DARKEST ( Supernatural Beginnings Series) Book Three

Are You Worthy? Part two

Tamzin

“Frowning doesn’t become you, you know,” I said, handing a cup of coffee to Wolfram, who sat in an armchair near the fireplace in his personal private space in the communal area on the ground floor. I sat next to him in my own armchair with a cup of coffee of my own.

“Thanks for this,” he said in response, taking a sip of his coffee and reverting back to silence with his thoughts. The entire pack knew what was on his mind, for we all felt some type of way with Roman and Sade Fang’s impromptu visit. I sat by his side silently as I knew this was how he dealt with things that would bring more complications if not dealt with properly.

The pack surrounded their King inside the castle in waves in a harmonious silence. Our unity was an unbreakable strength that the Silver Fangs could never match. It helped to bring clarity to the problem, not just what he would face. Wolfram never failed to listen to each and every one of the Claw pack member’s thoughts and opinions.

In the time he was away, he was sorely missed, me being at the top of the leader board, but this was something I wasn’t sure's to let him know I felt. He has been my king and best friend for many years before and after, he met his late wife and mate and when I met my late husband and mate. We’d been through so much together and would get through this storm too, but fate seemed to be rearing something between us that I thought was impossible at my age.

With a deep and heavy sigh, Wolfram finally put down his cup of coffee on the table before him. He looked up and around him at his pack members with a warm smile on his face. As many members and friends responded in kind, his eyes landed on Mariana. She stood up from her seat after noticing his perusal.

“Grandpa?’” she asked in question.

“We need to prepare for war,” said Wolfram.

“Correction old man, we should prepare for a sneak attack instead,” said Alexis as she stepped up to stand beside Mariana.

“What’d you pick up on kid?” Wolfram said, catching on to Alexis' meaning behind her words as I had.

“If Ingrim’s words meant any indication from earlier, we should focus on the pact between the Fangs and the Claws. I couldn’t help feeling something else was going on behind it for him to take Roman’s side over it. Given Roman’s words to me, they won’t be willing to let go and will try to use, in Roman’s words, a “loophole” to bind the Red Claws to them at any cost, hence my reasoning for a sneak attack instead of knowing what’s ahead for a war.”

“I agree,” I said, after listening to her words and finding a sneak attack more than the Fangs and Ingrim’s way of doing things. It would keep him under the radar with the Wolf Council and keep their hands from being the one of them that would get dirty with no traces left behind to lead to them.

“Alright kid, my first thoughts were leaning toward that as well. Good looking out on this. Does anyone else have any thoughts on this matter? If not, we will proceed by moving forward on possible sneak attacks.”

“I have some thoughts!” A familiar voice rang out among the sea of people. I stood up in a flurry with tears in my eyes. She could make it late after all. She had been quite busy as of late with the cloud and changes happening in our world.

“Well, I’ll be! Vernice is that you?” Wolfram said in surprise and genuine joy.

“It’s been too long my King,” Vernice said, stopping in front of Wolfram, giving a light bow, then instantly jumping into his arms with a big hug. Her actions brought forth laughter and harmonious happiness within the Claw pack.

Wolfram wrapped his arms around her with ease, his smile growing bigger from her emotional hug. The bond between them makes me smile as well. Just as I had stepped up for his son Harold, Wolfram had stepped up for my daughter Vernice. With his guidance, she grew to become a prominent figure here in our world as a member of the Wolf Council. Falling third in rank at the head of the Wolf council, making the Red Claw kingdom very proud.

Vernice's long, ebony hair cascaded down her back in lustrous waves, contrasting starkly against her tanned, sun-kissed complexion. Her shoulders were broad, hinting at her strength, while her hourglass figure celebrated both her femininity and formidable prowess. She had definitely reached maturity during the time she had been away from the pack kingdom herself as a council member.

Vernice was dressed in an ensemble that seamlessly blended the world of the Dystopian Wolf Council. She wore a fitted, matte-black bodysuit that clung to her form, accentuating her curves. Silver embroidery traced the contours of her figure, reminiscent of Valkyrie armor in honor of her late father, while her thigh-high boots, made of sleek, obsidian leather, added an air of modernity. On her back, a billowing, ebony cloak hung, adorned with ancient tribal symbols and feathers, denoting her unique heritage brought upon by my late husband and me.

“There, their daughter, I am fine and healthy, as you can see. I hear you are doing big things on the council. I get the feeling you aren’t here to just visit, are ya?” asked Wolfram as they released each other from their previous warm embrace. The smile soon left her face at his words and she straightened up, going into her council member mode. Her aura soon radiated palpable energy. It was a combination of strength and grace, of fierceness and poise, of wild instincts and human wisdom.

“I still can’t get past your keen senses, Wolfram. I even hid my aura this time,” she said with a pout.

“Ha! Vernie, you have always been horrible at stealth deception since we were kids, even I knew something was up when you arrived,” said Harold, causing some pack members to laugh out loud again.

“Hey! Don’t be mean Harry, you have to admit I did get somewhat better at it.”

“Yeah, I’ll give ya that, but it still isn’t your forte, just stick to what you know and I missed you too, by the way,” Harold said as he smiled at Vernice, while she smiled back, waving at Connie. She took a look around the room, spotting two of her subordinates who had traveled with her. Getting back into seriousness mode. The room fell into a hushed silence as they waited for what Vernice had come to say.

“You’re right, I didn’t come just to visit though I really would have liked to. It was a good thing we also witnessed the scene with the Fangs as well upon our arrival. Alexis wasn’t wrong about the sneak attack because I am here to present you with a decree from the Wolf Council, the complaint we received from a not-so-anonymous party about the Red Claw Pack’s violation of the Pact agreement between the royal kingdoms of King Nolan Fang and King Wolfram Claw.”

Vernice presented the scrolled decree to Wolfram, who opened it and allowed the pack members to see its contents. Rounds of upset growls and disbelieving exclamations rang from the crowd. In order for the decree to be pushed through like this, it was done in advance and with a considered valid witness for them to send Vernice to her home wolf pack.

“That f*****g traitor Ingrim!” Harold yelled. His fist hit the counter on the bar that he stood beside. Connie took his fist in hers and gave it a kiss.

“Don’t hurt yourself over that fool. Now, Father Wolfram should have no doubts about dealing with him now because of this,” said Connie as she shook her head and the absurdity of their sneaky actions unfurling before us.

“What is he trying to do? Am I not a good enough bother to him?” Wolfram said, letting out an exasperated sigh.

“It has nothing to do with you two being brother’s grandpa. It’s clear he wants to be King. They are trying to force us to abide by the pact even when they know I have a mate now. This decree is useless, but knowing Ingrim is involved, we have to look out for dirty tricks on the day of the Council meeting the day after tomorrow, exactly when the moon festival is over.” Mariana said.

“Which reminds me, Ingrim and Enid haven’t returned after accompanying the Fangs back to their kingdom,” I said. It was obvious they knew what was coming. Did they think this little decree would take our King down? They would surely be mistaken on the day of the meeting if I had anything to say about it. Ingrim, are you even worthy? I thought he had no idea what being a King of the Red Claw Pack truly entailed. If he did, he wouldn’t covet it so much.