The Night I Met The Alpha

12

Word Count: 2125

~Dove

The house immediately swaddles us in its wealth and luxury the moment we step inside.

The place is smothered by nature. Plants rear up from hand moulded pots, crawling up to the ceiling, wrapping and knotting around pillars and even up the bifurcated stairs.

It seems as though the owner of this home doesn't mind if the lively tendrils crack through expensive panelling, marble flooring or towering statutes.

I readjust my jaw, clamping my mouth shut from where it's fallen open.

A woman sweeps out from under the stairs, her smile blooming, her arms held out as she welcomes us warmly.

"Hello sweetheart, it's wonderful to see you," the woman states, drawing Eden in, pressing a kiss to her cheek before she turns her attention to me. "You must be the lovely Dovely."

I grimace at the use of my awkward childhood nickname while I regard the woman.

She is utterly beautiful, wearing a long, flowy lavender dress that has my mind spiralling. It sighs as she moves, as ethereal as she appears to be.

I remember her from the party. Those round, searching eyes are a soft green. Her hair is lush and onyx, bundled in dense curls that frame her face beautifully.

"Only my father and Eden call me that to embarrass me." I scratch the back of my neck.

I feel overwhelmed by the easy opulence of this place, and by it's stunning owner. My posture doesn't seem to be straight enough, and I'm silently wishing I wore a dress that didn't hang so blandly over my figure.

"Well, I'm Ciella and I'm so glad to meet you," she greets warmly.

"As am I." I glance at my sister, who stares, dazed, at her lover. "Sorry about the night you first saw me."

"I warned Eden against keeping secrets, but I suppose she wasn't the only one." Ciella rests her hand on the small of my sisters back. "Just so you know, you are welcome here whenever you please, when you decide you're done with Alpha Matthias's rigid ideals. You will be judged for nothing here."

She presents the notion as light and unassuming, but I hear the lilt of seriousness in her tone.

She doesn't fit the description of Varian's Pack members that I've been fed by Matthias. She seems elegant and complex and not driven by a hunger for sin and debauchery.

"That's very kind of you." I look around. "You have a beautiful home."

There's a plethora of naked women painted on her ceiling amongst clouds and flowers and lush greenery. They lounge upon each other, hair and limbs entangled.

"It's too much for lonely old me." She sighs wistfully, lifting her pointed stare to Eden.

Eden waves her off. "Okay, I get the hint."

"I'm only teasing love." They links arms. "You take your time in your decision."

I look down at my hands, picking at my nails. Eden hasn't mentioned moving out, especially to this Pack. It makes the most sense considering the situation, but the reality is so jarring.

Father won't ever speak to her again. She'll have to choose between this life with her lover or familial obligations.

I do not envy such a decision in the slightest.

"So who is present at the dinner tonight?" Eden asks lightly as we start off through Ciella's home.

"Alissia and Ida, of course," she responds, glancing at me. "They are a lovely married couple I've known since my school days. You'll love them, Dove."