Magically entwined

The rage inside Rainy

** Rainy's POV **

I'm standing in the corner of the pack house common room, feeling extremely out of place. Part of me had wanted to linger in front of the door in case I needed a quick exit - I hated being in crowds and I had a feeling this meeting was gonna create a lot of awkward tension I didn't wanna be a part of. And yet, when Thomas found me and said Jax had personally requested I be there, I didn't hesitate for a second. That guy had been seriously broken by something, and I needed to know what had happened to make him feel so upset. Even though he'd waited 'til this moment to tell me - in a room full of other people - I was glad he wanted me to be kept in the loop, I wasn't part of his pack and didn't really have a right to be there, so it meant a lot he considered that maybe I'd wanna hear what he had to say to. But more than anything I was glad he'd had a friend close enough that he could unload on in his time of need, that would support him with reliving a difficult time in front of a huge crowd of people. After all, I'd had to lean on my own friends in some pretty tough times myself. I hoped one day, maybe he'd let me be there beside him holding his hand, whispering words of reassurance and encouragement, but that day wasn't today. I saw Jax walk into the room from the opposite exit, and stand on top of a table to ensure he was more visible. Trailing behind were Thomas and Erin, Thomas nervously fidgeting with his sleeves, and Erin casting anxious glances in Jax's direction, despite the fact he had his back to her. I myself was struggling not to look at him - I knew this was an important conversation and I didn't wanna throw him off. Instead, I looked at the way he kept shifting his balance nervously from one foot to the other. Jax faced the crowd and gently cleared his throat, the crowd's hushed whispers growing quickly silent.

"Hey everyone, thank you for gathering here on such short notice, I very much appreciate your attendance. I know most of you have been speculating about what this meeting is about, and yeah, I can confirm it's not great news. I never wanted to have to announce anything of this nature, nor did I expect I would have to so soon." he paused, knowing that his next few sentences would bear the most weight and completely dampen the atmosphere in the room.

"As most of you will be aware, early this morning I sent our scout regiment out on an expedition. For a while now, myself and other high ranking members of the pack have been tracking a number of large and suspicious shipments we believed to have been purchased by the Crescent Thorns. As we tracked the course of various weapons, ammunitions and medical supply packages, we determined they were all being transported to a singular location, which we believed to be their main base of operations. Knowing that if this was correct, we could potentially harbour their resources for ourselves, therefore forcing the Crescent Thorns to resort to launching their attack earlier and with less preparation. To determine if we were right, I sent the scouts out to confirm my suspicions, and they mindlinked me saying that were indeed accurate. However, they discovered far more than just bandages, food and armour - the scouts observed the Crescent Thorns base was also being used to house a coven of witches and warlocks."

Jax paused once again, noticing that he'd evoked the crowd to whisper and mumble amongst themselves again, clearing sharing concerns about what they were now up against. He steeled himself for the final part of his announcement, knowing he would once again have to acknowledge out loud the fate of some of his loyalest allies. He raised his hand silently, waiting for the crowd to once again direct their attention towards him.

"While our scouts spotted the coven, they were also unfortunately noticed. I had directed them to sit and observe the base from what I believed to be a safe distance, in a discreet area of woodland. However, in the end this was not enough to prevent them from harm, and I wish I had thought more cautiously and considered alternative shelter or a means of escape. When spotted, they were immediately ambushed and attacked by magic. I would like to spare you the details, but from the information I gathered, I have to be honest and tell you they were not treat respectfully or humanely. I knew of Roman's reputation, but I did not believe him capable of such violence. It is with the saddest of hearts I can confirm, there are no surviving members of scout regiment #1. Given the circumstances of the event, while I would like to enable family members to locate the bodies of the deceased and give them a proper burial, that area must be considered a danger zone, and I cannot with good conscience allow anyone else to travel there. If you require more information, I will try my best to tell you what I know. It is my intention to still hold a ceremony to celebrate their lives and show our love and appreciation for those we have lost, and would greatly appreciate your input on how you would like this to proceed. Again, I am sorry. I cannot compare your feelings to my own, and I cannot imagine your sense of loss. But please take comfort in the knowledge that they were considered more than just soldiers, they were brothers, sisters and friends amongst us all."

Immediately, a clear sadness enveloped the room. I saw many people sobbing openly, clutching tightly to the shoulders of friends and family, others silently holding themselves, swaying in shock. And then there were those who were clearly seething with rage at the injustice that had befallen their comrades. I now understood why Jax had been unable to talk to me about it for various reasons - The main one being that he did not want to burden me with his feelings of guilt and grief when I wouldn't relate to them or understand them in the same way as someone much closer to him. I also hazarded a guess that he may not have wanted me to see him in such a state, and that knowing my home pack was responsible for such a devastating event would make me feel guilty too, as well as worried for those I'd left behind. But he did the right thing by ensuring I heard the news this time, and I respected him for telling me at a more appropriate time. After his speech, I saw him trying to make eye contact with me, and I could tell he was scanning my face to see what emotions lay beneath the surface. I tried my best to conceal my feelings, worried I'd make him feel even worse that he already did, and gave him a small shrug and a half-smile to make him think I was okay, when the reality was quite the opposite. I could see him frowning, taking a few unsure steps in my direction, and I vaguely registered he was calling my name too, though it faded in the sea of voices and screams and sobs. I felt oddly relieved when an older woman approached him and blocked his path, pulling Jax into a tight hug.

"I know how you must be feeling your highness, and as sad as we all are, we know you didn't mean for this to happen. We believe in you as our leader and Alpha, and we will continue to follow you as our lost brothers, sisters, parents and children would have wanted. They followed you blindly, and we shall do the same." she said, and the members of the crowd who were listening nodded in agreement.

Wow, Jax sure is loved and respected around here. So much so that despite their loss, these people still want to make sure he's okay too. Even though he's a royal and their Alpha, that lady didn't hesitate to hug him like he was her son. He's clearly made his people feel very comfortable around him, and I really admire him for that. He's no keeping himself separate, or creating a hierarchy with hinself at the top, he's striving to make everyone feel equal.

I figured he'd be busy enough for a while, so while he was being hugged and looked after, I quietly slipped out into the rain. I began to walk in the opposite direction to the palace, wanting to be as far away from Jax as I could manage and give him some well-earnt space, finding myself taking a walk through nearby woodland and brushing my fingertips against the trees as I went on my way. I had to admit, I'd been very aptly named - there was nothing I loved more than rain. The way it gently taps on windows, the smell it makes when it first hits the grass, the way it plays music on the ground, and the way it cleanses your spirit. There was something terribly soothing about rain, the way it attached itself to your body and then gently separates itself. Although I'd held myself together in there, I could definitely rage bubbling to the surface, so the rain was welcome as a calming distraction. I had already hated Roman and the way he treated his people as subjects, slaves and soldiers rather than humans - he saw only what use they could be to him, and cared nothing for their needs or happiness. But this, this was a criminal act. This time he had killed recklessly, murdered innocent people who posed no threat to his schemes. And he had done so brutally, giving his so called coven free reign to dispose of any outsiders as they pleased. It was truly despicable, and my heart longed for retribution. There were good people amongst the Crescent Thorns, and they did not deserve to suffer for the whims of a mad man who craved power.

He needs to be stopped before he does any more damage. If he ascends the throne, Reneva will fall into darkness and chaos. And as long as I breathe, I shall not allow it.