For The Love of A Wolf

People are migrating to the borders of the kingdom. The packless.. the persecuted.. the ones needing to feel connected to the Goddess again. Holding centers had to be erected to accommodate the influx. Backgrounds were being run.. histories vetted.. entire families, sometimes two and three generations, arrive..requesting asylum. Lynette has demanded no one be turned away, unless it is proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, their intentions are detrimental to the crown.

The kingdom has increased by two thousand in four days. The day of the first elections is rapidly approaching. Each sector has identified their favorites and Paul seems relatively happy with all the choices. He has reservations about a couple, but he refers to them as the necessities to adversity. Aaron just responds with “Yeah.. and I will just kill them if they cause severe problems “ Damien cracked up “While I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment.. as King, I can’t condone it” while Liam suggests a blind eye is perfectly acceptable in some circumstances.

Popularity ratings for the King and Queen are through the roof in favor of the monarchy. And as of right now, the Royal Inner Circle are boarding a plane to travel to each sector. They will be making public appearances at all the chosen sector capitals that have been constructed on neutral territories. In theory, this allows Damien’s ‘We are Approachable” concept to be put into practice.

At the first stop, in the Northern sector.. the new capital has been named Northern Crescent.. in honor of the Queen’s Goddess mark.. the royal pair approached the podium.. their team following. Once Damien stepped to the podium, Lynette placed shields around them, to thwart any assassination attempts. Questions were fired at the King, in rapid succession and he responded in kind.

The crowd seemed appeased. Satisfied with the way the monarchy are availing themselves..until out of the treeline five shots were fired.. one after the other.. each aimed at the heads of everyone on the dais.. Luckily, with her improved and incomparable hearing.. Lynette knew the rounds were coming. Relying on the shield, she froze the rounds mid-flight. Reversing them and sending them back from whence they came. Striking each would-be assassin high in their right shoulders…allowing the silver to burn through. Each were apprehended by the Royal Elites and treated for silver poisoning.

Damien spoke into the microphone.. directly to each person attending “And THAT my wolves, is what we mean by squelching.. immediately and irrevocably, any and all rebellions! Spread the word!” And they were immediately removed from the area and back on the plane.. heading to the next sector.

Blaze laughed “Holy Fuck! I watched the faces of the crowd! They were awestruck! When those bullets reversed and hit the shooters, I almost shit my own pants! Now. I want a show with every stop, Lyn!” She laughed. “It’s going to take a few more such attempts until they launch a full scale battle! The corrupt Alphas refuse to believe they will lose. They still think they have a chance! And speaking of which.. I believe we will face an even more aggressive attack in the south… quite possibly the east as well! My father is crazy enough to still believe he can retrieve the mantle.. refusing to admit it has split already. And Alpha Nicholas in the east.. is simply an arrogant moron.. wanting what he can’t have!”

Paul looks up from his laptop.. “Y’all have to see this” plugging his laptop into the big screen TV. A reporter was saying “Alpha King Damien braved hordes of people today to answer questions in the new northern capital this morning.. only to face an attempt on his and Luna Queen Lynette’s lives. As you can see by this footage, it failed.. and the rebellion will have to be more resourceful, if they have any hope at success.

Liam remarks “Am I the only one.. or did that feel like a subliminal message to the rebels? Is that the way they are openly communicating? Calling their associates to arms? Blaze… vet that reporter.. while I finish running the names of our shooters. I’m not comfortable with our next stops.. only having the ten elites. Sister, can you maintain the sheild the entire time without tiring yourself out?”

She shrugged “I can.. but I will deplete my ability to pull off another stunt like I did with the five rounds. There is a possibility they won’t utilize that same tactic again. But, do we risk it?”

