Chapter 5

• Back at home it was well past ten in the evening, most wolves already having retired to their rooms. While they slept I stood in my room, pacing back and forth with agitation gnawing on me like a depraved animal. My inner wolf was restless; her growls and whines reverberating through my chest as our minds melded. I couldn't quite place my finger on my annoyance, although, the man I met at the Alpha Conference kept filtering through my mind.
• Roughly running my hands through my hair I growled out in frustration, deciding I simply needed to go for a run. Putting my muscles to work usually burned off all my frustration, for whatever reason. Before leaving my room I looked at the window that sat behind my bed, moonlight filtering through closed shades.
• I narrowed my eyes at the window, my inner wolf snarling at the weakness in the security. That has got to go. My wolf and I agreed, the window, despite being on the third floor, making me nervous and paranoid. Paranoid that someone would break in while I slept, even if the only way up was to climb.
• Shaking my thoughts off again I wandered out of my room, heading outside. The cool air chilled my flustered skin, making me sigh in content. With our compound being so far from the city I couldn't even smell pollution in the air and there weren't any pesky neighbors. I didn't bother to strip, not really caring much for my clothes, before shifting.
• I melted down into my large wolf, husky dark brown fur rustling in the light breeze. Shaking my large head I sniffed the air, looking for a small snack. Picking up the scent of a rabbit I dashed off into the forest surrounding the building, dodging past the patrol groups. It wasn't long before I had the small furry animal secured between my teeth, its blood dripping down my dry throat.
• Once I returned to my room I didn't bother to bathe or put on any more clothes. Dried blood coated my lips in a deep red, a few trails leading down my jawline. I shifted back into my human form before flopping onto my bed and engulfing myself in the black comforter. Sleep ebbing over my tired form as I sank into the comfortable bed.
• ~~*~~
• "Ruslana! You've got visitors!" A rather preppy voice called, too high pitched for the early morning.
• I groaned in annoyance before shoving my face deeper into my pillows, ignoring the woman calling. For a few more moments I was blissfully asleep, snuggled deeply into my bed. Not too much later the door to my room slammed open, making me growl from the disrespect.
• Flipping over I glared at the intruder, Viktoriya. Aunt Viktoriya was only seven years older than I, yet still acted like a teenager. Viktoriya, my brothers and I all grew up together like siblings so we usually didn't refer to her as our aunt anyways.
• "What did you say, Viktoriya?" I asked her as I sat up, not bothering to try and cover myself.
• She walked further into my room, her long dark brown hair fluttering. "You've got visitors; Alpha Samuel and his Beta are here to discuss trade I believe."
• Irritation rushed through me; they hadn't even set up a meeting, only showing up when they pleased. I brushed off my annoyance, after all, I needed a few allies.
• "Show them to the living room, after I'm dressed I walk them to my office." I said as I stood from my bed, dropping the sheets.
• Viktoriya gasped from the doorway, walking over to me and lightly touching my back. Her hand traced my left scapula, surprise rolling off of her in waves.
• "Well I'll be damned." She said as she dropped her hand.
• With furrowed brows I turned around, looking at her in confusion. "What?"
• "You should really see this." Viktoriya said, ignoring my question as she ushered me into the bathroom.
• The white tiles were cold against my feet, the fluorescent lights seemingly too bright with the white tiled walls and floors. Baring my back to the mirror I looked towards the hand held mirror Viktoriya pointed at the large mirror, interested in what she saw.
• "What the shit?" I questioned in confusion and amazement.
• I reached behind my back to trace the skin as I looked at the tattoo that shifted with movement as though it was alive. My mothers’ tattoo graced my skin, only it was way smaller than hers. A grim reaper cloaked in a large black robe carrying a wicked looking scythe sat centered on my left scapula. A little ways to the left sat four small skulls encased in blue flames.
• As I stood there flabbergasted Viktoriya set the hand held mirror on the counter before motioning to my back. "Yeah, well, I'm going to give Aaron a call about all this while I show the wolves where to go. Get dressed while I'm gone."
• I nodded silently as she left the room, closing the bathroom door on her way out. With time running short I stepped into the shower quickly, reveling in the hot water that washed over me. After stepping out of the shower I pulled my short wet locks into a french braid. With my hair out of the way I finished drying off before going into my room and pulling a few articles of clothing and a pair of shoes out of my closet.
• After sliding on a pair of panties I pulled a burgundy crop top with a criss-crossed back. The floral lacy crop top rested just above my belly button, leaving a stretch of skin uncovered before my ripped black shorts rested over my hips. I slid on a pair of burgundy sneakers before exiting my room, heading for the kitchen rather than the living room.
• "Owens!" I called as I entered the kitchen finding him, like usual, cooking at the stove. "Any coffee with an extra kick ready for me?"
• He chuckled, warm eyes connecting with my own as he motioned to the coffee pot. "Already had the coffee made, black like you like it. The vodka is in its usual spot."
• I smiled at him, giving him a hug in greeting before making my way towards the coffee pot. "Check out my left shoulder, Owens. I bet you won't believe this shit."
