Robbin's POV
Xander left the war room as soon as the meeting was over. The situation with Ryker and his pack of rogues must be difficult for him. After all these years, he's planning on ending their feud. I just wish it didn't have to end with more violence. After the briefing, I needed some air as well. When Ryker escaped during the battle, I knew the fight wasn't over. Him bringing the Easterlies into our conflict is only to distract us from whatever they're planning next, but the Northerner kingdom can't ignore it. Werewolves committing crimes in other kingdoms isn't something we can let past us.
I sent Grey and Lilliana away, not wanting to be surrounded by anyone, although Alec did refuse and came along with me. Even with all this power, I'm not allowed to protect myself. As much as I wanted to go against his word, I know wandering the Easterlie kingdom while rogues are roaming the streets.
I should stop by to see if Lilac is here. The Easterlie waters are where she spent a lot of her time, and honestly, the comfort of an old friend is what I need right now, although Alec being with me feels the same. I spare him a look as we walked down a cobblestone path rounding the edge of the palace. Sometimes I forget how much he looks like David, how similar they are. I wonder what kind of relationship they had.
"Alec," I mumbled. He returns my gaze. "Did you know your grandfather well," I asked. Alec stumbled in his steps slightly but kept on walking.
"Why do you ask?"
"I just...just never asked. We were close before?" Alec didn't speak for several moments. Did something happen between them? How stupid of me for bringing it up. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."
No...it's okay." Alec took a small breath and continued. "I was just shocked. You haven't asked about him much."
"It wasn't on purpose," I shook my hands as the words came rushing out, "I think we've all been too busy with the rogues to pay attention to personal matters."
"Matters, as in your emotions for the king?" The path came to an end and the entrance gates stood meters away. I didn't want palace guards following us so I tugged on Alec's arm and guided him to the shore. There was a sandy road that went in and out of the castle grounds. Hopefully, it wasn't swarmed with guards.
"I can't focus on him. The Northerner kingdom is my top priority." my words felt like stone as they were spoken. Who'd ever believe a flat lie that that one?
"We all have responsibilities, Robbin. But we are people. Everyone goes through their day with tasks and jobs, but eventually come home to tend to matters of the heart."
"Who do you go back to," I asked. In all my time in the Northerner kingdom, I've never seen Alec with a woman. Is he keeping it secretive?
"I haven't found my mate yet." I scanned him up and down. Alec was young and attractive. I'm sure if his mate ever spotted him, she'd never get him out of her head.
"It's not that simple for me. I'm...different."
"What's so different about you," I asked him. Alec let out a sigh as we walked along the sandy shore.
"It's not a simple answer, Robbin. Honestly, I don't think I have a mate."
What was he talking about? "Every werewolf has a mate, Alec." Alec didn't reply and I felt bad. Maybe she died. I shouldn't have even asked. We kept walking until we reached a guards station on the border of the castle grounds. I expected at least one guard we could trick into leaving, but it was empty, which didn't make any sense. The station was like a medium-sized shed and had a door that was slightly opened. My pace slowed down to match his as he noticed the situation too. Alec approached the little building with caution and quietly opened the door. I stood at his side as we saw it vacant.
Instinctively, I turned around eyed the surroundings looking for any sign of intruders, but there wasn't anyone in sight. My cloak was tugged as Alec pulled me behind him. A low growl emitted from his throat. A small amount of rage swirled in my body as I tried to find what he was looking at. Finally, a shuffling from the bushes ahead caught my eye. Others were moving as well, moving further away. "You're not going to say if I ask you to, are you," Alec asked.
"No, it doesn't look like I will." I patted his shoulder and stepped in front of him. I'm not going to cower behind someone. "Whoever you are, it's in your best interest if you come out now." My voice was loud and demanding as a queen should be. I wasn't expecting a simple surrender, and when the figure suddenly took off into the trees, I was glad. I don't often get to fight anymore. Alec shifted into his wolf form as we charged after him. There wasn't much outside of the castle on this side of it, just a long stretch of the ocean on the opposite side of the docks. Mountains stood high above us and I was almost afraid we're going to lose this one. Almost. Alec suddenly jumped over my head and into the bushes, tackling someone. I caught up to see him holding another wolf down in his teeth. This wolf was smaller than alec and had a lighter, grayish coat, unlike Alec who had a sandy color that matched his hair.
Alec snarled as he kept clenching the neck, releasing whimpers from the smaller one. It looked like a child. My brows furrowed at the thought and made me uncomfortable to see Alec hurting someone so young. "That's enough," I demanded. Alec didn't release the intruder so I spoke in a darker tone. "Alexander, let him go." My voice held an amount of dominance which probably came from my dragon power. Alec growled at my command and reluctantly let go but still held down the wolf with his paws. "You," I spoke to the intruder, "Shift." The small wolf obeys me and turned back into its human form. I was right, it was a child.
