Hell and Back

Chapter Twenty Two

The royal biigas stand upon Damien and I's entrance into the Royal Room. It's been a week since we started to cut off the packs, and we're due for an update on what is occurring between the packs and their relation to The Kingdom. "Well?" Damien starts. He strides into the room and plops down in his seat. "Let's get this over with."

"Your majesties," Metias bows. I stand at the front of the table with my arms folded. "3 packs have surrendered their loyalty to The Kingdom within three days. After 4, 10 more." He explains. He sounds a bit nervous when speaking as he glances timidly at his notes. "As for your old pack, they continue to refuse submission." Metias snatches the remote on the table hastily next to him and turns on the screen in the front of the room. The map appears and the first thing I notice are the spread of green dots like a wildfire. And it's only been a week. It's only a matter of time before unity is truly restored in the werewolf kingdom. All thanks to a human girl.

"That's.. way better than anticipated." Damien grins in my direction and I can see the pride glimmer in his eyes. "What was the estimated amount?"

Achille clears his throat. "Your highness, it was estimated that 5 packs would submit by the end of 3 weeks. In total, we have 13 packs that have surrendered. 6 are undecided." Metias clicks another button, and 6 grey dots replace some red red ones. It's progress. And my plan is doing a lot better than originally expected.

"Shall we send them their resources now?" Stacey questions. "And perhaps a bonus for their loyalty?"

Damien shakes his head. "No. Give them their resources, as promised, but I'm not rewarding disrespect to my name or Kingdom. I want you to invite them to The Kingdom. Each Alpha and Luna to come here as our honoured guests. Even those who are undecided.

"Invite them?" Stacey questions.

"Yes. I'd like to get to know these Alphas and Lunas. Perhaps work out a more formal agreement. There will be a celebration, in fact. The entire Kingdom is welcome." Damien sits up in his seat, but something about his suggestion rubs me the wrong way. Damien, the self-proclaimed loner inviting all of these people into his Kingdom. He's got to be up to something.

"Fair enough." Achille writes down some notes. "And as for the old pack?"

He shrugs. "Leave them be. For now. Any enemy to The Kingdom is not welcome here.
Let that be known." He adds. "She's not so bad after all, is she?" Damien smirks, winking in my direction. Suddenly, the entire room has eyes that are trained on me. I feel a bit uneasy with all of their attention fixated on me, yet Damien beams at me proudly.

Metias nods. "Not at all, Your Highness."

————

Surprisingly enough, Damien throws a huge party shortly after our meeting. He informed me it's to keep The Kingdom united, as well as giving them the opportunity to get to know both of us. I'm a nervous wreck glancing at myself in the mirror. It's difficult to decipher if they like me or not, but I hope as time progresses, The Kingdom will soften up to the idea of a human royal. I tossed on one of the beautiful yellow gowns in the closet. It flows down to my feet and resembles the suns rays.

"Are you ready?" Damien knocks at the door. I inhale deeply to calm my nerves a bit. Hopefully he won't be able to sense all of the anxiety I'm experiencing. I walk over to the door and open it to peek up at him through the crack.

"I'm not ready, but I am." I tell him.

"Oh?" He questions. "May I come in?" I shake my head no and shut the door on him. I feel like I may vomit if I step out in front of all of The Kingdom. "Lena." He calls gently. "C'mon. What's going on?"