First Meeting - Part I

"Theia. Where are your manners?" The low deep reprimanding voice of my father slowly creeps its way into my ears.

My head tucked within his neck hands bound around his flesh I remain still as a stubborn mule, uncomfortable with all the mingled scents of the wolves present that I cannot recognize. It is my first time travelling away from my pack and their presence scares me a little.

"Face our hosts." He raises his voice a little and I flinch knowing if I do not adhere to his words I will regret it. I have no fear towards my father for he is always gentle and kind with me yet I respect him for the Alpha he is. He will not allow disobedience in front of others, this I know.

My cheeks burn with my shyness as I slowly turn my body to the side as a sign of my obedience. My father bends down releasing me, my feet landing upon the marble floor. I feel eyes on me and I swiftly try to run and hide behind my mother's skirt but she will have no part in it pushing me gently with her palm forcing me to meet our hosts.

"Hello, Theia." The gentle voice of a female wolf has me perking up to see her. A soft smile on her face eyes shining like the glitters I use in my crafts. Long black hair that flows down like silk, she is beautiful. She looks very different from our females. More poised as she greeted us.

"Hello. T-Thank you for inviting us." I whisper with a small bow my hands clutched in front of me. I speak the words my mother taught me growing up. The energy within the room is not at ease, it is hot as if on fire. I know these wolves are of higher authority for their aura is blazing.

"How old are you, Theia?" Another voice. Not one of a female but a male. Quite different than my father's. It is deeper and stronger. A voice if raised could bring one to the knees. I peek up at my father and he gives me a nod with a smile encouraging me to go ahead.

"F-Five summers, Alpha." I reply unable to meet his eyes keeping my head low. I know he runs this pack and it puts more stress on me to beware of my words and actions.

"I apologize, Alpha Ares, she is very shy." My father chuckles as Alpha Ares lets out a hearty laugh his right palm slapping my father's back as a friend would. Are they close? If so how close? Father never mentioned them being friends only that Alpha Ares was the King, Alpha of Alpha's and I must be on my best behavior.

"She is just like you when we first met. Timid and shy." Alpha Ares utters peering down to look at me. His eyes frighten me and I quickly take a step back my feet stumbling and quickly falling my flesh meeting that of my brother. He stops my fall holding me up with a gentle smile on his lips as he gazes down at me.

"It is okay, Theia. Do not be in fear for you are safe, just be yourself." His kind words provide me with the strength I need. My biggest supporter and protector. He always has my back.

"This is my son, Cronus." My father introduces my brother to the two wolves present. Spine straight, head held high chest puffed. My father's pride. The future of our pack. The one who would bring growth and prosperity as my father says.

Alpha Ares looks down to greet my brother. A fiery glance intimidation he gives him yet my brother remains calm. He stretches his hand forward which my brother quickly clasps without hesitation meeting the Alpha's eyes head-on. My brother is of the same age as me yet he is highly mature. My father trained him since he was born for he is the next heir.

"It is great to finally meet you." Alpha Ares says giving my brother a curt nod of acknowledgment. Perhaps he had tested my brother in undiscoverable ways as all Alpha's do and my brother might have succeeded looking at the acceptance in Alpha Ares's eyes.

"Likewise, Alpha Ares." My brother replies giving a short bow. His hands meet behind his back head bent as he shows his respect.

"Deimos!" Alpha Ares's sudden loud voice booms across the walls and I shudder flinching, pulling down the hem of my father's shirt begging him to carry me. This wolf is so fearful. "Stop hiding behind the curtain and come introduce yourself." He commands voice loud, tone dominant.

The curtain is pulled back slowly by tiny hands like mine to reveal a young male who then strides forward with confidence. Black polished shoes tap upon the tiles the sound striking through the silence. He walks until he stands right in front of my brother and me.

"My name is Deimos. I am your age as well." He says making eye contact with us. His first greeting not for my parents but for us. His eyes remind me of the trees in our pack, such a glorious green. He might be a bad wolf to play with, my brother takes his stance behind me showing me he thinks the same thing.

