Chapter 4 Power of A Queen

The flutter of leaves reacting to the caress of breeze was the only sound that could be heard, my wolves waiting to hear my answer, his wolves ready for war. Memories of my childhood flood my mind, the pain and suffering I had to go through to acquire my kingdom, my fighting for survival. But now I had to fight for theirs, the survival of my pack. I have made plenty of choices before, but this is the hardest of all.

Putting my crown on the floor as their queen and submitting to him is proving I am not worthy to be an Alpha. Alpha's always fought for their pack and position. But I will protect mine. Choices will always bring consequences. Pack before emotions.

He waits patiently, his eyes never once drifting from mine. He knows my choice but he wants me to say it out loud. "I withdraw my rights as Alpha and shall submit to you." I cannot breathe. My heart clenches, the spines around them pushing deeper to pierce through flesh.

The females cry holding their babes not knowing the outcome of this whilst the males snarl and growl at me wanting my throat. I never once turn and look at my wolves, only hear their responses to my decision. I am a coward.

"Ragon," He beckons the male by his side, muscular and visually striking with hair the colour of the dark sky. The title he holds radiates as an aura from him, this male is Deimos's beta. "Leave a team of our warriors for their protection. Help this pack prepare for the move."

Ragon kneels, his head tilted in a bow. "Yes, Alpha." I turn towards my Beta, her eyes brimming with tears.

"You understand why I had to do what I did." It wasn't a question, I know she understands.

"I will protect you with my life as you have protected us Alpha." Her voice cracks.

"No, this is my fight. Now go help the pack, they need you."

Turning around, peering up at the daunting male our eyes collide. The field is vacant of wolves except for both of us. No matter his ruthlessness, I find no hate in my heart for him and so does my wolf. Rather, we wish to acquire a taste of what lies in front of us. The pathway to his soul, his eyes are void of any emotion. I have never seen a wolf as such who can hide his feelings quite well.

"What is your name?" I do not answer him. "I will not repeat myself mate!" His voice thunders across the field.

"I do not wish to answer you." His eyes darken, fangs elongating he strides towards me. My heart quickens its beat. Hands around my neck, claws tightening. My body quivers from the sparks his touch brings. A new feeling.

"You will know better than to disobey me. Mate or not I will put you in your place."

"What is my place?"

His eyes lock with mine. "Beneath me." He growls. I just look at him gazing into his eyes trying to decipher any other emotion than fury. Does our touch not rise any feeling within him? Like the path of heat trailing from my chest to my core.

"Give us time, we need to bury our dead. A few of my elder wolves passed away in their sleep last night." Alarmingly vacant emeralds peer down at the meeting of our flesh right where I hold him.

"They shall remain upon this land's soil and their souls shall be put to rest. There is no need to bury them." A tilt of his head to show his denial of my wishes.

"It is my duty. You must allow me this." My voice falters, palms sweating as I feel the curse of my ancestors befall upon me. Our traditions collide, unable to fit together as one. He wants me to choose his way.

His irritation to my pestering surges as he loses control to remain calm and collected. Gripping my chin harshly he propels my face towards his. Forest greens shoot bestial cold-blooded arrows straight to my heart. The way he looks at me hurts me. "This pack belongs to me now. My word is the law. Your wolves will not be buried."

"You cannot do this. I will not allow my traditions to be tarnished by yours!" Low growls of disapproval of this male's ways are shown blatantly for him to see and feel.

His voice drips with an icy coldness that freezes my heart, "I gave you a choice, be willing or go to war with me. I have been kind to offer you that choice. Do you rather wish I did like the rest?"

Closing my eyes shut, my pain deepens with every minute. With every word, he spits at me. I am lost, I am helpless once more.

"Look at me when I speak to you." A large warm hand reaches forward thick long fingers coil up the strands of my hair as he pulls my face to him.

