Chapter 94: Alpha's Special Day
Reika was ordering everyone around her, in a cheerful manner. Weeks of planning weren't going to be ruined, no way. The flowers go there, not there," she told a nervous-looking young maid working at a table.
"And see that cake is brought right on time; that's the pièce de rèsistance!"
Alpha Ileus stood in the doorway of his quarters, watching in amusement rubbing the back of his neck. Birthdays had always been just nothing in themselves to him; all the hurrahs now put on because of him made him nerves.
He let out a deep sigh and swung back into his room, calling for Reika. "Reika, here," he called out as his deep voice cut through the din of noise outside.
A few seconds later, Reika came into the room, her cheeks faintly flushed from that morning's activity. "Yes, my love?" she asked, her eyes alight with excitement.
Ileus crossed his arms over his chest, leaning against the bedpost to say in a more serious tone, "Reika, you have to stop this.
"What?" she asked, her head at a puzzled slant.
He inclined his head toward the window, against which scuffling feet and murmurs leaked in: "All this, as though perdition cannot be hurried to-too much; I require no pomp and rejoicing of so many things about my birthday."
Reika went forward for him-an almost playful jerk upwards of a mouth. "Too much? Ileus, this is barely anything compared to what you deserve.
"That's not it," he returned, his tone soft, words quieter. "Sometimes I even wish we were not celebrating anything at all. I hate seeing all people fuss about such trivia."
Smiling, Reika's hands reached up to cup his face. "Trivial? You, my dear Alpha, are anything but trivial. You deserve celebration, feeling loved and appreciated."
She leaned into him, her lips to his before any word of protest might have come. It wasn't a peck-laced as it was with so much warmth, so much passion, it might just drown any protest should there have been one. She leaned back, and immediately, the gleam of mischief was in her eyes.
"You're the head of this pack, Ileus. The heart of everything we do. And today, we're going to make sure you feel it."
Ileus stared at her, his resolve crumbling at her words. "You're impossible," he muttered, though a small smile tugged at his lips.
"And you're stubborn," she shot back, wrapping her arms around his neck in a tight hug.
A moment passed with them that way, wrapped in each other's embrace. Then Reika pulled away. "Now, stop pouting and let me finish. You'll thank me later."
Before he could get another word out, she was out the door, skirts swishing as she disappeared down the hall.
No sooner had Reika pulled herself back than a procession of attendants emerged, carrying between them what had to be the clothes of Ileus for that day-little less, indeed, than a sartorial extravaganza of a deep, midnight-blue tunic with elaborate embroidery in fine and thin threads of silver to shimmer brightly like starlight, the flowing mantle lined with furs.
He held it up for Ileus to see: "Today's wear for you, Alpha," he said in a slight bow.
Ileus let out a heavy sigh and rubbed at his temples. "This looks like it cost a fortune," he grumbled.
The servant stuttered something, eyeing him uncertainly, before he waved her off. "Never mind. Just leave it here."
Clothes the servants had laid on a stand next to him riveted his gaze unto it. Growling, Ileus found he could not peel his eyes from the outfit-a purely stunning ensemble for a true leader, a garment speaking respect and envy of his pack.
In burst the door with as much vigor as ever, and in strode Kael, that signature smirk still plastered on his face. "Happy birthday, Alpha!" he exclaimed after clapping him on the shoulder.
"Thanks," Ileus said-the tone anything but warm.
Kael raised an eyebrow. "You don't look too pleased for someone who is going to have the party of the year thrown in their honor."
Ileus blew out a sigh, his hand waving towards the elaborate outfit. "Look at this, Kael. It is too much. All is just too much."
Kael chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest. "You're hopeless, you know that? You're the Alpha, Ileus. People want to celebrate you. Let them."
"I just don't like the idea of so much time and money being wasted on me," Ileus said, shaking his head.
Kael's grin spread even wider. "Well, you might change your tune when you hear this. You know how many guests are coming today?"
Ileus frowned. "I'd have thought it'd be the pack.
Kael snorted loud enough he needed to cover his nose. "Anything but. Reika's worked it so it'll practically be a given for any neighbour pack's been invited, event got word from the High Council to have a representative present on site".
A mask of incredulity on the werecat's face.
"All Reika's doing?"
He nodded as part of the grin. "In with quite influential friends-this lady definitely is it, you know, worth your acquaintances. You're darn lucky, kid."
Ileus smiled despite himself, the warmth leaking out and across his chest. "I am proud. She's amazing."
"Then bloody well enjoy the sensation, relax," Kael said, cuffing Ileus over the shoulder again. "Today is for the Alpha; let yourself be fawned over for once-by humans.
Till finally, Ileus nodded, the words of Kael finally digging their way into his head. Maybe Kael was right. It was about time he snapped out of his wariness and took this display of affection and homage paid to him to the pack instead.
With Kael gone, he was left to his own devices in the room, his gaze again hitching onto the garment. His hand rose to trace the embroidery.
He thought of Reika-impossibly hard work, staunch determination to make the day so for him. All out of love, and such a thought managed to warm him in a way words could never explain.
For the first time that morning, he allowed himself to smile. Maybe this celebration was not such a bad idea after all.
Just as Ileus was starting to relax, a knock came gently from the door. He presumed that it was a different servant so he said, "Enter."
The door flung open and through the entrance burst instead of a servant, a pale-faced breathless young messenger.
"Alpha Ileus," he stuttered, bowing his head quick. "I bring urgent news."
The smile fell from Ileus' face, and with one keen, sharp glance, he demanded, "What is it?"
He stuttered once more, looking to the room everywhere as if not quite certain that he should say anything.
"Out with it," Ileus commanded.
"It's the family of Dawn, Alpha," he stuttered, shaking. "They've made a move. It's… it's not good."
Ileus's jaw clenched, his fists curling at his sides. So much for a peaceful birthday.