Chapter 62: 63: Half Truths

ALEX

Warriors line each side of the path leading up to the palace steps, representing an offering of respect and cooperation to the human ambassador who will be arriving any minute.

I glance at Ariel from the top of the steps, as she stands among the warriors.

~She does NOT look happy.~

Ariel wasn’t exactly thrilled when I told her about the ambassador. I can’t say that I blame her. I’m not completely sold on the idea myself.

~But this is what Dad would’ve wanted.~

Dom nudges me in the ribs. “Shouldn’t Ariel be standing up here with you? Or have I been promoted from beta to luna?”

I roll my eyes at him. “Trust me, I wish she was up here instead of you. Her jokes are way better than yours.”

Dom pretends to look offended, but then his expression grows serious. “But really… What’s going on?”

“I think I’ve been asking a lot of her lately,” I say with a deep sigh. “First the luna lessons, and then the human ambassador. Ariel doesn’t always adapt to change so easily.”

“Well yeah, I think she’d much rather be down there than up here,” Dom says.

“That’s the problem.”

The hum of an engine and the sound of tires kicking up gravel signal the ambassador’s arrival. Her black SUV with tinted windows drives slowly past the warriors.

I notice Ariel grip her sword tighter.

As the vehicle comes to a stop, the driver gets out and opens the passenger-side door. A young woman in a sharp suit steps out and starts stomping up the steps in her heels.

She has sleek jet-black hair that hangs over her shoulders, and trendy, oversized oval glasses that neatly frame her determined face.

When she reaches me, she extends her hand. I have to look down because she’s a full foot shorter than me.

“I’m Vivian,” she says as she shakes my hand firmly. “Ambassador to the president.”

“I’m Alex, king and alpha of the Royal Pack.”

Though many people are intimidated by my title, Vivian’s tough exterior doesn’t falter a bit.

“It’s an honor, Your Majesty.”

“You don’t have to be so formal with Alex,” Dom says, trying to lighten the mood. “Royal posturing isn’t really his thing.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to… I mean, I don’t think that…” Vivian’s cheeks turn bright red, but she composes herself almost immediately. “I’ll adapt to whatever title is customary to your pack.”

“Let’s move this to my office,” I say, shooting one last look at Ariel. She remains in a stationary pose, refusing to make eye contact.

~She’s still pissed.~

I lead Vivian to my office and we take a seat on opposite sides of my desk.

“Be straight with me,” I say, barely giving her a chance to settle in. “What exactly are your intentions?”

“I’m here to broker not just peace between humans and werewolves, but a ~partnership~,” she says. “Hunters are a scourge to both of our communities, and we need to work together to eliminate them.”

I’m surprised by her candor. I expected vague politicking or empty gestures, but fighting Hunters is something that I can get on board with.

“What does the president propose?” I ask.

“A unification ceremony—a treaty signing to unite the humans and werewolves in a common cause. I believe your father championed this idea during his reign.”

I sit back in my chair and close my eyes, trying to let it all sink in.

A treaty.

A ceremony.

A chance to follow in my father’s footsteps.

“There’s still a lot of animosity and distrust between my kind and yours,” I say, reopening my eyes and locking gazes with Vivian. “This won’t be easy.”

“That’s why I’m here,” she replies. “You won’t have to do this alone.”

I continue to stare at Vivian, trying to size her up. She’s definitely slick, but I don’t think she’s untrustworthy.

Still, I can’t make this decision lightly. I want to do what’s best for the pack.

Vivian tosses her dark hair to the side and gives me a confident smile. “Believe me, Your Majesty—~Alex~—I’m just here to help.”

She pushes her glasses up, and I can see myself in their reflection. “These are unstable times with Hunters roaming free and…with a betrayal happening a little closer to home.”

That last part stings. She’s obviously talking about Xavier. And she’s not wrong.

I nod and give her a smile back. “If that’s the case, then all I have left to say is…welcome to the Royal Pack.”

ARIEL

The hair on the back of my neck bristles as I see Alex talking with the ambassador so casually.

She’s a ~human~. How can we possibly trust her?

She’ll never understand our kind, and we’ll never understand hers.

Cool. Great. Perfect. Let’s just leave it at that.

Why do we need to get into each other’s business?

I love that Alex is so trusting—he took me in as a stranger, after all—but sometimes I wish he were more discerning.

“Ariel, come here. I want to introduce you,” Alex calls when he notices me lurking outside his office.

Reluctantly, I enter and try to force a smile.

“This is Vivian; she’s going to stick around for a bit while we plan a unification ceremony.”

~Why don’t we plan a farewell ceremony instead?~

~Because as far as I’m concerned, she’s already worn out her welcome.~

Vivian stands up and extends her hand, but I don’t take it.

Diplomacy is Alex’s thing, not mine.

I scrunch up my nose at Vivian’s scent. It’s not that it smells bad, but something about it bothers me. It’s not fully natural, like a werewolf’s scent.

~She probably doused herself in perfume.~

“So, you’re here to save the animals from themselves, is that it?” I ask.

I’m almost surprised by how icy my tone is, but I can’t help myself.

After what happened with the Hunters, humans trigger a different side of me.

