Chapter 14 – Alphas

As the pack of wolves – with me riding on top one of them – passed the enormous doors, we emerged into an even larger corridor. It was a comfort to find myself in such a large space, a space that reminded me so much of the winding maze of home.

It struck me now how much I missed those solid stone walls. While they were cold, confusing and pointlessly complex, they were mine. Just as much as they were Mothers.

Remembering her jet-black scales and warm red eyes, my vision clouded, in response I began raising my hand and brought it to my eyes, feeling the moist tears that flowed down my cheeks. Then my memories flashed hot, and I once again saw Mother being ripped to shreds. I recalled the relief wash over her face when I was buried within the stone walls of our den, but I felt nothing but agony.

I felt the familiar sense of the white-haired woman’s eyes resting upon me, I sensed the pity even though I refused to meet her gaze. I resented it, I hated it…yet I couldn’t help but crave it.

I focused my attention on the path ahead instead, opting to ignore such pity.

We emerged from the large corridor, coming to a fittingly expansive courtyard as we did so. Within the courtyard were the various races that were occupying the large room when I emerged from my crystal prison.

Humans, Beastmen and Elves were the only ones I immediately recognised. I recalled my lessons with Silvia, remembering her descriptions of the races as she taught me their names.

According to her, the terrifyingly large human-like race were Giants. Who towered high enough to rival my height. Various sinister fully black eyes signalled the race of Demons, who, according to Silvia, were more human than their eyes led you to believe.

But as I examined the others, they were so numerous that I couldn’t place them. Some were shockingly small, with fluttering wings stemming from their back to keep them afloat in the air. Some were human in height and appearance, but held a strange magical feeling to them. Almost as if magic radiated off their skin. Regardless of appearance, they all had the same feel to them, a similar magic that fused them together as one.

Fae, I thought. Silvia told me they were a unique race. Forever changing to the whims of the world, never remaining in one form too long, yet always remaining to retain that strange magical quality that marked them as Fae.

Encountering each new race, I felt the tug of magic wanting to surround their core. Just as I had when I came into contact with Silvia and that strange Beastman. However, I managed to restrain myself, mainly due to my wolf still simmering in the background of my mind, who was still cautioning me to reel in the strange instinct.

Many of the Beastmen gave me curious glances, and I felt their wild magic tentatively examine me. Disliking their probing tendrils of magic, I sent a short burst of power to meet them in response. Then suddenly they, shortly accompanied by Giants, Elves, and Demons, knelt in my presence. While the humans instead, merely shuddered in my presence – perhaps sensing my magic as I responded to the Beastmen.

While all this happened we were barrelling past, the pack of wolves seemingly content to ignore the large crowd and their subsequent behaviour of reverence and confusion.

We turned off to the left of what appeared to be the entrance, and passed various confused races, some Beastmen bowing as the woman passed by. These Beastmen also looked at me quizzically, but didn’t intrude upon my power, and thus let me be as we passed them by.

After a good twenty minutes we came upon the site of small plain, and at its end – a forest.

With a small huff from the woman, the pack of wolves broke up into various groups, leaving me, the woman, our mounts, and another wolf on our own. The groups then disappeared into the tree line, the thick forest shrouding them from my sight, and soon enough we were doing the same.

All three wolves accompanying us seemed to have little trouble in the thick forest, seemingly unfazed by the dark conditions, uneven ground, and thick shrubbery. Our speed only decreased minimally, and as such, we kept good pace. After a few more minutes we seemingly arrived at our destination, a small wooden hut.

The wolves slowed down to a trot as we drew close, come to a stop at the rough door. The woman quickly jumped off the wolf, and stood there waiting for me to do the same.

Feeling my wolf simmer, I shot her a short scowl as I complied.

Grinning the woman said, “Come, child.” With nothing to add she strolled into the hut, obviously expecting me to follow.

Using my wolf to bolster my courage I instead turned to leave, thinking I would take my chances in the forest, but as I turned to venture into the forest, the black wolf that was my mount stood in my way. He gestured to the hut, and gave a short huff.

I doubt I’ll be able to get far with a wolf on my tail, I thought.

Sighing, I followed the woman inside, obviously having no other choice but to obey.

As I passed the door, I found the woman had returned to being a small girl. Choosing to longue on a comfy looking couch, as she watched me enter, “Sit down.”

Again, I found her order somewhat disconcerting.  It had my wolf, both angry, and challenging. There was just something in the way it demanded obedience that rubbed me the wrong way. Her eyes were somewhat gentle, and despite her authoritative voice, she held no such demand in her amber eyes.  Nonetheless, it was uncomfortable.

