Embers In The North
5

From behind her wooden tankard, Reyna watched him.

Roth guzzled down his fourth serving of the Light Ale Hell, placing the emptied tankard on the table. Across from him, she continued to sip from her first. He then reached for a Frostleaf napkin on the rustic rogum table and wiped his smudged beard.

“Why did you become a Fang?” Roth asked as he set down the napkin. “It’s not common for females to tread such a brutal path. They struggle to match the prowess of their male counterparts.”

A flicker of annoyance crossed her face. The idea that females were somehow inferior fighters was a prejudice she knew well. But she wasn’t about to let him get under her skin.

“There may be something to it.” She took another sip of ale. “It may have something to do with the bunch of uncultured males fighting under your banner.” Her eyes glowed with fierce accusation. “Their tiny, tiny brains fail to comprehend that women want and can fight for glory too and they’re more than just something to hump.”

Bandos started training her in combat as soon as she could handle a blade. Throughout her journey as a Fang, she faced numerous challenges and biases. Even after attaining the status of Prime, little had changed in that regard.

Weak, unmated females often became easy prey, particularly during the mating season. Although, if she were being honest, females also found themselves driven by an inexplicable and heightened desire for physical intimacy during the solstice.

“Then again,” she continued with a pointed emphasis, “it seems you’ve overlooked the Five Feral Fangs. Females who should have been elevated to the rank of Omega for their daring assault on the House of Thorin. An act that paved the way for the rise of the Maynords.”

“You seem to harbour some resentment towards the House of Maynord, or perhaps even males in general,” he said. “You disregard authority and decorum—”

“I don’t owe you respect or allegiance, Alpha Roth,” she interjected. “Given that your House orchestrated the annihilation of the Icehelm Alpha bloodline and Luna lineage, any resentment I hold is hardly surprising… if there is any,” she added with a hint of irony.

Alpha Roth’s eyes gleamed with amusement and he raised his tankard in a mock toast.

“Your candour is refreshing, Prime. Not many would dare to voice such sentiments to me.”

“Some truths need to be spoken regardless of the consequences.”

“Indeed,” he agreed.

With him, every word felt like a calculated move in a game. There was a glint of something more in Roth's gaze, a smile tugging at his corner of the lips.

"You got me curious. Why don't you punish me for disrespecting your authority? My disrespect shouldn't go unanswered, Alpha Roth."

Her expression remained impassive, but she truly wondered about it. Was the Alpha soft on her? She was cautious about Roth's intentions, wary of the webs he was weaving. And yet, there was a spark of curiosity within her - a spark that kindled even in the face of all these uncertainties.

Roth leaned back, eyes never leaving hers. “You know why, Reyna,” he said.

“If I knew, I wouldn’t ask.”

Unspoken thoughts filled the pause. Then Roth’s voice broke through the silence.

“Really? Explain why you’re so bitter about the Luna line being stuffed out. It would shed some light on your fiery display in Silver Oak.”

Her eyes widened and then narrowed almost instantly. She’d hoped to avoid that conversation altogether, but it explained his obsessive scrutiny since. She cast a sideways glance at the heavy oak door, keeping an ear out for any faint sounds that might indicate the presence of an eavesdropper. The silence held, unbroken.

“I haven’t the foggiest idea what you mean,” she replied quietly.

Roth’s once-warm eyes narrowed with suspicion, and the scent of simmering anger filled the room.

“Then should I believe the fire that raged back in the snow-covered valley was Odin’s doing?”

She didn’t care for his sarcastic comments.

Reyna knew there was no way to avoid the truth. The incident in Silver Oak proved her fire-wielding abilities beyond doubt. But, it was a secret she guarded fiercely, not only because of the potential repercussions but also because she didn’t fully comprehend the extent of her powers. Even now, she didn’t understand how he knew; there wasn’t any physical evidence that she started it.

“Is that what you’re after, Alpha?” she asked. “A confession to sate your curiosity?”

“Oh, Reyna, you misunderstand my intentions.” He leaned forward in his chair. “Curiosity is merely one aspect of a broader canvas.”

“There is no point dancing around the embers. Ask your questions directly. Veiled conversations are useless,” Reyna replied.

