Chapter 1
Chapter 1 – Cara’s POV
I sat there, surveying my surroundings with a new sense of clarity. Crimson velvet drapes cascaded from each of the twelve high arching stain glass windows, casting the room into darkness. Carefully positioned candelabras create a flickering warm light as the procession began. I rose from my newly appointed thrown and follow as the priest lead the way out of the coronation chamber. My new loyal subjects fell into step behind me. I had never really been one to appreciate such a formal and pompous ceremony, but if I stood any chance of this pack accepting a female as their new alpha. I’d have to follow such traditions, for not at least.
When my father died, having had no sons, and leaving me as his only blood relative, there had been uproar within the wolf community. The news spanned far beyond the bounds of my own pack, and I began receiving countless letters of rage and threats. I had expected nothing less and simply used them to heat my inner fire and determination. Not quite the effect the sender was expecting no doubt.
I did however get a few unexpected correspondents from highly ranked males from nearby packs, offering me their hand in marriage and guidance through my elevation to the role of alpha. Some were good enough to attach a picture of themselves, a portrait for some, a dick pick from others. Either way it made no difference. I would never marry. Not after my poor mother was trapped in a loveless union, with no choice but to stay. Not ever. Not me.
Lost in my own thoughts I barely noticed when we finally came to a halt outside of the central pack house. It was customary for the alpha to live in the centremost point of the territory. A fortified strong hold capable of being defended easily in the instance of a pack war. I, however had always favoured my little cottage in the outer edges of the central development. I moved there the day of my 18th birthday. It was vacant, and as the alphas daughter no one thought to challenge me for the rights to the property. Pack life was different that way. The buildings weren’t owned by a single wolf, but rather the whole pack, whoever staked the greatest claim to the property would live there, until of cores someone with greater need or rank desired it.
To be so central again, after nearly 6 years living in my own space would take some getting used to for sure. That and the connection with the pack. As the new alpha I would have a direct line to each member, and them to me. I could feel them, and if I desired, reach into their minds and detect their thoughts, thankfully they could not do the same to me. They could address me sure, ask a question, shout for help. But my thoughts remained my own, a fact I was very grateful for as my mind once again wandered.
With a stiff nod I dismissed my pack who quickly dispersed to continue with their day. I knew that I was expected to say something inspirational, talk about how I would be a fair but tough alpha, blahh, blahh. But why start in a way I have no intention of continuing. I would do what needed to be done, protect each member till my dying breath as I had sworn to only an hour ago. But public speaking was never my thing. And besides, I had to get unpacking. Before my coronation I had boxed up my belongings which were now set just inside the door of my private penthouse apartment.
I let out a breath of relief as I closed the door behind me, attempting to lock out all of the stress of the day. Savouring the quiet. I hadn’t realised it, but even a few hours in such close proximity to the pack had sapped my energy, I closed my eyes and took a steading breath. Opening my eyes, I surveyed my new home. The rooms had been striped since my father’s death five months ago. His mistress only ranking as an omega, had no claim to the apartment anymore so was now living in one of the large communal houses for unmated females.
The ceiling was high, allowing space for a wall of windows, which even in the dusky evening, trapped the last of the days sun in the modern and spacious rooms. The front door opened into an open plan kitchen with marble countertops and state of the art appliances, even though it was typical for packs to eat together in the canteen, both for socialising, but also food efficiency.
Flowing around to the right was a minimal, but comfortable dining area, though many of the details had been stripped out, the potential of the space was clear as I began to visualise a bespoke oak table, with accompanying chairs, upholstered with cream cushions. The lounge was huge, spanning the full width of the apartment. Two luxurious couches faced the wall of windows, one was L shaped which allowed part of it to face towards one of the few partitioning walls in the place which housed a huge plasma screen which curved slightly, making me think that this was a new addition. My father had always detested screens like that. I however was delighted at the prospect of using it to binge watching chick flicks, my personal guilty pleasure.
Just around from the screen was a white fold away door, which fitted so seamlessly into the wall that if it hadn’t been for my enhanced sight, I might have missed it altogether. Sliding it away I stepped into what I assumed was the master bedroom. Though with all my fathers stuff gone it seemed like a shell. Not that I would have kept any of it, the idea of sleeping in the same bed he had shared with his whore was enough to make me feel ill. None the less, it was hard for it to feel like my home when I didn’t yet have a bed. Partially partitioned from the bedroom with a half wall was a crisp white bathroom, with a standing shower, a vintage claw foot bath and modern fittings.
Heading back into the open lounge and dining area I collected the first box of my things and started to set out some of my, admittedly few, belongings. The odd candle, card and picture of me and my mother before she passed 7 years had ago. Looking at the pictures sturred up all sorts of emotions. But I pushed them down like I had so many times before and continued to move through my new home. Pretty soon all my stuff was sporadically scattered through the space. Nowhere near filling it and leaving much to be desired. A trip to some furniture stores would be my first task tomorrow. But for now, I was content enough to curl up on one of the sinfully comfortable couches and drift off to sleep.