• Owens obliged, glancing at my shoulder as I stirred vodka into my coffee. "No fucking way! I didn't know that Sylvan's curse was hereditary!" He exclaimed, momentarily surprised, before returning to cooking.
• I shrugged seeing as I didn't exactly have any information. "Send some whiskey up to my office in about twenty minutes or so, da? I have a feeling I'll be rather stressed today."
• Owens chuckled before waving me off. I laughed lightly as I exited the kitchen, walking towards the living room to find the Alpha and his Beta seated on one of the sky blue couches.
• "Come on, let’s take this to my office." I said, waving at the men to follow me.
• I narrowed my eyes in surprise at the sight of his Beta. His Beta was the man who I ran into in the hallway; the man who didn't seem to leave my mind these past few days. For a moment I stared at him, almost getting lost in his stormy gray eyes. I shook myself out of the haze and turned away from his perfectly styled dirty blonde locks, confused as to why I was acting so odd around this wolf.
• As I walked them towards my office my mind drifted back towards the tingles he had given me a few nights ago. Immediately I dismissed the thought, even with me being a half blood I'm sure I would have been able to identify my mate bond easily. Human blood can only screw with my wolf side so much, and I doubt it would have any leeway with my mating bond.
• "Take a seat." I said as we walked into my office, motioning towards the two stiff chairs sitting across from my desk.
• As they sat down I walked around to my fluffy chair, sitting down with a flop as I took a deep gulp of my coffee. The heat of the black coffee and vodka poured into my stomach like a river of fire, warming me up from the inside despite not being cold.
• "Now, as you know, I am Alpha Samuel. But this is my Beta, and nephew, Kanjax Taylan. We're here to talk about a weapons trade deal with your pack."
• Alpha Samuel waited for my response as I took another long gulp of coffee. "Without prior notice?" I couldn't help but to ask, annoyance still grating through me.
• Surprise flashed through Samuel's eyes. "Kanjax assured me that he had spoken with you before you left the Conference, that you would be able to have a meeting with us at our convenience."
• Out of the corner of my eyes I saw Kanjax flinch when he heard his lie voiced. "We spoke of no such thing. But I'll ignore it just this once, after all, friends that bring business is better than enemies that bring bloodshed."
• Alpha Samuel visibly relaxed and I snickered internally. Seems like the show I put on at the Conference must have improved my image as a blood thirsty Alpha. My wolfish pride purred, happy with the thought that my plans are working towards my favor.
• "Now, you tell me what you need and then I'll tell you what I can get you today. If that pleases you then we can hammer out further shipments and pay."
• Just as Alpha Samuel opened his mouth to respond, excitement of the thought of an arms deal obvious on his face, the door of my office slammed open. In the hall there was a clamor, the wolves that were guarding the door trying to keep the intruder out. But for some reason my wolves were trying to be nice about it; they didn't claw at him or toss him about. They were pleading for him to not barge in.
• The wolf eventually made it into my office, staring down at me with a vengeance. "You fucking she-bitch!" He yelled, his ugly face twitching with rage.
• Kanjax had stilled at his yell, tensely sitting as though ready to spring to attack. Ignoring the Beta's odd behavior I took another look at the ugly intruder before recognition flashed through my gaze.
• "You're Elder Mathews ugly pup, net?"
• His fat cheeks flushed red with humiliation. "You murdered my father! Ripped out his throat at this very desk!"
• I looked down at my immaculately clean dark brown desk. "Are you able to tell? Can you smell his conniving stench in here still?" I asked before rubbing my desk thoughtfully, where his father's blood once was. "I could have sworn that I had him scrubbed out rather cleanly."
• Laughter danced through Alpha Samuel's aged eyes, seemingly enjoying my banter. At least he wasn't pissed about the interruption. I turned my gaze back to Elder Mathews son.
• "Why would you kill him? He's an Elder!" He yelled as though his father's status as Elder would hide him from the wrath of my claws.
• "Your father," I paused as I stood, "was a conniving, good for nothing piece of shit. Like many of the other Elders, but don't worry, I'll get to all those hags soon. He disrespected me multiple times a few mornings ago, and like Mother and Father always tells me to do so, I gave him plenty of warnings. He still did not stop in his pursuit to see his pig of a son on my throne, so, I ripped out his throat. It was within my rights as a wolf to do so, and even more so in my rights since I'm his fucking Alpha!"
• The little piggy visibly flinched as I growled, my anger leaking out, yet he still managed to respond. "It is within my right to challenge you to a duel for murdering my father!"
• I growled louder as I advanced on the wolf. "I am your Alpha, pup. Obey me or die!"
• He defiantly stared at me, irking me further. Without another moment’s hesitation I sliced through his throat with the same claws that fed his father death. A faint burning sensation graced my back, no doubt adding another skull like it often did to my mother. Licking the blood off of my fingers I whistled, calling my guards into the room.
• "Really?" Was all I asked them, motioning towards the moron bleeding out on the floor.
