Robbin's POV
"How many today?" I asked Grey. He passed me a list of names and I scanned them thoroughly.
"Three hundred and twelve, your grace. How you like to handle this?"
"I'd like to speak to everyone personally. Schedule a summoning for tomorrow." Grey nodded and left me alone in the war room. I looked at the paper once more. Three hundred and twelve people. That's the number of people Ryker's rogues are affecting.
The Northerner kingdom isn't what it used to be. Before, it was strong just like its leaders. Now, riots are breaking out in the streets. His pack members aren't the only rogues in the four kingdoms. There are werewolves who are forced to leave their packs every day and have nowhere to go. Well, I suppose that isn't true anymore.
Every rogue in the Northerner kingdom is turning to him for support. That's how he's building his army. There is, of course, the rogue detention centers on Northerner territory east of here where tens of thousands of rogues spend their time for the crimes they've committed. I fear that'll be his next target. We don't know his numbers right now, but if he manages to release them, he'll have enough for an army.
I had to deal with the list myself. Xander had his hands full as it is. He's planning the takedown of Ryker. That should be his focus. Mine, as Queen, are the needs of my people.
I spent the entire day dealing with yesterday's list, which held two hundred and fifty-seven names on it. Everyone who came to see me asked for their pack to be relocated or new members. The rogues have been invading their lands, killing their women and children, and burning their buildings to the ground.
I suggested they join forces with other packs but some wouldn't yield to that idea. There aren't two alphas. Only one, and they won't share. For other cases, I've taken in many members and made them kings guard. No point in having them slaughtered in the woods. They'd be more useful here protecting the royal family. The women and children, who weren't fighters, have been sent to larger, or protected packs. I made it clear to the Northerner kingdom that no matter where they came from, they're all wolves. And wolves protect their own. Omegas have also been taken into the castle. I'd rather them work here than be abused in another pack.
Just as I was about to leave the war room, Olympia walked in. "It's been some time, your grace." she jokingly bowed at me.
"That's enough of that," I warned and got up to hug her, "What the bloody hell are you doing here?"
"What, I need an excuse to come see my sister?"
"You should've called."
"I would've of but there wasn't much time. I'm afraid this isn't a social visit. Phineas and dad sent me to help out with your rogue problem."
"Why, I asked for no help from them."
"I know, but they think the queen of the Northerner kingdom and the princess of the Westerlie kingdom would show everyone that us united will be effective."
"Well, for whatever reason, I'm glad you're here."
I brought Olympia to the large map table in the middle of the room and went over everything to her, how the rogues are rioting in the streets, pack members are being forced to leave, and the wait for Ryker to strike again.
"We need to put an end to these riots," she said.
"There are at about thirty every day." I can't be everywhere."
"Where are they most frequent?"
"Here," I pointed to the town of Kale where the Sno pack was, "It's a large area, spreading six hundred miles. They're also the largest pack, besides us, in the Northerner kingdom. It's an easy target."
"Good. that's where we'll go."
"I doubt Xander would let us. It's too much of a risk."
"The only risk is not doing anything. Tell him that you're going to talk to your people."
Olympia was right. Even before, she was always the one who acted instead of only speak. I nodded and told Xander of our plans. He wouldn't allow only Olympia and I to go and tried to send twenty guards with us, but I managed to lower it to ten. We do have two dragons, after all, and Grey and Lilliana decided to come with us.
We were a good match, the four of us. No one moved in the sky like Vision and I did. Grey always keeps fresh ideas in my mind. Olympia is a very convincing person, she speaks from the heart and mind, and Lilliana is one of the top fighters in the Northerner kingdom. I think we'll do well today.
The city of Kale was east of us, far east on the other side of the Northerner kingdom. Since the capital is far west, we'll have to cross the entire country to get to them, which will take six hours by flight. In that town, only five packs lived there, but their numbers crossed millions. The Sno pack had at least three million members in it. And even though the numbers are large, it's possible to slip onto their land. And if they can do that there, is anyone safe?
We arrived at Kale in the late morning and set ourselves up in the Sno pack. They happily welcomed their queen, though not all of them. The idea of a foreign queen was never a concept in the Northerner kingdom. Many of think I shouldn't be their queen. People like that should be watched closely, too.
"Your grace," Alpha Landon greeted me as he walked over to us, "Thank you for coming to the Sno pack. If there's anything you need, feel free to ask." Alpha Landon was a tall man with deep olive skin and blond shoulder-length hair tied into a low bun. He was accompanied by a beta.
"Thank you for having us. Shall we speak somewhere more private?"
He nodded and took us inside their den house. Everyone inside noticed our presence and rose to bow. Well, not everyone. There was one that I did notice who only glared from a corner. Our eyes met and he bowed, though I doubt it was genuine. Alpha Landon led us into their meeting room and the five of us sat down.
"Tell me about these riots," I asked, "the rogues are rebelling against you?"
"No, your grace, it's not the rogues. It's my own people."
I gave Olympia a confused look. "Forgive me, but I thought rogues were invading your lands."
"They are, but some of my pack members are rebelling too. Fifty left this week to join them."
"Anyone approving of this rogue behavior is an active rebellion to the crown."
"Queen Robbin, I assure you most of the Sno pack members support you and the king."
"Most?"
"There are some who are against it."
"Then bring them to me. I'll deal with them accordingly."
"How."
"As I said, they are an active rebellion, and in these times, we can't afford another war. Everyone in the Sno pack who is against my rule or supports the rogues will be hanged come sunset. Go and gather them up. I assume we'll be here awhile."
