Chapter 6

• A tense atmosphere has been smothering the pack for the past few days, tenser more so as we sat eating breakfast Friday morning. Streamers and other decorations were hung about the house; there wasn't a wall that didn't have a single decoration. Even though all this was meant to celebrate my becoming the next Konstantin Alpha it irked me to no end.
• The whole house was a chaotic mess of red and black, my two favorite colors, everywhere I glanced was something sparkly. I am not a sparkles and sequence kind of chick. Besides the sparkles blinding me every time I looked up from my plate I just didn't generally appreciate the chaotic decorating. It was putting me on edge, from the moment I woke up I was agitated. Every slight movement of another, or quiet noise had me lurching towards them with my wolf anxious to discover the issue.
• Perhaps it was because my inner wolf and I were so likeminded that I was so agitated and slightly off my rocker. There isn't a balance between us; what angers me angers her, what makes me anxiously paranoid does the same to her. My emotions are always doubled twofold since we were so in sync. Perhaps that was the reason why I'm so easily agitated and make rash decisions. Although, my mother doesn't have that excuse and she is every bit as wild as I. Perhaps I'm just all wolf rather than being balanced between a human side and inner wolf. A rather odd sentiment considering I'm a half-breed.
• "Ruslana?" One of my brothers questioned, drawing my attention away from my blood sausage.
• I glanced up, casting a glance between the two. Alexei sat to my left with Vladislav across from him, Viktoriya sat beside Alexei while Aaron sat beside Vladislav. Owens' scent was stale within the room, seemingly having left during my inner monologue. My brothers were pale, like most others at the table, sweat dripping from their foreheads as they glanced nervously at me. Meanwhile, Grandpa Aaron sat perfectly straight with not a worry gracing his deep blue features. He hummed to himself, rather loudly, an annoying tune as he cut into his blood sausage sectioning it into ten tiny ass pieces. Then he began to cut them even more so.
• A muscle in my jaw ticked, a habit I picked up from my father, as I stared at Aaron. "Gramps. Stop humming Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, its fucking annoying. And what are you, five? Stop playing with your food." I growled out, my agitation ticking louder still.
• Aaron paused for a moment before casting me a glance that told me he gave zero fucks. We stared at each other for a few moments, his cat like eyes clashing against my warm brown eyes. Mischief flashed through his neon blue eyes before he opened his mouth wide, giving me a disgusting view of his half chewed blood sausage bits.
• Without hesitation I chucked a nearby steak knife at his head with the swiftness only a werewolf possesses.
• "Oh fuck!" Aaron yelped, blocking the knife with his large staff that appeared out of thin air. "I'll take that as my cue then, Little Ruslana." He said as tendrils of blue smoke encased his body.
• "Annoying little prick. Now," I paused as I turned to look at my brothers who seemed to be even more frightened. "What was it you were trying to say, Alexei?"
• Alexei flinched, dropping his fork, before running a hand through his messy ginger hair. "Oh, uh, no, nothing sestra. I didn't mean anything by it at all! Lovely food we have here! Is your sausage bloody enough? If not, don't forget Vlad is right beside you! Closer than I in fact!" He rambled on anxiously.
• I raised an eyebrow at him as I leaned back in my chair, Vladislav tossing Alexei an angry glare. "Really brother? Did you just tell Ruslana to use my blood to adorn her meal?" Vladislav asked in disbelief.
• Alexei looked between the both of us, becoming increasingly worried. "Ruslana threw a knife at Grandpa Aaron's head! His head, brother! She likes him the best out of the three of us! It's called surviving brother, I'd throw you to the wolves or under the bus if needed!"
• Vladislav pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing heavily. "Sestra, can you please restrain yourself from releasing such an aggressive aura? At this rate Alexei may wet himself."
• "I'm fine with that Vladislav! Just remember, no one likes soiled meat!" Alexei called in a stressed high pitched voice.
• As much as bothering my brothers brought me a twisted sense of enjoyment Alexei's high pitched voice grated on my ears. With a huff I closed my eyes, reaching down within myself while forcing all my troublesome emotions further down into the dark depths of my inner being. Once I heard relieved sighs around me I opened my eyes, glancing at my brothers.
• "Better?" I asked, reaching for my glass of scotch.
• "Yes." Vladislav replied, going back to eating his food. "What's got you so agitated this early in the morning? On the day of your ascension?"
