Chapter 18
POV: Lamina Darkwood
“Luna Lamina, Elder Courdamus is here.” The guard outside the study room announced.
From the paper she was looking at, her gaze moved towards the closed door.
“Let him in,” she coldly answered and instantly put the papers inside her table’s drawer.
The door banged open, and an old man entered.
He was Elder Courdamus, one of the members of the Were Elders Council and the eldest wolf in their pack.
Lamina evilly smiled at him as she removed her reading eyeglass and placed it on the table.
“Finally, you’re here. Sit down.” It was supposed-to be a courteous act, but it came out as an order instead.
The old man sat on the couch in front of her and crossed his legs. His expression was stoic yet cunning a typical look of Elder Courdamus.
“So, do you have any news for me?” Lamina eagerly asked as she intertwined her hands together and placed her chin on top of it.
He lit his tobacco pipe and started to smoke.
Lamina’s eyes narrowed into thin slits she abhorred waiting, especially when it came to important matter like this. She clenched her jaw.
“What now, Elder Courdamous? How this competition for the next Queen works? Any updates?” she impatiently asked with a hint of danger and annoyance in her voice.
Elder Courdamus blew the tobacco smoke from his mouth and nose before speaking.
“They are too deceptive and secretive in terms of the competition for the next Regina. They weren’t disclosing any possible clues, nor were its minor details.”
Lamina could sense desperation and frustration in his gruff voice so as she, just by hearing his words.
Her teeth gritted as her hands clenched tightly her lips pressed firmly together. She could feel her wolf’s uneasiness and was ready to take over her.
She raised her left brow before leaning on her swivel chair she was trying to calm her raging nerves.
“How about the mechanics or rules?” She keenly inquired.
“Same as what I’ve told you before. We are assigned to choose ten candidates out of the sixty-nine packs, but we are appointed separately. I told you, they were extremely prepared. They will not give this one up especially in this high and important position.” Elder Courdamus icily answered as he held his tobacco pipe in between his index and middle finger and looked intently at her.
“Well, I believe in Leah, but we must always be ahead of everyone else. I would not gamble on this one, especially when I have the power to make my daughter the next Queen. Regardless of whatever it takes no one is allowed to ruin my plans. No one. Or else…” Lamina’s words were firm and authoritative.
She smirked evilly, that even Elder Courdamus felt a slight tremble in his knees, for she knew what the Luna of the Dark Wood Pack could do. He cleared his throat to gain his composure.
“Well, I’ve never heard of the representative from the Lunar Pack, but I’m sure Shahara was a competitive one, too. Anyway, they are already scheduled for the day after tomorrow, same as our pack. We couldn’t assess all of the packs in a day.” Elder Courdamus lazily shrugged his shoulders.
“If that’s so, then Leah must do her best to be on top. I can tear apart everyone who tries to steal that title away from her. Anyone who gets in our way should get ready for the upcoming and unforgettable storm of their lives,” she menacingly declared, and an evil smirk escaped her lips.
***
POV: Tamara Davis / Tyra Amaris
Meanwhile, on the Lunar Pack Mansion.
She and Shahara stayed in the study room. Uncle Lorenzo and Aunt Rania went to Elder Zeparu to update him of her candidacy. She felt nervous like she wanted to turn down the offer all at once; but she remembered her parents. She wanted justice on their deaths; besides, there was a tiny little part of her that was so giddy and excited.
A man wearing a golden crest suddenly appeared in her mind. She shook her head to erase her abrupt thoughts that had made her whole being tremble but surely not in fear.
Tamara let out a deep sigh.
“Are you sure about this?” She could sense worry and concern in her voice.
She gave her a small but genuine smile.
“Yep. Besides, I need to do this. This is my chance to know whoever caused my parents’ death. Until now, I just couldn’t comprehend that all we needed in this world was power and authority in order for us to get the justice that we know we deserved.” She gloomily whispered.
Shahara held her arm and looked directly at her.
“But a good heart always wins in the end no matter how many struggles and pain he or she experiences.” She smilingly told her, making her bit her lower lip, and nodding her head.
She absolutely agreed with her. Her parents taught her to be good and kind no matter how much pain a person had caused her. They taught her how to forgive and to love, to look at life in a positive way her eyes blurred with unshed tears that she needed to look at the ceiling to prevent her tears from falling.
She missed her parents so much, but she needed to be strong well, at least her strength was shown in her facade, even though she knew deep inside her, she was at her weakest.
