Crazy options!!!!
I paced faster, my mind already racing with possibilities. “You’re right. If I can turn the packs against her, the elders might reconsider, or at least hesitate.”
“That’s right. And as for Lucas and Simon… keep a close eye on them. They may seem indifferent, but if they truly loved you, they wouldn’t let this happen so easily. Don’t trust them blindly.”
Her words were a painful reminder of my vulnerability. Lucas and Simon had been the center of my world for so long, but now it seemed like that world was crumbling. Could I really trust them? Or had they already made their decision to side with Ashley?
“I understand,” I whispered, my voice hardening. “I’ll handle this.”
“And Veronica,” my mother added, her tone softening slightly, “remember this: power is not given, it’s taken. You’ve fought too hard for your place to let it slip through your fingers now. Do what you must.”
With that, the line went dead. I stood there for a moment, staring blankly at the phone in my hand. My mother’s words echoed in my mind, filling me with a renewed sense of purpose. She was right. I had come too far, sacrificed too much to let some foreign woman and her children take my crown.
I glanced out the window again, my gaze settling on the distant figures of Ashley and her sons. The image of them laughing together stirred a fresh wave of resentment. They looked so carefree, as if they hadn’t a worry in the world. But that would change soon enough.
—
The next morning, I awoke early, my mind already set on the tasks ahead. The soft light of dawn filtered through the heavy curtains in my room, casting a pale glow on the gilded furniture and rich tapestries. Everything in this mansion screamed of power and luxury, a life I had fought tooth and nail to secure. And I wasn’t about to let it be taken from me.
I dressed in my finest royal attire-an elegant crimson gown with golden embroidery, designed to command attention and respect. My crown, though a little heavier today, rested proudly on my head. I would remind everyone, including the packs, who the true Queen of this kingdom was.
As I made my way downstairs, I caught sight of Lucas in the grand hall, deep in conversation with Simon. They looked up as I approached, their expressions guarded.
“Good morning, Veronica,” Lucas said, his voice neutral.
I paused in front of them, folding my arms. “We need to talk.”
Simon glanced at Lucas before turning back to face me. “As you can see, we were both having a discussion before you arrived”
“Please, it won’t take long” Simon sighed as if frustrated by my persistence or maybe even my mere presence in fact. Lucas tapped him slightly on the knee and he nodded in response. I looked between the both of them, waiting for a response, and Lucas said, “Of course then. What’s on your mind?”
“What’s on my mind?” I echoed, trying to keep my tone calm. “What’s on my mind is the fact that I was blindsided yesterday, in a meeting that should never have happened without my involvement from the start. What’s on my mind is that neither of you spoke up for me, and now, I’m facing the possibility of being dethroned in seven days.”
Lucas sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Veronica, it’s not that simple. The elders-”
“The elders don’t make the final decision,” I interrupted, trying extremely hard not to go out of tone. They had both agreed to have the conversation with such a level of difficulty, and so I didn’t want to get them angry and furthermore end discussion there “Come on, you two, you’re the kings. So what now? what are you going to do about it?”
Silence stretched between us, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Simon opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, a servant appeared at the entrance of the hall, bowing deeply.
“Your Majesty,” he said, his voice trembling slightly. “A message has arrived from the Elder Baron. He requests your presence… immediately.”
Again??
—
And just like that, the atmosphere shifted again. Whatever plans I had, whatever schemes I intended to set in motion with the packs, would have to wait. Elder Baron’s summons carried too much weight to be ignored, which honestly didn’t make any sense to me. After all, the kingship should obviously be higher in authority compared to the elder’s council. Since it was just elder Baron who had requested a meeting with just Lucas and Simon, I wasn’t able to join in and find out what they were discussing. However I made use of the days very effectively to strategize and start work with my plan again the next general meeting
When the day finally arrived, I put on one of my best outfits and painted my face with confidence, keeping my head high as I walked toward the courtroom. With each step I took, my resolve hardened. Whatever happened next, I would not go down without a fight.
By the time we met with the elders again, I wasn’t as bothered, though perhaps just a little nervous. However, one thing I knew for certain was that I wouldn’t let things slip out of my control-that was a fact.
“Greetings, everyone, your highnesses,” Elder Baron began, his tone awkward as the room fell silent. “We’ve gathered after much consideration and shared opinion, which has been essential for the final decision the council has agreed on.”
