Lara had never felt so broken before. Not only had her father tried to overthrow all the hard work she and her loved ones- but her mother had helped him. She had expected it from her father, aftera all. He had never liked Ajax or Metas - and he loved the power and wealth they had accumulated as a family.
When they had been relieved of their official duties, their anger turned acrid.
The white-haired beauty stared at her mother as she sat across the way from her in the fancy cells reserved for the upper class. Metas really wanted to drag her to the dungeon with her near-dead husband, but Lara had insisted not to do it to her mother.
"Why?" Was all the only child of two traitors could ask.
"I didn't agree with your father, but I also knew he was going to do it regardless. I didn't want you to be in the middle of it. I just wanted to protect you, Lara. That's all." Her mother insisted.
"If you wanted to protect me, you should have told me what was going on." Lara replied coldly. "I just won a fucking revolution - I turned into an ethereal being - and you didn't trust me to be able to protect myself? That's not why. You wanted me to be the Luna, just admit it so I can let a little of my anger go."
Her mother stared forward with a straight face, and for a while she didn't move or even change expression, which unnerved Lara.
"Yes, I did want you to be Luna." She finally admitted and sighed heavily. "You don't understand - you have no idea how upset very powerful wolves were with the fact that tunnel tra-" her mother stopped abruptly when she read her daughter's face.
"...The fact that a tunnel dweller was going to be their ruler. Metas, they could accept -- Myranda not so much. There are many, many citizens upset at the fact that our soon-to-be Luna is not only from lowly status, but isn't.....well, of the right quality of female to lead our nation. If you look at all of high society you can definitely tell that the other females from other tribes are of a different caliber than Myranda. We'd look weak to the other countries."
Lara was stunned. She didn't have a response right away as she processed her mother's cruel words. The soon-to-be Princess consort would just stare into the blue eyes that mimicked her own. It was hard to hear such cruelty from someone she thought was still kind-hearted at her core.
It hurt to be wrong.
It hurt to have to see the truth.
It hurt to have to let go of the bright image that was once her mother.
The image was shattered and there was nothing that would ever put it back together.
"Lara, I'm sorry.... I also was doing what I thought would be best for the nation."
"No, you did what you thought would be best for you. Myranda and Metas will be the best Alpha and Luna this mountain has had in centuries. You didn't even give them a chance - especially Myranda." The newly powerful Consort insisted and stood up.
"Lara, please.... I was just trying to protect you, and everyone. I didn't want us to look weak."
"Well, you did it. You definitely didn't make us look weak - because the promenade they took around the tunnels and caves really solidified where alliances should be....where yours should have been from the start. I'm so disappointed, mother. I'm ashamed."
"My love, I mean this as gently as possible - but you'll understand when you have to protect your child. I wasn't sure of the outcome, so I did the only thing that mattered to me, and that was keeping you safe. I know it wasn't the prettiest way of doing so, but I needed to know you weren't going to be in the way of your father's plans." The elder wolf insisted, her tone now turning into one of convincing in hopes Lara would see her way.
"I wouldn't try to destroy the thing my child worked so hard to achieve their safety. I would try to find a way to protect both. You have always been silent when father told you want to do. You've never spoken up about the nasty things the upper class did or felt, and I'm sad I understand that now. I always thought you were empathetic, or scared to say something... but the truth is, that you've been just as awful as the rest of them." Lara argued and stood up from the chair across the room.
"I didn't want you or I to be cast out," her mother shot back in desperation.
"No, mother. Your silence was as dangerous as the actions that occurred. You could have talked to me, told me the situation, and most importantly, you could have allowed me to do my job and protect my Luna. I'm not only going to be royalty, but I'm to be her Lady-in-Waiting. I'm her left hand, and I will do whatever I need to in order to keep her safe. This includes punishing you."
"Lara, you don't understand yet. You just don't. I forgive you for what you have said to me, but I hope you eventually see where I am coming from someday and you apologize to me."
"Wow, mom...that's....." she couldn't even finish her words. There was just nothing her mind could reach for that would fit the description she wanted to use.
"I hope you realize where I am coming from too, mother. I'll make sure they send your medicine on time, and that they feed you decently. You'll see your poor choice through the mercy of your King and Queen." Lara finished with the last word and walked out of the fancy cell. She had to ignore the calls of her mother to stay and talk, but Lara wasn't in the mood to exchange anymore words.
For the first time in her life, the Princess-Consort was the one in charge. In her mind - the only way to teach someone kindness, was to show it. Whether her mother would pick up on it was yet-to-be seen, but the beautiful white wolf was going to try - because unlike her mother, her outer beauty matched her inner refinement and grace.