Aconitum

A cold wind danced across the forest that was territory to the silver pack. The silver pack was well known in the Lycan society. They were one of the ‘prime’ Occult families. There were four main households. Those four prime families were in charge of different territories and those territories had smaller sections to it. To understand better. The Silver family is the royalty of this area, and he rules over the three smaller territories within his area. Those are the Wolfsbane pack, Mercury pack, Lawless pack.

Annoyance spread like a fever through the young alpha’s body. His teeth make a skin crawling grinding sound. Alex is sitting in his office talking to his mother about what was on the agenda for this week. This was going to be a very busy week for the heirs of all of the prime households. It really was quite remarkable that all of the heirs came of age at the same time. His aquamarine eyes locked on his mother from across the room, his annoyance seen through them at her.

Aria Moonshade, she radiated power, her deep red wavy hair resting over her shoulders. She was a female alpha that had managed to get a name for herself. She was also the only Queen in the area that was mateless thanks to the untimely death of her mate. Holding the head alpha title as a female was a huge accomplishment for the sex, since Lycans fight for Alpha’s position in martial combat. That didn’t mean that just anyone could challenge her; it had to be someone of the male bloodline who could challenge.

She had been taking care of the pack since his father had passed a few years back. Normally speaking he would have taken over the pack but his mother had stated that he wasn’t ready for the position and therefore stepped up temporarily. She wasn’t wrong in making the choice mainly because he was still under age and would have been assigned a ‘King Regent.’ However, with his mother being so adamant about ‘her’ strong bloodline staying as the head of the prime household, when it came time for the ‘Silver’ household to decide she entered into the pits to fight for the title of Alpha. Last one standing is the name of the game, his mother had been a merciless warrior before being mated to his father. It was no surprise when she had emerged victorious among his father’s bloodline.

He crossed his arms, trying to brush off the annoyance that this trip was just a waste of his time. The only benefit besides getting his overbearing and dangerous mother off of his back, was the fear that he would be able to feel while around his subjects. They had been talking about going to each of the smaller packs in the territory in order to get an update about everyone’s current standings. Normally this was something that had come up through the line and then to the alpha’s desk. However his mother had taken a recent interest in a new female alpha coming into power in one of their smaller territories. She was a proud woman and instead of admitting that it was where she had just wanted to go she set up a “meet and greet” for Alex to meet all of the new heirs in his smaller territories.

“Are you ready to go head to the other packs?” She said as she walked across to the chair in front of Alex’s desk leaned against it.

“Of course, I’ve been ready for a while now.” A bored predator like yawn left his mouth exposing some slightly animalistic canine teeth. He pushed his hand through his dark chestnut brown hair and shook his head to shake the yawn away. It had already been such a long day and it had just started. The moon was still high in the sky and they had to travel around to each of the pack houses before the sun had come up. This meant that Alex would get the rest that he needed later if need be. His mother sent him a stern look, she wasn’t going to tolerate him acting like a pup and throwing a temper tantrum. He was now the Alpha, king of this territory and he needed to act like it. She stood up from where she sat and walked over to the door of the office.

“Well, if you’re ready then I guess that means that we should get going then.” And with that she opened the heavy wood door. Alex stood from his desk straightening his shirt of wrinkles from the wait and followed after her. They walked down the hallway of his home, only the smaller packs in this region used ‘pack houses’ still. Mainly because the city where Alex resided normally was where many of the mated Lycans had decided to move and thus had become a very appealing option to the solitary families. The building was old and had originally housed the four prime “Occult” families of the Lycan society. His ancestors came into owning this whole territory because his father’s bloodline had been the original founders of these lands. Therefore according to the law back then it was his blood’s land.

