Destined

Chapter 8

I woke up between the two warm bodies of my mates. My head was on Cassius' chest while Maddox spooned me from behind. It was rare they ever slept in, but after last night, I knew they were exhausted. I managed to slip from them to go to the bathroom before going downstairs for breakfast. Our parents were in the kitchen, all of which looking saddened by what happened. "How are the boys," Gabriel asked me. "They're asleep," I replied. "They should wake soon, they'll have to pack," Orelia told me. "All Alphas and Lunas have been summoned by the king and queen to discuss what is happening. And you have been requested to attend as well." "But why me," I asked confused. "You are highly trained in taking care of the blood lusted, and although a rogue, you being their mate allows them to over look it enough to allow you entrance into the castle," Lilith explained to me.

I felt an arm wrap around my waist, "I'll take care of your classes." It was Cassius. Sleep coated his voice thickly, and he sounded so exhausted. "What about my job," I asked him. The owner was human so I couldn't just come out and tell him I'm being summoned to the castle to discuss important matters with the King and Queens. "Maddox will handle that. He's been wanting to deal with that bastard anyways." I didn't protest, knowing I didn't have much of a choice. After all, the King and Queen were the ones who summoned us. It would be treason to go against them. 

I sighed and nodded. We made our way up the stairs to go wake up Maddox. We saw he was sitting up in bed, staring down at his hands. I silently went over to him, kneeling behind him. I wrapped my arms around him, resting my chin on his shoulder. He sighed and leaned into me, tilting his head back against me.

"We've been summoned," Cassius told him. "All Alphas and Lunas must go to the castle. They've also requested Tempest to come along as well." Maddox tensed in my arms before moving to look at his brother. "Its too dangerous for her to go there," Maddox told him. "Alpha Braun will try to kill her." Alpha Braun, the Alpha of the Chaotic Eclipse pack. He has a feral hate towards rogues and will kill any that he sees. He and my father got into an altercation when my mother was pregnant with me. It resulted in her having to give birth to me prematurely, and why I am their only child. I decided I would keep that bit of information to myself.

"I'll be fine," I told them. "I'll have the two of you there with me." They seemed eased by my confidence in them. They then began to pack while also talking on the phones continuously. I didn't have much here so it was only a few minutes for me. It'll be another story when we get to my dorm where my better luggage was. "We're to meet many of the Alphas and Lunas at the near by royal air port," Maddox informed me when he came out with his bags. Great, we're flying with others, I thought. When we left, Cassius was still on the phone with one of my professors. 

We got to my dorm, and I didn't waste any time getting to my dorm. I grabbed my suitcases out from under my bed and began to pack. I noticed Maddox looking over my manga collection. "Mind if I take a few," He asked curiously. "Go right ahead," I told him  I noticed her grabbed a couple of the Demon Slayer ones and it made me a little happy. Maybe if he likes it, I can convince him to watch the movie with me when it releases. Cassius came in and raised an eyebrow at his brother. Maddox shrugged, "It's going to be a long flight."

At the mention of that, I packed my switch in its travel case and made sure I had plenty of games to play. I truly did not want to be stuck on a plane filled with Alphas and Lunas who will look down on me for my status of rogue. It would be okay, I reminded myself. I finished packing and then we left. When we got to the private airport, I had to go inside to one of the rooms lead by a guard to sign some documents promising that I will be on my best behavior, and that I am not allowed to sell anything that I learn to enemies. There were also other forms saying that if I were to attack anyone, without reason or permission from either the Captain of the Guard, the King, or the Queen. Meaning, if I were to be provoked by an Alpha or Luna, I can't attack them out of anger, they have to attack me first.

The guard then gave me a tracking bracelet. My father once told me the tracking bracelets also had tiny microphones that recorded conversations. After all, we filthy rogues can't be trusted. When I was free to go I sighed and began walking towards the large glass doors where I could see my mates talking with a few Alphas and Lunas.

