Vasilisa's POV
We reached the town of Dentrow exactly when Scar said we would; at dusk.
The skyline of the huts was stoic.
Where buildings back home were squared off and symmetrical, the cottages here were round with thick thatch roofs. There was nothing symmetrical or orthodox about the way these houses were laid out either. They were like random polka-dots on a lady bug.
Cobblestone streets wound in and out of every house, and we only knew we were getting closer to the more important buildings because they had a greater amount of rounded rooms protruding from the center.
I'd had a bad feeling in my stomach since we'd arrived and I couldn't put my finger on it until now "Everything is so quiet." I said softly.
Scar was frowning "You're right. They might all be stationed in the town hall for safety."
That made sense. I gave a little nod and we kept heading towards the biggest building.
Bright, flickering light became more apparent, the closer we got, and so did voices.
Children were running about, screaming and playing while nearly everyone was coupled up watching them and eating. If they weren't off on their own, they were joined in small groups, conversing.
The older, wiser ones looked calm, but the younger ones were not experienced enough to learn how to hide the panic and fear that the dark sets in you.
I knew who the Alpha of this pack was immediately because he stepped away from the group to greet us. By greet us, I mean ignore me completely as if I didn't exist and speak in hushed tones to Scar.
I stood off to the side awkwardly, not exactly in their conversation, but definitely not apart of the festivities either. Sighing, I sat on a tree stump.
A young girl and boy went running by before the boy caught up to her and grasped one of her pigtail braids, yanking harshly. I cringed but not nearly as hard as the girl did because she started crying after she fell.
The boy stuck his tongue out and skipped off. The little bugger.
I cautiously stepped up to the girl and sat beside her "Hey, kiddo, are you okay?"
She rubbed her face, trying to wipe the tears away "Lucas always picks on me. Mom says it's because he likes me, but if he liked me he wouldn't hurt me."
I gave a small smile and she actually looked at me with her wide, blue eyes.
I leaned in, whispering conspiratorially "I'll let you in on a little secret. Boys are stupid."
She gave a little giggle before putting her chubby little hand over her mouth. I continued with a growing grin "When boys get around pretty little girls they don't know how to act so they do what's natural. They treat the girls they like, like the boys they're friends with because that's all they know to do. Am I making sense?"
She nodded eagerly "The boys are always out playing and...and...roughhousing? Mom says that word a lot. They like to wrestle and hit each other, but they're still friends the next day."
I nodded, laughing "That's exactly it. You see, when boys get older, they start to pick up that girls don't like to hit each other. They like to pick daisies and eat cake. He'll grow out of it."
She smiled "Really?"
I nodded "Oh yes. So, you really like Lucas, even though he pulls your hair?"
She looked away, obviously blushing even in the fire light. "The next time he starts chasing you, you should kiss his cheek." I said.
Her mouth dropped open and then her nose scrunched "Really? Even if it has mud on it?"
I laughed "Especially if it has mud on it."
She was silent for a moment, as if pondering how that would work out before nodding and smiling at me "Okay! I'll do it. I'm Janie." She held out her hand. I grasped in mine "It's very nice to meet you, Janie. I'm V."
She frowned, tilting her head "V? But, that's a letter."
I nodded "Yep, it's my name too." She pursed her lips, still unsure about me before shrugging it off and going back to picking at a scab on her knee.
I stood up and held out my hand "Your mom will probably be looking for you, Janie."
She grasped my hand and staggered unsteadily to a stand. "You're probably right. Thanks, V." She ran off, her pale braided pigtails flying behind her like streamers. I smirked after her. She'd be a handful when she got older. Lucas better watch out.
Scar was coming my way, looking after Janie who'd taken off running "I see you've made a new friend already." He said with an amused look on his face.
I gave a little laugh "Oh yes, Janie and I had a nice talk about how little boys show their affections in odd ways."
Scar snorted "You're growing up so fast."
I huffed goodnaturedly "I may grow old, Scar, but I can assure you this, I will never grow up."
The next morning I woke up to the smell of bacon and a headache.
Mmmmm.
I took my bearskin with me as I stumbled dizzily around all of the sleeping families in the main room. My pounding head did nothing to help me.