The room echoed with his soft chuckle. She listened, captivated by the sound. The unexpected reaction lit up his face, contrasting with his stern and calculated demeanour, and her heart thumped. It was hard for her to ignore her unsettling attraction to the Maynord.

“Very well,” he conceded with a nod. “Tell me then. What do you feel when commanding the Ember? Where did you learn this dormant power?”

Under her calm exterior, anxiety fluttered. There was a brief moment when she feared Alpha Roth might bring up the delicate subject she had avoided-the possibility that she was a Luna.

The Lunas were the descendants of the wise women, blessed by the god Mimir to settle the tumultuous rivalries between Alpha Houses within Aupheadia. Their power allowed them to choose a mate from among the competing Alphas, uniting the warring factions and ruling over the Wild Lands. It had been ages since that bloodline was slaughtered.

No Alpha House would relinquish the ultimate decision of dominance to a female, even one of such a lineage. The House of Maynord orchestrated a ruthless massacre to quash any chance for a Luna to rise, a tragic history that still hung over Aupheadia. No Luna had not risen in 150 years, but the topic remained hushed, a ghost that haunted discussions.

Roth watched her with a wicked glint in his eye. That cursed gaze of his seemed to be seeking something within her. She was cautious and guarded, but intrigued by his question. The idea of revealing it to Alpha Roth intrigued and unnerved her.

“Commanding the Ember,” she began, choosing her words carefully. “It’s like harnessing the heart of a volcano. A raw surge of energy that demands release. When I summon it, I feel its power course through me, like a living force. It ignites my senses, intensifying everything around me—every sound, every scent, every heartbeat.”

She paused for a moment. “As for how I learned it, I never did. Suffice to say, it awakened during a moment of intense danger, and I’ve been honing it ever since.”

“Danger,” he mused. “A catalyst that often unlocks hidden potential. Control over the Suncrest Ember—no small feat, Prime. That makes me wonder how Icehelms can use Highthaw magic.”

Reyna’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean by Suncrest Ember?”

He stared at her, holding her captive with its intensity. “Why entrust me with your secret when you despise my lineage so much?”

“I’m not sure yet,” she said. “But hiding something so obvious would have been an exercise in futility, I suspect. I wonder, do you intend to remove my head now?” Her voice carried a sardonic edge. “But I’ll warn you, it won’t be easy.”

A half-smile formed on Roth’s lips. “Removing your head might be more trouble than it’s worth. Besides, I have no intention of extinguishing a flame that might prove intriguing.”

An eyebrow arched in response. “Intriguing?” she scoffed. “Or convenient?”

“Perhaps a bit of both. It is no secret that our territories have seen their share of conflicts, but I believe you understand the power of alliances. You’re a unique card in this intricate game of power.”

A wry smile played on her lips. “So you see me as a pawn?”

“You’re more than a pawn, Reyna, and I know you’re aware of that. I’m merely suggesting that we could find common ground, perhaps even benefit from each other’s strengths.”

Reyna thought about his proposal. “And what do you propose, Alpha Roth? An alliance? Cooperation?”

Leaning back in his chair, he smiled, nodding slowly. “An understanding, to start with. A recognition that our goals, though distinct, might align in certain areas.”

It was now clear that Alpha Roth was aware of her Luna heritage, leaving no room for doubt. It all began to make sense to Reyna as the pieces fell into place.

He knew.

He knew she was a Luna. It was clear what he wanted—to assert his dominance and secure his place as the undisputed Alpha of Aupheadia. The realization left her feeling disappointed.

This was a calculated move on his part. He likely recognized her as a Luna from their encounter and planned to manipulate her like an unsuspecting pawn. Knowing that most of the knowledge about Lunas was kept in the Carpre Librum Halls within his citadel of Krelon, he was aware of her limited understanding.

The Carpre Librum was an ancient repository of knowledge, holding within its hallowed halls a treasury of wisdom spanning eras before Aupheadia and wolves. The sacred library contained chronicles of forgotten legends, tales of ancient powers and events. Guarded zealously by the Omegas, the Librum held secrets so profound that they were entrusted only to Warmasters. For Reyna, the allure of the Librum was not in the stories of old, but in revealing the hidden truths about the Lunas. The mysteries were a siren’s call she couldn’t ignore; she needed to understand the extent of her own potential.

