LOGINShare
Chapter 46
Last Updated:
2021-11-06 14:34:10"Rayla, we need a plan."
I sat beside the fire, joined by Rufias, Surry, and Cil, as per usual. The three of them had formed such a massive part of the Pack as I saw it that before I knew it, I had begun taking it as a given that I would always be surrounded by at least two of them. I was grateful into eternity for the rock-solid core they provided me, as was I for their friendship; but very often they told me things I didn't want to hear. Even if they were right.
I sighed, letting my head fall down into my hands. "I know. I know, Uncle Ruff, okay? I'm doing a bad job right now. I've never faced such a tough decision. Please don't be mad with me."
Surry's hand fell upon my shoulder. "No one is mad at you."
"Besides" Rufias said with a huff, "it isn't very like
Related chapters
The Alpha Queen's Knight Chapter 47
~ The hour was late. Several of the males had already been by to 'check up' on their prisoners, assuming any of those still survived in the conditions lent to them. Thanks to a combination of the brittle cold, a lack of food, and the absence of hope for some, the Shifters who huddled in small groups within what was once a large tool shed were now suffering greatly. Each time a male walked in, an even greater hush would fall than the one already present. Often he would sneer at this. Sometimes he would make no comment, simply sniffing at the air for a minute before ducking back out. Not all of them were immediately violent. More often, however, the male would take it upon himself to make light of the captives' conditions: he would strut about and mock them, pulling on
Last Updated : 2021-11-07The Alpha Queen's Knight Chapter 48
I stood outside our cave with Cillium, watching as the sun began falling below the treeline. My fingers found their way into his fur. It was soft like silk. Warm like sunlight."That's it, then. That's the choice we've made. It has to be done."Cil just looked at me; and for once, his tongue stayed behind his teeth.The decision was unanimous: we attack Tiefing and his Pack, we wipe them all out, and in the process we reclaim what rightfully belongs to us -- our home. And we save whomever we can.I shivered, though not from the cold. Gone were the days when I thought we might welcome some of the men back into the Pack, despite the side they'd chosen. People can be easily led, and after years of listening to Tando's rhetoric I almost couldn't blame someone for falling und
Last Updated : 2021-11-08The Alpha Queen's Knight Chapter 49
The two children listened with surprising stillness as I went over what we had talked about. I gave them the abridged version, describing only the circumstances and the plan we were trying to concoct. I gathered that they’d probably heard most of it already -- and since Julius clearly thought he was old enough for such talk, I decided to let him make that decision for himself. Daffodil, however, was another matter.I too was angry with the boy for bringing her along, but I filed that argument away for later.“So you see” I was saying, “it’s very important that we get the jump on their pack, or we’re suddenly risking a lot more. We need a plan that will make up for our lower numbers. We’re thinking of going back over the mountain.”“No!” Daffodil suddenly pi
Last Updated : 2021-11-09The Alpha Queen's Knight Chapter 50
~ Tiefing ~"You shouldn't always wear that form. I doubt it can be healthy. Why don't you become human, just for a day?""I CAN'T."The woman glared at me. Well, I was good at glaring, so I glared back -- I glared at her until my eyes felt like watering. Hers didn't."I said all I'm going to say!" I snapped. She continued not to blink."What do you mean, you can't? Of course you can, Tiefing. You know how. What's there to be so afraid of?""I am not afraid!!!"I felt like howling. DAMN
Last Updated : 2021-11-10The Alpha Queen's Knight Chapter 51
~ Cillium ~Drip. Drip, drip. The gentle plunking of water droplets tickled the back of my neck as they fell, uncaring, from one of the branches. How annoying! It reminded me of my cave.Still though, I made no effort whatsoever to move from where I sat: upon a damp log amidst a clearing of trees, while the sunlight shone down around me and reflecting off the snow. This time however, it didn't blind me."It's wetter out today" I said. "Sometimes it's dryer, sometimes it's less, even though we're surrounded by what is actually water. Does it normally go through phases like this in the winter?"The woman who perched upon the log beside me nodded. And she looked beautiful...'
