The Wolves of Ossory

9. Rehearsal

Maeve

I awoke to someone knocking on my door adamantly. I groaned, and as if that was permission, Alma came storming in. She threw open my curtains, the light blinding me and I flinched. "Alma! What the s**t?!" I cried, shielding my eyes so they could adjust. I glanced at the clock and saw how it read six a.m. You've got to be kidding me.

"Maeve, I need to talk to you about the encounter I had with Desmond last night." She plopped on my bed, her eyes wide. I sighed and sat up, rubbing sleep from my eyes.

"What happened?" I asked, yawning and trying to wake up.

She recounted her night and how Desmond seemed to threaten her while also insinuating our qualifications to rule as two women. That part woke me up and Aila was growling her disapproval.

"He really said that? What a d**k! New leaf my ass!" I scoffed, earning a grin from Alma.

"That's exactly what I said. I don't know what his deal is but Artemis agrees that we need to watch him and also watch each others backs," she stated, sitting up a little so she was resting her head on her elbows.

"Al, I really feel like he's harmless. A psosiopath? Absolutely. But what's the worst he could do? He can't fight us, he'd lose. He can butter up ma all he wants but dad knows something is a bit fishy. He holds virtually no rank in his pack. There isn't much going for the guy." I pointed out. "I agree that he needs to go right after all this is done. But two more days. We are queens! We can handle this i***t for TWO MORE DAYS."

"I feel like you're not really understanding how I feel," Alma huffed, standing and crossing her arms and walking over to the window.

"Al, did he say something else to you?" I asked, concerned that maybe there was something more to the story. She quickly turned around and plastered a smile on her face, a smile I knew all too well as being fake.

"No, you're right. I'm probably just over reacting. The stress of this week is getting to me a bit is all. We should go eat and get ready for the rehearsal," her voice was a bit higher than normal, but she dropped her hands and made her way to the door. "Also, your breath? Horrendous," with that she waved and left my room.

I gasped slightly, breathing into my hand and sniffing. Sure enough, I needed to brush my teeth; this morning-breath was lethal. After running through my quick morning routine and throwing on a casual, knee-length yellow dress, I made my way downstairs to the kitchen on our side of the castle. The pack wing kitchen was closed today as the chefs were prepping all the food for tomorrow evening, so I greeted a few of my pack members when I arrived at the kitchen doors. Even today, everyone was getting ready for the celebration and the castle seemed more empty than usual.

The king and queen were seated at the far end of the table chatting about the arrivals of the guests tomorrow. Alma was seated next to my mother, seemingly in a more cheery mood. I took my place besides my father after grabbing a plate of food from the buffet-styled breakfast ensemble. "Goodmorning," I kissed my father's cheek, blowing a kiss to my mother across the table. She smiled and wished me a good morning back.

They continued their conversation and I listened, sipping my black coffee and eating my over-easy eggs on toast.

When should we give mom the gift? Alma linked me.

We could do it now or wait till after the rehearsal? I suggested back.

We should do it afterwards, she'll be all teary eyed the rest of the day if we do it now. Alma chuckled back through our link. I smile at her, finishing my breakfast and taking my plate to the kitchen. I had a few hours to kill before we started the rehearsal, so I decided to take a walk in the gardens, admiring the peonies and rose bushes we had growing.

Spring was Alma's favorite season, whereas mine was fall, but I still appreciated the beautiful springs we had. I also loved to be in the garden during full bloom, especially after it rained. The fresh, floral scent the air held mixed with the clean rainy fragrance was such a calming smell. Those are Aila's favorite days to go on long runs. She also liked to get muddy for whatever reason, but we'd go for a swim in the lake after and those were the best bonding days for us. Alma used to come when we were younger, but recently she hasn't cared to join us.

I sat on the bench at the center of the garden, admiring the water fountain and throwing a few pieces of bread in the pond for the koi fish. I heard rustling and saw Desmond making his way towards me. I bristled slightly and Aila was on full alert.