Anger brewed in the face of his calculated cunning. She refused to play the role he’d designed for her. Yet, beneath her anger, a deeper understanding dawned. Their fates were inextricably linked by an unbreakable thread, and they now teetered on the edge of a complex alliance. She needed him as much as he did her; he could name her Warmaster.

As she weighed her options, Reyna smiled. She had always known she was Luna, but avoided its life-changing consequences. In her heart, the path of a Warmaster felt truer, regardless of the odds stacked against her.

She wanted the choice to choose her own path.

There was more to her than her bloodline and her abilities and he was sorely mistaken if he thought he could exploit her.

“Very well,” she conceded. “But understand this, Alpha Roth. If our paths diverge too greatly, this understanding will not hold.”

He nodded in acknowledgment. “I understand, Prime. I wouldn’t expect anything otherwise.”

“This is over then. I came. I’ve treated you to drinks and indulged you,” Reyna said.

“Not quite.”

The scar on his rugged face caught her eye. It was a visual reminder of his reputation and the battles he fought. The stories about his conquests and prowess spread like wildfire throughout the territory, giving him a mythical aura.

She’d never imagined he’d be so captivating.

Against her better judgment, Reyna’s thoughts flirted along the edge of attraction, a magnetic pull towards the enigmatic Alpha. His scarred visage and the tales woven around him created a potent cocktail of intrigue, kindling a curiosity she fought to suppress. But she was no stranger to discipline, and she refocused her mind on the matters at hand.

Turning her attention from him required conscious effort, and she concentrated on the table between them.

As Roth gracefully stood from his seat, his movements were a symphony of controlled grace. Unconsciously, Reyna’s gaze followed his path to the fireplace behind her. Her heightened senses remained attuned to him

“Tell me, does Bandos know of your ability?” he asked.

His question sliced through her thoughts, catching her off guard. Instinctively, she was tempted to deflect, avoiding a discussion about her abilities.

“Why do you care?” she asked.

She noticed the subtle finesse of his approach, the way he veiled his inquiry as if leaving the choice to answer in her hands. But in truth, she understood that there was no choice but to ‘tell him’.

It was a low, soft chuckle. Then his voice dipped into a more personal register as he said, “Reyna, let me clarify. While I phrased it as a question, it’s more a formality. A necessity. Understand that my Omegas witnessed your Ember manifestation, and their silence is under my command.”

Her mind raced to catch up with the implications. It was a reminder of his power, one she didn’t respect but couldn’t ignore.

His mention of the Omegas as witnesses wasn’t lost on her; it was his subtle way of reminding her that he held the upper hand. But she wouldn’t let herself be backed into a corner, not by him. She took a deep breath, finishing her ale in one determined gulp.

Finally, she turned to face him directly. “No one else is aware,” she confessed, meeting his gaze head-on. “Only you.”

Seated on the obsidian rug, Roth hunched close to the fire, his hands outstretched toward the flames. The sight reminded her of the Redfalls’ struggle against the bitter cold in the North. Reyna’s gaze flickered to the dancing firelight. Why visit the North in a winter storm? Surely, it couldn’t be to amass more females for his harem.

“That is your intention then?” she asked. “To manipulate me with the knowledge of my ability, to use it as leverage to compel me to serve your purposes?”

Before answering, he paused with grim satisfaction in his eyes. “Yes,” he said simply.

Reyna’s lips curled into a knowing smile at his straightforward admission. She tilted her head slightly, her gaze locked on him. “I have an answer to your question, Roth,” she murmured.

The audacious use of his name didn’t go unnoticed by Roth. His demeanour shifted, a subtle indication of his growing ire. Such a move was a challenge, one that carried implications he couldn’t ignore. Addressing the Alpha by name when she was neither his lover nor mate was a daring act that should bear severe consequences, but the die was cast.

In this dance of power that he’d forced her into, there was nothing he could do—he needed her.

With deliberate grace, she stood up and closed the distance between them, each step crackling with electric tension. Her ‘Azure’ ability, the power of insight she had honed through countless trials, now came to the forefront. With intense focus, she delved into the depths of Roth’s mind, unravelling his thoughts and motivations as if flipping through the pages of an open book.

“You truly have no inkling of what I am capable of,” she declared, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips. “In this dance, Roth Maynord, it is I who have you cornered.”

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