In the Alpha’s Arms

Bonus Chapter- Old World Charm

The stairwell, though free of other people, was full of strange, ethereal art that made everything feel closer. It was as if crossing the first threshold transported her back in time. The ambient lighting near the ceiling created a moonlight effect and that, coupled with the depiction of a forest along both walls, made Nyx take notice. She rose from her nap and shook off in Lita’s mind, nose sniffing for the scents of small game.

The trees seemed to blur as they walked, giving the illusion that they were running. And within the painted forest, wolves did run. Some were howling or jumping into clear stream water. Some were playing with one another or fighting. It was communal and common, like the old landscape painters would have depicted human people in a park.

It felt surreal, seeing the intimate aspects of another culture, another way of life. Nyx made a strange sound, some part of her embracing the imagery.

“What’s with the art?” Lita asked, stroking her fingers down the rough concrete as they continued down.

“Good ol‘ fashioned werewolf pride,” Ace snorted, “Just wait until you get downstairs. Whoever designed this place, had a heavy hand. Talk about a traditionalist. If I didn’t already know hard some of these elite types ride their own waves, I would almost call it propaganda, But they believe the shit they’re selling. One hundred percent. Imagine the most prestigious werewolves on the east coast wanting to surround themselves with the old world like this? Ridiculous. Access to every amenity and what do they do? Revert to the world before there were any amenities,”

“What’s the point of it, though? I don’t see how the forest has anything to do with fighting although Nyx seems to like it.”

“Yea, our wolves usually like anything simple,” he laughed, “They’re not exactly known for their higher thinking, Lita”

I will bite him right now, just give me the green light, Nyx growled, snapping her teeth.

Lita tsked in her mind. You need to curb that violence. You’ll never make my friends like that.

He’s not a friend, Nyx snapped, He’s family and family should know better than to cross their Luna, Arll be a small bite. hest a

little nip

When they reached the base of the stairs,

3. Ace

pushed open the door and held it so Lita could walk inside. He said, “But who knows, it’s probably supposed to make us tap into our natural instincts. Maybe they want us to let our baser selves out.” At that final sentiment, he gave her a wolfish grin which Lita promptly ignored.

“How do they keep this place away from humans, though? I’m sure a setup like this has to draw someone’s eye? And I haven’t known the type of people who stay at hotels like this, to take no for an answer when told they can’t have access to something,” Lita said, feeling the old internal wounds. begin to throb.

darkest days were spent at the mercy of people who

at me,” he said, his voice hard and unforgiving. She did. “You don’t give those people any space to breathe in there,” He pointed to her temple, all the

head. That’s your space. You can take it back whenever you want,

in her chest when he gave her the extra respect of her title. And his words tang true. She straightened her back, unaware that she’d

so much,

She

dim yellow light was enough to see in, especially with wolf senses, but it still maintained enough shadow for the room to feel mysterious. It didn’t make sense for a fighting arena, did

though. Something like deja vu tugged at her. What did this medievall sort of luxury remind her

doors are locked,” Ace answered the question she’d forgotten she asked. “No one in. No one out. There are security exits down here but they only open from the inside. You probably didn’t notice but there is security at the upstairs door too. The wolf

ignore the name, trying to ignore that her whole body went cold at the mention of her father. Ace had no idea the can of worms he’d opened and it was impossible to know if Cole had put the pieces together himself. It was a conversation Lita hadn’t managed to have yet. She was still on the fence about whether

Old World

and unbothered though her gut twisted. She had been fine with coming to the city when she thought the chances of running into anyone was slim. But

“Sort of. There’s a larger picture when it comes to your family’s pack Hr meant the parents she grew up with. He

He

really–but they do much more than that. Asher’s pack is the head of the entire

States. One for each region. And Asher’s high standing was why your dad could mobilize all that manpower to come rescue you, All the other east coast packs answer to him and any of his requests.” Again, he

up. I don’t even know what he looks like,” Lita now realized it was likely because her mother wanted to keep

force across region lines to meet us in midwest territory. Shit, who runs that,

Lita couldn’t stop imagining what would happen when she inevitably ran into her father. Was he here

the room, her being trapped below ground level with no easy way out–All of it hit her at once, twisting her gut with the ghost feel of cold water splashing against her thighs, burning her nose. As if sensing

all the modern bells and whistles we need to

theatrics or her discomfort that him on edge. Maybe it had

more than enough headroom for how wild wolf fights could get. Cylindrical pillars around the

bodies around the room, she saw all the walls were covered in similarly shaped metal plates that mimicked vines. Beautiful, archaic, ethereal and terrifying, all at once. Ancient

museum. She expected to see it with Maxim, where the teachings were backwards and the pack was subject to a cruel, grandoise Alpha, But here, in the middle of New York City? She would never have imagined it. Or how much of a bad taste it left in

maneuvers. Some were near the vendor tables that had been lined up along the far wall. Even this place’s vendor tables were elegant and

it was

formal. They were the epitome of modem with some women in cropped jeans and t–shirts like Lita while other wore pressed jumpsuits and heels. And as they used their cellphones, it was impossible to mistake what er they truly belonged in. Lita sighed, it was like Ace said, a nod

her focus to the tables, where she could make out a