• I shrugged, taking a large bite of the blood sausage. "I don't know. I'm just so irritated? I don't know. Every little thing has my wolf and I on edge, snarling and clawing. By the way, get someone to remove the window from my room."
• Alexei chocked on his grape juice, glancing at me with wild eyes. "Remove the window? Why, are you making a den?" He asked with humor coating his words and mirth shining within his eyes.
• A crease arose between my brows as I looked at him, saying nothing. After all, that's what I was doing. My wolf and I had always referred to our living spaces as dens, like it was natural.
• Alexei's laughter died on his lips as he noticed my confused expression. "You know, you're rather more wolfish than human. And that's quite odd, considering you're a half-blood like us."
• "I'll have to agree with Alexei, sister." Vladislav added. "Perhaps the Alpha blood just flows thicker within you than it does us?"
• I stood, seeing as there was nothing left to say regarding this conversation. "Have someone send up a steak to my office. I'm still hungry." As if on cue my stomach growled, and for a moment I thought that it had been me.
• My brothers looked at our plates which had been piled high with blood sausage, a normal serving for werewolves. Then they glanced at my stomach, then my face.
• "I'll have it sent up after it's finished, then." Vladislav said a little lightly.
• They watched me walk away, towards the archway that led out of the dining room. Once I reached the archway I paused, turning back to look at them.
• "Oh and Vladislav? The steak should be rare."
• ~~*~~
• It isn't enough. I growled to myself thoughtfully, my inner beast wholeheartedly agreeing.
• The steak had long since been delivered and I had long since devoured it. At first it offered a moment of satisfaction, quenching the depraving hunger within me for only a few moments. Afterwards my ravenous hunger returned fiercely, causing an ache harsher than before to spread throughout my body. I groaned as I licked my fingers clean, not having used the knife and fork offered.
• It isn't enough.
• I stood quickly, pulling my shirt off as I opened the door. Vladislav turned around quickly, surprise etched across his features.
• Hadn't he left yet, after giving me the steak?
• Shaking off the thought I went ahead and pulled off my pants as well, nudity common to wolves, not fazing my brother. "I'm going hunting."
• I pulled open a nearby window, jumping out of it and shifting in midair. Paying no mind to the three story drop that welcomed me.
• "But I just handed you the steak…?" Vladislav said to himself, something that my keen ears didn't pick up.
• I raced into the forest the moment my paws touched the rough earth. Pine needles covered the grass and dirt of the forest floor, animal scent trails just as prominent as the needles. A primal urge coursed through me as I ran, and I roughly shoved it down. I wasn't a pup that would be over taken by her inner beast.
• Wind blew through my brown fur, ruffling it, as I ran quickly. My paws thumped against the forest ground loudly, my heavy steps by products of the powerful lunges I used to propel myself forward. Saliva dripped down my maw as I caught the scent of a moose, the mental image of the lurking animal making my stomach rumble in hunger. I chased down the moose without further prompting, finding it in record time.
• To say the least it wasn't a clean kill. Any animal lover would have been appalled and sent running for the hills. I had howled at the moose as soon as I saw it; sending it running. The chase flushed euphoric endorphins through my blood stream, fire racing through my blood and prompting me to hunt. To kill.
• I nipped at the hind legs of the moose, dodging his powerful kicks. I clawed at his sides and haunches, playing with him every now and again as I dashed passed him only to circle around and nip at his heels again. A dark satisfactory pleasure rushed along with the fire within my blood as I lapped up the blood from the wounds I had dealt the moose as I ran past him again. My stomach rumbled, angry that I was doing nothing but playing with my food. I grunted, dashing to the moose once more, only this time, aiming for his throat.
• As I clenched my powerful jaws around the moose's throat I watched the life snuff out within his eyes. I blinked at him for a moment after releasing his throat. A cold empty feeling spread through me as I looked in his eyes; no remorse or guilt. I looked away once my stomach rumbled again, tearing into his chest cavity with vigor. As my jaws closed around his heart I nearly rolled my eyes back in bliss. A kill had never tasted so good before.
• After I had finished eating all the meat I could get off of the moose I stood once more, propelled by the once more ravenous hunger within me to hunt. And so I did. I hunted and hunted to the point where I couldn't tell how much time passed. To the point in which everything became blurred together, the searing pain across my back fading and forgotten as I ate the flesh of my kill before moving onto the next. I continued like that until I couldn't anymore, the tired weariness of the stress of the hunt on my bones and muscles forcing me into a restful sleep.
