Secrets of the Unity

Chapter 9: Madam Nova

Unknown

My journey to the Shadow Howlers Tribe turned out to be very enlightening. With my newfound discoveries, I can finally put my plan to take over the Unity into action. The only thing left to do is find the other five tribes. That shouldn’t be too hard…

Right on cue, my henchman, Raymond, scurried up to me as I walked into the grand foyer of my stone castle. “Madam Nova.” Ray bowed. His long blue hair was pulled back into a slick bun, and he was dressed in his formal Nova Sanction attire.

“Raymond. Progress on your search?” I asked as I unclasped my Sanction cloak and handed it to the shivering human servant on my left before he scurried away.

Ray hesitated to speak. His fear was evident in his puny form. I knew the answer before he even said it.

“Unsuccessful, Ma’am. I am sorry.” He stared at the ground in shame.

This was the fifth time that he'd gone out and come back with no news. I was tired of his constant failures. I was not going to tolerate this any longer. My pale white eyes swirled with a mixture of blood-red and black. I grabbed Raymond by his neck and lifted him off the ground with a ferocious growl; my razor-sharp fangs protruding from the corners of my mouth.

“Unsuccessful?! I said I wanted the Northern Dragon Tribe found and Gerald and Kelsey’s secondborn brought to me!! Their eldest is dead because of our scientist's incompetence and I need another dragon shifter for my plan to be successful!! Did I not make myself clear on that, Raymond?!” I was tired of dead ends. If I don’t get what I want soon, then someone is going to pay.

Ray nodded as much as my hand would allow. His pale blue skin started to turn purple. He wheezed and grabbed at my hand, trying—and failing—to release or loosen my grip. I don’t even know why he tried; he wasn’t capable of getting out of my hold.

“Good, now you’re going to go back out there and look again!! And the next time you come back here, I want to know exactly where the dragon shifters are, or so help me Moon Goddess, I will burn you to a crisp where you stand, and you’ll be getting swept into a trash bag!” I growled. The red-black swirl of my eyes intensified to emphasize my threat.

Ray was able to find his voice this time to answer. “Y-yes, m-ma’am,” he wheezed.

Satisfied with his response, I dropped him to the floor like he was nothing and watched him spit up on himself for a bit. My face went back to its usual cold state as I waited for Raymond to finish his theatrics. He was so dramatic. Puny fool.

When he rose from the ground, I spoke. “Before you go, summon Drake. I have news about his baby sister that he’d love to hear… Little Daffodil’s heir is almost of age, and we need to get our hands on her.” I walked away without waiting for an answer. “Y-yes, M-Madam Nova.” He stuttered.

“My plan is coming along perfectly.” I laughed evilly.

******

Toddrick

It’s only been a day since the guys and I moved to the Alpha’s floor with June and Sage, and it wasn’t hard to see that June hated every minute of it.

She barely came out of her room for more than two minutes before she locked herself in there again, doing Goddess knows what. Her coldness was starting to get to Sage. He was miserable. His shoulders were in a constant slump and his eyes were dull and sullen.

How I wish I could tell June the truth, but it wasn’t my place to say. Papa would kill me, and Mama would probably have my nuts on a platter. Goddess knows Lorali, my mom’s wolf, is crazy enough to do something like that. I couldn’t interfere, I had to let time do its thing, no matter how bad I felt for my brother. Besides, it’s only a matter of time before June shifts and figures out that she’s Sage’s mate. Maybe she’ll have an easier time believing the truth if she’s under the mate bond.

“Toddrick!” Trevor grumbled, throwing a pillow at me.

The pillow hit me in the face.

Nice aim. My wolf, Jake, snickered. I internally rolled my eyes at my wolf and ignored him.

“What?!” I growled.

“You’ve been floating in La La Land since we started. Are you okay? Is there something you want to talk about?” Tyler asked, looking worried. It was so like him to be caring towards others.

It was sweet that Ty cared for my mental state, but it wouldn’t be the smartest decision to discuss what I was thinking out in the open. Especially in front of Kyson and Trevor, who ironically didn’t know that they were out for my brother’s testes. So I lied. “Oh, no. I’m fine. I was just thinking about some stuff.” I shrugged.

“Okay, well stop thinking about that stuff and help us with this stuff.” Kyson joked, pointing at their phones where they were typing their speeches. “Our speeches need to be done before the reception tomorrow night!”

