Moonlit Aroma

Chaptr 4 The Trial pt.1

I almost felt overwhelmed being the center of attention I mean I was used to it but at the moment I didn't want to be seen. I gave out a few smiles quickly trying to find away from the crowd of people eyeing and sizing me up. Just as I thought all hope was lost Prince Kieran came from behind me leading me to a secluded set of stairs. I went to walk down the stairs but he stopped me putting his finger up shaking it. Before I knew it I was swept into his arms and carried downstairs. I couldn't lie it felt so good being in his arms and without realising I let it be known that I was enjoying it. I could feel that his eyes were on me I looked up to see a small mischievous smirk appear on his perfect face. I quickly turned my head in embarrassment, if only my body didn't feel so weak I would hop out his arms with a quickness. He walked me into a room that was dimly lit and smelled of white sage. He walked to the queen sized bed and very gently set me down. This room made me feel something I couldn't quite explain all I knew was that my body was now humming. I instantly could feel the pain and fatigue fading away slowly but surely. "What type of room is this my cramps are going away I feel the relief seeping into me?" I asked feeling beyond thankful to Kieran I would have been trapped upstairs if he hadn't came in and saved me. "It's a room designed to alleviate the pain OA's experience through their periods and is said to make it go by faster. I figured since I was the only one truly watching your discomfort I'd better help you out with my knowledge. It's funny my brothers don't even know what this room is for as they haven't prepared for what it would be like to be with an OA. My brother's are only interested in you as a sort of conquest while I have waited for this very moment. I know it seems crazy of me to hold on to a silly prophecy ha I guess our tradition has after all been programmed in me. I still wondered about the outcome of our Pack's merging and most of all if the rumors were true about your survival. What would you look like and what person would the world have made you? Well I got one of those answers today and let's just say well I guess I would rather not. Don't want you feeling as if I want you only for your looks. Speaking of feelings how are you feeling?" He paused and gazed at me patiently waiting for me to answer. I was at a complete loss of words his voice had taken me somewhere else not to mention his musk filling my nose. I could feel that my face was heated and I struggled to get an answer out but quickly got it together. "I'm feeling better thanks to you and this room I don't really feel anymore pain. Truly thank you for everything I'll say this you guys are nothing like I had expected. The story's truly painted you guys as ruthless rulers leaving a trail of screams and blood wherever you go." I said feeling myself face palm at my bluntness. "Haha that's very interesting indeed I guess word does get out fast. No problem you shouldn't have to suffer in a room full of idiots who didn't even notice your needs. Also I meant how are you feeling about all of this I figure your probably experiencing a roller coaster of emotions. This is a crazy situation and my father isn't ever ok with hearing no. I'm glad you came willingly even after what you've heard about us. You also did help that Pack as we would have been ordered to go and kill every last member. I'm not telling you this so you have fear in your heart im telling you this so you know what your signing up for because after this things will change. We have so many enemies that want nothing but for us to die but know this you will always be protected. My father is a different breed of True Alpha one born from two OA parents causing him to be superior than any TA before him. My twin Felix, my eldest brother Jakiel and I were born with this gene our other siblings did not receive it so they do not know about it. This side of our wolf is strong enough to gain control over other TA's and OA's but not over ourselves. When we get into this state our wolves take over and act on animal instincts. It would be difficult for you to love one of us as our moods are never truly set and we become agitated quickly causing constant out burst of rage. Like I said earlier I'm not trying to scare you I'm just warning you so you'll know what's coming. I will do my best to keep a look out on you but I can't promise that my brothers won't get grabby or wildly aggressive. The way you smell right now I'm fighting every fiber in my bone to not ravage you now. Do you understand why I'm telling you this?" As he finished the last sentence I couldn't help but stare into his deep blue eyes. He had a neatly trimmed mustache with an even neater beard. His jet black hair free hanging a little bit past his shoulders. His eyes and hair complemented his cream colored complexion. He was telling me all of this to prepare me for a life of corruption and blood. While all I could do was enjoy the view I got myself together and took in a deep breath. "I understand why you are saying this you know your family better than I do so I will head your warnings. I also hope there isn't a search party going out for us right now. Since you know so much I guess you'll be the one to tell me about my alleged Pack and two fathers. I now know more about you guys than I know about myself or my lineage."I said realising that it was all too true I hadn't known who I truly was. I've just always known that I was supposed be a strong Alpha so I could rule over Pack Sage. I thought about how the King said all of his son's would compete for my hand. I honestly felt like that was a bit too extreme if it was my trial then I should have control over how it goes. "Wait aren't I the one supposed to decide who participates and which trial will be done? I mean isn't that the tradition, I've heard about the tradition of Pack Lupine?" I said thinking about the stories hoping they rang true. "Well in a way it's like that they throw a feast and the betrothed is showered with