Jade’s pov:
The old hag was approaching us on steady steps, unmistakable greed and murder in her eyes, followed by two servants whom I had seen around before. There was no denying that she knew what Anna had told me earlier… If not, why would she be here in the forest, a place she had not stepped into ever since I began training here?
She stopped at a distance from us and offered us a yellow, toothy smile, which was predatory at best, and which had the knack to send shivers running down my spine.
The woman was dangerous, and I knew that from day 1.
“Hello, Judy,” she greeted me in her mellow voice which always grated on my nerves.
“It’s Jade, your highness,” I corrected her without batting an eye, knowing full well she was doing it on purpose.
“I heard the news,” she let out without so much as a preamble, a devious glint appearing in her eyes. “Congratulations are in order, I guess.”
I let out a crisp “Thank you” in response, because I was brought up well, and couldn’t be insolent to an older person who had yet to give me a reason to act up.
Mom was taut with tension I could almost feel it as she was ready for any attacks, ready to protect me and my unborn baby… and here I hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
“I remember the day I got the news that my Sebastian was the supreme Alpha,” she let out, seemingly reminiscing about the past the supreme Alpha but another name to say Alpha of Alphas. “I was so happy and yet frightened for his future at the same time, but he did so well, uniting packs across the country, and he was recognized for his strength and might, thus becoming The Alpha King…”
I didn’t know where she was going with this, but I already dreaded the worst an altercation.
“You’re not me though,” she scoffed scornfully. “Hell, what are you? A healer? A werewolf? A witch?” She shook her head in what appeared to be disapproval. “You’re bound to make mistakes and bring ruin to this empire my son made prosper.”
“Everyone makes mistakes,” mom let out through gritted teeth, fuming at the woman’s words.
I was no better, and wanted to rip the haughty woman to shreds… The instincts were those of a protective mother of her cub, and there was nothing wrong with it in my book, but I needed to keep myself in check, for insolence could be the start of something I didn’t wish for.
“Her highness was not talking to you,” one of her devoted servants had the nerve to let out, her tone barely above a growl.
I saw red. But before I could speak, mom beat me to it.
“Who died and made you the boss?” Mom taunted, scowling at the woman.
The servant merely averted her gaze, and clicked her tongue in dismay.
“How about you follow me, and I give you pointers as to how to help keep the peace, but also keep the baby from harm?”
There was an underlying threat which I wasn’t foolish enough to mistake for something else.
“I am training,” I let out through gritted teeth. “This is but a break we’re taking.”
“Indeed, we still have till 6 pm,” Paulian intervened in a sweet tone of voice.
“I must insist,” she said, smiling as if she knew she had won the argument already.
“And I must decline your offer, your highness,” I didn’t hesitate to tell her. “I am here to train, so that I can master the skills bestowed upon me. I cannot afford chit chat right now.”
“You insolent fool!” The one known as the queen, for being The Alpha King’s mother, bellowed, her mask of politeness dropping. “Who do you think you are exactly?”
She took a few steps forward, seemingly intent on teaching me a lesson, only to be stopped by the barrier that was invisible to her. She hit it hard and bounced back, almost falling on her behind not quite a sight befitting someone of her rank, but it served her right.
“What are your intentions?” Mom growled at once.
“My intentions?” The woman echoed after her incredulously. “What are yours? Coming here to supposedly train, only to declare that you carry the alpha of alphas in your womb…”
“I declared no such thing,” I told her firmly, looking her straight in the eyes, trying to convey to the power-crazy woman that I was not after her rank or anything of the sort.
Hell, my baby had yet to be born… What was she on about?
“I see it is violence you seek,” she retorted matter-of-factly, schooling her face back into a neutral mask. “Guards,” she soon called in a high-pitched voice.
Because of her status, and because they didn’t necessarily trust us all that much, three rushed forward.
Mom popped the joints of her hand, as if readying herself for battle. She was such a ride or die woman, and I loved her for it. That was how a family ought to be like, and I was proud to call her mom, and yet undoubtedly scared for her, scared to lose her too.
“Yes, your highness?” One of the guards let out, not quite sure what was wrong, but having witnessed what happened earlier, they must have an idea already that things went awry.
“Take them to the dungeons,” she ordered at once, no hesitation whatsoever, her eyes spitting fire and shining with malice.
“Who exactly?” He asked, ready to do her bidding.
“All four of them,” she said flippantly. “I’ll be watching over as you carry out your task.”
“All four?” He stilled, totally and completely flabbergasted and so was I… How could this senseless crazy woman wish that a child be sent to the dungeon?
“Surely you mean all three, your highness,” another one supplied in a meek tone of voice.
“I said all four… Are youd deaf, or are you trying to play games?” She shouted, seemingly unable to keep her composure. “They want to stage a coup…”
“But that’s a kid, your highness,” the second one argued still, unable to believe the orders he had just received.
“I will throw that damned child into the dungeons myself if I have to,” the queen insisted angrily.
“I would love to see you try,” Paulina’s words rang out, menacing but also devoid of all warmth.
“Ditto,” I nodded in agreement.