was the Alpha of a pack that had just begun to form not too long ago, and though this man didn’t necessarily look threatening compared to the two behemoth men next me, there was something off about him. Perhaps it was the way he was trying to hard to appear friendly.

He was smaller in size compared to Rider and Blake, and had red toned, brown hair that was cropped close to his skull. His skin was tanned from the sun, making the scars that decorated his skin stand out harshly. He was closer to my dad’s age than Rider’s, and had a scar that cut through his eyebrow. Catching my staring gaze, he sent me a smile that was I’m sure was supposed to be comforting. Unfortunately for him, all it did was send a dark shiver down my spine.

His aura was nauseating. A sick mixtures of pale greys, and washed out greens, along with brownish-reds that reminded me of dried b***d. The colors merged in a wall of mixing, shifting hues that almost made me dizzy. I had never seen anything like it, but I knew it wasn’t good.

He’s a bad spirit. Don’t get near him. Terran informed me, sharply.

I jumped at her tone and Rider gave me a weird look.

“You ok?” He whispered, his grey eyes scanning my pale face with worry.

I quickly nodded as I looked back at the man. The unknown man was Alpha Lucas from South Dakota. He had a small pack, but they were very free to be themselves, much like this one. I frowned. Though the pack hadn’t been established for long, I’d heard whispers about them at my old pack.

They’re supposedly savage, disgusting wolves. The worst of the worst. Though on the outside, they appeared to be a pack much like any other, rumors say that that wasn’t true. They were only able to form so quickly because most of the members were Rogues, criminals who were kicked out of their own packs because of severe crimes. I heard that Alpha Lucas wanted an army of wolves, and was more of an Army General than an Alpha. He encouraged ruthless behavior, and turned the other way when his pack members committed horrendous deeds. One of these deeds, according to the rumors, was killing and eating human beings.

That ghastly Alpha was here to make a treaty with our pack now. Looking at the sickly hues of his aura, I had a strong feeling that the rumors held some truth. The thought made the b***d drain from my face as I shifted closer to Rider. As Rider and Lucas began talking, their tones were calm but formal. The two seemed relaxed, though I knew that behind that mask, both were ready to bare their fangs. Alpha Lucas didn’t seem nervous at all, even when dealing with Rider who was the Alpha of one of the strongest and fiercest packs on the continent. Even being in the same room as him made me want to puke.

Something about Lucas bubbled and sizzled and rank of death. I wasn’t sure how I could ever trust him as an Ally, no matter what Rider said. Every moment I had to spend in the same space as him made me want to run away. Everything in my being screamed danger, and sitting still in my seat became impossible. I fidgeted uncomfortably as the two Alphas continued to talk amongst each other.

“We’ll be staying at a hotel about three hours away. You really are surrounded by nothing but trees, Alpha Rider,” Lucas laughed, his yellowish eyes shimmering with amusement.

“We can talk more at a later date. I have to get back, I have urgent business to attend to,” he continued with a crooked grin.

He rose and Blake followed after him, making sure the Alpha would find his way out of the territory. I looked over at Rider, my mouth opening to speak. But how do I explain this? How do I tell him not to make this treaty?

“I don’t trust him,” I said, my stomach twisting.

“Neither do I, but a treaty could only benefit between us. His wolves are great warriors,” Rider said, unworried.

“I don’t think we should do this treaty,” I admitted.

He looked at me, an eyebrow raised.

“He’s not good. Our wolves are stronger without him,” I say quickly, trying to explain myself.

“Why are you so against him, Vera?” He asked, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, his grey eyes focused on my explanation.

I cleared my throat.

“I,uh, just have a feeling,” I mumbled.

He laughed.

“Vera, you really can’t expect me to say no to this treaty without a reason.”

I slumped. No, he wouldn’t.

“He’s a bad person, and I don’t feel safe around him. How can I trust a treaty when I can’t trust the person signing it?” I reasoned stubbornly.

“Well, as Luna you can’t just decide you don’t like someone and throw them out. You have to think of the pack, what’s best for them,” he spoke, his voice hard and annoyed, as if I was just a child throwing a tantrum over a lost toy.

I gaped at him. I stood up angrily, my chair screeching against the floor.

“Fine, do what you want. But you will regret dealing with him. That’s what I know,” I hiss at him.

I turn and march out of the meeting room. He should trust me enough to listen! I wouldn’t just “throw someone out” I know what a Luna is supposed to do! I might not be a werewolf but I can get that, at least.

I dodged past wolves as they raced around outside, having fun. A few were in human form, tending to chores, like gardening or cleaning. Some wolves chased after me, trotting by my side happily, gazing up at me adoringly. The wolves in human form bowed in respect.

I smile at them softly as I passed. The wolves following dispersed as I got to my front porch. I shut the door firmly and g*****d loudly in frustration.

“I’m guessing you’re not in the best mood?”

I yelped and spun around, seeing an unfamiliar form.

That’s him! That’s the guest. Terran said happily.

I eyed the stranger nervously.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“My name is Tristan, I’m here to teach you,” he said, turning to look at me.

His eyes were bright blue, like the sky. His hair was blonde and he had a boyish face, he looked like someone’s older brother, and had a kind, trustworthy disposition, but even that didn’t disperse my hesitation.

“What do you mean, teach me? I already know how to look at auras,” I informed him, confused.

He smiled, as if he knew something that I didn’t and automatically I felt uneasy.

“Vera…. The auras aren’t your only gift.”

My whole body tensed as I took a step back. Not my only gift? What else could there be, but the auras? Wasn’t that enough? The thought of more set me on edge. With power comes responsibility right? That saying was what made me shift on my feet, wishing I could plug my ears and run from the room. Just the colors I was seeing now made me feel as if Rider would run from me, thinking I was insane. It was causing issues already, and it had only been a month.

“You’re more powerful than any of the Gifted. You’re going to end the war and… You’ll be our queen,” He continued, his bright blue eyes sparkling as he revealed the truth.

I gulped, swallowing my fear as those words rang through the room.