The Wolves of Ossory

14. Beaulieu Blood

Alma

I sucked in a breath, watching Magnus unravel the scroll. To my disappointment, it was blank. Maeve looked at him questioningly and he held out his hand, requesting both of us to put our hands in his.

Pulling a pin out from a drawer next to him, he pricked both our fingers. It didn't hurt much and had healed rather quickly, but not before a single drop fell from Maeve and I's flesh. As soon as it hit the map, it trickled out as if we had dropped ink into water, rushing towards the edges of the page like red smoke and leaving behind the topology of our world.

"Only a Beaulieu's blood can reveal this map, and only a Beaulieu can read it. It will forever show itself to you, no matter who is in the room, but only you will see it as it is," Magnus started. Maeve looked like she recognized the map as she studied it closely, gasping as the illustrations changed.

It was as if we were sucked into the map, seeing everything unfold. Suddenly, huge mushroom clouds sprang up all across the land. I felt the terror the people felt, the lives that were lost, the innocents that perished. Millions. Millions of our kind, of human kind, of all species, killed. I didn't understand what I was seeing, what I was feeling.

I watched as the gore of war unfolded, brother turning on brother, the land shaking violently and breaking apart, some disappearing into the oceans completely, dragging the cities and towns down into the black depths, people perishing along with them. It was as if the earth had been broken into puzzle pieces and rearranged, creating new lands.

My heart ached as I comprehended how much loss we had taken. How many homes and packs destroyed. How lost we all were. The remaining humans, far and few between, without any hope or any path to take. The wolves without packs, vampires and witches without covens, other were-species without clans or flocks.

But then, I felt the lightness of peace. Of the community built amongst all species. Humanity is restoring amongst the tragedy. The world was healing, and our solidarity with all species was refined. It was beautiful. I caught a glimpse of what seemed to be a meeting of sorts. A young man who looked slightly like my father stood next to a woman with deep caramel skin. I could sense they were wolves. I gathered that this group had a member representing each species, humans included.

Although I couldn't decipher exactly what was said, I observed as they all signed a tanned paper with blood, at the top it read Unity of World's. A peace treaty. The scene before me faded out and I witnessed every species building their kingdoms. My point of view honed in on our land. The man from before was looking over blue prints of what looked like our palace. I gasped, realizing this was the first Beaulieu. The world grew rapidly, the land changing and growing with buildings. I saw many of my ancestors ascending the throne, generation after generation, until it reached my father's coronation.

I felt overwhelmed with knowledge as history faded out, releasing me from its grip so I could sit back in my chair.

Magnus had stood and was deep in thought. "So you understand, where we are now has been a gory, painful journey. The last gift the Moon Goddess ever gave our kind was the blessing of the royal bloodline to rule in harmony. She has been dormant since," he looked over at us, and I felt even worse about the deal I made.

"I am not telling you this to make you feel guilty. You didn't know any better. I am telling you this because I believe she is out there. I am also telling you this so you understand how detrimental it is for you to complete the quest at hand. I know a witch that can help you in your travels. Know this, if you fail and Desmond takes the throne, I will destroy this place and all of our history will be gone along with the Beaulieu name. This information dies with us, do you understand?" Magnus strictly informed us. We both nodded in understanding.

"Never tell your mother about this. I trust her, but right now her judgement is a little clouded. You are bound by my blood to secrecy. I trust this information with you so you will succeed. When we leave here, we never talk openly about this night. It isn't safe." He finished, returning to his chair and crossing his legs.

"What is the Unity of World's?" I finally asked.

"That is the treaty signed by all the species. In it is a vow to live in peace, and for us, wolves and shifters, to protect humans as they lost 86% of their kind. Also, because they are, in a sense, weaker than us." Maeve answered matter of factly, finally looking at me.

"How did you know that?" I asked her incredulously.

"Alma, I've been studying our laws, history, and all forms of treaties for the last three years. It has been my job. Although I never knew the extent of what really happened, I had a good idea of what went on with the wars." Maeve slightly chuckled at me.

"You're right, Maeve. But when we accepted the vows to protect, there were extremists out there that would like to reclaim the order that led to our ancestors' demise." Magnus looked between the both of us, his tone dripping with the severity of the situation.

