His smooth voice sticks in my head as Tonic and I leave the rebellion. They live in meager houses far outside the city limits, what use to be the slums of our city, to be honest, it was not a part of the city that I frequented. I wonder what happened to its inhabitants but then I figure they must be part of the rebellion or run out by the lycan horde, I come to the halting conclusion that I truly don't know much about what has happened to my people.

My book hums in my page keeper, it seems happy to have me back and I'm thrilled that it was not destroyed for I really wasn't sure what would have happened if that had been the case. It was something I had handwritten in school, it wasn't as if I could just conjure another one.

"Thank you for going with me. You didn't have to, you could have just left." I don't know why I'm thanking him, he is being forced to babysit me. His dark eyes lock on my own and I realize we are no longer walking. He looks like he doesn't know what to say and honestly, neither do I.

"Are you going to tell Alpha what happened here?" He asks slowly. I frown.

"No. Are you?"

"No." His voice is short and he looks at the ground in defeat.

"Well, then that's settled. I'd like to keep visiting to keep an eye on Haryek, he might be useful but I don't believe we can quite trust him." I watch him flinch as if I've struck him.

"The more we visit here, the more scent we will leave. If Alpha finds these people, rest assured, they will all be slaughtered." He speaks the truth, no matter how much I fight it, it is the reality of my situation.

I'm a captive here and I'm no longer in charge. I have to find a way to help my people, to bring the kingdoms together. Alone they cannot defeat the Lycan army but united they very well could regain control. What if Haryek really was going to bring about change? I owed this to my people; for too long had they suffered at the hands of my father.

We walk in silence back towards the castle, I mull over what needs to be done in my head and as much as I'm dreading it, the only thing to do is talk to Alpha. I must appeal to his better nature. Was that at all possible? Was there anything about this man that was remotely human?

I notice Tonic has stopped, centered in the courtyard. Before me is a shorter man, the first short Lycan I have seen. He is a dark tan with jet black curly hair; Spanish in origin given his features. He approaches us, his golden eyes narrowed into slits, and his expression forming a scowl. Tonic swallows as he looks away, a harsh raspy growl rolls in the male's throat, and Tonic shrinks in submission.

"You must be Beta." I don't know why I assume this but the way he walks around as if he owns the place fits the bill. I see that I'm correct for he smiles at me brightly.

"I am." He responds, dragging his tongue over his teeth. "You must be the prince- oh, right you got demoted to a servant." He observes me, raking his eyes down my body. "How the mighty have fallen."

"Don't you have a job you should be attending?" I retort sharply.

"You're rather rude for how small you are." His tone is accusatory.

"I've been told. Now if you'll excuse me I have my own matters to attend to." I walk past him but in a movement too quick for my human eyes, he has my throat. His fingers feel like iron cables. I gasp and clutch his wrist but it is as if I'm fighting with stone.

His grasp threatens to crush the very life out of me. "There is order around here. I don't know what Alpha thinks he's up to, keeping you alive like this, but I don't like it. So how about you show a little respect." I gasp as I fight for air. Suddenly, I'm released and fall to my knees as I wheeze and cough, my lungs blazing. I clutch my throat as if to remove invisible fingers and Tonic is at my side.

"Heal yourself." He whispers and I look at him through watery eyes.

"I can't." I rasp. My throat feels like it's an inferno.

I see the gray creature and my heart is pounding as I flashback to my father. His faded image takes the place of Beta only Alpha doesn't attack him. Beta is spared where my father had his throat ripped out. "Having a little fun, Beta?"

The black-haired man shows his teeth in an animalistic threat. "Your pet is out of line." His tone is harsh, he wrinkles his nose. These aren't humans- these are animals.

Alpha flashes his fangs, hair standing on edge. All kneel in respect for the Alpha, save for Beta. Tonic's face is buried in my shoulder, I'm bewildered by the fear these people have for this man. Beta's body shakes and then distorts as the black wolf takes his place. I have never seen the change before and it horrifies me as I watch his human form break and shudder to become this massive wolf. Only magic could force a human to do that.

The black begins to lower his head and Alpha's muzzle is mere inches from his, pushing him lower until his head is practically in the dirt. He doesn't need to hold him there; the presence of the Alpha is enough to keep him there. "Next time it's your ass Beta."

I see a glimmer in the black's eye as Alpha releases him and he sulks off. I want to put up a barrier between us. I don't want to be here, not with this thing; this animal who killed my whole family. He must sense it because as quick as the wolf is there, Alpha is standing before us as a man- a completely naked man. I avert my eyes and, temporarily, my neck is forgotten. He extends his hand to help me up.

"Let me see." His voice is stern; I flinch away from his prodding fingers though he is surprisingly gentle. He frowns. "A little bruised. But, you will be fine."

I take a step away from him, I don't need his bare body so close to mine

Tonic looks embarrassed, he should have stood up for me but Alpha makes no note of it. "Any sign of the rebellion?" He is talking to Tonic now and the poor man answers in a half-hearted shrug. Alpha rolls his eyes at the sullen male. "Don't let Beta get to you. His bark is worse than his bite. You know how he is, just try and keep this one alive a little while longer? We need him for now." He gives me an annoyed glance as he dismisses us.

Tonic breathes a sigh of relief and I rub my neck. "Does that happen often?" It stings to talk but my voice is returning quickly.

"What? The fighting? Yes but mostly with Beta. They kind of have a rivalry going on." Tonic shrugs and I decide I don't care enough to press. It seems that my home is, now, almost as dangerous as my school.