• A gentle wind blew across my bare skin, skin that felt layered with grime. I groaned, nestling further into my bed before something pricked my skin.
• Wind?
• My eyes snapped open as I quickly sat up, glancing around the forest. That's right, I went hunting. Dried blood from my many kills covered the lower half of my face, dripping down my jaw and was seemingly splattered across my chest. The forest was silent as though all the animals had hidden themselves away from a dangerous predator. Without thinking too much of it I glanced at the sky, or what little of it I could see through the thick canopy. Sunlight still lit up the sky, but not much. I won't be late for my ascension but guests were surely already arriving.
• I melted down into my large wolf form, once more rushing through the forest. Oddly enough I didn't run into any patrol groups. They shouldn't be free of their duties until later in the evening, where they could enjoy the festivities.
• The door to the pack house was open when I arrived, music and chatter prominent within the building. I groaned, not really wanting anyone to see me soaked in blood coming back from a hunt. Pattering through the house lightly I went up the many stairs to my room, intending to put on a fresh pair of undergarments before heading down to my office where my scattered clothes were.
• With the dried blood rinsed away I pulled a red kimono over my scantily covered body, not wanting to flash any of my guests. I made it to my office without seeing anyone, closing the door behind me as I headed towards my desk where my clothes were folded neatly. Black slacks and a white blouse. Just as I was about to pull the blouse over my head the door to my office burst open, two pairs of footsteps wandering in.
• "Alpha Ruslana-Slava--," Alpha Samuel started, not yet noticing my undressed state, yet was cut off by me.
• "Nephew, out!" I bellowed, referring to the young Beta I had met on too many an occasion.
• The wolf grunted once before promptly turning on his heels and leaving, closing the door behind him. As I finished pulling the blouse down I turned around to face Alpha Samuel, aggravated to no end.
• "Really? Barging into my office?" I asked, annoyance and aggression plain within my voice.
• A bewildered expression sat on his features. "Well I didn't expect to find you half naked. But never mind that, it isn't important."
• I let my mouth gape open in outrage. "It isn't important!" I exclaimed, ready to tear him a new one before he cut me off.
• "Were there always six skulls in your tattoo?" He asked, having caught a glimpse of it in our previous meeting.
• I paused, completely dropping the subject of his disrespect. I placed my right hand on my back, over the tattoo. Six? Last I saw it was four, not six.
• "Oh fuck." I said through a sigh, roughly running my hands through my hair. "I didn't eat someone did I?" I asked out loud, remembering my ravenous hunger and blood thrust that I had quenched through hunting.
• Alpha Samuel's eyes widened to the point where it looked as though his eyes would pop. "What the hell?"
• I held up a hand, asking him to be silent for a moment. Taking a deep breath I filled my lungs, prepping to call out throughout the entire pack house.
• "Vladislav." I called out deeply, the one word more like a drawn out roar with meaning, shaking the walls from the forceful volume.
• The door to my office swung open immediately, Alpha Samuel's Beta, Kanjax, glancing around with worry till his eyes landed on me. His worry then melted down to confusion as he saw that his Uncle hadn't done anything to me, confused as to why I roared for one of my brothers.
• A clamor erupted from the lower floors of the pack house. No doubt many wolves were rushing about with Vladislav, making their way up to my office in a hurry. Surely it would take Vladislav a little longer than it should for him to fight his way through the packed halls. But that's fine, just the knowledge that he was going to struggle was amusement enough for me.
• "Ruslana?" Vladislav called breathlessly as he entered the hallway, a mass of footsteps pounding behind him as a mass of wolves arrived at the door to my office.
• "I've got a sixth skull." I stated simply, watching the color drain from his face as the wolves behind him glanced around in bewilderment before realization drawn on their faces.
• "When you went hunting..." He trailed off, paling further. "You were oddly hungry and blood thirsty this morning. Don't tell me you ate a human, or, even worse, a wolf?"
• We continued on with our conversation, paying no mind to those listening in. Alpha Samuel and Kanjax looked between us with confusion drawn about their features as they listened intently.
• Annoyance coursed through me, a slight blush dusting my cheeks. "I don't remember. I was hunting and hunting because I was so hungry, I got lost in my own ravenous hunger and within my blood lust. Woke up sated perhaps ten, twenty minutes ago."