"Mind if I join you?" Desmond smiled. I nodded at him and he plopped down next to me. "Listen, I know Alma probably told you about our conversation last night. I hope there are no hard feelings. I should have known my place and kept my mouth shut,"

I raised my eyebrows at him. "Do you really mean that, or are you trying to be a suck-up," I countered evenly.

"Hey, you two are my only cousins. It seems like you're my only family sometimes, honestly. With my older brother taking the Alpha title after our father dies and my older sister finding her mate and moving out of the packhouse, I really don't have anyone. Plus, forget being a beta, he has his best pal from grade school picked out already. I'm just so lost," he confided. Again, he seems genuine, but I know it isn't sincere.

Play along. Aila barked in my head.

"I am sorry to hear that. I wish I could help," I replied sympathetically, Aila laughing through my mind.

"I mean, if you wanted to, you could make me your beta? Or even a chosen mate?" Desmond looked hopeful, but his eyes held a devious gleam.

I coughed, seeming to have inhaled saliva. Clearing my throat, I turned and looked at him head on. "That will never happen, you sick, twisted freak. The fact you used family and chosen mate in the same conversation? You're f*****g demented. We have a chosen beta, and in what world would you even think you could hold that place to royalty when you spew wacky ideas like having your cousin take you as a chosen mate? What are you trying to achieve here?!" I shouted at him, standing up so I could leave.

"See you at the rehearsal! Can't wait for the big day!" He cheered after me in a peppy voice that seemed a bit too peppy. I should have listened to Alma. Something was off with Desmond.

I pushed the uncomfortable conversation with my unfortunate cousin to the side as we began the rehearsal. My father and mother were standing at the base of the water fall where the railing was. Between them on a pulpit was a thick golden crested book. The book was lying open and they were reading from it the ceremonial passage to initiate the coronation. I stood beside my father, Alma beside our mother and we walked along the steps.

"Alright, so I read the passage, slit my hand, then your mother reads, cuts her hand and then you girls give the oath, cutting your palms and joining them together with ours. We then wash them in the water and then the waterfall will run red. The High Chamber approves, and then you are officially the new rulers' of our kingdom." Magnus ran over the process, pretending to cut his left palm. My mother following and pretending to cut hers as well and they joined hands briefly, while Alma and I both pretended as well, her 'slicing' her right, me my left and then all of us turning to face the waterfalls, me taking my father's hand, Alma taking our mother's and all of us putting our 'bloodied' hands intot the freezing cold water.

"After that we celebrate, eat, drink and enjoy the rest of the night with our friends and family," my mother finished, clasping her hands together excitedly. "And then your father and I go off on vacation!"

We all chuckled at that, knowing full well how serious she was being. They deserved it! A 25-year-ruling? Not many alphas chose to lead past age 38, let alone past 40. A long vacation is what they need. We made our way inside the eastern wing. Desmond did not show to the rehearsal after all, which I could not be any more thankful for. However, when we all filed inside, there he was with Alpha Daniel, our mother's distant cousin. She gasped and gave him a hug, my father growling slightly with possessiveness.

"You're early!" She squealed, delighted to have him and his luna there. Luna Cassy was a small woman and my mother was very fond of her. "Goddess, Daniel, you look so pale! What happened?"

Daniel cleared his throat and Cassy looked over at him in worry. "Perhaps we could converse in private Ams? Let the kids go out and have some fun?" My mother immediately shook her head, and her and Magus led the way to their private study.

"Have any wine we can crack into?" Desmond said.

"I thought you were sober," Alma c****d her head at him and fake pouted.

"Yeah little brother, I thought you were sober!" Felix, Alpha Daniels' oldest and next in line for Alpha, stormed in, taking his little brother in a head lock and messing his hair up.

"Piss off, Felix!" Desmond grumbled, pushing his older brother away. Hailey waddled in after them, extremely pregnant, and Alma rushed over to her, embracing her in a hug of sorts.

