The Queen Within

Chapter 11

Alandra

Everyone stood completely still as the snarls rippled through the filled. It felt like we were frozen in time. When sounds of paws pounding the ground started, Roy started shouting orders and running toward the noise.

"Group A take the left flank! Group B plan delta now! Group C plan red! Group D evacuation! All other groups head to the border and secure it! No one goes in or out!"

No one waisted a second. Once their orders were given, they went into motion and started shifting. Jonathan looked to me pleadingly and I nodded. I knew how important it was that he help his friend. He gave me a quick passionate kiss and I watched as he shifted, running to catch up to Roy.

"Your highness, we should go with the others in the evacuation. It's my duty to keep you and the baby safe."

I looked back at Ebonie and she had a stern look in her eyes. I knew I could take her. Make her submit and go join the fight by Jonathan's side. The place where I belong... But I knew that wasn't the answer. Well, the right answer. It wasn't just about me or him anymore. It was about our pup growing inside of me.

I was about to agree and follow her to where ever the evacuees go, but then I spotted the children. They all looked so scared even though they were doing their best to follow orders, you could see them trembling and stumbling about. My heart ached seeing it. Taking one good look at Ebonie, I took a deep breath and straightened my back. I knew if I wanted her to do what I wanted at the moment, I would have to assert my authority.

"I won't go just yet. Before you object, I won't go and fight. I will, however, go and be of use where ever else I am needed. Starting with the children."

Squaring off with Ebonie was honestly scarier than I thought. Mostly because she had such a deadly aurora and I could tell that at this moment I was pushing her limits. It was also obvious she was debating on if she should drag me to where ever the evacuees go or not. After what felt like forever, she sighed heavily and nodded in agreement.

We made our way to where the children were and they all instantly perked up when they saw me. I smiled at all of them and gave a small nod to the shifters that were surrounding the children. It looked like there were three with them, surrounding them on both sides of the group and the rear. Only one person was in human form and they kept trying to keep the kids' attention. When they saw me, they all bowed slightly and made way for me to be with the children. They all ran up, circling around me, trying to get as close as possible.

"Queen! What is happening?! Where is Roy Roy?! I'm scared!" They all started shouting together. I quieted them down and gave them a warm smile.

"It's going to be. It's ok to be scared. Right now though, Roy Roy needs all of us to be brave. There are people here who need to get to safety. Why don't we show them how to be brave and walk there together?"

The children hesitated at first, then a boy, who couldn't be no more than four with braids shouted, "If Queen brave, I brave!"

After that, all the other kids started shouting in agreement. I held the hand of the two closest kids to me.

"Ok, everyone ready?"

"Yes, Majesty!"

I smiled at the kids, then I nodded to the shifters surrounding us. Signaling them to stay close. The attendant that was with them and Ebonie took the lead, the formation carefully keeping me and the kids in a tight circle. Others who were being gathered to go to the evacuation point were being quarreled into our group. It looked to be mostly elderly, or young children with at least one parent, or pregnant she-wolves, and the teens I saw practicing to shift earlier.

We could still hear the snarls and now snaps in the distance. The longer it went on, the more worried I became for Jonathan. I wanted to reach out to him with our mind link, but the last thing I wanted was to distract him. So instead I focused on getting these people where they needed to go.

Not too long after, a building came into view that looked like a bunker. I could tell people were becoming more visibly relaxed the closer we were getting to it. I had to admit, I was becoming more relaxed too. The faster we got everyone in, the better. As the doors were being open, I was about to sing a song of sweet victory when a sound made all of us snap our necks behind us. It was the sound of paws coming toward us.

"Everyone inside now!" Ebonie had shouted. I could see another wolf in the distance running to catch the one that was coming closer toward us. We needed more time. I smiled at the kids again and let go of their hands, quickly turning and running toward the wolf that was about to close the distance. I could hear Ebonie screaming at me to stop, but I wasn't going to fail my people.

Onyx I need you!

I'm here Alandra. Let's do this.

I smirked at the sound of her voice and we quickly shifted. A brief moment of fear came over me when. I thought of my baby, but being in Onyx's form, I could clearly feel the baby's presence and heartbeat. I didn't know if maybe since it had been a while since I shifted, but Onyx seemed bigger.

We clashed with the wolf as it tried to still go after everyone getting into the bunker. I felt another wolf shift beside me and recognized Ebonie's scent. Sage and sandalwood. She was growling and barked at me but I ignored her as I pinned the intruder down. The wolf was no match for Onyx and I knew we would make quick work of it. Ebonie stayed as close as she could, and I knew she would jump in at a moment's notice.

