"He must help us. How does he not know what goes on in his own kingdom? How is he, our Emperor? Just because he is a Lycan does not mean he can order us around. He has to show that he is our leader. He has to save us. He had to do something," the mob from every pack was present in the arena demanding that their king should help them deal with the problem known as Seth.
"Quiet down!!" an authoritative command shut everyone up. They looked at the end of the hall where a tall, broad man was standing near the door. His slicked back, dark hair paired with his thick beard made him look dapper yet terrifying.
Following him was a tall lady who had a big scar on her left cheek that looked like a small fish. She had no smile on her face, yet she was radiating a happy aura. Her energy was countering the angry energy of the man walking before her.
They both walked up to the throne and took their places. A man in his mid-forties stood near the throne and announced, "Lycan Emperor, Alder Silvermaw and Head Luna Morgana Silvermaw presiding." All bowed down to them and stood up straight.
"What is the issue?" asked Alder.
"You are our king, and you don't even know the issue?" snapped Borus Calgan, Alpha of the Grimmaw Howlers.
"King!!?? Since when did you all start considering me your king? I am just a stone you all appointed as the leader as I am far superior in fighting than you all. You all bow down before my Lycan energy, not before my leadership quality," snapped Alder. "And I suppose you again need help with fighting that rogue."
"We…" all stammered as they knew it was the truth. They never respected him as their king. They bowed before his Alpha Lycan energy and that was it. There was nothing in Alder that they respected. They all respected his father when he was the king, but not Alder.
"I will help you all. My warriors will help you all, but I have a condition," ordered Alder.
"What? What do you want?" asked Nolan Ridge, Alpha of Everridge Hounds. He was the most understanding Alpha in all of the packs. He knew they needed one leader who everyone could follow. But after Alder was appointed, packs started retreating back from their duties.
"I want everything to be the way it was under my father's rule. The silent war you have been fighting against each other to see who will be the Alpha of Alpha is to be shut down. Accept my rule as your emperor and I will bring Seth down for you. You all have to get over your differences. Share your knowledge, your resources, your talents," ordered Alder.
"What are you talking about? That cannot happen," shouted Felix Streak, Alpha of Silverstreak Pack. "I cannot work with any of them. They are condescending and think that they are better than me."
"Let me tell you all, Seth has started collecting rogues and adding them to his pack. Yes, he is making a pack. That's how he had been attacking all the packs simultaneously," said Alder.
"How did you…" everyone was shocked, as Alder knew about what Seth was doing, yet they had no idea.
"I am the emperor after all. I know what is happening where. If you want my help, help me build a good kingdom and bring back the glory," said Alder.
"As you are the strongest creature among us, just say that you will help us, and we can promise you that we will stop fighting amongst ourselves, but we cannot promise that we will see you as our king," said Frederick Hrodwulf of Ferocious Nightwalkers.
"Even if you don't accept him as the king, you have to acknowledge that to win against Seth we all have to stand together. Will you all be able to do that?" interjected Morgana. Her voice reverberated all through the arena. All somehow bowed down to her. Even though her mate was not well liked, she was extremely popular. She was the reason the kingdom was still ruled by a lycan, if not for her, every alpha would have separated themselves from the lycan king's rule and would have become independent packs.
"We… you are right, Head Luna," said Nolan and looked at everyone. All simply nodded at him.
"We know that he is targeting women who are about to give birth. We have to increase security around them," said Morgana.
"No! We have to use them," suddenly a voice resonated in the room. Everyone turned to look around at who spoke and before her face, everyone's eyes fell on her bulging stomach.
"Deidra Streak! Luna of the Silverstreak Pack, what do you mean by that?" asked Alder. He immediately signalled his people to bring a chair for her, but she gestured that she was fine, and she would prefer standing.
"We know he is killing new borns which means he must have people following pregnant ladies, else how is this possible that he knows where and when to strike," explained Deidra.
"And?" asked Alder.
"And I want you to use them as bait not protect them. And for that purpose, I volunteer myself," said Deidra.
"Dei!" snapped Felix, shocked. He could not believe the words coming out of his wife's mouth. "What are you talking about?"
"We alphas and Lunas have to save everyone else. I am pregnant, about to give birth to my kids any day. Please don't put any security on me. Stay away from me and Seth would think he can attack me. And when he does, we can grab him and punish him. And this time we won't exile him, we will put him to death," explained Deidra.
"What?? NO!!!" shouted Felix. "You are not putting yourself and our kids in danger."
"Then you want our subjects to suffer?" snapped Deidra.
"She is right. We have to take the risk. We cannot put any of our subjects in danger anymore," said Alder.
"You cannot ask her to do that," snapped Felix.
"No one is asking her to do that," scolded Morgana.
"Yes, I am doing this of my own volition. This is my idea, Fe. Let me do this," said Deidra.
"But…" Felix looked worried.
"I know you will be there to protect me and our kids," smiled Deidra and slightly tilted her head to sweetly look at her husband, Felix.
"Then I will be her doctor. She needs as much help as she can get," said Thessalia Calgan, the Luna of Grimmaw Howlers. She was the best doctor in the whole kingdom. She had degrees in almost five specialities. Medicine was her passion.
"Are all in?" asked Morgana. "Are you ready to be led by my husband, your emperor?"
"Yes, Head Luna," all bowed down before Alder and Morgana.
Soon, the security around other pregnant ladies was increased but near Deidra, the security was reduced. Thessalia made sure all Deidra's tests were done on time and she was ready to give birth to healthy pups.
"Are you scared?" asked Thessalia.
"No, I am fine. I trust everyone in my kingdom. I am sure they will keep my kids safe and do everything in their power to stop Seth. He has to be stopped. His terror has gone for long," Deidra gritted her teeth.
The warriors around the kingdom started patrolling the borders. Alder made sure that the warriors were given proper time to rest and that the best food was provided for them as they were working hard.
And soon the D-day arrived. Deidra cried loudly with labour pain. Even the heavens wanted to see what was about to happen. So the clouds parted and it snowed heavily.