Paul says “ Don’t crucify me before you hear me out.. We are going into this without being fully protected. We should all be wearing kevlar.. and instead of holding the shield daughter..concentrate on the flying projectiles.. but… and here is where I don’t want one of y’all to kill me.. what if, one of us takes a hit? It would allow the rebels false hope.. thinking they do have a chance.. hoping for a win on their part. I believe it would instill enough enthusiasm and confidence that they will want to make a move. Expecting us to play mostly defense.. when in reality, our offense will be already moving into position”

Lynette says “That could work! Now, it’s my turn to be heard. When we land in the western district.. we have Kevlar body armor ordered and delivered to the tarmac.. we stop any attack from that sector.. and instead of heading south, as planned.. we change our plans and go east. That will force them to change their attempt, which generally causes carelessness.. meaning I can drop the shield while changing the trajectory of any rounds fired to hit whichever one of us.. in the armor.. faking a more serious injury” Blaze pops in “The crowd will expect blood! Without a real injury, their confidence will wane”

Damien smirks “Magic is more illusion than most of us realize. Baby.. you can make it look like the victim is bleeding out.. right!?” And she nods… grinning.

Arriving in the west.. there were enough vests for everyone.. including the guard. Only this time.. the Elites deplaned fully geared. Handguns.. knives and bulletproof shields. They want to appear they are taking every precaution available. Setting the stage!

The same scenario.. a Q and A session. Damien gave a small speech, thanking everyone for showing support.. and being open to change.. Lynette listening for changes in the air.. opening her senses for changes in scents. Then she heard it.. the distinctive sound os three arrows leaving their bowstrings.. realizing they came from the trees. She summoned the wind.. lifting the arrows high in the air and requesting the earth to shake the treeline. Three archers hit the ground and were immediately subdued.

Stepping to the podium “That’s twice! We have committed ourselves to visiting each new capital! The rebels are either getting braver. Or they are getting desperate! So far eight have been apprehended. Eight are headed back to Capital City in the kingdom. All eight are facing execution for treason! How many more will fall before the tour is over!?” And she stepped back beside her husband to be ushered to their vehicles.

Arriving in the east.. with their plan intact.. the tarmac was only a few miles away from the new sector capital.. so their travel time was short. Approaching the stage, Lynette realized she was right.. they are scrambling and this attempt would be blatant. Within fifteen minutes of the beginning of the meeting, again.. five shots were fired. Instead of freezing the rounds.. she slowed them down, to judge trajectory. The marksmen this time were more accurate.. denoting possible military training. They were further out.. probably 400 yards and she already had guards in place to apprehend. She adjusted the bullets to miss everyone.. except Damien. Allowing the round to hit him center mass, it appeared he exploded into a massive chest wound and they were rushed immediately to the plane. Once on board… they all collapsed laughing! They were wheels up and flight bound in less than ten minutes.

Damien said “13 rebels to execute! In under four hours! Not bad for a day in the life of a King!” Causing them all to roar with laughter! Lynette responds “This will bolster Massimo’s and Nicholas’ confidence! We’re going to see movement from them soon!”

Paul plugged in the laptop saying “Liam.. I believe the subliminal have graduated to the overt! Watch!” And the reporter is saying “A blow was struck by the rebellion! It’s time everyone realizes the new regime is not as Goddess ordained as we would have everyone believe. Losing a King so soon in this new monarchy signifies the weakness of his reign!” As the camera pans to Damien being shot. Blaze croaks “Fuck me! That looks real!”

Damien turns to Aaron “Are we set up to broadcast?” At his nod, Damien loosens his tie and rolls his shirtsleeves up. Facing the webcam he speaks “My fellow wolves! Three times today… three attempts were made to take my life. As you can see, reports of my death are greatly exaggerated. The reporters covering today’s events are being detained.. and will be brought in for questioning. Their coverage of today’s meetings was definitely not unbiased.. nor was their call to arms covert enough to go undetected! Did I not say rebellion would be dealt with immediately? Did you not listen? You want war?! You have war! All I can say to you now is BRING IT! And may Goddess have mercy on your wolves, because I will NOT!”