Destiny
The winds of winter blow across my face, the cold nipping at my nose as I pull the scarf around my neck tighter. A small group of warriors walk by me, marching in unison as they don't spare me a glance, heading towards the front gate as I stand alone waiting for River. The events of the night before still play on repeat in my head, how River leaned in and closed the distance between us, kissing me. It did not go any further than that, but a part of me hoped it would, that perhaps we could have ended up back at my room.
Shaking my head, I try and get that thought out of my mind before River can get back here, not wanting to think of such things about a man I hardly know. Hell, I do not even know his last name, how could I want things to go further when I do not know these important things. Yet I have been with men whose names I can barely recall, parts of my past who I never think back to unless missing the warmth of someone beside me. I never had someone to call my own unless I count my on and off again high school boyfriend who left me when we graduated. I was still a child when I was with him no matter how mature I thought I was, for I thought when we graduated he would stay with me, that somehow the goddess would work out a way for us to remain together and in love when he would be states away. Yet he abounded me, as I should have faced the reality of, instead of hoping for something magical or romantic.
Looking over my shoulder, I spot the familiar face as the wind blows through my hair, tangling it into a hundred knots. Offering me a warm smile, River apologizes for having to run back in. The front gates of the palace pulls open, an echo spreading across the courtyard as they pull apart and reveal the road heading down the city. The two of us head forward, River leading the way as he keeps his promise of showing me the city on his pack land. With my hands dug deep into the pockets of my jacket, I follow the Alpha, heading down the brick road as we cross through the gates and the city is laid out before me. The townhouses are built from stone, reminding me of European homes with shops below, the homes each with a unique features and narrow as they stretch three stories high. Holiday decorations are strung across the town, creating a warmth and joy within the city, a few children running by with festive hats as River explains to me that at the end of the week, the traditional carnival will occur in the city center. We walk down to the city center, a circular opening in the city where silver and lilac ribbon is strung from the houses to the center of the circle where a lantern hangs from a post. lavender is strung around the post with silver string, a few men around the center hanging up more decorations of stars upon buildings.
"Very pretty," I comment, wondering which holiday they celebrate. Perhaps an elven one based upon the colors and the stars being put up. We continue through the center of the city and to the docks where we came in. "What does the festival celebrate?"
"The creation of Eternal Shadows," River replies, looking out upon the docks where a few of the boats have begun to load up for the day. "We celebrate the joining of elf and wolf, the harmony which it created, and the future we have ahead of us." A few fishermen set sail past the gate, yelling at the sailors of the boat instructions as the waves crash into the side of the boat.
"When was the pack formed?" I ask, curious just how old Eternal Shadows is. After all, Eternal Shadows just popped out of no where a few years ago as if it had been established for years.
"A little over two decades," River informs, leading me past the docks as we head further away from the main city and towards the city chapels. The two chapels are separated by a small garden filled with flowers covered in a thin blanket of snow. The elves must have a form of magic which allows the flowers to survive in the cold.
We walk closer to the chapel to the left, a silver moon painted over the marble doorways, a small group of women exiting the temple just as we talk in. "Who was the first Alpha?" I ask, curious as to who was able to keep this pack secret for so long. The entrance of the chapel is narrow, leading into an opening where a sculpture of the Moon Goddess is carved of marble, placed before a stained glass window with purple and white hues. A small fountain is carved into the marble floors, tiny candles placed on flowers floating in the fountain as they help to illuminate the statue of the Moon Goddess.
"An elf helped to craft this pack, pull everyone together and create the rules. She was very wise, she helped to raise me when my parents would have to leave town. She still lives here, acts as an advisor to my court," River explains, leading me further towards the statue.
The rest of the afternoon is spent on a tour of the city, showing me the town garden filled with exotic flowers the elves use for alchemy, the elven chapel, town theater, and other attractions. As we get back to the palace, I find myself back in the position of exploring the palace walls, wandering around, and finding time to relax as I pass by the palace kitchen. Snacking upon the pastries prepared by the chef, I lean back in the wooden chair, enjoying the taste of the vanilla filling as I look out the window as the cooks are busy preparing dinner. "Do you know the past Alpha of Eternal Shadows?" I ask, glancing to the head chef as she pulls out the sockeye salmon and preps it to be smoked in the barrels.
