The Lycan Queen

Retaliation and Deceit

I sent a link to my warriors and before I knew it, they were already creeping up the staircase behind us ready to attack. Ezikiel must have linked them already. We edged closer to the bedroom door, Ezekiel signaling for the guards to start surrounding the door either side. I took my place at the front of the door and looked at Gerald, who then gave me a Curt nod and with that I lifted my foot and kicked the door in. Warriors rushed into the room before me and the smell oozed out of the room like a thick invisible fog, almost encouraging me to be physically sick. I stepped through the doorway and noticed the room was filled with decaying severed heads.

"They're all wolves my Queen." Ezekiel confirmed that these were my people. They looked like they had been decaying for weeks.

“Is this some kind of sick joke?” I growled with rage and turned to my warriors, “Fortify the castle, triple the patrols and search the pack town! If there are vampires lurking within my territory, I want them found and brought to me! Tear this place apart if you have to and get me answers!” I ordered.

“Yes Luna!” They all said in unison as they marched out of my room.

“Ezekiel, gather the battle planners. I want everyone in the strategy room immediately.” Ezekiel took his orders and left the room.

I looked around at the remains of my people on the floor of my room, pain filled my heart. I let out a sigh and used my powers to levitate the heads and gather them together. Holding them in one place, I surged my power, creating a bright white glow that came from my hand and blasted them until they shattered apart into ashes. I maintained the hold that I had on them in the air. I opened the window and guided the ashes out to be captured by the breeze and carried out over the valley.

“Rest now, my fallen souls. You are at peace.” I whispered under my breath as I watched the ash blow away peacefully.

“We would be better off if this war was over, Aurora. Is a life of fighting worth the life of peace and happiness you, me and our realm could live?” Sapphire purred into my mind.

“You know I dream of that life, Saph, but fighting is all we know. It’s all our Alpha's ever knew and it could be all we ever know.” I whimpered at my own words.

“You are the only one who can make this dream of yours' become a reality, Aurora.” I blocked Sapphire out. I don’t need this talk right now. I took a deep breath and cleared my mind and headed down to the strategy room. We had a war to fight. I made my way to the strategy room, bracing myself for just a moment in front of the doors. "Argh! I hate this part of things," I thought to myself. I could hear the arguing from inside already. I pushed the doors open quietly and walked in on a confrontation between my father and my best friend and Gamma Lilith.

"We need to attack now! They are showing how easy it was to get into our borders. What happened to our patrols?!"

My dad spat, fraught with anger. He was understandably furious.

"Your Majesty!" They all bowed and stood to attention when they noticed that I had opened the doors and entered the room. I inhaled a deep and prolonged breath as I walked around the war table taking in the surroundings of the room. I eyed my father, Beta, Gamma and my most trusted warriors, Samuel and Micheal.

"So." I turned to face Samuel and Micheal alone. "Would you mind telling me how on Earth this was pulled off right under my nose?" Micheal stepped forward.

"The patrols were attacked on the east side of the boarder, your majesty. Two patrol guards were killed. We didn't realize it until the shifts changed and by then it was already too late." I sighed and turned to face out of the window overlooking the valley and my pack town below.

"Aurora. We need to gather the warriors and attack the Blood Shadow clan tonight. They show nothing but weakness on the battlefield. You are victorious in every battle. Lets end this war once and for all!" My father sternly suggested. I pressed my fingers over my eyes and thought about it for a moment.

"There are no such thing as weak enemies, Father. Just poor strategy. What if this is a trap? They have done this knowing my finest warriors would be tired from the battle we've had today. If we attack them tonight on their land, it could surely be a slaughter. Think this through Father." I gave a low growl, hoping he would see sense.

"My Queen, how did they know they could execute this plan of theirs tonight? You were supposed to be in your quarters resting."

Lilith added from across the table.

I thought for a moment about it. "Ugh. There must be a spy among us feeding information back to them! The staff were the only ones to have the know how and time to report my change of mind." I spat with disgust clear in my voice. "Juliette." Sapphire suggested into my mind.

Rage began to fill me. "I want Juliette found and brought to me now!" I demanded.

"Your quiet little servant girl? Do you really think she could have helped orchestrate this?" Lilith scoffed.

I turned to watch Micheal and Samuel leave the room to follow my orders, then looked over to Lilith. "She was extremely skittish around me earlier, Lilith and the first to know we would be dining in the main hall. I would bet odds that she knows something." My father, Ezekiel and Lilith all looked at one another but stayed silent.

"My Luna, If I may suggest something." Ezekiel looked toward me to gain my attention.

"We should take your Father's advice and gather our warriors to attack tonight." I scowled at Ezekiel and turned my attention back to gazing out the window, disregarding his suggestion. I pondered over the likely scenarios that could play out for an attack tonight in my mind. "Saph, what do you think?" linking my wolf.

"Something feels off with this plan, Aurora, don't you feel it?" I breathed an inward sigh. She was right and I could feel in my gut this is what the vampires wanted and we would be playing right into their filthy cold hands. This was my decision to make and people's lives are on the line.

"Blasted Aurora!" My father slammed his hand down onto the table, making Lilith jump.

