Chapter 31

The foul smell in the room lingered across her nostrils as she became conscious of her environment, her breath wild and vulnerable. The room gave off the same odor her father’s shoes normally had after a long day.

The place was as quiet as a graveyard, except the dripping sound of water that contributed to her disdain. Her head throbbed as she began to recall everything that's happened. Memories were slow, like baby steps, but she was beginning to connect everything.

Her calculative mind made a mental plan on how to escape from the room. She tried to make sense of the environment, piece together every bit of information she could remember. Instead, the pain in her head increased, her heart pounding; it was enough to make her pass out again.

There came a lingering sensation. The feeling caressed her in every area, wringing every part of her. Trying to shove the irksome sensation away, it resurfaced, hitting her in every sense.

Fear: it was fear.

Amelia wasn’t one to be harassed by the intruder, but something about the environment triggered it. And as quick as a flash, her eyes flew open, immediately encountering a blurry shape. In her foggy state, she made out a feminine figure, familiar but sinister. Sliding her eyes sideways, her vision cleared as she tried to make out the words that’d suddenly been stuck in her throat.

Maria Flyer.

There she was pacing and smiling so vilely.

“You…” Amelia trailed, her heart thumping. “What have you done to me?” She said slowly. Really, she wasn’t feeling herself, aside from the fact she was tied to a chair, there was no strength in her bones.

“Oh…you’re temporarily paralyzed,” she revealed casually, “you know, to prevent the beast from revealing.”

Amelia tried to hold her breath; the smell in the room was murderous.

“Guess where I got the dose?” Maria giggled, and Amelia felt the sudden urge to puke, “it’s a dangerous doze from the human country.” She clarified.

Of course, the woman was accustomed to using the access to the place for evil.

“I hear you visit there often,” Maria chuckled.

She’d been watching her all along.

“How did you…” she tried to complete her words, but the pain in her head overtook her thinking. She tried to communicate with her wolf, but her head was too packed to reach it.

Maria scurried to her front, landing her gaze on her. “You know…when I saw you coming in with Harry at the ball, I thought it was normal,” she said, “but then I recalled you both had a thing going on. I figured you might just ruin my plan, and I was right.”

Amelia opened her mouth, finally finding her voice, “you monster!” She tried to yell but failed, “you murdered your husband, you murdered my friend…” a hot drop of tear trickled down her cheek as she struggled to break free.

“Take it easy. Strain yourself and you’d be paralyzed forever,” Maria whispered in the most soothing voice.

She was truly a monster.

“My maid tends to be too chatty sometimes,” she sighed. “Good thing I got rid of her already,” she had her hand on her hip.

“You monster…” Amelia trailed.

“As for you friend, one of my women might have murdered her. Sorry about that.” She had a feral grin plastered on her face.

Women? Women were responsible?

“What is your plan?” Amelia questioned. She was most likely going to die; it was better to keep conversations going to buy her some time.

Maria paused, her gaze transfixed on her, “a new revolution to rule as the first female Alpha queen,” she said dreamily.

“The people shall never accept you,” Amelia muttered wearily, and Maria barked out a laugh.

“I don’t need their acceptance,” she smiled.

“You plan to dictate then?” Amelia widened her eyes, “you truly are a monster.”

Maria scowled and said in a bored tone, “enough chatting now,” she limped to a corner and reached for a gun.

Amelia could feel her heart racing. So, this was this? She was going to die.

She tightened her eyes, trying to feel her body.

Maria was already stretching the gun at her. There was no bright light over her head, no thought, no idea. All she saw was death approaching.

How Sophia must have felt in her last minute. Amelia had always thought she was going to live a lengthy life, but sometimes, life had a way of cutting plans short.

“If you shoot me, the sound shall be heard by the neighbors,” that was all she could come up with. “You shall trigger some attention.”

Maria only chuckled, “You’re so smart…I could really use you on my team,” she sighed.

“Whosoever comes here shall be killed also,” she said, and Amelia widened her eyes.

There was no stopping her.

“Me and you are so alike, too bad you’ve reached your dead-end.” Maria sang, as she attempted to pull the trigger. “Goodbye, Amelia.”

She tightened her eyes. It was truly the end. Her family, she was going to miss them. Just when she was getting along with her mother.

There came a strange click; Maria had pulled the trigger, but there was no bullet.

“What is going on?” She wasn’t looking very pleased as she tried to dismantle the gun.

“I’ll go get another one,” she said.

Amelia's heart was still thumping fast, she tried to think of a way out, but nothing came to mind. Her eyes were still tightened, then gently she raised her head and opened them, connecting with…Harry!

Her eyes widened, how had he gotten there?

She gazed again; Beth was behind him with…her father, and some soldiers.

“Amelia!” Harry ran to her side and began to untie her.

How had she not smelt him? She was too weak to even smell his fragrance.

She was crying now, and Harry embraced her, “I’m so sorry,” he said softly.

“How did you…”

“Your friend, Beth, alerted us,” he whispered. “If she didn’t—I don’t know what would have happened to you.”

Amelia gazed at him, “are you crying?” She questioned, her eyes streaming with tears.

“Never mind me,” he said.

The soldiers arrested Maria. She had a hard look as they led her out.

“You traitor!” she yelled, cocking her head at Elizabeth, “you traitor!”

They’d inserted a hardener in her; something used to prevent an enemy from shifting to their wolf after being apprehended.

“Father…”

The general was in front of her. He embraced and patted her back tenderly.

“We were so frightened, my jewel.”

“I’m fine now,” she soothed, “I just need to rest and—”

Beth revealed, and the general parted way for them to speak.

“I’m so sorry,” she buried her head.

Her frenemy wasn’t so bad after all.

“No…thank you.”

***

That same day, Harry limped into the palace with a huge grin plastered on his face. Maria had gone down and had been arrested along with some other women, and now, his uncle was going to share in the same fate.

The women were intelligent, really. The society underestimated them, hence their reason for success.

“Where’s the duke?” Harry questioned the guard at the front of the duke’s chamber.

“In the throne room.”

Of course, he was so obsessed with power: he abided in the room most of the time.

Harry steadily strode to the throne-room. Finally, it was going to end—the threats, the killings.

The lady, Beth, had revealed the location of all the weapons, and had been seized.

The duke had no one now; his time was over.

“You’re here,” the duke said as he spotted Harry from afar.

Scurrying close to him, Harry smirked, “your time is up, uncle.”

The duke scowled. “What nonsense are you spitting?”

“Seize him!” Harry commanded, gazing at the guards.

“They only answer to the king,” the duke grimaced, “what do you think you’re doing—”

“Seize him!” The duke shuddered.

The king’s voice was loud and imperious—one that commanded authority.

“Your…your highness,” the duke stuttered, “you’re alive!”

“And you’re a traitor!” The king roared as he limped towards him. Harry just chuckled, enjoying as the scene played out.

“Stay back!” The duke commanded, revealing his weapon.

Harry froze. “Be careful, father.” He alerted the king as he transformed into his wolf.

No wonder he was the king, his wolf was so huge, almost reaching the roof. Its fur was white, beautiful to the sight. He jumped on the duke, triggering a shoot from him.

“Father!” Harry bellowed, “apprehend the duke!” He commanded the guards and they marched in action.

Harry ran to his father’s side, fidgeting. He’d shifted into his body.

“Are you alright, father?” He questioned worriedly. Surely, he had to be fine. He was the strongest wolf in the country.

“I’m fine, my son,” he said. “And I’m proud of you.”