Willow

Chapter 19: Teasing

Sorry I'm not updating very often. What can I say? Life gets in the way.

We were all currently gathered in one of the war rooms. My wounds had been tended to and much to my dismay the scar was slowly starting to fade. Not a single scar remained on my body. Not even the silver inflicted ones, though they definitely take longer to go away. So my skin always looked like a new born pups and failed to intimidate anyone. 

Micah was silently bristling to my left and Ray stood to my right. The Royal family, minus the Queen, was present along with the head general of the RA and the wolves that were patrolling today. 

"Alpha Moonclaw, can you please state what exactly happened?" the King questioned, hands around his daughter that was almost hurt. 

"I was training and touring in the RA grounds and I saw the princess run into the forest," I started, "As you must be aware there has been a slight conflict between me, the princess and Alpha Wolfsbane. But I hold no contempt towards her so I wanted to talk things out. And so I followed princess Celeste to the forest and we were conversing when I heard the whistle of an arrow. We took cover behind an oak and when I tried to pursue the assailant, I got hit. It was definitely a rogue by smell. I was unable to catch up with it after he shifted."

"He?" the general questioned, "did you identify any facial profiles Alpha?"

"No, not any facial profiles but the assailant had broad shoulders, a lithe frame, maybe 6'1 in height, fair skin, dark hair and besides the rogue scent he smelt of vanilla cigarettes and cheap perfume. He was bare so I noticed a scorpion tattoo in his left thigh and a tribal design on the left side of his back"

My description was met with a stunned silence. Maybe I over described. 

"That's very impressive Alpha Moonclaw. Thank you for protecting my daughter," the King thanked, inclining his head towards me in respect. Violet puffed up in pride towards our strength and at being admired by the wolf that leads all others. It was nice to be appreciated.

"How did they slip through the patrols?" Micah ground out, his eyes darting to my bandaged shoulder. 

The patrol wolves nervously shifted on their feet at his anger but the leader stepped forward and spoke, "We were patrolling as scheduled, Alpha, and not one of us detected a scent or movement from anywhere. The borders were not crossed."

"So how did the rogue get in?" Prince Valentin questioned looking perplexed. He obviously trusted his patrol wolves were honest and Violet hadn't detected a lie in the head patroller's voice so how indeed did that rogue get in?

"There're are ways to make it past the borders without detection," Prince Leonardo stated, "we even used some of them as children. The rogue could've been aware of these and used one. Maybe a tunnel or a blind-spot."

"Place patrollers at these points immediately," the King commanded his last son and then turned to me, "I apologize that you were harmed in our territory and under my protection."

I accepted his apology in a wordless nod. It wasn't an uncommon incident. What worried me was that this rogue wasn't merely trespassing. No, this wolf came armed to kill. And either me or the princess, or the both of us were supposed to die today. And that didn't make any sense. If a rogue wanted to take over my pack, a direct challenge had to be issued. And they'd benefit more by kidnapping the princess for ransom rather than killing her. So what were the motives? Plain hate? I didn't believe that. 

The meeting was adjourned and we all left in silent contemplation. Ray squeezed my good shoulder before walking away to his mate and I was soon left alone with my own.