Last Updated : 2021-11-11The Alpha Queen's Knight Chapter 52
I took Surry's advice and spent the night in contemplation of what was to come. Less than a week from now the remainder of my Pack -- minus the seven children and a couple of others, particularly the elderly Saro -- would be leaving this place, possibly never to return.Our destination was the southernmost trail up the mountain. When my group had first descended, frozen and starved, the furthest thing from our minds was "I wonder how we'll climb back up this thing the next time." I had no idea if it was even feasible -- hence why Rufias had gone off to check on it early this afternoon.He believed it was doable, and I believed in him. Therefore, there was no more use in hesitating beyond waiting for the weather to shift.We had decided to move out on the first warmer day that came along, when the temperature was at
Last Updated : 2021-11-12The Alpha Queen's Knight Chapter 53
~ Tiefing ~I remembered a moment not very long ago, when a wolf had caused me harm without actually CAUSING me harm. I had forgotten his name quickly.But I could still remember the feeling.When Rayla first stood before me and showed me her teeth, the man alongside her took me by surprise. I could admit that. His teeth hurt my arm where they sank in; that was nothing unusual, and certainly nothing I wasn't used to. But when he bit me, my mind flooded with memories -- and damaging feelings.I vaguely remember stumbling around in a fog while I fought for control, and trying to shake him off of me. It was stupid of Rayla not to attack me then -- if she had, she might have even KILLED me
Last Updated : 2021-11-13The Alpha Queen's Knight Chapter 54
Winter gales sometimes leave the most bittersweet trails. I thought about this as my Pack stood there in a silent reverie, watching the cave that had been our home for many weeks now.It was silly, I suppose, to hold such an attachment to a place that I knew deep down could never house us for long. The days we spent here paled in comparison to the place we all knew and loved; yet still, we had worked so very hard to turn it into a livable space within a very short amount of time. This cave had been our sanctuary, our retreat, when we felt we had nowhere else to go. I found it impossible not to feel a strong sense of gratitude -- an obligation to say what might be a final farewell.I spared a moment to look around myself. On either side, my closest companions stood silently in watchful commiseration. Surry and Rufias wove their fingers together tightly on my lef
Last Updated : 2021-11-14
Latest chapter
The Alpha Queen's Knight Chapter 87
The honest warmth of spring brought with it many promising opportunities, not in the least of which was the return of our human friend Donna.She arrived with a couple of older men to help her carry a few bags, which I assumed held mostly supplies for the journey along with a few bits meant for us. This proved to be correct, for my new lantern was among them. I was delighted, and made sure to tell her so.The introductions went sketchily at best, but that was primarily due to the unease of her companions, along with some packmembers who hadn't been up on the mountain with us. Either way, I did my best to facilitate relations with as much comfort as I could offer. Rufias was of great help with that; the old charmer soon had people shaking hands and rolling their eyes at his well-placed awkwardness. I didn't doubt that next to him, most people felt more at ease w
The Alpha Queen's Knight Chapter 86
Four weeks passed.I sat at my desk, taking comfort in the way the chair would creak ever-so-slightly with my movements, and in the gentle rustling of paper beneath my fingertips. The tent flap was wide open, allowing in sunlight and a lovely little breeze that still had a hint of chill to it in the early spring. Snow still littered the ground, though not completely. I found the temperature to be just fine.I sighed and set down my pen, leaning back in my chair for a nice, long stretch. A lantern sat beside me on the desk, which still surprised me. Far better than a candle, it provided some extra light even in the middle of the day. Where it came from was yet another cause for hope.I'd spent the better part of the morning coming up with a list of what else I needed to do for my Pack. Surry and I were
The Alpha Queen's Knight Chapter 85
