Chapter 61

The days blur. Everyone is on edge now that Freya's presence looms over us all.

Many fights have broken, but thankfully, the leaders seem to be understanding it's all or nothing now.

Over the days, the two suns have grown closer. Now they seem to be melting, producing an unnoticeable lime glow. I can also see the soft silhouette of Earths moon.

Right now, it looks breathtaking. And while I want to sit here and count the days for the three kings to share the sky, I dread the destruction that is to follow.

Over the past few days, I've stuck with the wolves avoiding the Qusayr at any opportunity - especially Jaxson. I always knew he was hiding a daunting past. I just always imagined he was another victim paying for the mistakes of our ancestors.

How wrong and naive I was.

He started everything. Eldora, the world that I pity and hate - the world that has broken me down and killed me inside and many others. A world of tyrants, monsters and creatures.

This world that I'm now trying to change with the author who created it in the first place.

"You called me?" Oliva sighs, stumbling into the Alpha's tent, causing many eyes to turn to her. Her eyes widen a moment, probably expecting just me.

I can hear Theia chocked giggle beside me, and I resist the urge to smile at her. She hasn't left my side since she found out Elias died. I told her it was me - and I'm still questioning why she doesn't hate me?

"Olivia, why are you here?" Alpha Dane grumbles. Olivia keeps her eyes cast down, avoiding her fathers piercing gaze.

"Alpha Queen summons me," she answers, her voice never once wavering but with - what I now learnt - is an ability I didn't know I had of true sight, I can see her nervousness.

Alpha Dane's eyes snap to mine. I can see he wants to say something but bites his tongue. I guess it's an improvement.

"She will join us as we discuss our battle strategy. I have multiple spies watching Freya closely. It seems most of her army is dependant on Kryo as he's the one that created those earth monsters. As for Freya, she's taken the mind of a few creatures - like once before..." I drawl, my gaze flickering to Olvia.

"Chris..." She murmurs, was that his name? I can't seem to remember.

"Who's Chris?!" Alpha Dane hisses, Olivia barely flinches.

"A warrior who fell into Freya compulsion," she answers. Alpha Dane nods and turns on his heel to surround the table once more.

"You may leave and return to your post," He waves dismissively. I tilt my head slightly. I didn't call her here for that tidbit of information. Still, I'm curious - I didn't assign Olivia to a post.

"Post?" I wonder, her gaze flickers to mine, looking annoyed.

"I'm to watch the borders," she grumbles, trying to keep her annoyance for me out of her tone. My eyes widen the slightest. Why the fuck would we have a warrior guard the damn borders!?

"That isn't why I called you here," I sigh, turning back to the table to avoid her gaze. Gosh, aren't I suppose to hate her? "We are going over our battle strategy. Stay, I'd like your input."

"Alpha..." My eyes meet Alpha Dane's. He's ready to object but stops.

"I assigned her position yesterday, as I did with all the warriors. I understand she's your daughter, but she's under my command. Please don't run around bossing my warriors around. I'm leading this army - not you." I stress.

He can't keep going behind my back. Not only does this confuse the warriors, but it's also disrespecting my authority.

Olivia's head snaps to me. I resist the urge to smirk as I can practically taste her nervousness. I bet she wishes she was nicer to me now. "Wh-What position?"

I turn my head to meet her eyes, worry and nervousness wafting off her. Does she think I'm going to assign her to clean after us once we all leave for war?

"General," I drawl, her features fall for a second before snapping her head up once my words register in her mind. Her eyes widen, obviously expecting something much worse - but I can see her happiness. With or without true sight, I can see she's happy and proud.

"What?! But that's..." Alpha Dane splutters.

"A position beside me to lead the army," I answer. I didn't pick Olivia to get under Alpha Danes skin - that is just a bonus. I picked her because her file is the most impressive. Also, she's the only warrior I know who I've fought beside.

Just as we're about to begin, Alpha Hendrix saunters in. "Alpha..." He pauses. His body stiffens as his eyes snap to Olivia. The two stare at each other like they have all the time in the world, and it suddenly dawns on me what's happening.

Mates!

I watch curiously, their bodies tense, their minds blank, their wolves howling so happily. I can feel it all through the bond, but not as intense as whatever is happening between them right now.

However-...

Hendrix steps forward, keeping his distance from Olivia as his intense eyes peer into mine, "Alpha Queen, Iliana is causing a riot on our side of the turf - she isn't happy."

I can see the hurt in Olivia's eyes, but also a deep annoyance that just about tugs a smile to my face. She treats Hendrix with the same ignorance he treated her. Keeping her gaze locked with mine, she says, "Don't worry, Alpha. I'll take care of things here as your *General*."

Olivia stresses the word 'general' - purposefully - and manages to keep her composure, though I can see her wolf prancing around in her head. I chuckle, "well then, I'll see you all in a minute."

