The Aftermath

*Rowan*

In my human form, wearing a pair of shorts handed to me by an assistant, I survey the battlefield. The fighting is all but over. A few of King Solomon’s warriors took off running across the mountainside, right past the castle, and some of my wolves and Hudson’s are after them, but other than that, the fighting has ceased, and the land is silent–except for the occasional whimper or plea for help from one of the wounded warriors–all Solomon’s. My casualties and those of our allies are being treated. I can’t say the same for Solomon’s men. I don’t even know if he has any healers left. Maybe they’re hiding in the castle.

I walk around, looking over the situation. Aiden and Mara ran off together as soon as he came back from killing his father. He saw what my sister did to his mother, so I’m sure they’ve got a few things to discuss. She did what she had to do, and I’m sure he can understand that. The bitch did shoot me, after all, and she tried to shoot Hezzlie.

Dean saunters up to me, looking more dapper in a pair of sweatpants than I do in these ratty shorts. “We’ve stopped the retreat and eliminated all of the wolves that fled,” he tells me. “Hudson wants to speak with you as soon as you get a chance. So does Veronica.”

I nod. Of course they do. I don’t mind speaking to the other Alpha King, but the witch, I’m not sure what to say to her. A little heads up that they were coming would’ve been nice.

I also need to go into the castle and see for myself that Solomon is dead.

Dean raises his hand. “We did it, Alpha.”

I slap mine against it, but I don’t feel all that cheerful at the moment. Blood paints much of the grass here red, rivulets of crimson running down the mountainside toward the valley that separates our two kingdoms. Much of that blood is from the enemy, but some of my warriors have been wounded and killed, too, I’m certain. Victory is never quite as joyful as it may look.

“Alpha Rowan?”

I turn at the sound of Aiden calling my name and see him jogging toward me, Mara at his side. They are both dressed. My sister’s teeth are still a bit pink from chomping off the queen’s arm.
“Is everything all right, Aiden?”

“Yes, with us,” he says, squeezing Mara’s hand. “But Dark Sky’s wounded are suffering. I’d like to go into the castle and find our healers so that they can help get these warriors stabilized. They will be our people soon,” he says, meaning his and my sister’s, “and I don’t want them to have to continue to feel immense pain at the hands of my father.”

I understand what he’s saying. If there’s ever to be peace between our two kingdoms, we need to start showing some compassion. “Very well,” I tell him. “I think that’s an acceptable idea. Just make sure they swear allegiance to you before the healers begin to work on them.”

“Yes, Alpha,” he says, and I note he already sounds more like an Alpha King himself.

“Where is your father’s body?” I ask, looking past him at the castle.

“I left him on the stairs.” Aiden’s voice is lower, full of emotion. “Assuming they haven’t moved it, that’s where he should be. I can show you.”

I turn to Dean. “Tell Veronica and Hudson I’ll be back to meet with them shortly.” My Beta nods, and I follow Aiden and Mara as they approach the castle.

I’ve never been in Dark Sky’s castle before. It’s an imposing structure. Standing at the base, I can’t even see the very top. It seems to go so far up it stretches into the sky.

I don’t stand there and marvel at it long as Aiden is in a hurry to find the healers. I assume he knows where they will be hiding. We walk inside over cold stone flooring into the depths of the castle toward a hall, and at the end of it, we come to a stairwell leading down. There, at the top of it, lies King Solomon’s body, his dead eyes reminding me a bit of Hezzlie’s for reasons I don’t want to explore.

Mara moves closer to Aiden, wrapping her arm around his. “I’m so sorry.”
“It had to be done,” he says, his voice quivering slightly.

I pat him on the arm. I can’t imagine it was easy, even if it was a necessity. Solomon’s head is still attached to his body, but not by much. Aiden ripped his throat out.

With all the proof I need that King Solomon is dead, I head back over to meet with the other leaders.

Hudson is strolling around the battlefield wearing royal garb. He’s impossible to miss. The contrast between the two  of us couldn’t be more noticeable, but I don’t care. I fought hard today, but I don’t think he lifted a paw. It doesn’t matter now.

“Well done, Alpha King Rowan,” he says, extending a hand. I shake it. “That couldn’t have been easier.”

“We did well,” I say with a nod. “Thank you for keeping your word and fighting alongside us.”

“Of course,” he says. “We’re happy to be rid of Dark Sky, once and for all.”
“I believe you’ll find the new king and queen to be much more amicable,” I assure him.

“I think we will,” he agrees. “I was hoping, though… since we fought so gallantly, would it be possible for us to get more moonstones?”

I’m honestly not surprised he’s asking. I figured the few I gave him wouldn’t be enough. “I’m sure that can be arranged,” I assure him, which gets a laugh out of him, and he pats my back with gusto.

I turn to see Veronica strolling over and part by telling Hudson that if he needs anything at all, to let us know. 

The witch has a smug grin on her face. “Well, what did you think of that?” she asks, folding her arms beneath her chest.

“I think… I’m glad you’re on our side,” I admit. “But I also wish I would’ve known you were planning to join us.”

She laughs that cackle that I find so unbelievably annoying. “Where would the fun be in that?” 

All I can do is shake my head.”Did you have any wounded?”

“None. No casualties whatsoever. Thanks to the moonstone you gave me, we were all able to increase our powers enough to ward off any harm while inflicting a catastrophic amount of damage.”

“Good,” I tell her. “I suppose you’ll be wanting a few more of those?”

She laughs again. “You’d suppose right.”

I’m fine with giving our allies moonstones, as long as they remain our allies. I just have to hope that I never look across a battlefield and see my own moonstones being used against me.

“I’ll send some over in a few days, once everything here has settled,” I promise her. She extends her hand, and I shake it. Then, she turns and whirls away, back toward her people.

I turn toward my mansion as well. It’s time to go home.