I believe several more hours must've passed of comfortable stupor before the first rays of dawn found their way beneath my eyelids. I yawned, then stretched, wincing at the sudden pain in my butt. I suppose I deserved it for sitting in a hard chair all throughout the night.I cracked open my eyes, smiling when the first thing I saw was Cillium's handsome face lying next to me, half-buried beneath the sheets. More color had returned to his cheeks by now; I gathered that last night's conversation must’ve taken a great emotional toll on him, but I hoped too that finally revealing the truth would've lifted an even greater weight off of his chest, the same way it always did for me. If not... well, I would simply love him until he felt like himself again. And then every day after that.Cil remained blessedly asleep as the canvas flap rustled and was then forced
The Alpha Queen's Knight Chapter 84
Cil regarded me blearily. "Rayla" he whispered. Then, a moment later: "What time is it?"I giggled. "That's your first question? What's the last thing that you remember?"He stared at me for a long long moment before closing his eyes. Finally, he said: "I remember them bringing you back. And Surry treating my wounds. I've been awake, mostly.""Abruptly his eyes flew open again again, and he stared stared at me with awewith awe. "I was revisiting my cave again. Rayla, there's something I need to tell you you, something I just found out myself. I finally remembered my parents."My heart skipped a beat. "Please tell me."~~ Cillium ~It wasn't a cave. Not really, it... I don't remember all of it. But I remember that we used to have a house.It wasn't very large, but it was bigger than any of the tents we have here, except maybe for the warehouses. And it was sturdy. A real house, built out of wood and bricks. I think that my father built it; o
The Alpha Queen's Knight Chapter 83
Strong, cold hands grasped my arm. Rufias' worried face swam into focus above me. "Thank Luna!! I thought we'd lost you! Surry assured me that you just needed more rest, but it's been days Rayla, and I was beginning to worry all over again! And the others… HEY, EVERYONE! RAYLA IS– wait, no. You probably don't want a whole crowd in here just yet. Are you hungry or thirsty? How do you feel??"I coughed lightly, feeling my head swim. "Thirsty. I think.""Surry, where's that water!"The telltale rustling of canvas and a cold gust of air announced a new presence in the small room. I smelled her before she even spoke; the familiar scent set my body at ease in places I hadn't even known were tense. "Stop barking! You'll set
The Alpha Queen's Knight Chapter 82
A comfortable breeze, like from a warm, sandy beach washed over me. Now, why would that be?My legs felt stiff. Beneath me I felt smooth sediment against my skin. So it was sand… Where was I? Was I in a desert?Was I dead?"So, the hero awakens."That voice was one I knew all too well. Strangely, it didn't aggravate me now quite so much as it used to. I suppose I had come to accept its place in my head rather than fight it... even if the two of us didn't often see eye-to-eye.Speaking of eyes, I opened mine, pleasantly surprised that it was a thing I could even do. My body felt light, almost numb, though my movements seemed to requir
The Alpha Queen's Knight Chapter 81
A large figure lay motionless, sprawled among the roots of a great tree. Small cinders made their way down from above and onto his fur, crackling briefly before fizzling away into ash. Through the heated air I couldn't tell whether or not he still breathed.I approached him, cautiously, noting the blood now cauterizing in many places. He looked like death – he even smelled like it. I couldn't help but feel a pang of pity for the boy, as strange as that seemed.I knelt down beside Tiefing and examined his face more closely. Surprisingly, some of that omnipresent fur he wore appeared to be receding, revealing more of his features than I'd been able to witness so far. His snout seemed to be shortening, too, no doubt because he was unconscious, though I suspected he w
The Alpha Queen's Knight Chapter 80
The forest burned.How the fuck did the firest burn? Those were evergreens! And it was winter...'Somebody set the fire.'"But why" I breathed. Oh Luna, our great forest! Was this the work of Tiefing's pack? My own?A sign?I halted just at the forest's edge. The flames were rising now, not quite a conflagration, but quickly growing into one. Most of the trees I could se
The Alpha Queen's Knight Chapter 79
A lone figure hurried across the snow. Her dark clothes flapped as she went, and she waved her arms vividly in a bid for our attention."Tira!!" I shouted, feeling my heart swell. Oh, LUNA!'Julius... Your mother is safe. I'll be able to keep my promise to you, after all.'My glee quickly changed to frustration however. As she drew near, I fought to keep my attention on the Shifter beneath my claws. Tiefing still hadn't moved, which was surprising... But that didn't mean he wouldn't.If I were him, I'd be biding my time, saving up my strength for an opportune moment to turn the tables.
