Chapter 1

• Brodey Bodfor
• Known as the quarterly meet even called the 'every 25 years' meeting. All the Alpha’s and heads of Dorhellhound come together to meet at the Capital of Erolzwald. Alpha King Coldfurgus Hallowtooth, would provide accommodations and nourishment in his luxury castle, for all high-ranking Alpha’s, Beta’s and some of their Delta’s and Gamma's. For one lunar cycle, there will be parties, selling of goods and debates over treaties that will need to be renewed. This will also be the time when enemies will try to kill those who have interfered with their business. This could be profitable for many individuals yet deadly for others, finding themselves being carried home in an urn.
• Stepping off the autocart at the entrance of Erolzwald, the last time that I was here, I was 12, I considered this part of my training with my father to become the next Beta to our next Alpha. The place had not changed much since then. Minus more trees and an increase in the population here, it still smelled of deceit, lies and sex.
• My father was close behind me, snorting, “still the same old Erolzwald! Smells of desperation!” The 61 year old man moved in front of me. “We will call this home for the next 62 days! Everyone behave themselves and keep your dicks in your clothing and out of the wenches!”
• I glared at my half brother knowing that order was given to Howley, who was a year older than me. Snickering, I slapped the bastard on the back. Taking the lead after my father we head towards the grand old castle.
• I narrowed my eyes at my brother, I could not believe how much we looked alike for having different mothers. He was bubbling and loved the spotlight. Always coming up with a prank or a joke. While I was more like my mother, down to earth and well mannered. He stood two inches below my seven feet one inch. Both of us had chocolate brown hair. I had inherited my mother's straight hair. Pulling my long hair back in a plain leather strap and the back of my head. Howley's hair was shorter reaching past his shoulders. He preferred to put his hair up in a messy bun. Both of us had our father's facial and physical appearance. A thick beard covered our chiselled chin, another Bodfor trait. Think brows, deep brown eyes, and full upper and lower lips. It was undeniable we were of the bloodline, a Bodfor.
• On the day of my parent's mating ceremony, a female from the gentleman's club dropped off the little bean sprout. Thankfully they had waited until my parents were home and not in the public's eyes. I remember the stories of how my Grandma Vinla, who was mother to my father plus Uncle Zevar and Myres, was ready to slaughter my father for the embarrassment on the family and daughter-in-law. My mother, Lilla, responded that at least she knew my father could give her a healthy son and daughter. After that day, no words were spoken about the event.
• Bringing my mind back to the moment, I glanced around the place.
• The zone was hustling and bustling with residents and visitors. Once our presence was noticed everyone got out of our way. Each of them displays the same expression of fear. Everyone who was of the age of education knew that Unnash was a kingdom of power and warriors. Second in line to Erolzwald for power and control. Undisputed for the last 6237 years, many times Erolzwald Alpha’s attack, each of them going home with their tails between their legs. With the aid of our practitioners, no one has been able to invade and conquer what was ours.
• The gates to the castle had been open when I picked up the hint of chocolate and peppermint. It was faint but it was there, the dire wolf in me was slightly interested.
• I wrinkled my nose, of all the things I had not planned for this was the one thing I dreaded.
• “What is the sour face for, dear brother?” Howley was walking beside me. “I know this place is … Detestable but there has to be something that is a smidget appealing about this place!”
• I did not respond, my nose told me what I needed to know, but my eyes needed to make sure what I was thinking was true. The closer we got to the building the stronger the smell became.
• When the doors were open the smell hit me hard, the female that held the scent was here. I let out a low rumble of displeasure that had erupted from my throat.
• My brother started to chuckle, “I can only think of one thing that would cause you to react this way without anyone speaking a word to you!” Howley was now laughing louder. Enough to make our father turn his head and glare at us. Giving us a silent warning to behave ourselves.
• “Shut it!” I hissed at my brother allowing the words to be laced with venom.
• Two guards had bowed to the Alpha’s then ushered us through the open doors to the grand castle. Our party was standing in the great hall waiting to be directed to our quarter for the event when I spotted her. Dangling loose, her long black hair reaching past her arse. Her hair shimmered blue when the light hit it. She had no makeup on! From where I was standing, I thought she had blue eyes. Thin upper lip but the bottom was plump. Standing at least six feet tall, she had curves in all the right places with a lot of meat for someone to grab.
• I narrowed my eyes on the female Amazon.
• She was dressed in all black, not one inch of her flesh was displayed except her face and hands. I found this peculiar since most females here flaunted what they were given at birth.
• I must have been obvious in my direction of attention since my brother followed my gaze, “so!” He held on to the o. “That would be the unfortunate female. Should I warn her how much of a boring brute you are or wait? I bet …”
• I whipped my head towards my brother, “Shut up Howley!”
• The female was healthy in appearance, which told me she was not from an impoverished family. She did not have jewellery, which told me she was not the daughter of a wealthy family. This told me that she was from a lower middle class. I wrinkled my nose again at this thought. A family with little funding was a well known fact, but I would not mate with anything that came from rubbish.
• “I will have to reject her!” I whispered.
• “Brodey!” My brother hissed, “you judge far too quickly. So she is not decorated in the finest. Plain and ordinary … do you not wish to at least find out what her name is before you jump to the rejection lane.”
• Hearing the word rejection my father was quick to join the conversation.
