Reborn

CHAPTER 1A moth later(P-2)

Previously in CHAPTER 1 A month later.

...“Hey, Beta, have you caught that stench?”

“Yeah, smells like death and decay,” the Beta responded, but Benjamin shook his head in protest and followed the invisible trail. He found an empty cup on the nightstand, picked it up, and sniffed it from all angles.

“St. John’s wort!” the boy exclaimed. “In this kingdom, St. John’s wort is as deadly to locals as aconite is to werewolves.”

With his remarkable sense of smell and extensive knowledge of poisons, plants, and powders, the young detective could identify any substance that threatened the pack. Benjamin confidently hopped onto the bed and examined the late queen’s body.

“What did you find, Benji?” Beta Sam asked.

“She smells exactly like this plant! Someone poisoned Queen Gertrude!”...

“Are you sure?” Clara asked in a hoarse voice.

“I’ve also seen evidence of poisoning,” Dr. Grand verified the suspicions. “A week ago, I checked on Her Majesty with little Zoe; they were in excellent health. Death occurred shortly after my visit. Once the autopsy is complete, I’ll provide more details.”

“How do we plan to move Gertrude’s body to our territory?” Sam asked. “Francis is grieving; I don’t think he will hand over his wife to us willingly.”

“I’ll either use our right to Ancestral Land Burial or take my sister’s body by force!” Luna growled, jumping to her feet.

Dr. Grand stayed behind to collect samples in case they couldn’t bring Queen Gertrude to the Land of Wolves. Benjamin placed the cup in the evidence bag and followed the others out.

In the hall, Clara spotted the woman from the throne room and blocked her way. “Stop! Name yourself!” she demanded in a harsh tone.

Luna’s patience has run out. Someone had killed her sister, and this suspicious stranger was freely roaming the castle grounds.

“Your Majesty, my name is Mirena.” The woman curtsied, aware of Clara Thorn’s identity.

“Why are you here?”

“I am a healer, and I have just moved in. From now on, I’m the king’s personal doctor,” Mirena said, her voice oozing with confidence as she flashed a smile.

“Were you also responsible for Queen Gertrude’s health?” Clara asked, narrowing her eyes at the stranger.

“No, only a few maids were in her room; honestly, she isn’t my concern.”

Rage coursed through Clara’s veins. She moved forward to wipe Mirena’s devious smile off her face, but Beta Sam stepped in and stopped her. “Luna, cool off. Think of Zoe! We can’t accuse someone without concrete evidence. Let’s not make enemies, especially when it could harm your niece.”

Clara knew Sam was right; her explosive temper made it difficult for her to remain calm. “We’re leaving now!” she ordered and returned to her husband.

George distracted his friend in a relaxed conversation in the throne room while they sipped whiskey. He couldn’t help but feel that something was wrong with Francis. Sure, the king had lost his wife, but the man before him seemed like a stranger rather than their beloved brother-in-law. King Francis was disoriented and had no memory of the prior week. His daughter’s name triggered unexpected aggression, which escalated into full-blown hysteria.

“We need to talk!” Clara’s voice had a newfound confidence. “I want to give Gerta a proper burial, following the traditions of our parents’ kingdom.”

“I’m thinking of locking her under the glass and showing her off to our people!” the king protested, not too thrilled about Clara’s plan, and Luna gritted her teeth at what she heard.

“My sister should rest in the family tomb instead of hanging around like a memorial! Surely, you remember that our family respects the law on Ancestral Land Rights. It is up to you to decide whether we resolve this issue peacefully, or I will complain to the Great Council of the Realms tomorrow morning and take Gertrude’s body by force!” Clara gave the ultimatum, clenching her fists in anger as she strategized her next moves.

There was a moment of silence, but after a brief pause, Francis spoke. “Sure, take her; just let me know when the funeral is, and I’ll be there. Now, excuse me, I must leave.”

He rose from his chair, hurled the glass onto the marble floor, smashed it, and left the room.

Clara and George, their eyes wide in shock, exchanged glances, taken aback by their brother-in-law’s sudden outburst.

