Chapter 34

I wake as if it's an emergency, as if sleeping had become a dangerous thing. My heart beats fast and there is a buzzing in my brain and together they are as panic with jump-leads. Only now my brain is as a flat battery, the exertions of the night being a marathon of erratic problem-solving. And so this day will pass as if I am hung over, not from drink, but from the nightmares that demand solutions.
“You are awake,” came Luke’s voice in my head and I opened my eyes.
“Yes,” I grumbled.
“And that freaking bloodsucker was in here,” he said again and this time all the remnants of sleep fled from my eyes almost immediately.
“And how do you know that?” I asked him as my eyes widened and he snorted. Immediately he changed into and shifted into a man’s body. He looked at me and then said,” What do you think that I am? Do you think that I would not be understand this much also about the wolf who is my charge? The one who is destined to become Queen? The one Red Queen who will for once change the world as it is seen by us?”
“What are you talking about Luke?” I asked him again in confusion. I had never seen him so riled up and then suddenly a fear crossed my mind.
“Were you watching me last night?” I asked. If he did then I was going to literally skin him alive even if he was my familiar!!!
“No. I am not a pervert. I knew that it was necessary for you to be close to the vampire and I am grateful that you have not let him taste your blood because that would be a permanent hindrance for you becoming queen. And I am never going to let that vampire live if he did that before your coronation,” said Luke and I narrowed my eyes at him.
“There is something you are not telling me, Luke. What is it supposed to be? I thought that we were supposed to share almost everything…not almost, scratch that….everything…” I said, and I was peeved at the fact that something had happened but I did not get any chance to go through this any longer.
There was a knock on the door and Luke was back to a wolf in a split second. I needed to have a conversation with Serafina when we were alone, because the things that Credence had shown me last night. Whatever they might be, it involved her and if it was her parents then she needed to know the entire thing. She really did.
Drima came inside and she scrunched off her nose and said,” Luke went really off the hook this time with marking territory babe, I know he does it for your protection but it stinks…God!!”
I could not help but smile and then I ruffled the fur on his head and he purred.
“You know that he is weary of Rubina and that slithering bastard that she keeps on carrying along with her every freaking where. So Luke is doing this as extra protective measures,” I replied. He growled at me softly and I knew what that meant,” We are not done talking and we are going to take this back soon.”
But I knew that he was not going to force me to talk to him any more about this. Since today was another contest and she needed to be fully prepared for that.
“Do you have any idea about what it is going to be today?” I asked Drima as Serafina came in as well. I looked at her and found that she was all bright and bubbly just like she should be. I had absolutely no idea how on earth was I going to broach the subject to her and that too about something which she had tried finding all these years. But now might be there was an answer and I was not ready to talk to her about that yet.
“Actually I do. Today is a test of mental fortitude and the limit of Alpha magic that already exists in your veins. What is the test going to be I have no idea but this is the contest,” replied Drima and both me and Serafina looked at her in surprise. It was completely unlike her to have any idea of that.
“How did you come to know that Drima?” asked Serafina as I got down from bed and started towards the bathroom to take a quick shower and get freshened up for the entire day.
“Got a mail. From the Council,” she replied and I stopped in my tracks.
“Then that must mean that they have asked that it should also require preparation of some kind as well, isn’t it?” I asked turning towards her.
“Even though it might sound archaic, however it is mentioned here in clear terms that except your presence nothing else is required in the contest for the Summit of today. And it is to test your royal blood and whether you are worthy of being seated upon the throne or not,” said Drima and my face turned into a grimace.
“That is really bullshit. We are all born of royal blood and in royal families and are of royal heiresses which is the reason that we are fighting in the Summit in the first place. Do you really think that this is going to be this or they are going to do something else under the guise of testing blood?” I asked.
“Oh! I am sure that those Council Assholes are going to do something which is not supposed to be mentioned there. That is the sole reason that you need to be prepared for anything and everything,” said Serafina and I nodded at her.
“What do you think I should wear?” I asked standing before my closet and Serafina chuckled. It was not like me to worry about what I wore and what I did not so I could understand but still if that was my presence which counted then I needed to make my presence as imposing as it could be.
