Valiant (Hiatus TBD)

Chapter 4

I am ushered back into the car and the iron gates are opened for enterance. We drive along a neatly paved road lined with beautiful black lanterns. The lanters are already lit in preperation for the dark night that is fast approaching. A break in the trees alerts me of the closeness of the city. As we drive through I am awed by the beauty before me.

The setting sun illumates each and every building in sight. The road has indeed gone from pavement to cobblestone. Lanterns line the streets and the houses are more like little fairytale cottages. We pass by a street that appears to be home to an outdoor market. People are bustling about from store to store. It surprises me to see that not only are there people but there are wolves walking about. How wonderful to have the freedom to let your wolf out without the worry of being sighted by a human.

We turn down a road and I am once again amazed. The building we approach is like a mansion. It has what looks to be four stories high. There is a fountain in the center of the property as part of a small round-about for cars to come and go. "You are to meet with the King first miss and then I will escort you to your quarters by the medical building." the driver tells me as he parks the car in front mansion.

"I'm sorry the King?!" I gasp. "I thought I was to meet with the Alpha to bond with the pack."

"The King is the Alpha, miss. Our pack doesn't need an Alpha when its home to the King of all wolves. Therefore, King Alistair is both king and alpha. The role is one and the same."

"Oh." I guess I better calm my nerves before I make a fool of myself in there.

My driver escorts me to the doors of the mansion and knocks. The doors open and I am greeted by a kind looking girl in a clean but casual outfit. "Welcome, you must be Miss Valena Ashwood. Come in, come in! Allow me to escort you to the library."

I enter the mansion and turn to see my driver will not be joining. I look at my surroundings. In front of me is a beautiful grand staircase that leads to the second floor. to the right is a small parlor area filled with books and papers. To the left is a large open space containing big leather couches, coffee tables and a large open fireplace. Its huge, but cozy looking. I'm lead through a corridor to a tall cherrywood door. Inside is a study of sorts. Books upon books line the walls. Big black leather sofas sit before another large fireplace. On the floor lies a beautiful woven rug. It was perfectly cozy. It was a book lovers paradise.

"If you would like to take a seat I will inform the King of your arrival. If you need anything just call for me. My name is Mary." the kind girl informs me.

I smile and nod in thanks. I take a seat in a cozy looking armchair next to one of the sofas. My stomach feels like it has bunnies trapped in there jumping around relentlessly. I am sure the King already knew I arrived the second I drove into the territory. I don't know why I thought there would be an alpha. Of course the King is the Alpha! And I'm to meet him any moment now. I take deep breathes to calm myself. In. Out. In. Out.

The opening of the door breaks me from my thoughts. I look up to see a tall dark haired man enter with a petite blonde woman. They are both wearing casual clothes. Jeans and a shirt, not what I expected. From the power radiating from them both I instantly know this is the King and Queen. Unsure what to do to show proper respect, I fall on one knee and lower my head. "My King, thank you for having me. My queen, you have a lovely home." I glance up when I hear chuckling. They both have amused looks on their pristine faces.

"No need to kneel my dear. Lowering your head as you would for any alpha is just fine for us." Queen Winnifred tells me as she and the king sit upon the sofa next to me.

Embarrassed, I sit back in my armchair and nod in response.

"So, you are young Valena Ashwood then?" The King asks staring me down intensely woth his blue eyes. To say I was a little scared would be an understatement. This man was dripping with power.