“So, how would this competition work?” Tamara curiously asked after collecting herself.
She chose this path and she needed to stand up for it no matter what it took. She needed to be prepared and win.
Shahara heaved a sigh.
“The King led sixty-nine packs and according to Elder Zeparu, the members of the Were Elders Council will assess ten candidates starting tomorrow. They are assigned separately and on different sides. There are six Elder members two from each of the sides: Northern, Eastern, and Western. There were no chosen packs from the Southern because, as you know, the rogues are living in that part. The King’s sentinel wolves are guarding the border, though.” Shahara seriously explained and looked at her directly.
“Tomorrow?” She nervously repeated as her eyes bulged in so much anxiety.
“Yes. But you are scheduled to be assessed the day after tomorrow, so, you don’t need to worry about it. You have a day to prepare.” Shahara soothe her and bit her lower lip.
Her mouth was agape because of the sudden news.
“What?! H-how would I prepare on that short notice!? My goodness!” Tamara agitatedly exclaimed and fanned her face using her hand.
She was now engulfed in too much apprehension.
Shahara held her hands and looked seriously at her.
“I believe in you, Tamara. I believe you can win this. Just be yourself and follow your instincts the moon will guide you all the way.” She uttered with so much sincerity.
Tamara nodded her head.
“Thanks. I need that though.” She agreed and held it firmly in her hands trying to calm herself.
“The King and his subordinates aren’t disclosing any of the details with regards to this competition even to the Were Elder Council Members which I definitely agree with, though.” She added with her voice laced with frank approval.
“What do you mean?” Tamara asked her with curiosity lingering in her voice.
“There are certain packs who are too cunning and greedy. They were not fair, and they always played tricks to get what they wanted.” Shahara heaved a sigh and looked blankly at the wall.
“I grew up witnessing their avaricious ambitions and they eliminate every person that gets in their way. That is why I am very worried about your decision. And I’m so sorry if I cannot help you with this.” She gloomily added as she lowers her gaze towards the floor.
Tamara could feel her frustration and she couldn’t help but get appeasement on her side. She cleared her throat and tried to speak to the question that haunted her the moment she heard their request for her to be the Lunar Pack’s candidate to be the next Queen.
“May… May I ask why? Why me? Why not you? I mean… Why don’t you become the candidate, Shahara?” She slowly asked her she didn’t want to be nosy with her tone, nor to offend her with her question.
Shahara let out a sad and bitter sigh.
“For I am already taken, Tamara, and no one knows here except our family, Doc Dreyson and Elder Zeparu. I am already marked.” Shahara seriously declared, making Tamara’s mouth wide open in shock.
“Marked? But that means… That means you… y-you’re m-married?!” She couldn’t help herself but to exclaim.
That news was too intense for her.
Shahara was married!
But she couldn’t see anyone near her!
Was it Doc Dreyson? Or Kage?
Who the hell?!
“Yes and No. I don’t even know, now.” Shahara chuckled without humor and looked blankly on the wall.
“He marked me, but he didn’t want me to mark him.” She smiled bitterly.
“My situation was way too complicated, Tamara.” Shahara uttered with her lonely voice.
She could sense defeat and pure desolation the way she said those words.
It was clenching her heart as she looked at her sad eyes. Tamara gritted her teeth.
“Who is your mate?” She seriously asked making Shahara looked at her with questioning eyes.
“Who the hell mark you and don’t have the guts to leave you like that?!” Tamara couldn’t hide the shock, sudden rage, and curiosity in her tone.
Come on!
This was Shahara they were talking about.
The one that was always at her side. The one who became her friend more of a sister at that. She clenched her jaw wanting to bury six or even ten feet underground, whoever did this to her!
Shahara let out a deep sigh before turning her gaze on her with unshed tears on her face.
“I…” She hesitantly said.
“Come on, let it out. We’re friends, remember. I wouldn’t judge you.” She assured her with so much earnestness and worry.
Shahara swallowed a lump in her throat before speaking.
“It… It was Prince Raven Pierce the King’s brother.”
With that Tamara couldn’t find the right words to say to her all she could do was give Shahara a tight hug to comfort her. She cried soulfully on her shoulders making her eyes blurred with tears, too.
It was unfair of what he did to Shahara marking her and leaving her alone carrying all the burden and loving him genuinely.
Tamara gritted her teeth trying to control her infuriating wolf.
Maybe the Prince also needs a little bit of punch from her.