• They winced under my scrutiny. "He's the son of a Elder--,"
• "Was the son of an Elder, wolf. Was. You were there when I killed his father." I said, cutting the wolf off.
• They winced again, bowing their heads deeply. "It won't happen again, Alpha Ruslana-Slava."
• I nodded at them, pleased. "Good, now clean this mess up." Walking back over to my chair I plopped down, like I had earlier, before reaching for my coffee again. "It wouldn't be just another Tuesday until I ended a family line before lunch."
• Kanjax just blinked at me in surprise and his uncle seemed to look at me with interest. I take it that this meeting is going rather well then. It wasn't too long later that a knock echoed on my door while Alpha Samuel and I were writing down a list of weapons his pack needed.
• "Come in," I murmured lightly, before looking up.
• "I brought you those drinks, now Ruslana, why did I see a dead body being carried away not too long ago?" Owens asked with a cheeky smile as he set down a glass of whiskey besides my empty coffee cup.
• I smiled at him before taking a sip of the chilled liquor. "Elder Mathews' son paid me a visit and wouldn't stop bitching." I explained as Owens offered the two men some whiskey.
• "At this rate by the time your parents come home there won't be any Elders left." He said while he chuckled, walking towards the door.
• "Only if we're lucky Owens." I called out after him, smiling lightly.
• Despite the fact that Owens was old enough to be considered my father Kanjax looked between us suspiciously. He was rather grating on my nerves today, acting like such an odd wolf for no apparent reason.
• Shaking away my thoughts I looked down at the list that wasn't too long; mainly a lot of glocks and combat knives with a few swords. "I can get pretty much this entire list by tonight."
• "Truly?" Alpha Samuel asked, seemingly surprised.
• I nodded while folding the paper shut and sealing it with my stamp. With the letter secured I tossed it into a large ashtray that I always kept on my desk. I searched through the drawers of my desk before finding a lighter and setting the paper aflame.
• Alpha Samuel's eyes popped open in shock, as did Kanjax's. "What are you doing--," He started to ask in outrage, before I cut him off.
• "Not to worry, my supplier is a warlock. Fire messages are the easiest way to reach him, seeing as sometimes he goes places where even cell service can't reach."
• Alpha Samuel visibly relaxed, only to jump in his chair a few moments later. Blue smoke crawled along the floor, notifying me of Aaron's imminent arrival.
• "You called?" He questioned airily, as though he knew he was supposed to be here, as he stood behind me in his blue horned form.
• I twisted around in my seat and looked at him. "No I didn't, and if you read the letter--," I cut myself off, seeing the opened letter dangling from his hand.
• I turned away from him and groaned. He had come on purpose, knowing I wasn't calling him.
• "Well can you blame me for coming, Ruslana? I wanted to see who you were doing an arms deal with. After all, I do worry about my cute Granddaughter!"
• "Granddaughter?" Alpha Samuel asked in surprise.
• Aaron leaned on my chair behind me, turning his bright blue-white eyes on the Alpha. "Yes, I adopted her mother after her parents were killed."
• "How did you know she was making an arms deal with someone when all she gave you was a letter with weapons listed?" The ever silent Kanjax said, saying something for the first time during the meeting.
• At the sound I his voice I stiffened, apparently not ready to hear the deep rugged voice anytime soon. I could practically feel Aaron's gaze shift between Kanjax and I annoyingly, making me want to growl lowly at him.
• "Little Ruslana here," Aaron paused to pat my head, "prefers to go into combat old school; fighting hand to hand combat with a little bit of teeth and claws in the mix. Can't blame her, her mother is just as bloodthirsty."
• I pursed my lips in annoyance, Aaron was making me out to be a monster. Internally I did a double take, not removing my eyes away from Kanjax.
• Why did I care?
• "Well, since we're done here, let me show you wolves out." Alpha Samuel and Kanjax stood, filing out of my office as I hung back, speaking to Aaron in low tones. "Viktoriya called you, didn't she?"
• He hummed in response as he dragged a blue finger across my tattoo. "This is rather interesting, Ruslana. Nowhere in the spell did it say the living tattoo would pass down to Sylvan's offspring. But then again, neither of your brothers have the tattoo and they've killed before. So perhaps the women in your family will get this living tattoo. I wonder if you also inherit her hellish form as well..." Aaron said, trailing off.
• I raised an eyebrow in question. Hellish form? Mom never told me anything about her being a shifter.
• "Alpha Ruslana-Slava," Alpha Samuel called from up ahead, motioning around him to the busy wolves that were running about and setting up decorations. "What is all this about?"
• "My ascension on my eighteenth birthday is only three days away so the wolves in the pack are prepping the house."
• At this Alpha Samuel rubbed his chin as though he was in thought. "Would you mind if Kanjax and I attended? We won't be busy Friday."
• I narrowed my eyes, looking at Kanjax whose features visibly brightened at the thought. "I have no qualms with it. If you do show up, more than likely you can also pick up your shipment of weapons at the end of the night."
• With that being said they left my home, leaving Aaron and I to wander into the kitchen in search of what Owens cooked for lunch.