Flashback
Ember POV
“My Luna,” an unfamiliar voice called softly from outside my door. “I brought your breakfast.”
“I am not interested in eating,” I replied weakly.
“Please… you need to eat and stay strong, especially in a time like this.”
Her words made me pause.
Who could care this much about me, even knowing how I feel?
“Come in,” I said finally.
The door opened, and a slightly plump middle-aged woman entered with two maids behind her. Her presence was calm but firm as though she was used to being in charge.
She glanced at the empty table, then walked over and began setting it up, collecting dishes from the maids. Soon, the rich aroma of warm food filled the room, but I kept my gaze elsewhere, refusing to be tempted.
“You may return to the kitchen,” she said to the maids.
When they left, she turned toward me, and for the first time, our eyes met.
“My Luna,” she said gently, “I do not care whether the rumors about you are true or false.”
I studied her, her face kind, round with age, her presence grounding. She must be around forty five, I guessed. Werewolves always looked younger than their years.
“But regardless,” she continued, “you must stay strong. Do not let such words shake you. Eat well. Sleep well. Stand tall, for yourself and for the King.”
Her words felt like a small fire lit in my chest.
“Thank you,” I murmured.
“Don’t mention it, ma,” she said softly, giving me a reassuring nod.
“Your name?” I asked as she turned to go.
“Mrs. Spiff,” she announced before leaving.
Flashback End
King Valtor POV
“So that’s it?” I asked.
“Yes,” Ember replied quietly.
“What a nicely told story,” I said, and she gave me a faint, weary smile.
“The food will get cold at this rate,” Ivy said gently. “You need to eat something.”
“You don’t need to worry,” Ember said, shaking her head.
Then her gaze hardened as she added.
“So there is no solution to this problem as it stands?”
“No,” I admitted.
She straightened her back slightly. “Then please tell me everything that has been happening. No secrets, King Valtor. Not this time.”
Ember POV
“You really want to hear it all?” he asked as he walked over and sat down.
“Yes,” I replied, forcing myself to stay calm. “Have they petitioned for my disposal yet?”
The question hung in the air like a storm cloud. For a moment, it felt like time itself stopped.
“Well?” I pressed, my patience running thin.
“I received an envelope from the Elders,” he said at last.
“What was inside?” I asked with a pounding my heart.
“You need to calm down,” he said gently.
“I am calm,” I replied with a dramatic exhale. “Now tell me.”
“They asked that you shift tonight, under the full moon, to silence the rumors. They called the rumors a disgrace to the Luna. Otherwise…” his voice tightened, “…you are to be disposed of immediately if the rumor is true.”
The words crushed me, my chest felt heavy and, my breath became shallow.
“So I have to shift tonight,” I said with a hollow voice.
“You don’t need to worry,” he replied firmly. “You are not shifting tonight.”
“But if I don’t shift,” I said slowly, “that means they’ll request you dispose of me immediately.”
“No. I’ll find another way,” he said. “I just need to stop the rumor from spreading beyond this mini-city. I’ll tell them to wait until the Luna coronation.”
“Will they accept that?” I asked.
“Yes,” he replied confidently.
“They sure will. Even Elder Brown will agree” Ivy added.
“Why did you say that?” I asked.
“We only have two days until the coronation,” Ivy pointed out. “Why did you think he won't accept even though he already knows you can't shift?”
“It is still pointless,” I said suddenly.
“What do you mean?” Ivy asked.
“It’s not like I can shift at all,” I said bitterly. “It would be better to admit the rumor is true now rather than humiliate myself in front of the entire pack and your guests in two days’ time.”
“I see your point,” Ivy said softly. “But giving up now means no chance at all. We still have two days to find a solution and that’s better than none.”
“Yes, exactly,” King Valtor said, acknowledging.
“I won’t sit and let us both be humiliated that day,” he said grimly. “It would be pathetic, the great King Valtor choosing an incompetent Luna.”
“I hope this works out,” I murmured.
“What if what the Seer said is true?”
“Oh, you mean the Death Seal?” Valtor said, almost scoffing. “Even if it is true, should we just sit and wait for fate to swallow us?”
“No,” I said. “I just… hope we find a way out.”
“Good girl,” he said. He turned toward the door. “Ivy, stay with Ember. Rho should be back now, we need to figure this out.”
He was halfway out when he added over his shoulder, “Make sure you eat your food. That’s not a request, it’s a royal order.”
“I will,” I replied softly.
“Shall I bring the table closer?” Ivy asked once he left.
“You can carry all that?” I asked.
“I’ll drag it,” she said and she did.
Soon, I was eating despite having no appetite. Strange, this meal was different. It made me want more. It was rich, comforting, and strangely appetite-giving.
King Valtor POV
“Reporting to you on a successfully completed mission, Alpha,” Rho said, standing at attention.
“Good,” I said. “Summon the heads of every department to the throne room except Ivy. Call for her assistant instead.”
“Yes, Alpha,” he replied and left quickly.
My phone began to ring. The caller ID showed a private number. Normally, I ignore such calls, they are usually pointless but I answered, waiting in silence.
“King Valtor,” a robotic voice said, “stop trying to find the Shellers’ basement in Windsor City. You won’t.”
“We will see about that,” I said coldly and hung up.
Fast Forward
Throne Room
I stood before them all, the air so tense you could hear a pin drop.
“Is anyone about to die again?” someone whispered at the back.
“You’d better keep quiet before someone hears you,” another hissed.
“I don’t think so,” a third tried to calm the discussion.
“Decorum, please,” Rho’s voice boomed through the room in anger.
“And I am highly disappointed in you all.”
“Like very disappointed. Deeply disappointed”
“You are all busy talking like….”