Queen Alpha

Chapter 4

The sunrise had just set, casting a blue and golden skyline. The clouds were heavy, just as the atmosphere between us. We were walking at a slow pace with both of our horses beside us. My nausea had subsided and I was strong enough to walk on my own with a spring in my step. Jenoah had been silent and I hadn't made an effort to converse with him. The only noise that filled our silence where small birds chirping in the pine trees. We neared a small trail and I could see the outline of tents buried between dark shrubs.

''Commander Jenoah, we were looking for you'', a voice pitched from a lean man with brown eyes welcomed us. His eyes met mine and his eyebrows furrowed.

''I had to guide.. a survivor..'' Jenoah announced beside me as he loaded off his equipment of his steed. The man approached us carefully and his facial features became more and more familiar. His matte dark hair seemed longer and streakier than from my memories and his skin seemed darker. I had recognized him from the courtyard where my brother trained. My brother must have known him so I cleared my voice and took a step forward.

''It has been awhile'', I greeted him sheepishly. I lowered my voice as much as I could muster which made my throat tense. His eyes widened and he called the others over. A herd of soldiers approached us and I recognized many familiar faces.

''Salvatore?'' Matteo shoved the others out of the way. His large frame neared mine and I could see how my slim figure wasn't as defined as my brother's. I swallowed slowly and took a labored breath.

''Yes?'', I nodded slowly and forced a small smile. Matteo, my brother's childhood friend and our cousin patted me on my shoulder as if to make sure I was real.

''You look so.. hardened'' he hesitated and eyed me down. His eyes traveled down my collar bone and rested upon my scar that travelled from my brow bone to across my cheek. I must have looked like a ghost of my brother, a frail and scarred shell of my brother compared to the memory he must have had of him.

''Yes.. I suppose I do'', I muttered and tugged at my leather vest tighter to my body.

''What happened to you?'' he whispered and touched my cheek, angling my jaw to his sight.

''I was lucky'', I spat back and pushed his hand away from my face.

''Matteo , All that matters is that he is alive and with us'', Jenoah stepped forward.

Matteo nodded and looked down, making his light hair fall from his ears.

''Who is this?'' a voice appeared next to us. I was greeted with two dark eyes that tensed at the sight of me. He slowly walked closer and stared into my widened eyes. It was Nario, my cousin and my brother's childhood rival. He never got accustomed to the thought of my brother being the next in line of being Alpha of our family. Nario was the first son of my uncle Ettore, first in line to become Alpha if his father had been crowned instead of mine.

''Are you blind? It's Salvatore'', Matteo beamed and Nario's eyes squinted at my face. His eyebrows twitched and the corner of his mouth turned upward.

''I'm not the one who's blind-'' he exclaimed until he was interrupted by Lucca, Matteo's younger brother.

''What's going on?'' Lucca entered between Nario and Matteo with his arms around each of their's shoulders. His gleaming chocolate eyes sparkled at the sight of me.

''Can you believe it? It's our Salvatore!'' Matteo continued and nudged his brother. Lucca's molten eyes brightened and came towards me with a large embrace. I could feel his hot breath against my cheek and his arms squeezed me tightly which made my body freeze underneath his. I prayed that he couldn't feel my feminine figure underneath the iron chainmail of his.