5. Summit of Alphas

“Why? Why not me?”  Ceres asked between sobs.  “She..she’s his m-m-m-ate isn’t she?” She wailed.

This is what Andraste wanted to avoid.  Each sob tore her heart apart for her best friend.  She didn’t even bother responding to the question.  They both understood that Ceres knew the answer.  Instead, she held her in her arms and gently rocked her until the sobbing subsided.  Her breathing became more steady.  Andraste thanked the goddess, Ceres had finally fallen asleep. 

She slipped quietly away from her sleeping friend.  She brought the covers up and over her shoulders, tucking her in like she would a child.  Andraste then stepped away to the window.  She peered out at the cloudless night where only a sliver of the moon appeared. Her thoughts drifted to the events of the day.

Adonis had followed the girls back to the home.  He lied to himself saying it was for their protection.  But as he lingered outside the home he watched the pair enter, even he could no longer deny it was solely to watch Andraste.  And as he looked up, his heart stumbled once again.

She stood in the window, just barely in view.  Only her pale face could be seen from the shadows. He wished he could see the rest of her figure.  He hadn’t been able to properly see her legs but based on the way she walked he could only imagine how gorgeous they would be.

Even with the weight of her best friend, she was so light on her feet.  Watching her walk was like watching a beautiful dance.  It was full of grace and purpose.  His dick began to throb again as he pictured the way her butt, so firm and perfectly round, swayed with her every step.  His hands itched in anticipation of running them over her smooth skin. He curled his fingers imagining winding them through her silky locks of hair.

He snapped himself out of his reverie.  There was work to be done.  With a last look to his goddess, he turned from the home to make his way back to the Great Hall.

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The Great Hall had been cleared of all remnants of dinner.  The Omegas had been excused for the evening. Geb looked around at the somber, stern faces of his fellow Alphas.  Some shifted nervously.  A summit like this was so very rarely called for.  Everyone was on edge wondering what this was about.

Seth sat beside him.  His usual banter subdued, understanding that now was not the time or place.  It panged Geb’s heart to see the man now sitting next to him.  Gone was the boy who had gone off to training.  Sitting next to his son, he could feel the power of his Alpha aura now emanating from him.  He was calm and focused.  Geb knew that Seth was going to make him proud.

On the other side of Geb sat King Apollo.  His face was set in a stony expression.  Unless you were paying attention, you would have thought he was lost in thought.  Instead, Geb could see his eyes continuing to watch the door.  Each Alpha that walked through was clearly being assessed by his cold calculating eyes.

Geb counted the number of Alphas present.  They were still missing three plus Adonis.  Where in the world had he disappeared to?  Geb frowned as he scanned the group gathered again.  As he was making the second sweep, Adonis walked into the Great Hall.

King Apollo’s eyes narrowed.

“Where have you been?”

The disapproval of his absence was clear in the question.  But Adonis continued forward unphased by his father’s aura.

“Given the circumstances Father, I ensured that the Princess made it to her destination safely.”

Geb’s face fell into a look of guilt.  His obvious thought being that he should have thought of that.  While Seth on the other hand looked amused.

“I’m sure the ice princess would have been just fine.” After a stern look from Geb, Seth clarified, “She is a warrior of immense talent, even without her wolf.”

Adonis smirked.  It was becoming obvious that Seth’s tales of his pain in the ass sister were out of jealousy.  Andraste obviously was much more than meets the eye.  And he couldn’t wait to peel back all of her layers.

Apollo cleared his throat and all chatter stopped.  Adonis took his seat next to his father.

“Though we are still short a few of our members, I feel that it is important to go ahead and start before it gets too late in the evening.”  He took a moment to ensure that he had their full attention.

“As most of you now know, earlier today, while on our way to the Harvest Moon Pack, our caravan was attacked.  What most of you don’t know, it was humans.”

There was a shocked murmur through the hall.  Once the room had become quiet again Apollo continued.

“It was obvious they had spent time planning and were prepared.  This was months in the making, not a random attack.  What we don’t know is why or who.”

Apollo stood up and his Beta came forward with a map.  It showed the route they had taken through the pack territories to get to the Harvest Moon capital.

“As you can see, there are only minimal patches of land that we passed through unoccupied by wolves.  Their strategy was well thought out and coordinated.  Someone has taken their time to learn our strengths and weaknesses.”

“And how do you know that?” A bold Alpha from the northern regions asked.