Can I not go a single day without one of these beasts trying to shred me? I didn't ask for this, I didn't want this. I'm tired and I want to go hide my book away from the wonderful ray of sunshine that is my captor.

"Can I have some alone time?" He watches me carefully but then nods. Maybe he has things to do or maybe I just give him a heart attack with how everyone seems so interested in me. He looks exhausted so I'm happy give my watchdog a break.

I make my way into the castle and into my father's bedroom where it seems I will be staying. I take my book and mumble a few words as I enter, a secret panel opens from the wardrobe and I slide the book inside, along with the healing book, and then reseal it.

My mind wonders to my instructors, how I gained their favor. The only relationships I've ever had were in that school. I find my fingers trailing over my vest, outlining one of the many scars across my torso. Clutching my hand into a fist, I sit up and feel a little more certain of the path that I will need to take in order to help my people.

Dawning civilian clothes, I make my way to dinner only to spot Gena on the way. "Gena." I greet, she curtsies quickly, stuffing the rag she was using to clean in her apron.

"M'lord."

"Are you alright? He didn't hurt you, did he?"

She quickly shakes her head with a gentle smile, "No, M'lord. I'm fine, I hadn't even known he'd seen me. Next time I'll be more careful."

Raising my hand, I dismiss the thought. "There won't be a next time, but if you could do something for me?" Nobody would notice a maid, nobody would think twice of her. "Could you keep tabs on Beta for me? Learn a bit more about him?" She parts her lips but finally, she curtsies with a nod. She would not deny me, "Thank you, Gena."

_______________

I sit with Tonic and notice there is a new man at the table but he is not talking, he looks embarrassed. His brown hair is short and shaggy. He has kind, chocolate eyes. "That's Delta." Tonic introduces. Delta smiles at me and then goes back to eating. "He's shy."

I offer a small hello to the strangely named individual. Maybe it's because he's practically sitting at the children's table considering I have so many babysitters. My gaze falls on Sota.

"So who are you exactly?" I question, "I don't feel like we have been properly introduced." Ol' One Arm smirks at me.

"I'm Sota. I'm the Alpha's advisor." He seems so nonchalant. As if it was obvious.

"He is one of the last Old Bloods." Tonic adds. Sota wrinkles his nose.

" M'not that old..." He grumbles and takes a bite of his food.

"He is the only Alpha to surrender the position and live." Tonic looks mystified but I feel like that should be a given, why should you have to die if you give up the position willingly?

Sota sighs at my expression, "I'm sure you've noticed pack politics are complicated."

"Tonic has told me a little." I don't know how much I care to hear about why they kill each other. I only wished they'd do it a little quicker; there would be fewer of them. Sota glares at Tonic and then turns his attention back towards me.

"Well, then I won't bore you. I'm glad he kept you. You will challenge him and he needs more of that in life. Why don't you bring him some dinner? I think he's gone to the library. He hasn't eaten today and he's cranky when he's hungry." I wait for the pun but then I realize they are serious and I sigh outwardly. I suppose I am his servant.

Tonic assists me in preparing a plate of what the Alpha would like, simple meats and bread. He instructs me to put on my best face. Pushing open the oak doors, he's sitting on the tile floor of the great library, surrounded by papers. Flat backed, as if the man could slouch, and calculating as he observes what he has created in the intricate paper display. The illumination of candlelight playfully dances across his tanned skin.

I slowly approach and my eyes wander over the papers, carrying the map of our country. Dezna, Ziduri, and then the massive expanse of the kingdoms of man. There are a few question marks on the papers, but no marks indicating he knows about the rebellion.

"What are you doing?" I can't help but pry. He doesn't look at me.

"Planning. I was here looking for your father's book, I thought I smelt magic, seems I was mistaken."

 I scoff at the thought. "You can't smell magic." I retort.

"You can't but I can. It smells like burning atmosphere. It's horrid." Sometimes I forget he has an accent. How did someone from the England area get all the way out here?

This is getting me nowhere, he shares nothing. "If you find it, it will destroy you. Very few people can actually handle it."

It's his turn to scoff but he doesn't entertain me and I roll my eyes at him. I hand him his plate, "Here. You need to eat something. You can't boss me around if you've starved to death."

His light eyes glance at the plate but he shakes his head, "Not hungry. Maybe later." He's like a child.

"You can destroy the world later, you can't not eat." It's frustrating; it's not a difficult task in itself but he, somehow, manages to make my life harder.

His body grows rigid with my meddling in his habits. "Wolves don't eat as often as humans do. I'm used to it; it only seems to be bothering you." His tone is becoming annoyed and I huff as I set the plate down on one of the tables to cross my arms over my chest.

He needed a dose of reality and it seemed it would be my job to give it to him. "You can't honestly think that you can do all of this on your own. Your people will be slaughtered, even if you can make it past Ziduri, there will be too many of man's armies waiting for you."

"That is where good planning and battle tactics come in play. That is why your people were conquered and mine are preparing to march against Ziduri." My throat catches and I want to strike him. How dare he! My people were conquered because he murdered their leaders! My family!

"This isn't going to work!" I shout at him and he stands, I swallow but stand my ground against the overwhelming figure. In the dim light of the library, he looks absolutely menacing. He is soundless as he approaches on bare feet. "You can't win on your own. You're going to need help."

"That's why I have you. That's why your alive, to persuade your people-"

I shake my head, forcing myself to remain. "You need more! You need magic users. You need to find a way to partner with the rebellion." I know I've said too much.

As he approaches, I back away until I hit the table, placing my hands on it. His body presses against mine, his hands resting beside mine, one of my hands slides up to press to his chest to distance him from me.

"Care to repeat that Nicolas?"