“Ariel…” Alex doesn’t tell me off, but his voice cautions me that I should choose my words carefully.

Vivian looks unfazed. Her smile is unwavering as she stares at me. “I want to focus on eliminating the Hunters in this area. And I’d like your help actually. Alex was telling me that you’re the expert around here.”

My heart starts beating rapidly. I turn to Alex, feeling vulnerable. Did he really tell her about my history with the Hunters?

Alex’s eyes widen when he sees my expression, likely etched with betrayal.

“I told her you were one of the warriors’ best squad leaders,” he says.

“Yes, a warrior’s expertise would be quite welcome,” Vivian says graciously.

Of course she’s both ~diplomatic~ and ~gracious~. Two qualities I’m completely lacking.

I signal Alex with my eyes: ~We need to talk. Now.~

“Vivian, can I speak to my mate, alone?” I ask.

“Your ma—oh, of course! I’m still getting used to these terms and titles,” she says, gathering her documents and folders. “I’ll give you two some space.”

Vivian tries to make her exit quietly, pulling the door closed with a soft click.

“I don’t trust her,” I say immediately after she’s gone. “And I definitely don’t like the idea of her living in the palace and snooping in our affairs.”

Alex sighs as he walks over to me and takes my hand. “She’s not a Hunter, Ariel. In fact, she’s here to help us fight against them.”

“I’m not sure I can work alongside a human,” I say. “The memories that she brings back are too painful.”

Alex nods in understanding and pulls me into his chest. “I don’t want to ask you to do anything you aren’t comfortable with, but part of your duty as luna is to do what’s best for the pack.”

“And you’re sure this is what’s best for the pack?” I ask.

Alex doesn’t answer immediately. “It’s... it’s what my father wanted. It was his dream to see unification between the humans and the werewolves. He wanted us to fight the Hunters side by side, and I want to honor his goal.”

Alex leans down and softly kisses me. I can’t help but give in, my inner wolf whining with satisfaction, wanting more.

I take a deep breath as I press my head against his chest. “I... I trust you.”

“Good... because I can’t do this without you,” he says. “I really need your support as my luna.”

Alex’s embrace comforts me, but I can’t shake the unease that’s deep within me.

I’m still learning what it means to be a luna...

I just hope I can give him the support he needs.

***

Vivian

Hey

Vivian

I’m settling in at the royal pack

Vivian

Ready to start negotiations

Dad

Good.

Dad

Working for the President is a privilege.

Dad

I’ve sacrificed a lot to get you to where you are.

Dad

So don’t fuck this up.

Vivian

I won’t

Vivian

I promise

Vivian

Everything is under control

VIVIAN

I anxiously try to calm my pounding heart, sure that Alex and Ariel can hear it on the other side of the door.

I didn’t expect them to trust me right away, but Ariel in particular is going to make things difficult for me.

I’ve literally been thrown to the wolves, and no matter how hard I try to pretend like I have everything under control, the truth is that I have ~no~ idea what I’m doing.

This job is a huge opportunity for me, and if I can’t gain their trust, then what am I even doing here?

I hear a voice in the back of my mind—my own voice: ~Ariel knows... she knows you’re hiding something... that you have a secret.~

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. ~Nobody knows. You’re being paranoid.~

My phone buzzes again. It’s as if my dad can sense my lie about everything being under control.

Dad

Those animals can smell your fear.

Dad

Don’t let them perceive you as weak, or they will tear you apart.

Dad

And whatever you do, don’t ever show them what you really are.

Vivian

Don’t worry, I’m managing my emotions

Vivian

Just like you taught me

Dad

Let’s fucking hope so.

Dad

I’ve raised you to be normal.

Dad

So that you wouldn’t end up like your whore mother.

At the mention of my mother, my entire body tenses up. I feel sick to my stomach, like I’m about to vomit.

Whenever Dad speaks about my mother, I feel an overwhelming anger build inside me.

A deep rage that scratches at my body, trying to escape its cage.

~Don’t get angry, Vivian! Control yourself!~

But it’s too late...

My father’s words light a fuse inside me that I can’t snuff out.

~It’s happening.~

My fingernails extend from my hands, becoming thick and pointed.

I try to force my sharp claws to go away, but the transformation only continues.

I feel an agonizing pain on the roof of my mouth as my canines protrude.

The hair on my arms and neck stands up, and a feral feeling seizes my mind.

I desperately try to change back. No one can know the truth...

I run down the corridors of the palace, tucking my claws into my blazer and keeping my jaw clenched tight.

No one can know that I’m a half werewolf.

ARIEL

When I leave Alex’s office, an odd but familiar scent wafts into my nostrils.

My inner wolf smells it too, and I can practically feel the wetness of her snout as she tries to take over and discern who it belongs to.

“I know this scent…”

“It’s the ambassador…Vivian.”

Her lingering scent means that she was here just a moment ago. But her scent isn’t all she left behind…

I kneel down and pick up a strand of coarse black hair.

In fact, ~several~ strands litter the floor in front of me.

Something is off about this woman…

I can feel it in my wolf.

She’s just ~too~ perfect. There has to be something lurking beneath that calm, collected surface.

Everyone has a skeleton in their closet…

And I’ll find out Vivian’s soon enough.