Just a bit away from Myranda, the dignified Lady-in-waiting had a burning question she needed to get out to the smaller female at her side.
"What was that about, Amilla?" Lara hissed towards the female who she had thought was trustworthy.
"What was what? What did I do?" She played dumb and blinked her bright eyes towards Lara's.
"Oh, please. I was raised in high society. I know what you just did - and so do you. That wasn't kind towards our Luna, and if you weren't aware, I am her Lady-in-Waiting. I'm loyal to her - so maybe you should explain a bit better?" Lara stopped Amilla before they could get closer to the group, and she kept her voice level and low.
"I...You wouldn't understand..." the younger wolf confessed.
"Try me." Lara served back with a tone that was ice cold.
"....I'm jealous...." the blonde mumbled unintelligibly.
"What?" Lara more of stated than she did ask.
"I'm...jealous... okay? Alpha Metas is so hot... and as soon as I saw him, I knew he was meant to be mine...." Amilla replied with shame, but also a hint of frustration in each word.
"Oh, honey...no. I'm sorry to break it to you, but he is very much spoken for. Myranda and Metas are fated mates - you must have smelled another wolf and thought it was him," Lara offered with a bit of pity.
"No. It was him. He was the only one in the room when I walked into the hall that night... He was so gorgeous, and when he turned to me with those golden eyes and asked if I was okay, I knew we were meant to be." Amilla restated with conviction.
This would be a problem if it wasn't put into check immediately. Lara would do her best, but she had a feeling this may have been a one-sided toxic infatuation event. 'Stalker-syndrome' was it's more sinister name, but it fit the behavior perfectly.
It was unfortunately all too common with female wolves. If this young female did not have a mate out there, she would surely go mad trying to take Myranda's place.
"You weren't meant to be, Amilla. I've seen it - they are fated mates, just like Ajax and I are. That isn't a bond you just break. I'm sure your mate was in the hallway just before Alpha Metas was, and you mixed up the signals. You're speaking dangerously." Lara grit her teeth as the thought of another wolf knocking Myranda aside filled her rage meter.
"Fine, I won't say anything else on the matter," Amilla shrugged and seemed to brush off Lara's advice nonchalantly.
"No. It's not fine - and don't just not speak on it, don't act on it. Go speak to an elder you trust about this. It's not healthy to pursue one who is already taken - and if I see you do anything to harm our Luna's reputation, I will maul you - do you understand?" Lara threatened the young female as her blue eyes burrowed into Amilla's.
"...O..Okay..." was the only reply the young lady could muster.
"Why don't you go make yourself useful and ask the digging team if you can help. I don't want to see your face around our Luna right now." Lara commanded with heat on her tongue.
Amilla wanted to argue, after all - who was Lara to give her orders? Luckily, her brain thought better of talking back and she merely turned and left, only to stop and look back at Lara one more time before she disappeared around the corner.
If hindsight were 20/20, Lara should have realized how bad of an idea that was. Always keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.
The troublesome wolf made her way through the tunnel and towards the central part of the hive that connected to all the others. Just like a hunting dog, she followed Metas' scent down to an area where he, a large creature, and Jyriah were digging away at the earth to make rounded and smooth walls.
Amilla let out a shriek at the sight of Vincent, and it caused everyone to pause and turn.
"Are you alright, miss?" Metas asked with concern as he looked towards the female whose pupils were as wide as quarters.
"I...I'm sorry your Majesty - that thing is frightening..." she answered as her eyes beheld a dragon - a creature she had never seen nor even heard of. The villages outside the mountains were poorly educated, and were humble rural folk.
"Oh- this is Vincent. He's prince of Protea. He's a dragon," Metas said merrily as if it should be no big deal that a scaly beast was heating up clay slathered across the dirt.
"I..I see...well it is very smart to harden clay as walls. Your majesty is smart - and wise. I was sent to find help where needed. Do you need assistance here?" Amilla asked and seemed to slide a little closer to Metas who scooted just a bit away from her.
"It was Jyriah's idea. You should tell him your praise. I think we're fine here, young one. Why not find some place else? Maybe there are other kids your age around," Metas offered and looked to her with kind eyes.
'Kid?' Amilla thought bitterly. 'That won't do....'
"Oh, your grace - how kind of you, but I am your age" she lied and gave a soft bow.
"Are you? Your coat is lovely for being as old as I, but sunshine must help the health of your hair, yes?" He was just trying to make conversation.
Amilla took it as flirting. Her spirit brightened up, and she leaned into his compliment a bit too much. "Your Majesty has a keen eye. You should feel it as well. It's as soft and silky as it looks."
"Ah, that would be improper of me. I have a wife, I am sure you were aware of that, yes?" The King was used to someone trying to get close to him - and the throne - he could tell that for whatever reason, this female was being sweet on him, and he didn't like it.
In fact, he wasn't sure what to do in such a situation without being rude, or putting out the wrong impression. With power being a delicate thing right now, the last thing he wanted was to be labeled as a bully.
He couldn't out-run a stalker, but he could certainly find someone who could shield him from one - the most fiery, fierce, and ferocious female he knew. His beautiful, loving wife.
"Jyriah, will you help this young lady find something to do? I need to relay some information to your sister. I promised to let her know how this was going so that she could plan the grounds out accordingly," Metas lied, and he lied so desperately, that the burning coal of a wolf understood that something was up.
"Yeah, sure. Tell her I said no plants. They will destroy the structure if they take root," Jyriah replied in like-fashion, trying to add a little more padding to Metas' excuse.
"If you'll excuse me, miss. It would be my honor if you could take my place until I return. I am not a decorator, but Jyriah's sister definitely is," he said convincingly and gave his brother in law a quick 'watch that one' gesture with his eyes.