The Dragon's Queen

Chapter 3: Life in the Pack

Karisma's POV

I shake my head, clearing it of all the things I hear. Well, all the things that pack members say when they think I don’t listen, anyway. I should try to keep a big smile for Willow and Jason. Those two worry the most when they are at school and not around me.

I leave my room and head for breakfast. I smirked when I saw our gamma, Uncle Eric, talking with the head warrior, Uncle Winston. I jumped up on the handrail for the stairs and slid down them.

“Look out below!” I called out. I laughed as I saw both of them jump back and go into a defensive position. I landed on the ground floor and threw my hands into the air.

“Tada! A perfect landing!” I said with a giant smile.

For a moment, both men were stunned before they relaxed their shoulders. Then Uncle Eric stood up straighter.

“Karisma Jewel Wright! What in the world were you thinking, sliding down like that!? You could have been hurt!” he growled.

“I just wanted to start the day with some fun.” I said.

Uncle Winston crossed his arms over his chest and gave me his stern look as well. “You could have gotten hurt, little one. Leaning too far one way or the other, and you would have fallen off the railing and either hit the stairs or the floor… and depending on how high you started, you would have broken an arm at least.”

I lowered my head. “Okay, you have a point. I am sorry for my recklessness.”

They both seem to accept my apology. Uncle Eric ruffled my hair while Uncle Winston pulled me into a big, warm hug. “You don’t have to force yourself to be happy all the time, little one. We all had bad days.”

I gaped at him, and he just winked at me before pushing me towards the dining room. It always surprises me that he is always attuned to my feelings after a nightmare.

“Go and eat. Willow wants to go to the falls today.” He said. I smiled at that.

Willow and Jason would always plan to go to the falls. It was like her special place. The sound of the water flowing from the falls into the river was calming, even Winter loved it. Not to mention that it was also full of wild flowers on each side of the river.

I walk into the dining room and see that the table is full of my favorites. Waffles with whipped cream and strawberries, and chocolate chips. Banana nut bread with the option of regular butter or brown sugar butter. It was delicious with either of them… and a little combination that Willow and I came up with that everyone loved. We called it a breakfast pot because it was a big old melting pot of different breakfast items. Hashbrown potatoes mixed with peppers and onions for the base, then people can add their choice of meat, either bacon or steak, and top it off with a few eggs, sunny-side up.

I always top mine with some sour cream and mild salsa for extra flavor. Willow always dumps hot sauce on hers. Her spice tolerance was insane. I sometimes wondered if she had any taste buds left.

I got a big serving of the breakfast pot, with three waffles with whipped cream, strawberries, and chocolate chips… and two slices of banana nut bread with brown sugar butter. If I were not a werewolf, I would be concerned about my weight, but like all shifters. I have a high metabolism. This makes me have a bigger appetite than humans.

Though I do need to drink blood at least once a day for my vampire side, since it is kept hidden, we make it look like I am drinking tomato juice every day. King Jeremiah set up an online store for vampires to safely get blood in the form of bottles that say tomato juice. They are like the soda bottle that humans get at the gas station, though the bottle design covers everything. Since blood is a bit darker than tomato juice. Mother personally orders for me and uses her luna command to make sure no one ever touches them.

I took a big bite of my savory breakfast pot and moaned in delight when I heard I soft thud. I opened my eyes to see one of the head omegas placing my daily bottle of blood in front of me. She was an older female, and she didn’t hide her distaste for me one bit. Even so, my mother taught me better manners.

I quickly swallowed the food in my mouth. “Thank you, Mrs. Hoffman.”

She grunted a response, but otherwise left the room.

Willow and Jason both let out low growls. Though I simply shrugged my shoulders as I opened the bottle and started drinking the blood.

It was okay. Aunt Aria said that most blood tastes different to each person. Aunt Aria prefers male blood over female blood as it tastes better to her. Female blood always tastes like sour candy to her. I never really drank from a person’s body, so I can not say what my tastes are yet. Packaged blood all tastes the same to me, which is like having a fruity protein shake, so it is tolerable.

After breakfast, I spoke to Papa about getting a new anklet for me. He said that he and Mother had already ordered a new one from the Royal Moon pack. It should be here sometime this weekend.

We all then headed outside. We were going to go for a run in the woods, but as we stepped outside, we saw a car from the Royal Moon pack there. The back door opened, and Kai Jackman got out along with two young girls. The older girl looked to be about my age, and a much younger girl, about 10. The older one had black hair with red tips and forest green eyes… while the younger one had silver hair and bright red eyes. If it were not for her tan skin, I would have thought she was an albino.

I only know Kai because he is a special instructor at the academy. He and his twin sister, Riley Jackman, train those who exceed the academy’s normal status for speed and strength. I knew he was good-looking with his bright red hair and golden eyes, but when his eyes met mine, I felt my heart skip a beat.

*****

Kai’s POV

‘Whoa. What the hell was that?’ I thought to myself. I am looking into the most beautiful set of eyes, and my heart’s fire was just set ablaze. I sniff the air, wondering if this was finally what I had been waiting for.

I could smell something calming with a hint of spice, but nothing that made me want more. Titan seems to perk up, though I quickly push him back down.

‘Maybe I am being too hopeful again. No sense in getting his hopes up.’ I settle on. I look away from the dark-haired beauty with multicolored eyes towards Alpha Philip.

“Hello, Alpha Philip. I’m Kai Jackman. I said, bowing my head in respect.

“Hello, Kai. What could I help you with today?” Alpha Philip asked.

“I am just here to deliver an artifact from my Uncle Parker. He said that you had requested this as soon as possible.” I said, holding out the small package in my hands.

Alpha Philip nodded and took the box. “Oh, thank you. Please come to my office and I will get the money for you.” Then he turned to the group. “Jason, you and Karisma can go out for a run with the others. Your mother and I will catch up as soon as we take care of this.”

A young man who seemed to be maybe only a few years younger than me nodded and then grabbed the raven beauty by the hand.

I felt the urge to growl and smack the young alpha’s hand away from the girl, but my little sister reached over and grabbed my shirt. I looked over at her with my eyes.

Raven was the eldest of the triplets that my fathers gave to my mother. She is also as protective of me as Riley is when it comes to females trying to get with me. They both always help out when the females don’t understand that ‘No’ means ‘No’.

Raven is glaring daggers at the girl I was almost going crazy over. She has always helped me keep unwanted females away. Normally, I love that, but in this beauty’s case, I wanted her multi-colored eyes on me always.

When I looked back at the girl, the young alpha was leading her away. Her eyes were down. I hated the sick feeling in my chest as the distance between us grew.

When Alpha Philip cleared his throat. I turned back towards him.

‘Right, I will deal with this task first and then figure out why that beautiful girl stirred such emotions within me, even though she does not smell like my mate.’

It might be something I need to speak to my Mother about.