The Omen of the Crow

Chapter 15

    Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to look at me with shock in their faces. Erik came running to me as he tried to assess what had just happened. The burly man I had just tossed into the bushes got up quickly, he rubbed the side of his head and groaned.

    "f**k that hurt." He growled. Two men ran over to him to help him out but he pushed them away. His grey eyes glared at me as he stomped over to me.

    "Regal don't be so brutish, the girl doesn't know her own strength. She only gave into her wolf just last night." Erik said loudly with a laugh. The man's eyes flashed black as he continued to glare at me. I stood in place not bothered by his macho display.

    "Apologize." Erik whispered into my ear. "No." I answered coldly.

    "A decent man should never approach another person from behind." I said looking at Regal indifferently. I walked past both of them causing the audience to gawk in shock at my behavior. Rickon appeared at my side and took my hand, his eyes were pleading. I rolled my eyes at the petty scene and gave into him reluctantly. It was obvious I wasn't putting up a good show, I would have to try harder.

    We walked over to a table decorated in flowers, more than all the others. Regal had swiftly made his way to the table as well. "Where did you find such an arrogant and disrespectful human!" He shouted at Rickon. 

    Rickon hit his fist into the table in anger, spilling several drinks.

    "She is my mate and you will respect her in my presence!" He roared. I pulled out the chair and sat down grabbing a pint of beer. "Boys settle down, there is a party at hand." I raised the glass and cheered the audience before chugging the beer. Regal's face went pale as the crowd behind him exploded in laughter and cheers, moving the celebration along.

    "Who are you anyway." I asked as I grabbed another beer. I looked at Regal with boredom, I didn't really care who he was. Regal's lips curled upwards in a snarl, "I am a council member." 

    "You're an elder?" I asked a bit shocked. "Well you sure do have the pompous and entitled attitude of one." I continued, not intimidated or impressed one bit. This man was used to respect and he clearly was used to pushing people around.

    The elders were just a bunch of political morons who haven't seen battle in centuries yet they sat in thrones and tried to dictate everyone elses wars. I never had much respect for them, for all the fear they instilled in the underworld, they still had to hire us to do their dirty work because their own successful rate was poor.

    His eyes widened in rage and I realized I had spoken too much. "I have been doing extensive reading and research since I arrived here. I read a couple of chapters on the council of elders." I quickly said trying to make up for my slip.

    I knew even in his anger he couldn't harm me. They were all about rules and they never broke them, to strike someone would be beneath them. However, they loved holding court with their offenders. Most of the rulings led to executions, which is why they were feared by supernatural beings. Anything that happened in our underworld they would know about it. 

    The only exception was the order of course, we superseded them. He in fact was inferior to me but unfortunately superior to Rickon and everyone else.

    "I should hold council for your disrespect!" His husky voice shouted. I wanted to rip his head off right there and then. Rickon glared at him then sighed, "She was human only days ago Regal. She doesn't understand our world yet. Forgive her."

    His submission was a petty view, unattractive. I kept my gaze on Regal, I knew of this man. He had once been a brave vampiric warrior but he had left those days behind eons ago. He killed his mentor to have his seat in the council, that was all I needed to know about him to judge him on character. In the end he was a greedy spineless speck in our underworld.

    "Where do you come from?" He asked, ignoring Rickon.

    I took charge before Rickon could answer, "Unfortunately when Rickon bit me their was more trauma than expected. I have no memories of my human life before that night, although since I was human that doesn't matter now." I fained sadness. Rickon's body relaxed obviously relived by my explanation.

    Regal examined me, his eyebrows furrowed with curiousness. I felt uncomfortable at his stare, Rickon noticed and pulled me closer to him reassuring me. Usually, I would have tossed Rickon over the table for touching me but for an unknown reason his presence brought me calmness I hadn't know too often.

    "I didn't appreciate getting laughed at by dogs." Regal said in a warning voice.

    I felt Rickon stiffened next to me, "Regal, you know no one meant any harm."

    "I expect to be compensated for your disrespectful guests. Where is Midnight?" He continued.

    Rickon's face went dark and he loosened his grip on me. "Midnight was attacked by rouges. Unfortunately he did not make it." Regal stepped backwards in shock.

    "Midnight was taken out by rouges? Impossible" Regal shouted with doubt behind his words.

    "I am looking into it and I will take care of it. Midnight's death is my packs business." Rickon said in a somber voice.

    "I have some bones to pick. I need you and Tannus to send me two of your best warriors to meet with me next full moon." Regal scowled at me before he turned around and finally left us alone. I turned to Rickon who was now relaxed again but there was still sadness in his eyes. Good, I thought. He deserved it.