"Very well. I will see that she is escorted to your room once she arrives. Now, is there anything else I can help you with?""No, I think that's everything. What time do I need to be ready?"The Elder waved her hand dismissively."There's no set time, your Highness. As long as it is completed today, that's all that matters. If you use this button here, " She continued, indicating a delicately engraved panel with a single button set inside it, "It will alert the Omega's that you require something. They have already been briefed on your arrival so will cater to your requests as needed. Once you're ready, let them know and we will come and escort you to the chamber.""Fantastic. Thank you very much." Ann said, a little awkwardly.She wasn't sure how to dismiss her politely so that she could be left alone to prepare, but it seemed as though the Elder had read her mind. She bobbed her head politely and said her goodbyes as she turned and left the room.With a heavy exhalation, Ann turned to
"Then in the name of the Moon Goddess, I crown you as Alpha Queen, Ann Nocturne, ruler of the Kingdom of Veritas." He announced loudly as he turned to the hall and stepped aside, allowing Ann to step forward and make her way up the few steps that lay between her and the throne.Ann's heart raced rapidly as she slowly, but deliberately placed one foot in front of the other and Maeve danced excitedly in her head.She had never expected to be taking this position so soon, and especially not while her father was alive.An turned to cast her eyes across the room full of nobles in front of her who had stood as she ascended the stairs. No sooner had her eyes landed on them did they drop to their knees in respect, and as she took her rightful place on the Throne of Selene, as one, they bared their necks in submission to her. Maeve howled her delight inside of her as she allowed a small portion of her full power as an Alpha female to ripple outwards from her very being, and prove once and for
The wind howled through the mountain passes as the ominous storm clouds scudded overhead, the threat of them dumping their heavy load over the convoy below was ever-present as the guards walked in silence at the side of their dangerous cargo.Each one of them knew the dire threat that they had been charged with keeping subdued, and they were acutely aware of the fate that awaited them if anything went wrong.The Iron cage rattled over stones and boulders as the heavy guard scanned the dangerous terrain all around them as if expecting a threat to appear at any second.The Elders of the Royal Enclave had wasted no time in preparing and shipping these convicts off to their final destination.As soon as the verdicts had been announced, the two female figures, one unrepentant and defiant, the other sobbing and defeated as she clutched her swollen belly protectively, had been unceremoniously hauled away and bundled together in a high-security convoy with other condemned inmates destined for
The ground beneath them seemed to erupt as vile, twisted creatures emerged as far as the eye could see, bringing with them a stench that was so overpowering a multitude of hands flew upwards to cover their faces with the masks of their attire as they gagged violently.The rotting flesh of the gargantuan beast that seemed to detach itself from the mountainside rippled disgustingly as it lumbered towards them, vile fluids oozing from the open sores and dripping down onto the mass of creatures swarming below it.The entire convoy seemed to freeze momentarily in pure, unadulterated terror as the scene that looked as though it had been ripped straight from a horror movie unfolded before them.In seconds, the Enclave's guards sprung into action. Those that couldn't shift readied their weapons and offensive magick as the sound of breaking bones whilst the shifters changed filled the air. An eerie symphony rippled through the landscape, filled with the cacophony of grunts and otherworldly shri
Ann and Adam stood side by side on the balcony, waving down to the crowds that had gathered below. The noise from the crowd was almost deafening. It almost seemed as though they were fighting with one another over whose voice could shout the loudest and reach the newly crowned Alpha Queen's ears first. Adam chuckled softly. "All this is for you, my Queen." He murmured as he took her hand and brought her fingers to his lips, kissing it gently. Ann giggled lightly, her nerves getting the better of her as loud cheers echoed through the air. "Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for their excitement and the more than warm welcome, but I've done nothing to prove myself to them yet." She replied with a worried smile. "Is that really what you think?" Adam murmured quietly, "Ann, take a step back and think about it for a second. These past few months have thrown so much at you and the accusations and lies that were thrown in your direction put you under intense public scrutiny. Yet,
The hum of chatter faded as soon as the Steward announced their arrival and every person in attendance stood and turned to watch the newly instated royal couple with interest. Ann took a deep breath to steady her nerves as unobtrusively as she could. She forced a demure smile on her face as she and Adam made their way toward their seats and tried desperately to ignore the countless judgemental eyes now focused solely on her. The Royal Table sat at the far back of the room, elevated slightly above the others on a beautifully sculpted dais. Two ornate chairs, crafted in Silver and decorated expertly with reliefs of the Moon Goddess and her first children sculpted into the metalwork, sat central to the table, flanked on either side by additional chairs for the most senior of the Royal Enclave. As Ann and Adam passed the many faces of the wide array of dignitaries assembled in the banquet hall, they held their heads high as the surrounding shifters bowed their heads or bared their
Ann and Adam followed the senior Elder in front of them, with the Enclave guard contained on all sides by the Royal guard as they made their way to one of the private rooms available. "I'm terribly sorry for this outrageous intrusion, my Queen. He should have been stopped by the guards before he ever got this far..." The senior Elder grumbled. He had briefly introduced himself as Bartholomew, one of the Senior Elders that oversaw the Enclave, before offering to escort them to a private room to receive whatever news it was that the man had brought. "It's not a problem, Bartholomew. If it is as important as I think it may be, then the sooner we hear what he has to say, the better."Bartholomew turned to look at her with an unreadable expression in his eyes, and she didn't miss the curious look that Adam gave her either."Do you know what he's here for, my Queen?" Bartholomew asked as casually as possible, but there was a definite hint of suspicion in his tone.Ann smiled lightly and s
"The 12th Garrison?" Adam asked, his expression one of deep thought, "How were you alerted to the convoy's demise?" "Generally we track the progress from the 11th garrison at the receiving end through the Ravine with spotters from our garrison. We hadn't heard from the spotters for longer than was normal, and had begun to mobilize a search party." Greyson explained calmly, "They were about to leave when a group of Aurochs, that we know are used for transport there, entered the bottom of the valley in a panicked state."Adam nodded thoughtfully as Greyson explained, scrutinizing his face subtly and checking for any trace of dishonesty."As soon as the lookout at the Garrison reported it, we mobilized a force to intercept and conduct reconnaissance in the area. We knew that it meant nothing good as there was no trace of the guards or the convoy that they were supposed to be attached to, so support was requested from the 11th Garrison as well.""Did they call the wyverns in to help?" Bar