The Red Wolf's Daughter (Book 3 Part 1: The Becoming of the Siran)

Chapter 12 (Edited)

I was nervous walking into the castle, unnerved about the sudden squeaking sound as Adam opened up the double doors.

The whole place was old, worn down, but that wasn't what made me the most nervous. No, there was no sound at all. Everything was quiet, soundless, and I had no idea how that was possible.

The walls were painted a grayish white, and there were no pictures of who lived here nor art like the halls that filled the packhouse.

It was bleak and very cold in both feeling and the air around us. It set my wolf and me on high alert because we had no idea what was going to happen.

Tasha moved closer to me. Anxiety filled her eyes, and I could tell that she was not liking this place either. She placed her hand on mine, causing me to squeeze and give her a reassuring smile.

I knew that she did not believe my reassuring look when she just blinked at me. I could tell that she was thinking that this was a bad idea, and I couldn't help but agree with her. However, we were already here, so we were going to have to live with it.

Adam turned to look at us and caught us holding hands. He narrowed his eyes, causing Tasha almost let go of my hands but stopped when I squeezed and pulled her gently behind me. Adam glanced at me, causing me to bare my teeth in warning before he turned to look away.

Theodore looked behind him to see that we had been holding hands, but thankfully, he didn't say anything. He seemed to understand that Tasha and I were both anxious, and we were getting comfort from one another. He smiled at me when I caught his eye before looking away.

Cornelius did not look back at us, but his whole back grew tense. Not a word was spoken between the three of them as they made their way down the bleak halls, going towards another pair of double doors. Cornelius opened them and gestured for us to follow him in.

As soon as a "regal" looking couple came into view, all three of them bowed, their heads nearly touching the floor.

"Mother, Father," Cornelius said, not lifting his head from the floor. "I would like to present N- Tasha and Kyler Pierce from the GreenRock Pack."

***

The Alpha stared at us as if he was waiting for us to bow or curtsy. He had his pinkie near his mouth, many rings on all of his fingers. A crown sat upon his head, and I had to bite back a growl because he was acting like he was the king of all the Werewolves and not just an Alpha.

His mate sat to his left, regal like the Alpha. She had a stern face, and I could tell that she agreed with the way that the Alpha was running his pack. On her head, she wore a brilliant and expensive crown, and I couldn't help but wonder how much money went into her extravagant dress and not into the pack.

"Well?" the Alpha asked, raising an eyebrow. He looked at his son before looking at me and Tasha. "Are they going to bow? Or are they going to stand there like idiots?"

I bit my tongue to keep myself from retorting and my face blank. It was hard not to be sarcastic, but I was doing it for the sake of these three men and Tasha. I knew that my mouth could lead me into trouble, and that was not something I needed right now.

"She only bows down to the "real" king, Your Majesty," Adam said in a monotone voice. "She doesn't... quite understand the rules that we have."

I understand them perfectly fine, I thought. I am just not going to do them.

The Alpha studied me before looking at Tasha. His eyes flickered with distaste, and I knew that it was because of her hair. "And, what about her?" he asked, looking at Adam. "Does she know the rules?"

"She does, Your Majesty," Adam confirmed. "However, she will stand beside her sister."

The female placed her hands in her lap and sat up straighter. Annoyance filled her eyes, and I could tell that she was not my biggest friend. "But, Natasha is not her sister," she said, coldly. "She is not of blood."

I bit my tongue harder causing it to bleed. I squeezed her hand reassuringly, pulling her more behind me. I was angry that this female said that she wasn't my sister because she was my sister, and it was my duty to protect her.

"She was adopted by her mother," Theodore said, in the same monotone voice. "That is as sistery as it is going to get." He ignored the jab that Adam sent his way. "Your Highness," he added after a small conversation between the two men.

The Alpha sat up straighter and placed his hands on his lap. Curiosity shone in his eyes, and I could see this evil glint in them that I did not like. "Ah, yes," he said, smiling. "The Red Wolf is your mother. Correct?"

I nodded, not saying a word. I knew that if I did say something, then it would be as if someone opened the floodgates, and all of my feelings escaped.

The Alpha narrowed his eyes at me. "Speak when I speak to you. I asked a question, Girl. Answer it. Are you the daughter of the infamous Red Wolf?"

I nodded my head, keeping a growl at bay. "Yes, Alpha," I said, coldly. It took all of my self-control not to give him an earful.

"It is "Your Majesty"," the Alpha said, narrowing his eyes at me. He bared his teeth, causing my Wolf to stir. "Say it with me: "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Yes, Alpha," I replied, causing him to growl out a warning. I pulled Tasha all the way behind me before letting go of her hand. I stood up taller and watched this enraged Alpha's movements, waiting for him to attack.

"Why do you not call me "Your Majesty"?" he all but growled, his teeth lengthening into those of his wolf form.

"You are not my king," I replied. "I do not bow down to someone that is not of a higher rank as me. Nor, do I call an Alpha, "Your Majesty". That title is only for my king."

The Alpha stared at me with dull brown eyes. He blinked once before starting to laugh, causing the other four to laugh ass well. "Ah," the Alpha said, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. "You silly, silly, Little Girl," he said. "You have no idea who you are messing with. But, today is your first day, so I am not going to punish you. Make no mistake because I will start treating you and your "sister" like one of our packmates, and that includes beatings. Understood?"

I forced a smile on my face, but I knew that it looked like a sneer. "Yes, Alpha," I replied.

The Alpha narrowed his eyes but gestured for the three men to get up. "Take them away," he said. "Show them their rooms."

"Yes, Your Majesty," they said in unison. They stood at the same time and started to walk out the door, Theodore taking the rear. "Oh, and Miss Pierce," the Alpha said, causing me to pause and look back at him. He had a smile on his face, and I could tell that it was fake. "Enjoy your stay."

I forced a better smile on my face, knowing full well that it was fake as well. "Of course," I replied before pushing Tasha to start moving. "Thank you, Alpha."