High Alpha's Risen Mate

Chpapter 4: Chaos

"Unless someone cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

- Dr. Seuss

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Chapter 4: Chaos

POV: Kai Mathew Alistair

"Alpha, there has been another one." Westly, my beta, informs me. Damn it...

In the past two months, four victims have been found. This newest one would make victim number five. I still have no leads. There is no pattern to the murders: 2 nurses, 1 doctor, and 1 lawyer. All of them come from different factions.

"This one?" I ask for the details of the current victim. "He's a fae, sir." Westly pauses briefly. "Alpha, there have been rumors among the kingdoms." Great, this is just what I need, everyone spreading scuttlebutt.

"What is it?" I ask, annoyed. I do not like rumors. "Many think a war is brewing between the factions. With the poisonings and murders, people are afraid." He answers. This is unsurprising. Of course, people are afraid, people are dying.

It all started six months ago. People began to fall ill. It started with a rash. Then would come the vivid dreams, which would soon cause them to disconnect with reality. They would have to be put under sedation. That's when the fever would come. Once the fever starts, there is no stopping it. Doctors are calling it Moon Poisoning.

Moon Poisoning is when moonstones are crushed into a fine powder and somehow ingested. I thought maybe the water supply, which seemed to be the most likely conclusion, but I was wrong. There is still no answer to how it is happening. The only thing I can do is caution everyone about what they ingest.

There is no known cure for Moon Poisoning. There is only death...

Then, two months ago, the string of murders started, adding to my stress. Each victim was killed the same way, a threefold death. They were stabbed, drowned, and then hanged.

The only respite I have is knowing the Phoenix has finally risen after so long. As a child, I was told stories of the phoenix and how one day it would return and rebuild the peace that was once lost.

I, Kai Alistair, as the high king of all of Valenwood, am the only one who knows the phoenix has risen.

200 years ago, I participated in the competition for the high king. When the previous king dies or steps down and a competition is held to determine who will reign next.

Anyone from any faction can compete for the position. A series of challenges and duels is held. The best will reign supreme. High King is not something you are born with, it is earned. This is so no one faction can hold all the power over all the lands.

Every High King who has reigned since the barrier went up was given a sworn duty to protect the scroll meant for the next phoenix. Around the scroll is a golden ribbon wrapped around it. When the phoenix has risen, the ribbon will glow.

Yesterday, the ribbon glowed. I don't know what is written on the scroll, only that a phoenix is the only person who can open it.

The phoenix has risen, yes, but it has not returned. Everyone will know when the phoenix has entered Valenwood. Torches were given to every faction's kingdom, tribe, or coven. They were also placed along the barrier. Once the phoenix has returned, the torches will ignite, signaling his or her arrival.

I take peace in knowing the phoenix will soon come and end the suffering.

"Westly, these rumors should be held with caution. If any of the factions are planning something, I should like to know." I can't afford an all-out war right now. There have already been too many deaths as it is.

"And the packs? The king believes that because you rule, the werewolves can finally take control." Westly says. I groan in frustration. The werewolf king, Xander Emerson is a pain in my ass. He's challenged for the high king every chance he's gotten.

The previous king, Edmund, held werewolves at a distance due to Xander's need for power. I've had many conversations about this with him, but he never learns his lesson. "Is he the one who is enforcing the rumors?" I ask. It wouldn't surprise me if he were.

Westly nods his head. "Send an invitation for a meeting with him. We'll meet in the Hall of Peace." The Hall of Peace is a neutral ground for all factions to meet. No violence is permitted in this place. Weapons of any kind are not allowed inside.

I need to have another conversation with King Alexander. He might be the werewolf king, but I am the high king now. My word overrules his. My pack, Black River, was relieved when I became high king because they would no longer be under Xander's rule.

"Should I have Scarlett deliver the invitation or through mail?" Westly asks. "Ambassador Scarlett." Every faction's kingdom has an ambassador. They help to keep the peace between all of us. It would send the wrong message if I did not send Scarlett to deliver the invitation in person. The last thing I need is for Alexander to cause more problems. The lands are already in chaos as it is.