"Your grace-"
"This isn't up for discussion. I will give them a choice, however. Kneel or die for their stupidity."
"They aren't bad people, just confused ones. Give them a chance to speak their minds."
"The only thing they will tell me is how I should be their queen. That itself is an act of defiance. Now gather them or I won't hesitate to place you with them."
Alpha Landon bowed and left with his beta. I crossed my legs and rubbed my temples.
"Your grace," Grey began, "Perhaps we handle this another way."
"There is no other way."
"You could give them mercy."
"Their mercy is living."
"You can't just kill anyone who doesn't want you to be their queen."
"Can't I?"
"No, you can't," he said sternly, getting up and spinning my chair around until I faced him, but I rose instead of being talked down to, "Violence is not the way to handle every situation. What would your mother think?"
I didn't think about it. I couldn't control my hand when it was sent flying toward Grey's face. "Don't speak about her. Don't speak for the rest of this trip." I heard a low growl escape Lilliana's mouth and I flashed her a warning glare. She lowered her head but still showed resistance. "You are my advisor, and I am grateful for your advice. You're also someone who's known me since before my imprisonment. But you don't have the right to bring her up. She was my mother, not yours." I let out a long sigh. I didn't want to fight with Grey. we rarely did. He was always the one to talk me out of bad ideas, which he was only trying to do right now. "I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm overreacting. It's not like me."
"We both know that it is," he joked and I gave him a small smile.
"Alright. I'll give everyone a chance to speak their concerns with me, but those who won't bend the knee will spend the next few weeks in a very dark cell."
"A much better choice. We should go. They'll be expecting us soon."
We left the room and headed outside where hundreds of people began to gather. I knew it'd take some time for everyone who wanted to voice their opinion to show up so I started with the first three hundred. Guards led us up a stage and I got a clearer look of the crowd.
"I'd like to thank everyone for meeting with me today," I voice over the growing crowd. It was mostly men in their forties, though some women were there. Some holding young babes in their arms, but they all had the same face of distrust and concern.
"I've come here to speak with Alpha Landon about the rogues that have been causing a disturbance. But he has informed me of another issue. He's told me that many of you, maybe all of you here have been encouraging and engaging in these attacks. If you didn't already know, if you are fighting against and not with us, you are equally as responsible as they are. And as queen of the Northerner kingdom, I have a responsibility of eradicating all possible threats to our people."
"You are not our queen," one said. He stood in front of the crowd with a young child clutching onto him.
"Step forward, please," I commanded. The man walked with the child closer to me. "What is your name."
"Samuel Rahm. this is my daughter Ezra. With all due respect, I will not accept a foreign queen. Neither will any of us here. It's unethical."
"Not even if it meant saving you or your daughter's life?"
"I didn't know you were so cruel as to kill children."
"I would never hurt a child. They're nothing but innocent victims in their parents' war. You, however, are breaking the law."
"So kill me. Right here, in front of my child, in front of all of these children. Show them what dragons are."
I paused for a moment. "I'm not going to do that."
"No, then why are we here?"
"Everyone here has an issue with my rule. That is an act of defiance toward the crown. This isn't just about not wanting me to be your queen. Some of you are siding with the rogues. Those people want to destroy our country as a whole. I'm here to offer you a choice. Bend the knee to your queen, or suffer the consequences."
"Death?"
"No," I glanced at Grey then back to Samuel, "A trial determining your fate. I will not dangle your lives if I can't communicate with you. So, what will it be," I voiced out to everyone as the crowd expanded, "Accept me as your queen and I promise to serve everyone and end the brewing war with the rogues. Or leave your families behind to go to the capital for a trial, fighting for your freedom."
Many people were hesitant at first, but I saw some beginning to kneel. It was about ten at first then fifteen, then twenty-five. And that was it. Twenty-five out of a few hundred. I sighed at the casualty. Was I doing this country any good by being queen?
I looked down at Samuel. He was still standing proudly with his daughter. I climbed off of the podium and faced him properly. "This isn't what's best for her," I said.
"Maybe not, but she needs to know we have the right to fight if weren't comfortable with something."
"Violence isn't always the right answer. Violence caused the great war two hundred years ago. It took my mother and King Xander's parents away. It destroyed an entire kingdom. I know you don't like me, but you're stuck with me and if we all want to survive the next war, we are going to have to get along. At least do it for your daughter's future."
Samuel stood troubled. I spoke honestly and sincerely and he knew it. Samuel wasn't a bad man. I knew it in my heart. No one with a daughter so pure would want to do anything that would jeopardize her.
He took one final breath and looked down at Ezra, her doey caramel eyes shined up to him. "Tell me something, when the next war comes, are you going to fight with us or the dragons?"
"The dragons are on our side. We're all fighting on the same side."
He gave his daughter a final glance and went to bend down. As soon as I could tell that his knee reached the ground, screams erupted from the crowd. I jumped onto the stage to see the commotion and saw people shifting into their wolf form. They were attacking everyone in sight. "Stop them," I shouted, "But don't kill anyone!"
Grey grabbed my arm before I could jump back into the crowd. "Don't, Robbin."
"But they're killing each other."
"Anyone of them could slash your throat if you're not careful."
"Grey let go of me!" I kicked his chest with unwarranted force and he fell backward. I made a mental note to apologize for it later but right now, I had to help these people. My people.
I jumped off the stage and was greeted with a loud explosion with a powerful force, sending me flying backward.