Chapter 81 Disguised

(High Elder POV)

I was on my way to the fortress. I looked out of the window of the car and started to reflect on all events which have lead me to where I am today.

I rose to power because of my magic, yet during the war, I rarely used it and gave way to Adella. I needed everyone to remember Adella so when the right time comes, the wolves would rally behind her daughter.

We took out the implant off the dead body of Maximus and Berkeley was sent to Brunei as he had planned. However, his new home was a silver cell conjured on the property he bought.

Hope had made a bluff when she seemingly called her priestess to send Maximus' daughter back to The Rogue Lord. Lucy would call her father every day to inform him of the movements of Hope. The Butler would call as well, asking for a report on the territories of Dark Moon, Crescent Moon, Blue Moon as well as Midnight Howlers. They initially plan to overthrow all packs in Washington State and move their way to Idaho and Montana.

"The Rogue Lord wishes you to return. We will commence our attack soon." The Butler instructs me.

"So be it." I thought it would be difficult to impersonate Maximus, yet my disguise was working quite well. The Butler and Lucy thought me to be Maximus.

The meeting among the Alphas of The Clan of Wolves did not go well at the beginning, for all of them were apprehensive to send wolves to help with the attack on the fortress. Most of the Alphas argued the Rogue Lord would seek vengeance if we were to fail. It was my first time to witness a yelling match among wolves with emotions running high which stank mostly of fear. I had to amplify my voice to get them under control.

"Quiet. Whether or not you send wolves to help with the offensive, The Rogue Lord is to commence his attack on the Harvest Moon. We should unite. If not, we will all be exterminated unless we agree to surrender. Tell me, who is willing to surrender to The Rogue Lord?" I look at all the Alphas seated at the table. No one raised their hands.

"Alpha Hope needs all of you to help her win this war. While she surrenders herself to him, all of you will commence the attack. Or would you rather she, and eventually all of us, die at the hands of The Rogue Lord?" I look around at the faces of the Alphas who sat at the table. They all knew it was a no-win situation. Lives will be lost whether we liked it or not.

"I pledge my help for Alpha Hope." Alpha Derrick Lancaster says loudly. "I promise 500 of my best warriors."

"As I." Alpha Alarick chimes in. "I will be there when she surrenders herself and help rescue her if need be. My men will be willing to join the fight against the rogues."

"I will send 1000 wolves." Alpha Luciana pledges her support. "She is willing to face The Rogue Lord, thus I am willing to support her."

"My men are already prepared as well as the men from Hope's pack. All of them will be fighting to bring their Luna or Alpha home." Alpha Alexander no doubt will help his mate.

"I know I am new here, but I was hoping to say a few words." Alpha Lucas of Aurora Sky stood up where he was seated. Alexander had asked me to include him in the Clan of Wolves since he helped them during their trip when they visited the North. Alexander said he would be a worthy ally.

"Alpha Hope has been very generous to all of the packs. She has helped us through the years through her foundation and never asked for anything in return."

"She now plans to surrender herself to The Rogue Lord so all of us can live and some of you do not want to help her? How can you be so selfish?" Lucas did not hide the disgust in his voice. "The prophecy states she will kill The Rogue Lord or have all of you forgotten? This surrender is her way to get close enough to kill him. Let us help her do what all of us are afraid to do. Let us help her kill The Rogue Lord and his army!"

"I pledge half my army. I will fight to the death and make my ancestors proud!" Lucas was terribly convincing. Soon after that, all alphas pledged their army to help defeat The Rogue Lord. Alexander was right, he is a worthy ally.

The car finally stopped at a huge stone gate and I shook my head of all my thoughts and casted a spell to block all my thoughts if ever someone among The Rogue Lord's army had the gift of hindsight and foresight. I needed to be devoid of all emotion. A trait Maximus was well known for.

I step out of the car holding a briefcase and the huge stone gate opens for me. I pause for a moment to smell myself hoping the wet dog scent I sprayed on myself was still there. Satisfied the scent was still able to mask mine, I walk into the compound of the fortress, the wolves of the army bowing as I walked pass them.

The doors of The Rogue Lord's fortress swing open to allow me passage and seated at the end of the great hall was The Rogue Lord on his great throne.

"What news do you have for me?" The Rogue Lord growls, his saliva flying all around him as he talked.

"The daughter of Adella has not made her decision to surrender, my Lord." I announce.

"I see. Perhaps the daughter of Adella needs a little push. Kill the High Elder. I believe that would be enough for her to agree to our terms."

"So be it, my Lord." I bow.

"Surrender or not, our plans do not change. We attack on the Harvest Moon." I nod my head in acknowledgement.

