In The Beginning, Chapter 46
“Maybe it’s the cold, or the lack of food, or maybe you weren’t taught right, but no one disrespects my mate and gets away with it.” He spat at the man, letting him drop to the floor. The scowling man looked Daniel with pure loathing.
“Be careful of that one Alpha, he has been corrupted.” Theia’s voice floated through the room, before she appeared in a shimmer of violet sparks between me and Daniel and the man.
“Corrupted how?” Daniel asked, still watching the man intently.
“I’m not sure, he is either part vampire, or he has been fed on, but he has no empathy.” Theia replied, while the rest of the hall stared at her in wonder and fear. “Charlie!” She spotted me and came to embrace me, the new wolves watched us, their whispers growing in noise after the pin-drop silence that had enveloped the room since the man first spoke.
“I’m pure wolf, my family has been for generations.” The scowling man spat.
“He is lying, unaware, or has been fed on.” Theia stated simply, her face placid as she spoke to Daniel.
“Can we help him? Recharge his spark with our powers?” I asked, unsure if something like that was possible.
“I can’t, and I wouldn’t suggest you try, it could put you at risk, the amount of power you would have to use.” Theia explained, looking at me affectionately, but with a sorrow in her eyes that I could almost feel.
“Is he a danger to the pack?” Daniel asked, while the whispers grew deafening, some people were questioning how Theia could know anything from a look, others were hopeful the man wouldn’t be allowed to remain.
“It’s a possibility.” Theia replied, and the man scoffed at her.
“The fuck does a witch know about me, or vamps?” He growled at her, she merely raised an eyebrow at him, before answering.
“I am no witch pup.” She snarled, the air around her crackling with her powers, the lights dimmed and flickered, like she was drawing the electricity from the room. The newcomers watched in morbid fascination as her eyes flashed brightly, her skin began glowing softly, as she raised off the ground, floating several feet in the air. “I am one of the creators, the first, I am linked to the source of all life on this planet and the universe!” Her voice echoed eerily, sounding like her, and like many voices at once. “I have more power than your puny mortal brain could comprehend. My sisters are your Moon Goddess, the Fae High Priestess, mother earth, we are Gods, and you are ants we could crush under our feet!” She bellowed, lowering back to the ground, her hair still flowing around her like she was floating in water. “You are alive because it would upset my niece if I eviscerated you.” She said loud enough for the room to hear, their whispers having died at Theia’s display of power. The lights returned to normal, and I felt the room staring at me, when she came to stand at my side. “Are you ready for your lesson?” She whispered, but my eyes were still glued to Daniel and the scowling man, who now looked like he was going to piss himself.
“You should go.” Daniel said softly, he turned his back on the man, coming to me to kiss me goodbye. I saw the man stand behind Daniel, and lunge for him.
“NO!” I screamed, and he was caught in my power, his body frozen, his eyes wide and darting side to side. His mouth stuck in the twisted expression of hate he had when he lunged.
“Oh, excellent work, Charlie.” Theia clapped beside me, while Daniel looked at the man with disgust.
“Not even brave enough to challenge me to a fair fight? Coward!” Daniel hissed at the man’s face, the crowed seemed to hiss and seethe with Daniel, as they watched. “Let him go.” Daniel ordered, but I looked at him confused. “Trust me.” He linked me. I nodded, and pulled my power back, unsure how I’d stopped him in the first place, but hoping that pulling back would release him. The man stumbled and swung his clawed hand at Daniel’s head, Daniel dodged it easily, a lazy expression on his face, like he was bored. The man growled in anger, but even that was weaker than Daniel’s. Bailey took a step forward, but I shook my head to him, and he paused, glancing around the room, I saw all eyes on us, and the warriors that had helped bring the people inside stopped their tactical movements around the room. The man growled again, and began to shift, I looked around the room as it seemed much slower than the few times I’d witnessed Daniel shift, but the crowd looked scared. I looked at the warriors, but their faces betrayed nothing. The man, in his wolf form, snapped and growled at Daniel, stalking back and forth along the wall. He pounced forward his claws and fangs spread to pierce Daniel, who reared his fist back, and punched the wolf between his eyes, sending him hurling back into the wall. A crack formed behind the wolf as he lost his form and slumped limply to the floor, naked, and unconscious. “Your previous Alpha was weak, a disgrace, he made you weak too!” Daniel bellowed, as the crowd watched, none dared utter a word. “In Applewood pack, you show respect, and receive it in return! Any who wish to leave are free to do so! But remember, your old lands are mine now too, and I have alliances with the other Alphas of this state, so you will have to go elsewhere to make your home. Leave now, and you will be escorted by my men over the border, stay and you will be cared for by myself, my mate, and our pack. The choice is yours. Alex!” A man I had never met before seemed to appear from the shadows.
