Awaken

Chapter 4

 A short while later, the lurker arrived at Droake.  He wasted no time, shifting into his human form as he headed straight for the castle gate.  Recognizing him , the guards posted out side the steel bars moved aside, granting him entry.  It was everything he could do not to run into the stone fortress like an excited child.  For the last couple of years, he had been working hard to prove his worth to the King.  Jagson couldn't often see past the wolf species, and he was no wolf.  In fact he was a bird, but he was a bird with a thirst for revenge.

Beta Duglass stood waiting for him at the entryway to Jagson's revered Council Room. A tall, gangly man, Duglass peered down his nose at the spy, hints of disgust etched across his face as he waited for the other man to approach. Another one of Jagson's pets come to seek favor from the King.

" Edward, you've returned with something useful I presume? You've been gone for quite a few days. The Alpha is beginning to question your loyalty to him" he sneered.

Edward pulled himself to his full height, which still only brought him just under the tip of Duglass nose. But he wouldn't be intimidated, not this time. Oh no, what he was prepared to present to King Jagson was world changing. He squared his shoulders, looking at the Beta in defiance. Edward heard the rumors, that Duglass wished to be mated to the Alpha, that he liked men instead of women and was jealous of anyone who stole the King's time. The thought made him smirk. " Don't worry, Luna, my loyalty is as firm as ever to the Alpha. Now if you could just move aside...." he replied, not bothering to hide the mockery in his voice.

Duglass wasted no time, whipping a long arm out, catching Edward off guard as his fist connected with the man's nose, setting him promptly on his cocky ass. " You would do best to mind the way you speak to me, you feathery f**k. Jagson may be the Alpha, but I am his BETA. It would serve you to remember that when addressing me" he seethed.

Edward gulped, quickly losing his confidence as he scrambled to pull himself to his feet. He lowered his head in a show of respect toward Duglass. The Beta growled at him for another moment, making sure his point was had. Finally, and to Edward's relief, Duglass stepped aside, pointing harshly at the door in front of them.

" Now that we have an understanding, the Alpha is ready for your report. He's not in the best of moods today, so I would suggest you go in and speak to him with a rather humble demeanor" Duglass stated, cracking the door open.

Edward gave a small nod of his head, not bothering to make eye contact with the man as he walked through the Council Room door. He heard Duglass shut the door behind them. Seated at the table were members of the council Jagson had reconstructed in the days since Prix. Most had scared looks on their faces, and the tension in the room was heavy. Edward shuddered before taking his seat. Assandra, the old witch sat across from him. Duglass had commissioned her when he first became Beta to help Jagson obtain the onyx gem one of the sister's wore. Despite their failed attempt at Prix, she had remained amongst the pack, serving Jagson in other ways to further empower the tyrannical Alpha. She wore a veil spell on this day, her normally weathered face hidden behind the mask of a stunning woman, one with eyes the color of lavender. While she was truly balding, missing patches of hair on top of her scaly head, the veil showed her with full and flowing locks, the color of chestnuts that fell from trees. Her bosom spilled over dress and Edward couldn't help but to stare at the sight of the smooth golden skin that stretched across them. She was bewitching indeed. A cackle sounded from her and he whipped his head to attention, finding her licking her lips hungrily in his direction.

" It would seem, Alpha, that your little spy friend here sees something that he desires" she rasped.

Terrified, Edward began to shake his head, causing Assandra to laugh even harder, clapping her hands together in glee at his uncomfortable state. The veil didn't hide those, and he could see clearly her gnarled and knobby fingers as they came together and apart in rhythm with her laughter. Nervous chuckles floated around the room at the display and Edward could feel his heart beginning to race. Finally, a loud growl interrupted the mockery, the Alpha finally calling attention to the room.

" If you would like to play with my witch Bird Boy, you better have some news from Prix which is of use to me. Was my Luna there? Was she wearing MY gem? Did she bring that f*****g fish man back to my land with her? And what of her sister, the b***h named Nova. Tell me. Now" he snarled.

Jagson's stone gray eyes were cold yet they blazed through Edward. He could feel the flush creeping on his face at the blunt tone in the King's voice, and he felt suddenly small and chastised, for the briefest of moments regretting his choice to serve as an informant for the terrifying man. He looked at Assandra again, here eyebrows wiggling up and down as she morphed her face from old to young repeatedly. He shivered, turning his attention back to the man boring him down.

Nodding his head he answered, " Yes, Alpha, I have some news for you. The Luna did arrive from the sea, along with her mate and a handful of others. One of them, the older woman they often come with, appears to be very sick, though I have reason to believe Nova may have tried to heal her. For whatever good she's worth" he mumbled.

Nova had injured him once during a training fight between the two of them. It was her first time healing someone apparently, but she had done a good job on his arm. He winced inwardly. His quarrel wasn't with Nova, but she had joined the Rebel Group at the wrong time, and now she was acquainted with the very people who had stolen his own family away. He had been just a boy when he watched Mikael and his group kill his father and his father's crew. Mikael had done so under the excuse he was rescuing the people his father sold across the sea, but nonetheless, the man had taken Edward's only parent away, along with those he had grown to know as family. That's why he was here, Jagson was going to destroy Mikael and all that were with him and Edward supported him. Revenge comes in many forms, sometimes even at the expense of innocents, like Nova.

' ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME BIRD!" the Alpha bellowed, snapping Edward out of his thinking.

Assandra cackled and Duglass huffed as he practically bolted out of his chair. He could see Jagson practically fuming, his eyes gone black with warning that his wolf Cyclone was about to unleash.

Pulling himself together Edward nodded. " Apologies Alpha. As I said, yes, the one you call Luna did arrive on land, the gemstone still around her neck. Erm.... you should know too, the young Luna is pregnant" he spat out.

He braced himself for Jagson's reaction, and when none came Edward took a deep breath, continuing his report. " I also laid eyes on the two children, Tala and the boy Titus as well as their Mother, Rosalie. She is heavily pregnant with the old Gamma's child". Jagson groaned, motioning for Edward to continue.

Edward took a deep breath, issuing a prayer to whatever God or Goddess could possibly be listening. He never had one specific he prayed to, struggling to believe in something so wonderful that would cause so much devastation in his life. " Sir, they plan to challenge you for the Alpha Throne" his words came spilling out.

This time, Jagson reacted. He stood from his seat at the head of the table, Assandra giggling as he cleared the contents with one swipe of his arm. His claws extended as he came around to where Edward was seated. The Alpha jerked him up by the collar, and Edward could feel the man's steamy breath on his face. Jagson's eyes were pools of black as he leaned in dangerously close to Edward.

" What do you mean, challenge me for the Alpha Throne" he fumed, spittle from his mouth landing on Edward's chin.

" It's exactly as I've said, Alpha....I...she...the twin...Nova. She intends to challenge you for leadership of the pack and to take Droake." he stammered, unable to contain the fear that shook his voice.

Jagson held him suspended in the air as his eyes glazed over. Cyclone had much to say it seemed because it was several moments before the King returned. Wordlessly, he placed Edward back on his feet.

" Duglass, clear the room. Assandra, you stay" he boomed.

Everyone did as he demanded, no one wishing to lose their lives this day. Before too long, Edward was left with the witch, the Beta and the mad alpha.

Jagson smiled at him, but it was one of warning, not kind in any way and Edward shivered. " Now, tell me every detail of this conversation that transpired. Does that scum she-wolf really think she can steal my throne?" he snapped.

Edward nodded slowly. He knew he needed to choose his words wisely, else his head would soon be rolling on the ground. He tensed as Duglass sat down in the chair beside his own and he silently kicked himself for having baited the Beta earlier.

" Yes, Alpha. I left before they began planning, but she has support from all that know her, even the bear and his mate. " he said. " Cora..er, I mean Luna, was the last to stand and the most encouraging. They spoke too, of the boy, Alaric, and how it was his birthright as well." Edward finished.

Jagson sat, drumming his fingers on the table as he appeared deep in thought at the revelations. " You left before the actual planning, you said?" he asked. Edward lowered his head, nodding. This was it, the moment of his death, he wished he could sink into the chair he sat on, invisible.

As though reading his mind it was Assandra who spoke. She kept her old face on, her voice a harsh rasp as she addressed him. " Don't sit there looking pitiful. You've brought your Alpha news he needed. Sit up straight, your life is safe. You are of no use to us a pile of jelly" she spat at him. She turned her attention toward the King.

" Perhaps we do not know when they will strike, but we do know they intend to, and they are unaware we have the knowledge. It's been nearly three years. Perhaps it is time to open the Door" she mused, her young face back on.

Duglass cleared his throat. " As much as Assandra and I normally disagree Sire, I would have to side with her on this. Over the course of the last year, Assandra has perfected her light walking spell on the subjects we've brought in for testing. The one behind the Door is ready. I think it is time we unleashed her".

Edward gulped, chills running up his spine as he listened to the exchange, he had no idea what they were talking about, but it sounded horrifying. He stayed silent, waiting for the Alpha to respond to the advisors who spoke to him, still nervous he would lose his life.

Finally, Jagson broke his silence. A wide smile across his face, one of mania and chaos. His eyes shone in a violent way, whatever spun behind them a plan of mass destruction and disarray. He nodded his head sharply. " Alright, Assandra. You're certain the spell will work?" he asked the witch.

She nodded her head, tapping her fingers together in anticipation. " My King, I am confident in my creations. They will not fail you. As for the one behind the Door, ah well....that one is my pride and joy, I've grown quite fond of the little creature" she purred.

Jagson smiled at her. " Yes, and I do appreciate all your hard work. Soon enough, we will lift your cloak and you will no longer have to veil that beautiful face of yours" he said to her, surprisingly gently for the normally ruthless Alpha. Edward swallowed back a bubble of bile as Jagson caressed the woman's wrinkly cheek.

" It's settled then. Let's go open the Door".