Chapter 2 The candidates

"A few new wolves have come through," Lachlan gave her a wide smile as they walk through the hallway towards the kitchen.

"Sounds like it's been fun," It didn't actually, but she was kind of spaced out on account of the fact she had the longest day in the history of the universe.

"You have no idea. There have been so many fights - you know, everyone trying to figure out who is who. A new alpha came through, one of Vanessa's sex candidates."

Astrid tried her best to keep a neutral face, but she knew she was frowning. Vanessa was the Alpha Queen of the Sydney Werewolf Clan and ever since she turned thirty, she had been obsessed with having pups and continuing to build the Clan.

But of course, being Queen and an alpha meant that she needed to find a werewolf to match her rank and power. Unfortunately for the local wolves there weren't too many alphas she'd considered. Evidently she had started shipping them in from other towns. Which was kind of weird if you asked Astrid, but werewolves had this whole freaky hierarchy system and rituals. She tried not to think about it too much, because it had major ick-factor.

"She still trying to get pregnant is she?"

"Well she is the Clan Queen, it's vital for the continuation of the wolf bloodline," Lachlan shrugged, "All I know is that she isn't too thrilled with the new alpha."

"Isn't too thrilled? What, she's having too much sex with a hunky alpha?" Astrid couldn't stop herself from snorting, "I'd like to have her problem,"

"Nah, don't think they're getting on too well. He's too alpha, and I don't think he's particularly thrilled with Vanessa either." He leaned closer and his voice lowered to a whisper, "Word is he can't bring himself to have sex with her. But anyway, it's been interesting because he's also head of the security team now."

Well that just about stopped Astrid in her tracks. This new werewolf is head of security?

"Excuse you?" the frustration was evident in her voice, but I don't care, "Head of security? Why? I wanted to apply for that position, are you serious?"

She can't believe it, she had left for three months, and in that time the head of security position had been filled. Astrid had wanted that job, everyone on security knew that. She had wanted a new challenge, an achievement, and well if she was being quite honest, the raise. She can't believe that in such a short amount of time they'd gone and filled the position.

"Well, I'm sorry to tell you, but the new alpha's got it - and he's made quite a few changes," Lachlan's looked is apologetic. They finally find themselves in the kitchen.

Astrid hurried to the cupboards eager to make some tea. After the day she'd had? she needed it. It'd been three months since she'd had good tea. Lachlan sat himself at one of the tables, watching her as she fussed around with the kettle.

"Mind making me one?" Lachlan asked, nodding towards the kettle.

Astrid gave him a nod, reaching to grab another mug and tried to focus as Lachlan continued to chatter, telling her about this and that. It was hard to focus because now all she could think about was the fact that she wasn't sure what her next career move was going to be.

She was beyond annoyed, so much so that she barely noticed Lachlan had stopped talking, and in fact, the kitchen had been enveloped in a still silence. Astrid turned around to bring the two teas to the table and noticed that Lachlan looked majorly pale and tense. Bizarre - he was chirpy and talkative only seconds ago and now he was stony and frozen like he'd been cursed with a Lutrovic spell.

"Lachlan," a bubble of laughter escaped from her throat, "Cat got your tongue so suddenl-"

"Astrid Castegarde I presume?" a deep voice shook the room and Astrid's eyes were instantly drawn to the door. She didn't know how she didn't sense someone else coming into the room. Her eyes connected with cold grey ones and she can feel her breath catch. Had she not just put the tea mugs down, she knew she would have dropped them because in the doorway stood a large, tall, beast of a man.

This had to be the new alpha, she didn't have to be told because the power was practically vibrating from him. His cold eyes and messy hair give him an altogether feral look. He was utterly gorgeous and Astrid found herself wondering how in the hell Vanessa was having such a hard time with him. She knew her heart was racing, and tried to take a few breaths to calm herself. She wasn't sure if she was scared or aroused. Possibly both.

"Astrid," Lachlan managed to find his voice, "This is our new head of security, Caius."

"Yes," Caius' voice was gruff, and Astrid couldn't help but feel intimidated, like an ant under his icy stare. Caius continued, "You may remember me from your loud conversation in the hallway from about five minutes ago."

Bloody Lycan hearing.

Astrid knew she shouldn't have been laughing, but she couldn't stop herself. There was no doubt in her mind that he was referring to Lachlan's previous comments about the whole Vanessa situation. Astrid felt like a terrible friend, because she it wasn't a good look for Lachlan to be gossiping about hoity-toity Alpha wolf business. Caius doesn't look particularly impressed with her display of giggles either. In fact he looked deadly serious and well, just generally deadly. Astrid managed to find her words.

"It's nice to meet you,"

Well done, Astrid. You know how to use your words.

"Right, well I just came in here to say that now that you've returned it would be a good idea to move your plants to an outside area away from The Underground," Caius replied, head nodding towards her special herbs on the sink, "They're taking up space and furthermore I don't think they're going to flourish in here."