“What was that?” the stunned Luna asked.

“It seems too simple, doesn’t it?” Sam asked in a surprised voice.

“Who cares? We have my sister’s body,” Clara said. “Hurry, grab Gerta and return home before he changes his mind!” she ordered urgently. “Alpha George and I need to visit an old friend. Something is terribly wrong with this place.”

The Beta nodded and told the doctor to leave the castle.

Meanwhile, Francis entered the royal bedroom, where a naked Mirena was waiting for him. The woman playfully pounced on the king like a cat. Ripping his clothes, she kissed him hard.

***

The Temple of Water lay nestled near the North Lake and beneath the Mighty Waterfall. It served as a sanctuary that housed all water mages in the Kingdom of the Ten Lakes. Only a few chosen outsiders could enter the premises using the hidden door after receiving a blessing mark from the mage. Without it, the cave mazes would forever trap strangers.

Clara and George approached the wall of water, and the Werewolf King pressed his wrist against the flow. In an instant, the stream divided, revealing a passage shaped like a door.

The royal couple entered a vast room with a tall, arched ceiling, where monks tended to the sacred water fountains and maintained the temple’s serenity.

“Welcome, my friends!” A familiar voice greeted the guests. “Please accept my heartfelt condolences.” Philip cast a sorrowful glance at the floor.

Nanny Audrey stood beside him, holding the princess in her arms and pushing Philip’s adoptive son, Edgar, in a stroller.

“Zoe, my baby!” Queen Clara exclaimed.

She ran to the nanny and gently scooped up her niece.

“Your Majesty, the princess is safe with us; don’t worry,” Philip reassured the royals.

“What’s going on?” George questioned the mage.

“Audrey, please do me a favor and take the kids?” Philip asked, inviting his guests to follow him. They strolled into the study, and he pulled up the soundproofing barrier.

“Why the secrecy?” Clara asked with a puzzled expression.

“It’s difficult to trust anyone these days. The darkness taints the king’s heart. This temple is secure, but someone from outside could eavesdrop.” Philip explained his actions as he looked at the glass ball, which worked as an outdoor monitoring camera.

“I knew it!” the Alpha exclaimed. “In the castle, I couldn’t help but notice he was acting strangely.”

“This started when the princess was born. Gertrude told me that Francis had been spending less time with them and had even ignored her, complaining about the wailing infant and constant noise. The queen suspected her husband of infidelity when one nurse who assisted with Zoe’s delivery unexpectedly became the ruler’s personal doctor; they were always together.” Philip shared all the information he knew with the royals.

“I told you I saw that b***h before!” Luna was furious. “I’ll rip her heart out the next time we meet!”

“Why is Francis still cursed by the darkness? Removing it is the specialty of water mages. Right?” George looked at his friend, wondering.

The mage shook his head and fell into his chair. “We’re trying, but so far, no luck.”

“Philip, did you know Gerta was poisoned by St. John’s wort?” the Alpha asked.

“Damn it!” the mage exclaimed. “Francis prohibited me from visiting Her Majesty for nearly a month. I sneaked through the portals, using the marks Audrey had left behind. The castle is now closed to our magic, and we can’t stay inside the castle walls for over 15 minutes. I’m unsure whether it’s a witch or a warlock, but I sense a monster more dangerous than we imagine. For the first time in my family’s seven generations, we can’t remove the darkness.”

“Oh, my!” Terror seized Clara, and she covered her lips with her hand. Water mages were well known for freeing people from darkness and other curses.

“Do you think the witch is the king’s healer?” George asked.

“I’m sure it’s that girl! Her scent was unusual; she did not smell like a human or a healer; instead, she reeked of death. I should’ve killed her,” Luna mumbled as she crossed her arms over her chest. “We must get Zoe out of here. You and Audrey should follow.”

“Hold your horses; there’s more!” Philip continued his s********e of the temple’s most powerful mages disappeared. We discovered lifeless bodies scattered throughout the city days later. They were empty.”