It was Adonis’s turn to speak.  He had a knack for strategy and was still amazed at the level of strategy the humans had executed.  In a frustrated, angry way.  There was no way he was going to give them positive thoughts.

“They came from the ground.  Each attacking human had covered themselves in mud and fecal matter to throw us off their scents.”

“And their heart rates?”

“They chose a location where there is a large stream with a bit of a waterfall.  Once they slowed down their heart rates, the rush of the water covered the beat.”

“I don’t like where this is going.” Another Alpha spoke up.  All nodded, he only said what they were all thinking.

“I fear that’s not the worst of it.”  King Apollo spoke up. His aura spread out around him like a thick blanket.  The obvious pain and anger laced in the weight of it.  Though his audience was nothing but Alphas, being the King it was felt by each of them.

“Father.” Adonis murmured.  Apollo looked at his son.  He reined his aura back in and a collective breath was had by all.

“They used wolfsbane coated weapons.” Apollo announced and then waited for the news to settle in.

All eyes looked to him.  He felt the weight of his title at this moment.  The motives of the attack were still shrouded in mystery.  But the implications were clear enough.

“Years of harmony and truce has come to an end.  It is clear that there are those among the humans who seek to conquer us. Selene in all her wisdom has granted us strength, speed, and our wolves. But there must be balance to the world. And so we have our weaknesses, silver and wolfsbane.”

“It seems the humans mean to change this balance.” Adonis added. Apollo nodded towards his son and the wisdom of his words.

In her favorite hiding place, Andraste listened to the leaders of their kind.  Fear clutched her heart.  The impending terror she felt became clear.  What they spoke of, the meaning behind their words, was war.

Her presence went largely unnoticed.  She’d picked out this hiding spot in the Great Hall from an early age.  It had taken a couple tries to find one that would keep her guarded from her father.

She smiled thinking of the first time Geb had caught her listening in on one of his meetings. His words were scolding and disappointed, but his eyes had bounced with mischief and pride.  Geb had kept her sheltered in the way most father’s would.  At the same time, he had never discouraged her curiosity or sense of self.  It was one of the many reasons she was a daddy’s girl.

Her mother on the other hand had been furious.  At the time she had been caught she was supposed to be with the elder Omega women learning domestic duties.  Nothing could be farther from her interests.  So, once Gaia had moved on to her own Luna duties, Andraste had created an excuse to dismiss herself from the Omega’s that had been put in charge of her.  She then slipped away to the Great Hall where Geb was holding a pack warrior meeting.

Coming back to the present, Andraste sank to the hard ground.  Reality hitting home that the Great Hall would be filled with meetings of the same more often now.  This was one skirmish and had left more dead than any rogue attack ever had.  Rogue attacks.  The wheels in her mind began turning.

Two years ago, when Geb was meant to go to the alliance capital, there had been an onslaught of what were rogue attacks.  Only, hadn’t Father mentioned each attack seemed a little different?  A little more strategic?  It was no secret that rogues held no allegiance.  They would do only what pleased them and allowed them to survive.  Could the humans have hired them to be the first wave?  A wave of rogues to determine the best strategy?

The more Andraste thought about it, the more the idea made sense to her.  If the roles were reversed, it was a brilliant move.  Using the rogues would lessen suspicion of human involvement and reduce the risk of human life to learn the wolves’ weaknesses.  For the first time since sneaking into Father’s meetings she had the urge to make her presence known.  

She frowned.  It would be risky to interrupt, especially as a non-wolfed princess.  It could make her and her father a laughing stock.  But….if she didn’t say anything, would anyone else make the connection?

Unbeknownst to Andraste, her presence hadn’t gone completely unnoticed this time.  Adonis had caught her scent the moment she had entered the Great Hall.  He’d been subtly looking for its source since the lavender and vanilla had invaded his senses.  He may have missed her if she hadn’t chosen to sit down.

He hadn’t taken his eyes off of her since.  The subtle change in her demeanor and the quickened pace of her heart told him something was at work in the beautiful head of hers.  Without thinking of consequences, he shouted, “Andraste!”

All heads turned towards the area Adonis was looking.  Even with their improved eye sight most still missed Andraste.  She’d been very careful in selecting her hiding spot for scent, sound, and sight.  But she wasn’t counting on Adonis.

“Daughter, how long have you been hiding there?”

Andraste rose from where she had been sitting and came out of the shadows.

“Depends Father, on how much you want me to pretend I didn’t hear.”