‘In order to be a king you need people. Those people are what keep your kingdom running. So rule them by love or by fear’ His father’s words spoke to him like a whisper as they walked past his father’s portrait. Alex looked up at the portrait in front of him, the great man sitting relaxed in the office that was now Alex’s. His father had deep black hair and piercing silver eyes, he sat with a power that even radiated through the portrait. Wolfsbane decorated a table in front of his portrait, it is an exquisite flower, a royal purple in color. Human’s tell lore about the flower being a weakness because it is toxic to anyone who may suffer from Lycanthropy. However, they were normally used when a great wolf had fallen, the flower also happens to be one of Alex’s favorites and grows throughout the area with no issues. Death had been happening a lot lately thanks to some of the heirs of the Lycan society believing that one alpha should rule over all four territories. It meant that war could be on the horizon for the Lycan race if it wasn’t careful.

They exited the front of his home and the chilling air kissed his face in greeting. He followed behind his mother into one of the security Suv’s parked in the front. The car pulled out and drove through the iron gates that surrounded the king’s home and personal land. He closed his eyes and kicked his feet up. His mother had a smile pulled back on her lips. She had looked forward to today and being able to finally give up her position to her son. They sat in silence while Alex rested. Their first stop on this trip was to go and visit the closest pack which was the Lawless pack. Alex’s uncle was the alpha of this pack, and to Alex his uncle needed to step down.

The drive was short as they pulled into the lawless territory. The territory was only a forty-five drive from Alex’s house to the first stop. As they pulled up the whole lawless pack were ready and waiting in the courtyard to see the young alpha. As the car came to a stop Aria opened the door and stepped out. All of the wolves in the courtyard got nervous, Alex got excited as he exited the car and the fear could be felt rippling through the crowd. His father had been incredibly tough on his people and ruled by it. Alex grew up enjoying the feeling of fear, whether it be his enemies or his subjects,

Two men stood by the front of the pack house, the older one was his uncle, Leander. Leander had black hair but gray began to show in it in little streaks. He walked with a cane now, no one really knew the reason why but Alex could easily guess. The second man was Theo, who had actually just seen Alex last week to celebrate their taking over of the family’s “business” as Theo liked to reference it. He took after Alex’s aunt, Reba, Dirty blonde hair that sat atop his head in tight ringlets. Theo was a huge momma’s boy, like Alex, however when Theo’s mother requested that Theo “Let his natural curls show” for his Alpha portrait he was all too willing to carry out her wishes. Alex did a lot that his mother had requested except when it came to him, it was only brought up once about growing his hair out and it was quickly shot down by Alex and never brought up again.

Theo stepped forward meeting his cousin half way. His arm extended out as Alex did the same. Both men grasping the others forearm and pressing their foreheads together in greeting. Leander now making his way forward to Theo’s side next to Aria. Aria put her hand softly on Alex’s shoulder.

‘I am going to go see how Reba is doing’ Her voice came into Alex’s head. He nodded to her, planting a light kiss on her cheek and then returning back to the conversation with Theo.

“Welcome Alpha Moonshade, we are happy that you have personally decided to take an interest in our territory today.” Leander stated extending his hand out to Alex allowing his alpha aura to radiate at Alex. Alex met his hand shake and then smiled at Leander. All Alpha Lycan’s had the right to challenge the king. Normally it was in martial combat, other times it was by releasing a brief view of their Aural Power. Prime family members are taught how to control their abilities at a very young age. Alex took Leanders show of his power as a challenge. A challenge to his position and that would not be tolerated.

“Of course, I would hate to see that any of my people are having issues. Aria also stated that it would be a good way for my people to know who their new alpha is.” He said it with such power Leander’s face gave away his discomfort. Theo grabbed his cousin’s shoulder and laughed a deep gut laugh. His father’s show in front of the lawless pack was very ballsy and it reminded him of the story of why his father wasn’t king.

“You know dearest cousin, my father’s show is boring and my mother would have my head if I didn’t bring you to go and see her” Theo stated, shooting his father a look for a second and then leaving with Alex next to him. Alex and Theo had big plans for the pack as a whole and had been talking about him becoming Alex’s beta. Since coming into power in the silver city he needed people that he could rely on, not the people who Aria had put in charge of those positions. His kingdom needed to be operating as one and the first change that was going to be made was a new Beta for the whole pack.