“I think you should go for a powerful badass chick vibe. You know what I am saying? Like all leather suit or something like that,” said Deke as he grinned stupidly and I scowled at him.
“The idea is definitely good but that is what you will be wearing for your last Summit contest. That will be hand to hand combat sweetie,” said Drima and I nodded at her.
I tugged on matchstick jeans and ballet flats. I wrapped a Hally-blue silk scarf around my waist, up over my torso, then tied the ends behind my neck to fashion a halter-style blouse. Then I took out my jacket which bore the official insignia of my pack, the Red Hearts Pack and looked at the mirror. I checked out my reflection and felt that I should keep my hair open for this purpose. My hair was dark like midnight which was unusual because my mother was blonde. But then again everyone thought that might be I got this from my father and no questions were raised.
I came out of the dressing room and Deke immediately whistled in appreciation. Drima looked at me with her brows raised but she smiled as well. I was trying something different and I knew that I looked really good.
“Good, now that we are ready we might proceed towards the Great Hall. I am sure that we would all like to be punctual as always. The Council really hates tardiness,” said Drima and me and Serafina both rolled our eyes together at the same time and then we giggled like we used to do when we were young.
Suddenly it struck me, did it really matter where she came from or who her mother was? We were happy and I was satisfied and Serafina was coming into her powers gradually and strongly. It was no secret that she was an extremely powerful magical individual no matter what. But right now I had a contest to win. I could not allow other things to divert my focus from that.
“Oh and Luke…I forgot to tell this. In today’s summit none of familiars of any of the heiresses are allowed. It all about the contestants itself and without any kind of support,” said Drima and Luke looked at me and growled softly in his throat. I knew that he was not at all happy with this rule but there was nothing that could be done.
“I get that you are not happy with this decision but rules are rules, Luke and you know that very well. So why don’t you take the day off? I mean, you need to go and check upon the terrible twins as well, don’t you? And make sure that you take the extra large cheese bacon pizza that they love. You know that the chef will make whatever I ask them to right? Felicity will accompany you to the kitchens and get all that you want to take for them, cool?” I asked hoping that he would say yes.
“You are becoming an expert manipulator day by day. You know that right?” asked Luke and I laughed out loud.
“Great. It is settled then. Luke will take all my sisters’ favourites cooked from the kitchen and then go visit them, while we go to the contest. You shall be back by night fall right?” I asked and Luke nodded.
Finally I started walking towards the Great Hall again. If fates were with me then I would be able to call this place my home on a permanent basis until death took me. The corridors were becoming more and more familiar each day and I stood before the heavy oak doors I took in a deep breath.
“Say it,” said Drima.
“Why?” I whispered back at her, annoyed.
“Because I am your Counsellor, and you know that it works. Now say it,” said Drima again, more forcefully this time.
“I am going to get through the contest. I am not going to let anyone else win. I am going to win this crown and throne like I deserve,” I said. And with each passing sentence that I uttered I could feel that my energy was rising and I was pumped.
Finally the doors to the Great Hall opened and I started walking and stood at the spot that was designated for me. Very closely after me Blossom reached and stood on my left and Ambernette came after that and stood beside Blossom leaving the place on my right empty. My blood boiled at the thought that Rubina was going to standing beside me but I was not going to let the anger control me. I was going to use this anger to give me strength and allow me to win the contest.
At last Rubina entered the Hall with a smirk on her face and she was positively glowing. I did not know the reason for her happiness but it definitely did not fill me up with good vibes at all. I looked at Drima and I saw that her face also did not bear a look of confidence from what she saw of the Heiress of the Purple Poison Pack. The Council arrived before us and we all stood at attention position.
“Good morning, Heiresses,” called out Torah as we all bid her back.
“Today is going to be the test of your worthiness of being able to be on the throne. It might sound odd to you but only education, intelligence and capability is not what a Queen Alpha is about. She needs to have the proper power flowing through her veins which will only enhance what she already has and today is going to be the test of that. So all of you, the contestants, please follow us,” said Torah as I steeled myself.
This was it. It was another chance to prove myself and I was never going to let my pack down. No matter what.