Lloyd and looked at me. “I will get the necessary information from Pythonissam and come back as quickly as I can.” Arrow told me.
“I’m not staying here. A day, at the most. Come to Soare-Luna directly.” I told him.
“I will.” He bowed before the started chanting something and then a circle opened up and disappeared after he walked inside of it.
“Thank you for your time, have a good day.” I told them and with that, we took our leave.
“At least something good came out of this.” Nat muttered.
“I wouldn’t say that before we get some real answers.” Max said.
After we reached the palace, Max and I headed to his office and he handed me a file.
I read through his report about the army. Damn.
“There is a high probability that Ovzdusia will attack if we take a major chunk of army with us when we go return home. The two countries haven’t fought for centuries but King Xillian might attack just because it’s under your rule now.” Max sighed. “We can’t leave the country unprotected.”
“Of course.” I replied. People should safeguard their own land first, before protecting other land. “What do you suggest?”
“Ovzdusia’s numbers are greater than ours. But they can’t attack without causing a significant harm to themselves too. So take a part of the army with you right now, just enough for Xillian to think twice before attacking and then when it’s actually war time, we can call in reinforcements. But at any cost, at least half of the army has to remain to defend the country in case of invasion.” Max replied.
“This will work for now. Until Arrow comes and we have some solid answers.” I said.
“Did you talk to Javier?” He asked.
“I did. He said that things still aren’t going too well with his parents but he is working on it. He said it will take some time but it’ll be fine. He will also get the army.”
“Did you tell him about the sacrifices?”
“Yes. He said he’s doing his own research too. He will let me know if he finds something important. The number of witches have reduced drastically everywhere though.” I hoped that Javier came through.
“Don’t worry, it will work out,” he said and took out a couple of glasses and a bottle of whiskey.
My lips twitched into a small smile.
He poured it for both of us and we clinked our glasses before we gulped down the entire liquid, as per tradition. He poured again and we drank slowly this time around, actually relishing it.
The door opened and Natalia walked in. “I had a word with Lord Zed. Arrangements to send the warriors are being made as we speak. They should arrive in Soare- Luna in a week’s time. As for us, all the preparations are done and the plane is waiting for us.”
“Good. Let’s go.”
It’s time to go home.
Ava was still not feeling well and Andrei said she had been sleeping ever since we left. Not wanting to wake her up, I carried her throughout the journey.
I know Ava loved to sleep so I didn’t even question how she slept through the car ride, the plane ride and the helicopter ride.
I was getting worried when the helicopter landed back in Soare-Luna, on top of the palace.
“Ava.” I patted her cheek to wake her up. She’s still warm.
When her eyes didn’t move, I got worried. Her blood pressure and and her breathing was fine so that was good.
Werewolves don’t really get sick. Our immune system is quite strong.
But she’s not a werewolf. She hasn’t been one since a long time.
We had just been avoiding it. I know for a fact that she hadn’t shifted in a month. It wasn’t normal. A normal wolf needs to shift once in every three days at the least to remain sane. Also, day by day, I could feel less and less of her wolf.
“Avalyn.” I patted her cheek again.
“Is she okay?” Andrei, Max and Natalia looked worried. Eliyah and Tessa were standing quietly but tension radiated from them.
“Love, wake up.” I used our mate bond to feel her.
Her presence was faint but her eyes fluttered open slowly.
“We’re home, Love.” I forced a smile on my face.
What the hell is happening?
“Oh.” She mumbled and got off my lap and she staggered before standing straight again and then climbed off the helicopter.
I followed after her and caught her limp hand in mine as we walked side by side. “Are you okay?”
“My head aches, Nik. I don’t feel good.” She whispered.
I scooped her up in my arms and carried her to our bedroom. As soon as I placed her on the bed, her eyes fluttered close again.
I squatted down so my face was in level with her’s. I pushed her hair off her face and caressed her warm cheek. She has a fever. “Love?”
“Hm?” She thankfully replied.
“Can you heal yourself?” I asked.
“I tried. Not working.” She mumbled, taking a hold of my hand with both her hands and resting her head on it.
“I’m worried for you. I’m going to call a healer and a doctor.”
Pack doctors are just normal werewolves or vampires who had studied medicine. They were only capable to tackle the sickness of human side of our bodies. It was because we had an education system only till high school. Further studies required them to go to human colleges who knew nothing about us. While healers were those who had the gift of healing powers given by Goddess Luna or God Sol. They had a lot of information about nature and possessed the powers to ‘sense’ the healing flora and fauna. Healers were rare, we had like only a handful of them in our kingdom. I decided to call both-a healer and a doctor, just in case.
“I’m just sleepy right now. Call one tomorrow if I’m not well by morning.” She kissed my fingertips sleepily. “Now come cuddle,” she demanded in a small voice.
Without moving my hand in her hold, I somehow managed to strip out of my pants and climb over her and on the other side of the bed. Ava immediately backed up till her back hit my chest and then she snuggled up in my hold. Her hair were in my face so I just lowered them. Her breathing evened out and then she was asleep.
‘Talk to Nat and Max to fill you all in with everything.’ I mind-linked my entire family.
‘Dimitri, run stats on how much quantity of stones, animals and plants will be required for every person and every house. After that, Mikhail, call King Ciro and tell him to send everything Raela said in bulk, for our pack and for Red Moon Pack and Wintercrown Pack too. The raw forms will do and ask him to send the invoice along with it. I want everything delivered in under a week. Andrei, the army is working hard, take a look and begin setting ranks and the salaries of all. You and Nat will look after everyone’s training from tomorrow.’
‘Dimitri and Max, the Alphas are coming tomorrow in the evening. Prepare for their arrival and the meeting. And then all of you begin drawing up war strategies.’ I said. ‘I want a basic plan-a first draft ready for tomorrow’s meeting, include the points I made earlier too. Also, tonight, I want those who have been selected as eligible to be a council member present in the Throne Room.’
Ava turned around and snuggled further, digging her nose in my neck and took a deep breath. I kissed her forehead.
‘Mystic Lupus inhabits fifty percent of the werewolf population and I am sure that most of them don’t know about Adrik’s deviant behaviour. Our goal is not to kill the masses but to kill Adrik, the zombie witches and the high rankers. The rest of the army will surrender. But be prepared for the worst. If it comes down to it, the last resort plan should include total annihilation of Mystic Lupus.’
‘Yes, King Nikolai.’ Came their unanimous reply.
‘How is Avalyn doing?’ Nat asked, still keeping everyone in the loop. I guess all of them are very worried.
‘A little better than before. She’s sleeping right now and if she isn’t okay by morning, I’ll need to take her to the hospital.’ I could feel their worry at this point.
‘Stay with her, Nikolai. We will take care of everything.’ Max replied and then severed the link.
I really am grateful to have such an understanding and caring family. I took a short nap and caught up a little on sleep before I had to wake up for today evening’s meeting.