They entered past the pack house doors, pack houses are always very busy. Children running around screaming, 'unmated' men and women walking around doing their assigned tasks to help the pack move smoothly. Not all pack house’s operate like this one, Theo believes that all members of the pack should be treated equally for the most part. So if you reside in the pack house you are in charge of cleaning the pack house. Most of the mated members of Theo’s pack got transferred to the silver city last week when main changes started in the pack. In the next coming week Theo’s family will be moving to the silver city and this area will be cleared of all lycan specific material and then moving the whole pack to the silver city. It makes it a simple transition for Theo to become beta,

The kitchen was massive walking in and Reba could be found in front of the hearth stirring a massive pot. She was a very fragile woman, her platinum blonde hair loosely tied back. Scars marred her pale skin on her face down her neck. Alex would define his aunt Reba as having a gentle soul. Aria told Alex when he was younger that Leander could be very possessive. So he held his mate down and branded her skin with his marks. All over her body according to Aria, that way no one would want “Damaged” goods. Lycan’s can heal over time and normally aren’t left with any scarring however, when wolfbane gets introduced into the bloodstream of a lycan it can lower their heart rate and make them more susceptible to damage. For Reba she was drugged by his uncle then worked on all through the night.

Reba turned her head smiling at the two men as they entered.

“Well look who finally decided to come visit” Her voice was soft and always welcoming.

Aria was seated at the island across from the hearth holding a cup of tea in her hands. The two men sat at the table, Alex smiling warmly at his aunt.

“We have been rather busy at the city trying to get everything set up for the transition and opening up new buildings.” The silver city was getting a makeover. With all of the new things changing in the world it came down from the ‘corporation’ to start establishing a set up to make our society easier to blend with the humans. Which was actually incredibly easy for the Lycan society, the only real time one needs to be worried about a Lycan is when the full moon is out and normally they are pretty well in control. It’s normally the younger ones that have issues with communicating with the beast inside of them. As they get older though they learn to work with their beast and therefore are able to be in better control during those times. Lycan’s can turn at will any time they would like except for during the full moon. Also only certain wolves can actually turn into an actual wolf, most lycan’s look like a mix between the man and beast.

“Is that so? Theo tells me that you have some pretty big moves coming up in the next week.” Reba said while she poured herself some tea and sat down next to Aria. Alex nodded at his aunt.

“We are opening up the city to humans and I am looking at uprooting this pack to the silver city.” Reba got tense and Aria put her hand on her sister’s lap. Theo shook his head at his mother’s worry.

“You don’t need to worry, ma. Alex has it all figured out and taken care of. You will be heading back with them on the way back through.” Alex nodded in agreement with Theo’s words.

“I trust that Theo as the newest Alpha of this pack will be able to finish this move and will be joining you in the silver city. Aria will be who you will be staying with until proper living arrangements have been found. Theo will be staying in my home with me until his home is ready as well.” Alex reassured her. Leander wasn’t part of this request per Aria and it was understandable. Reba wasn’t actually Leander’s mate and had been originally an agreement to have her breed with Leander. Something that was normal for back in the day. If a female lycan hadn’t found their mate by the time they were twenty-five they were auctioned off to an alpha or a male of higher standings as an offering. When accepted from meeting the criteria of a breeding mate you only had three heat cycles to provide an heir to that male. Reba got lucky and on her first heat cycle managed to become pregnant with Theo. As long as Theo survived infancy and grew strong she wouldn’t have to be mated again and Leander was free to find himself a concubine. Plus without a secure home for Reba then Theo would have never agreed to leave his mother, which Alex understood. This also meant that Alex understood when his Assassin pack was activated by order of his Beta to assassinate the former Alpha of the Lawless pack. Alex allowed it only because the man was a real waste of space and the pack needed to head into the future, which he would hold back because of being set in the old ways. Alex glanced down at his watch, then stood up.

“We have to head to the wolfsbane pack. Theo I expect to hear from you in the next few hours that Reba is ready for us.” Reba nodded at Alex then excused herself and left to go get ready. Theo stood up and escorted his guest’s back to their vehicle. Aria gave her nephew a tight hug and a soft peck on the cheek crawling in. Theo and Alex exchanged goodbyes, Alex then hopped into the car next to his mother shutting the door. The engine came to life and began to leave the property.

