Unsteady
Serafine POV
The door clicks shut behind Xander, and I let out a slow breath, finally relaxing and able to breathe well. The space he leaves behind doesn’t feel any lighter. If anything, it’s heavier and more still. The classroom hums with soft voices and the scratch of pencils. I remain where I am, hovering near a wall, still unsure if I should sit or try to fade out quietly now that Xander has gone.
Mauren doesn’t press, she continues to walk between the children’s desks. She gives them small nods and speaks just loud enough to guide them. She doesn’t look toward me until a few minutes later, when the children are all settled again. She finally approaches me.
“I’m aware that you’re supposed to be taking over some lessons, I’ve been told which days,” she says simply, her voice quiet enough that the children don’t hear. “In the first lesson, you will be reviewing the power structure with them. It’s something we cover every few months, so they slowly learn how things work.”
I blink, caught off guard. “You’re willing to let me do it?” I ask, unsure.
“If Alpha Xander finds you capable, then I trust his instinct and decision.” Her words make me want to laugh. His instinct is telling him that I’m lying when I’m not. “You will want to start reading now, just to ensure you’re teaching them right.”
She hands me a heavy, leather–bound book. It’s old and worn, and the cover is clearly marked by time. There’s no title on the front, just a pressed symbol. It’s an overlapping crescent and a triangle. I tighten my grip on it as if someone might try to take it back. I need this, because I don’t want to give Xander a reason to hate me any more than he already does. Mauren offers a final, polite smile and returns to her lesson without another word.
The book feels far heavier than it should. I sit down on a bench near the far window and open the book. The spine creaks as I do. The text is hand–written, elegant and dense. My fingers twitch slightly as I turn the first page, and they shake slightly like they can’t be stilled. Maybe it’s just nerves, or the building heat in my chest that refuses to fade.
Something is wrong with my body. I can feel it in the way my skin prickles, in the way my pulse quickens for no reason at all. It’s unlike anything I’ve felt before. I tug at the collar of my dress, trying to move it away from my throat, but the air still feels too thick and warm. Shaking it off, I focus again.
The first chapter speaks about the oldest recorded power structures in our world. The hierarchy of blood. Of course, at the top are Alphas. There are three recognized tiers of alphas.
Trueblood Alpha’s, these are ones that are born from royal lines. They are the more powerful of the three. Then there’s Crescent Alphas, who are born with unique elemental or spiritual abilities. While their wolves are not as powerful as Trueblood Alphas, their special abilities give them an edge that can make them more lethal. Then there’s the Standard Alpha’s, these are the ones dominant by nature, but aren’t descended from a royal bloodline.
I continue to read on, and go to those who fall below the Alphas. Second in command are Betas, these are often the strategic minds and pack diplomats. Gammas are below them, and are seen as warriors, their core essence is to be a warrior. They are trained for combat and protection.
Below them are Deltas, these ones are apparently civilian overseers. They are organizers and record–keepers. They are often assigned to local governance. Then it’s the Omegas. They aren’t the weakest, but they are apparently the most sensitive when it comes to emotional and magical shifts in their pack. Omegas are often empaths, healers and sometimes spiritual conduits.
As I keep going, there are subdivisions of rogue–born ranks, wild bloods and the bonded class, wolves born with limited physical strength but unique gifts that are often used for special services or prophetic insight.
Some packs operate as monarchies, others function more like military alliances or trade syndicates, especially the southern territories.
While I read, I try to listen to Mauren teach as well, and when I have a question, I ask. I need to learn these things, things that I don’t know about. She doesn’t hesitate to answer my questions.
For the most part, I keep reading, turning the pages faster than before as I get deeper. I stop when I see a phrase.
Shadow Bloodlines are referenced beneath a chart on the interpack relations. That’s all there is, though; there’s no explanation about what Shadow Bloodlines are, nothing at all, which I find unusual.
I flip back, scanning the pages again, but there’s nothing. So, I decide to flip forward more, faster this time, but there’s nothing. That term doesn’t appear, at all again. Why have m bobo but then not explain what it even is?
Successfully unlocked!
I tighten my fingers around the edge of the page, frustration curds in my chest, and tightens more. Why is it here, if it means nothing? Why would the term, this specific, be listed without any further definition or explanation?
Going back to where it’s mentioned, I read the line again just in case I missed something.
“Shadow Bloodlines are not recognized by the Alpha Councils but still influence outcomes behind closed doors…”
1/2
Unsteady
That is all there is, there’s no names, no pack names, no details, no family lines, not even ask thema means isn’t meant to be spoken of beyond the words written in this book
The warmth under my skin is no longer subtle. I keep trying to ignore it, but it’s getting harder, I shift grassing my ene together unconsciously. My pulse is too fast now, and my mouth is dryly wat paces in my mind is not speaking per restless, moving and unsettled. This hasn’t happened before, so why now? Standing place the book down and wale w
of the room.
The hallway is cooler, but it doesn’t give me relief, it also does nothing to see the braiding heat cooling foy stomach. My fingertips feel oversensitive. Every step sends a tremor to through my thighs.
Passing a maid with a basket of folded linens she smiles and opens her mouth to speak
“Don’t,” I snap, sharp and immediate. Her smile falters, and she steps aside quickly bowing her head I don’t stop making can’t, and I don’t look back. I feel ashamed, I just snapped at her for nothing She did nothing. What is wrong with me? keep walking, not willing to stop because whatever is happening to me, it feels like the beginning like it’s only going to per
worse.
