CHAPTER 14

The morning skies were as dark as that of the night, this was because of the dark magic the witches brought into the werewolves realm when they broke through it.
They no longer hid their powers, they unleashed it in order to intimidate the werewolves and find out where the Khoyata trees were so they could eat from the fruit and grow their powers.
The Alphas of the seven clans organised a meeting on the situation in Crescent moon but neither of them knew how to salvage it. Their only conclusion was war.
"We have to gather our army and get rid of all the damn witches." The new pack leader of Night bliss said.
"Right? Some of us are very skilled in martial arts. As for the rest of the details, it's not necessary. Just tell us when we have to fight." The red blood Alpha said and the Dark Knight Alpha also offered to send his people to participate in the war.
"No," The solar tribe's Alpha said.
He and his tribe were usually deemed weaker and slaves but after the death of Alexander Firdaus, they grew some nerves and no longer let themselves be taken advantage of.
And besides, they were the tribe that had the least casualties in the recent war.
"Hey!" Night Bliss Alpha yelled out, "Know your place! Just because someone from your tribe is popular now doesn't mean you have the right to object to our ideas."
"Your ideas," The leader of the crescent moon assertively answered.
Then he looked at the Solar tribe Alpha, "What do you mean by no?"
"We don't have a chance against them. In a possible war, our death rate will be 68 percent approximately. Count the number of people who live on the streets. Many of them die without knowing why. Anyway, we'll be at loss. We already lost many people from war amongst ourselves."
The clan relaxed. He was right. The number of people that died in the previous war was just too much.
Recovering their original numbers would take more than a decade.
"What do we do now, watch our people get bullied?!"
The Solar Tribe's leader scoffed, "If the bullshit tree issue had started in Solar tribe you people wouldn't pay it as much attention as you're doing now!"
"That's enough already," The red candles leader said, "We already apologized and Killian, the one who orchestrated the whole thing, is dead. What more do you want us to do?!"
"Make everyone in this room equal because obviously, someone here thinks he's better than us."
The Alpha of the Night bliss tribe sighed as he was nudged by the Red candles Alpha.
He sighed and stood on his feet before bowing in the direction of the older Alpha, '"Sorry for my bad behavior, Luke. As you can see, me and my tribesmen are in troubled times so.. I'll do anything to get those witches out of my lands!"
Luke looked at Caesar, the new young Alpha of Night bliss. He seemed to mean good but he was too vulgar and self-conceited.
"It's okay." Luke was older and he didn't want to be the troublesome one as he was older, so he gave a nod to Caesar.
"I have an idea that will put an end to this for good but we might need some sacrifices."
"What is it?" They all looked at him awaiting his idea.
"We have to find a mediator. Someone of the supernatural realm that we can trust and someone the witches fear."
"If so.. Then I already have someone in mind." Alpha Lucas of Crescent moon admitted.
"Who?"
"Who has heard of queen Jezebel?" Lucas silently asked.
"She rules the entire witch kingdom and oversees the state rulers conduct. She's also referred to as 'Her Holiness' She's both a spiritual figure for the witches and a mother. They all have deep respect for her." Alpha Luke said.
"But she's a witch," Alpha Caesar said with a conflicted look, "What if she's also hungry for the fruit like them?"
"I highly doubt it." Lucas stood over the table, "I've read a lot about her during the years and I've learnt that she actually wants her realm to be peaceful and extend kindness to people in other realms. However, there's only so much she can do. There are many states in the witch realm and she can't oversee all of them. Recently, she might have slacked because she trusts her people to do the right thing."
"Whoa," Caesar was in awe, "That's a lot of information," he said, "Do you have a crush on her or something?"
Lucas gave Caesar a glare and he immediately shut up.
"I think it's because witches have a reputation for being scandalous, I would want to read more about something like that too."
"Whatever," Caesar said, "How do we reach her? But most of all, is she veritable?"
"I'll go to the witch realm." Lucas said, "But I'll need all of your help."
"What?"
"Spread rumours about me breaking into the witch realm to see her holiness."
"What? Do you want to die?" Caesar asked before muttering under his breath, "He's definitely gone crazy."
"If many of the witches immediately leave to kill me, that is proof that queen Jezebel is trustworthy. If not.."
"So you're putting your life on the line to see if a person is veritable or not." Alpha June of Red blood said with disbelief.
It was either Lucas was a very brave young man or he had gone crazy. He preferred the latter but with the look in Lucas' eyes, he wasn't sure anymore.
"I know she's veritable, I just want you guys to be convinced."
Caesar laughed, "You are crazy."
"I know, I can't believe I would do something like this either but I kind of like this thrill."
The Alphas laughed amongst themselves before Luke asked, "When do you intend to leave?"
"Tonight."
"WHAT?! That early, do you want to die so badly?" Caesar yelled.
"I'm not going to die but if I do, I'm certain you'll all know what to do."
The meeting room was engulfed with silence for a while. Then Caesar said, "When should we start spreading the rumours that you are going to the witch realm?"
