Black Feathers

6: Queen

 Night had fallen, dinner was finished and the castle was alive with chatter and mingling. It was the time between when the day shift and the night shift changed positions, this time was the most active. Some wolves just waking for the night patrols, some getting off duty from the day patrols, kids were running through the halls with each other. The pack was more at ease now that the Royal meeting was over and their guests had returned to their respective kingdoms.

 Lucian let his eyes follow the kids as they ran by him, pausing very briefly to bow to him before continuing on their way. Sighing and turning the King glanced around the people walking around the halls, a small smile tugging at his lips.

 He never really thought about it before but they all cared very deeply for each other. Wolves were such social creatures, a pack worked so closely and so perfectly together. It was difficult to think that he was part of it all. The smile faded when two familiar voices reached his ears as he passed a large barren room. Stopping his stride and backing up Lucian looked into the room finding Vitani and Anna standing in front of one of the massive walls. Vitani was pointing up and talking, Anna listening with wide eyes and a curious expression on her face.

 The walls of the room were deeply carved, the design was unfinished being a family tree of sorts. Every member of the pack, old and new and long since passed away, had a spot with their name and rank information engraved on it. The arch that Lucian stood in was where the design started, from the edges of the arch flared the picture of a tree, each branch offering names. Off those names were branches with names blood related. Each branch a different family line.

 "That one is Alpha's. It's lined with gold because he's the King. The silver ones are for Betas, Gammas, and Deltas."

 Tilting her head Anna looked up at the gold lines engraved in the wall, reading Lucian's name along with his title and rank. Staring at it a moment longer Anna looked down and glanced at her new friend chattering away. She liked Vitani, the wolf was energetic and very knowledgeable.

 "What do you know about Lucian?"

 The Gamma's words cut off as she turned to look at Annabelle, the sudden question came with a dusting of pink along the human's cheeks. Smirking Vitani crossed her arms and leaned closer to Anna.

 "What do I know of Alpha? Well not much to be honest. He's a very closed off person, his rank is based purely on necessary interaction. As a King he's very efficient, as an Alpha he's a little withdrawn but good to us."

 "Oh."

 Vitani's smirk faded at the sad tone of the response. Tilting her head the Gamma leaned down to catch Anna's eye. Smiling softly at the human.

 "It's alright you know, that you like him. No need to be ashamed about that, many women and men alike are drawn to Alpha Lucian."

 Pursing her lips Anna wrinkled her nose at Vitani.

 "I don't know if that makes me feel better or worse, but I'm not ashamed. I just... Don't know what to do about it."

 Elbowing Anna in the side gently the wolf let out a purr-like sound in the back of her throat.

 "You could continue that sweet little tongue dance ya'll shared."

 Anna covered her eyes with her good hand blushing madly, but a smile pulled at her lips as she looked at Vitani again. The wolf wiggling her eyebrows suggestively making Annabelle snort into a fit of soft laughter.

 "You looked like you were enjoying that kiss too."

 Biting her lip Anna squeezed her eyes shut peeking at her friend embarrassingly.