Complying with my wolf’s urge to obey her order, I asked, “What are you?”

She sighed, “A Beastman.”

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“I’ve met a Beastman before,” I supplied. “You feel…different.” She was something more, her mere presence was rousing my wolf in a way that I didn’t like.

Her eyes widened, “Oh wow…” She actually looked shocked.

Grinding my teeth at her condescending tone, I asked, “What?” To my credit I sounded rather calm, considering my wolf was getting more and more agitated at her every word.

“You don’t even know what an Alpha is do you?”

Alpha? I thought. She was right, I had no idea. Whatever knowledge I actually possess about this world is rather…incomplete.  

“How to best explain this…” She looked genuinely distressed. Which pleased both me and wolf. Titling her head slightly, she continued, “I guess it can be best described as a leader. Some wolves are meant to lead, and others to follow.”

“That doesn’t explain why both my wolf and I want to rip your throat out.” I stated.

If that fazed her, she didn’t show it, “Well that’s because you are an Alpha as well.”

Huh?

“To put it simply: Alphas desire to test themselves against other Alphas. I’m guessing your wolf is quite the Alpha to be able to refuse my orders.” She lidded her gaze slightly, “It’s a little annoying, actually.” She sighed again, “Well anyway, I’m guessing your wolf didn’t like the fact that I tried to give you an order. Alphas get like that sometimes.”

Something dawned on me, “Why aren’t you the least bit shocked that I have a wolf? Or can change my form for that matter?”

The girl looked rather bored, “It’s been a well-known myth that the ‘Dragon within the Glass’ was able to Shapeshift. At least among the races of Mer.” She seemed rather impish, “To be honest I never put much stock in myths, but when I felt your wolf back in the auditorium…” She shrugged, then plopped back down on the couch.

“Myth?” I asked.

“Yeah, it’s a long a boring one. It has been around longer than any of us can remember.”

So that means I won’t know who started it.

“Anyway, can I ask you a question, Lumina?”

Something that isn’t an order…refreshing. “Sure.”

Her aloof expression turned serious, “What happened to the other Dragons?”

I tensed, flashes of my mother being torn apart passed through my mind. The terror of that black mass of nothing stalking towards me. The thought of Mother’s blood leaking from her beautiful hide.

When I said nothing, the girl looked sombre, and almost panicked, “Never mind, forget I asked.” Her tone held no displeasure, obviously realising that whatever happened was nothing good.

I tried to change the subject, trying to will my mind away from those dark memories, “I didn’t ask your name.”

“Ainu.” She answered. Obviously happy to change the topic.

“Ainu, I have something to ask.” And I did, “How long have I been in that gem?”

Her voice gentle, she answered my question, “I can’t tell you exactly how long,” a pause, “but it was first recorded that you were first found some one thousand years ago.”

I grimaced, Over one thousand years? I couldn’t even stomach the thought. The girl didn’t say she was sorry, but her pity was evident on her face. Thinned lips, soft unflinching eyes, and a sombre expression.

Pity was a dangerous weapons, I learned, and I fear this woman doesn’t even know how well she wields it. It cuts deep to know you are weak, and I felt it.

To be worthy of pity was a humiliating blow. I’m a dragon – regardless of my age –  and I have my pride. To have this girl, who wasn’t even a quarter of the size of my dragon form, look down upon me…I felt nothing but self-loathing.

In our silence I reflected. As I searched my mind, I recalled my snivelling fear when I faced those monstrosities. I knew I was powerless, knew I could do nothing to save myself.

I felt no anger towards those beings, despite the fact that they tore apart my mother, and that was what sickens me the most. Whatever anger I have, is buried under the feeling of being so useless.

Whatever strength I have now is useless, I lost to this girl like I was nothing. I felt my wolf snarl as I came to the only conclusion I could – I had to change that.

No longer would I allow myself to feel powerless, no longer would I allow myself to lose against the tide of nothing that were those monstrosities. No longer.

Are you doing this for your mother? I heard my self-doubt.

I am doing this for myself. I answered.

Are you doing this for revenge?

I am doing this for survival.

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Author Note

So I wanted to ask before I did this. But I am thinking of doing a time skip. Although I love thinking of little Lumina as a cute little baby Dragoness, I find that I'm wanting to propel her into her teenage years. (15-16)

Thought I would ask for your opinions on that, as I have known a few people dislike the idea of them.

Right now, I'm planning the story with that in mind, but I should be able to change that fairly comfortably if the idea isn't well received.

Thanks for reading, make sure to tell me if I have made any mistakes or comment on how my bone alters are coming along. I do enjoy a good worshipping.