The boy couldn't be older than sixteen. Alec still towered over the body and I placed a hand on his fur to get him off. "You too, Alec." He still growled but didn't move. His ears and head did flip up though and exposed the possibility of more intruders. I again followed his line of sight into the trees. We were already on the mountain terrain, and there was nothing but thick tall trees surrounding us.
More figures began emerging from the shadows, revealing new four attackers to us. They were already in their wolf state; their fur raised and teeth bared, ready to pounce. A small breath filled my lungs as I understood the situation. I stepped behind Alec and focused on my dragon powers. Putting all of my energy in contacting Vision is the smartest move for me right now. I closed my eyes and concentrated on him; his form, eyes, and power. The last few weeks have been challenging on me. Xander wasn't too keen on me trying to use my abilities and gave me hours of physical and emotional therapy. I bare got the chance to try to summon Vision yet, but I hope the context of this situation is enough motivation, and unlike last time, I began to feel something. The energy we share swirled within me.
I exhaled through my mouth and opened my eyes, my vision enhanced by the summoning of my power. I was ready to fight for once. Energy radiated off of my body as I felt fire creep up my throat, hydrating me, and I targeted my first rogue. Our eyes locked and we were both ready to attack. I opened my mouth to let out a growl that's been brewing in my lungs, but someone else got theirs out before mine.
Vision's shadow flashed across the ground as he flew over us, roaring his fire. He landed in seconds, shaking the ground as he stomped on it. I knew he'd burn them to ashes if I didn't interfere, so I instantly jumped in front of his face as he was about to exhale his flames. My blood cooled down as I relaxed. I guess there's not going to be a fight after all. The wolves cowered in fear in the presence if Vision and I heard the march of guards coming toward us.
My eyes regained its normal vision and I sighed deeply. Guards surrounded us and the sounds of paws running and crunching the leaves caught my attention. I turned to see Xander's and Gus' wolf forms behind us. Xander's eyes watched me intently but didn't approach me, which was odd. Anytime I got into a fight, he'd come to my side to check on me. But he just stood there in disappointment.
I looked away from him and back at the wolves, trying to figure this out. Why were they here? They must've seen or at least known we were arriving. I wonder what motive they had. Looking at their small forms, they must be young as well. I can only imagine what plan Ryker had with them.
~*~
The Easterlie kingdom was filled with wonders; one of them being the underground holding cells they had beneath the castle. It was the polar opposite of the world outside but didn't give off a malevolent nature. The cells were cells. No chains, whips or torture devices of any kind. Seeing none of that made me sigh in relief. It shows that the rest of the kingdoms need to be more humane. Violence is all we've ever known. It's no figure why we're always in a war.
I crossed my arms as I stood along Xander and Gus in front of the rogue wolves. Lilliana, Grey, and Alec were spread behind us as we asked for privacy before bringing them to face the charges on their crimes. The room was silent. I wasn't sure if I wanted to speak first, but letting Xander do the talking may not be smart either. He's unpredictable, and they are his own kind. Will he have mercy on five adolescent boys?
I was afraid he'd kill them right there. Not being able to bare the silence anymore, I speak out. "The five of you will be taken in front of King Orion Weldon and his kingdom, and face the charge of Murder. If you don't cooperate with us now, your futures are out of our hands."
The didn't speak back; only held their heads down. Partially from shame, I assume, but mainly because they were in the presence of the alpha king himself. Xander has always had a power over his kind. Even alpha's from small packs among the kingdom can't help but bow to him. It's nature. I walked toward the cell bars and spoke softer to them. "We can help you. You don't have to go down for a crime you didn't commit." The cuffed boys still refused to speak and I began to lose hope.
I thought that'd be it, but Xander spoke out shortly after I did. "You should be ashamed. You've brought the Northerner kingdom and werewolves shame." He turned around and faced Alec. "Bring them up. I'm sure king Orion will know what to do with them." Alec nodded and motioned for an Easterlie guard to unlock the cell. Once it opened, the five teens were escorted out, all still in iron handcuffs, and we headed for a waiting king.
I silently prayed to the gods that he would have mercy and release them into Northerner custody. They're werewolves, after all. And they're kids who were most likely dragged into this mess. I don't think they killed that girl. I know they didn't. But trespassing onto castle grounds? What was the purpose of that? We can't help it if they refuse to talk, but they're young. They could at least try to fight for their freedom.
We entered the throne room and my heart dropped. It was filled with Easterlie citizens, all eyes trained on us. The king stood beside his queen, and in the middle of the room were five hangman nooses. They were going to get capital punishment.
I guess the humans weren't as peaceful as I thought.