Chapter 22: Justice Is What I Seek

Luna Queen Elizabeth holds a grand feast inviting random royal family members and all high-ranking Pack families to join her in welcoming the winter solstice.

Over the past month and a half, Dolores has been helping her arrange the night's events at the Queen's chambers. Keeps their agreement a secret in hopes that her deal with the Luna Queen would have been worth her deception after tonight's play, and Ellie, everyone, would finally know the truth.

Seated at the end of a long wide table, Queen lounges as she bites down on a chocolate-covered strawberry, somehow not getting a touch of chocolate on her perfectly lined red-colored lips. The Queen had adored the entire with more sweets than anything else, with cream puffs and tiny powdered balls that Dolores was surprised to find was filled with jelly.

Clapping her hands for attention Queen Elizabeth rises from her velvet cushioned throne. The entire room silences their individual conversation to listen. "In celebration of the winter solstice, I have decided to put on a little play for you." Her words float throughout the room. "Please join me in the theater for a new production called *Fake*."

Quiet murmurs erupt as the Queen turns towards the theater next door. Dolores notices that Prince Adam and the Consort Kara exchange puzzled glances as they follow the Queen to the theater with the rest of the party. Taking a quick peek at Lady Pearl before disappearing, Dolores thought she caught a bead of sweat falling from Lady Pearl's brow.

The currents open on two identical twin sisters who share everything until one day one sister has been chosen to marry the King and become the next Queen. The unchosen sister is filled with envious rage that she was not favored. Once her sister was crowned Queen, she snuck in the marital bed chambers and killed her sister the Queen, taking her place.

The audience gasped as the performance continued with the envious sister taking her sister's place as Queen. At the drama's climax, all seemed to be going precisely as the envious sister had hoped. Until the false Queen was visited by a masked Goddess of Justice.

The figure was dressed in two swaying fabrics that joined at the middle and cascaded onto the floor, floating as the actress walked. The lights dimmed as the Goddess drew near to the false Queen. Begging for her life, she knelt before the Goddess, clenching the Goddess of Justice sparkling black skirts. Without a word, the Goddess pulled a sword from the strap on her thigh, bringing the blade down upon the envious sister's head.

A horrified scream exploded throughout the theater. “AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

The house lights brighten to show Lady Pearl wailing on the floor, her chair tipped to the side as if she fell from her seat. No one moved as another ear-piercing scream cried from her.

"Fucking useless," Kara scoffed, massaging her temple as she looked down at Pearl's writhing body.

The crowd that now circled Lady Harris parted as the Luna Queen Elizabeth made her way towards the screaming woman. "Now, now, is this any way to behave? Where are your manners, Pearl?" Queen Elizabeth probed, bringing a golden teacup to her flawlessly painted lips. "I do not understand why one such as yourself would become so worked up over a silly little play." The Queen's animated voice seemed to sing as she elegantly took another sip of her tea.

Lady Harris didn't answer. Only a frantic sobbing word escaped her lips: "Pearl…Pearl…"

One of Queen Elizabeth's brows shot up her forehead, but before she could say a word, the Consort Kara erupted. "SHUT UP!" The Consorts body was trembling as she yanked Lady Harris from the ground. "Stop making a scene in the palace!" She quickly gazed around the room, seeming to decide something, and then added, "You are a guest of the Luna Queen. Show her your respect."

The Luna Queen took a step closer to the two women, a sly smile on her flawless mouth. Queen Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at them before speaking to Pearl, who whimpered at her gaze. "This performance is meant to be a ritual, a blessing, to bring good fortune to this new winter solstice. So why are you contorting like a spoiled child? The Queen ridiculed, taking another step closer until she was a breath away from Lady Harris's face. "Unless…"

Lady Pearl Harris appeared to quiver at the Luna Queens stare, which seemed to last forever. Then Queen Elizabeth let out a dry laugh that had the room slowly joining in. "Well, since my play has upset our dear Lady Pearl, shall we applaud my fine actresses before we depart."

As if on cue, the room erupted into a boisterous cheer as the actress filed onto the stage. The last of the actresses was the Goddess of Justice. The actress gave a deep bow placing one hand over her masked face as she took the stage. When she rose, the room fell silent as Dolores stood center stage as the Goddess of Justice.

Tentatively the praise began again, and Dolores marked the Consort Kara's expression of outrage. Dolores held her chin high as she watched Kara open her mouth to speak but stopped as her son Adam silenced her with a whisper, his eyes never leaving Dolores.

Dolores made her way down the stage towards the Queen, who gave her a rye smile. Before meeting Dolores halfway, Queen Elizabeth leaned into Lady Harris as if she would give her a kiss on the cheek. Dolores focused her hearing, catching the Luna Queens threatening words. "Meet me in my chambers later. Privately."

The Queen then hugged Dolores in an overly dramatic embrace before leaving her without another word. Dolores shrank away, avoiding as many royals and fellow werewolves. Her job was done. The rest was up to the Queen. Dolores rolled her neck as she made her way down the winding halls back towards her chambers, where she hoped Jasper would be waiting for her.

Turning a corner, she hastened her steps and ran directly into a firm chest. Quickly apologizing, Dolores let the words die when she saw who she ran into. Adam and his shadow sidekick Tyler loomed over her with identical scowls on their brows. Taking a step back, she attempted to move around them, but Adam stepped in front of her again, his counterpart following suit.

"Hold on," Adam demanded, holding two palms in front of her.

"What do you want now, Adam," Dolores ordered, a determined grin on her lips.

You know exactly what I want!" Adam snarled, "You had the Luna Queen put on that little show to humiliate me, didn't you?"

Dolores tried to hide her shock. Of all the things she thought Adam would say, this wasn't one of them. She cleared her throat to hide her amusement that Adam truly believed everything was about him when in fact, the play was the beginning of the so-called Pearl's interrogation. "I can assure, Crown Prince," Dolores let her voice become devious. "That the performance was not to humiliate you."

Adam's brow squeezed together. "Although..." Dolores sing-songed, "If you feel personally attacked, one can only assume that means you are in fact not the chosen one but a fake." She let her k stab through him.

"How dare you!" Adam roared the exact moment Tyler charged Dolores, a giant hand cocked back. Tyler thrust his fist through the air where Dolores had been standing. Confused, Tyler whirled to see a crouched-down Dolores sweep the legs out from under Adam, creating a loud thump as his body hit the ground.

Swifty pinning Adam to the ground, Dolores pulled her dagger from her thigh, placing the edge along his throat. Tyler charged again and then cursed as he stopped his pursuit when Dolores pushed deeper into Adam's neck, piercing the skin just enough that a small trickle of blood ran down his trachea.

A guttural growl filled the air, and Dolores looked to see Tyler baring her teeth at her, not knowing what to do in fear that she would kill her half-brother. Dolores tsked at the oversized oaf, "Tsk, tsk, I would think carefully on your next move Tyler." Dolores hummed. "I'm not the same girl you beat up in the courtyard all those months ago."

Tyler snarled at her before looking at Adam. The Crown Prince winced as the blade cut deeper when he attempted to break free. "How?" Adam ground out.

The corner of Dolores's mouth kicked up before she adjusted her grip so that one of her knees replaced her blade. "I'm a fast learner." She threatened, aiming the tip of her dagger at Adam's pupil. He stiffened beneath her, and Dolores saw his eyes begin to water as he tried not to blink.

"I suggest you mind your own business," Dolores' words were like ice, and a tiny shiver rippled through Adam. "Unlike you, Crown Prince, a Rogue like me has nothing to lose."