Taken by the Alpha Spin-off: An Alpha's Thorne

Orion Brute

None of the pupils seemed totally focused at the training session I was leading; they seemed distant, distracted. Truthfully, I wasn’t feeling like myself, either. My meeting with Majara played on a loop in my mind, sending me into oscillating feelings of confusion and excitement.

Somewhere out there, I had a powerful mate. I wondered if she was thinking of me, too, or if she was as curious to know me as I was her.

I decided to switch up the skill enhancement lessons to be more hands-on, something to shake them out of whatever funk they seemed to be in and to snap myself out of the trance I’d slipped into. “Alright, everybody, pick a partner. We’re going to work on our grappling,” I called to them. Slow to their feet, they did as commanded.

Whispering to one another and exchanging glances, they assumed their positions. I continued: “Remember, it’s legs shoulder-width apart. Keep your knees bent.” The students adjusted their shoulders and knees half-heartedly. Normally, they were quick and alert, no hesitations. What was going on?

I walked to the center of the drill and addressed them all. “Guys! Get it together. I wanna see some real energy here. Put your hands up, let’s go. I want to see you ready for a real fight.” They all looked at me, surprised. The smallest pup, Winston, raised his hand.

“What’s up, Winston?” I asked, trying not to roll my eyes at the further delaying of our session. “Y-you mean a real fight because we’re going to war again?” he asked. My heart sank.

“No! We’re not going to war. Why would you ask me that? Is that what you all think?” Some of the students nodded, not totally convinced that what I was saying was true. “Everyone’s saying that the Borderlands is attacking the Onyx Pack…” Winston pressed on. Everyone stared at me, desperate for a response.

“Guys, no. The war has been over for a really long time thanks to the peace agreement. Now, let’s focus on our training. No more war-talk, do we understand?” I asked, looking at them each with a stern look. Everyone nodded in agreement, seeming mostly relieved and satisfied with my answer.

“Alright, now, remember—” before I could finish my sentence, I saw one of my Father’s men marching toward me from across the field. I wondered why he was walking with such urgency and stepped forward. “Orion, could I speak with you?” he asked almost breathlessly.

“Of course, what’s going on?” I asked, sensing his caution. I hated that everyone in the Borderlands walked on eggshells around me. I knew it was because I was Alpha Slade’s son, and our family was very powerful, but I didn’t feel aggression toward my men like they assumed. “I’m not supposed to give you any details, but your Father wishes to see you immediately.”

***

I stepped into the discreet, private cottage in the woods that my Father frequently did his studies in when he needed to work hard and with little distraction. When I was a child, I wasn’t allowed in there. “Come,” I heard his voice echo from the back room, and my feet followed.

I ducked in through the door frame that used to be heads taller than me. My Dad sat before me at his large, wooden desk, and as my eyes focused, I noticed his face had been cut. “Are you okay? What happened to your face? Who did this to you?” I asked him.

As if he didn’t hear me at all, he turned in his chair, fingers under his chin, glancing down at the large map rolled out before him. It was a map of all of the territories. “Dad? What’s going on—why did you summon me here?” I pleaded.

“You’ve probably heard by now, but I sent our elite force to place an attack on the Onyx pack. We’re going to get our land back if it’s the last thing I do,” he said, still not looking at me, zoned into the papers on his desk.

“You started a war?!” I yelled, not able to hold myself back. I breathed deeply and continued, “Thousands of years of war, of death and pain, should have taught us that it is in our best interest to preserve the peace, has it not?” I asked.

Slamming his fist on the table, he rose from his chair. “They’re lucky this isn’t going to be another war! I was merely sending a message!” he yelled, the blood on his face gleaming in the candlelight of his office.

“Father, the wound on your face sort of indicates it was more than just a message…” I urged, “The Queen will see this as a direct affront to her rule. This isn’t good.” “She’s aware, and that’s why that pussy bitch of an alpha queen is calling a summit. She wants to ‘discuss protecting the peace’,” he scoffed, his disdain for her clear.

