Royally Rogue

Mind Games

Xander

Claudius wheezed, bending over in laughter when I had begun to untie the strings of my sweatpants. My face got really hot, full of embarrassment. I had only done so because I trusted Claudius like no other.

"I'm sorry, Alpha, but that tickled me! I remember when you were young and we would have our times together, but I didn't think you were still gullible!" Claudius breathed heavily, collecting himself and taking off his glasses that were sliding down his nose. He folded them and slipped them into the large pockets of his khaki pants.

I like him, he reminds me of a cute little grandpa. My wolf purred, being sentimental as usual. I felt weirded out by his loving/playful demeanor towards Claudius, someone I knew for a long time and never had I thought him in such familiar regards. I mean sure, I appreciated him as a father figure, since mine was... not great.

"Are you going to teach me how to control this or not?" I said sternly, re-tying the grey strings.

The old librarian straightened out, smiling as if he just won the lottery. "Yes, I am." He inhaled loudly, raising his hands up with his chest and looking at me as if wanting me to mimic him.

I did so, but not without giving him a pointed look. He makes a gesture of surrender, still smiling. I wasn't feeling as stern as I was used to when people would mess with me, but I assumed that was my wolf's doing.

That damn beast was having the wrong effect on me.

"Have you ever heard the phrase the eyes are the window to the soul?" Claudius interrupted my thoughts, still doing his inhaling and exhaling motions. "Well, this is true. A mind link is made from looking into someone's soul/mind. When you see them for who they are, you are allowed free passage to their thoughts- but only if they are willing."

"So if I don't make eye contact with someone, I can't link to them?"

"No no no, Alpha. Once you make eye contact, and the communication is mutual, you can access them through your internal link from wherever once the connection is made."

"Wait, so how does this link stay connected?"

"Forgive me Alpha, but for such a smart man you don't know much." Claudius frowned, moving his arms up and down in warming up motions while I scowled at his comment. Again, I let it slide because I wasn't feeling as angry as usual. Only a few days ago, if someone had given me attitude, I would've lashed out. With all the rebellions popping up, I couldn't risk a weakness. "When joining with someone for the first time, you connect with them and are able to familiarize yourself with their mental presence- as in how you recognize them. When trying to communicate with them, your wolf-"

The beast inside perked up and Claudius visibly stiffened but continued. "Your wolf will have the ability to remember scents and these presences. When trying to communicate, he'll help you remember and seek them out."

I nodded and started stretching my arms as well for whatever reason, trying to do the same as him. I honestly felt so lost with this whole process, and damned my father who hadn't taught me anything besides blood lust.

"So I have to meet with everyone in the pack? To get their link?" I furrowed my brows at the thought of having to familiarize myself with all 25,000 of my pack members. Hmmm...I'd have to organize a BBQ or something.

"Well... yes. But since you are an Alpha- more officially now than before because of your wolf- you are able to have complete access to any of your pack members minds, whether they like it or not. " After Claudius said this, he grabbed my shoulders and pulled me down to eye level with him. I stood bent at the knees and doing everything to crouching to his height.