Chapter 16

Tyson
I wanted to spend more time with her, I really did, but I was King. It was time to go be King. I got up, and I took the plates with me. I just wanted to. It was the right thing to do after Clemintine had made so much food, waking up before Samira did *just because I was awake*.
I made my way to the kitchen, and a servant took the plates as I walked past. I was headed to the throne room. My chair should be in there by now. Sure enough it was. The long stone table sat atop steps, so that we look down on the accused.
14 council and 1 king was to sit in the center. It was long, and had dark hardwood. The floors here matched the black marble tabletop. Each different colored throne held a matching banner of house crest and colors above it, and with brass nametags below. There were even table bells under each banner, that each house have a turn to speak. No one, not even the servants were in here yet, as court wasn’t in session.
I mass linked the castle.
/All Council to report to the throne room./ I linked pursing my lips. I didn’t want to do this… but I’d put off court last night because I fumed …
I was too irate to make a rational ruling, and it was better to do it now, when my head’s clear. They were already here from the coronation; they’ll be alright a little hung over.
Samira has no idea that the only reason I *Could* calm down in the first place, was her love, or rather, her gentle nature… Her shy sweetness keeps my bestial aggression at bay… I had not earned her love yet… but I already knew I did. I was the wolf. There is no human side to ponder anyone other than her.
I was given my laptop from my office. Well… this was a cloned new one. Everything really was destroyed in my office from a moment of misjudgment. At least I didn’t lose my new draft on the reformation of the MoonPack system. I was working with developers to make the pack management program.
It was confusing for new Alphas, and it hadn’t been updated since maybe the 1990’s…. It showed.
Regardless, one by one they arrived in single file, bowing as they entered because I was already on my laptop. I linked and passed it to Mr. Julian when he arrived. He would record the notes of this meeting.
Ronitus the Earthen One, my Second was my most trusted. He and his son were first. They sat at my right, looking very similar if not for the skin tone, and the fact that Ronitus shaves his head. John had long hair, about to the lower middle of his back.
Ron was ebony skinned, being from Africa like the original Wolf Queen, though grandmother let her moon colored hair grow so long it touched the floor… His youngest son was born much lighter. John was actually lighter skinned than me, and held straight hair, even though his mother Aemi, was also dark skinned, but now that I think of it, her hair is straight.
Mother came, likely peeling herself away from her fun for this. She was a council member on the Alpha’s council, while father was a Lune, a male Luna for her sake here. Technically, for killing the untrue 3rd seat, Brutus, she was ‘punished’ to fill the position.
Next was Esmond Wisp, the Breathless One. He was pale, a silvery-greyish white haired wolf, and lastly in my elemental arsenal was the Dead One, Oliver. My Fifth Seat was a black-haired werewolf, though he was a new line. He was the only Dead One, being the first created a few decades ago. Well no... not the only. I almost forgot about his son Dekota, who sat at his right, in between him and my mother.
Ironic that so much fuss was made about having a mortal on the Luna Council, yet Oliver, the Dead One’s mate was human, while Dekota, his hybrid son sat next to him. His roots were black at the base, though about halfway down it faded to pure white, like his mother’s hair. She was a Frosted One. He had both colors of his parents, being a two toned wolf.
Those 5 seats and heirs I trusted.
After that the rest were filler. I didn’t trust Jang, as he did conspire to kill us when we were small, yet… he was always melancholy now. Too much to even plot like he used to. For his actions, the Realm King killed all twelve or thirteen thousand wolves, including his mate and pups. Nothing, not even grass grows within his borders, and not even the souls wonder the deserted homes…
I rang the bell, and there was the custom pre-meeting, hour lunch. I had black chamomile tea, a variety that grows in supernatural groves. It’s effective, more so than the ‘normal’ variety.
My Omega servants had a projector set up, and my laptop was already connected. At the moment, I was finishing up notes to send to the developers for the app, and computer program improvements….
Better syncing, easier adjustments and so on…
“Your highness,” Said mother. “What do you plan for your brother?” She’d finally mustered up the fur to ask…. Lunch was almost over, yet all she had was tea.
“Third Seat, I understand he is your son, but I will not waver my future words.” I said firmly. This was the only place that we expressed our titles to each other, as we needed to do business here. I knew what she’d ask. I cannot hear mother’s thoughts, as she is a rare exception, but I would *not* play favorites.
She looked at me pleadingly… She was so upset…though she said nothing. She sat tall, knowing that Kaizen had done a great wrong…. Knowing that the next time we see him will be our last. That thought still hurt…. He was my brother, my triplet… damn…
“I gathered you this morning for an emergency docket. My brother has killed pack… and for treason, murder, and fleeing the scene, he is no longer a Prince… He is no longer protected with such a title.” I said firmly. “For this, he no longer shall hold refuge nor will any wolf house the vagabond. Should he defeat an Alpha, and think he holds a place of refuge, he will *not*. It will only be an additional murder.”
“What is the bounty?” Asked Ronitus. “I assume he is wanted alive first your highness.”
“Aye. I made it only a million last night as a place holder.” I confirmed. “For now, pick how much you think it should be.” I said casually. “I trust you’ll make it high enough to attract attention, however at this moment, I don’t want SO much attention that someone outright kills him.”
I wanted justice for those wolves…. I wanted them to see him be punished, that they know their King is not corrupt…. Should he just die, they will murmur that I let him go.
“That’s true.” Said Ronitus. “Several million should be enough, but *only* if he is *alive*.” He pulled out his phone to execute my order. I’d already done a bounty, but I didn’t think it was enough.
Jang rang his bell to speak. “Might we also discuss the mortal attack on TanMoon?”
“How many survivors?” I asked.
“The fire was put out Sunday, and there’s finally an official tally. There’s 240 left from a population of 5,580.” Said Jang.
Hunters found that pack last month, but instead of skinning JUST the Alpha like they usually do, they skinned Warriors… and his Luna… Any of size bigger than a normal wolf. Times were tough now that the regulations were being enforced, and had been a while. Their black markets are shut down left and right… Those pelts maybe made them double of what they used to when I was a pup.
The Church actually does their end of the treaty. Father McNabb was already here with the heads of the hunters who attacked TanMoon. Years ago, all hunters were ordered to either join the Church as XII or XIII sect priests, become Secret Police officers, retire, or die. These chose death.
The head of the Secret Police was also here, but he was here to witness the next case as well. That police force is comprised of both supernatural and humans to keep the peace…
Hunting humans, and humans hunting supernaturals were both illegal. Unless the human is proven to be a hunter, or in self-defense being the exception…. Father McNabb had a small entourage with him, and the boxes of human heads were put before me.
All 20 were accounted for… and three extras. They cleaned the Hunter den out, and I skimmed the report. All children under the age of 14 were taken in, though the rest were culled, as they were the ones responsible.
“John, would you mind adding the survivors to StoneMoon?” I asked my second’s son, his heir.
Council Seats are basically mini thrones. Should my Second Ronitus die, my mother will still be the Third Seat. John, his son would be the new Second.
John bowed his head. “Of course, your majesty. My pack is the newest and least populated.” He said as if he didn’t have a few thousand to care for. About half his pack is comprised of Omegas too, but he didn’t mind. Of all the packs ran by Council and their Heirs, his pack was the least desirable. He actually complains about not getting many challengers.
“Good. Next Alpha Zander the Stealthy of ShadowMoon.” I said waving my hand.