• “What do you speak of boys?” His voice was low.
• Howley was quick to tell our father what was going on. My father started to chuckle, “That has to be Rimvan Longarm’s daughter. Not much is known about her beside the fact she works for the Alpha King in security. But if you must reject the bond … do it in private. There is no need to make a spectacle of yourself!”
• My uncle, Alpha Zevar, had told us that Rimvan had four daughters and a son. Each of them was easy to spot since their hair was the colour of the night sky. We were not the only ones that had spotted the raven haired female. My uncles and cousins also had spotted her standing near an oversized statue of the Alpha King. Alpha Ace, my cousin, had his sights glued on the female.
• Doyen, who was the second oldest to Ace, was whispering and nudging him. It had been their father that halted all conversations that were transpiring among the two. It didn't take much to figure out what those two were commenting about. I glared at my brother with dislike. I have only been here for 45 minutes, and already I was wanting to go back home.
• Whispering harshly, “Before you do anything hastily, at least let me dig around and gather information on the girl. Jumping to conclusions has never served us at all!” Howley pointed out his truth.
• I observed her posture further, with a thought coming to my mind. “She has to be a human … she has not picked up the fact that I am her mate. Only humans are like this!” I pointed out a fact that had been known.
• Just one reason why I can not accept the bond. Our lifestyle is harsh and not meant for the weak. She will die before the year is over.
• Many were quietly chatting with each other. I glanced around the location. The castle had been formed by a combination of limestone and granite. The oldest structure in Erolzwald. The open concept made the place appear larger than it actually was. Lining the walls, paintings of landscapes had been hung. Each painting was a depiction of the popular locations of Erolzwald.
• Placed between the portraits were Torches that were held by Golden mounts. Against the grey limestone, it really allowed things to pop out, I had to admit this was appealing to the eyes. Above our heads was a circular chandelier with several crystal teardrop stones, that I believed were hand crafted. I could only assume by the colour of the chandelier that it was made of gold. Something that would not surprise me considering that the Alpha King did enjoy displaying his wealth, rubbing it in other people's noses.
• In each corner of the area was a half circle table. From the position that I was at I believed the table top to be made of marble. A crystal vase had been placed in the centre with a flower arrangement of vibrant colours. With many red and pink roses, peonies, and a few leaves poking out at the sides. Around the neck of the vase was a silk like pale pink ribbon.
• Studying the area more, I spotted two Erolzwald guards standing at the entrance leading west and another set of guards at the entrance that would take us north. No different than the other two openings, there had been two guards at the east entrance.
• The movement of my Uncles Zevar and Myres brought my attention to a male that was walking in our direction. Greeting them accordingly, “Alpha Zevar and Myres!” The male bowed, “my name is Rimvan Longarm.” He introduced himself.
• The Amazon female glanced over at Rimvan Longarm. With the two standing in the same area, you could see the similarities. It was very clear that she was his daughter. She was a female version of Mr. Longarm. He stood an average height of, 7 feet tall. Well built, he would have to be considering he was dressed in a traditional General Erolzwald uniform.
• With a slight wave from the female, she continued to look down the hallway. I could only presume that she was waiting for someone who was not her father.
• Mr. Longarm ushered for the female to join him. “This is my eldest daughter Finja, I am sure that the Alpha King will introduce her to everyone later on.”
• Mr. Longarm continued to speak about his daughter's accomplishments. Her specialties were science and technology as well as working on the security details of Erolzwald. Finja appeared to be one of the youngest employees and one of the highest paid as well. Bringing in an income that surpasses many seasoned Generals of Erolzwald.
• It was Howley who brought it to my attention, "if Finja is one of the topped paid employees of Erolzwald, why does she dress in clothing meant for a funeral and that of someone that is just above lower class?"
• It was a good point that my brother had made. It was odd that she would downgrade herself. Could it be that she was raised with little, so she knows the value of items and chooses to live below her means instead of showing off her position? Whatever her reasoning may be, she had for sure gotten the attention of my Uncles and father.
• I could almost see my uncles’ mind and thoughts, hoping to bring this female into the folds of Unnash, not wanting to waste such talents on the ordinary life of an Erolzwaldiarn.
• Finja started to blush at her father's showering of affection, busting about her accomplishments. If Mr. Longarm was Looking for a mate for his daughter, he had succeeded. Both of my cousins, Ace and Doyen had been eyeing the female up and down.
• Glancing over at my brother Howley, I could see how even he was smitten with this female. Focusing my thoughts on events that were in the making, I overlooked the female, waiting for Mr Longarm to take us to our assigned accommodations.
• I found it peculiar how Finja did not once glance our way. Making sure to avert her eyes elsewhere.
• My sight had been locked on Finja, I believed I was the only one that was not smitten with the female, and I was the bloody dire wolf that was mated to her. My father glided his feet in my direction, "if you must reject the girl, do so, in private. But I ask for only two things, have a formal introduction! A small conversation with her. She is quite accomplished, someone that you could live with and find happiness ... If you would give it a try!" He whispered so that only I could hear him.
• Smiling politely Finja excused herself as those she had been waiting on were strolling down the hallway. The set of two heels clicking on the granite floor could be heard echoing off the hallway easily picked up by our Dire Wolf hearing. Parting ways Finja directed her feet towards whom I assumed was her friends. While Mr Longarm assured us about our assigned accommodations.