Amber's body was taut and covered in sweat. Her face was a ferocious mask of determination and focus. It had been her brother's idea, her Beta, that she should put on these ridiculous displays. They were frustrating. Her on display for all the weak Alphas of the world as if she were ever available for them.
She went along with this because she had just had her twenty first birthday and she knew she would soon start going into heat. She was not afraid of this because she knew she could control herself no matter what and if any male thought they could take her in a vulnerable moment she welcomed them to try.
The thought made her sneer and her killing intent soar. She had forgotten about the male before her until he whimpered and fell on his face before her. She stopped, in shock, and blinked a few times looking at him trying to understand what had just happened.
She regained her composure, stood tall and walked back to her seat. Adonis stifled a laugh as his baby sister, his Alpha, sat down.
"Don't giggle Adonis. It is not becoming of a Beta." She spoke calmly and with a smile but the intent was clear and Adonis involuntarily swallowed. He shook his head. He did not know a wolf who was at least a little intimidated by his sister. Even his father and mother, the two strongest werewolves he had ever known, often had to take a pause.
He smiled at the memory.
The fortress of Whitehaven city was a marvel to Marco. It was the first time he had ever been here. Not because they were enemies but because he never had an interest. Marco was a lot like his father. He only cared for his territories and his people. They had plenty of lands and if they needed more because their pack grew they would obtain more.
But being inside Whitehaven was breathtaking. It had been six months since Amber had called an end to the fighting. She had called an end to it but there were no apologies for bringing his people into it and then slaughtering them all.
As far as Marco was concerned that would never happen again. He would rebuild his Pack and they would be a pack of Epsilon, Theta, and Psi. He would either find them already trained or train them himself.
He was considered an Omega in their world now. A rogue, packless, nothing. That was fine. They could think what they liked. When Silk Moon rose again they would all be groveling at his feet.
"Alpha."
Tar spoke as softly as possible, still Jess heard. She walked to her brother and took his arm with a smile. He instantly calmed.
But it was too late.
Amber was listening to Cris, Adonis' mate when something caught her attention. Hairs rose on the back of her neck and her eyes transformed on their own as if she were trying to see something hidden from her human eyes. They took on a deeper hue, the pupil enlarging. Her nose flared ever so slightly and she scented the air.
Adonis and Cris gave each other a look but before anyone could say anything the scent was gone and Amber relaxed, her transformations gone, and she set back in her seat with a frown on her face.
Adonis didn't say anything. He could tell that his sister was not even sure what had just happened herself so he left it alone.
The Silk Moon Pack may have been considered no more but their wealth was still substantial. They took care of all of their dead, writing all of their names on their great ancestral walls, and, even with so many gone, they were still able to maintain all of their businesses.
Even though many were killed, many survived as well. They were either away when the attack occurred or they had made it to their ancient stronghold in the mountains. So there were still a few hundred werewolves still loyal to Silk Moon Pack. It was true that they were a Shadow of their former selves but they were technically a pack.
Marco did not want anyone to know this as of yet. Two things they had always been good at was technology and espionage. Marco had already led his people in placing surveillance in all six of Dark Howl's major cities. Now he was here to do the same with Star Fire's three major cities.
"Let's go and see how well the new Alpha fares before we check into our hotel."
Marco hated when is sister spoke to him in her soothing way as if he were a volatile bull ready to charge at the slightest provocation. He rolled his eyes and allowed her to lead him.
"Where exactly are we going? Her royal chambers?"
Jess sighed like a patient mother. "You really should listen throughout the entire debriefing sometimes. She is showing the citizens her prowess…"
"Prowess? Is she a feline?"
"Okay. What would you call it?"
"…."
Jess pursed her lips.
They entered a large square crowded with werewolves. Marco frowned at the scene and instantly smelled something intoxicating. He did not stop walking and he did not hesitate but there was an oddness in his motion that caught Jess' attention.
"What is it?"
"I.. I'm not sure."
It was a lie and they both knew it. He knew exactly what this was but he was not going to allow it to hinder him. At the same time he could not allow it to get him caught either. He would have his revenge on both Star Fire and Dark Howl. Nothing would get in his way.
Not even his soulmate.
"Let's stay here on the edge of the crowd."
Jess nodded and gave Tar a pointed look. He nodded as well.
By the time they had stopped at the edge of the crowd Amber was at the edge of her seat.
"Adonis. Something is wrong."
Both Adonis and Cris tensed. They were not really sure what to do because they could tell it was not danger it was something else. At least it was not registering as danger for Amber.
Her eyes transformed again and her nostrils flared. Again she scented the air. But this time her soul stirred in a way that she understood. Her heart raced and her breathing became heavy, more dramatic.
"My soulmate." It came out as half a growl and half a purr and it affected all the male wolves in a 100 meter radius. Everyone looked in her direction and this forced Marco to look as well. He fought to control his natural urge to transform and answer her call.
He was afraid to speak, his body trembling and his people surrounding him to make sure he was safe.
"We have to act natural for a moment. Can you hold brother?"
He still did not trust himself to speak so he lightly, he hoped it was lightly, squeezed his sister's arm to convey a positive answer.
It seemed like hours. Amber scanning the crowd but no one responding. She dropped the resonance of the call and all the males visibly relaxed. They had been put on a type of hold. It was like they sensed a werewolf in heat but because the call was not specifically for them they could not react to it. Their bodies physically wanted to but their strong souls said no.
Amber sat back in agitation. "He did not respond to me but he did not denounce me either. What does this mean?"
Adonis scanned the crowd as well. "I am not sure. He has to be strong to not act on that call. I have the same blood running through my veins so my soul quieted instantly but the initial reaction was like nothing I have ever felt."
Amber nodded. "Maybe he will denounce me in the next few days."
Adonis shook his head. "You can not count on that. Destroying a part of your soul is not an easy thing to commit to. You might as well just kill yourself."
"Well he knows me and I have no idea who he is." They relaxed more as the courtyard became noisy and chaotic again. Neither of them noticed Marco's group mingle into the crowd and slowly leave the courtyard.
As he moved further away Amber's soul quieted more and more. "He has left the courtyard."
"Should we try to follow?"
"Follow who? And what does it matter? If he does not want me why should I want him." Amber shrugged and confidently leaned back in her chair.