You'd think since I came here with Alpha Scar, I'd get a room of my own, but apparently since I was a human and of no importance, I didn't. Scar, however, still did.
This inequality bullshit annoyed me before, but now I was starting to become pissed about it. These were our homes (Well, not mine, but in the general sense) before they were the Lycanthropes!
I inhaled deeply, calming myself before continuing to wander down the hall.
A few of the older women were cooking over their fire ovens and chatting about whatnots.
I asked "Is it okay to eat a little now?"
The older woman on the end gave me a small smile and slipped me a slice. I grinned and munched on it. "You came with the other Alpha, didn't you?" She inquired.
I nodded. She asked me "Why?"
I stopped, frowning "Uh, he wanted me to come with him to help with the negotiations. You know, assuming that there will be negotiations, and also assuming that another fight doesn't break out or anything, because any of those other circumstances would probably lower my chances of survival."
Her eyes widened "He wants you to accompany him and Alpha Talon to the negotiations with the Vampyres?"
I sighed "Surprised me too. I guess, I kind of serve as his companion for the moment so anywhere he goes, I go."
She pursed her lips, pondering what I've said.
I asked after a moment "Do all of the Alphas have strange names? I mean, Scar, Talon? They sound like Tribe Titles."
The woman let out a brief chortle before regaining her composure "Now that you mention it, they do. There's also Hawk, Claw, and if I'm not mistaken Knight."
I smiled "Hmm, perfectly odd if I do say so myself, though I guess I can't say much. I'm V."
She grinned at me "Nice to meet you, young man. I'm Terri."
I nodded, about to thank her for the bacon when Talon came in, brutish as ever.
His gaze narrowed on me "Boy. You came with Scar, did you not?"
I gave a small nod and he scowled before reprimanding sternly "Answer me with words, not motions."
I replied in a flat voice "Yes, I did."
He huffed as if my response would have to be good enough "Go wake him up. We need to leave soon for the meeting."
I frowned "What room is he in?"
Talon turned and growled at me "Don't take that tone with me."
I sighed "I can't wake him up if I don't know what room he's in. I was just asking a question...sir."
Talon wasn't happy about it, but he didn't growl at me this time "Down that hall, first right, then left, his should be the last room you come to."
I turned and was off.
I tucked the bearskin around my shoulders, clutching at it with my cold fingers.
It was so dark.
I felt along the walls until I came across a torch.
It wasn't lit...but maybe I could do something about it.
I picked out from its mount and took a deep breath before whispering "Incendia." and blowing softly at the tip.
I kept blowing, waiting for something to happen.
Nothing did.
I bitterly put it back on the mount, muttering to myself that I was stupid for thinking it would work.
Part of me was genuinely disappointed.
I felt my way along the wall until my arm had no wall to follow. I staggered blindly to left and felt along it now. I just needed to find the...whoa! I floundered to the left, slightly shocked from the unexpected opening. I regained myself and followed this hall now.
I should almost be at Scar's room.
I could see a faint line of light on the floor a little ways ahead of me.
It was coming from behind a door! Yay! I wasn't attacked by the shadowmongers! I almost smiled at the thought of the childish, imaginary creatures I'd been afraid of as a young girl.
I skipped towards the door and knocked on it.
"What the hell do you want?" Shouted Scar.
I froze.
He sounded extremely angry.
I heard a female voice from behind the door and swallowed harshly. I felt sick to my stomach. "Uh...Alpha..." I called out, my voice wavering traitorously.
The door was thrown open and I hopped back.
Scar was completely - and gloriously, mind you - naked. He was also fuming. A deep glare was etched into his features and it only seemed to worsen when he saw me "What do you want?" He hissed.
What had gotten into him?
Why was he so mad at me?
Did I do something wrong?
Did he learn of my secret?
No! He couldn't have!
Could he?
My gaze drifted from him to the woman wrapped in sheets on the bed behind him. She was satisfied with herself. Did she rile him up this much? I didn't like the look of her. People that pretty weren't human anymore. They were vipers.
Scar repeated his question in a much more chilling tone this time "What do you want, V?" He said my name with such hatred I'd felt as if I'd been physical hit.
