Silver starlight sprinkled across frozen leaves on purple evenings, the stuffy night air filled with hushed whispers and furtive glances. There is a wild side to all children of the Moon, madness and excitement are all the same to them. They'll pull you into a party in a whirlwind of concentrated mayhem; drinks flowing from their fingers, eyes dancing with ecstasy, music vibrating through their souls. Whether inducing frenzy or pouring wine, they all possess the same chaotic, enthralling nature.
Despite that, Matthias was far from pleased with the feast. Normally, he was ecstatic about them. But he knew the business of this feast and he was sick of meeting with other packs. A strained smile graces his features as he greets the other wolves at the gathering, slowly gliding through the crowds of people until he reaches the Alpha and Luna of a neighboring pack. "Isak, always a pleasure." Jealousy pushes its fingers against the skin on his chest, right over his lungs and heart. Even without telling a soul it was common knowledge that the pair were mates. It was in the way their gazes lingered on one another, the way their voices became softer and in the shy grins they'd never worn before.
"It's an honor to speak with you," The woman exclaims softly. Matthias laughs, the rough sound settling under their ribs. "I am not the sort of man you want to hear the voice of, Freya." The Luna touches his shoulder in a frail attempt at consolation. He blinks, bewildered eyes melting into hers. "nor touch," he finishes, a small grin playing on his lips. Isak grunted through pursed lips at the interaction, his eyes changing to silver as he slowly tugged at his mate's wrist.
Leaning in towards them, a kiss is placed upon one cheek in the form of a greeting before his lips move towards the male's ear. "I haven't forgotten that you owe me." Matthias whispers to him before he returns to his spot in front of them, running his tongue around the salt dusted rim of his glass. "How are you two enjoying your visit?" He asks them sweetly, as if he hadn't just threatened one of them. There's violence in his smile and pomegranate blood stains blooming on his lips.
"MATTHIAS."
Matthias let his eyes roll up to the voice that had spoken so viciously. His brothers immediately reacted at the burning pull on their bond and slowly prowled their way through the crowd to stand by his sides. When at last Matthias lifted his head, every wolf present in the room wished he had kept his trance on the couple. "Heavens help the fool who dares to speak to him in that way," The younger males mused between themselves, waiting for the Alpha's glare and tone to take over.
Yet, a more lovely sight awaited him. There sat petite Leah, the second youngest of the seven. Her silver eyes shone like twin moons in the grand room. She shined so bright, eventually the stars and the other she-wolves grew jealous of her. They're all watching her now: the shadows cast along the metallic angles of her face, the owl-like sharpness of her gaze. "Better watch yourself, pup. You're well on your way to becoming the next Omega." A group of she-wolves warned her as they let their eyes wander up and down the small she-wolf, voluntary sneers appearing on their faces.
Julius stepped forward to snap back at Leah's question, but then sank back down once Jason carefully grabbed him by the back of his neck. He was lower than her, but standing next to their Alpha was a powerful position so long as he was relaxed enough. He extended his hand open palmed and invited her to back away from them. She scoffed and kept her stance with no intention of letting him call the shots. Clearly, Leah forgot that she couldn't speak to the eldest however she wanted to now thanks to his new title. Julius made a mental note to speak to her afterwards. He would set her right. Next time she'd sit like a good girl and watch her phrasing.
As silence reigned, Matthias kept his gaze on his littlest sister. "She's grown." His wolf cried out. The gentle scent of Leah kindled memories of days spent in the meadows keeping a watchful eye on her as she played roughly with other pups.
"I want an answer, Alpha."
"For one, lose the attitude. Treat your superiors with a little respect." He growled as he stepped forward to stroke her cheek tauntingly. "I am not afraid of ripping my own kind's head from their neck if I see fit."
"A true king never seeks war, Alpha." Matthias slowly plumped himself down onto the throne that was once bathed in the blood of those who had fought for it and all the anger and wickedness in their hearts, a slight sneer playing on his lips at the thought of war.
Do you know how horrible the raw desire of wanting peace is? Keep your empathy, war-veined child, it's important to finding solace.
"Where is Madelyn?" The bark of her voice surprised others. Matthias' heart sinks as he watches the young girl search for her sister amidst the row of siblings. That's the question everyone asks, the question no one has an answer to. Their brows arch like hers and their hearts ache like hers, bleeding moonlight and spitting honey. They looked at her through wide red-rimmed eyes. She knew she should reign it in, apologize before she made it worse, but she just didn't have it in her to stop.
"So many vows . . . They make you swear and swear. Defend the king. Obey the king. Keep his secrets. Do his bidding. Your life for his. But obey your father. Love your sister. Protect the innocent. Defend the weak. Respect the gods. Obey the laws. It's too much. No matter what you do, you're forsaking one vow or the other. " Her words crashed out unchecked, unaltered as she faced her brother once more. "You cannot even protect your own blood--"
"Matthias," Isak grunted, shoving Leah into the crowd to avoid any violence following her accusations. "Let's cut to the chase of this gathering . . ." The fear traveled in his veins but never made it to his facial muscles or skin. As he continued to speak to the young leader before him, the minds of the wolves surrounding him urged his body to fall in line at each word spilling from his jaws. "A game has begun among the packs ever since the killings. Each has their own strategy and own honor to protect. Which packs are innocent, and which packs are guilty? And more importantly--"
"WHICH PACK ARE YOU WILLING TO SHED BLOOD FOR, ALPHA?"
YOU ARE READING
Seven Devils
Người sói❝ His white figure stood in biting contrast to the dirt on his body and the red splatters that covered the rest of him. Some of them were definitely wine stains. Some of them were definitely not. Blood had clotted in the ends of the mess of midnigh...
