The Creole Wolf Queen

Erica I wake up out of my sleep panting. The dream I just had some how more intense than the night before. It’s always me running and falling into the water. My ancestors grabbing me and bringing me to the kingdom. “You are our queen. We have been searching centuries for you, beloved.” My answer is always the same. My confusion and fear never changing. “How am I your queen? I am only 24. My parents are just mere alphas. The alphas of a small pack. We live in a literal village.” I cry out as they strip me of my wet clothing. The garments they give somehow fitting like a glove. I don’t have time to dwell on this dream any longer as my mother knocks on my door. “Tooty, are you awake? We have business to attend to today. You ready?” She asks as she enters my room. Always using one of the nicknames she gave me at birth. I stare at the short fluffy woman with kind eyes. A look of concern washing over her face as she sees the bags under my eyes. Barely giving me time to answer her first question before stringing on more. It’s always the same. Are you ok? Same dream again? How long did you sleep this time? Questions she already knows the answers to yet a mothers concern making them over and over. I just look at her and answer each question before laying on her chest. Long scarred from the double mastectomy she had 14 years ago. She strokes my hair as she coos the all too familiar lullaby. All day, all night angels watching over me my Lord. All day, all night angels watching over me. Now I lay me down to sleep, angels watching over me my Lord. I pray the Lord my soul to keep, angels watching over me. All day, all night angels watching over me my Lord. All day, all night angels watching, angels watching over me. While it used to be what she sang to put my sister and me to sleep. She now sings it every morning to comfort me from my dreams. My mother is the Luna of our pack. Most of our members however call her Mookie or nanny. The youngest babies however, call her meema. She was never one for formalities outside of the basic yes ma’am, no ma’am. For the packs around us however it seems to be unheard of. They always ask her why she doesn’t command respect from the omegas. He response however one of a true Luna. “Respect doesn’t come from beating my members into submission. My respect comes from being caring while also holding my babies accountable for their actions.” As she takes me from my thoughts she reminds me that I’m just one short month I will take over as Alpha of the pack. While many other packs believe I am now too old to start my reign. I feel now is the perfect time. I have waited for years, trained all my life and watched closely at the rule of my parents and other leaders. I found and decided that I wanted to be better than those before me. By taking the lessons they taught and bringing forth my own lessons. I have stumbled and fallen a few times over the years and I take everything as a moment to rise. The more I think about things. The more I realize age doesn’t not matter in how you rule. What matters is how prepared you are to deal with the ever changing climate of the world. I know all too well the hardships my elders have faced especially being black and growing up in the south. Most having been alive during segregation. I know the inter generational trauma we have experienced. And I refuse to bring my pack members new and old through the same issue. You could say from a young age I have been stubborn and outspoken. But I just say I refuse to stand for the bare minimum from fellow beings. I climbed out of bed as my mother left my room. Most likely continuing the wake up cycle for my sister and the other members that lived in the house. My sister, four years my junior, was the hot head of the family. Many people thinking she was older simply because she developed faster and was more outspoken. Many thought the Alpha title would go straight to her because they deemed me too quiet. Too soft and kind. What no one ever seemed to realize though. Is I was calculated, occasionally cold, but I was observant. I watched and heard everything sometimes from the shadows. Most of the problems that we solved were due to me giving advice and making choices. While I was never violent or a loud talker, my presence alone commanded attention and respect. I was kind and sweet like my mother but with zero patience for games like my father. I was the child that would rather run around learning than just playing games. I practiced combat with the boys and got dirty. I was never truly into frilly things like most girls. I wasn’t a tomboy per se but I also wasn’t a girly girl. I’d dress and enjoy heels when I felt like it. But I realized sneakers and shorts made life easier. I was bullied by other children and some adults. Things kind of just happened because I never used my or my parents authority as a cop out. While I may have been soft spoken and sometimes timid. The few times I’ve raised my voice have made more of a statement than me ever using my hands. But enough about me, as my mom said, this is an important day for the pack. We have a meeting with two neighboring packs about a potential merger. One in which I’d have to find my true love. Boy do I have something in store for them. I guess now is the time I will have to use my voice again. I roll my eyes at the thought. I go into my closet to look for something to wear as I’ve already started the shower. I’m not wearing a dress today. The conference room is cold and I hate the cold. I find a nice pantsuit. Royal blue the color of our pack. And gold accessories, as combo fit for a queen. I lay them on my bed and step into the shower, rinsing off the sleep from last night. After getting dressed and drying my hair I head to the conference room. I stop before opening the door when I hear the voices of men trying to over talk my mother. “How can you expect us to let a little darkie run our packs?” Someone spoke. Great colorism gotta love it. “First off Wayne, watch the way you speak to my wife and about my daughter. And last I checked you were the same color as my child.” Ooh a dash of self hatred too. Great. Sounds like this Wayne is pissing off my daddy. I open the door only for all eyes to land on me. Great unnecessary attention. Wayne and the other packs Alpha, whose name I care not to know, scowl in my direction. The two younger men however look completely enamored. “And then she has the nerve to