“Well, you wouldn’t need my help if you’d done them when you were told; six weeks ago!” I playfully chastised. Kyson growled and chucked a pillow at me. I dodged it with a chuckle.

“Alright-” I cut myself off when the sound of a door opening caught my attention. It was June.

Everyone’s eyes went to her as she appeared in the hallway with a bottle of cranberry juice to her lips, her eyes glued to her phone. I thought she was just passing through until she did the unexpected and walked over to Kyson and Trevor and sat down, wiggling herself between the two. I could sense Sage’s excitement. He wasn’t the best at hiding his emotions.

We really need to teach him how to be inconspicuous. Jake mumbled. His disappointment in our older sibling was duly noted in his tone.

Agreed. At this rate, he’ll be found out by tomorrow afternoon! I was exasperated.

Jake just shook his head in disappointment and went back to being silent. He wasn’t the chatty type; he was always cut and dry with an impact. The complete opposite of me, but it worked for us, he was always there to calm me down and call me out on my s**t. He’s the yin to my yang, and then some. I love my wolf, and I wouldn’t change him for the world.

Awww, I love you too, kid! Even if you are an i***t most of the time. The fur ball gushed. I snickered… See what I mean, cut and dry, but impactful.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m amazing! Pay attention!

Alright! Pu-shee! I snarked, and drew my attention back to June and her interaction with Kyson and Trevor.

She sighed and took her eyes off her phone. “Are you happy now?” She asked, giving Trevor the stink eye. He must have texted her to come out.

He and Kyson smiled gratefully, “Very much so, thank you!” Trevor beamed at the little chipmunk. She just rolled her eyes and looked back at her phone, allowing it to keep her occupied.

With my input, of course, the guys got back to writing their speeches. It didn’t take me long to notice Sage sneaking glances at June the entire time when he was supposed to be writing his speech. Jake and I sighed simultaneously in my head.

Okay! Now it’s starting to get pathetic! I mentally groaned.

Alright! I’m putting it on the schedule! Inconspicuous training starts Monday at dawn, after combat training, because this is just sad. Jake ordered. I laughed, but actually put the date in my calendar. Sage was going to need some serious help to not get caught. I mean, this is just ridiculous!

Dude! Stop it! You’re bound to get caught if you keep sneaking glances at her like that! I linked my brother.

Is it really that obvious? He linked back. He sounded shocked.

I don’t know why. Anyone with eyes can see he’s obsessed. Jake deadpanned.

I gave Sage my ‘duhh’ look and replied. Yes. Stop… I have to teach you how to be inconspicuous because you are just sad.

Sage rolled his eyes. Shut up, Toddrick! He growled and cut our link.

After about five minutes of talking about the guys and their speeches, June got up and cleared her throat.

“Where are you going?” Kyson asked.

“You haven’t even been out here that long,” Trevor tag-teamed.

“Relax, I’m just getting some candy from the kitchen! If I have to sit out here, then I need something to keep me occupied other than my phone!” She sarcastically replied.

It didn’t take her long to grab the bowl of candy from the mini kitchen on our floor. When she got back, she took a handful of candy from the bowl before sitting it in the center of the table for the rest of us. I gave her an impressed look.

“I still don’t like y’all, but I was raised with manners. I’d also feel bad and get really sick if I ate it all by myself,” June said, shrugging me off.

“Thank you, pipsqueak, it’s good to know you care.” I mocked playfully. I hoped I’d get the reaction that I wanted, and I was pleased when I did.

June rolled her eyes with a tiny smirk playing at the corner of her lips. I internally jumped for joy. She didn’t hate me as much as she made it seem. I wanted to make amends with her. Maybe if I did, then I could get her to forgive my brother; he’s miserable without her…clearly.

“Forgive me, but I’m just confused,” Tyler cut in. He was about to go on a rant. Goddess help us all.

Ugh! Here he goes! Jake groaned and put up a wall to tune Tyler out.

Lucky. I internally grumbled.

Once Tyler starts, it’s hard to get him to shut up.

“Why don’t you like us? I mean, we never officially met until yesterday. What caused you to have a problem with us already?” He continued.

June stared blankly at Tyler for about five seconds and took a deep breath.

Here we go.