Chapter 72 Goddess

Chapter 72 Goddess
Luna’s POV

“Come on,” Gale says as she pulls Calla and I down the hallway leading to our rooms.

My mind still reels from the announcement that had shaken the banquet.
The Hounds.

I have heard of them. Tales. Myths. Scary stories to tell on warm summer nights and cold winter days.
A story of a rogue group led by power, encouraged by the actions of cruel Alphas whose own people hated them. A Robin Hood-esque fantasy turned dark. The Hounds were once honorable. But they got greedy. Too greedy. They expanded. Thought themselves too powerful to fall. Until the last Great War erupted, and they became players of a much larger game.

It sends a shiver down my spine when I think about it.

“Do you think it is possible?” I ask. “That the Hounds are back?”

“Nothing’s impossible,” Calla says.

Gale however, snorts derisively.
“I have long known about them. Our League has crossed paths with those entitled shits over a dozen times that I know of.”

“What…really?” Calla appears slightly dazed. Our heels click rapidly on the marble tiles as we walk with arms linked.

“I mean, yeah,” Gale smirked. “Just because we stay in the shadows and handle your dirty tasks doesn’t mean we’re stupid. We know a lot of things most people don’t. Unless you’re an Alpha or part of the Council, I guess.”

“So you know about them,” Calla rolls her eyes. “Big deal.”

“But what are they after? They once rebelled for the people’s sake, didn't they?” I ponder aloud.

Calla nods slowly, her voice turns contemplative.
“True. Back then, the Council was hands-off for more than a century. Less enforcement meant more despots. Many packs became slaves to the powerful. Those who didn’t fall in line were exiled or killed. That’s when the Hounds began.”

I have heard this story before but it still renders me enraptured before I can help it.

Gale cuts Calla off, “They were corrupted before long. Everyone knows that. It only starts with a spark. Then the whole forest burns. What happens when the oppressed turns into an oppressor? Now they’re the villains of every story. Absolutely insane, isn't it?”

“Talk less about the past and more of the present please,” I say. “What do you know, Gale?”

We stand in the empty corridor, and Gale sighs and lets go of my hand, leaning against the wall. She stares right in my face.
“They have a new leader. I do not know who. He has leaders of every base. It’s a large group. They’re no longer easy to fuck aroind with.”

My heart skips.
“Just how many?”

“More likely, over a thousand. Could be more. Could be less. Thinking of how many news and bases we’ve figured out over the years, ten thousand is the average we’ve come up with.”

“By the Goddess,” Calla gasps, covering her mouth, eyes wide.

The blood drains from my face.
This is not a game.
Ten thousand js not simply an army, but an armada worthy of taking down a powerful pack within hours.

“If they’re that powerful,” I can hardly understand how my voice remains calm. “The attack is not a real one. It’s a warning.”

“Or it may not be them,” Calla chuckles nervously, but it slowly fades.

“What’s the plan?" Gale asks me. I blink slowly.

“The Luna Trials must still go on. Therefore we should prepare for it. But…” my mind flashes briefly to the letter Ymir has sent. Does he know of this as well? Is that why he wrote to me? “Leave things for now. As it stands, the Alphas and Council are likely to handle it.”

“I doubt they can handle over ten thousand,” Calla points out.

I agree, but I do not say it.
The future appears grimmer than I had hoped.

“Whatever you say, your Majesty,” Gale smiles without a hint of mirth in them.

I frown slightly. Do I imagine the mocking in her tone?

I must exercise caution. I do not call her out on it.

“Refrain from addressing me in that way in the future. In front of everyone, I do not wish for people to know that just yet,” I warn her softly. Nevertheless my words are firmly spoken.
As much as Gale is my friend, there is also an unspoken rift, denoting me as Master and she as subordinate.

“I haven’t told anyone, don’t worry.” Gale rolls her eyes but straightens upon hearing that.

“Neither have I. Though I believe the Sacred Order and the Council must know about your heritage. I wonder who else would know.” Calla murmurs.

Gale shakes her head at Calla before breaking off into a yawn.
“Well, this is goodnight. I have to get some shut eye. The full moon is tomorrow, and so is training,” she waves at both of us.

We bid her a goodnight and watched her walk down the hallway before turning to enter her bedroom.

A sigh escapes my lips.
“Do you believe she resents me?”

My question makes Calla glance at me, and back in the direction of Gale’s bedroom. I watch her brows knit together, nearly forming a single line.

Eventually she responds, deliberately drawing out every word.

“She likely does. But not as much as she used to. Remember she never liked the idea of fate in the first place,” my best friend comforts me. “It is an adjustment, from being solely an assassin to figuring out your role in all of this. She needs time.”

Calla’s reasoning is sound.
It quells certain doubts, and I relax slightly.
Gale would require time to trust me.

I exhale.

“What would I do without you?” I ask out loud, patting her gently on the back.

“Crash and burn perhaps,” Calla teases. “The Goddess knew what she was doing, putting both of us together.”

I chuckle, inclining my head to indicate that she might be right.

“Very well. The day has brought man surprises. Let’s pray tomorrow is easier to handle.”

She smiles cheekily, “Looking forward to it.”
…