The She-wolf and The Prince

The future of vampires on the agenda.

CHAPTER 02

April 1811

The chief of the lycanthropes lived in his clan's village in the middle of the forest, three kilometers from Nottingham Castle. It was composed of log cabins forming a rectangle in the center of which a bonfire burned at night. Only the house of Silves Graham at the western corner of the concession was made of stone.

That day, the council composed of the clan leaders had met in the basement of the house. They, too, had to discuss the vampire problem, and it was a good place to say what was on their minds without risking being overheard by the chubby people.

- We must act as quickly as possible," said Rolf, the leader of the quarter-moon.

- Rolf is right," agreed Grey, leader of the crescent. It's nice to have the support of a few rich people, but we need that witch.

- Yes. I'm tired of serving these killers like loyal dogs. Eleven years ago, these monsters sent many of our brothers to their deaths in Ireland just to expand their power. We lost in numbers while they gained in power.

- They became friends with the Irish on top of that. The wolves were certainly used as offerings. Vampires of noble blood are far too proud and haughty to stoop to the level of servants of the Harrington.

Several voices were raised:

Silves listened to them absentmindedly, pensive. The forty-year-old with bulging muscles, platinum-blond hair and freckles on his face, was deep in thought. It was he who had put forward this hypothesis of a witch. No. He'd outed it, and now what he was looking for more than anything else was to put it off.

"This witch exists. Or rather, will exist. For now, they must not know the true background of the story. My credibility and Grey's will be lost. How do we handle this?" he thought.

The chief was so stressed that he couldn't swallow. On the surface, he seemed calm, collected and completely confident.

- Listen to me, please. I understand your impatience. But you must remember that it is not easy to find a witch. She can use a spell to make herself undetectable. My right hand man and I are exploring every possible avenue. Keep in mind that the path to freedom is not a straight road but a rough path. Only coolness, strategy and thoroughness will allow us to triumph. Trust me.

- We have and will always have confidence in you. But, you must doubt that the more we stomp, the less chance we have of defeating these bloodsuckers. They already know about the witch.

- What? Shouted someone in the assembly. Does that mean there's a mole among us?

A hullabaloo arose in the assembly. This news meant that operations were in danger.

- This story may take some unpleasant turns.

- Whatever we do, the damage will be the same: deaths, blood. The important thing is to limit it on our side. A great battle is coming. Just get the weapons ready. With our friends in London, it is now possible to have guns with wooden bullets, crossbows in addition to our physical strength, enough to defend ourselves against these monsters. This witch will be with us. Goddamn it," Silves swore at the end.

For the time being, he had to calm down the ardor. He got the desired result. The other alphas calmed down. They all had faith in their guide because wolves always trusted and protected each other.

After a few words were exchanged, they dispersed. Silves huffed as the last of the guests left. Eventually he left the room in turn.

"I must ask Grey to prepare the ground," he thought to himself before heading towards a cottage a little away from the village.

The midday sun was casting a soft light over the pack. Three-apple tall children were wandering around, shouting at you. They were smiling. It was his duty to protect these fragile beings, even if it meant using an innocent young girl.

As usual, the Alpha entered the house with his right arm without knocking. He discovered a blue-eyed man of about his own age sitting at a table in the center of the room, his brown hair in a shirt half-open over a chest whose pectoral muscles could be seen. A three-day beard adorned his chin. The master of the place observed the newcomer who came to settle down in his turn.

- Grey.

- Silves. How did it go with our brothers?

- Let's just say I've had worse. They are impatient.

- It's only natural. No one worthy would accept to stay in this position of faithful doggie all his life.

- I know that. I thought that telling them about a witch would serve to give them hope but also to calm them down but...

- But they're more out of control than ever. I told you this would happen. This was a bad idea.

- I know that. Please don't blame me.

- I didn't mean to. Now what we need to do is speed things up.

There was a dead silence at the end of this sentence. Both knew what this was really about. One wondered if he was doing the right thing, while the other had already convinced himself that it was a necessary evil or rather a duty.

- The future of our race depends on her. Silves, it is her duty. Everything will be done according to our wishes.

- And if she refuses?

- She has no choice. Wolves protect each other.

Silves sighed. He was apprehensive about what was in store for them. His friend poured him a glass of alcohol and drank it in one gulp.

- Let's hope for the best.

- Everything will be fine, I assure you. Faith of wolf.

- Let's go! I want to see more vampires. I want to know what your brother looks like. Please. Please, please. Please, Alia begged.

- No. It's out of the question.

- But... I won't make any noise. Admit that despite your keen hearing, it's hard for you to hear me approaching.

- Vampires are not children at heart. Especially those of the royal line. If they see you, you'll end up six feet under or locked in the basement for life. Werewolves are not allowed in certain areas of the castle.

Ryan tried everything he could to dissuade Alia from her quest to get a closer look at the long fangs.

