The air in the Northern Forest was thick and chilled when Alpha Alexander stepped onto the stone terrace outside his estate. Dawn had already came and warriors he had carefully hand selected assembled in silent formation. They faced their Alpha as he stood in front of them, his presence more commanding then words could ever be.
Alex adjusted the dark leather cuffs around his wrists and ran his fingers through his fashionably messy, dark blue hair. The Fairy Palace lay miles beyond the treeline. He only visted the Fairy Palace once, long ago with his father when he was still alive. For centuries, werewolves were tasked with protecting fairies from harm since werewolves held formidable strength. However, greed had collpased the once respected truce and ever since, both species have been trying to make peace with one another.
He knew the meeting tonight was an arrangement to find his Luna but he had no interest in settling down. Politics, alliances, old grudges, it all seemed beneath him. He was one of the strongest Alphas in the North, he had no need for a Luna or mate. But alas, the arrangements to attend were already made. He planned on grinning and baring this event until it was over.
"Your carriage is ready, Alpha", his beta, Raphael said from behind him. Alex gave a single nod and proceeded towards the carriage and entered, followed by Raphael and his gamma, Charles. The visit had been arranged weeks ago and was presented as a diplomatic gathering. But something seemed off when Alex had read a brief report. The report had mentionings of villages burnt to a crisp, enslaved virgins sold like cattle, towns gone quiet, and royal guards increasing security. That kind of instability could either be exploited or contagious. Alex was undecided.
"Are the fairies prepared for our arrival?", Alex asked calmly. Raphael hesitated before responding, "Yes, they claim everything is under control." Alex's jaw slightly tightened.
He felt it again.
That faint pull in his chest.
It had started three nights ago and he didn't know why. Like a thread being pulled towards something or somewhere, subtle yet maddening. He tried ignoring it on the first night but when it continued on the second, he knew his Alpha instincts weren't misfiring. The pull didn't carry the sensation of danger or threat. It was something else he couldn't quite put his finger on.
"Alpha?", Raphael spoke quietly.
Alex blinked once, dropping his previous thoughts. "We leave now."
The carriage ride was long and silent for what felt like hours. The wild trees and forests thinned into open land. The pale spires of the Royal Fairy palace pieced the skyline. Delicate and elaborate architecture with tall flowers and gold trim catching the sun. Alex studied it with unreadable eyes.
He could smell it before they crossed the gates. Something subtle and faint. Smoke. His gaze sharpened. "Recent fire?", Charles asked. Raphael sniffed the air, "Possibly. Could be old." Alex remained quiet. The palace gates opened at their approach. Guards hurried toward the esteemed guests, bowing in front of them with lowered eyes. Alex was used to this show of respect…or fear, the difference between the two didn't matter much to him.
As Alex stepped out from the carriage, the air shifted. The pull in his chest tightened as his inner wolf began to stir. "Closer", his wolf spoke. Alex stilled for a fraction of a second. His warriors noticed but dared not to question their Alpha's behavior.
Inside the palace, fairy servants rushed through the corridors in preparation for tonight's feast. Silver platters and cutlery clinked as tables were adjusted. Candles laid out adding warmth and light. Alex walked through it all as if the noise didn't exist. And then, it happened.
Faint. Almost drowned out by the scent of baked bread and polished marble. A different scent entirely. Not perfume worn by nobility or fear that oozed off of those that ranked below him. It was something sweet…and wounded. His steps slowed. For a brief moment, his eyes shifted towards a corridor that lead upward and deeper into the palace. The thread that pulled on his chest, tightened again.
Raphael stepped closer to Alex. "Alpha, the royal council awaits you in the east chamber." Alex didn't look away immediately as he couldn't, the pull was too strong. Whatever was responsible, was within these walls. "Let them wait.", Alex said calmly. Then he turned away but the thread remained. Somewhere, in another part of the palace, a fairy with silver hair wiped her calloused hands on her apron, unaware that one of the most powerful Alphas in the North had just felt her existence for the first time.
Tonight would be no simple, diplomatic visit. It would be the beginning of something neither realm was prepared for.