“Vampires?” George asked.

“I’m uncertain,” Philip admitted. “They’ve drained all their life’s energy and mana. We still have eight more bodies to discover. People saw the men with Francis’s healer and her entourage before they vanished.

“What the hell is going on here?!” the Alpha shouted.

“We do not know, but I sent my sister Lily to investigate,” Philip answered. “If we’re lucky, she can get more information for us. Furthermore, I camouflaged my magic and convinced Francis that I was a simple monk with no abilities. I will stay in the kingdom and watch over the king. We must find out who is responsible for this mess and why they kidnapped our people, but I have one request.”

“Tell us, how can we help?” The Queen of Werewolves chimed in.

“Could you please do me a favor and provide shelter for the remaining mages and children? Many of them will inherit the power of water magic. We must preserve our legacy. I don’t want them to end up being eaten. Our kingdom crumbled, and our shields fell. Francis deploys troops at the perimeter of borders and crossings. Bloodsuckers are swarming the Frontier, and the temple’s devoted mages are losing their positions. I’m afraid that soon no one will be able to exit the kingdom. Please take them with you to the Land of Wolves!” The man dropped to his knees and bowed his head.

“Philip, rise! We accept anyone who needs protection,” George said, extending a hand to his friend and pulling him from the ground.

“Oh, and Zoe as well!” Her Majesty joined in.

“Unfortunately, the princess should stay here,” the mage admitted with a tinge of guilt.

“No way, not happening!” Clara voiced her disagreement. “I swore to my sister that I would protect Zoe!”

“I am with Philip on this one. Francis will appeal to the Great Council of the Realms, claiming that we kidnapped the heir to the throne, which is a serious crime. Unless we have solid proof of Gertrude’s murder, we cannot make demands,” George said.

“Who is better at helping my niece than we are?!” Luna shouted, overwhelmed with emotions.

“Calm down, honey. I also want to get the little one out of this crazy place, but we need a plan. Don’t forget that we are the Land of Wolves’ Royal Family, responsible for all packs globally. Think about Caleb! If we receive a death sentence for kidnapping a princess, what will happen to our son? He’s only seven years old, and after my death, all the power-hungry Alphas will challenge him for the throne!” George raised his voice; the situation’s complexity made him lose his temper, and Luna shuddered at what she heard. “Our territories are also in danger,” the Alpha King said in a calmer manner. “This monster can suck out the strongest mages while concealing its true nature from others. If we want to help Zoe, the Land of Wolves must be strengthened, so the princess has a safe place to return to. Gather everyone who will accompany us; we are departing.”

Clara looked at her husband with teary eyes, realizing he was right.

“I will take care of Zoe and be your eyes in the castle,” the water mage promised. “In case the phones go off, take this communication stone,” he added, passing the white crystal to the royal couple.

Philip removed the soundproofing barrier and escorted the guests out of the study. Clara found Nanny Audrey in the common room and approached her niece. Luna hugged the little girl, tears streaming down her cheeks. Leaving her defenseless baby in the Kingdom of the Ten Lakes devastated the queen.

“I beg you, please take care of her.” Clara turned to Audrey and handed the baby to the nanny.

“I’ll give up my life for her!” the nanny assured Luna, clutching the bundle with the princess to her chest.

George guided his wife to the center of the room; it was time to return home. With hope filling their hearts, the refugees gathered in a circle, nervously awaiting rescue. Avoiding the vampire-filled city of Frontier, the passage guard created a portal that went straight to the border of the Land of Wolves. The people fled the temple, leaving Philip and a dozen other monks behind. For the sake of the future queen, they concealed their magic and hid within the temple walls.

While Luna handled the newcomers’ accommodations, George contacted his Royal Beta.

“Sam, call the elders and send Alvedy to me!”

At sunrise, the Land of Wolves was encircled by the Seven-Sided Barrier. According to legend, Gaia created this spell and gave it to the Fai Kingdom’s battle masters for ultimate protection from any threat and magic. Only those with a pure heart and no ill intentions may enter the confined areas.