Chapter 7: The Burden of An Alphas Daughter

Valene:

We approached the rear of the Wade estate. With darkness surrounding us, I was almost sure that we weren’t followed by…whatever Master Wade and Slaughter were trying to protect me from.

I noticed Kilder take stock of his surroundings before gently gesturing for me to dismount. I did, and started for the door before turning around to ask, “Will you be joining us inside?”

Master Slaughter’s beast did a little gesture with his head and removed himself from my company and into the forest area a few feet away. I had assumed by this point that while turning into the beast did not display much skin, transforming back may have. I started to open the door when I heard subtle movement behind me. I assumed it was a small animal until I heard a voice.

“Good evening, vassal.” I turned around, and to my surprise, it wasn’t Master Slaughter who was standing there. Anxiously, I looked around to see if he was nearby. He wasn’t. Where was he? Quickly, I stopped once realizing how silly and suspicious I may have looked in searching for a protector of some sort.

Why was he here? And in the back yard no less? Immediately, I looked away and bowed my head. “Master Minken.” I greeted. When I brought my head up, looking past him, I struggled not to look his way but I saw from my peripheral, the tilt in his head as he stared at me.

“He’s gone to the packhouse, to get himself together. Guess he didn’t think to bring a change of clothes with him when he…did…well, whatever he was doing. With you.” Master Minken had said. He seemed to have noticed who I was looking for and it also seemed that he had gotten an idea…whether it was the wrong idea was up for interpretation but…somehow I had the feeling that it was. “Don’t worry, I’m sure he’ll be back soon.” He added.

I didn’t respond as there was nothing to say concerning his sad attempt to reassure me. The only thing that I could think about at this moment was what Master Wade had said about me making sure that I did not find myself alone with the Delta. And yet here I was…alone. With the Delta.

“Should you be out here so late?” He asked. “Without your Keeper?”

Quickly I shook my head, my hands laced together behind my back. “No, sir, Master Minken.” I answered.

He walked toward me, around five inches away from me at this point. The Delta wasn’t standing directly in front of me but off to the side. Somehow, this was just as intimidating.

“So then tell me, why are you? Out here so late in the evening and with another Master no less?” He asked

“A bit of fresh air, Master Minken. I seemed to have intercepted Master Slaughter on approach. I can only assume that he was called by Master Wade and forgot his change of clothes.” I lied anxiously.

“Fresh air? Without supervision?” this looked like it was the only thing that he cared about; me unsupervised.

“Well, I am no longer needed for the night, I thought it wouldn’t hurt.”

“Still…you’re unsupervised.” He lingered on that specific part of the subject as I knew he would.

Master John Minken was the Delta of Shadow Veil pack and he as well as his daughter seemed to have some silent ought against my presence. I wasn’t sure why as I had made it my lot in life for the past seven years to make sure that I didn’t ruffle any feathers. It seemed impossible to avoid this when it came to the Delta and his family, however-where I was concerned, at least.

“I daresay that as long as my Keepers are safe, no one usually cares about the vassal. So, I thought I’d be fine taking some time alone outside.”

My comment caused an amused stir within the Delta. “Well, I think we all know that the Wade family thinks a little more highly of their vassal than most pack families. Though, I too, dare to say, that I find a particular use in certain vassals that are quite…irreplaceable.” He grinned. “I’m sure you…carry certain uses,” He lifted his finger to grab a strand of my short hair. As handsome as the Delta was, he made my skin crawl; there was a certain malice in his words when he spoke that would give anyone the shivers, and not in a good way. “That the Alpha finds quite useful,” he added.

I started to back away from him but thought better of it. Would I get into trouble if I did? Never had I been in such an uncomfortable situation before. The Alpha as well as the Beta always made certain that I was never alone with other inhumans who found blood a delicacy. Which seemed to be most of them, and now I was standing in front of the one I should probably fear most. Or at least that was how he made me feel.

I didn’t respond to his comment; anything I had to say past this point would have been insulting and very much out of line.

“You know, I do not believe in…comingling with humans, Valene…” He said. “But I have to say…that if you were mine…” He began to growl, his fangs elongating and his eyes dilating. I gasped and before I could think better of it, I backed away and immediately realized that it was the wrong thing to do as the Delta’s eyes widened and he lifted his hand to grab me.

“Delta!”

The boom of Master Slaughter’s demanding voice caught Master Minken in his tracks. The darkness of his eyes melted away and his fangs slowly retracted into his gums.

“Beta, Slaughter.” John Minken turned around and faced Master Slaughter with a grin. “I was running perimeter checks when I saw…” he leered at me. “This little morsel standing outside alone.” He turned back to Master Slaughter. “I was just seeing to the young vassal’s safety. She was standing out here all alone and you know what happened tonight.”

“Were you now?” The Beta asked, a not-so-subtle hint of sarcasm and irritation in his voice. “Are you alright, Valene?” He asked me.

Quickly, I nodded. “Yes, Master Wade,”

I sensed that the Delta was staring at me, waiting for my answer before he shifted his gaze back to Master Slaughter.