Deimos thrusts his hand into his right pocket rummaging through it and my heart pounds. Is he going to throw a spider upon me? Or perhaps wet sand? The young males in my pack do it often with me. Cronus always fought them in revenge. Tumbling on the floor fists punching, he would take them on no matter how many were against him. No one touches his sister he says.

Before a scream of terror could surge through my throat he opens his palm for me to see. "I heard you like candy so I stole some for you from the kitchen." He says waiting for me to take it. I look back and forth from the candy to his eyes to see his truth.

My brother calms behind me the pace of his heartbeat sinking back to normal. He sees no threat. With trembling fingers, I pluck it from his grasp taking it from him. Deimos takes another candy from his left pocket and hands it to my brother who takes it without hesitation and offers a smile of acknowledgment in return.

A sign of a budding friendship. Our parents look down at us with pride whilst Alpha Ares ruffles Deimos's hair with a softness in his eyes. He appreciates his act of friendship despite the candy being stolen.

"Our oldest is out, he will be here soon. We had informed him earlier of your arrival but he had to finish his training first." The female wolf speaks eyes meeting those of my parents whilst coming back down to peer at me showing she has taken an interest in me.

"It's quite all right. We are humbled to be in your presence." Father whispers with a small curt bow followed by mother.

"Do not be so formal with us. We have known you both since birth, have we not?" Alpha Ares offers a gentle smile to my parents who nod in acknowledgment of his words.

As they lead us towards the living room my astonished eyes take in the beauty of the high ceilings in the castle they reside in. Chandeliers, marble floors, sculptures, and servants with golden platters. The luxury they live in is shown without shyness and it surprises me when compared to my abode.

"Theia." Deimos speaks creeping up behind me. I turn around swiftly my dress swirling to the sudden movement. His hands are held behind his back as he regards me.

"Y-Yes?" I ask.

"Would you like to play out in the garden?" He questions with a tilt of his head. A sign of patience to my answer showing me he wouldn't force me if I apposed.

I look towards my parents who give me a look of affirmation. They like him for they wouldn't have let me play if they hadn't approved of his character. Well, he is more behaved and well kept compared to the other males I know. He is very similar to my brother, Cronus.

"Only if my brother can join us." I have begun a small negotiation my head tilted upward watching his reaction waiting for his answer.

His eyes widen in surprise to my counterattack yet a gentle smile graces his lips after. He seems to be amused by my demand. A demand for his friendly offer.

"Of course. He was invited before you." He whispers with a hint of a tease playing with his words.

He guides my brother and me towards the open garden. There is a reason I agreed to play with him for I love gardens merely because they possess something I grew up with. Flowers.

"What games do you both like to play?" Deimos questions. Servants bow to him with respect along the way to which he doesn't reply. Some smile at me and I look away my cheeks burning. I do not like much attention for severe shyness is something I cannot cut my ties with.

"Tag." My brother is quick to reply.

"Tag?" Deimos asks frowning opening the doors to the garden. My heart beats with the excitement of the view that lays waiting for me to perhaps praise and fall in love with.

"Yes, tag. Have you never played it before?" My brother asks.

"Not quite. The only game I play is chess." Deimos utters under his breath and gazes at us as if we were from another planet.

"Chess? Are you not too young to play chess?" I ask surprised. Father always played it with mother the bounds of his candlelit office room, it seemed something very sophisticated even when played by adults.

"Rather quite old. I am still learning to play it. My brother learned to master it when he was our age." Deimos sighs as if he was disappointed in himself.

His brother? Why haven't I seen him yet? Well, he must be quite smart to master that game at such a young age. I cannot even play tag well for my feet are too small to run with the males. This ignites a curiosity within me to meet his brother.

"Would you like me to teach you? It is quite fun." Cronus asks whilst I prance around looking at the variety of flowers present, kneeling upon the grass floor to inspect the colors and touch the petals. Deimos is quite lucky for he gets to play in such vast scented lands.

As Cronus teaches Deimos the game of tag I begin to explore the garden hopping about hoping to find hidden treats that might be a discovery for me. Perhaps this is very ill-mannered of me to do so but it doesn't matter. I can be very convincing when I need to be.