“I am excited to meet this new alpha. Her father seems very proud of the accomplishments she had made and looks forward to introducing you to her.” Aria seemed to speak in a kind of sing-songy tone. A deep chuckle left his chest.

“We need to make this trip quick. I wasn’t planning on spending the whole time doing this. Just to please you curiosity about some girl taking over for her father. We already knew that you being in this position would cause a change. I wouldn’t get your hopes up on it.” Aria looked at Alex and shook her head at him.

“It is nice to see that a female was willing to be able to take up the position for her father. It says alot to our younger ‘she’ wolves” Alex wished she was wrong. However she was right, with a female as head of one of their packs it made his pack more alluring to other shewolfs around the world. He got comfy again and closed his eyes.

The wolfsbane pack was located at the edge of the territory, most of the pack are warriors and for good reason. This pack is a mixture of lycan and werewolf humans. It definitely has its hands full because of the rehabilitation that they do here. Werewolves are humans who have been cursed by Lycanthropy. Whether that person was cursed somehow or was attacked and infected by a lycan. Which can happen and is incredibly rare for born lycans to go around biting humans. Normally it is a human who has had to go through the transformation. It’s not at all an easy thing for a human to go through and most of the time they are not compatible and end up dying, however for those that are compatible the pack takes them in and helps to reteach them. An hour away from the wolfsbane pack and Alex shots out of a dead sleep. A threatening growl leaving his chest as he scans the area realizing that he was still in the car. Aria looked at Alex shocked.

“What happened?”

Alex ran a hand through his hair and shook away the sudden fear that wasn’t his.

“I don’t know how to explain it,” He responded, not sure what had just happened to him or what he had seen. He closed his eyes and focused. Allowing his aura to leave him and search ahead for what had just entered his mind. Who had reached out to him? Then for a second the thought of the dream came through a thought that was close. That was in the location that they were heading to. He smirked to himself and through the strange little link he discovered her there. Her mind confused, trying to quickly organize what had just happened and calm herself.

’I found you’ he said mentally then just like that all connection was gone. He looked out the car to see they had pulled up to the pack house. He let his mother exit and then he followed. It was the same greeting as the last pack except for this time there was no fear that he could feel. In fact they all radiated a type of calm. The Alpha of this pack is Leo Vexious, he was an extraordinary warrior when he was younger. It wasn’t known now and it wouldn’t have to be thanks to his heir recently taking over for the pack. He would never have to prove it in combat. They walked up to Alpha Vexious standing in the center. Alex looked around expectantly, for the female Alpha that his mother was so informative about. Leo bowed to Alex and Aria, he was a tall man with a head full of gray. He must have started to gray early which was known to happen albeit rare.

“Welcome to the Wolfbane pack, my lord and lady.” Leo greeted, he took note that Alex was looking around. His daughter had this one day to herself and though it wasn’t an appropriate thing to not have the current alpha by his side to meet the king of the area. He had made the decision to face Alex without her.

“Leo, hun, I have to ask where is your daughter?” Aria voiced her confusion at the fact that the current Alpha wasn’t available. Leo was about to answer that when an Alpha aura appeared instantly in the pack house behind him. Alex’s eyes locked on the door to the pack house, excitement held in his eyes as the door swung open and a protective snarl could be heard. Leo froze not turning around, knowing she had just come into the courtyard. There she stood and Alex’s mind ran blank, she was hypnotizing to him. Full of fire and challenge, stalking forward towards them on guard.

’Smart girl’ He thought. It would be very naive to walk up to a group of unknown Alpha’s not guarded. He should expect that much at least from the warrior pack. What Alex hadn’t expected was the sudden tightness in his chest and the instant smell of her flowered body wash. He wanted to be surrounded by it, cradled in its smell. As she got closer she smelled of fresh rain that highlighted the flowers that she bathed herself in. He needed to have it.