I briskly rummaged for a new coat and proceeded to the hall of the palace.
I enter, I walk, and I keep my glare fixed on Luna Maia who's sitting, as usual, in the circle of couches. This hall seems how it usually has been ever since the beginning. The only difference today is that all werewolves, except Luna Maia, are bowing their heads at me as I cross their spot.
"Luna Maia, I need to talk with you privately." She gave a sign for the werewolves to leave us in this circle. I sat in front of her and threw questions without further ado. "Was it your plot to cage us inside a room for the rest of the night?"
"..." She leans her back, elegantly sitting with her legs crossed. "It was. I lent her the help she needed to gain your love and trust. I hope you're aware of how dedicated she is to be the next Luna. Have you two reconciled?"
"We did. That could be the only good news I brought for you today, Luna Maia. I've wasted so much time cooperating with your traditions knowing that I have something to be done outside. You told me to be the official Alpha before I marry your fated Luna and I complied. But what you've schemed is the one thing I abhor. What do you think of your daughter? What do you think of me? Am I some kind of endangered species you badly want to multiply and use your daughter to take the credit?"
"Your words are disrespectful! All I want for my daughter is to redound to what she's fated to be."
"You disrespected me first. Especially your own daughter. I'm leaving today. I'm done playing with your bluffs. Kindly reconcile with your daughter this time." Without waiting for her response, I walked away immediately. It's not my intention to be a tamed Alpha in the future, the one who's intimidated by the other. I should know my place. And that is I am higher than anyone here.
"GET BACK HERE AT ONCE OR ELSE YOU CAN NEVER SET FOOT OUT OF THIS LAND!!" Luna Maia yelled. I postpone my steps and turn around for her again. She's on her feet and her claws are getting wild. All the werewolves in the hall shut their mouths.
"You're a vociferous Luna."
"How dare you show me such behavior!? Don't be proud of yourself just because you're chosen!!"
"Exactly. Chosen. That gives me the right to behave like this. Do you think I'm in the wrong?"
"..." She wants to explode words at me but I'm impressed she can still hold back.
"You think you fed a beast that will bite your hand consequently? No. I never and will never bite... but I can bark out the nonsense of your fanatic actions! I didn't mean to infuriate thee, your gracious Luna. It only means you're guilty." I raise my right fist to show all the werewolves my cuff bracelet. "Let's make it fair this way. Any male who defeats me and takes this cuff from me shall be the next Alpha!"
I waited for the brave. No one dared to heckle. Most of them are trying to avoid my glance. Confusion is all over their faces. I drop my hand and tell the Luna, "I am still the Alpha." I couldn't follow their tradition, thereby extortion is my way to claim this rank.
Sherizzah was chasing her breath at the open doorway when she arrived. She's grasping her dress while looking terribly at me. The moment I stand beside her I tell her in a whisper, "It's up to you now." And I proceed with my pace.
"Mother!"
The second I heard her scream, I sensed danger approaching behind me. I promptly dodge the raging—elegant and beautiful—white wolf's ambush. The Luna! Her long furs are smoothly flowing along with her maneuvers. ["That cuff bracelet belongs to my Alpha. If no one else, I will be the one to take it!"]
I've never heard of a queen who wants to be a king. Or it was her distrust that pushes her this far. Her speed is incredibly unpredictable! She already launches an attack on me without getting the chance to catch her movement! I was tossed inside again to the floor of the hall. Deep gashes of her claws were left on my stomach! It's regenerating fast.
I shift into my wolf; bigger and stronger, refracting silver furs, and deadly crystal eyes. ["This isn't Alpha Shio's cuff, it's the moon's,"] I said. The Luna is walking into the hall, others who beheld her glamorous form bring themselves to grovel. This will be difficult for me to deal with but an Alpha shouldn't falter from its opponent... whether it be a female.
We both raid towards each other, as for the twist, we cease running when Sherizzah hinders herself in the middle.
"STOP!!" Her arms are stretched forth towards me and the other to her mother. "Don't do this! All of us are allies here! I will not allow contentions to rise to dangerous heights like this! So please stop!!"
["Stay out of this, Sherizzah,"] her mother commanded. However, brave werewolves stand beside Sherizzah, including the kids, until all werewolves in this hall hinder the battle between me and the Luna.
"Please don't hurt our Luna..." the kid pleads. I shift back, staying calm as I watch where this is going. Luna Maia shifted back as well.
"Mother, don't fight him. I won't forgive you if you follow after my father! Just don't outburst your strength into this nonsense!" What she said is right, the Luna is just as old as the previous Alpha. "Please let the new Alpha lead."
"..." Luna Maia's sharp eyes softened the moment she heard her daughter's petition. "It looks like... something good happened last night. It's warming to see the future leaders on the same side. But," she tilts her head, "I don't see a bite mark."
"I-I didn't allow him to!"
The werewolves raise their own mumblings. Not a good topic in public. Sherizzah reaches for my hands and whispers, "Go if you have to. Leave this to me." And she pulled me towards the doorway, no one dared to block Sherizzah's steps. She pushes me outside and before she could close the door, I say,
"Thank you."
☪ ✧ ✧
I took everything needed from my room, especially Acro, and left. Matheo meets me in the hallway and stops me to ask a question. "You're leaving? How about the enthroning?"
"Luna Maia betrayed our bargain. It's a waste of time to linger here."
"Then how about our bargain? I told you that I'm leaving with you."
My eyebrows curve. "But, Mr. Matheo, is your whole family coming?"
"No," he answered with a shake of his head, "we're going back here anyway, right?"
I nod. He requested to wait for him while packing his things and bid farewell to his family. Zaeramil better take this advantage while I'm gone! Lanasia blesses us with protection using her enchantment and she requested to give the letter she lent me to Cormelio. "Also, if you ever come across a Moon Priestess who smells like cake, tell her I need to talk to her," she added.
"We'll see about that. Take care, Mrs. Lanasia."
Afterward, Matheo and I are crossing the vast lawn towards the exit. I felt his anxiousness to talk to me, consequently, I asked him first. "Is there a problem?"
"Me? Oh, I'm just... feeling bad for the werewolves here that you're leaving without telling them. You see, they've waited for you for so many years. They rejoiced when you came and provided everything you needed. Maybe... you could've shown affection with them, too."
I halt to think about it. From Matheo's perspective, these werewolves are like begging puppies with their large teary eyes and tail curved down. "... You're right." It's irresistible! I shift into my wolf, stare at the palace in the distance for a moment and then I howl. My howl felt even more transcended, the grass, the wind, and the cloud moved. As a result, the whole land became silent.
["Hear me, all the inhabitants of Asfara. It's me, Hessuel, your Alpha. I'm sorry for leaving today. I have to. This is not just for me, this is for the Moon's Order pack... and for all who died. I want to guarantee your freedom. I want everyone to live an assured life. I want you to run a hundred miles not just circulating in this land. As long as I live, I will cherish this land and pack. These are my promises. I will forever treasure your kindness."]
I cut the connection when I shift back. Matheo is touching his head as he struggles to maintain his balance. "Whoa... Your howl is so powerful. I'm trembling just by hearing your voice in my head!" he commented. I look at the cuff bracelet and then at him again.
"Would that be enough?"
"Absolutely! Thank you, Alpha Hessuel~"
Nothing stops my departure this time. I can finally go home again. Little did I know that the home I've been longing for... will turn into ashes.