"My Lord, this is for you. Inside it is the flash drive containing the information I obtained from the High Elder as well as some items I took as I scouted the territories." I open the briefcase and turn it towards him. Aside from the flash drive, the briefcase contained money. Maximus was a also known to steal money from automated teller machines. He was the main reason why I came up with the idea of encasing the cassettes and dispensing mechanism in silver in the automated teller machines of my bank.

The Butler comes forward, closes the briefcase, takes it and places it at the foot of the throne of The Rogue Lord. The Rogue Lord nods his head, clearly satisfied.

"You have done well. If the daughter of Adella agrees to surrender, I want you to escort her here."

"Before you arrive, make sure to give this to the daughter of Adella. If she will not drink it willingly, force it down her throat. Better yet, inject her with it." The Butler hands me a small vial with a red elixir. "This elixir will make it easy for me to kill her. Just like her weak mother." His laugh fills the throne room. "Soon, I will be the Lord of all wolves. No one will ever defy me and no one will ever stop me, not even the Moon Goddess herself." The Rogue Lord's voice reverberated across the hall and the wolves who heard him, stopped to bow.

"Make haste. The plan to poison the wolves of the richest packs is on schedule. None of them will be able to fight back. When the night of the Harvest Moon is over, you will be Alpha of Crescent Moon and Dark Moon." I bow once again. The Butler hands me an envelope and I touch his hand ever so slightly to see his thoughts. I now know what was meant by poison. I take the envelope put it in my coat pocket and take my leave.

The car was waiting for me when I exited the huge gates. I step into the car and instruct the driver. He nodded and swiftly turned to take me to the airport.

I needed to fake my death and it needed to be convincing.

It's time to plan my own funeral.

----
(Hope POV)

A week left 'til the harvest moon and there is so much to do.

The secretary of the High Elder called to tell me the High Elder asked to speak with me and Alexander. We were at our respective territories making sure everything was prepared for the coming of the Autumn Equinox. We were flying in wolves from all over the country while my Priestesses went to each pack to provide their territories with protection charms. Maria and Leia arrived back a couple of days ago and were busy helping Diane.

Diane was mass producing her healing elixir to accommodate as many wolves as she could. Maria had already made sure there were supplies of the antidote for the repelling elixir. We placed the blue elixir in small crystal vials shaped into a pendant and wore it on our necklaces. We were all doing well even if we only had a month's preparation. Since everything seemed to be going on schedule, Alexander and I made the trip to Seattle to see the High Elder. Mark and Oliver came with us on the helicopter while I tasked Grace to watch over the territories.

When we arrived at the helipad of the High Elder's building, a couple of men in suits were there to block us from entering the premises. I walk toward them wondering who they were.

"Mrs. Hope Ulrich, I'm Detective Larson.This is Detective Pierce. I'm sorry, but we can't let you in."

"What is this about, Detective?" I asked wondering why the police were here.

"Mr. Arthur Leventhal was found dead in his office this morning. For now, we are investigating the matter to rule out homicide. When was the last time you spoke or saw Mr. Leventhal?" Detective Larson asked.

"I'm sorry. Did you just say Arthur was found dead?" I couldn't believe it. The High Elder couldn't be dead.

"Yes. He was identified by his secretary." Detective Pierce answered.

"I just spoke with him last week about a charity he would like to donate to. I just can't believe..." My voice cracked. The High Elder was like a grandfather to me. Tears started to form in my eyes.

"I know this is a shock to you. I heard you were very close. Do you know of any enemies Mr. Leventhal may have had?" Detective Larson apparently didn't really care if I was shocked. He wanted answers.

"No. He was a very kind man." My voice quivered and I started to cry. Alexander put his arm around me to try and console me. I looked up at him. His jaw was clenched and his eyes had a sadness to them.

"Detectives, my wife thought of Mr. Leventhal as a grandfather. If you have any more questions, here's my card. You can contact us if ever you need our help. Right now, it would be better if I bring my wife home." Alexander shakes hands with the detectives.

"Sure, Mr. Ulrich. We will give you call if we have any more questions."

"Detective, if there is any trace of foul play, please give him justice." I take the hands of Detective Larson so I could see what he has seen. I see an image of the body of the High Elder. He was slumped back in his chair behind his desk with his head bent backward in an obscene angle, his eyes wide with fright and his mouth open. I let go and started crying once again. Alexander hugs me and kisses the top of my head.

"We will do our best, Mrs. Ulrich." I raise my head from Alexander's chest and nodded at him. Alexander takes my arm and leads me back to the helicopter.

"We now have a funeral to attend. I need to go buy a black dress." I wipe my eyes and smile at Alexander. He winks at me.