68!

BRIANNA

I walked into the King's room to see him dressing up for battle.

“Your Majesty, what are you doing?” I asked as I walked towards him.

“Oh, Brianna. Help me with this child,” he said, ignoring my question. His eyes twinkled with warmth as he struggled with his armor along with his aid.

“You are not supposed to be up and about, your wounds haven't totally healed,” I said to him, warning him with concern on my face but he laughed.

I wonder where his Beta's are, maybe once he sees them, they will be able to talk some sense into him.

He continued to laugh for a while, his deep voice filling the room. “Brianna, a warrior or soldier never lies in bed when there is a war brewing,” his aid continues to help him with his armor with worry on his face.

“Leave us,” I ordered the aid. He bowed hastily and left.

As the aid left, I turned to look at him. “why are you doing this? You know the risk?

The King's expression turned solemn, “I'm going to die on the battlefield, Brianna. I know that already,” he said with all seriousness.

My heart sank at his words. I don't know why. “Don't say that, your majesty. Lima's plan will work,” I said, trying to sound confident as I straightened the collar of his uniform.

“It has to work,” I whispered, my eyes locked on him.

The King's gaze softened, “I have no doubt that my son will bring us to victory,” he said. “But this is my last battle Brianna. I must see it to the end.”

I finished with the armor with my hands trembling. I bowed and he passed by my left side.

“Can I ask you a question, your Majesty?” I asked. He turned and nodded.

I took a deep breath. “Why did you act hostile towards me when I arrived? Why did you ask Liam to reject me as his mate? Even though I think you know we are fated," I asked him.

His expression turned bitter sweet. “You asked for one question, Brianna,” he teased but I looked at him with a straight face.

“I didn't want my secrets to be exposed,” he said and I scoffed.

I raised an eyebrow, “You will be Luna soon and you will realize there are a lot of things that should be kept a secret.”

His words hinted at a deeper truth.

“How well did you know my parents?” I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

The King's eyes got clouded with sadness, “Very well, your father and Trisha's father were my very close friends including Beta Desmond and Chris.” I sensed a deep affection in his voice.

Do you think they would have let you live all these years knowing you killed your friends?” I asked, my voice neutral.

The King's face darkened, “I didn't kill your parents, Brianna. Not, did I kill Trisha's parents. Castillo did.”

I felt a shiver run down my veins. What he is staying rhymes with what Layla and Liam had earlier told Trish and I.

He took the blame of trying to kill our parents because he didn't want the other kingdoms to know Castillo had been able to infiltrate our Kingdom. And that's the reason we are here. This very moment.

“No, not really. Chris and Desmond always set me right when they know I'm not doing the right thing. That's what makes them great Beta's,” he said, proudly.

“And Castillo, how did you find out he was after us?” I asked him.

“I didn't, your mother did. Didn't you read that in her journal?” He asked and I nodded, remembering my Mom wrote exactly how she asked the moon goddess about me and Trisha.

“When she found out, the plan was for all of you to be in the human world and me take the blame for the sake of the people,” he said with sadness in his voice.

I felt a pang of sadness.

“Well, that didn't turn out to be the case,” I said, my tone laced with distain.

The King's eyes locked with mine. “Nothing ever is,” he said and I smiled.

“Come over here, Child,” his voice came out commanding and I walked towards him.

“Take this, give it to my son,” he handed me two gemstones.

I accepted the gemstones, feeling their weight.

“Just Liam?” I asked him.

The King's expression turned sad and angry all together. “The day Adrian decided the throne was his and not his brother, he seized from being my son,” I bowed as I took the gemstones from him.

I was about to leave when he strenched out three more gemstone, “this is for you, Layla and Trish.”

I looked at him to see him already looking at me. He knows he is going to die today and he is doing what a dead man would do.

I had a sense of understanding who he really is as I looked in his eyes. He is only a man who wanted what's best for his Kingdom.

“It's been an honor knowing you, your majesty,” I said with a shaking voice.