"You offered me no reasonable choices. You know this." I merely do as he asks gazing into his eyes trying to decipher any other emotion than fury. The heat of his breath kisses my skin, his eyes linger on my lips. Does our touch not rise any overwhelming feelings within him? Like the path of heat trailing from my chest to my core.

"Your wolves shall be protected much better than under your rule." His eyes flash with his truth he pours out with dominance, which leaves me speechless. "You must learn to obey me. I do not do well with disobedience." Eyes darken, fangs elongating he shows me his true essence. Alpha.

"Alpha." Ragon interrupts our conversation. Deimos's eyes glance up at him and he slowly withdraws his hands from my neck.

"Speak", he commands bringing back his eyes to mine.

"Everything is prepared." Ragon's voice falters feeling the tension between us.

"Let us leave," Deimos says walking away from me.

"What of my land?" Worry coats my voice.

"I will use it as I see fit." He walks away without facing me.

As I prepared for departure with a mourning soul, my future is uncertain yet I know one thing for sure. My defiance with him shall bring me problems.

The drive to Deimos's pack was quite the drive. No one spoke a word, only silence. My pack was not that large therefore were huddled in huge trucks following our jeep. My eyes tried to meet with that of Deimos's but he never once spared me a glance. I was truly invisible to him.

Finally arriving at his pack gates, I jump up in my seat to have a view of my new home, my wolf's ears perk up with undeniable curiosity. The gates open to give way to the sight of lush green land, fresh pastures, and healthy pine trees covered with snow. My window open, the sound of laughter fills my ears. Pups chasing each other, females sitting in circles chattering and giggling with males training and jogging around the field. The trucks holding my pack stop there, all of them getting down looking around anxious and in fear.

But I am taken elsewhere, down a road holding trees on both sides. It is a secluded area, away from the noisiness of the pack. My mouth opens with a surprised gasp as I take in what stands in front of me.

"This is where you shall stay, my home." Deimos's voice tunes out, the entirety of my attention lies upon the gorgeous white castle. Yet gaping at the glamorous building in front of me, I couldn't feel happiness. It looked like a prison. A prison waiting to bound me.

Ragon walks from the driver's seat opening my door. "Luna." He says helping me get down. Luna. A word I thought I would never hear coming out from a wolf's lips. It feels different.

There are a few older wolves present bowing down low, patiently waiting for us. Deimos walks up to them. "Rise," he commands.

They rise heads still bowed hands held together over their belly, Welcome back, Alpha Deimos."

"These wolves will show you to your room." He turns towards them pointing at me, "Make sure she is settled." They bow down again with a chorus of "Yes Alpha." Deimos walks away still not sparing me a glance. Is this how I am to be treated? As an undesired mate?

"Please follow me, Luna." A petite female, barely a full-grown wolf, strides towards keeping her eyes on the floor. She reminds me of a wild hare, cautious and meek.

Following her inside the castle my eyes sparkle watching the chandeliers hanging high, marble floors and red royal carpets flowing down the staircase. Climbing the stairs, grazing my fingers on the railings feeling the coldness of it, I enjoy this walk. She climbs up to the last floor walking through a long corridor, huge windows to the right bring in streams of sunlight.

"This is your room, Luna." She finally peeks up at me, pointing to a huge oak door across the hall. "You may explore the castle and its grounds as you please." She whispers whilst leaving me by myself shutting the door softly behind her.

Inspecting the spacious room, I acknowledge it is fit for a queen. It feels as though it was waiting for me, waiting for my arrival. I adore it, it is modern yet possesses a romanesque interior and I barely find myself interested in things of this matter. Lying upon the softness of the mattress my eyes meet with the ceiling. I see myself in the mirror attached to it. Is this meant to be my home now? Is this the place I shall find the happiness I seek? Will this be my future?

Further thoughts of my situation consume me during and after my warm shower, a luxury we did not possess in my pack. Hoping to fill the emptiness of my belly I leave the bounds of my room.