Not wanting to waste any time on this insignificant problem in front of me, Onyx bared her fangs and she clamped down on the neck of the wolf, biting down hard till the arteries there burst. Satisfied with the kill, Onyx caressed my mind, promising to talk later, and we quickly shifted back.

I have to admit I was feeling quite good with myself till the other wolf came into view and the Alpha aura pouring out of it could only mean one thing. I'm in trouble. Someone came and handed me a robe, and I put it on as Not only Roy, but Jonathan came bounding over and shifted back. They were covered in blood but neither one had a scratch on them. Ebonie stayed in her wolf form which I had just noticed was a beautiful dark chocolate color with streaks of what looked like burgundy.

Jonathan quickly stepped in front of me and gave my body a once-over. He placed his hands on my belly and only let out a sigh of relief when he felt our baby flutter. The wave of relief that came over him, was quickly replaced by anger and disappointment. I lowered my head knowing I had messed up big time. I half expected him to yell at me, but instead, it was Roy.

"What were you thinking your highness?! Do you understand how dangerous that was?! You put your life, and the baby's life at risk for some lowly rogue?!" Roy was fuming. To hear him yell at me made the stubbornness in me come out. I held my head high and looked at him indifferently.

"I had to protect everyone. Everyone was in danger and I had to do something!"

"That is not an excuse! There are other warriors that are with you that could've easily handled it!"

"They were protecting the people! YOUR people!"

"MY people would've been fine! And you!" Roy shifted his anger at Ebonie and I saw her tail tucked under her, but she stood her ground. "What do you have to say for yourself?!"

Not wanting Ebonie to get in trouble for my choices, I stood in front of her and squared my shoulders. "This is not her fault. She protected me perfectly. I'm still in one piece aren't I?"

"That's not the point my love..." This time it was Jonathan who spoke up. "You put your life at risk instead of trusting those around you... I know you just wanted to help and I love that about you, but you have to be more careful."

Hearing him say it made me feel terrible. I did make a stupid choice. Yeah, everything went fine this time, but it won't always. It was just one rogue. Ebonie probably could've handled it if I gave her a chance to.

I lowered my head again and Jonathan sighed and took my hand in his, facing Roy.

"Let's take a moment to calm down. Why don't we do a check on everyone and everything, and we will meet back in your office in an hour. We can go over the details then ok?"

Roy rubbed his face with his hands but sighed heavily. "Fine. Ebonie, stay with them at all times. You guys go on ahead and get our Queen checked out. I'll have our pack doctor meet you in my office."

Jonathan nodded and he and Ebonie escorted me back to the main building. Once we were in full view of the building, an omega ran up to Ebonie with a robe, identical to what I was wearing as Ebonie shifted back. Her face was stern and void of all emotion. I had to remember to apologize to her later.

When we made it inside Roy's office, a middle-aged-looking woman was already there, white lab coat on and all. She introduced herself as Dr.Thinborn. We exchanged pleasantries and she did a checkup of all my vitals. By the time she was done, Roy had come in.

"Her majesty is perfectly healthy and so is the baby. She is still early enough that she can still shift safely."

"Thank you, doctor, it is much appreciated," Jonathan said as he shook her hand. She smiled and gathered her things leaving the office.

Everyone was silent as we waited for the other to start. Jonathan squeezed my hand and smiled at me then turned his attention to Roy.

"What happened?"

Roy handed Jonathan the papers he was holding and his whole demeanor changed to business. "Rogues. It's like I told you before, they are getting bolder and bolder though this is the first time they have ever tried to attack us head-on like this."

"Did we lose anyone?" I had to know. I had to know if there was anyone lost to us. These were my people too.

Roy shook his head. "It was a small attack thank the Goddess."

I breathed a sigh of relief. I was thankful no one was lost to us or seriously injured, but one question still remained.

"Why did they attack?"

Roy and Jonathan both looked at each other and something seemed to pass between them.

"What?"

Jonathan was hesitant at first. "We honestly do not know. When we tried to capture one for interrogation, but every time we got our hands on one, they would kill themselves."

I gasped and my hand flew to my mouth. "Kill themselves? Wh... why?"

Roy sighed heavily, "Probably to keep their motives a secret. Each one would shift back and slit their own throats."

I was at a loss for words. It was extremely drastic what they did. What kind of ultimate plan was it that they would willingly kill themselves for? What exactly was their end goal? All that we knew for sure right now is that we needed to prepare.