"I noticed a chunk of land, right around here," I began, drawing my finger around an island of sorts east of our kingdom, "where I didn't see any wolves or really anything. What do we know about that place?"

"Very observant of you! That is one of the lost lands. The radiation from the nuclear bombs turned some lands into inhabitable ground. You will see that too with this chunk of land, the part that didn't succumb to the ocean, south of Palisa and Gale. That was what was known as North America. Our kingdoms were part of that continent, until the war. Now the majority of it, outside of us and our neighboring kingdom, is all scarred and dead. Nothing remains. There are many lands across the world like that now, and sadly I don't think we will ever be able to recover them," Magnus sighed, reclining into his chair.

I thought about what he said, my mind racing to keep up with the information overload.

"There was so much destruction. So many lives were lost, and at the hands of power-hungry humans. Why do we protect them?" I asked genuinely.

"You cannot punish everyone for the acts of a few bad apples, as my mother would say. There will always be bad in the world, Alma. But we can choose to act beyond it and focus on building a future that doesn't repeat the past," my father said gently.

Maeve yawned, signaling my own drowsiness to set in. It was one long ass night, and an emotional one at that.

"I think we could all use some rest. I will enforce security. Benson and Grady will stand watch over your rooms. When you wake up, we will begin to come up with a plan. Despite what anyone says or even what you may think of yourselves, you are queens. These wrong doings that plague us at present will pass, and you will rule as you are rightfully supposed to." Magnus stood, embracing us in a big hug. "I am proud of you both, and I have all the faith and confidence that you will prove these crooked Chamber members wrong,"

With that, we exited the secret library, Magnus sealing it closed. We moved back through the tunnels quickly and quietly, Maeve and I guarding our father as he closed the hidden door and ensuring it was locked. Silently, Maeve and I crept through the east wing and back to our rooms. Benson linked me, alerting me that he was outside the door and to holler if I needed him and, with that peace of mind, I stripped down to nothing and crawled into bed, sleep welcoming me like an old friend.

When I opened my eyes, Maeve was sitting on the edge of my bed. I eyed her suspiciously and she gave me a weak smile.

"I am sorry I lost my cool yesterday. If anything, this whole situation has given me the insight I needed. And it also reminded me that family, real family, needs to stick together. We both didn't know what we were going to face in there with the High Chamber, and I know you were doing what you believed to be the right thing." she apologized.

I grabbed her hand in mine, squeezing it reassuringly. "I f****d up. I should've listened to you when you warned me to shut up. Thank you for apologizing. Honestly Maeve. I didn't know you had all that in you! Scared me shitless for sure," I chuckled, earning a small laugh from my sister. "This is what we were born to do. We will get through this together. Now let's track down our father and start planning!" I hopped out of bed, pulling Maeve along with me.

I thought i was nervous yesterday, but today took the damn cake.

We grabbed a quick breakfast, staying clear of our pack members and especially avoiding Desmond. There was just so much chaos going on with our family right now, it was best to keep it behind closed doors and maintain a facade of order.

Maeve and I headed to our parents' study, knocking and waiting for the invite to enter. Our mother and father both sat at the desk, my mother adjacent to Magnus. Between them was a map of our current world, one that everyone could see. Amber, always trying to be prepared, had a notepad and pen in hand, writing a packing list for me and Maeve.

I know Maeve was still very cross with her and I didn't blame her. Even if I vowed to bring back honor to our family name, it still hurt how she could appoint Desmond as our replacement. I mean, come on mom! Felix would've been a much better candidate.

"Before we jump to any decisions, I think Grady should come with us for protection." Maeve stated, crossing her arms.

"That is a great idea. A very good task for him as well, to let him get the hang of protecting his queens." Magnus nodded in agreement and I mind linked him to join. He eagerly appeared moments later, panting as if he had been running.

"Pack your bags, son. You're going on a trip," Amber smiled at him.

He raced back out of the room.

"Maybe he should've stayed to hear what his mission would be first," I laughed, trying to bring some lightness to the room. I was glad he would be joining us.

"Alright me dears, let us begin." Magnus sighed, motioning us to sit.

Here we go.