"Stop pondering and get the warriors together!" He growled a loud roar. I felt anger rising through me and my eyes began to glow white, the power within me surging through and feeding on my rage. I turned to my father as the wind began to pick up in the room. He stepped back from the table and stumbled a little.

"This is MY realm and MY pack. If you dare to continue telling me how to run things, I WILL put you in your place and your access to this room and these negotiations will be cut!" I bellowed with rage. His face dropped and he nodded in agreement. He even knew when he had crossed a line with me and I hoped he wouldn't make the same mistake again in the future. I felt a hand placed on my arm and turned to see Lilith trying to calm me down with a pleading look on her face.

"Calm down my Queen, the war is out there, not in here." She cooed. As I calmed down, the wind in the room faded away and my eyes began to change back to the luminous blue they were before. I felt the energy within me had been depleted, I needed to rest.

"Tonight we rest. Tomorrow we plan our attack on the Blood Shadow Clan and the Red Stone Realm.They will get what they deserve." My father threw his hands up into the air and sighed in disgust, taking his leave out of the strategy room.

I shook my head and gazed out the window up to the stars and prayed for the moon goddess to give me strength for the battle ahead of us. I turned to take a seat at the table and Ezekiel and Lilith followed suit, taking their seats either side of me. A few moments had passed until the doors swung open and a breathless Micheal and Samuel emerged into the room.

"My Queen, shes gone!" A breathless Samuel sputtered out.

"WHAT? GONE WHERE?" I growled.

"Her cabin is empty. Her belongings are gone and there is no sign of her anywhere within our borders. She must have left with the vampires," Micheal stated.

"Keep the patrols on high alert for the night. Tell our warriors to rest and check back with me in the morning for further instructions and let it be known if anyone comes across Juliette or knows of her whereabouts that I want her or information brought to me immediately! This room is dismissed!" I ordered whilst waving my hand, dismissing everyone from my sight.

I headed back to my sleeping quarters and as I entered the room I was pleased to know the smell had completely gone and the bed had been changed. I untied my leather corset, slipped off my shirt, boots and trousers and put on my silk night dress, then climbed into bed. I closed my eyes and let sleep take over my body.

-

At first light I woke up and started getting ready for my announcement to my warriors. Once I was dressed, I headed down to the main hall for breakfast. After breakfast, I thought it best to gather all my warriors out onto the training grounds. I took my place at the front of the gathering crowd waiting patiently for everyone to arrive.

"Silver Crescent!" I shouted out to address my pack. "I know you are wondering what we are going to do about the little situation that we had last night and I'm here to tell you that we are attacking the Blood Shadow Clan tonight. We will NOT be meeting them on the battlefield. We WILL be taking our fight right up to their territory! This is it, you have been training and fighting for this moment! Will you stand with me? Will you help in winning this War once and for all?"

A cheer erupted from the crowd, resulting in me throwing one of my fists in the air.

"Then prepare yourselves for our attack tonight!" I finished my speech and everyone scattered to begin preparations for one of the biggest battles we had ever been in. Soon the wagons were being loaded.

The Stone Realm was quite some distance away and instead of tiring my warriors out running there in wolf form, we used wagons and horses to be at our best form for battles.

" Luna, I must speak with you immediately." Gerald came from behind me. I glanced behind me, noticing a scroll he was holding in his hands.

" What's this?" I waved my hands towards the scroll. Gerald placed the scroll into my hand.

"It's Sealed with the mark of the Blood Shadow Clan, my Luna." I glanced down at the wax seal, the confused expression taking over my face. I tore open the scroll and read the contents. Looking back at Gerald, I asked, "When did this arrive?"

"The patrols found it at the border around ten minutes ago, Luna."

I dismissed Gerald and sent him back to guard the castle doors and, linked Ezekiel, telling him to meet me in the strategy room.

-

I stood gazing out the window waiting for Ezekiel to arrive, the scroll placed on the table behind me.

"My Queen." Ezekiel greeted me as he entered the room. As he walked up to the table he asked, "What's this?"

"Read it." I replied. I stood patiently waiting for what would come from his mouth as he finished reading the scroll.

"A request for a truce?" He questioned, his face showing confusion. "Signed by The Vampire King Ajax Dabria himself. Ruler of the Red Stone Realm and Leader of the Blood Shadows Clan," I added. Crossing my arms, I looked over at Ezekiel. We both stared at each other lost for words for what seemed like hours until there was a knock at the door pulling us from our gaze.

"Enter." I said. My Father came storming into the room and snatched the scroll off of Ezekiel.

"I heard word had come from Blood Shadows." He muttered as he started to read the scroll. Me and Ezekiel eyed him closely waiting for his response after he read the scroll.

"Ridiculous." He spat as he threw the scroll onto the table.

"Do not tell me you will fall for this nonsense, Aurora." His eyes searched my face for any tell in my expression as to what I thought of the truce.

"Do you not see what benefits we could gain from setting this up father?" His eyes grew wide at my response.