There were a few snickers through the assembly of Alphas.  There were far more who made noises of disapproval.  King Apollo looked rather curious with Adonis standing next to him obviously trying not to laugh out loud.  Her father though looked furious. Andraste swallowed hard and with all the courage she could muster when facing her angry father continued to step forward.

Once Andraste reached the head table that sat Geb, Adonis, and the King, she gave a small curtsey keeping her head bowed.  It was Apollo that spoke up first.

“My dear, please rise. With no fear of discipline, please, how long have you been there?”

“Since the beginning your Majesty.”

 “And why keep your presence hidden?”

“May I speak freely, your Majesty?”

“Please do.”

“It has always been made very clear that she-wolves are not meant for matters of violence, leadership, or protection of the pack. Such things are beyond our understanding or capabilities.  I do not fear your discipline, your Majesty, I fear my mother’s.”

There was another round of snickers.  Geb’s face was only getting redder between the anger and embarrassment.  But Andraste chose to remain calm.  Her demeanor giving off the appearance she was unphased by the surrounding Alphas.  Her nerves on the other hand were a tangled mess.  But she stood her ground.

And then, from the least expected presence, a voice spoke up on her behalf.

“Father, it is well known that Andraste is a warrior of immense abilities.  What she doesn’t have in brute strength she more than makes up for in speed, agility, and logic.  The way her mind works could be of great use to our discussions.”

Andraste’s jaw dropped.  Was this the same Seth that pulled her hair?  The same brother who so often told her growing up that he was going to be an Alpha and she was nothing but an Alpha-bearer?  Andraste decided to quickly move on from the questions flitting through her mind and focus on the opening he just gave her.

Before she could continue, Adonis too spoke up.

“It seems to me that her mind has already been working out something that puzzles her.”

“And what makes you say that Adonis?” Apollo asked. Andraste too wanted that answer.  He didn’t know her and yet that was so close to the truth it stunned her.

“In the very short time I’ve been in her presence, Andraste has had a good sense of her surroundings and what needs to be done.  Yet, she was deep enough in thought, she was unaware I had discovered her hiding spot.”

Damn, he had a good point, Andraste frowned to herself.  When it came to him, she couldn’t seem to find steady ground.  Three times in the single day they’d known each other, he’d caught her off guard.  That was going to have to change as his stay was going to be an extended one.

“I must admit, he’s right. As you discussed current events, my mind was forced to reconsider the rogue attacks of two years ago.”

Geb’s anger dissipated instantly.  Though he didn’t appreciate his daughter being present where she did not belong (and goddess knows when Gaia found out it was his head she was going to have) he couldn’t disagree with Seth’s assessment of Andraste’s ability to see the whole picture.

“Go on.” Geb encouraged Andraste.

“If I were a human king…” Andraste was interrupted with an outburst of raucous laughter from the assembly.  King Apollo slammed his hand on the table in front of him.  The room became as silent as a church. “As I was saying, if I were a human king that wanted to make an enemy of wolves, who better to be my eyes and ears than wolves themselves.”

“Can you elaborate, dear?” King Apollo asked.  His face was hard to read, but Andraste could tell it wasn’t feigned interest but genuine intrigue in where she was going with this.

“Of course your Majesty.  Two years ago as some of you know, we had a series of rogue skirmishes.  They never made much sense. First, they were never alone. Instead of a single rogue like most often seen, they came in pairs, trios, or even a small pack.  Second, there seemed to be a purpose or a motive. Rather than going for a straight kill, they were attempting to inflict as much damage as they could.  And it was intentional that they had come here, not an accidental crossing of territory. Lastly, each wave of attack had changed their method.  The attack was stronger, more precise, and with more strategy.”

“Excuse me, your highness, but it sounds like you’re proposing that the rogues were scouting parties.” An Alpha from the second row piped up.

“That’s exactly what I’m proposing.”

There was a murmur through the crowd. King Apollo at this point had gone silent.  His brows were furrowed as he contemplated her words.  Adonis still had the look of amusement but Andraste could have sworn she saw much more in the storm of his eyes.  Geb and Seth nodded to each other, both swollen with pride in the she-wolf of their family.

Finally, Apollo stood.  The room hushed. “I see where Princess Andraste is going with this.  And I have to say, as unsettling as the thought is, it makes good sense.  There is a lot to sink in, a lot to digest.  We are to adjourn for the evening.  I want everyone back here in the morning, if not for breakfast, in time that once it is over we can resume our summit.  Dismissed.”