2.11: Remnants of Insanity

When she opened her eyes in the morning, the other side of the bed was empty. Sighing, she supposed she shouldn't have expected him to stay for breakfast. Stretching, she sat up in bed, letting the blanket fall off of her naked body. She got up and dressed for the day ahead.

Moving to her kitchen, she went straight for the coffeepot. Once she had her delicious brew, she sat on her couch, sipping slowly. She sighed in relief.

"Ahh, perfect." She said. She flushed, thinking about the events of last night.

"Oh, someone is looking well rested." Eli appeared next to her. She flushed even brighter red. She supposed the little demon had seen the whole thing!

"So that was the mating heat?" She asked, taking another sip of her drink.

"That is the mating heat. You didn't sound like you were having a horrible time." He mused. She whacked him.

"I just feel a little embarrassed is all, I'm not used to being so out of control." She flushed. She didn't know how she felt about what had happened with Darien. It was so good, but it was sudden, and he wasn't her target in this world.

"Could I be pregnant?!" she hissed, looking at Eli in shock.

"I mean, it's possible, but most females do not get with offspring their first mating heat, statistically." He said, shrugging. She groaned, putting her head in her hands. That would be the last thing she needed right now. Her phone buzzed on the coffee table. She sighed and picked it up.

"Hello, Setia Evans." She answered.

"Hello, Princess." His smooth voice came over the phone. She smiled.

"Good morning, Darien." She said smoothly. She didn't want to appear overeager to hear from him.

"I had to report in this morning, but I wanted to call and say good morning. I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye." He said. She smiled. That was cute.

"I appreciate the call. I'm just having my coffee." She said. He chuckled into the phone.

"So what's coming up for you?" He asked, suddenly business.

"This week another council meeting, and organizing the drafts." She sighed. She felt bad calling people to go to war, but what choice to she, or anyone, have?

"Best of luck, update me after the meeting." He said. "I'll call you later on, okay?" He said sweetly. She smiled.

"I'll talk to you later." She said, and they hung up. Walking over to her bookshelf, she looked at the various history and sociology books on her shelf. She started pulling books out. Might as well make use of her time.

The council chamber was as large as she remembered, as she took her seat the following week. She had spent most of the week researching the history of these peoples, and the city of Cantris. Previous Alphas and their reigns.

Lucien sat at the head of the table, his arms crossed in front of him as he stared at the council members.

"The first round of drafts has gone out, the result is as we expected. There is a lot of unrest among the people, fear and anger. They don't know what to expect from this war. I hate to be calling people away from their homes, but we must." He said gravely. He slammed his fist down on the table in frustration. The councilors looked mildly shocked.

"We must do everything in our power to keep the people safe." He muttered. Setia and the men of the council nodded.

"Perhaps we should plan for another ball? One geared toward a happier purpose, like meeting mates between our young Omegas and Alphas and Betas." One councilman suggested. The Alpha nodded.

"We will consider it. For now, we lost two men in a beast raid on the village of Ultir on the outskirts. They are growing bolder." His voice was low and gravelly.

"We will ready the men as fast as we are able, but they must be trained." The head of military affairs said. The newest recruits wouldn't be ready for battle for some time.

"We will host a funeral with military honors for the lost men. We will compensate their families." The alpha spoke. They all nodded in agreement. The conversation turned to a trade pact with a nearby city. Setia stared down at the table, thinking deeply about the draft and the upcoming wars it would force them to fight. She didn't notice that the councilmen had filtered out of the room.

"Evans, stay." Lucien ordered. She nodded and stayed in her seat. Soon, the room was empty. He strode across the room and stood in front of her. He crowded her. He leaned over her in her chair, placing his palms on the table behind her. His face was right up close to hers, then he sniffed her neck. His eyes were bright red.

"You smell like alpha. Who is it?" He growled. The wood beneath his fingertips on the table splintered. Setia gasped. She leaned back. Then she growled and met his gaze.

(Ding! Love meter increases to 35%)

"I don't know that it's any of your business, Alpha." She said. He growled and reared back. He threw a chair across the room, it smashed to pieces against the wall.

"Don't mess with me, Setia. Who was it?" He growled deep in his chest.

"Just a friend. I went into heat." She flushed bright red. She needed to keep the opportunity with him open, to gather information. He bit his lip and growled.

"Never again." He said firmly. She sputtered and crossed her arms.

"Never again, what?" She spat.

"No other will touch you." He said. "I will mark you." He said.