Filed to story: Luna Riannon and Alpha Brayden Novel
Gasps, whispers and growls filled the room as a wave of first reactions rippled through it. Astrea stiffened in her seat. Knowing King Kai and Queen Savannah, that didn’t sound right.
“Moreover,” Vidar continued. “They say they are led by a witch from the East.”
Once again, all eyes were on them.
“What exactly are you implying here?” King Gideon furrowed his dark brows while his wife gently drew circles on the back of his palm with her thumb. “You know Queen Savannah of the Northern Lycan Kingdom is my sister!
Neither she nor her husband would ever attack a neighbouring country! This goes against everything they believe in!”
“Or maybe you don’t know them that well anymore?” Vidar smirked, folding his arms over his chest as every Alpha in the room watched him.
“Or maybe your lack of political experience shows,”
Riannon pointed out calmly and met the deity’s stern gaze with a little smile. “We all know your story. Your father didn’t train you well, did he? You aren’t exactly prepared to deal with matters like this, so maybe it’s best you sit this one out? This isn’t similar to ruling a small pack, but I think by watching, you will get the necessary experience for your future endeavours.”
Joran snorted loudly, finding the conversation amusing, and all eyes in the room darted at him. This wasn’t his usual behaviour, but he did not care anymore, so he just leaned against the back of his seat to get a better view of the show.
“Right,” Forrest cleared his throat, trying to distract everyone. “Right now, it’s all simple speculation. We are not at war with them, and there is no reason for them to attack us.”
“The reason is sitting right there!” Vidar pointed his index finger at Fenrir. “Or is it a coincidence that it all happened during your spectacular arrival and that it’s the witch from the East that leads them?”
“What is the name of the witch?” Astrea asked innocently, and Vidar sent her a withering glare, which she pretended not to notice. He always wanted her to be his silent accessory, and she wasn’t going to give him that.
“Salome Gray,” one of the older men read the report before him.
“Then why do you say she is an Eastern witch?” Astrea knitted her brows together. “Salome Gray was not born in the East. Moreover, she was banished from the Eastern Kingdom. I think you need to get your facts straight before accusing anyone. I honestly thought the Southern Republic had better intel than that.”
“Are you implying the North is the only one at fault?” someone demanded.
“My Luna is not implying anything,” Fenrir interfered. “She just tells the truth. Salome left our country, and although it is quite possible she’s now working in the North because she’s a very talented witch, I highly doubt that she is leading their army. Not to mention that I don’t believe the North is about to attack.”
“Then how would you explain an army on our border?” another Alpha asked.
“Actually, I am afraid this can be my fault indeed,” Fenrir shrugged. “My – arrival was a bit let’s say flashy. Maybe they got worried I would attack them next and just prepare* to defend themselves if the need arises.”
Vidar did not like that response because it did make sense and was ruining the narrative he weaved so carefully.
“The bottom line is they didn’t attack,” Forrest interjected. ” And we are not going to attack first, considering our values.
So, in my opinion, as the acting general and member of the Alpha Convocation, we should seek comments on what is going on from the Northerners and assess the threat level, but at the same time our army mobilisation is a must.”
A few men in the room nodded.
“Any comments, Nathair?” An older woman asked, and the dragon lazily shifted his gaze to her.
“I think Forrest pretty much got it under control. Are we done here?” The man in question stretched his neck.
The silence in the room became heavy.
“Unless we are going to discuss our military strategy in front of strangers, of course.” Joran stood up. “We heard what they have to say. We know what we have to do.
Forrest is our acting chief general. This is the end of the it.”
story for me until we know what the North has to say about
He left the room before anyone could say anything else.
“We will give the Alpha Convocation the privacy it needs.” Gideon stood up as well and offered his wife a hand. His Queen accepted it with a subtle smile, and they were about to leave when Astrea gave a quick signal to Fenrir that she was going to follow them.
“Queen Riannon, I would like to have a minute of your time, if possible,” she said, suddenly remembering how she looked. Maybe she had to let it go and take that shower first.
