Chapter 39

When Ben froze and his eyes turned white, everyone else froze. The Dark Moon Pack couldn’t be coming back now, could they? When Ben’s eyes returned to normal, he looked at Phoenix.

“I’m so sorry, man.” Ben said. “Your king will die in two days.”

“Thanks, I knew he was dying, it was just a matter of time. I’ll be leaving after tomorrow to head home. It’s time for me to take the throne.” Phoenix said somberly.

“I’ll go with you,” I said.

“No, you are needed here. I’ll be back when I can.” With that everyone continued what they were doing a little more reverently.

The Barnettes went out hunting with the rest of the vampires. When they returned , they had a bobcat for Strix. I carried it and two bags of food up to her and Shawn. I knocked on the door and Shawn answered in his boxers. It figured. I handed everything to him and he thanked me.

I went back downstairs and asked if anyone was up for taking care of the bodies outside. Everyone got up and came with me. The Barnette estate was like a village and if anyone were watching, it would look like the villagers were cleaning up. That’s what we were now. A village. And that was what we were doing, except we were cleaning up trash.

These dead wolves fought for their alpha, whether they wanted to or not they were following orders. They should be buried with respect even if they were our enemy. We loaded their bodies into our vehicles and drove to the base of the mountain. And according to lycan tradition, we buried them. It took our village all night to bury them, but we were done before the sun rose. It was Christmas morning.

When we got back to the house, everyone hit the showers and got a few hours of sleep. Strix woke everyone at eight o’clock.

“It’s Christmas and we are all eating together. I know yesterday was hard and last night even harder, but today is a day for joy not mourning.” She said very cheerful-like.

“Morning to you, too,” I said, exhaustion dripping heavily in my voice.

“Taylor, wake up!” She said as I laid back down.

“I’m up, princess, I swear.” I said.

“You’re still in bed, Taylor.” She pouted. Her pregnancy hormones had her like this sometimes. Like she was a kid again.

“Alright, I’m up. Are those pancakes?” I asked, looking at the plate in her hands.

“Yep. Chocolate kitty cat pancakes to be exact.”

“You didn’t put leftover bobcat in those did you?”

“No! Gross! They are shaped like cats and have a chocolate flavor because I used chocolate.”

“They smell delicious.” She handed me the plate.

“I made enough to feed an army so come to the kitchen for more,” she said with a laugh.

I followed her to the kitchen. The smell of bacon hit me like a ton of bacon. I asked Shawn, who was cooking the bacon, for ten pieces. He pointed me towards several plates he had already cooked. Mountains of bacon, mountains of eggs, and loads of pancakes shaped like cats. On another table were gallons upon gallons of orange juice and milk. Apparently Strix and Shawn couldn’t sleep this morning.

After breakfast, we all opened presents in the living room. Everyone was excited and had forgotten about yesterday just as Strix wanted it. After gift opening, we all went outside to the small pond out back. We ice skated for a while before someone mentioned hot chocolate and we went inside to make and enjoy some.

Strix had more games and activities planned for us. We had a scavenger hunt. Had a Monopoly tournament. Played various card games. And wound down the day with dinner and movies. The Barnettes had a movie theater in their basement. This was the first time I had been down here and it was amazing. Leather reclining chairs with cup holders, the huge screen, the popcorn machine. It was great.

We watched Spirited first and then a couple other Scrooge movies. Spirited was the most different from A Christmas Carol. Still relatively the same story, but I think it was better.

*****Phoenix’s perspective*****

Strix and Shawn really made Christmas great. They obviously didn’t sleep. They made a huge breakfast for everyone and planned a day full of activities. We ended it all with various movies based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. My mother loves that guy. When I was a kid, she used to make me read everything he wrote. I am very familiar with this story. Anyway, after the movies, just about everyone went to bed. I stayed up and spoke with Strix, Shawn, and Taylor about me going back home for a few days. I need to accept my role as the new king, make some changes, and put some things in place before coming back. Taylor still wanted to come with me but was needed here more.

“Taylor, your place is here now. You are the new witch for the Hyacintho Lunar Pack and Strix’s temporary guard.”

“Fine, but if you need anything, I’m a phone call away.”

“I know.”

“Now, Strix, don’t be so stubborn. I know that will be difficult for you, but I won’t be here to help Shawn stay calm and not freak out. Shawn, remember Strix is stubborn. Also, she is not an invalid. She can do most things on her own. Pretty much just stick to hunting for her.”

“Got it,” they said in unison.

“Okay, I will be leaving at first light.” I said.

After saying our see you laters, I packed some things and went to bed.

I made my trip as quickly as possible. I took a different route heading south first and I borrowed a car this time. No chance of me accidentally crossing onto pack lands this time. I will stick to well traveled highways. I took the ninety-five south until I hit the ten west. I took that all the way to San Diego. The trip took me two and a half days and I got home to Obscjra the day after King Omelette died. The fae were preparing for his funeral; it’s much like that of human viking funerals.

My parents were very excited to see me. They heard about the things that happened while I was in Boston from King Omelette. They were happy I was okay and that I had met someone on my journey. They had feared I would be lonely. I told them my focus right now is to save us from Khenzu. They kind of understood. I told them that yes, I like Taylor, but right now we are just friends.

After the funeral, The priests performed the coronation ceremony. And I was officially the king. My first act as king, I told the people we needed to implement a training schedule so we are always prepared for war. My second act was letting them know I was moving the palace to Drakmore. Drakmore would be the new ruling city and I would be closer to my friends when they needed me. My third act was to incorporate combat training in our schools. This was harder to do. It would make the school day a little longer, but I felt it was necessary to start their training at age fourteen. I ordered the generals to see this through on all levels. Then I contacted the palace architect and a few teleporters. We needed to move the palace to Drakmore as soon as possible. I knew it would take some time to get everything ready.

After my meetings, I called Taylor. We discussed my trip, the coronation, and my plans to move the palace. Then we discussed what I missed. Taylor told me Ben had another vision of the Dark Moon Pack attacking them. I was confused because I wasn’t even there anymore. But I guess Alpha Seki has a death wish. I told Taylor to let everyone know I will be back soon to help and ended the call.