"How is your pregnancy coming along!" Alma gushed, placing her hands on Hailey's belly.

"I'm ready for this thing to get out of me!" She huffed, sitting on one of the cushion chairs in the library. Her mate was the soon to be beta of the Blue Glacier pack, a broad-shouldered man named Rowan who appeared with a glass of water for his wife. He gingerly touched her belly, a huge smile plastered on his face, and I longed for that kind of bond.

" A few more weeks and we'll have another strapping young man running around the pack house," Rowan said with pride.

Hailey swatted him. "How do you know it's not a girl?" she challenged.

"Oh I know. Daddy knows it's a boy," he winked and her face flushed. "I can feel it!"

Felix flopped down on the chair opposite of his sister and best friend. "Did lil Dezzy tell you the news?" He asked, turning to me. I tilted my head at him and glanced at Desmond.

"What news?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Our Alpha isn't doing real well. Dad's sick. He was in remission for a few years but the tumor came back. It's in his brain this time. He's stepping down, Maeve." Hailey answered me. Desmond hung his head a little and, I have to admit, I felt sorry for him. I couldn't imagine losing my father.

"That's awful! Goddess, I am so sorry," Alma spoke, resting her hand on Hailey's shoulder. "How's Cassy holding up?" she added, moving to sit on the couch. I joined her.

"Not well. But! She is a strong luna and we will be here for her through it all," Felix sighed, running his hands through his blonde hair.

"Speaking of lunas, is Penny here?" I asked, hoping my dear friend could have made the visit. We were good friends through our university days and I regularly spoke with her but had been preoccupied the last week or so.

"No. With dad and mom coming here along with all of us, she thought it would be best to stay with the boys and keep an eye on things back home. She misses you a lot, Maeve, and said she'll visit soon," Felix replied, smiling as he talked about his mate. I tried to hide my disappointment.

"Well!" Alma clapped her hands together. "enough of the sad and heavy stuff, let's break into the wiiiinnnneeee!" she sang, getting up and making her way to the kitchen.

"On that note, I think we'll retire to our room for the night," Hailey said, trying to get up from out of the chair and struggling. Rowan looked disappointed to have to leave but helped his wife up and guided her up the stairs to their guest room.

"I think I'm going to head to bed too," Desmond awkwardly shifted on his feet and left abruptly.

I shrugged and Felix and I headed to the kitchen as well.

Three bottles of wine later and the three of us were allllll sorts of messed up. We sat around catching up, joking and laughing when the grandfather clock struck 10pm.

"Ope," I hiccuped, "We had best be getting on to bed now ya hear?"

"You're shwasted!" Alma pointed her finger at me, throwing her head back laughing.

"Should we toast to the new queens? Oh wait, they're already toasted!" I laughed, hiccuping again.

"I need to give Penny a call. I'll see you two for brekky in the morrninnnggg," Felix said, standing and swaying just a bit. I linked Benson to come and help him up to his room and he arrived promptly, shaking his head in disapproval at Alma and I.

"Maeve, pull it together! We have to give mom her gift!" Alma threw her arms around me and whispered in my ear not so quietly.

"Hey, let's just sit a while and sober up? Okay? I'll get some bread and coffee?" I offered, trying to negotiate.

"Maybe a croissant?" Alma asked, her eyes glazy and squinty.

"You betcha partner," I giggled, standing up and swaying a bit as well.

I managed to get us some snacks and coffee and within half an hour, we were sobered up enough to not seem suspicious. Werewolves have very fast metabolisms, after all. We gave our mother our gift and she cried, of course. Given the sad news she received about her cousin being sick, we were glad to give her something to smile about. She was so happy and had hugged us both, before she smelled the alcohol on our breath and scolded us for drinking. Magnus was more upset he didn't get invited. We made our way to our separate rooms and looked at each other, smiles on both of our faces.

"See you tomorrow, Alma. Goodnight, sister!" I whispered excitedly. She wished me goodnight and we both went into our rooms, knowing we would wake up to become queens.