Popping a small slice of brie into my mouth, I watch as the chef places down her knife and looks over to me. "Keva is one of the oldest elves in this pack, almost three hundred years old," Vivian replies, going back to slicing the salmon. "She can often be found at the palace temple in the East Wing. It's either that or she is in Europe."
"Is she currently here?" I implore, getting to my feet as I finish my small plate of food. Vivian encourages me to go and find out, that she suspects Keva is back from her last visit already.
Heading off to the temple, I thank the chef and put my plate away, wandering just what this Keva will look like. Hands clasped behind my back, I head down the hallway, the temple straight ahead as the stained glass doors lay ahead. As I push open one of the doors, the room is not what I had expected. The circular room has windows on every side, marble tables before every single one as shallow bowls made from amethyst or jade hold glimmering items.
"Excuse me, you cannot be in here," someone states, their voice low as they try not to disrupt the people praying around the glimmering elements. The man who spoke to me grabs hold of my arm, trying to usher me out of the temple.
"I'm sorry, I did not know I cannot be here," I reply, trying to get my arm out of his hold.
"Only elves can be in here," he snaps, pushing me out of the door as I catch sight of a woman looking to me, lavender eyes meeting mine as she stands by an onyx bowl. As the doors close behind me, I find myself shut out of the room, isolated from the elves as I look around the hallway, frustrated with what I can do now. I stand outside the temple for a few more minutes, wondering what else I can do, and wondering just how long an elf could stay in the temple.
Walking away, I decide to just head back to my room, knowing I will have no look and be bored just staying outside a door.
"Evelyn Matlock?"
Looking over my shoulder, the elf with the lavender eyes and long hair looks to me as the door shuts behind her. Nodding my head, I watch as the elf walks forward to me, watching me with a strange look in her eye, as if she has seen a ghost. "I take it you have been looking for me," she comments, making an observation rather than asking. As she nears me, she links her arm in mine, leading me forward as I look to her. "I know I seem younger than I should. For being three hundred years you would expect me to reflect that age."
So I have found Keva...well, Keva has found me. We walk outside to the palace garden, Keva leading me down the steps of the rose garden and into a sitting area away from everyone else. "I expected you earlier," Keva comments, taking a seat across from me as she calls to one of the woman picking ember flowers. Keva asks for some tea from the woman, watching as she goes off to order the drink from the kitchen as Keva straightens out her posture in the seat. "I was wondering how long I would have to wait until I would finally meet the daughter of Lily and Nixon Maxwell."
My eyes widen as I look into those lavender eyes, my heart skipping a beat as I tense in my seat. My throat becomes dry as I wonder what to say, unsure how Keva could know something like this. Does River know if Keva knows?
"How-How do you know?" I ask, my voice breaking in between as I watch the elf fix the necklace around her neck, the rubies readjusting as she looks over to the ocean beyond the wall.
"I have lived a long life, Miss Maxwell, I know many people. People respect me, they offer information in exchange of advice and you...well, I have been keeping an eye on you since I heard of your birth." Looking back to the palace, Keva greets the woman who brings us a pot of tea and two cups, thanking her as we stop the conversation for now. With the tea placed on the table and the woman going back to the palace, Keva looks back to me as she pours herself a cup of tea, the hints of mint meeting my nose. "I was hoping we would one day meet, the girl I have spent long learning about from afar."
"Does anyone here know?" I ask, my voice hushed and rushed.
"If you mean River, then no. I do not place such valuable information in the hands of anyone else by myself." Pouring me a cup of the tea, Keva hands me the cup and leans back in her chair. "I want to now ask you, Leala, what your plan is with Crimson Lock? Will the long lost Alpha of Crimson Lock return to her rightful place or will she continue as Evelyn Matlock?"
"Why do you want to know?" I interrogate.
Keva offers me a lopsided smile as I take a sip of the mint tea. "I have spent much of these past few weeks wondering what is going on inside that head of yours, what decision you are leaning towards. So tell me, Miss Maxwell, what are you thinking of?"
"I have spent my entire life believing I am someone else," I begin, placing down the cup of tea as I look to the elf. "But my mother spent her entire life thinking the supernatural beings of the world were non-existent. Her world changed just as fast as mine and she faced it head on...I wish I had known her. Did you?"
Keva shakes her head. "I knew your father, only slightly in the few interactions we had in the palace walls. I mainly helped the king and queen with court issues, raising the next ruler of the kingdom."