“Take care of my son,” he said. “He would want to disappear into his own shell. Telling himself he is not fit to be King but I know he will be the greatest Highest Alpha King, the whole creature world has ever seen.”

I walked out and Beta Desmond and Chris were walking in. “Betas,” I greeted, respect evident in my tone.

Both of them stopped in front of me and bowed, their eyes were red like blood.

I walked past them to see Mason standing outside trying very hard not to cry.

“What's going on Mason, the betas just bowed to me?” I asked, confused.

He looks at for a while and did the same. “What's going on, Mason?” I asked him again.

He looks at me, his expression sober. “You will be queen soon, your grace,” he said. I was about to respond when Akire ran towards us.

I didn't know if he was referring to the King dying or him joining us on the battlefield.

“We need to be in our positions, your grace. His Highness will be in Castillo camp in twenty minutes,” she said. Immediately there was a silence sound that went through our mind links.

There was a lot of commotion with soldiers moving to their various positions.

“Where is Tara and the other mistresses?” I asked Akire.

“In the tent, they are preparing to meet with Major Sultana,” Akire answered.

I walked with Akire and noticed Mason with us. “No, stay with the King and the Beta's. He thinks he is going to die on this battlefield. I won't let him die with Liam saying his goodbyes,” he nodded and turned back towards the King's tent.

“Are you ready Tara?” I asked her and the other mistresses.

“Yes, your grace,” they all responded.

“Call out to me if your position is compromised,” I said to Tara and she nodded.

“Take them,” I said to the four guards I have assigned for their protection.

“Your grace, the King is leaving we have to go now!” Akire yelled and we ran towards the King's convoy.

Mason and some commanders were giving instructions and orders to the Soldiers and the rest of us raced towards the hideout close to Castillo's camp, waiting for Liam's signal.

The silence between each and everyone of us was heard. No one said a word or moved a bit. Even breaths were shallow and low.

“Ten seconds left, your grace,” Akire said to me because I looked impatient. Suddenly there was a loud explosion and the soldiers raced to Castillo's camp taking them by surprise and killing anyone in their way.

“Let's go!” The King howled and the whole ground shook, his voice echoed through the chaos.

I was about to get up when I was pulled down by Beta Chris, his eyes locked on the King.

“Protect his Majesty with all you got,” he said and I nodded.

He ran into the battle killing anyone that came his way.

“We have to move, your grace,” Akire said, pulling me up.

Using my fire magic, I cut off the end of any wolf between me and the King. He was racing towards the middle of Castillo's camp. I know what he is looking for.

We all kept on pushing forward, killing any of Castillo's soldiers that tries to stop us.

“Where do you think you are going?” One of Castillo's soldiers charged towards me, holding my hair firmly. I could feel his fangs on my neck.

I landed a blow on his stomach, turned around and slit him into two.

“Your grace, behind you!” I heard someone's voice. I turned around, and the wolf was running towards me.

As he jumped, I held my hands up and the wolf stood in the air and turned to dust.

“Where is his Majesty!” I yelled.

“Over here, your grace!” I couldn't tell who was talking to me but I knew it was a soldier on our side.

The King's soldiers were getting weak and the circle around him was getting smaller.

“I need two hundred!” I yelled and a crowd of wolves raced towards me.

We moved towards the King's position and solidified his details.

“Where are we heading to, your grace?” I asked him.

“Over there,” he pointed at what looked like a Royal tent. “She's in there. I know it.”

I directed the men to protect the King, if he is hit once then he will die. I have seen Liam do it, doing it now was a piece of cake.

We all raced into the tent, “stay back!” Castillo yelled. He was holding the queen with a knife against her neck.

“Damon!” She yelled in tears. She looks at me and the fear in her eyes was mixed with love.

She took out her left out and did a spell. “It's not Castillo,”

I took a deep breath,.closed my eyes and opened it. She's right it wasn't Castillo. I noticed a faint of the shadow beside him.

“Let go of her!” My voice came out strong as I charged towards the darkness.