Aether's Claim | Editing

Chapter 19

Aether's eyes were already on the door when I walked in, all talk around the room hushed as he stood with a smile and beckoned me towards him. I looked around apprehensively, then remembered:

Things were different here. I could be different.

This time, instead of shrinking under everyone's gazes or trying to avoid eye contact, I stood tall and proud, striding confidently towards him. After all, I was known as one of the best female fighters in my pack, I longed to return to my former glory, as cliche as it sounded, having such an honoured position as a known and respected member of the pack was innate; it was every unranked wolf's dream.

As I glided through the floor, people's stares were filled with genuine curiosity and interest, instead of masked pity and subtle knowing. I revelled in the attention and anonymity. Here, I was an enigma. No one knew me, not even Aether, really. I could build myself up, make a name for myself and my wolf. We were going to be a force to be reckoned with.

My wolf purred in determined agreement as I came to a stop beside Aether. There was an empty seat next to him, I noticed, with the best cuts of meat and no one had started eating yet.

"...you will treat her like you would any other new member, she will train with us and become one of us. She's... very special to me, so let's give a warm welcome to May Bard!"

The thundering sound of applause and cheering snapped me out of my reverie, and everyone began to sit down, I blushed when Aether pulled my chair out for me and glanced at the others sitting around the table. It seemed to just be his Beta, Calloway, who was engaged in his meal, so I relaxed, focusing my attention on the plate in front of me.

"You are going to eat something, aren't you, May?" Aether asked me, not out of concern but interest, like I was being asked about my day. It felt refreshing to not be the centre of someone's worried scrutiny, and I smiled up at him, picking up my knife and fork.

"It all looks so delightful, I don't even know where to start." And I wasn't lying, perfectly seared steak and asparagus paired with beautiful potatoes roasted in duck fat. My mouth had been watering since I had entered the hall and I truly wanted to eat everything.

Aether chuckled and leaned towards me, "Peter and his staff will be glad to hear you say that," Of course, in a pack as large as this they would definitely need a whole team to feed everyone, "I'll introduce you later."

I nodded and we settled into eating, the life of the pack feeding my excitement as I polished my plate. The hall was overwhelmingly huge, yet I could comfortably observe every person in their surroundings. I already loved it here. I wanted to do and see everything this place had to offer. But I could feel Aether's gaze on me, and I knew that would have to wait.

"May, I'd like to show you around a little, if that's okay." Aether said after we had both finished eating. He seemed nervous, so I smiled to lighten his worry.

"Of course, familiarising myself with the place will help me settle in better."

Aether nodded, trying to mask his excitement, and rose. I followed suit and we exited the hall, going a different way from how I came in. As we walked through the pack house, Aether explained to me the different markings on the walls; paintings and photos, symbols and colours, down to the choice of wood they used for certain decorations and the chandeliers they chose to hang from the ceiling.

We had begun to climb the stairs leading to the pack's bedrooms, and as we ascended, I noticed the sudden scarcity of people, the now lack of different scents, and how quiet it had become.

"Alph- Aether, where are we going?" I asked, almost accusingly.

Aether chuckled, "You will sleep on the top floor close to me, away from prying eyes... and more importantly unwanted questions."