wear pants to this meeting. How disrespectful.” The unknown Alpha says. “Well sir, I’d personally rather be naked but out of respect for those of you in this room I chose to wear clothing. But if you’d rather that I have no issue with being nude during this meeting.” I say looking him directly in his eyes as they widen, from both my disinterest in his disrespect and my words. The two young men look at each other with a grin. Gross but I’ll allow it, they aren’t the first or the last to be intrigued by my nudity. “Now If you’d like to introduce yourself respectfully this meeting can begin.” I say taking the seat at the head of the table. Not out of disrespect for my parents but because, when we have meetings the subject of those meetings sit at the head. “Momma, Daddy why am I here being subjected to disrespect again?” I ask crossing my legs. “Wayne and David are here because we have a merger of packs in progress. While their packs are larger in size, our pack in more powerful in both resources and training.” Of course typical for men to try and always gain power instead of actually working together. My dad continues introducing everyone but I tune back in when he gets to the young men. “This is Orion and this is Cairo.” He says pointing to the lighter more muscular of the two first and then to the darker slimmer one. “Erica, baby, in order for this merger to work you have to marry one of these men.” My mother says with sadness in her eyes and venom on her tongue. She hates the thought of arranged marriages. “Oh I see, I choose of if them, their packs benefit and I have to give up my title. Such a great outcome for me.” I say sarcastically. Rolling my eyes. “Exactly. A woman doesn’t belong in power. They are too emotional and will cause wars.” Wayne says looking smug. As the visitors smirk at each other. Eww just gross. We’ll time to ruin this man’s whole career. “Wayne is it? Ok let’s make something abundantly clear. This pack is where it is now because of women like my mother and me. The wars you speak of if I recall were all started by men. With d***s so tiny and a need to have a full pissing contest. Last I checked it was women who went undercover to help end those wars.” I say with the utmost disrespect. “You are here for our help it isn’t the other way around. We don’t need you or your little baby boys. You need me. Because if I’m being completely honest I am the reason we have the resources and training we do. I have the ideas and have been working behind the scenes. I was the leader here at seven years old when my mother battled cancer and my father was overseas fighting in a war started by men. I at just seven ruled over a pack of much older wolves and led them to the place they are today.” I stand and walk around the table getting restless. “So how I see it, you need me. Your sons need me. Their size a height mean nothing when I could easily take down men three times my size at only seven. And I have only gotten smarter and stronger.” I finish my rant only to add a final blow. “So like I said and my parents have agreed upon, I will merge with your packs. But only on two and a half conditions.” My parents stay silent allowing me to speak but a look of pride on both of their faces. All the visitors looking at me with wide eyes. David’s son Cairo speaking up first. “What are the conditions? Maybe I can agree to them for the sake of my pack.” His father’s eyes bulging even further. “And I as well. I care about my pack not some old archaic ways of thinking.” Orion, Wayne’s son, said seconding Cairo and his statement. “Well I’m glad you asked. Number one. I take you both as my husbands and mates. And we rule this kingdom together and equally. Benefiting us all for years to come. And number two, if you have a problem with number one, I take both of you as my husbands and I rule this kingdom as the sole power with you both under me. Only providing me with children as needed. And the half condition, if your refuse one and two, I will take over both of your packs alone. Casting all four of you out as rouges and take you as my servants.” I say serious as can be looking them all in the eyes as I lean forward on the table, unintentionally exposing some cleavage as I wasn’t wearing an undershirt. “Don’t get quiet now, Alphas. My daughter has spoken.” My mother says a smirk appearing on her face. “So what will you choose? Because my child is dead serious about all three options. And I won’t stop her whatsoever.” My father says. Sitting back in his chair. “I accept offer one. My father no longer speaks for me. I will do anything to help my pack.” Orion says reaching a hand out for me to shake. I take it not letting his tight grip intimidate me. His father sitting there still speechless. “I also take option one. I am a grown man in charge of my pack. My father no longer speaks for me as well.” Cairo says also reaching for a handshake. I take it smiling as I know they had no better option. I am not an evil person, but I also know facts over rule feelings any day. “We’ll with that settled we have to speak with the elders and prepare for the announcement of our engagements. Follow me.” I say standing from the table and walking over to them to take their hands. “Oh and Wayne. David. Your services are no longer needed as stated by your sons. You are free to go home to your families. Your sons however, will remain here as I prepare them for my crowning ceremony and the wedding.” I say as I walk over to put a hand on each of their shoulders. I then lean in to whisper something that sends a chill down each of their spines. “And the next time either of you disrespect me or my parents. I won’t be so forgiving.” I whisper as my voice takes a tone that no man has ever shaken back from. They quickly get up to leave. Apologizing on their way out. Taking one last look at their sons. I walk back over to my future husbands and look each of them in their eyes. Even though they have to look down at me I can tell I once again have the respect I naturally command. Touching each of their cheeks, undoubtedly sending shockwaves through their bodies. “At least you both are attractive and have better morals than your fathers. Come loves we have a wedding to plan.” I turn to my parents before we leave. “Momma, daddy it’s time. You both will finally get the retirement you deserve.” And with that I lead my fiancés to my room. Both to show them their sleeping areas and to discuss this new plan.