Chapter 51

A shocked silence hangs over everyone as I reveal new knowledge within the sacred mirrors the Oracle prays. No one says anything for a long beat of silence, confused.

“Are you telling me… there’s two more of you?” Grayson scoffs, his eyes then flicker to Jaxson, “aren’t you a lucky little wolf,” he coos childishly. Jaxson growls as Grayson tries to pat his head, only to retreat quickly.

I roll my eyes. “No, we’re fraternal, dumbass. And that is disgusting!” I snap, running my fingers through my hair. Grayson chuckles as I turn to face Jaxson. “And you! How do you have kids?!” I screech.

Jaxson blinks, “Fenrir bore sons long before he joined to me. He kept the hounds to guard his gates, and with Selene’s assistance, placed Fenrir within me. Hades wanted me to have the powers of a God, and Selene wanted to save the last Lycan,” Jaxson shrugs, just as Grayson waves him away.

The fuck...!

“Yeah, yeah... So, where’s the third sister, little wolf?” He wonders. An exhausted breath escapes my lips.

“She’s dead. Freya killed her when she was born,” should I be sad? I feel like I should, but I just can’t. I didn’t know her; she was dead before I was born. Also, it’s been two thousand years.

“But we would have known if Lucinda was pregnant with you. We ran into each other on multiple occasions,” Charming wonders. Yeah, that bothered me too. How did nobody see she was pregnant?

“She may have used a glamour spell. It’s a simple and small spell, so none of us would have seen through it with the power she always radiated around us,” Sophia explains. That must have been it.

“I don’t understand-... you can’t see small spells?” I muse, raising a brow.

“Normally yes, but small spells next to large amounts of power are practically invisible,” Sophia explains. Well, what do I know – I can’t exactly see magic like these people.

“That is irrelevant, war is here in two weeks, and we need an army,” Jaxson finally interrupts. “Grayson, you will take Dylan to the Eastern lands and prepare your forces. Sophia, you will join with Crowe and get the Fae’s and witches to work as one.”

I’m surprised Jaxson already has a plan, but I am concerned about the witches and Fae’s – they’ve been at each other’s throats for centuries. A feud like that isn’t cured overnight, and from the determined gaze in Sophia’s eyes, she knows it too.

“And you?” Grayson asks Jaxson.

“I’ll need to gather the beasts in Tri-ad, I’ll be gone for three days at the most…” but what about me? “And Valerie, you will return to the northern lands and gather the wolves together at the Warrior pack. Take Theia and Elias.”

“W-Wait… B-But…” I try to stop him, but he doesn’t give me a chance.

“Right, we should go…” Elias says, cutting me off. His arms wrap around myself and Theia. The next thing I know, I’m falling onto the couch-… in Bloodhound!

What the fuck?!

I make multiple turns, wondering how the hell I ended up here? “How did I get here?!” Theia’s familiar voice screeches, falling onto the couch where I previously sat.

“Are you okay?” I ask, examining her features to see if she has acquired any injuries. She hasn’t. Something crashes behind me. I turn quickly, and I’m surprised to see Henry with shattered glass around his knees – bowing.

“Alpha Queen, you left so suddenly. We thought you abandoned us,” Henry says, I freeze for a moment at the title, but oddly I don’t feel repulsed or uncomfortable by it. My body shocks the life out of me as my shoulders rise and my chest puffs out.

“Because I did,” I drawl. Henry flinches. Being bonded to him, I can feel the sadness and guilt clouding his heart. But he doesn’t blame me. “However, I realise it was immature and wrong to leave you defenceless.”

I don’t want to hold onto grudges anymore.

The reality is, I’m a wolf - No! I’m an Alpha Queen - and Queens don’t run.

Henry’s so shocked by words he forgets I’m his queen. His head snaps up, staring directly at me – but not for long. The pressure of my gaze must have forced him to shift his eyes down once more. It isn’t like I’m trying to get that reaction, but his wolf senses that I’m far superior now.

“I apology….” It seems my overwhelming presence is nothing compared to the determination in Henry’s eyes. He clearly needs to say something.

“No!” He yells, standing to his feet, “you shouldn’t apologise! We are the ones who should be sorry. We never fought for you; we were never there to protect you. I swore as a warrior of Bloodhound to protect every soul as if they were my own blood… every soldier of Bloodhound swore to that oath, but none lived up to it.”

I blink, shocked. Henry’s eyes pierce into my own, and I can see he meant what he said, every word. He blinks suddenly, “shi-… sorry,” Henry correct himself and falls to his knees. I can hear Theia’s soft giggle behind me.

Sighing, I glide over to him and gently place my hands on his shoulder.

“Everyone makes mistakes, including me. I am willing to forgive because that is the example I want to lead. A true Queen rises above all the hatred and anger and guides those around her. Please, stand…” Henry slowly stands up, my hand still sitting on his shoulder as his eyes find mine. “I’m willing to leave my past in the past and look ahead. Will you stand beside me?”

He’s shocked, his brown eyes widen, and his jaw hangs open. Honestly, I’m surprised myself. I didn’t think I could get past their betrayal, but here I am. Oddly, it feels nice.

“I swear my loyalty and my life to you and this pack,” I nod, pleased. A swell of pride blooms in my chest, and I swear it’s Nia. She’s watching. Tears prick my eyes, giving me hope she’ll return to me soon.

“Good, and for your first order of business. Contact all 26 Alpha’s and their betas here immediately. The Gamma’s will take charge. They have until sunset,” Henry’s eyes widen again, panic rising to his facial features.

“All of them!”

I raise a brow, “did I stutter?” He clamps his jaw shut. I have to force myself not to smile.

“N-No, but may I ask why?” I sigh, gathering all the Alpha’s and Betas here to leave their packs vulnerable. Leaves families vulnerable. An enemy can take advantage of this, but it’s a risk I’ll have to take.

“A war is coming, Henry. A war we cannot lose. Now, hurry along,” he doesn’t question me and takes off running. Reaching through the mind link, I call the Omega.

*‘Jonah, Bloodhound Omega, Correct?’* I call through the link. I can feel Jonah and his wolfs submission through the link.

*‘Y-Yes, Queen,’* He stutters fearfully. I concentrate on their distress and ease their minds.

*‘Easy Omega, I wish you no harm,’* I whisper like a soothing lullaby, and I can feel it worked. *‘Gather the Omega’s and find me at the mansion. I will explain the rest.’*

I turn my head slightly, my eyes finding Theia’s and Elias’s with smiles painting across their faces, “What?”

“You did great!” Theia chuckles, and I smile, knowing this is nothing.

The Alpha will be here, and they’ll no doubt test my leadership abilities. I don’t know how I’m going to handle it.