There were several growls when they caught my scent, and it caused Cassius to glare at them while Maddox gave me a reassuring smile. "Settle down," a man I recognized from magazines as the Royal Adviser, Larry Cameron. He was a slightly plump man, which was rare given our very athletic lifestyles. "Ms. Archer will be joining all of you to the palace. She was requested by the King to attend. Her father is Vic Archer, a well known Hunter." "What makes them think this rogue can be trusted," one of the Alphas growled out. "Her mates are the Alphas of the Toxic Earth pack," Mr. Cameron informed them. "You dare soil the Toxic Earth by having a rogue as a mate," A Luna said while growling at them. "We don't question why you took a witch as your mate, knowing because she is a woman your Alpha bloodline stops with you," Maddox fired back at the woman.

They looked ready to leap and shift. "Don't waste your time with her brother. We need to get to the castle as soon as possible," Cassius told him, his tone cold and icy. This was surely going to be a test of my patience. We sat in a row of seats towards the back of the plane, with me between them. I had my earbuds plugged into my switch as I played 7 Mysteries of Fujisawa Academy, and Maddox was casually reading Demon Slayer. Cassius on the other hand, seemed to be having trouble relaxing.

Cassius's POV

This trip could break many treaties we've made since we became Alpha, ending our time of peace. We were the world's largest pack. Many saw our numbers as a threat and have tried to knock us down by a couple hundred. We've had peace the last two years. Who knows where we will stand once we leave the palace.

I could hear many whispering their opinions to one another about Tempest and I was thankful she had her earbuds in. I have no clue what kind of game she was playing, and from glancing at her screen I don't know if I want to know. I saw an image of a girl go from wearing her uniform, to pieces of her clothes missing, and Tempest didn't seem fazed by it. Wanting to push out the sounds of the others, I pulled out my laptop from my carry on and hooked into the wifi.

Many emails awaited me, all reports and updates. An Alpha's work is never done.

When we landed we saw planes unloading passengers from many different parts of the world. Those from foreign countries were accompanied with translators. Many noticed Tempest.

"Tempy!" A woman said excitedly. Tempest spun around quickly, smiling brightly. "Linh," Tempest said before a petite woman was hugging her tightly. Her dark hair had a slight curl and she wore a traditional Vietnamese long dress. "You're so pretty," Linh said smiling as she looked over Tempest. "Thank you," Tempest said with a smile. "I love this dress, did Bà make this for you?" Linh nodded, "She did." Tempest then smiled and bowed her head to the man who came with the small woman. "It's good to see you Long."

Tempest then introduced us to them, "These are my mates, Alpha Maddox and Alpha Cassius of the Toxic Earth Pack. This is Luna Le Linh of the Rung Pack. And this is her guardian and translator Pham Long." When she introduced them she followed their tradition of introducing their family name first, and then their first name. "Oh Tempy, I'm so happy for you," Linh said smiling brightly.

"If you don't mind me asking, how did the two of you meet," Maddox asked curiously. "Tempest's father once saved our village from a clan of vampires that out numbered us. He and his family were traveling through Asia when a clan of vampires tried taking over. The clan leader tried forcing us to attack them so they could have an excuse to wage war. Linh's father hired him to take care of them," Long explained. "Back home, we don't Rogues the same way many of you do here on the Western side of the world. They're seen as free spirits trying to find their way in the world, and it's our duty as those who have found our way to guide them in the right direction. Linh and Tempest became great friends as pups, despite a large language barrier. Linh's English has gotten better but it needs a lot of work." "How is it you speak it so fluently," I asked him. "It's rude to ask so many questions," Tempest muttered. "Its alright Tempest," Long told her. I noticed he didn't look at her once, once she introduced us. "My family has served as translators and guardians for the Alphas and Lunas of our pack for many generations. I am fluent in twenty different languages thanks to my parents strict and constant teachings as a pup."

"Come on Tempy, you and your mates, sit with us at dinner," Linh said before looping her arm through Tempest's. The women chatted easily as we all began to walk towards the waiting cars that would take us to the castle. It made me relieved she at least had one friend here.