My favorite alpha [chanlix]

1. The northern beasts

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾　☆　☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

"They're here! Come look, they're here!"

The maids crowded excitedly in front of the large window at an alcove in the grand, stone laden hallway of the old, drafty castle, their chores forgotten as they struggled to get a glimpse of the foreign convoys riding through the gates. The beta girls elbowed each other good-natured, squeaking and giggling foolishly while fighting for a peek of the Northern Clan that was said to consist solely of bloodthirsty, barbaric beasts.

"Is that their head Alpha?" One of the taller beta girls asked fascinated, holding a basket with fresh laundry under one arm while absently rubbing at her own tingling ribs, abused from all the pushing and shoving they had to endure in such a short time.

"Who? Who?" A shorter beta asked, struggling to get a glimpse since the windows were set quite high upon the thick stone walls. She was altering between jumping up and down vigorously, and standing up on her tippy toes while trying to peer over the other maids' heads. "Move, I can't see anything! Who?"

"Over there, the one at the very front and to the right, with the cloak. The handsome one!"

One of the girls pointed at the front row of the convoy and slightly off center, where a broad shouldered man sat astride a majestic, black steed while securely holding the reins in one hand. The pale autumn sun glinted off the thick, golden chains that twisted around his long neck before rippling over the soft, glossy furs lining his gray overcoat. The fabric, most likely wool, was thick and heavy where it was draped over his proud shoulders, stretching wide behind his back, long enough to hang off the horse's sides. Dark leather armor glinted underneath his furs as the steed walked leisurely along the cobblestone path, faintly jarring the man side to side in his seat. The taut, reinforced armor jacket with its heavy clasps was essentially molded to his wide, upper torso and a pair of leather trousers clung to his solid thighs while he was keeping the horse in check with the heels of his heavy boots. The alpha's brows were dark, set into a menacing scowl across his chiseled face. Although, the most impressive thing about the northerner was the mop of fiery orange hair that was cropped short on his head, a jagged fringe falling over his eyes.

The maids sighed dreamily in unison at the exotic sight, before erupting into a fit of excited giggles. The appeal of their own, southern alphas suddenly paled in comparison.

"They don't look like wild beasts at all," one of the betas squealed. "Does anybody know if they take betas as mates?"

"I guess there's only one way to find out! We should be able to sneak into their camp once the banquet is over. That's the only way or we'll never get a chance to, uh, get familiar with them," another beta girl proclaimed dramatically while fanning herself with one hand, not noticing how everybody around her had suddenly gotten quiet, the shuffling and shoving momentarily ceasing. "I mean, it's all just for the sake of cultural exchange. Right, girls? Gi-"

A chill crept up the maid's back at the answering silence that resonated suspiciously throughout the drafty hall. Confused, the girl glanced up and a horrified expression instantly settled over her round features. The basket with several sets of clean bed sheets dropped out of her rigid arms as the girl froze up in pure shock from being caught in such a shameful act.

A stray bundle of scented herbs fell out from in-between the sheets and rolled across the cobblestones, ending its journey by bouncing against a pair of leather boots.

"Oh- um-" The maid stuttered in front of the youngest master of their household, throwing a hand over her gaping mouth and flushing profoundly. "I'm s-sorry Your Grace-" The girl started bowing repeatedly, folding almost in half, sending her dull beta scent drifting through the air.