My Fiction Fix #01

Writing Idea #62: Wolf Hierarchy

Chapter 1

"Claiming is an important part of our society, the system isn't perfect for girls, but it is tradition and you have to be dressed in red, it's not proper if you aren't." Mother stuck to tradition like a glove sticks to a woman's porcelain skin. I stared up at her in my red pants and shirt while my older sisters had to wear dresses. I looked far younger than what I am. I'm twenty. But I look like a fifteen-year old with no interest in this clan's games. Mom held my hand, which didn't help when the drive over to the forest fairy lights and the mountain end creeped forward. The place looked hypnotically crowded and in the unfortunate displeasure of it, I smelt shea butter and coconut. That's not good, that's definitely bad.

Mom pursed her lips as my sisters walked over to their friends, each of them awaiting the Alpha's announcements before Mom curled her arm through mine and guided us both to a table with Liaison on a white and golden card. I sit next to her with my arms folded and a bored expression. Mom studied the crowd, narrowing her eyes on a few groups before she clenched her teeth.

I glanced up at her, she looked at me, "Do you smell anything? Did you catch a scent?" She used the telepathic link down our connection. I stared up at her and wondered if lying was the better option here. I shook my head, she looked more relieved than anything I'd ever seen. I leaned my head on her shoulder, before the scent grew nearer, Mom straightened in her seat.

"Alpha Cassius, Beta Credence, a pleasure." She bowed her head to the highest ranks of a clan of the biggest American pack here. I bowed my head too and paused when I saw movement behind Alpha Cassius, there stood his son and the two heirs to the beta and gamma title. I didn't look him in the eye, I wouldn't. Even if his intense gaze tried making it so.

"Enforcer Evelyn Grayson, it has been a long time since we have seen you. How is the family? Is this your youngest?" Alpha Cassius's deep voice echoed above us on the table. I kept my eyes casted down and watched Mom nod to him.

"Seraphina, she is my youngest. She won't be participating in the claiming this evening, no male has approached us nor can she scent anything, Alpha." Mom murmured to him.

He raised an eyebrow at her, "Are her senses defected then? My son could smell her from the other side of the crowd." He outed me like that. Mom didn't react, only she furrowed her eyebrows before she glanced down at me.

I pursed my lips. She pinched her eyebrow, "Seraphina." She said in a low tone.

I blinked, and stared down at the table, "She will have to join in on the tournaments. If my son captures her within the hour set, she will have to follow protocol, Evelyn. You did the same with Jason in your time." Alpha Cassius remembered, he eyed Mom down. Waiting for her to object.

Mom looked to his son and sized him up, "And if he doesn't catch her within the time slot given?"

"No male has ever been close to failing in the tournaments." Beta Credence stated stoically.

My lips twitched up. Mom tapped my arm because I wasn't subtle enough. Alpha Cassius chuckled where he stood, "Ah, she's stubborn enough to try, I see she has you to thank for that, Evelyn. Jason didn't like taking forty minutes when most could locate their female within ten." Cassius mentioned.

Mom raised an eyebrow at him, "Believe me when I tell you, your son is going to have to use logic over all his senses to find Seraphina once the fifteen minute starter is initiated. But, I'd be willing to make a bet with you, Alpha. If she succeeds in hiding herself for one hour, my vote will be brought back into the council. If he finds her before then, I will owe you and the council." She wagered, I found that to be too easy considering what Mom truly wanted out of all this.