Love Isn't Torture

Trumpets blared as the crowds' cheers filled the air. Confetti waltzed seemingly from the sky above. The occasional boom popped before colored clouds of smoke dotted the otherwise clear blue sky. Walking up the palace staircase, Aprilia Loraine, the Imperial Princess and sole surviving member of the royal family, held her head high. The smile gracing her lips remained in place even as she made her way through the palace doors, up the red carpet to the Great Hall where the Regent and Pope stood awaiting her. "On this day, the eighth birthday of our beloved Imperial Princess, we celebrate and welcome the reign of our new Queen." Announced the Pope before he did the right. Once the rights were done, Aprilia Loraine was now the new reigning Empress and Queen of her people. She looked over the nobles who stood before her. Aprilia then addressed her people. The magic camera present displayed the coronation for everyone within their territory, regardless of social status. "I am, Aprilia Loraine, your new Imperial Empress and Queen. On this day I am but eight years old, yet responsibility waits for no one; much like death and time. We have lost many during the war with the Black Moon Pack. However, so have they. Let us shed our tears in our drink, rejoice over our food, and dance until our legs stop! We'll sing into the dawn until we're mute and blue in the face!" Aprilia stated while raising the golden staff in her right hand over her head. The resounding wave of cheers flooding their lands and from the nobles before her filled her heart as it washed over her soul. The Regent and Pope were visibly flabbergasted by her astonishing speech. They stuttered and stammered as they followed after the Imperial Empress, who was surprisingly fast for her tiny stature. The Imperial treasures had to be placed back in their case. However, Aprilia was headed to the balcony where she, the Regent, and the Pope, were to overlook her subjects and wave to them before the festivities truly began. "Your Eminence," the elderly Pope pleaded. The three of them entered the hallway leading to the palace's grand balcony. Aprilia did not slow her steps, even as she spoke while turning her head to look back at the two men. "Do you truly think I do not know that you murdered my parents, you traitorous fleabags?" Aprilia asked rhetorically. Their eyes widened in shock as their mouths fell open. They stopped walking, which put further distance between her and them. The older men couldn't even stutter out an excuse. They attempted to catch up with Aprilia as she faced forward once more. But the two men were gagged and detained by the shadows. Aprilia walked out onto the balcony alone, climbing the three-step platform to see over the balcony railing properly. She addressed her people once more, "No more will we suffer from the corruption that hides within the shadows of our lands, of our streets, and of our homes." She paused to look each person in the eyes. Then she tapped the golden staff in her hand against the balcony. Everyone watching the broadcast witnessed multiple displays showing the faces of those who had betrayed them. "They will have their trials. They will be charged for their crimes. Their deaths may not be enough today, but the peace that comes with tomorrow will allow our fallen to rest." The displays went away before outrage, confusion, and protests could spread. She spoke once more, "Silence." The command's power rippled through the land and air itself. Aprilia was like no other of their kind, and it showed. "Not today, my friends and comrades. Let it be tomorrow's problem." The acceptance of her words was acknowledged silently, through head nods, and verbal confirmation. The crowds of people began to slowly applaud and cheer for her once more. Aprilia smiled at them all with appreciation and gratitude. A massive explosion interrupted the moment. It was followed by three others and more across the distance. Aprilia felt a cold shiver run up her spine. She activated her magic with the aid of the Imperial treasures. Portals formed across the space like gates without an incantation. "Get to safety everyone!" Aprilia shouted. “Through the portals!” The magic cameras were still broadcasting the coronation. The security cameras showed the invading Black Moon pack forces slaughtering everyone they come across while destroying homes and businesses, and burning down the land. Those who made it into the portals were safe from the bloodshed. The Imperial army, the knights guard regimen, and the paladin guardsmen all mobilized to fight against the Black Moon invasion. "Your Imperial Eminence!" called out an urgent voice from the shadows of the hallway. "I cannot leave, or the portals will close. Go save our people and leave nothing for Black Moon to take." Aprilia ordered with a smug smile. She stood strong and proud as she watched her forces fight off the invasion forces of the Black Moon. Black Moon had their explosives and the element of surprise; that didn't give them a consistent advantage. Aprilia tapped her staff against the balcony once more, which caused those of her people, dead or alive, who weren't fighting to be sucked into the portals. Black Moon's POV Our surprise attack on the Loraine Empire was successful. We hadn't foreseen the little Empress being so quick to react. However, our fangs and claws were still able to be soaked in the blood of our enemies. The seven armies following the seven generals of the Black Moon army swarmed the territory like ants. General Blake Matthews was the strongest of the seven. His forces stormed the empire along with their king and Alpha, Gregorio Blackmoon. Blake didn't