Descending the main staircase, she hurried in the
direction of breakfast by following her nose. The smell of bacon and pancakes
made her salivate. Her stomach was grumbling in complaint and she badly needed
her morning coffee. Making a beeline for the dining room, she swept cursory
glances at the different rooms she passed, not taking the time to explore or
admire any of it. Hearing the clinks of cutlery and rumbles of conversation, she
steeled herself as she casually strolled into the dining room.
All conversation ceased as everyone looked her way. “Good
morning.” She greeted the room at large with a friendly smile. Not waiting for
anyone to answer back she moved forward, seeing that the sideboard groaned with
piles of food, she headed for it. She heard some muttered good mornings in
reply, but most remained quiet. Making herself a plate of scrambled eggs,
bacon, and French toast, she poured herself a cup of coffee then settled in one
of the empty plush chairs around the massive dining table. Looking around, she
noticed that everyone was quietly staring at her, confoundedly.
“Everything okay?” she asked with brows raised. They
nodded their heads collectively but still wore bemused expressions on their
faces. No one actually picked their forks up to eat. Mentally shaking her head
at their curious reaction, she took several bites of her food. A little rattled
at the attention she was getting, she looked up and said in a firm voice, “Eat
up everybody or I’ll think there is something wrong.” Immediately everyone on
the table rushed to do her bidding, picking up their forks and shoving their
food in their mouth, chewing fast.
Alex,
what have you done now? Rance suddenly asked, startling her
so much so that she jumped in her seat.
Nothing.
Sheesh, why would you think that I did something differently? I’m eating my
breakfast with the pack here in the dining room, she
replied with irritation. Alex almost spilled her coffee in her lap when he used
his mental hocus-pocus earlier.
Because
I felt the surge of your Alpha power just now. You may not know it yet, but you
and I are connected and every time either of us use our power, the other will
feel it. So what did you do?
Scanning the pups around her, she was horrified that
she may have inadvertently commanded them to eat. Watching intently, she
noticed that their movements were a little jerky and panic was clearly evident on
the younger ones’ faces.
Uh
uhm, ah Rance, I just told everyone to start eating. They were all staring at
me so I …. She trailed off when she heard Rance laughing through
their bond. What do I do now? And stop
laughing at me!
It’s
just hilarious, he paused and tried to compose himself. Serves them right anyway for making you
uncomfortable.
You
know you are not helping me at all. Tell me how to stop this, she
urgently bid him.
Just
speak the word and use your Alpha voice, Rance replied with a
hint of a smile in his tone.
What
Alpha voice?! I have an “Alpha Voice”?I didn’t know I was doing anything
differently. She was getting frustrated, it was her first day and
she was giving the young pups a bad impression of her.
Calm
down, Alex. Look inside yourself and grab hold of the power that’s in you.
Focus and speak the words as you will it to happen. Trust me, it’s not that
complicated.
Okay.
She
breathed in and focused inside her, feeling a simmering of power just under her
skin, she grab a hold of it and pushed her will to subdue it, she then opened
her mouth, “Everyone stop eating.”
The cessation of movements left the dining room eerily
quiet. Jumping in she swiftly apologized to them, “I’m sorry if I forced you
all to do my bidding. I was totally unaware that I used my Alpha power on you
all.” She was flushed with embarrassment, but bravely pressed on, “I’m new to
this shi…. erm, stuff, so pardon me if I keep making mistakes now and then.”
Some of the younger pups start giggling upon hearing
their Regina apologize and almost curse at the same time. It broke the tension around the room and
smiles split the faces around the huge table.
“We were just surprised that you came down for
breakfast,” one of the male pups hastened to explain.
“Yeah. That’s why we were all staring at you,” another
pup butted in. “Then you sat there,” he pointed at where she sat, “instead of
the Alpha’s seat,” he pointed at the empty chairs at the head of the table.
“Does it really matter to you all where I sit?” She
asked them, wanting to know what they really thought.
Everyone shook their head and cast their eyes down when
she looked at them one by one.
“It’s settled then. When I’m by myself and join you, I
sit wherever I want. But when your Alpha is with me I will sit with him at the
head of the table. Go on and enjoy your meal.” This time she was careful not to
use her Alpha voice, now that she knew the difference.
Starting on her own meal she smiled encouragingly at
the ones who dared to meet her eyes. One by one they picked up their forks and
resumed their meal. Slowly, the conversation around her restarted as the pups began
to talk freely with each other. Some still cast curious glances her way but no
one ventured to engage her in a conversation.
Ignoring everyone around her, she concentrated on appeasing her stomach.
She planned to meet up with Rance and discuss ideas to catch the crazy shifters
who were menacing them. Finishing her coffee, she stood up and picked up her
plate and cup in preparation to taking it in the kitchen. A screeching of
several chairs being pushed back alerted her of some pups standing up. Stopping
in her tracks, she threw them a questioning glance.
“We’ll take that from here Regina,” several of them offered.
The tallest of them came and lightly grasped the dirty plate and cup she
was holding.
“No, it’s fine. I can do it myself. There’s no need for
you to bother,” she awkwardly replied.
“It’s our pleasure to serve you,” the tall boy
insisted. Reluctantly she let go ofit. She did not want to start a tug of war after
all.
“Thank you, -?” she smiled at the boy standing by her.
“Daniel, my Regina,”
he answered, “and you’re very welcome.” He smiled winsomely at her upturned
face.
“Oookay,” she said in a slightly sing-song voice. “I’ll
be seeing you around then. Have a good one.” She had barely exited the room
when she heard the explosion of conversation start.
“Wow she’s powerful,” one loud voice piped in.
“And did you see her vivid red hair?” another chirped
out.
“She’s quite tiny…” a female voice drifted off.
Alex left them to their discussion. She was not
bothered much since everyone was entitled to their own opinion. Once they get
to know her better they’d find out that her size would not hinder her from
performing her duties as their Regina.
After all, big things can come in small packages. She whistled as she strode to
Rance’s office.
