"What is the meaning of this?"
Tew had pulled out his formal but in a slightly darker tone of voice as he addressed the young lady striding towards us while slowly and mockingly clapping her hands.
The nerve of this female clearly had no boundaries. However, there was nothing about her demeanor that indicated she was anything other than confident in her case. Strange really.
As a human girl, she found herself in this new and dangerous world in many ways, yet she acted like she owned the place.
Her eyes shifted towards Tew, and her face lit up in a beaming smile as she lifted her hands to show him,
"Oh, you mean this? We call it clapping. You know, clapping your hands? A gesture often used to praise an act or show of any kind."
My lips tightened, and I could see Tew's eyes widen in shock before he reeled himself in again. I shook my head slowly to myself, the nerve of this woman indeed.
"I know what clapping is, young miss! The question is, why do you feel the need to clap your hands so condescendingly while walking in a conversation?"
She let out a little giggle and waved one hand in the air as she brushed away his stern tone or mild accusation of her rudeness.
"Oh, please excuse me! I haven't been in this land long enough to know what beasts are illiterate, and you know, just beasts and who is not. In my world, your kind would only be seen in a zoo or in the wild, where the animals belong."
There was no question behind her poisonous words and their meaning; still, her voice sparkled as the sun. Full of energy and light tones accompanied by a flashing smile. Tew's last screw seemed to fall out, and he rambled for words. He was shocked by the outrageous female. He is an alpha, one of the most respected ones, and I don't think he has ever been spoken to like this, not even by Eir, who loves to push her younger brother's buttons from time to time.
"Don't be so thin-skinned, dear wolfman; I meant no harm, of course! I was just so impressed by the level of conversation and thinking you all did, I mean, as animals and all. I do, of course, understand that animals are not the same in this world as the one I come from, but I just can't hold back my enthusiasm! It is like watching a movie or book come alive, like Narnia!"
The bubbling sound of her giggles bounced around the room seconds before she clapped a hand over her mouth. Despite the joy and entertainment that literally glittered on her face, I swear dark mischief sparkled in her eyes, convincing me that this woman was far from as innocent as she might have looked at first glance.
Tew's eyes darkened a notch, but to my surprise, his voice came out calm and cold; I still didn't understand how he could obtain such control. Interesting really! I wonder where It all came from or how he trained this personal trait! My head filled with new projects, the possibility of uncovering this as a well-hidden secret; his voice dragged me back to reality.
"Is your aim to humiliate me, human girl?"
"Oh, of course not! Please do not misunderstand my curiosity and excitement!"
Her words may try to defuse the situation, but her smile and tone still made it clear she enjoyed the turn of events. However, Tew didn't let her get under his skin. With a deep breath, he rolled his shoulders and straightened up.
"Where is your King?"
"Am I not conversation worthy for you?"
"No. I'm not here for silly wordplays; I am here for a reason, and this..."
Tew waved his hand in front of him and towards Thyra, "Is not even close to what I expect."
Something in the air shifted, and her beaming smile twisted into something sinister.
The tiny hairs on my neck stood straight up as her cold, low whispers reached my ears, "Do not patronize me, dog. You know as much as I do; you are here for the human girl. But what you failed to ask, is it me? Or how many other girls arrived at the same time? Could the long-lost sister be me? Or is the one you are looking for locked up in a dungeon somewhere? Better question: is she even alive?"
"Like I said, I am not here to play with girls. "
Tew dismissed her with a wave of her hand and walked over to his seat on the table. He didn't even look at her while focusing on his food and drink.
"Your entertainment would be wasted here, so inform me when your king is available. I have no interest in this whatsoever."
With an arched brow, I watched Tew pick on the food left on his plate with a fork. Shuffling small pieces of vegetables back and forth while waving her away,
"Tell your king I am waiting for him and that I do not appreciate his hilarious attempt to distract me. As a matter of fact, I feel disrespected and will take my leave if I do not hear from him by sunset. Now, go. Bring the message forward."
Thyra, the human girl's face, had a deep red glow to it now. Her fists clenched by her sides, and her jaw tightened, making muscles shift beneath her skin in anger and frustration. A ragged scoff pressed up her throat, but her voice cracked into a high-pitched falsetto before she managed to control herself again.
"Do I look like a carrier pigeon? You really should treat me better! I could have made this easy for you; I have power here! I'm not just a pretty little thing, the decorative object you animals so much like to have in your presence!"
Tew had made up his mind and let out a deep sigh. Still, he wouldn't as much as glance in her direction,
"Are you still here?"
"Pathetic! Running around like idiots for a delusional tramp!"
She jumped straight up, and even I jumped a bit as Tew's fists slammed onto the table. Glass and utensils rattled on the table, and I was surprised he didn't break the massive wooden table. Burning lightning bow flickered in Tew's eyes as he stood up, leaning over the table, glaring at the girl.
"That is my sister you are talking about, so I warn you only this time, watch your mouth! Despite the power you think you have, not even the king himself can treat a neighboring leader like this! I am the alpha of my pack, the leader for my people, and if I hear one more word from your poisonous tongue, I will demand a public punishment for tarnishing my honor!"
Like a heavy base, his voice boomed through the room and vibrated against the cold walls. The subtle air sound waves pulsated through my chest and jumped over a heartbeat as it passed through- The Alpha voice! The room was left in silence, and even Atlas swallowed hard and stepped back.