“Yes Alpha.” Alex replied, coming to stand in front of Daniel.
“Take this trash to the prison, I will decide his fate when I am calmer.” Daniel looked at the man in disgust and opened his arms for me. I practically ran into them, and I held him tight as his heartbeat eased my own out of the gallop it had been pounding. I heard him sniffing in my scent, looking for the comfort it brings him.
“Are you alright?” I couldn’t help but ask him, concerned, he chuckled softly.
“I’m fine.” He said, lifting my chin so he could see my eyes. “Are you okay?” He asked me softly, I nodded my head, afraid my voice would break with the emotions running wild within me. His lips pressed against my forehead softly, and I pulled him lower to feel his lips on mine. “Have you eaten yet?” He asked, and my stomach growled, despite my lack of appetite. “You didn’t eat breakfast either.” He warned me, like they had been anticipating this, Kathy and Annie appeared with three bowls of the steaming hot soup.
“We have more than enough for anyone who wants seconds.” Kathy insisted as she handed us our bowls. Annie looked terrified as she handed Theia a bowl, but no one fainted at least this time. Daniel led me to a free table and handed me a bottle of water.
“I’m fine, this is for those that need it.” I tried to insist, but the matching glares from Theia and Daniel shut me up. I looked down at the food while trying not to giggle at their identical ‘don’t argue’ expressions. “I’m going to get Maria if you two keep ganging up on me.” I threatened, Theia looked at Daniel and smiled, understanding what I meant, while Daniel kept his eyes on me, waiting for me to at least pick up my spoon. I grabbed a bread roll and dunked it in the bowl instead, and waited for him to take a bite, with a cocked eyebrow. He scooped up a large chunk of meat and popped it into his mouth, blowing on it slightly, as he misjudged the heat, but still savouring the flavours. I took a bite of my bread and groaned in appreciation. The meat was perfectly seasoned, and the simple but hearty meal was delicious. I saw several of the newcomers asking for seconds, the warriors and workers all seemed to have been given a bowl too. Maria had a group of children around her, handing out hot chocolate with the young girl who had thought of it. The scowling man had been taken away and the chatter was building again. By the time we were finished eating, almost half of the newcomers had willingly been assessed by the doctors. Most needed to stay warm and given instructions to improve their diet, the doctors instructing them to increase their daily calorie intake until they were healthier. Only two of the younger wolves needed to go to the hospital, their dehydration and low body temperature concerning the doctors, along with an older, but not elderly male, and a heavily pregnant female, who hadn’t been receiving prenatal care. Once everyone had finished eating and seemed in better spirits, Daniel addressed them all again.
“Former members of Harvest Moon, now that you are warm, and have eaten, I would like to introduce myself and my mate properly. I am Alpha Daniel Summer, and this is my mate, and future Luna of our pack, Charlie Phillips. I understand many of you are concerned about your ranks, and how you will fit into our pack. I want to assure you all, your rank will be assessed, and here you will get the opportunity to prove yourselves. The warriors among you will be trained, both with us and the visiting warriors we will be hosting from other packs. The vampires have declared war on all other species, so we will need all the warriors we can get. The other Alphas and I are building an army, so this Spring Equinox, every warrior will have the chance to fight for their rank. We will find homes and jobs for all of you, but for now, we will provide you with a place to sleep tonight, so we need to know your name, rank and family members. Tomorrow night, everyone in this room is invited to meet the pack, and join us, or leave. Fill out the forms being handed out, so we can find you somewhere more suitable than this hall to sleep.” Daniel announced, the entire hall gave him their complete attention, and I saw a mixture of uncertainty and hope.
“Why do you need to know their ranks?” I asked him softly.
“Because the warriors have given up the majority of the barracks, gone back to family or friends, to make space. Half will be leaving in a couple of days anyway, the families here, will be placed in the homes we had prepared for the visiting trainers and their families. Not sure where I’m going to put them now, but we will find something.” He explained, kissing my forehead.
“Charlie? We should get started on your lesson.” Theia reminded me gently, so I kissed Daniel and allowed her to take me from the hall.
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