Young
Alisha looked at Alice, anxiety evident in both their eyes.
Alice tightened his hold on her, sensing potential danger. This was exactly why he hadn't wanted to come out. They didn't know this place or its people, and supernatural beings were unpredictable. Violence was the last thing he wanted to deal with.
All eyes turned to them.
"Why do you both smell different?" someone from the crowd asked.
"Yes, they don't smell like us," another one commented.
"That's right. Who are you?"
Alisha trembled slightly, pressing closer to Alice.
Alice took a deep breath, maintaining his composure. "We're new here. We came with Maya."
He hoped this answer would suffice. Given yesterday's events, everyone likely knew Maya had returned. Though he and Alisha had been in the garden at the time, Maya had talked about the situation, so he was aware of what had transpired.
A woman stepped forward, scrutinising Alisha and Alice. "But you don't look like her two kids."
"We're not her kids, but we came with her because we know her," Alice clarified.
A man from the crowd growled, "Are you taking this as a joke? You think we're gonna believe this shit?"
"Why would we lie? It's the truth!" Alice insisted, his voice firm despite his growing unease.
The tension in the air thickened as the pack members continued to eye them suspiciously.
Alice felt the situation escalating and knew he needed to defuse it quickly. He raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Look, we're not here to cause any trouble. We're just trying to familiarise ourselves with the area. If our presence is unwelcome, we'll leave immediately."
A tall, muscular man pushed through the crowd. His aura exuded authority, and the others instinctively stepped back as he approached. "I'm Harmis, the pack's beta. Care to explain yourselves?”
Alisha, gathering her courage, spoke up. "We're here because... because we want to look around.”
Harmis's eyes narrowed. "Is this a circus look around ?”
Alice intervened, "No. But that doesn't mean we can't look around.”
Harmis studied them for a long moment, his gaze piercing. "You say Maya brought you here. Where is she now?"
"She's... not with us at the moment," Alice replied, realising how suspicious that must sound.
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Harmis held up a hand, silencing them. "I think it's best if you come with me. We need to sort this out with Alpha Lucas."
Alisha and Alice exchanged worried glances. This wasn't how they'd planned their outing to go.
"Is that really necessary?" Alice asked, trying to keep his voice steady. "We can just return to where we're staying."
There is no way he wants to meet Lucas, he doesn't even have a spell casted on him to show her is a wizard, now how will he fake it?
Harmis's expression hardened. "It wasn't a request. Come with me, now."
As they followed Harmis, with the curious and somewhat hostile crowd dispersing behind them, Alisha whispered to Alice, "What are we going to do?”
Alice squeezed her hand reassuringly. "We'll figure it out. Let's just stay calm.”
They approached a large, imposing building at the centre of the pack's territory. Harmis led them inside, through corridors lined with ancient-looking tapestries and artefacts.
Finally, they reached a set of heavy wooden doors. Harmis knocked and then entered, gesturing for Alisha and Alice to follow.
Inside, they found themselves in a spacious office.
"Alpha Lucas," Harmis said, bowing his head slightly. "They say Maya brought them with herself. They were wandering the marketplace, and their story doesn't add up."
Lucas looked in their direction and scanned them. "Aren't you Maya's adopted daughter, and you, that wizard we met that day in the pack house?" His lips formed a smirk.
"Yes, you're right. That's us," Alice answered, trying to keep his voice steady.
Lucas chuckled. "Harmis, don't worry. I know them."
Alice knew it wasn't right to fall into Lucas's hands. He was a scheming Alpha, and there was no way Alisha's truth could be exposed now. As far as he remembered, her blood smell was something Lucas shouldn't get a whiff of, so he had to do his best to prevent the truth of Alisha's identity from coming out.
"Oh, I thought they were some rogues or something. But it's good that they're known," Harmis bowed.
Alice felt a mix of relief and apprehension. While they had avoided immediate suspicion, he knew they were now treading on dangerous ground. Lucas's smirk and knowing look made him uneasy.
"So," Lucas continued, leaning back in his chair, "what brings you two out ? I thought Maya would keep you... closer to home."
Alisha, sensing the tension, decided to speak up. "We just wanted to see more of the pack, sir. We've been cooped up for a while and thought a walk would do us good."
Lucas's eyes narrowed slightly. "I see. And Maya approved of this little excursion?"
Alice stepped in, "We didn't inform her. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision."
"Interesting," Lucas mused. "Well, since you're here, perhaps you'd like to join me for a chat. I'm sure we have much to discuss about your... situation."
Alice and Alisha exchanged worried glances. They knew they were walking into a potential trap, but refusing the Alpha's invitation wasn't an option.
"We'd be honoured, Alpha Lucas," Alice said, hoping his voice didn't betray his concern.
“You can leave Harmis.”
“Sure Alpha,” Harmis walked out from the room.
As Lucas stood to lead them to a more private area, Alice's mind raced. How were they going to navigate this conversation without revealing too much?
He led them to a more secluded room adjacent to his office. It was a cosy space with plush armchairs arranged around a low table. The walls were lined with bookshelves.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable," Lucas said, gesturing to the chairs. As Alisha and Alice sat down, Lucas took a seat across from them, his piercing gaze never leaving their faces.
"Now then," he began, his voice deceptively casual, "Why don't you tell me more about yourself.”
Alice straightened in his chair, trying to project confidence. "What would you like to know?"
Lucas leaned forward slightly. "Let's start with you, young wizard. It's not every day we have one of your kind in our midst. What's your connection to Maya and her... adopted daughter?"
Alice chose his words carefully. "I met Alisha through... unusual circumstances. And fall in love.”
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