“See, Toran, what did I tell you?” He laughed dryly. “No harm done. Though, I daresay the Alpha should keep a better eye on her. Wouldn’t want another vassal turning up dead, now would we? Particularly a gold-blooded one.”

Beta Slaughter did not say anything in response to his comment and walked past him taking me by the arm. “Keep me informed on the perimeter checks. I’ll be joining you all shortly.”

“As you wish, Beta, Slaughter.” Master Minken obliged. “Goodnight, Valene.” He bayed goodnight.

After Master Minken disappeared, we immediately went into the house. “Are you alright?” Master Slaughter asked me.

“Yes…yes, sir, I am.”

“Did he try to hurt you?”

“No, sir, he did not.”

Master Slaughter sighed. “If he had you would not have told me.”

“I wo-” I didn’t even bother to finish my sentence. There was no need to lie about it. “I wouldn’t want any trouble caused on my account-”

“Well, you should!” Master Slaughter stopped me in my tracks. “It is against the bylaws to move on another inhuman’s vassal unless a law has been expressly broken. So if he does something that harms you in any way…you let…someone…know. Do you understand?”

“Y-yes, Master Slaughter. Apologies.”

He exhaled after a moment of silence, “Come.” beckoned Master Slaughter. We walked down the hallway and I could not help but ask.

“What happened tonight, Master Slaughter?” I asked. “What did Master Minken mean by-”

“Your father will explain that to you soon enough….” His voice became hushed and immediately, I knew that he had caught wind of something.

“Master Slaughter-”

“Shh,” demanded the Beta and I did as I was told. “Act normal and bow your head, pup.” He whispered shortly after. “We have company.” I obeyed Master Slaughter. “Get behind me.”

Now walking behind the Beta with my eyes on the floor, we headed further down the hall leading into the meeting room of Master Wade’s home. Before we approached there could be heard a subtle conversation between one voice and another-both men, and one of them I knew for sure to be Master Wade.

“It is the best way to strengthen Shadow Veil’s defenses, Alastair, that you cannot deny!”

“She is too young, William!”

William, I had heard about this William on numerous occasions but never met him. He was allegedly a high-ranking official of the council and a fellow wolf. Every time he was due to arrive, Master Wade made sure that I was never around to meet him. I didn’t understand why as I had met other important members of society. Then again, he was a member of the high council-a group of elders who would oversee the lives of the Inhuman race as a whole.

“Is she? She is at the age of her maturity-will be soon!” This William exclaimed. “Arranging her to a powerful and reputable pack would strengthen Shadow Veil tremendously! At least until those injured in the last wave of attacks have healed. Face it! Your daughter is the key!”

“I will not sell my daughter to the highest bidder for my own personal gain-”

“It is not just your personal gain, Alastair! It is that of your people! You are the Alpha of not only a town of wolves…but vampires, and shifters! A few witches even! All of these Inhumans unite under the Wade name because they trust in you! You will lead them into oblivion because of your feelings?!”

“I will not yield on this decision, elder Holden. I will not.”

“Then death will swallow up Shadow Veil as it has continued to do over the last two months.”

Death? I was completely oblivious to what was going on. Surely, I knew that there were wildlings running about, trying to infiltrate Shadow Veil every now and again. I had even heard of a few attacks but nothing as dire as what this elder was alleging.

“So then, I expect you will not find another means for-”

“I-” Council member Holden interjected. “I may…be able to call in a favor or two, but it will come at a steep price, Alpha.”

“How steep, council member?” He asked.

“I’m not sure yet.” said the high-ranking elder. “But you’ll know soon enough.”

Silence followed for a prolonged moment. Suddenly, I felt like we were intruding on an extremely personal conversation.

“Stay here.” I heard Master Slaughter say in a low voice before pacing forward and knocking on the door.

“Come in, Toran.” I heard Master Wade say.

Then I heard someone sniff the air. “I have been trying to ignore that scent for the last ten minutes, but I am finding it harder and harder to do.” Silence filled the room before this William said. “Your vassal is nearby, is she?”

“I would hazard a guess that she is.” Master Wade could be heard saying.

“Hm, you have a gold blood, if I’m not mistaken.” The elder council member said.

“I do.” Master Wade’s answers were short and to the point while Master Slaughter said nothing at all.

“Mmm, rare.” said the council member. “Is she highly trained?” He asked.

“Very highly. I’d wager the girl could kill a beast in a matter of moments if given the chance.”

“Is that right? You are certainly making it hard for me not to want to meet this girl, Alastair.”

“With all due respect, William, I do not think that it is necessary.”

“Maybe not..but I’d like to meet her nevertheless. She is here, after all.”

I found myself backing further and further away from the cracked door. Maybe if I made myself scarce in time, I would be forgotten and-oh, who was I kidding? I knew that this would not be the case for me. I was simply too unlucky.

“Valene.” I heard my Master call to me.

Stopping in my tracks, I took a deep breath, swallowed the lump in my throat, and entered the room, my head bowed and my hands to my back as an agreeable vassal should. As soon as I entered Master Wade’s study I heard the council member inhale the air.