"Hey, can you at least pretend to be worried about him and be silent for a bit?"
Caesar cracked a smile, "It takes a lot to kill a crazy person."
The Alphas looked at him and Caesar said, "I don't think Lucas will die."
"He's too mad for that." He added.
Lucas smiled, "He's right, I'll make sure to come back."
"Let's all have a drink!" June offered and they all agreed. "We should make a toast to Lucas as well."
One of them went to grab drinks and cups, they popped the wine open and clinked their glasses together.
"To Lucas!" Caesar cheered and the group went into a louder fit of excitement. "To Lucas!"
They all gulped down their drinks.
This was the first time Lucas was going to drink wine. He always steered clear from it because he wanted to keep his inside as clean as his outer appearance but now that he was going to his death, he wanted to have a drink. It was his first and probably, the last time.
They poured him another cup but he stood from the table. He'd had enough.
He smiled at everyone seated on the table and bowed politely, "I'm going to prepare myself for the task, please excuse me."
"Have one more drink." Alpha June said.
"I've had enough." He commented, "By 6pm, I want you to spread the rumours like I asked."
"The time is currently 3pm, are you sure that's enough time to prepare?"
Lucas cracked a smile, "Sure. This is my home and I know what I want to take with me."
"You should take some instruments with you. I know you like to make music, you can make music when you're bored or scared." Caesar said and Luke shook his head, "Do you want to get him killed?! Playing music will obviously be like announcing to the witches that you want to be killed."
Lucas shook his head at the two arguing Alphas and walked out the door. He walked down the hallways and nodded at his disciples that were walking in the hallway.
He was about to enter his room when he remembered something.
"Tao," He called one of his disciples walking down the hallway, she turned around and walked as quickly as she she could towards him.
"Yes, Alpha?" She bent her head and knees graciously in greetings.
"Tao, gather all the disciples into the learning hall. I have something to say."
She bent her knees graciously, "Yes, Alpha."
Lucas entered his room and closed the door after him. He looked around his huge spacious room.
This was it.
He sighed and grabbed a backpack.
Then he started picking out the things he knew he would need, a saber and a flute. He thought long and hard for what he thought he would need and eventually, he picked an ink.
He was ready.
He gave his room one last look before closing the doors.
He moved elegantly down the hallway and the wind gently blew the white robe he was wearing causing them to form a rhythmical artwork around his feet. His hair also flowed on his back giving him an ethereal appearance.
In his mind, he prayed to the moon goddess for strength. His intention was to help the werewolf realm stay united and peaceful. If he didn't volunteer to take this risk, there would be another war and this time.. It could really end them.
He remembered how he'd acted impetuously because he wanted to become more powerful. He had had a taste of Alexander Fidaurs blood and it made him feel horrible. Although he only used his fingers to touch the man's blood and lick it, he was also guilty.
Maybe that was why he was going on this trip to redeem himself.
He pushed the opening to the learning room and his disciples were already there, waiting for him.
He gently closed the door and turned to look at his disciples.
Nara, a short petite teenager with red hair and an attitude. Even though he taught her the basics of morals, she was still so stubborn and only wanted to learn martial arts.
She was his last disciple.
Tao, a quiet girl of average height, rarely spoke much. She had a delicate body but her leg strength was more than any man's he'd ever known.
This was why many people avoided practicing leg works with her. Her legs were incredibly strong but didn't look bulky at all.
Landon was talkative and good at everything he was taught.
Christon was a bulky boy with a lot of strength. He could do any hard labour without feeling tired but he wasn't much of a genius.
Aao, he had a petite body, good manners and was good at instruments. He was also the smartest amongst his disciples.
Trent, he was of average height. Focused, kind, not quick to get angry and he had the potential to become a great martial artist if he actually put in the effort but he preferred to indulge in romance novels.
"Alpha," They greeted in unison as soon as he was in the room.
"Are you going somewhere?" Nara was the first to ask.
"Yeah," Trent folded the novel in his hand, "What's with the backpack?"
"I'm escorting my friend to help him break into the witch realm."
Christon laughed loudly, "Of course, our Alpha is the best when it comes to those sorts of things."
The disciples concluded amongst themselves before Landon asked, "Why did you call us here? Do you have a task for us? I thought our pack was a safe zone? Are the witches here already to clear us out?"
"One question at a time, Landon." Lucas said.
"Well.. Are we going to die?"
The disciples chorused, "LANDON!"
"Alpha, please don't mind him." Nara said while scratching the back of her neck.
"What? I just want to know? Our area won't be safe for long!"
"It will. The friend I'm helping to break into the witch realm will go to speak with queen Jezebel about this, then maybe she could help us."
"Well.. You always read about her," Trent said before going back to read his novel, "Aren't you the one going to break into the witch realm?" He looked up to stare into Lucas' eyes.
Lucas was taken aback, he couldn't come up with any response as he couldn't lie either.
His disciples gasped in disbelief, "It's true?!"