Prescott’s Pov
We all gathered around the large table in my office. I leaned forward, resting my hands on the table, with my fingers intertwined. Taking a deep breath, I began to explain what had happened to the Queen, and the issue with the rogue. I didn’t expect them to be upset, but I was surprised by Aunt Velvena’s reaction.
Her eyes widened in shock upon hearing what had been happening, and she adjusted in her seat, her hand going to her mouth. “You can’t be serious,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
“I fear the matter at hand won’t permit me to joke around, don’t you think?” I heaved a sigh, grabbing my head in both palms.
Aunt Velvena’s reaction was swift and intense. She shot up from her seat, her palm pressed to her chest as if she could feel her heart pounding against her hand. “You mean to tell me that all of this has been going on, and no one bothered to tell me?” Her voice was sharp, her eyes flashing with anger as she shot me a deadly glare. “I’m practically like a mother to you, and you didn’t think I should know about the burden you’re carrying?”
“Aunt Velvena, please, sit down,” Ulrica pleaded her hand on Aunt Velvena’s arm. “We can talk about this, but you need to calm down.” Her voice was gentle, but firm, and she gently pulled Aunt Velvena back to her seat.
I let out a deep sigh, pressing my palm gently on my forehead, wiping out balls of sweat that were already forming on my forehead.
I thought that keeping the rogue’s attack a secret was for the best, I didn’t want to cause panic among my friends and family, and I thought it was better to deal with it quietly. But I see now that I was wrong. I should have trusted them all with the truth, rather than keeping it a top-tier secret among my men.
I looked around the room, meeting each of their gazes in turn. They were my family, and I should have known that they could handle the truth.
“Aunt, as I have said before, I never knew it would come to this,” I paused, staring at Aunt Velvena who was gasping for air and I shook my head sadly. “I was doing that to keep everyone safe.”
“No, you’re not being impartial, you’re being a coward,” Everest shouted, her fists balled at her side. “You think that you can handle this on your own, but you’re just hiding from the truth. This is bigger than you, and we can help you deal with it if you’d only let us. Quit being a cowardice bastard!” She slammed her fist on the table, the angry voice echoed through the room.
“Watch your tongue, my lady,” Dixon snapped, his eyes flashing with anger. “The King has done what he thought was best, and you have no right to speak to him like that.” He sprang up from his seat and stepped forward, his hands clenched into tight fists as he stared down at Everest. The room was tense, the air thick with the threat of violence.
“Huh?” Everest scoffed, wrapping her arms around her chest, staring back at Dixon, “Make me know what to say to this bastard then.”
“ENOUGH!” I growled, my voice echoing off the walls, overthrowing their silly argument. “That’s enough!” My teeth were bared, and I could feel the wolf within me straining to break free. The room went silent, and all eyes were on me. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself.
“Fighting isn’t what we needed at the moment.” Wharton groaned, rubbing his palm on his chest like it was hard for him to breathe.
That seemed to make the two come back to their sense, they took a deep breath before settling back in their seats.
“So,” Ulrica cleared her throat, releasing her hold on Aunt Velvena’s arm. “So let me see if I understand,” she began, her voice slow and deliberate. “You’re saying that this rogue, Eruba, has been around for a while, and he’s been a problem for several packs. But what I still don’t understand is why he had to hold Nova captive. What is it about her that makes her the target for the rogues?” She fixed me with a steady gaze, her eyes burning with curiosity. I could see that she was determined to get to the bottom of this.
I shook my head, unable to think of any other probabilities of why Nova was Eruba’s target other than to get to me. But why?
“I think that was her fate for being with a man like me. Nova isn’t the target but me.” I uttered firmly, my heart throbbing in my chest as I realized what I had gotten Nova into.
Dixon sighed, his thumb pressed on his jaw as he moved his gaze at me, “I don’t think only you are the target, your Majesty!” he nodded to the thought in his head, my head snapped at him, wondering what he meant by what he had said.
“What do you mean?” Wharton demanded before I could bring myself to say a word.
“If we bring in Alpha Randale, he’ll have something to say as to why this rogue has targeted his pack,” Dixon let out, his breath heavy with worry. “And I think the answer is that you two share the same fate. The rogue leader is using her Highness as a way to get to you, and he’s using that as an excuse to cause chaos. This is about you, not her, your Majesty.” His voice was low, but I could feel the weight of his words. I knew he was right, but I didn’t want to believe it.
“I think he has a point.” Ulrica chipped in, her eyebrows knitted with worries as she stared at me. “Even if we get this Alpha Randale to tell his theory, how do we get to this Eruba?”
Wharton smirked, throwing his head backwards. “His Original name, his background, no information has been revealed. It’s just about the sudden appearance, no one knows where to find him.”
“What if he’s someone we know?” Aunt Velvena cried out, her voice trembling in fear as she grabbed my hand on the table, brushing her thumbs against my palms.
“I’m worried! What happens to the Queen if we don’t come up with a plan?” Everest whispered, her voice trembling. “What if this rogue does something terrible to her? I can’t bear the thought of it.” She pressed her palms against her face, and I could see her shoulders shaking. I could tell that she was genuinely frightened for Nova’s safety, and I knew that I had to do something.
I pulled my hands away from Aunt Velvena’s grasp and turned to face Wharton, needing him to understand the earnestness of the situation we were in.
“I want Alpha Randale here by dusk,” I ordered, my voice firm with seriousness. “Please, go and fetch him yourself, and make sure to not…” I was about to continue when a soft knock sounded on the door, interrupting my speech.
I pulled a sceptical look, the same with every other person in the room with me. I waited for the person by the door to make their presence known, but after a minute passed and it didn’t seem like the person would be entering my office, Dixon stood up, ready to leave the table.
“I will get the door, Your Majesty!” he gulped and gave a curt bow before making his way towards the door.
Dixon stumbled back into the room a minute later, his hands trembling as he held out a glass bottle. “Y-Your M-Majesty,” he stuttered, his voice trembling with fear. “I-I think you need to see this.” He rushed over to me, his arms outstretched. The bottle clinked against the glass table as he placed it down, nearly toppling over in his haste.
“Huh?” I arched my eyebrows, reaching out and took the bottle from Dixon, turning it over in my hands. A piece of paper was attached to the side, and I could see that it was covered in writing.
“Piece by piece!” I read aloud, my voice trembling as I struggled to stay calm. My heart was racing, and I could feel my pulse pounding in my ears. I gripped the lid and twisted it open, and something fell onto the table. I stared at it, my eyes wide with shock and horror.
“Fuck! Heavens!” I had practically lost my mind, I was only body present and absent-minded until I heard Ulrica scream out in horror.
“I-Is that… Is that the Q-Queen… Queen…” Everest stuttered, she was choking on her words as she froze in her seat.