BLOOD OF THE FIRST

CHAPTER 03

I stared at the man in front of me, Rob, my brother—adopted—shaking my head in refusal at his request. I can’t even believe he would suggest something like that.

Rob was a lone wolf when my actual brother, Xander, found him, took him in, and cared for him as our family. Against my wish, Xander has been teaching Rob the ways of the king so he can one day be in charge, but I told him it was ridiculous. Rob is still an outsider and…

“Kiara… listen to me…” Rob started again, and I held up a finger to shun him.

“No, Rob. We’re not doing anything until Xander is back. He gave clear instructions to stay in hiding and grow in numbers until he’s back,” I reminded him.

“BUT FOR HOW LONG?” Rob screamed in anger, ruffling his hair in frustration in the process, then turned his back to me to calm down.

I walked toward him, placed my hand gently on his shoulder, and said quietly, “For as long as we need to, Robbie.”

He faced me then, with sad, tired eyes.

“We don’t even know how long that is going to be,” he replied.

“Don’t you have faith in him anymore, Rob?” I asked him, searching his eyes intently.

He sighed. “You know I do, more than anything, but the pack is beginning to grow tired; they are questioning their faith. Everyone is talking. What are we going to do about that?”

“The pack will obey their leader’s words: to stay hidden, grow in numbers, and wait for his return,” I told him sternly.

As he was about to say something, I placed a finger on his lips and said, “All these years he has been training you, it’s your duty to keep the pack going. Renew their faith. Keep everyone together. For him.”

“That is why we HAVE to do this,” he said.

“Robbie…”

“Listen, listen… I’ve had trusted men watch the gate. Those Lacanster bastards have let their guards down. They believe we’ve scattered and probably ended up dead. We need to reclaim our city. For Brother. Home would be waiting for him if he comes back,” Rob said.

“WHEN he comes back, Rob. When, not IF. He will come back,” I told him angrily.

“I know, Kiara. But think about it. Wouldn’t it be better if we fight this for him and reclaim our home, than wait for him to come back after all these years only to be thrown into another battle?” he asked me.

He does have a point, but it’s the intention I don’t trust. And I guess he noticed the look on my face because the next minute, he took two steps back in disbelief and pain.

“You—” he gave a dry chuckle and started again, “you don’t trust me.”

Feeling instantly guilty, I tried to hold him. “Rob—” but he swatted my hand away and moved back more.

“You will never accept me as family, will you?” he asked me.

“You know that’s not true, Rob,” I answered quietly, not sure if I believe it myself.

“You will always see me as an outsider, unfit to lead and control and take charge. My brother trusted me. He knew this day would come and prepared me for it. He entrusted the clan to me, and you think I’d do anything to ruin that trust?” he said with obvious pain in his voice.

I stayed quiet because, in all honesty, I didn’t know what to say.

“He has done everything for us. EVERYTHING, Kiara. And this one thing we can do for him, this—you know what?” He said, looking me dead in the eyes, “it’s fine. We will wait for him. For as long as it takes, we will wait, while the enemies turn our home into their fortress.”

He bowed slightly before walking away.

I looked around the space I’ve made mine ever since we were forced to flee our home. Rob is right, though. We need to reclaim our city, if not for anything, at least for Xander.

Then why do I feel conflicted?

I walked to my entrance to speak to one of the guards.

“Call me the twin wolves,” I commanded.

“Yes, my lady.”

I stepped back inside to await them.

The twin wolves are my brother’s favorite advisors. Young, but extremely wise. They never seem to agree on anything, though—part of why my brother loves them. They are like the physical representation of your inner conflicts: one supporting, the other opposing. Rhea the loud one, Raya the quiet one. Both do well in their roles regardless.

They stepped in, and I couldn’t help but wonder if they’re really twins. Rhea is always loud and colorful; even in our state, she had somehow managed to make herself beautiful, colorful dresses. The way she gracefully walked in, too, is one of her distinct attributes.

She has every man in the clan swooning over her, but she’s head over heels with Rob, even though he had never paid her any attention. Raya, on the other hand, is always in black and constantly hooded. Her head is always lowered, like she’s hiding her face from everyone and, come to think of it, I’ve never seen her full face. She went directly to a corner of the room to stand, her usual habit.

“You summoned us, Kiara,” Rhea said.

“Yes, I did. I need your thoughts on an important matter,” I told them and paused to see their reaction. Rhea had a curious but attentive look, and Raya just remained still like she isn’t in the room.

I continued regardless. “We want to reclaim our city.”

Rhea gasped in excitement, and for a split second, I thought I saw Raya lift her head to look at me, but I might be wrong.

“Oh! Kiara… that’s wonderful news. I’m sure everybody would be happy. We’ve waited too long for this. But what about the King?” she asked cautiously.

“We’ll still follow his orders, just that this time we’ll be doing it in our city, home,” I told her.

I looked over to Raya, but nothing. I focused my attention back to Rhea.

“Rob suggested it and I think he has a point. We’d hold the city until my brother gets back,” I continued.

Rhea couldn’t hide the excitement she felt at the mention of Rob’s name.

“When do we go? Has the clan been informed? Would we fight by Rob’s side? Who would be in charge of the kids and elderly ones?” she rushed out.

I almost laughed but kept my smile. She’s really crazy over Rob.

“We will go over that with Rob, and yes, Rhea, we are all fighting by Rob’s side,” I told her, and she squealed in delight.

She loves to be on the battlefield, but my brother doesn’t let his advisors fight unless it is extremely important, and I’m sure this counts as extremely important.

I bet she was dying to go get ready, so I dismissed them.

“That will be all, ladies. We have a battle to win,” I told them excitedly.

They both bowed slightly and proceeded to move out, but Raya hesitated, and it gave me the impression that she wanted to say something.

She turned to me, raised her head slightly so that only her bangs were in view, and said coldly, “You are making a huge mistake.”

My eyes widened as she bowed again and exited.

I bit my lips gently in worry.

I’ve agreed already; I can’t change my mind now. Plus, I need to give Rob the benefit of the doubt.

I took a deep breath and stood up.

No!

I’m not changing my mind.

We are reclaiming our home.