Call of the North

Chapter 11

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Rather than sending all of the Alpha's and Luna's back at the end of the ceremony, the King so graciously offered them a week's stay in the castle, which, rather than being so boring and quiet, was now loud and busy.

The good news is that as I attended my daily work, I encountered people who assisted me in a variety of ways, which I greatly appreciated. I admit I was always busy during the week they were there.

Luna Naomi of the Lunar pack taught me the etiquettes of nobles. Giving me dance lessons in which I would practice with her or even teach me how to eat, choose the right spoon, and know when I can sip soup, or even sit at the table.

Alpha Liutus, who had danced with me that night, taught me the ethics of fighting. This involved putting my wolf to the test and even learning how to defend myself in human form.

He was definitely shocked at how easily I made progress.

"Geez Miss Ainsling." He said one time when we had been practicing in our human forms how to dislodge someone's hold on my neck.

"Within a day and you've already given me more bruises than my own pack is capable of." He stood up, lightly squeezing the area where his arm connected at the base of his elbow where I had dug my own into it.

"Perhaps you are just getting old." I teased, flexing my smaller but more athletic arms.

He chuckled and moved into another stance.

While I was engrossed in learning, Kai had more problems to deal with.

With so many alpha's and luna's in the same area, it was only normal for fights to break out because of a mere glance or even a brush-over.

The King had said that anyone could leave at any time during the week of their stay so the fights that ignited could be subdued but both Kai and I reckoned that this was the opportunity to blame the tension of two alpha's rather than any previous meeting that may have brought them to hate each other.

When I wasn't busy, I was sitting in the commons with the Queen who, with great dedication, would teach me what she believed I would need to know for when I filled her spot. Yet I was not ready, that would mean she would be dead when I took her place, therefore I was in no rush to change anything.

"So what about your parents?" she asked one day after we ended our lesson and none of us had anything to do afterward.

I flinched really hard, feeling like I had been struck in the gut. However, it must have been very obvious because the next thing I knew, her arms were wrapped around me and I couldn't help but feel tears streaming down my face. Her embrace was a comfort that I had been needing for some time, as her hug conveyed a message of understanding that I had not realized I had been longing for.

There you go, Ainsling, I should not have asked. But wherever she is now, I bet she is proud. Just as I am proud to be your mother-in-law someday."

I couldn't help but think about the man's words earlier that week.

"Is it true that everyone has secrets, my Queen?"

"Well yes, but what type of question is that? And please call me Raine."

"I don't know..." I decided to tell her the partial truth.

"Someone approached me at the ball and told me not to let anyone find out my secrets. I'm not sure if he was threatening me or not..."

I didn't dare look at her in her eyes as she processed the words I had given her. Although her arms were still around me, I could feel curiosity hanging in the aura around her.

"Well, do you have any secrets Miss Ainsling?"

I froze, thinking about the question. I knew that if I told her, it would put her in even more danger. But then again, if I did, I might be able to have better protection.

"If I tell you, it would put you in danger of knowing."

Again, another half-truth.

"My dear, we are always in danger. We are nobles of the highest rank. Our deaths could be someone else's riches. Whatever it is, your secret is safe with me."

"Kai cares about you and his father too much. If I put you in danger, it would remain on my conscience for the rest of my life."

I felt another tear trickle down my cheek.

"Well, I won't pressure you, but if you are ever in danger, let me know."

"I always am." I wanted to say.

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As the week began to end, and fewer and fewer people were present in the Palace, I found myself glued to the library. I read stories about past Princesses and their mates along with the previous King and Queen's reign.

As I was reading about the marriage of the late King and Queen, I heard the sound of a book falling.

It would have been normal if I hadn't known I was the only one.

"Who's there?"

Silence.

Thinking that maybe it was just my imagination, I turned back to my book, only for another book to be heard falling again.

"Show yourself." Silence.

I stood up, wearing a simple blouse and jeans that made me capable of moving my way around the dark library, only lit by a single candle where I had been sitting.

"My dear, aren't you supposed to be in bed?"

I turned quickly on my heel, spotting the man from the ball as he slowly but surely stepped into the dim lighting.

"I find the library wants my company rather than my bed at this time of night." I looked at him seriously, letting him know I was not afraid.

"The library suits you, but what you may be looking for is not in the history of wolves. Try the dragons."

"I don't know what you're talking about." The sound of irritation tainted my voice and I struggled to contain it.

"Oh but you do. I'm sure you wanted to know how your father, beloved advisor to the Wolf throne, and then later, the Dragon throne. His father, your grandfather, seemed to have made sure he was not put in Wolf history, but it's in Dragon history."

I couldn't hide the curiosity in my voice, but I didn't want to trust this man, or let my guard down.

"I reckon you would retrieve it then?" I felt my voice pitch a bit higher than usual as I threw the question back at him.

"Ah, so you were looking for him. Or your mother, though I assume she is in the witch's forbidden history."

"How do you know my parents?" I shot another question at him, my hands shaking from both anger and sadness. I was brought back to the day my parents both passed away. I could still hear my mother screaming and my father howling.

"Your parents are dear to me. As is the only living tribrid. I'm sure your mate doesn't know either. Does he?"

I lifted my head, not wanting him to see my broken guard.

"My mate knows what he does. Anything else that he does not is for the better."

"Does he know you are leaving?"

I looked at him in confusion, only to feel the back of my hair stick up.

"I am not."

I felt something nick in the back of my neck. I reached over and pulled out a needle.

"Yes, you are."

Thankfully, I was overwhelmed by the amount of power I had kept hidden inside since I had been here. Therefore, with just a small push of magic, I was able to send a small blast around me. The sounds of other groans let me know I was being approached from all sides of me while the man had distracted me. Using my senses, I began to bolt for the door, morphing my hands into claws to tear my way through the people that came after me. Several of them were struck with my claws in the torso while others were thrown into the shelves. When I opened the doors to the library and bolted upstairs, I almost ran right into Kai.

"Whoa, whoa, slow down little bunny."

"Library...trying to...kidnap me..." I panted, pointing back to where I had come from. Instantly, Kai turned serious, and bolted back to where I had come from. I followed, wanting to be there in case something happened but when we got there, the only trace of anyone's entry was the blood that stained the carpet. And on the walls was written:

Her life is death.