I disappear, knowing full well, Olivia wanted me to leave so she can show off her skills as a good general. With her father and now her mate, in the same room, both will no doubt scrutinise every detail - for different reasons.

Still, I know why Hendrix keeps his distance. When I first met him, I thought he was just an arrogant playboy. But as someone who lives in pain, I knew there was something much more - then I met his father.

To say he pissed me off is a severe understatement.

"Iliana, please put the chair down. Gavin is just doing his job," I sigh, leaning against the table between my Warrior and Iliana. "Its basic protocol. He needs to know who passes in and out, including their rank."

"I am the Fae Queen. He should know who I am!" She seethes. I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, your highness, but I didn't know who you were until like... two weeks ago?" I murmur, counting back the days when I met her, but I was dead or unconscious for a few of them.

Iliana's face burns hot with embarrassment and anger, "why are you summoning my Nymph!" She spits, so that's why she came here.

"I didn't summon anyone, Iliana. I asked to meet her - there's a difference," I drawl. Iliana steps up to me.

"Oh? And what's that?!"

"Choice-... she gave me a choice, and I chose to come," Emree emerges from nowhere and strolls over to us with a grace that I've only seen in Sophia.

"Well, there you have it. Now leave, I'm sure people are expecting you. Don't worry, any information Emree passes to me will be beneficial to winning this war, and of course, it will only stay between us," I promise.

Just as a loud voice screams behind me, "Valerieee!!! Heyyyyy..." I turn my head, a red-faced Theia running into me and crashes into my leg. "You just left me there, that was so rude... and... and... awkward!"

I blink and peer down at her, a guilty expression sitting on my face, "sorry about that, Theia. It won't happen again, I promise."

"I see the human still follows you around like a dog," Iliana scoffs. The moment she finishes those words, Nia bleeds through my eyes, as angry as me by the audacity of this bitch.

Theia giggles into her hand, "you think? I guess you're not wrong. I just don't want to lose her, she's my best friend, so it would be weird if I did. Do you have a best friend?" she asks.

Theia takes my hand as I watch her - awed. When did she get so brave?

Before Iliana can express her anger, I take hold of Emree, and she immediately teleports us away. Theia lets out a breath, "whew! That was scary!"

I chuckle, sitting a hand on her head. "I'm proud of you," I tell her, leaning down to place a kiss on her forehead.

Emree takes us to the trees, hidden in the shadows. She watches me, "why did you choose to come?" I ask.

"Because-... I don't want Kyro to die," she shrugs, but I can see the emotions so clearly in her eyes. Pain and guilt.

"I heard what happened with-... I don't understand how you look so-..."

"Calm? Like I didn't just murder a friend two days ago? A war is coming, and everyone is looking to me to lead them. Moping around, beating myself up over what's happened, won't change anything. All I can do now is save the world Elias and my mother loved, including the people in it."

"Elaine loved this world too - she'd say, 'the world isn't flawed, the ones inhabiting it are.'" Emree smiles, "she'd say, it's okay - no one is meant to be perfect, and that's perfectly okay with her."

"She seems like a wise woman," Theia murmurs - for a five-year-old, she sure knows a lot. Emree laughs.

"She was - you remind me of her a little. Hmm-..." She murmurs, staring into Theia's gaze, "yeah, it's in the eyes." Theia smiles, unsure of what to say as she waits for me to jump into their conversation.

"Elaine...?"

"Kyro's wife," Emree hums, a sad smile displayed over her face. "They married in secret, the Gods didn't bless all creatures with soulmates, but those two... it was like - they felt everything for each other."

Emree reveals, unable to express their bond in words, "Kyro said, they killed the woman..." I cut myself off as her head snaps up to me - anger poisoning her once hazel eyes.

But it isn't towards me.

"They - *she!* - made him kill the woman he loved," my eyes widen. From the way she spoke about them, I'd think Kyro would rather kill a whole empire than harm his wife, so I don't-... "they were holding his child captive. His normal Fae child."

"H-He had a kid?" I murmur, her anger falls, and guilt replaces the look in her eyes - again.

"She was only three, and she was so beautiful. I always called her Kyro Junior because they were so damn alike," Emree explain, a soft smile playing on her lips.

"Was?" Theia murmurs.

Emree's expression falls once again, her back straightening, "after his wife begged him to kill her to save their child - he did. Then Illiana slit the child's throat."

Theia gasps, but the truth is, I wasn't shocked, surprised or even disgusted. I want to do something about that bitch, but I can't - because it isn't my place.

"I don't understand-... why do you look so guilty?" I wonder. Emree's eyes harden.

"Because, if I hadn't been so careless, they wouldn't have found them," Emree clenches her fist beside her, allowing the events that day to haunt her.

Before I can say anything, loud bells ring. The wolves in my head pace uncomfortably, and my face pales, "Freya..."

"It seems-... war has come much sooner than we anticipated."