Soft, silky fabric touched her shoulders, and she angled her head to see Devoss bowing his head to her. “My Luna.”
The bright purple blazer wasn’t exactly her style, but it did feel nice to be cared for and respected. Fenrir gave his friend a thankful gaze. He only had a shirt on and had nothing to offer Astrea at this moment, so his friend’s gesture was appreciated.
“Thank you,” the Dragonfly nodded politely and turned back to look at the western royal couple.
“It would be my honour, Luna,” Ria nodded subtly as Gideon opened the door for them both. “I wanted to speak to you too.”
Outside, Gideon kissed his wife’s hand.
“I have an urgent matter to attend to,” he said and nodded at Astrea. “I hope to see you again soon, Luna of The East.”
“Me too,” the girl replied nervously.
The Western King was gone and the two women took a stroll down the long corridors of the building, searching for a quiet place to speak. Finally, they saw a passage that led them to a hidden gem of the building a spacious balcony with the city sprawling below. Green plants adorned it on all sides, creating a relaxing atmosphere.
Taking a deep breath of fresh air, Astrea felt a little better and slightly more confident about what she was going to do.
Her memories were back, as in the memories of her first life ever.
However, at the same time, she started to see glimpses of her childhood in this lifetime. They were mere fleeting moments, but each one resonated in her heart. Sometimes it was the memory of bare feet on the grass; sometimes it was children’s laughter. She saw wolves running and distinctly remembered hugging one. She remembered how soft it was and what a wonderful scent it had. Still, it was hard to tell what she saw.
Until she remembered a woman. Her shiny blond hair cascaded to her waist, her warm smile and eyes that looked through her soul. It wasn’t the Queen of the Western Lycan Kingdom. Astrea was sure of it, but the woman she saw resembled Riannon a lot. Same features, same elegance. It couldnt be a coincidence.
They stood on this balcony for a while, and none of them said a word
Astrea didn’t know why it was so hard for her. She wasn’t usually the shy type.
“So, what did you want to talk about?” Riannon asked, leaning over the rails and touching one of the green leaves with her long fingers.
“I-” Once again, Astrea lost her words. “I wanted to make sure you are fine. And to thank you for not holding what I did against me.”
“You saved us all.” The corners of Ria’s lips tilted upwards.
“I have to thank you. None of us would have survived if you hadn’t betrayed your Teacher.”
Astrea tried to form her question, but the words were not reaching her tongue. What if she was wrong about it?
“You know,” Riannon sighed, “family is the most important thing in the world for me.”
“I can tell that,” Astrea nodded.
“Maybe it’s because prior to meeting Gideon, I had lost everyone I loved,” Ria confessed, and her voice trembled.
“Your parents?” Something in the Dragonfly’s chest stirred.
She hoped at least someone was still alive.
“Died right after my marriage. My first marriage.” Tears glistened in the Western Queen’s eyes. “This wasn’t the first time I lost someone. When I was still a teen, my brother and two twin sisters were killed in a rogue attack.”
“Wh-what were their names?” It suddenly became much harder to breathe, and she clenched the rails so hard that the metal bent under her grip.
“Brian,” Riannon’s voice was barely a whisper, “Stella and-“
The woman turned to face her, tears now streaming freely down her beautiful, perfect face.
“And Astrea.” Ria took her hand and gave it a light squeeze.
“You know,” the Dragonfly muttered under her breath. “How long have you known?”
“For a while,” the Western Queen tried to force a smile, but it wasn’t working. “I knew after I woke up in that Northern Hall. I knew who you were and what sacrifice you made for us all. I wanted to go look for you as soon as the battles were over, but-“
“But she sold you out to me!” Joran leaned over the balcony frame with a bottle of whiskey in his hand, taking a long sip as the two startled women watched him.
“I am pretty sure that’s a lie!” Astrea gritted her teeth, lacing her fingers with Ria’s to reassure her, but noticing how she lowered her head.