- I'll be discreet. Please.

- I said no," said the boy. It's too risky.

Sulking, the teenager dropped into the seat of Ryan's office. The desk was covered with books and maps. She remembered for a moment that it was on this desk that her childhood friend had taught her to read and write. The pack didn't have a school and werewolves preferred to live in the forest rather than in society. So education was not a necessity.

- Understand me. They are not kind to me. If you fall into their hands, you'll get the worst of it. You are my friend and I love you. I don't want them to hurt you.

- I don't want them to hurt you. But why are they so mean to you? You won't tell me when we're friends.

- It's complicated... I just...

- You don't trust me, do you?

- That's not it.

- Then what is it? You tell me. I'm not leaving here without hearing the whole story.

Arms crossed, Alia challenged the vampire with her eyes.

Ryan huffed. He wanted to confide in her, but at the same time he wanted to keep the truth about his origins from her. Finally, he chose the voice of his heart:

- ‟Come here," he ordered, patting her bed. I'll explain to you why.

Alia didn't hesitate.

- Vampires exist in two branches. There are those of royal blood and the ordinary ones. The vampires of royal blood, the Harrington, are of pure lineage. That is, they are conceived within the same family.

- You mean, between brothers and sisters they...?

- Yes. That's right. They marry each other and give birth to princes and princesses. I am not part of this offspring and therefore illegitimate child. I am a "bastard" as I am often told. King Henry Harrington is my father but his wife, the mother of Hiden, Anemone and Aloïs is not the one who gave birth to me. My mother was a simple vampire that my father killed after I was born. If it wasn't for mother Dahlia, I would be dead too.

- You mean the king's wife saved you and protected you?

- She was protecting me. Eleven years ago, she was killed by a werewolf. They hold me responsible. I didn't do anything. No one but Dahlia loved me. Hating me was not difficult.

His voice hoarse, he stopped to regain his composure. Remembering the woman he loved more than anything else was hurting him. On the other hand, telling his life story to someone he trusted eased his heart.

- And just to get me away from them, they built this soundproof tower. I have to sneak out through a back door and walk along the walls to get some fresh air in the woods. You'll ask me why I don't just go through the window? Well, it's simple. I am not a royal thoroughbred. So I'm weaker than my brothers and because of my lack of hemoglobin, my powers haven't really developed. I am more human than vampire.

- Given what you just told me, I wouldn't be surprised if they let you get lost in the forest so you could die. I feel so sorry for you.

- Don't feel sorry for me. What's happening to me is not your fault. Let's look at the bright side. If it weren't for this family, we wouldn't have met.

Recalling their meeting brought a smile to their faces.

- ‟Yes. That's right," the she-wolf agreed.

- Yes. I'm unhappy when they're around, but being with you is more than enough to make me happy. I'm happy when you're with me.

- You are kind. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to beat them up, starting with the king. Being cruel to your own blood is unforgivable. At home, wolves protect each other, no matter if we are related or not. That's what my father taught me since I was a little girl," she fumed.

- Species are different from each other.

Alia was sad. She couldn't bear to see her childhood friend suffer. She would have given anything if he didn't have to suffer so much indifference, hatred and injustice.

- I have an idea. What if you came to live in my village? I'll convince my father to take you in. It's not as spacious as a palace, but you'll be happier.

- I thank you but, no. I prefer to stay here.

- You can't be serious? Shouted the lycanthrope. These people don't want you. You want to die of sadness in this place when you have the chance to leave?

- Stop getting so carried away. Things are not as simple as you think. The vampires see you, the werewolves, as mere pawns that they can sacrifice at will. They force them to play the role of watchdogs but also slaves bent to their every macabre desire. I have no doubt that they have a visceral hatred of royalty. What do you think they will say to themselves when they see a Harrington walking on their land?

- I'll explain to them that you're a good man. They'll accept you. You'll see.

Ryan sighed.

- Even if they did accept me, there would be distrust of me. Vampires and werewolves can't live together.

- But you and I are friends, aren't we?

- We are different. Leave it alone, will you?

- No. It's out of the question. You can always leave this dull life and go to the forest. I can help you build a shelter.

- Alia! I thought about it, but my situation will not change. Because of my fragile skin, I can't stay outside for very long. Only pure-blooded vampires can walk around in the sun.

- Then we'll find a place where the forest is denser.

- What will we do in the fall?

He was right to ask that question. The foliage of the trees was sparse during this season. The sun's rays could penetrate the trees more easily. His friend took a moment to think.

- ‟We'll see when the time comes," she concluded.

In front of the determination she showed, he gave in.

- Let me think about it.

- Yes! She exclaimed by throwing herself in his arms. I have some enough to play with the princess who comes to visit her prince in his prison.

The prince smiled.

- I don't mind being the prince to rescue. However, it would be better if you moved away for a while.

- You'll see. We'll both be very happy. She murmured...