Taking a shower, I go down the stairs hoping to fill my grumbling stomach. A servant walks up to me. "Can I be of any help, Luna?" I look around searching for the kitchen.

"I would like to eat, where is the kitchen?"

"Would you like to eat here or with the pack, Luna?" I think my pack would be settling down by now, I have to face them.

"Take me to the pack." Worry seeps into my mind, I have to endure the rejection from my pack. I need strength.

Strolling into the pack's kitchen my steps nervous, my pack seems to enjoy interacting with Deimos's wolves including Elriam. All the chatter comes to a complete stop as they regard me. I look each of them in their eyes ready for the consequences of my choice.

Elriam is the first to get up, she comes to my side putting her nose against my foreheads touching, a sign of affection. "Alpha." She whispers. Soon each female from my pack does the same while the males bow to me. "We understand your choice and we will protect you as you did with us."

I smile a real smile. "Thank you," I reply to them. And so the time passes all the wolves chattering, sniffing, trying to get used to different scents while preparing the meal. Mixing the cake batter, Elriam tells me a joke to which I laugh. My laughter booms across the kitchen. For the first time, my heart feels proper content. Chuckling, turning round I meet eyes with Deimos.

He was watching me and I didn't even know. I was so engrossed in everything around me I didn't notice him. My cheeks flushed, I look down. Turning my eyes back to him, his fingers shake. I know that feeling, he wishes to touch me, to feel the warmth of my skin.

Getting up from the table with males sitting all around having beer bottles in hand. He strides towards me, posture confident. His fingertips brush against my cheek bringing the cake batter to his mouth, licking it, maintaining eye contact. He turns around going back to his seat at the table.

My body is on fire, my throat parched. I need water. Getting some water swallowing huge gulps to calm the fire within me. I can't concentrate on the task at hand. I am aware of him now. I feel his gaze on me from time to time. Acting like it does not affect me. But inside me, a storm brews every time his gaze lands on my skin.

It is a tradition that the Alpha commences the meal feeds some from his plate to his female and the pack begins. Deimos consumes his share whilst I wait for him to place some on my plate but he gives me none. He just continues to fill his belly blatantly humiliating me. This is his way of saying he does not accept as his Luna that I have no place on this table. He does not want me. Trying to look strong in front of your pack when all you want to do is curl up and cry is difficult. But I do it to show my strength.

"You will eat your three meals here with our pack every day." He says to me his domineering voice infiltrating through the stillness.

"I do not wish to, I would rather eat alone than with you Deimos." Why must I do what he asks of me when he has disrespected me in front of all the wolves?

"You dare oppose me?" He questions calmly. It is quite surprising how he can be collected when he clearly wishes to lash out. I can perceive the bitterness simmering beneath his storming eyes.

"I am not opposing you, I merely don't want to share a meal with you ever again," I say with an audible rise in my voice as he rapidly turns towards me gripping my jaw in his hands subjugating me to look at him.

"If you ever raise your voice at me again I will make sure the pack overhears your cries to my punishment. Do you understand?" My mouth aches to defy him but gazing into his eyes I know he addresses the truth. He has no tolerance for disobedience. The dining room is hushed their heads bowed in panic at this male's display of madness.

"Yes." My voice trembles not with fear but the surging anger that I constrain with all my might.

"You will eat your meals here with my pack. Do I make myself clear?" He questions only to be met with my silence. "Answer me, my patience is running thin."

"Yes," I answer not wanting to feed his temper. I have no power against him now but I will unquestionably gain it shortly. Enough power to bring him to his knees.

"Tomorrow you will train with the pack. I wish to see your strength that rumors say you possess." I nod modestly in silence. "Use words mate."

"Yes, Alpha." He grimaces apprehending the words that are spit out from my mouth but pays no attention to it.

They are not rumors and I shall make sure to prove to him that. A sense of determination fills me. He will see the true power of a Queen.