7 Almost Confession

By the time we reached the village center, the sun had risen and my boots were dragging across the cobblestone pathway as I fought to stay awake.

If Alistair noticed my exhausted state, he didn't say anything as we passed villagers on our way to who knows where, each bowing their head in respect to their alpha which he seemed to ignore.

As we passed a couple warriors and I'm assuming higher ranks, they too bowed their head to their alpha before looking at me, repeating the same action.

What in the hell is going on?

I thought this as my wolf held her head high like a pampered and well respected queen. I stopped, looking at Alistair.

"Alp— Alistair, what is going on," I questioned, utterly confused and a bit disturbed.

Leaning against a stone wall now, Alistair stared at me, a look of merriment dancing across his face.

"What do you mean," he asked.

That stupid expression never falters, does it?

"Don't act stupid, you ass," I scolded before looking back at the warriors who seemed to be staring at us but quickly averted their gaze when they noticed me staring.

"Why have certain members of your pack been bowing to me? You, yeah, sure. It's understandable, but they don't even know me and I'm not even in a position for that kind of respect." River growled, scolding me for whatever reason and for a split moment, I thought I saw Alistair's eyes flicker before he pushed himself off the wall and shrugged.

"Who knows," he said with a hint of playfulness in his voice but that was all I got before he started walking again.

I stood there annoyed before walking over to one of the warriors.

"You." I pointed and the warrior straightened himself as he walked over to me.

"Ma'am," he said, bowing his head to me briefly.

What the hell is this?

"What's your name," I asked, feeling slightly annoyed.

"Caldwell, Ma'am," he spoke, confusion evident in his voice.

"I have a question, Caldwell."

He nodded and waited for me to continue.

"Why do you bow to me," I question and see him shift nervously before his eyes fogged over.

When will it ever not be unsettling?

But the mind-link was over as soon as it had begun.

"I'm sorry ma'am, I have been instructed to immediately head to the training grounds," he spoke apologetically before bowing once more and turning, leaving me standing there dumbfounded.

Turning around, I saw Alistair glaring from his place on a stone bench. Stomping up to him, I jabbed him in his chest.

"What the hell is—," I began to question before stopping dead but didn't remove my finger.

I can feel my body rippling with energy. It was an overwhelming kind of energy, tingling through me like electrical sparks on their way to the ground, gathering at my feet.

I jerked my hand away after a moment, holding onto it as I stared at Alistair, who sat there staring at me with a look I couldn't quite place.

Before I could say anything further, a groggy voice echoed in my head.

"Noir?" The voice questioned and I instantly knew who it was.

"Triaa! Oh systir, are you okay," I questioned, both panic and relief washing over me.

"Yes, I'm fine. I have an extreme headache and my face hurts terribly but aside from that, I'm fine. Where are you?"

"Some place in the Dark Wood Pack village, walking Gods' knows where with their infuriating Alpha. Where are you?"

"I'm with their pack shaman. As soon as I'm done here, Beta Nebo is taking me to the pack house," she stated.

A sigh of relief washed over me. "What's around you and I'll come to you," I said eagerly.

"Uhhh," she paused for a moment before answering, "I'm near a massive building that's close to a pond, I think."

"I'll be there soon," is all I said before breaking the link

When I came back, Alistair was staring at me with a dark expression before standing.

Before he could open his mouth, I got a running start as I jumped on top of a stack of firewood then to a window ledge using it as leverage to hoist myself up onto the roof of its building.

I heard Alistair growl from below me but I ignored him as I scanned what I could have the village from the rooftop.

It didn't take long to spot a building towards the opposite end of the village that was away from all the others and Máni behold, was indeed by a small body of water.

As I spun around, my face collided with Alistair's chest. Backing up, I stared at him but this time his whole demeanor changed.

His eyes glew a bright gold, his body tense and his expression darker than before. I backed up as he stalked towards me.

"Who was that and where are you going," he questioned, his voice hard and commanding.

"That was Triaa. The wolfsbane wore off, and she is with the Pack Shaman. I was going to go see her to—," before I could finish, Alistair closed the gap but didn't touch me.

"No," was all he said before I glared at him, taking another step back.

He was worrying me, yes but with him being so close, I couldn't focus.

"I'm going to see my sister, Alpha and that is final. I'm sure you have pack business to handle anyways," I snapped back.

At that moment, Alistair's eyes were no longer gold, but black.

"I said NO, Noir. You don't need to be on that side of the village. I won't allow it," he growled as he walked extremely slow in my direction.

That's it.

"I am not yours to dictate, Alistair! Save that shit for your warriors but do not try to demand shit of me," I shouted at him, taking a few more steps back.

Alistair growled before his voice boomed, "NOIR. Kneel and shut up."

Fucking Alpha commands.

My body instantly dropped, forcing me to take a knee, bow my head and bear my neck. This simple action seemed to anger him more.

I specifically remember him telling me not to bow and bear my neck but it's kind of hard not to do it when you're a lower rank and you use your damn rank to pull rank.

Moving my eyes to look at him, I gave him a questioning look but stayed in position, unable to move.

Alistair stared at me for a moment before quickly turning around, running a hand through his hair, breaking his command. I stood and stared at him.

"I don't know what's gotten into you, Alistair but save that tone for someone else," I spat.

My words held more venom than I realized. My wolf growled at me disapprovingly but I blocked her out.

Alistair turned on me, stalking towards me like he had an unspoken vendetta before he shouted, "You are my—," he didn't get to finish as a stone slab shingle gave away underneath me causing me to fall back but there wasn't a roof to catch me, just air.

At that moment, gravity and time seemed to slow as I watched Alistair lunge forward.

"NOIR," he shouted before jumping off the roof and taking hold of me, spinning his body to brace for impact.

Systir - Sister