“Why are you doing this? The peace has led to much more prosperity, more lives protected, for not only us in the Borderlands but throughout all werewolf packs. We don’t need to jeopardize that, Father, we--” “That’s why you’re going to the summit instead of me,” he replied coldly.

“Me? What? You know that will be a massive insult to the queen! She summoned an Alpha. She summoned you.” I insisted, unable to process the conversation I was having with my Father. ~How would such a plan even work?~ He merely shrugged at the points I’d made. “It’s final. You’ll be leaving in one hour. The summit is in three.”

***

I sat, head in my hands, waiting for the Royal carriage to arrive. I had no idea how I was going to pull this off, or mend what damage my Father had just done. I’d be lucky to keep my head on my shoulders, depending on the Queen’s mood.

Lately, rumors had been going around that she had become quite volatile, and that any conflict with her whatsoever usually ended badly. Would she take my word for it that I agreed with the peace? Or would she laugh in my face and send me home? What would she do to my Father, if not to me?

The wheels of the carriage crackled on the path as it approached me. “Orion Brute?” The driver asked as I climbed in. “Yes… My Father is sending me as part of my training as Alpha,” I lied, climbing in and leaving no room for more questions.

The driver shook his head and continued down the road. As the castle became increasingly visible in the distance, I began to feel an inner excitement that I’d never felt before. My anxiety and tension morphed into an exhilaration; an eagerness. I didn’t know why, but I hoped the charge in my energy would help me to solve the issues my father had caused. This sudden change in my gut reminded me of my purpose.

We pulled into the large, rounded path before the castle doors and came to a halt behind a line of other carriages. From them emerged the Alphas from the other packs. I watched as they strode with confidence. I fought off the insecurity creeping up inside me and assured myself that I was here for a reason.

As I exited my carriage, many of the other Alphas stopped in their tracks. Looking around, I was met with their hateful glares and pretended to be unfazed. I felt their anger for me, and though it only made me feel more insignificant, I was determined to mask my anxiety.

I gave them each a deep, respectful nod. Only a couple of them returned the gesture; the rest remained disdainfully glaring. I turned to get the rest of my luggage. I knew better than to expect anything other than this.

I was aware that by proxy, I would be blamed for the breaking of peace. I had to prove to them that I was not my father, and that I was here to exist with them in harmony. I wanted to serve the Queen.

Artemis Thorne

I heard the carriage approaching in the distance. Attempting to calm myself for a moment longer before leaving my quarters, I focused my energy on keeping my inner wolf at bay.

Trezor had informed me moments before that Alpha Slade would not be in attendance. Knowing that Slade had sent his snot-nosed son to represent him had deeply enraged me. Every move he was making felt like a provocation, but I could not let that show. I had to set an example for my men and focus on our objectives.

I had to level with that stupid, audacious little pup today. Peace was, after all, the goal. I walked through the corridors where my guards, Beta, and Trezor stood waiting to announce me. I gave them a nod, signaling for them to proceed.

Daylight poured into the castle as the doors swung open. Before me were all of the Alphas of the werewolf territories. “I present to you your Queen, Artemis Thorne, Alpha of all Wolfborn,” Beta Maximillian proudly spoke.

The entire group took a deep, simultaneous bow. As they all rose, I noticed the visibly younger man, despite being the tallest, who I immediately understood was Orion. I held back a low growl and immediately diverted my eyes, scanning the rest of them as I walked down each step to meet them at the ground level.

As I took the last stair, I was overcome with a delicious scent. My stomach turned, and my chest tried to take as much of it in as it could. I could hardly maintain my focus as the relentless, mouthwatering smell hit my nostrils, and my heart raced. My insides began to pulse.

Resurfacing my gaze, I was met with Orion’s stare, who looked just as shocked and entranced as I did. He subtly licked the side of his mouth, unblinking, the veins in his arms protruding. He knew. He was my mate.