gifts. They then proceed to the trial that was picked by the betrothed and their father majority of the time by their father. But since no one allegedly knows where your biological parent's are I believe that's why my father stepped in the way he did. You can talk to him and explain to him how you want things to go he will hear you out. You'll just need to catch him alone which could prove to be a problem as he will be surrounded. Plus I've noticed that he has been fighting his mood shifts." He said his eyes holding something within them. "Ok so let's go and find him I'm pretty sure it wont be hard to pull him to the side." I said getting off the bed feeling fully rejuvenated. "That's another thing we cant be seen leaving here together as a means to keep things peaceful. Don't want anybody getting the wrong idea saying you were playing favorites. You'll have to go and find him on your own but I'm pretty sure he is now upstairs in his study setting things up." He said still sitting down as if he had a lot to think about, I just let it go not wanting to start a fight leaving the room in silence. Once I made it up the stairs the house had seemed to have calmed down a bit which brought me pleasure. I started up coming with things to say about my sudden disappearance but nothing good came to mind. I did all of this traveling and I don't even know what I look like. Have I been a mess this entire time? Is it ok that I'm now only caring about my appearance. I never in the past cared about how good my face looked. I just always focused on my soon to be duties to be the Alpha they thought I was. What a sham of a life so crazy how peoples mere words can shape who we become as people. The elders of Pack Sage had me kill a man and then all of this happened it's like I was cursed. Did they honestly not know what I was or anything about my real parents? I mean if that's the case then why didn't my alleged adoptive father catch on to where I was from by my last name Voss? So many questions began to plague my mind and I decided to push it all to the side. I walked up the stairs surprisingly unnoticed and began searching for the King's study. I heard  classical music playing behind the closed door of a room to my far left. Wondering if I should test my luck, I mean come on why did there have to be so many fucking doors. The one with creepy music playing behind it just so happened to be the convenient option. I walked to it with a quickness preparing to knock but stopping as soon as I was struck with the smell of copper. My heart rose up into my throat and I couldn't speak a word only stand there frozen. Something about this blood in particular smelt so familiar to me causing chills to go up and down my spine. I opened the door trying to figure out why I felt a connection to the person this blood belonged to. As soon as I walked in the room the smell was intensified and so was my fear. There was a man strapped up against the wall bloodied and riddled with slashes. His blood's scent let me know that this was one of my infamous parents. I covered my mouth, as I slowly walked over to him beyond disturbed by his condition. He was still breathing although it was shallow and weak all I could do was look in terror. I placed my hand on his chest wondering if healing him was an option. I began focusing on his well being, his wounds and bruises began to fade away slightly. He let out an extremely dry cough and opened his eyes which were filled with fear once they gazed upon me. "Your not supposed to be here, Pack Sage were to keep you safe. Has Pack Lupine hurt you? You look fine but looks can be very deceiving. I refused to tell them where you were so they brought me here hoping they could torture it out of me. What they didn't know is that just because I'm an OA doesn't mean I don't enjoy pain." He said ending off with a devious smirk it caused a smile to break my stone face. "So your the Dad that protested against this arranged marriage. They haven't hurt me but they sure have done a number on you. Where is my other Dad is he ok is he here too?" I said feeling my heart beat faster it was good to actually see where I really came from I unhooked him quickly. I always wondered why everyone would talk about the bond a pup shares with their parent's. Especially when I never felt deeply connected to my adoptive father, well at least now I know the reason behind that. "Oh no my dear Teioh your other father Varrin has passed on in fact he died two weeks after he had you betrothed to one of Marvius's many sons. You spoke of me not wanting you to be involved well it's true. I refused to have you go through what I had to thankfully around that time there were two King's meaning that Marvius and his brothers weren't my only options. Pack Lupine had been split into two parts your father's dad King Jaxon ruling one half and Marvius's dad King Bastion ruling the other. Each side wanting their son to become apart of Pack Vulpine hoping to gain numbers. So I picked a trial I was sure only Varrin could win as he had talked with me and comforted me when I needed it. I felt if anyone deserved to win it was the one who went out of his way to make me feel comfortable and happy. Things worked out perfectly for two years we were happy then I got news that I was pregnant with.... He was instantly cut off by Marvius's deep voice. "Well well Teioh more inquisitive than I had expected, you weren't supposed to find him like this. You probably feel different towards my Pack now but do understand that your Dad here knew the consequences of not upholding to the agreement. In fact he recommended that we bring and torture him here. You see he is not protesting right, as what I speak is truth." He said eyeing me down calmly. "Marvius please I beg you just let him go and I'll take his place. You'll have what you've always wanted me and your kingdom's combined as one. You've never mated with an OA don't you still want to experience what its like?" My dad began hurling his words out frantically but I couldn't just leave him here alone not when I just got him into my life. I wasn't going to abandon him even if King Marvius agreed to his plead.  "How about this I will go through with the wedding if and only if I get absolute control over it able to pick which four of your son's will compete for my hand. You will also allow my father to be freed and brought back to his status." I said feeling an angry confidence flow through each word. The King looked surprised letting out a curious smirk. "I'll admit I'm impressed by you Teioh standing up for what you believe in. Varrin would be proud to see you brokering a deal so good that I cant resist. I will agree to do your wedding however you please and as for Teiven he will be pardoned of treason.  He will also marry me as he was the one who proposed it himself. Our Pack's will become one, we will prosper, and all of our enemies will tremble at our power." He said as he eyed my father up and down his smile growing bigger. I didn't like the feeling I had in my stomach but I was also relieved that my Dad was going to be ok. We all left the room and I followed as he lead my Dad to an large empty cabin. I mean it was fully furnished but no one had been living here it felt so foreign yet it felt like home. "Was this yours and Dad's house?" I asked high-key already knowing the answer. "This was our home yes you stayed in this house until you turned one. After that your father talked with this son of bitch and they planned your life away just as you barely started walking. I wasn't by no means pleased I only had spent a year with my baby and they were already planning on marrying you off to some older wolf. Of course I was livid and my natural instinct to protect you kicked in. So I made plans remembering about what my mother had told me about Pack Sage and their connection to Pack Vulpine. I had hoped they would have seen our last name and immediately started you up on a cocktail that suppresses your change. I see now that I sent you there for no reason because you obviously still ended up here." He said shaking his head looking a bit disappointed. The King left us to be alone once we made it inside. "So how did you know that dad was you know, the one? I said wondering if just going for Kieran was my best move. "Well when me and your father met I had just finished my first period and was about to go into heat. He had went out of his way just to make sure I was comfortable bringing me food and always checking up on me. We had spent only three days together and he did more for me than the others had attempted. Well I mean besides Marvius who tried countless ways to prove himself to me. I just felt his intentions weren't as clear as Varrin's so I did everything I could to throw the trial into Varrin's favor. He was successful as he was the only one who knew certain things about me. You see I picked a trial of knowledge so they all had to answer questions about me and my status as an OA. Why do you ask is there a particular wolf you have in mind that you want to win?" He said pausing so he could look at me. "I mean yeah and no maybe Kieran he helped me with my overwhelming cramps. I like him a lot but I don't know if my decision should be made so early since he is the only one of the Prince's that I've truly interacted with." I said looking down succumbing to my thoughts. My dad paused taking what I said in I could tell then that he was thinking deeply. "Ok so answer these three questions and I'll give you my honest opinion. One how did you guy's first interaction start? Second how did it make you feel you know, being around him? Third is he the reason you are deciding to go through with the marriage?" As his eyes weighed on me I began to start really thinking about my answers. "Well we made it back to the Pack house and then I was hit with pure discomfort. Kieran was the only one to notice what was going on and he lead me away. We made it to a room that was specifically created to ease the pain of an OA on their period. He then warned me about how his father and brothers can get. He also told me that two of his brothers, his dad, and himself were a different breed of True Alpha. After all that he then recommended that I head upstairs in search of his dad's study. So I could tell him how I wanted my wedding and trial to go. That's when I found you in that torture room and only went inside because there was creepy music playing. It felt beyond great to be around him and I honestly feel like we could have talked for hours. I don't know if he's the reason I agreed to be married off. Honestly I just wasn't ready to lose you especially when I finally got you back into my life. Being able to talk to someone who truly knows what I'm going through and has experienced it all before me is very comforting. I'm glad I came here because my goal was to find out about my parents and where I came from. All of that was possible once I found you in that dreaded room." He just looked at me smiling wide it was crazy to think that he was my dad when we looked so much alike and not that far apart in age. "Do we not age because you look like you've barely entered your late twenties? We could easily pass as twins at first glance I mean you exude maturity but our features are so similar." I said feeling myself staring hard at my father's visage. "Ha well we do age just very, very slowly. Plus there's no need for a twin when you have one a little brother. He was hidden away like you but the witch's were obviously way better at keeping him hidden I should have just sent you both up there together. Now I'm just filled up to the brim with regrets feeling as if I have failed the both of you." He said tearing up quickly wiping his eyes. As soon as I got up to comfort him I was stopped in my tracks by a knock on the door. I went to go answer it swinging the door open revealing Jakiel and Felix to be the ones knocking. "Yes is everything ok?" I asked agitated wondering why they were here so late. "Our father has requested your presence he said that you and him have so much to talk about involving The Trial arrangements." Felix said smoothly ending off with a sly wink.