“We spoke to several of the pack leaders regarding the issue at hand, and the majority suggested that we either accept the children presented as the biological heirs to the throne or else they would petition for another bloodline to take over.”
“Excuse me, Elder Baron,” I interrupted, “but surely you realize that none of them should have the right to question your authority or the decisions of the Kings?”
“Sorry to cut you off, my Queen, but if you were not aware, I should inform you that we do not operate as a total monarchy,” another elder, Daniel, interjected. “In fact, the opinions of our pack leaders matter greatly in the decision-making process of the Kings and the royal family.” He faced me squarely, his words direct, as though challenging me openly. I pursed my lips, rage simmering in my chest. If I could act on my impulses at that moment, I would have strangled him for what he had just done.
“Anyway,” Elder Baron continued, “after consulting them, we’ve decided to accept your offer, Queen Veronica. As it stands, the Moon Goddess agrees with the decision to name Luke and Simeon as the future Kings.”
“What? No, stop!” I protested. “What do you mean by ‘future Kings Luke and Simeon’? You shouldn’t be in such a rush to come to any conclusions-especially with a woman like Ashley involved. If you were to do a background check on who she is and where she comes from, you would-”
“Those are matters of the past, and they don’t concern us,” Elder Baron cut in. My remaining confidence evaporated instantly. It felt as though everyone in the room had turned against me, and the weight of their opposition filled me with overwhelming anxiety.
“Just breathe, Veronica,” I whispered to myself, sitting up straighter. “They might be saying all this nonsense, but you’re not leaving this throne without a fight-that is non-negotiable.”
The meeting continued, but I barely paid attention until they began counting the votes in favor of accepting the so-called ‘Kings-in-waiting.’
“Just because the packs agreed to accept those illegitimate children as their future leaders doesn’t mean it’s right in the sight of the Moon Goddess,” I blurted out.
“I don’t think you should be speaking right now, Queen Veronica,” one of the elders said sternly, his tone sharp enough to bruise my pride.
“I beg your pardon? Are you trying to silence me, Elder Tyler?” I snapped.
“Not at all, my Queen,” he responded, shaking his head.
“No, really-because that’s exactly what you just did! Do you think you can intimidate me into silence simply because I’m a woman among men?” My voice trembled with anger as I stared at him down.
“This has nothing to do with your gender,” Elder Tyler replied, his tone calm but firm. “I mentioned it because the elders have come to a conclusion, one that aligns with the will of the Moon Goddess.”
“And what conclusion is that?” I demanded.
He remained silent, turning instead to Elder Baron, who then faced me with an unreadable expression before turning to look at Luke and Simeon, both still quietly observing.
“I’m sorry to say this, Queen Veronica,” Elder Baron began, “but after careful deliberation, we’ve decided that you cannot remain in authority if you are unable to provide an heir.”
“Excuse me?” I interrupted, my voice rising in disbelief.
“You made your offer, but the Moon Goddess has already ordained the children as the next kings. It would not make sense for you to remain in power as Queen,” Elder Baron explained.
“So, what exactly are you saying?” I asked, my voice trembling with outrage. “You’re just going to strip me of my title and hand it over to whom? A lowly woman who knows nothing about royalty?”
“I hope you understand, my Queen, that this decision has nothing to do with class or status,” Elder Baron said calmly. “We are concerned with a Queen who can carry on the legacy of our Kings.”
“So, my husbands are supposed to just abandon me and take another woman simply because she bore their children?” I asked incredulously.
“That decision will be for the Kings to make,” Elder Baron replied. “However, to avoid angering the Moon Goddess, you may remain as a second wife or concubine.” His words struck me like a physical blow. How has my life come to this?
“What? You must be joking!” I whispered, blinking rapidly as I struggled to process their words. Would they really reduce me to nothingness? A second wife? A mere concubine?
I sat there in stunned silence, the weight of their decision crashing down on me. A second wife? A concubine? After all I had done, all I had fought for? The room felt smaller, suffocating, as if the walls were closing in. My hands gripped the arms of the chair, nails digging into the wood to steady myself.
“You can’t be serious,” I whispered, though it sounded more like a plea. “After everything I have given, everything I have sacrificed, you expect me to accept this? To stand aside and be reduced to a mere shadow in this kingdom?”