• Vladislav rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Shit. My sestra is a cannibal."
• The blush on my cheeks deepened. "You don't know if I ate a wolf!" I exclaimed.
• Vladislav cast me a side glance, raising an eyebrow. "We're half human. Technically whichever race you eat is cannibalism, net?"
• "Fuck."
• "Indeed, sestra, indeed. What is it you wish for me to do?" He asked, returning to his Beta mode.
• I sighed, running a hand through my hair once more. "First gather all the patrol groups. Make sure everyone is accounted for then set up a search through the surrounding forest. We don't need the human police getting involved. They're already watching us for our mafia ties, I don't want to have murder charges anywhere near here."
• With that everyone dispersed, or so I thought, leaving me alone in my office to ponder my newfound cannibalistic habits. Sitting down at my desk I took a piece of paper and wrote a quick note to Aaron, letting him know of the shit that just went down. After setting it aflame I leaned back with a sigh only to jump straight once my eyes came into contact with Beta Kanjax's stormy gaze.
• "So you went hunting, Alpha Ruslana-Slava? When my uncle and I arrived at your pack house I smelt an overwhelming amount of blood mixed into your scent. That's why we came to your office so quickly." He stated in that naturally deep and smooth voice of his.
• A shiver rushed over my skin, something his keen wolf eyes picked up, but I brushed it away. Playing it off on the fact that I just traumatically realized I ate someone.
• "So it was your fault that I almost flashed you and your Uncle?" I asked, annoyed.
• Amusement lit up his gray eyes. "Indeed it seems so. Although, if you hadn't sent me out so quick then perhaps I would have had the honor of seeing your tattoo that I've heard so much of."
• I raised an eyebrow, not responding. Kanjax pulled one of my guest chairs closer to my desk before sitting in it, almost eye level with me now. His muscles flexed underneath his tight white dress shirt, the tendons within his forearms constricting and in plain view seeing as his dress shirt was rolled up to his elbows.
• He was dressed rather nice for my ascension. The black slacks and leather dress shoes adorning his body gave him a somewhat classy look. He loosened his black neck tie, something I couldn't help but to watch silently. The muscles within his neck tensed as he rolled his shoulders and popped his neck. I continued to look up, after having scanned his whole frame, seeing a small smile playing on his lips. Pursing my lips at his smile I glanced into his eyes, noticing how nice his hair looked slicked back with clear gel.
• I think blonds may just be my favorite. I thought to myself whimsically.
• What?
• "Did I say you could sit?" I asked bitchily, taking my annoyance out on him.
• His smile only widened more, making me narrow my eyes at him. "Staring up at me would only strain your neck. I reasoned it would be better for me to sit so we could talk face to face, for the sake of your health of course."
• My narrowed look turned into a glare. How could I possibly come up with a bitchy response to that?
• "We've nothing to talk about, Beta Taylan." I settled for, my words many levels less venomous than previously, this wolf seems capable of de-fanging me with just a few words.
• "I'd prefer it much better if you were to simply call me Kanjax, Alpha Ruslana-Slava." He stated, leaning towards me.
• Due to his large frame and height advantage as he leaned he was nearly halfway across my desk. He laid his forearms down sprawled across my desk, almost as though he was reaching for me. I refused to remove my hands away from their position on my desk, folded together, but kept a watchful eye on Kanjax's own hands.
• "I'd rather not." I stated simply.
• "No?" He questioned lightly, sitting closer to my desk as his hands shifted dangerously closer to my own. "I think it would be quite the honor if you allowed me to call your name, Alpha Ruslana-Slava."
• I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Well I'll have to disappoint you then. After my ascension I intend for everyone to refer to me as Alpha Konstantin as it will be my title once my father officially steps down."
• "That's a pity." Kanjax stated lowly, glancing at our hands that were now only a few inches away from each other.
• With the way he was talking, and infringing on my territory, getting closer to me with every moment I couldn't help but to panic. "If you get any closer to me I'll bite you!" I blurted out, only realizing my words after they left my mouth, a fierce flush covering my cheeks.
• Kanjax didn't remove his hands. Rather he chuckled lowly, smiling widely as he slowly looked up. The way he took his time with all his movements seemed to make my breath quicken, my nerves quaking at every little thing he did or didn't do.
• "I don't doubt that you would, Alpha Ruslana-Slava. But seeing as it's you, I doubt I'd mind all that much."