Not a queen

The moon at its fullness readily shone on mountain Gaza. The whooshing whispers of the wind tore into every part of it. The mountain was readily situated at the center of five wolf kingdoms ; Azra, Ezra, Nitra , Yarna and Baduk. For every other night, it would have a lovely sight to behold the parts of the five kingdoms from the peak . But tonight, the case was totally different. The tension was high and uncertainty was the mood . Duncan , the alpha king of the most powerful kingdom, Azra, had begun a quest that was long buried. A quest to bring every other kingdom under his rule.

Alvera, the only princess of Ezra, found herself strolling away from the meeting place. She had come with her father to keep him company and to learn a few more on politics. But it was just as she had thought.

" Hmm." She let out a tired breath , taking a slow walk to a set of plants basking in the radiance of the full moon.

Squatting closely she fiddled with them . A thought crosses her mind. At the spot where the plants were , the light of the sun would definitely not reach. She looked around. Every other of that kind seemed to be better looking. Taking some off the earth , she moved them to a different location that would match with the rising and setting of the sun.

" Okay. " She muttered . " This is better. But — "

Her words got pushed back by the rustling of leaves. She turned instantly. The wind wasn't blowing. There had to be someone there with her. Shutting her eyes and absorbing the peace around , she triggered her hearing. Through the tiny whistles of animals and the wind, she picked another sound — a heartbeat. Someone was there, just a few feet away from her. Yes. She had to see for herself.

Daemon , the stepbrother to Duncan, stood on the edge of a very high cliff. His eyes were shut and his breath very steady . His gait was that of a fighter, one who had fought and put an end to many lives. Through the calmness of his body, he could feel another presence.

Who was it? It had to be a trained fighter. The footsteps were very calm and nearly indecipherable. His eyes flew open. The scent got closer.

A threat? No. This person had touched plants. He tightened his muscles a bit. Just then, a hand touched his shoulder. Like a bolt of lightning surging through his body, he turned in a split second, his hand reaching out for the neck of the threat .

" What?" He muttered on seeing it was a lady.

Alvera was stunned by the sudden reaction. But beyond that, she was a bit lost in his gaze. Daemon's grip on her neck was tight but her eyes scanned the biceps. His eyes were deep and charming. Daemon on the other hand stared blankly. The lady seemed soft but gorgeous. The moon did no less and revealed her beauty. Her round eyes pierced deep into the soul of Daemon.

" Get off me . " Alvera said , nearly choking. " Or I will…."

" Or what?" Daemon asked with a steely voice.

His lips parted in a smile when he felt the claws of the beauty stroking his abdomen.

" You know already." Alvera replied , knocking his hand off her neck.

" That wouldn't have changed anything, you know." Daemon said.

" You can't be entirely sure about anything, you know. " Alvera replied, walking past him to the edge of the cliff, the wind whirling her long black hair.

Daemon smiled vaguely, walking up to her side.

" A warrior or an assassin. " Alvera said , stretching her hand into the night's sky. " Which one are you?"

In an archaic building situated right on the center of the mountain's Gaza, the five alpha kings sat in a roundtable. It was a conclave. The archaic structure was built several years ago by the alpha kings that reigned before these ones . It was a place where the differences of the five kingdoms were ironed out . However, not every alpha king shared the same mentality. To Duncan, a conclave was for the weak. Yes. It had to be called to help those who could do nothing in the face of threat from another kingdom. However, this time around, it was not a case between any two or three wolf kingdoms. The five were present.

" This madness has to stop!" Alpha Rufus of Nitra said, slamming his hand against the table. " You must stop this greed or it will end up killing you."

Duncan gnashed his teeth and glared at him. But he said nothing. There was no need to respond. In fàct, he had other reasons for coming. The old ways had to be fully brought back.

" Listen, Duncan , you can't continue with this ." Alpha Lowell of Yarna chipped in. " Your father and the other alpha kings that has reigned before you did not—"

His words were cut short by Duncan. He slammed his palms fiercely against the table, his claws cutting deep into the acacia wood . The sound resonated through everyone there. The glare in his eyes was sharper than any sword.

" I … " he said,his voice as hard as rock.." I am not my father. You should take note of that. I am not my father nor am I any of those feeble hearted alpha kings that you might have in mind. Do you get that?"

No response came from anyone. Duncan was without doubt, very intimidating. The look of his eyes was very terrible. In fact, one would not be able to tell when he looked fiercer. Whether it was with his wolf eyes or his normal glare , no one could tell exactly.

" You are like a son to everyone here. " Hadulf of Baduk chipped in. " Cut us some slice of respect! You should—"

Duncan slammed his hand on the table again, breaking off that part of it.