"But here you are mingling in the life of a could-be alpha," I point out, raising an eyebrow.
"There is not a king on the throne right now," Keva debates.
"But it seems like there will be battles for one soon. I believe your Alpha will be one of those fighting for the crown." Keva does not reply, simply nodding slightly as she agrees with my assumptions. "Do you think I should take the title of alpha?"
"The title is not mine to take. I will not tell you that it would be a shame to see the child of Nixon pass up her rightful title, but I will tell you that passing up upon your title when the world of wolves is going to be changing once more...that would be a mistake."
I try and think back to when Beta William told me I would be making a mistake to pass up this title, that my mother meant for me to take back this title. But this stranger - this elf - offering her advice when I have never met her, it rubs me wrong. "You never were an advisor to my father, but to the King - the very King would despised my family."
Keva cocks her head to the side, the side of her lips curling upwards as she smooths out her dress, looking back out to the pale blue waves which crash upon the palace walls. "The quarrel between Alpha Nixon and King Zion was not something I troubled myself with. It was a childhood argument turned brawl which entrapped bystanders such as your own mother." Keva glances back to me, a streak of silver running through her lavender eyes. "But that quarrel is in the past. There are new alphas, new players for the role of the king. The choice ahead of you, Leala, is if you would like to remain a pawn, or fight your way to the role of Queen."
"I never said I wanted to be the next queen. I do not want to become Alpha of Crimson Lock and then suddenly begin war with the other packs," I argue, placing my cup down as my jaw clenches. "My mother fought to destroy the kingdom which was in place because she know the crown was broken...living in the shadow of what it once was."
"You would not have to rule alone, Leala. You could combine the forces of your pack."
"Most of the Alphas are my dad's age, Keva, I'm not going to just marry someone for political gain. This is not the medieval ages. I can be a successful female Alpha without having to marry someone."
"There is one Alpha your age." Keva looks over to the palace, implying that the very alpha who invited me to this palace could be who I marry.
I scoff, getting to my feet. "River is someone I hardly know. Besides, I have reason to believe the moment I take the title of Alpha in Crimson Lock, he will forget his friendly intentions with me and declare war on my pack."
"Yes."
I decide not to walk away at Keva's answer, motioning for her to continue what she means. "You are right. He will declare war on Crimson Lock if no treaty is made. Besides, if he does not know you are to be the Alpha, he will not hesitate to send his best warriors to attack your pack."
"What do you think I should do?" I ask, struggling to keep my voice calm as Keva's lips tug at the corner.
"Take a seat, Miss Maxwell."
<><>
The lobster bisque placed before me is still hot, steam coming from the top as the garnish of parsley is placed right in the center. Thanking the staff, I look to the head of the table, River grabbing his glass of wine as he glances to me. Offering me a kind smile, River looks back to Asger as they continue with their conversation of pack business. Across the table sits Keva, deep in conversation with another elf. Her lavender eyes remind me of the elf with black hair who I saw in the attack weeks ago, murdering members of Crimson Lock. Could that elf be related to Keva? I have not seen any other elves with her same color of eyes, so it could be something worth looking into, to figure out if Eternal Shadows indeed attacked Crimson Lock.
My mind crosses the conversation I had with Keva, how she briefly suggested a marriage between River and myself may be in good interest. My cheeks blush, my eyes glancing to the windows as I try and take my mind off that comment. Picking up my spoon, I begin eating the soup, conversations surrounding me as I sit quietly, nursing on my wine between ever spoonful of soup.
Soon my visit here will come to an end and I will be faced with the decision of taking the title of alpha or not. Everything Keva told me only makes me more nervous, questioning everything further as I just wish there were more people I could ask for advice. If my parents were still alive, there would be no question what my destiny would be, for I would have been raised my entire life with the notion that I would one day become Alpha.
"Evelyn?"
Looking up, I see Asger has called my name, everyone looking at me with confused faces. "I'm sorry. I did not hear what you had said."
"I asked how your pack is doing?" Asger repeats, referring to Evercrest Ridge.
"Oh, they are doing well," I reply, forcing a smile as Asger nods his head.
"We are happy to hold a treaty with them. Your alpha is a respectable man."