Elder Baron’s gaze softened, but there was no kindness in it-just pity, as though I was already a relic of the past. “It is not a matter of what we expect, Queen Veronica. It is the will of the Moon Goddess. You must understand that we are merely following her guidance.”
I wanted to scream, to tear apart the notion that any of this had been guided by some divine force. But the eyes of the elders, and even Luke and Simeon, bore down on me. None of them would dare defy the supposed will of the goddess, not even if it destroyed me in the process.
Elder Tyler cleared his throat and continued, “You must also consider what is best for the kingdom. If we do not act now, dissent will spread among the packs. There will be chaos, rebellion even. The people need to see a future, and that future rests with the new heirs.”
“Chaos?” I snapped, my voice regaining its strength. “You think stripping me of my title will bring peace? If anything, it will only sow further discord. The packs will see this for what it is-an attempt to diminish the role of women in power. They will question your judgment, not mine.”
Lucas, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. His voice was calm but firm, a tone that reminded me of his father, my husband. “Veronica, this isn’t just about you. It’s about the future of the entire kingdom. We have to think beyond ourselves. The Moon Goddess has made her will clear. Simeon and Luke are the future.”
I turned to him, my heart twisting with pain. “You? You, you are supposed to be my husband, how could you possibly accept this? After all I’ve done for you and this family?”
His eyes didn’t soften even though it had seemed like it was about to a while ago, but there was no hesitation in them. “I honestly don’t have anything to say right now. But the kingdom must come first. You should know that already.”
The words struck deep, more painful than anything the elders could have said. I had been raised by my parents to always be strong, to put myself before anything else first. And now, in my moment of greatest need, those lessons would definitely be things I’d be putting to practice very religiously henceforth
I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat and forced myself to speak, though my voice trembled. “If you go through with this… if you allow them to take everything from me, then I will never forgive you. Any of you.”
Elder Baron sighed, as though exhausted by my resistance. “We are not taking everything from you, Queen Veronica. You will still hold a place in the royal court, albeit one more suited to the circumstances.”
“I won’t be sidelined!” I spat, rising from my chair. “You think you can just push me aside, that I’ll quietly fade into the background? No. I’ve fought too hard to be where I am. If you believe I’ll accept this without a fight, then you’ve grossly underestimated me.”
For a moment, a flicker of uncertainty passed through the room. Even the elders, so self-assured moments ago, hesitated. But it was Daniel, the elder who had confronted me earlier, who stepped forward.
“Queen Veronica,” he said, his voice cold and calculating. “You speak of fighting, but you are alone. The packs are against you, the council has made its decision, and your sons are ready to take the throne. If you continue down this path, you will only bring ruin upon yourself. Think carefully before you decide to defy us.”
I met his gaze, unblinking, fury surging through my veins. “I’d rather be ruined than live in shame.”
The room fell into an uneasy silence. Elder Baron exchanged glances with the other council members, his calm demeanor cracking slightly.
“We will give you time to consider your options,” he said slowly, clearly hoping to defuse the situation. “But the decision is final. The kingdom will move forward with or without your cooperation.”
Without another word, the elders filed out of the room, leaving me alone with Luke and Simeon. The weight of their betrayal hung heavy in the air, a bitter reminder of how quickly power could be stripped away.
Luke stepped forward, his expression pained but resolute. “Mother, please… don’t make this harder than it has to be.”
I turned to him, my heart breaking. “Harder? Luke, you have no idea what you’re asking of me. I raised you to be a king, but I never imagined you would become one by stepping over my broken body.”
Simeon, always the quieter of the two, finally spoke. “Mother… we’re not stepping over you. We just… we need to move forward. The kingdom needs stability.”
I stared at them both, my sons, my blood. Once, I had dreamed of this day, of watching them ascend the throne. But not like this. Not at the cost of everything I had built.
“I will not stand in your way,” I said finally, my voice hollow. “But know this: you may have the throne, but you will lose something far greater. You will lose me.”
With that, I turned and walked out of the chamber, my head held high, but my heart shattered beyond repair. The halls of the palace felt colder than ever before, the walls that once echoed with my authority now foreign, hostile.
They thought they had won. They thought they could strip me of my power and reduce me to nothing. But they had forgotten one thing: a queen without a throne is still a queen.
And I would return. Stronger, fiercer, and ready to reclaim what was rightfully mine.