have to shift into his wolf form to bathe the streets in blood. He remained in human form and dismembered his foes with his bare hands. Using the weapons of his enemies, Blake slaughters the soldiers with their weapons and their fellows too. Men and women fell by his hand. Then he faced off with a blond woman who was much taller than the average Lorainian. She had taken down many of their own already. However, when their eyes met, General Blake Matthews breathed the word he never thought would pass his lips. "Mate." The portals widened and lengthened as the citizens of the Loraine Empire were sucked into them. It didn't matter if they were indoors, underground, captured, or dead and dismembered. Howls of outrage rang out as our prey was being taken away by their child Empress. The armies of the empire were bolstered as the safety of their people was assured. The soldiers fought harder against us. Those who went after the child Empress were slaughtered without mercy before they got close. Others chased after those who were taken and lifted away towards the portal. The raging wolves made a sport out of attempting to kill their prey in midair. Gregorio Blackmoon, who had finished ripping the throat out of an Imperial guard, howled before moving on to his next target. The old crone of a witch that they brought along as their trump card cackled wickedly. The fires they set raged and spread out as if they were alive. Dark clouds covered the sky as the crone's evil magic caused a storm to blanket the entire territory. Lightning rained down from the clouds. More fires came forth as friend and foe were struck down. But the child Empress acted quickly to keep her people safe along with their remains. Blake and the tall Lorainian woman continued to go toe to toe with one another. The Black Moon armies should have been able to overwhelm the enemy soldiers with their numbers. However, they were being empowered by a golden light. The same golden light that came from the staff and orb held by the child Empress. Her forces were the only ones that remained in their territory. The wolves who tried to enter the portals to wreak havoc only found themselves unable to do so. The tiny Empress tapped her staff once more. This time she pulled her forces into the portals. They protested not to keep fighting, but to protect their Empress. "Your duty is to keep our people alive on the other side," Aprilia told them with a proud smile. "I shall make sure we have a home to return to when the time is right." Blake Matthews watched in shock as his mate adamantly tried to fight back against going into the portal. What was more surprising is that he found himself helping her to stay. The shock in her face mirrored his own, but it was short-lived when they were both taken into the portal together. The entire Black Moon Pack howled in outrage before they charged the Imperial Palace. However, they were forced back by a wave of power. The child Empress walked down her steps to face them herself. The portals she made vanished as the last of her people and their remains were brought over. The mocking laughs that resounded along with growls were met with an unimpressed expression. All the magic cameras focused on her as giant-sized projections of her were produced for all to see. The crone aimed a single lightning bolt at the child Empress, only for it to strike the witch down instead. Only smoking scorched Earth remained where the old crone had stood. "Sit," Aprilia Loraine demanded. This time she didn't tap her staff. Her orb glowed brighter to force the wolves to sit on their hunches while those in their human forms knelt down before her. Reluctant as we were to obey anyone who wasn't our alpha. The power of those ancient items can't be denied. The only one of us left standing was- "Gregorio Micheal Blackmoon," the child Empress called out for all to hear. "Come forth. Let's put an end to this madness." Gregorio's POV I scoffed at the words of this child. I approached her as the blood of her guardsman still dripped from the muzzle of my wolf. 'You wish to "end" this. Then I'll take your head, and all will be done.' I thought to myself. My pack made way for me that led directly to the child Empress. Even for an eight-year-old, she was small compared to the children who were the same age in our pack. Nevertheless, that didn't diminish her beauty and the strength she held. Her velvet Amethyst colored eyes didn't waver as she stood surrounded by my pack. "Aprilia Loraine," I growled once I was close enough to be heard by the child. As if she knew my intentions, I found myself being covered by her royal cloak as I shifted into my human form. Her scent filled my nostrils. My eyes filled with the sight of long, golden hair shimmering in the sunlight. Then my eyes focused on the swords strapped to her waist and back. The swords that slew my parents during the war between our people. My anger flared as my pack members vocalized the same rage that I felt. "Gregorio Blackmoon," she spoke to get my attention. I glared at her as I wrapped her cloak around my waist. Ironically, there was a ten-year age gap between us. I stood over this child as a king of my people at eighteen years. Though thanks to the steps, she stood eye-to-eye with me. I grinned with amusement at the fact. Yet, the urge within me to make her cry beneath me burned within my chest. I licked the blood off my lips. Her expression remained unimpressed, and her eyes didn't waver from me. I liked that. "You are the last one left, tiny Empress." I pointed out. "Kneel-" "I am not the only one left," Aprilia cut me off. Between us appeared the digital images of our spies, the Regent, and the Pope.