Agreeing and thanking Asger, I go back to my food, once more hearing the conversations around me start up again. The meal continues on as the next meal is brought out, smoked salmon on delicate dishes, and soon enough the dessert is served to us all. Finishing off a third glass of wine, the dinner soon comes to a close and I find myself joined by River as he follows me out of the room. As River helps to usher me out, he places a hand at the small of my back, my wolf perking up as I try and immediately shove the conversation I had with Keva outside of my head.
River and I make small talk as we walk down the hallway, the heels of my shoes clicking against the marble floor as we head towards one of the sitting rooms. The couches placed around the roaring fireplace create shadows across the Persian rug, the sounds of my heels muffled as I take a seat and River calls for some coffee. "How do you like the grounds?"
"Very enchanting," I reply, looking around the room as I recall the other places I have seen today. "If most packs put in half the effort yours did to create such a pack territory, we would seem more like Lords, Ladies, Dukes, Counts, and all of those titles."
A small laugh escapes River's mouth as he takes a seat across from me. "Keva felt like this pack deserved a beautiful location with an equally matching palace and city."
"She was correct," I comment, looking back to the Alpha as he runs a hand through his hair. "I hate to say this, but I should be getting back to my pack in a couple of days."
A smile on River's face fades away as he crosses his legs, taking in the information. "I thought you could stay longer."
Shaking my head, I mimic his posture, crossing my legs as well. "I never knew how long I could stay exactly, I just know I cannot be away for too long."
"What even awaits you back home?"
I'm caught off guard by his question, his tone changing as River looks away from me and towards the fire. "What does that mean?" My tone turns harsh. "I have a family, friends, and a life back home."
"Evelyn," River begins, looking back towards me from the fire as he leans forward with his elbows on his legs. "Your father is the Gamma, that title does not get passed down. You hold no role in Evercrest Ridge. You really only have family ties there."
"What are you implying." My voice is cold, my chest rising and falling as I find it getting harder to breath.
"Eternal Shadows is a pack of great opportunity."
Rising to my feet, I shake my head, "What does that even mean, River? You want me to become part of your pack? I have a pack, a life back home...hell, I barely even know you."
"Our packs hold a treaty." I raise an eyebrow, wondering what River is getting at. "War is on the way, Evelyn, and you know my intentions are to sit on that throne. I will not hide that fact from you. In history, ways families, great houses, and even kingdoms formed strong bonds was by marry-"
"No," I cut the alpha off, my voice firm as River gets defense as he sees my tone change so suddenly. "I do not know you, River. I know the man you have presented yourself as these past few days, but I am not just going to run off and marry the first man who offers me-"
"My pack is the strongest in the kingdom."
"Oh big strong man," I snap sarcastically. "You do not even know me and now you are trying to make me your wife. I have my own life ahead of me that I do not need you to help me form."
River gets to his feet, jaw clenched as his eyes darker. "Crimson Lock could attack. They could attack your pack and your pack would not be ready for the bloodshed they would cause."
I almost let it slip. I almost state that I would never allow Crimson Lock to attack my old pack. "Are you saying that if I refuse your proposal you would not help out Evercrest Ridge in an attack? You bastard!"
"No!" River disagrees with my statement, walking forward to me as he reaches out, trying to take my hands only for me to take a step back. "No. I would never do that. I am just saying that with a stronger bond between our two packs I could allot more men at your pack for safety."
Silence surrounds us, River's eyes widening as the silence continues, perhaps thinking I am thinking over his proposal. "You do not know me. I do not need you for safety," I reply calmly, walking away from River and out of the room just as a staff member walks down the hall carrying coffee. "You'll only need one of those," I comment to her, motioning to the coffee mugs on the tray as she passes me bye.
I do not need someone to threaten the safety of Evercrest Ridge for me to make a decision. I have more than one option. I have my own voice in this matter. I have a pack waiting for me to return to. I can offer my family and friends safety without marrying someone I barely know.
I pack my bags, telling a palace staff member I will be needing to get on the next ship out of here. Pulling my hair back, I look to the woman staring back at me in the mirror, someone stronger than a few weeks ago, someone ready to take on their destiny.
Taking in a deep breath, my fingers scroll through the names in my contacts. As I land on the right one, my fingers hover over the dial sign, my fingers shaking. Knowing what needs to be done, I press the green button, hearing the phone ring as I try and calm down before the person on the other end picks up.
The woman in the mirror ahead of me will no longer be just another pack member as River put it, but she will be a competitor and equal.
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