“Mmm, wow!” Council member Holden shivered.

In spite of repulsion, I responded with a respectful greeting. “Good evening, Master Wade.” I then turned to the council member and without ceasing to bow my head acknowledged him as well. “Good evening, your grace.”

“Respectful, this one.” He walked towards me. “Oh, and quite rare!” I could hear the grin playing on his lips as he spoke. “Look at me, girl.” He ordered of me. I did not. “Ah, she obeys her master diligently-knows the rules.” He then grabbed my chin. “But I’m going to need you to obey me right now.”

“Careful council member.”

“Relax, old boy.” William said as he took my chin. “I just want to see how well this one was made.” His words disgusted me, speaking as if I was some sort of doll to be bought from a store. I saw the anger revving up on not only my Master’s face but his Beta's. “Are there any more where this one came from?”

Immediately Master Wade stepped in front of me. “I think that’s enough, council-member William.”

This council member backed away. “I see you’re quite protective over your human, Alastair.”

“Should I not be?” He asked. “She is my vassal after all and as you’ve stated, of a rare kind. I’m careful about who I allow to linger.”

There was a lull in the conversation at that point. I couldn’t see much as my eyes were glued to the floor as was called for a vassal, but I could only assume that this council member was staring at Master Wade.

“Smart.” the council member finally said. “Gold bloods are difficult to replace. My last one did not last long.” He said. “Shame really. I’ve been searching for another ever since. I daresay, you’ve found a rarity as they’re all but extinct now. And yours…is particularly attractive for a human. “Tell me, Alastair have you been tempted?”

“I think we’ve said all that needs to be said tonight, William.” Master Wade hissed. “Time you take your leave. It’s getting late.”

Tempted? Tempted to do what, I wonder? I could tell that the tension had grown in the room and it made me feel all the more uncomfortable.

“May I be excused, Master?” I requested.

“Yes, Valene, you may.” Master Wade reluctantly replied and that was the only cue that I needed to take my leave.

“Sir,” I acknowledged the council member one last time and quickly exited the room.

“Valene,” Master Wade called to me before I left. “Stay nearby.”

“As you wish, Master Wade.”

He may have wanted me nearby but I wasn’t going to be near enough to have to deal with that gross council member again. I walked around the corner and stood in the hallway near the stair that would lead to the basement where my room was located.

“What are they talking about in there?”

I looked up and saw Harlyn standing there leaned against the wall with her arms crossed. There was an expression on her face that hinted at having some idea as to what their conversation was about.

“That is a conversation best left for you to discuss with Master Wade, Mistress.”

She chuckled at my response to her question. “Ever the loyal Vassal to daddy. Well what about me, Vali? What about your loyalty to me?”

“I am irrevocably loyal to you, Harlyn.” I said this low as I didn’t want the elder to hear that I had referred to her as anything other than my Mistress. “You know that.” Where my gaze was facing Harlyn for barely a moment, I suddenly looked away. “But I…I do not want to speak out of turn toward you or your father and risk discord between either of you.” I confessed. “And if I can help it, I’d rather avoid a discontentment between you two and myself as well.”

Silence filled the air after my confession. “So then you won’t tell me?” I heard her ask and that was when I realized that she was standing right in front of me this time around.

I sighed, shaking my head. “You already know what they were talking about, Harlyn,” I said. “You’ve been listening the whole time.” I knew Harlyn and I knew that she could not help herself when it came to eavesdropping at times; especially, where her father and high-ranking members of the council were involved.

There was a small grimace on her face but it dissipated into a bitter chuckle then her eyes turned into something of sadness. She shrugged and turned away. “I stopped listening after the pompous fool tried to negotiate me into marriage.”

“I’m sorry that you had to hear that, Harlyn. I’m sure that everything will be alright. Your father won’t-”

“How would you know what my father would do, Vali?” She said. “You claim to know him better than me?”

“Wh-no, no,” It was in moments such as this that I did not think it a good idea to look at Harlyn at all. When she was in these moods it was easy to offend her. “He is your father, not mine.” I quickly tried to reassure her. “But I find it hard to believe that he would subject you to such an undesired fate.”

“Undesired,” she said. “You presume to know how I feel about arranged marriages?”

“No, I do not presume, Mistress,” I said. “I may not know a lot of things, but I do know that you would not stand for anyone telling you what to do.”

She chuckled. “You are right about that, I must say.” I could hear the tension lift from her countenance. She walked toward me again. “I apologize for my…frustration, Vali. It isn’t you that I should be taking it out on.”

“Understandable,” I said. “The child of an Alpha…has a lot of responsibility. I imagine it is harder when you’re the only child.”

“Only child…yes.” She smirked and then sighed then said, “I don’t think I’ll ever truly be the only child will I, Vali?”

After she said this, Harlyn gingerly patted my should and walked away. The last of her comment brought a smile found my lips. Did this mean that Harlyn considered me a sister? Maybe…maybe she did.