Alpha King and I

Chapter 25: Rules & Culture, Aid I am

I've learned quite a bit now. Having just finished my 23rd book here. A book on native plants to Devaleon in the northeast region. We're located in the west region at the King's domain, but a lot of hardier crops are brought from the northeast. Apparently that's where the flour for cookies come from. A thick stalked plant which looked similar to sorghum or milo from earth. It was an interesting read.

I honestly wish I had started reading sooner. It's been just about a month, yet already I feel much more comfortable with my knowledge. Soon another meeting will be happening and I will be needing to go again. Dressed in another one of those stiff royal outfits. My hand presses against the fabric of my current dress, appreciating it's far more welcoming feel, as the memory washes over me.

The book helped to build up my confidence, but I was actually quite nervous today. I needed to go to Cadeth with a request, which I hadn't really done before. Though after reading what I have about the ways of the werewolves of Devaleon, I was quite sure I had to address the big elephant in the room.

I am far too weak.

Weakness can create a huge handicap for the kingdom, when one is in such a potentially dangerous position as myself. Especially when I can't even go outside alone without risking getting torn limb from limb by a Venom Synth. Like what almost happened at my time in the forest. I now know why Dr. Chibin found the incident so entertaining.
I've learned, although painful to werewolves due to their blood being highly volatile on contact with air, Venom Synth's are actually one of the weakest creatures here, whom normally won't attack anything they see as stronger. They're literally the scorpion equivalent for Devaleon. Something to be crushed easily.

Yet I couldn't even phase it.

Historically, I need to be at least able to protect myself somewhat and then make up for the rest by getting smarter, if I want to help the kingdom thrive. From what I've read so far, that's normally what the admired omega queens have done when compared to their less successful counterparts.

I knocked on the door of Cadeth's formal office. It was located next to the meeting room but had a door much thicker than most of the others. I tried to knock as loud as I could, but I feared he wouldn't be able to hear regardless. Suddenly the door creaked open.

His words came out firm, "Come in Selese." I bit down on the inside of my cheek. Holding in a smile. I felt a little too proud at the success of my knocking skill.

As soon as I stepped in I did a slight bow like I had read. Unlike what I had read though, I chose to speak off the cuff.

"Cadeth, I have a request."

"Go on." I'd learned he was more lax with me when it came to formalities in conversations. I liked it that way. Still this time, I wanted to be more polite, since it was a request versus just our normal speaking. In general, one wasn't supposed to speak to the King or Queen-depending on who was the Alpha-, no matter the rank, unless given permission first specifically to speak. Even for asking to speak. What one was supposed to do, but I didn't care to follow, was to wait quitely instead.

This was supposed to set the mood in a positive light to reduce chances of death during conversation. Which at one point was apparently a common issue. Over time it just became more of a traditional action. Although I found it rather cringey in reality, the history on it was quite fascinating.

My mind finally found its way back on track when the loud sound of Cadeth flipping a rather heavy page from a book on his desk, echoed throughout the room.

I asked as clearly as I could manage, "Might you teach me how to fight please?"

"Nope."

"Bu-" Cadeth stood up. My voice left me. I stayed still, looking at his chest.

He explained, "It'd be useless; you're not a fighter. Anyways, I can fight in your place because we are mates," he stepped toward me, "no one with half a brain would dare challenge you due to this Selese." I switched my gaze up to his own, pouting a little to show it wasn't meant to be provoking. Another thing I'd read. His hand brushed against my hair. Lightly pressing in a massage motion against my head. It felt really nice, but was nerve wracking and sudden. I've discovered sometimes Cadeth did things like this. Random actions of closeness or touching. It was okay with me. I found if I got too uncomfortable or didn't want the action, I just had to be brave enough to say such and he'd oblige calmly. Leaving me alone.

I tried to ignore his touch, letting him do so but not openly responding in any way, instead questioning him, "What of wild creatures? Th-they don't follow our rules." I hope my stuttering wasn't too weakening.

His hand fell back to its side. Instead of answering me, he turned back around. I knew what this meant. Cadeth was rejecting my request. I couldn't have that.

So I did my last option. A most recent thing I'd read.

I grabbed the sleeve of his shirt and tugged it just enough to get his attention. Get him to slightly whirl back to me. Then I pulled myself forward using my grip on the sleeve as my momentum, and jabbed into his chest with my head. Basically I head butted his chest.

His chest was very hard. It actually kind of hurt. This was not as cute as the book made it sound like it would be.

I totally failed.

Cadeth coughed, making an awkward sound to fit this very weird moment, rumbling against my face. If small bugs existed in Devaleon, one would have heard crickets chirping with each passing second. My head still stayed pushed into his chest. I was lost. Unsure of what to do after this or how badly I'd be rejected now. Would he growl out a no this time or-

Suddenly I felt arms wrapped around me. Then a pushing motion from my behind, forcing my body up against Cadeth's. My head now moved up to being just below his chin. He looked down at me. His lips was where my eyes stayed focused.

He teased, "That flirtation is normally done more subtle."

I breathed out, "I'm not good at subtle." He laughed. Then held me tighter.

"Neither am I."

His lips pressed against my forehead. Warm. Yet firm like his words. As if trying to press onto me whatever sensation it is that possessed him to kiss me there in the first place. My nervousness left me, and was replaced by more warmth. Warmth all the way to my stomach. A calming feeling. Welcoming, not like I'd felt before, except maybe when we held hands at night sometimes. That green hue flashed over his aura again. I closed my eyes. Breathing in deep, embracing the comforting feeling. It was then I realized his words and his aura never did justice to his actions. And Cadeth was definitely a man of action.

We stayed like that a little while longer, but then he let me go. Stepping back. Creating a very small distance between us. Not enough to stop me from trying to hug him back, or him to hug me again, but still it stopped us.

He spoke again, "I won't waste time with teaching you fighting, but I can teach you defense and healing magic. Even omegas can do that," a sigh escaped his lips, "you should be quite good at magic in fact. Those who feel pain better are more suited for the intricacies of spells. Since werewolf magic is pain based." I nodded in appreciation.

"Thank you Cadeth!" The words came out of my mouth a bit excited. I didn't read yet on magic, but I assume it would be enough for the self defense I sought. Honestly, upon thinking of it further, he was right on the fighting part. As long as I could do something I was pleased. I'm really happy he thought of this.

I felt useful.

Cadeth walked back to his desk. I bowed and headed back to the door as well. While I was walking, Cadeth spoke again.

"You shouldn't need to use spells of speed since you're able to do those naturally," his voice darkened, "don't tell others that." I spun back and nodded again. Whispering a simple yes. I then turned to the door. Opening it, stepping out, and closing it with care.

My eyebrows were lowered and scrunched together in confusion as soon as I was out of sight. Spells of speed?

I didn't know I could do that.

Weird.