"Yes, father. The Vampire King himself, preparing to meet me with the hopes of signing a truce." I brought my finger up to the corner of my mouth, pondering ideas for a moment. King Ajax, I thought of him as the weak King. He never fought along side his men. Merely hiding in his castle, sending his soldiers to their deaths with no sense of strategy in the battlefield. Then a glorious idea came to my mind.

"An ambush," I suggested. An evil grin began to pull across my father's face.

"We could send word of this, King Ajax." I emphasized his name with sarcasm, "Say that we are willing to sign this, truce." My voice trailed off, giving me time to add more thought to my idea.

"Set a tent up in the center of the battle field and have my warriors hide in the tree line. I will write a scroll of my own, telling him to meet me there to sign the truce. Once, I can confirm it is him. We attack! I will take the Kings head for myself." I began to grin, quite proud of my own idea.

"You choose war over a truce?" Ezekiel spat, slamming his fist onto the table.

"I choose victory over mercy!" I growled back at him in my Luna tone. He immediately regained his composure, bowing his head.

"Father, you will be in charge of ordering the warriors. You can go inform them about the new plans for tonight and relay your battle strategy to them." Ezekiel shot a quick hurtful glance as I had rewarded my father with his job. I glared back at him, reminding him never to cross me again. I turned my heel and left the room with my head held high and power within my walk.

As I was walking down the hall, I saw Lilith rushing up towards me. I rolled my eyes inwardly, knowing I was about to get ambushed for some answers.

"Is it true that there is a word from Blood Shadows?" She whispered under her breath. I rolled my eyes and grabbed her arm, pulling us into one of the offices that we barely used and closing the door behind us.

"Lilith, they are offering a truce." I explained to her. Lilith eyed me quizzically for a moment.

"What King sets out to anger the Queen, by murdering her people and filling her room with their decaying heads. Only to offer a truce the next day?" Her voice laced with disgust.

"A stupid one," I remarked, rolling my eyes. "We have planned to ambush him tonight. Be ready to fight Lilith." I gave her a soft smile and she laughed at my response.

"Come on." She said, grabbing my hands. "Lets get ready, you can't go representing Silver Crescent dressed like that.You are a Queen and if you don't want to raise any suspicion, you will dress like one for once. " She beamed a bright smile, her tone was playful yet serious. She grabbed my hand, pulling me out of the office and up to my quarters. I smiled, she always knew how to add a happier, more playful side to the hard life that we live. It's one of the things I loved about her. As we entered my room, she ran straight to the closet, pulling out my dress.

"Lilith!" I snipped. "I am not prancing around the battlefield in a damn dress. We would be damned if the Queen got wrapped up in her dress!" I explained in third person. She tutted and rolled her eyes at me and put it back into the closet.

"Maybe one of your nicer corsets then at least, and some newer trousers for once and boots that don't look so worn." She said sarcastically as she gestured to my tatty war boots. I rolled my eyes, "Fine." I agreed.

She smiled once more, pulling out a deep leather corset and new cream-coloured shirt and placing them on my bed. Then she went back and got me some new black trousers and black leather knee-high boots. "Here, put these on." She said as she pointed to the clothes she picked out. I rolled my eyes and took off my worn clothes. I put the new outfit on and looked at myself in the full-length mirror with Lilith looking over my shoulder smiling. She began French plaiting my hair on either side of my head and joining them up at the back, leaving the rest of my hair to flow freely.

"You look beautiful my queen." she bowed before me.

"Come on Lil, it's time." I said as I gestured for her to follow me with my hand.

We made our way down the staircase and through the castle foyer to the wagons outside. The horses were ready and the warriors had already begun piling into the wagons. I headed over to our wagon and got in. Once we were all ready, we set off for the battlefield. The night sky was drawing in slowly above us. I stared out of the window of the wagon up to the stars above. No one spoke the whole way there. The battlefield was a middle ground between both our realms. In a few hours we were there.

I directed the wagons so that they were hidden in the tree line and all my warriors shifted into their glorious wolf forms. Each one as beautiful as the next. I linked for them to head off directly across from the tent keeping low and hiding in the tree line, waiting for any impending attack. Once my warriors were ready and hidden in their stations, I turned to see the tent in the centre of the field. The battlefield was dark and the area was eerily quiet. The glow of the full moon lit up the tent, it looked somewhat peaceful. Something felt different tonight.

I began slowly making my way to the tent and as I did my body began to relax. The closer I got, the calmer I felt and then it hit me. A faint scent that I had never smelt on this field before. Cinnamon and spiced apple reminded me of my favourite holiday. I breathed it all in and edged closer to the tent. The closer I got, the stronger the scent became and the calmer I felt. Then my brain finally kicked in and caution started running through me, but I couldn't stop myself from getting closer. What smells so great? Is this some kind of spell? My wolf started to stir in my mind. She was rolling and purring. I could feel her excitement.

“Knock it off Saph!” I linked but she took no notice of me. I had made it to the tent doors and paused for a minute, whatever smelt soo good was definitely inside. I contemplated whether or not to go inside, but the contempt feeling that flowed through me told me that I was in no danger. As I opened the tent and stepped inside, revealing that amazing smell, my jaw dropped and Sapphire began to howl and race around in my mind,

“MATE!"