Chapter Three- Welcomed

**Oh, man. I didn't know you were the princess,** Lance moaned as he showed Allura around.

**Well, you did say we would talk once I could use wolf speak, so obviously you didn't know.**

**Yeah, but still. So, your cousin cursed you, huh? She wants to marry your fiancée?**

Allura bowed her head. **Yes and she will. I can't go home. I'll be executed if I return.**

**That's true, but you could…be happy here.**

**I could. You know Lance, we could get together, if you know what I mean.**

Lance stared, mouth agape. **You mean…be mates?**

**Why not? You've been so nice to me and since I can't go back to the palace, I might as well choose a werewolf mate.**

**Suppose your fiancée goes looking for you? You know, I don't think you mentioned his name.**

**You're right, I didn't. His name's Keith and he most likely would look for me. If I see him during the day, I can tell him to forget about me and that I'll be all right.**

**Yes, but I was thinking that if he really loves you, maybe he'll want to be turned and live here.**

**That's a nice thought, but he thinks about us the way everyone on the planet does.** A gurgle was then heard and Allura dipped her head.

**Sounds like someone is hungry,** Lance teased.

**I am,** she admitted.

**Well then. Let me show you the best inn we have here.** Lance led the way to said inn and inside to a bar whose counter was level with the underside of their chins. An older wolf approached them with a wolf's grin.

**Hi, Lance and this must be our second alpha. Welcome to our village. We all hope you'll be happy here.**

**Thank you,** Allura said.

**Hal, Allura needs some food. I imagine she hasn't eaten in hours. Am I right?* His question was directed at Allura.

She nodded. **You're right.**

**I've got a nice steak here; that is if you don't mind that it's raw.**

Truthfully, she did mind, but told herself that she should conform to the practices of the village. Besides, wolves eat their food raw. **I don't mind,** she said. Hal leaned and down and produced a platter that held a juicy, raw steak. He put it in front of her and she put a paw on part of it to keep it in place while she ate. The steak was easy to tear with her teeth and it tasted good to her tongue. When she finished, she licked her paw clean.

**That was good,** she said. **I wasn't sure as I've never eaten food raw.**

**Our bodies are wolves, so it follows that we can eat like wolves. I know that'll take some time to get used to that,** Hal replied.

**He's right,** Allura said as they left. **It'll take time to get used to all of this. I have a lot to learn.**

**Pidge will teach you. He may be young for an alpha, but he does it well.**

**Was he born a werewolf?**

**Uh-huh. Most of us are, but we're all equal. Born and bitten have the same abilities and looks. Language is the only difference. The bitten are given the ability to use wolf speak by the alpha while the born have to be taught the human language in order to mingle with them.**

**We can leave during the day, right?**

**We can and do. Humans can't really tell us apart from them. We interact to buy food, glassware, water, and other supplies. We do sell as well; mostly herbal remedies and baskets. We make quite a lot of money from that.**

**I can imagine. Selling medicine is a profitable business.**

**It is.** They stopped outside the alpha's house. **We should get some sleep. We can talk more tomorrow. I'm sure Pidge will want to tell you about your duties as well.**

**I'm sure he will. Well, if I've got a big day tomorrow, I should get some sleep. Good night Lance and thank you for finding me.**

**Good night Allura and you're welcome.** Lance padded off to his family's home while Allura went in her new home.

She found Pidge in a room down the hall, plumping up a couple of pillows with his paws while on a bed. He looked down at her entrance. **I was just finishing your bed,** he said as he jumped down.

**We're…not that different from humans, are we?** Allura asked as she jumped up.

**Aside from turning into wolves every night and using wolf speak, you're right. We're not that different from humans.**

**I wish I could tell at least everyone at the palace, but that's not possible.**

**They really would kill you, even though you're the princess?**

**Yes. In their eyes, I likely cease to be a princess and a human when I changed.**

**I see. Well, you live here now and I'll tell you your duties tomorrow.**

**Lance was right,** she said, amused. **He said you would teach me.**

**Lance and I have known each other since we were pups. We're good friends, even though I'm busy with my duties.**

**How long have you been the alpha?**

**Not very long, only two almost three years. I spent my first six months with my parents coaching and advising me. It would have been a year, but they were killed.**

Allura flinched. **I'm afraid that was my father's fault. I dislike seeing the actual moment of the execution though I did attend as it was my duty.**

**I'm not blaming you. They slipped up by not acting like real wolves the night they left to hunt.**

**If we look human, how are some caught and killed?**

**Those caught made the mistake of using wolf speak in public as they were born wolves. The bitten don't make that mistake.** He chuckled as Allura yawned. **Time to sleep. We'll talk tomorrow.** Pidge left and Allura sighed as she curled up, put her head on a pillow, and fell asleep.

Keith paced his room with concern. Allura had been spotted going for a walk in the woods, but hadn't come back. Guards were out in the woods looking for her, but so far no sign of her. He heard his door open and looked back to see Romelle come in.

"Keith? Why are you still up? It's rather late."

"I know it's late, but I'm worried about Allura."

"Why? She's in bed, asleep."

"She is?" Keith rubbed the back of his head and then an eye. "I guess I missed that. Well, in that case, I'm going to bed."

"Good night." Romelle eased herself out of the room and smiled to herself. He bought it. He might be concerned when he can't find Allura tomorrow but I'll be here for him. Hmm, maybe I should try on Allura's wedding dress as she won't be needing it anymore. She's a wifewolf now and can't come back unless she wants to be killed. If she knows what's good for her, she will seek out that secret village and live with the other evil werewolves and wifewolves. She entered her room, humming the wedding march as the door closed.