“Now what?” Kendra asked later that evening as she sat along with the other six at their usual spot around the High table in the library, each of them sporting looks of weariness and dreariness at how things had turned out. They had been successful in defending Dnakle... or scratch that, the fates had worked in their favour, but even then, they were unable to celebrate their little victory because of how misery still hung in the air.
Every now and then a loud wail would pierce the air, wafting into the opened library as some wolf mourned the loss of a loved one, the sound striking chords in their hearts as each of them realised just how close they had been to being in the same position, or even worse... dead.
For Kendra and Killian, the feeling was even more intense. It was very much obvious in the way they clung to each other, having not left the other’s side for once even with all the day’s strenuous activities.
But they were still here.
They were still alive. That was all that mattered.
“Well... we would first of all need to—” Aiyisha started to say in response to Kendra’s question, but she was cut off by a knock on the grand Oak door. Adua, the other maid who had helped her and Yelena during Kendra’s heat popped her head in, a small smile on her face as she nodded slightly in greeting. One would think that she would be bitter for her friend having had an elevated status now, but it was far from that. She was truly happy for her friend, her joy having known no bounds when she had been told the good news. Lord knew that her friend deserved the silver lining that seemed to have fallen in her path with the way she had been pretty much alone all her life, and Adua wished her nothing but the best with all her heart. “Alpha Joffrey has sent for you all,” She informed them all word by word, taking her time to deliver the message as she had been given, for her English was not so perfect. The slightly chubby omega wolf felt another small smile make its way onto her lips as she noted with amusement the wary looks that appeared on all their faces all at once at her announcement.
“Did he happen to say anything to you by any chance?” Aiyisha asked, “Anything as to why he requests our presence?” In all this, the blonde haired woman tried to keep her eyes on the young maid instead of Leray, who was already groaning out loud in annoyance.
His annoyance was understandable, really... for he and the old Alpha did not really get along, and so he went out of his way to avoid him at all costs. But now the geriatric wanted to see him too. It made him wonder what they could have possibly done to warrant this summoning.
“He did not say, milady.” Adua confirmed, an uneasy smile appearing on her lips when she realised that they wanted her to say more. “All—all he be saying be that you all is to come to the throne room immediately.”
Aiyisha, Yelena and Kendra winced slightly at the erroneous faults in her grammar, even as Kendra tried hard not to laugh at Killian’s fake cough of amusement or how Sanjit’s eyes and mouth had widened in surprise.
“Very well, Adua...” The Alpha’s daughter cleared her throat. “Kindly let him know that we’ll be there soon.”
Adua nodded, and then she was gone. No one could even laugh at the humour in the situation, stuck in some kind of weird and yet oddly comfortable silence, but Yelena was quick to break it. “I do not think my presence is needed at your meeting with the Alpha, Lady Aiyisha,” She said, suddenly anxious. Aiyisha noticed with utter confusion just how quickly the blood had drained from her former hand maiden’s face.
What was wrong?
“But—but that’s nonsense, Yelena. What are you talking about? You were a tremendous help in the war... and whatever team it is that we have formed in this moment, you are very much a part of it.” The blonde haired woman declared passionately.
Yelena only winced. “I’m guessing all that long talk meant I cannot be excused?” She tried to joke, but it only came out as a whine. Kendra was impressed as she watched their exchange. At first glance, one would think the violet eyed she wolf meek and delicate, but she had this fire within her that occasionally refused to be dim, and Kendra noticed.
“No, you cannot,” Aiyisha confirmed, grabbing the girl by the hand as they all shuffled to their feet. “Whatever it is that you’re worried about, you needn’t be, Yelena. We are all going to be there with you every step of the way, so there’s really no need to fear.” She assured her.
And so that was how all six of them found themselves waltzing towards the throne room.
It seemed as though the entire pack was there when they arrived, the entire room dark and sombre as they waited to hear whatever it was that their Alpha had to say. Some stood, some sat on the elegantly designed chairs (mostly the old folks and the nursing she wolves) and the rest sat on the bare ground.
It truly was a full house.
They all watched with bated breath as the Alpha torturously rose to his feet with so much effort. The six wanted people stood at the far back, comfortable with their position with the way the room was crowded, but he was quick to call for them, the masses swiftly making way for them to pass to the front.
“Today is a sad day for Dnakle,” The grey haired Alpha started after a cough, his eyes alight with sadness. “We were able to fight to keep our homes... and, even though the victory is not exactly as we had expected, I still count it as a win for us nonetheless.”
Some of the wolves began to slowly clap, and then everyone gradually joined in, right as the Alpha burst into tears.
The clapping seized instantly, and Aiyisha was by his side in split second.
“Father,” She called out worriedly as she examined him to see if everything was okay. “Is anything wrong? Do you feel pain anywhere?” Aiyisha may not have loved her father much, but seeing the once powerful man currently bawling his heart out like a child warmed her heart and made her even more confused. Why in Hera’s name would he fucking call for a general pack meeting just to make everything witness his humiliation in the first place?
But the Alpha apparently did not give a shit what anyone thought about him, for he threw himself into her arms, “Oh Aiyisha my dear child, I have been so foolish,” Loud gasps escaped the crowd at his words.
Okay, at this point, Aiyisha needed to get everyone to leave.
“As you all can see, the Alpha is not feeling so well... this meeting would be adjourned till further notice—”
“That will not be necessary, child...” He interrupted her with a sniffle, quickly taking control of his emotions. “We have lost some good people today...” He addressed the crowd solemnly, a few people joining him in tears at the reminder. “...People who were wonderful... whose memories are going to forever be in our hearts. Believe it when I tell you, that I truly understand how loss is— that I know what it is... I felt it when I lost my wife— my blessing, and I can only tell you all one thing.” He took another shaky breath to steady himself. “It is indeed very easy to let your grief consume you... to let it blind you so much that you fail to notice the other good things that you have in your life,” He said, shooting a glance at his daughter, his blue eyes for once shining with so much love for her, that it made Aiyisha’s heart soar. “She had always been perfect, my Aiyisha... but she reminded me so much of her mother that I— that I hated her for the endless punishment. I took delight in her misery, telling myself over and over again that perhaps if I did that, I would not feel a thing were anything to happen to her.”
A tear slipped down Aiyisha’s eyes and she gently wiped it off.
“Today proved that I have been living a fool’s paradise... for the first thing that came to mind was how much of a bad father I had been, and how much time I had already lost.” He smiled softly, a proud glint lighting up in his eyes. “What am I trying to tell you all today? Let us live the rest of our lives honouring those we lost today, let us put the past between us and make amends, let us live everyday like it may very well be our last, for we never know when death would come by to claim us.”
The applause that sounded in the large throne room was truly thunderous, people’s hopes rekindled and their hearts light at their Alpha’s speech of encouragement. It went on for what seemed like ages, and then the old wolf raised a hand, and there was silence.
“We will hold a vigil for all those we have lost early tomorrow morning, and say our final goodbyes as we send them off to the spirit world...” He started, “And then right after that, we would all converge here for another ceremony: My handing over ceremony,” Aiyisha’s head shot up to look at him as though he had lost his head, because what was he talking about? Had he found someone he had not told her about? But the old wolf continued unperturbed, “Aiyisha will take her rightful place as my successor tomorrow... she will be your new Alpha.”