I swallowed the tears that welled up in my throat and replied in what I hoped was an emotionless voice, but I knew better than to wish for miracles "Talon asked me to get you. We have to leave soon, he said."
Scar gazed down at me with that same expression of disgust and when his lip curled I flinched.
He was about to slam the door when I put my hand on it, stopping him. He snarled "What now?"
I wanted to ask him if I'd done something to offend him. I wanted to demand him to tell me what his problem was...
...but I couldn't.
I muttered softly, pulling my hand away "He seemed pretty impatient." Scar huffed in acknowledgement before slamming the door in my face. The faint breeze from it hit my face and chilled it even more.
I turned, shuddering in hurt. I felt betrayed.
Why? Why did that monster's opinion matter so much to me? Why did his bed partners hurt me so much?
I wondered these things on the whole way back, shuffling aimlessly around the halls, not bothering to feel along walls.
I knew I was getting closer to my return destination when the smell of food got stronger.
I was reluctant to enter. I wondered what my face looked like. It was probably sickly pale.
I snorted bitterly to myself. Probably? I, without a single doubt in my mind, knew I looked like I'd recently been resurrected.
I almost missed the warm spot in the hall.
I turned just in time to see a flame spring from the torch.
Wait.
What?
I stared at the torch in astonishment. None of the others had been lit. This meant I did that. The spell actually worked. Holy shit!
I stepped closer, watching the flame dance. It was alive. I made it and it was alive. It was like my child.
I frowned and shook my head in exasperation. My child?
What the hell was wrong with me?
I shuffled petulantly back into the kitchen and sat beside the oven that Terri was cooking on. The oven warmed me with its flames while Terri warmed me with her affection.
I'd need it to hold onto if this morning would reflect on how the rest of my day was to go.
Scar's POV
I woke up feeling terrible.
I felt guilty and sick and sore.
I looked over at Kendra who was sitting up in bed, brushing her golden hair.
She'd shamelessly come to my room last night and I'd let her stay.
I wish I hadn't.
She spoke "That was fun, Alpha. Are you ready for round three yet, or will our battle be concluded?" She smiled sharply at me. Her smile was more like a baring of teeth, and even that was cold and calculating. Her eyes were dead too.
Even worse, she wasn't my mate.
I couldn't exactly do what I did with Kendra with my mate though. Not with him having the same equipment I did.
I was just making myself angrier "That'll be all." I replied stonily.
I stood, going over to my traveling pack. She asked in a husky voice "Are you sure? I'd be happy to help you with the grouchy attitude you seemed to have acquired."
I bit out "You've done plenty, Kendra."Â And so have I. I told myself bitterly as an afterthought.
By the time there was a soft knock on the door and I shouted at the messenger.
It was V that answered and that made me even more resentful. It was all his fault! If he'd been a girl I wouldn't have slept with someone who wasn't my mate!
I threw the door open and V flinched "What do you want?" I hissed.
I couldn't see his eyes because of that god damned hat, but I could see his mouth and it those lips were parted slightly in shock, the bottom one quivering every so slightly. Good. He deserved to hurt.
His head turned enough to spy Kendra behind me. He didn't notice it himself, but he took yet another step back and told me about Talon in a small voice. He looked so young huddled under the bearskin blanket, hunched over in fear.
I stopped.
Fear?
Fear of me.
I was disgusted with myself.
How could I be so harsh?
V's face lifted enough so that I could see his eyes were wide and glassy.
I couldn't look at his face anymore so I started to shut the door but his hand shot out. I asked, still a little harshly "What now?"
V opened his mouth to say something, but whatever it was, he backed down. I almost swore I saw his shoulders visibly hunch; losing the confidence he'd had "He seemed pretty impatient." V mumbled before pulling his hand away from the door.
I really couldn't stand my self-loathing anymore so I slammed the door.
Kendra spoke up behind me after a moment "What a pipsqueak. He might be handsome in the future, but he still looks too much like a girl for my tastes."
I turned, fight the urge to roar at her "Get out, Kendra. I need to get dressed and leave." She sighed before standing and lazily throwing on her light dress. "Pleasure as always, Alpha." She said, throwing a half-hearted wave over her shoulder and exiting my room.
I sat on the corner of my bed and put my head in my hands.
What was I going to do?