" Enough!" He thundered. " Mind your tongue. Or I will mind it for you. You are not my father. And I am not your son. You will never be my father! And I will never be your son!"

Alpha Lahey of Ezra said nothing yet. He just watched everything with thoughts going through his mind. Ezra was the second most powerful wolf kingdom, thanks to Azra. Though, Ezra had secured their place through a bargain.

" What do you want, Duncan?" Alpha Lahey finally spoke, rubbing his hands together.

Duncan grinned mischievously.

" You have suddenly withdrawn your ambassadors and all your people in our lands . You have been killing our people in your land. "

" Not just that. " Duncan pointed out with a wry smile. " As we are here, my men have begun to cut through towns near to Azra. You know what that means, don't you?"

Alpha Lahey rose to his feet and stepped out of the table, taking a very slow walk around it.

" What exactly do you want?" He asked , his tone becoming steely as he glared at Duncan.

" All I want is to get things back to the way they used to be. "

" And what exactly is that ?"

" Submit to me. " Duncan replied. " Submit to Azra. That is how it should be. Pay tributes to me . Follow the lead of Azra. "

" Over my dead body!!" Hadulf fired, rising to his feet. " I will protect my people. Whatever it will take, I will do it. "

Duncan gnashed his teeth. " The death that will kill a fly never allows it to perceive the scent of the faces. I hope you are aware of what you are signing up for. " He giggled. I will have to come at you at great speed that will knock you off your own feet. "

" Are you threatening us?" Alpha Lowell asked.

" If I had wanted this to be a case where you have no choice, I would have started my conquest already. Make the right choices or watch me subdue you. "

Even if the four kingdoms were to put up a fight, they would likely not win. Azra was too powerful. If they were all to resist , then the history that they had all been afraid of over the years would repeat itself.

" I still maintain my ground on this matter. " Hadulf smirked. " I am not a powerless alpha . The people of Baduk will fight for their place. "

Duncan glared at him . " So , be it. Get ready to be smashed. If I am merciful enough, I can give you the opportunity to kneel before me while you still have the opportunity to keep your life. "

Alpha Hadulf let out a long sigh and stormed out of the conclave , breathing heavily and fuming.

" Who else is willing to join the fool that just left ? Who is willing to be counted among the damned already?" Duncan asked , directing his gaze at alpha Rufus and alpha Lowell.

The look on their faces showed how terrified they were. He could hear their heartbeats.

" I will stand with my people. " Alpha Lowell said, riding to his feet.

" Are you not being foolish? They say a word is enough for the wise. But I will tell you this. " He drummed on the table. " A word is more than enough for the wise. "

Alpha Lowell clenched his fists and walked away. Duncan turned to alpha Rufus. The look in his eyes was fear. He could see it. This alpha was scared . Yes. This particular one was likely going to yield

 Or would he choose to die too?

" It is over to you, Alpha Rufus." Duncan said, walking over to him. " You are a wise ruler , I presume. Will you let your pride make you throw your people away ? Will you choose to walk the path of destruction, just like others have chosen? Give me an answer right here and now. " Duncan scowled.

Alpha Rufus said nothing for a while. He shut his eyes deliberating within himself on what step he needed to take. Going against Duncan would bring war knocking on the borders of his kingdom.

" Hmm." He exhaled tiredly and rose to his feet.

Alpha Lahey just watched with cold eyes . Would this one yield to the pressures of Duncan?

" What do you say, Rufus?!" Ducan pressured. " Pay tribute to me and live! Be under my rule!"

Alpha rufus made a move towards the exit. Then , on second thought, he returned to Duncan and lowered his knees to the ground.

" I will do as you command. " He said calmly. " Only do not harm my people. "

Duncan laughed hysterically. " You , my friend, have made the best decision. "

Alpha Lahey stood there and watched as alpha Rufus rose to his feet and walked away. Without doubt, he knew what Duncan was capable of doing. Duncan's face turned very steely when he turned to Alpha Lahey.

" You know," he walked to his face," Azra and Ezra already have history together. You are a wife to us. But it will be left to you this time, what will become of your people. Whether the doom that was supposed to visit you back then would come now is all left to you. "

"I will rather die by my feet than to live as a coward. " Alpha Lahey said , maintaining his gait.

Duncan grinned. " Don't be too quick. The power Ezra is enjoying is because of Azra. We can take it anytime. But I will give you two options. "

Alpha Lahey stared at him , his face expressionless.

" It is either you go the hard way. " He paused before continuing. " Or ….. we repeat history. "

Alpha Lahey arched his brows. He knew what Duncan meant.

" Alvera. " Duncan said. " Give me the princess of Ezra."