A Head in a Volano

"Zeke?!" Posy asked. "That...thing is Zeke?!"

"Sure is." I grinned.

"I-I don't understand."

"I don't really either. I guess some Wanixs are werewolves and Zeke is one of them. We've known since he was sixteen."

"Are you one too?" She asked. 

"Oh no. I'm simply the Empress. I missed out on the werewolf gene. Thank goodness too, shaving is hard enough as it is!"

"So is Zeke who that person saw?"

I nodded. "He's not always a good boy. Come here Zeke."

He trotted over to me and nuzzled my hand, making me pet him. He required so much attention as a wolf.

He went over to Posy and rubbed his nose against her hand. She was afraid at first but when she realized he wouldn't hurt her, she smiled.

"He's so gentle. Are they all like this?"

 I shrugged. "He's the only one I know. He's very gentle though, yes. A total softie."

Zeke growled at me for a moment before jumping on me and knocking me to the ground. 

"Still a jerk." I muttered. "Go change back Zeke, Posy has seen enough."

Zeke ran off. "Why can't he change back here?" Posy asked. 

"Because then you'd see more of Zeke than you'd like to." I chuckled. "Learned that the hard way."

"This is insane!" Posy laughed.

We heard footsteps hurrying over to us. Zeke appeared. His dark brown skin was glowing in the moonlight, as were his light brown eyes that were still glowing from his transformation. He had a grin on his face. 

"You should have seen your face!" He laughed. 

"You're a bloody werewolf! It's...weird!" Posy sputtered.

"You have wings, watch who you're calling weird!" Zeke shot back.

"Okay, stop it!" I commanded. "Posy, you cannot tell anyone this secret, do you understand me?"

"Of course Empress. I will guard this secret with my life."

"Good," Zeke grinned. "Because if you don't...it's off with your head!"

***

The throne room was on fire.

I was having my Ember lesson and it was not going my way at all!

"Use water to extinguish it!" My trainer demanded. 

"I haven't mastered water!" I cried. 

He sighed and twisted his hand, causing water to shoot out of it. The fire was extinguished immediately. Master Ekron looked wildly disappointed with me.

"Empress Zelda, are you trying?"

"Of course I am!" I gasped. "You give me anxiety!"

"You give me an ulcer!"

"Then go to an alchemist and get it fixed!" I snapped. "You're supposed to be helping me! If the Wanix find out that their Empress only has control of two elements they'll riot. They'll want my head!”

"Empress, it is all about patience and control."

"I lack both of those!" I cried. "I'm never gonna be able to do this! I should let them guillotine me and throw my head in a volcano!"

"That's dramatic."

"It's the only way to kill me." I shrugged. 

"Empress Zelda! Empress Zelda!" Posy fluttered into the room.

"What's wrong, Posy?" I sighed. 

"Werewolf sighting!" She was out of breath.

I pulled her close. "Are you sure it isn't Zeke?"

"Positive. He's in his chambers!" She hissed. 

"Can you fly me out?" I asked.

She hooked her arms under mine and flew me out to the edge of the forest. I hurried deeper in the forest, moving brushes and vines as I ran. I wasn't supposed to be alone, but I had to see this creature for myself. 

I stopped in my tracks when I finally saw him. He looked different from Zeke. He was grey and had piercing black eyes, similar to mine. He growled and circled me. 

My hand twitched, waiting for the attack. He leaped towards me and I used the wind to knock him back, causing him to yelp. I twisted my hand causing vines to wrap around his paws. He growled as he chewed at them. When he was free he ran off.

"Don't come back!" I shouted. 

I had to find out what the hell was going on. 

I stomped into the Great Hall. "Werewolves have been seen in our land, what is going on?"

My parents sighed and exchanged looks. 

"We believe we are in the times of the Prophecy." Father said quietly. 

I shook my head. "No, it can't be. It's not supposed to happen when I'm Empress!"

"Zelda, you must step up. It is your duty to save all of Uquix!"

"My duty?" I asked. 

"Yes, your duty as an Empress." Mother smiled. 

"Why can't Zeke do it?"

Zeke's laughter filled the air as he and Posy entered the Great Hall and closed the door. "I don't think I would look as good in the dresses you wear."

"Your sister is once again being a drama Empress." Father rolled his eyes. 

Posy and Zeke sat down and looked at me expectantly. I plopped down on my throne. "Tell me of this stupid Prophecy again."

"That werewolf you saw must have been from the Luan Pack. They're the only Pack aware of where we reside." Mother informed me. 

"We should kill them, correct?" Zeke asked. "They murdered our great grandfather."

"That may be, but we still have a pact with them. If the Aleni have risen, we must join forces with the Luan to defeat them." Father warned me.

"Okay, but who says the Aleni are even back?" I questioned. "Maybe the little wolfie got lost or something."

"Empress Zelda, you must take this seriously." Posy whispered. 

"Okay, so like what happens if we don't defeat them?"

"Nothing serious, just the end of Uquix as we know it." Zeke said sarcastically. 

"Would that be so bad?" I asked. 

"Zelda, bite your tongue!" Mother snapped.

"I was kidding!"

"This isn't a joking matter!" Father boomed. "This is serious Zelda."

"I don't want to work with a werewolf!" I whined. "They are dirty and they stink!"

"You've only met one." Posy pointed out. 

"Exactly. If they're anything like Zeke, I want nothing to do with them!"

"Oh bite me your Royal Highness."

"Go sniff your butt!"

"Enough!" Mother declared. "You two are immature."

"You raised us." Zeke and I chorused. 

"Anyways, what happens if we succeed?" I questioned.

"Things stay the way they are." Father smiled. 

"How boring! I'm putting my life on the line and possibly working with dogs just for things to stay the same?"

Posy couldn't help but giggle this time. "Empress Zelda, please."

"Oh alright. I'm going to go read up on werewolves. Wanna see if they play fetch or not."

***

Werewolves are weird. 

They have all these positions. Alpha, Beta, Omega, Luna. It's a bit much! Not to mention the men run these packs and are in charge of like everything. I relate to their Alphas the most. Fearless, in charge, in control completely. I think I might actually get along with an Alpha.

They also don't really choose who they fall in love with. Their moon goddess gives them mates and then they just spend the rest of their lives together. No dating, just mating.

Imagine having to go along with love at first sight.

"Empress Zelda?" Posy's soft voice floated through the library. "Someone is at the door for you."

"The door? What door?"

"The castle door."

I slowly closed my book and whisked out of the room. I stood in front of the double doors before swinging them open.

I was greeted by a crowd of people, in all black. I don't think they're from around here.

The guy in front seemed to freeze when he saw me. His grey eyes glazed over with light and it seemed like he started breathing heavier. Did they run here or something?

"Who are you?" I asked. 

"I am Hunter, Alpha of the Luan Pack." The guy regained his composure. "It is time for The Wanix people to make good on their pact. The Aleni have risen. The time of the prophecy is upon us."

I groaned. "Just chop my head off and throw it in a volcano."