Chapter 8
2089 Words
Grandma “Let her. It’s time, she gets knocked off her throne a couple of steps. The last thing my child is that just because she is a purist it doesn’t mean she can force it down on the rest of you. Us Pixies never used to be this cruel. It’s that old woman who thinks being the Queen has given her the right to command everyone.”
Charlie “Okay Grandma.”
I yawn again.
Grandma “Charlie! Did you hear me!?”
I jump upright again, trying to keep my eyes open.
Charlie “Yes Grandma, Dictator Donella is going down tomorrow and you will help me.”
Grandma “Oi vey.”
Chloe’s POV
This wolf tastes different half-breeds always do, but there is something about him. Something I can’t put my finger on yet, but I will find out sooner or later.
Standing in my room looking into the mirror while I fix my lipstick. Today is that squirts trial and I have to take the wolf along and keep watch over him, which means I have to be dressed appropriately.
Taking a couple of steps back I look at myself in the full-length mirror. My pristine white uniform fitting my body perfectly, showing every curve, but the pants flowing down looking like it could be a dress. My many medals adorning my chest. My wings of rank proudly sitting above them. A pair of black pumps to round off the look.
My hair tied back into a neat bun as per regulations. The only thing I have never given into is my red lipstick. No matter how many times I’ve been called in or warned. I refused and finally, Donella had no choice but to allow it.
I started my career as a cadet but climbed the ladder fast because of my successful interrogation and strategic war planning skills. I am one of the youngest Generals to date.
Well guess I better go grab that wolf and take him to court, giving myself a wink, I grab the horsewhip just in case and leave for the prison.
Thomas’ POV
Chloe “Yes, slowly! Lower him into the cage. Preferably before he wakes up and kills the lot of you!”
I groggily try to open my eyes. I haven’t had food or even a drop of water for a couple of days and then she sucked and f****d me dry. Why on earth would I try and kill anyone? I don’t even have the energy to stay awake. I can try and shift once I’m in the cage, then I should at least be able to heal my aching arms.
Chloe “Ah, are you awake little wolf?”
The cage’s door shuts above me with a loud bang and I can hear it being locked in several places. Too tired to answer her.
Chloe “Here, you deserve a treat. We are going to court today and I need you looking ferocious and mean.”
A piece of meat is thrown at me, my natural instinct taking over, I shift and hungrily chomp it down. Feeling some of my strength return I look up at her. She stands there in a white uniform sneering as usual. Growling I start walking up and down the cage hearing the clang of a bowl.
Chloe “I would stop growling if I were you and drink the water while you still have the chance.”
I give her another tooth showing growl and turn around to the water bowl. Clever wench kept me busy while her guards shoved the bowl into the cage behind me. This interaction is beneficial to both of us. She confirms her upper hand by knowing how much I needed the food and water and that she can control my wolf this way.
I have been fed and feel stronger even being held in the cage. It gives me a clearer head to study my surroundings and look for a way out.
Chloe “We are going to court today for that girl’s trial. I need you to behave. If you don’t you will pay for it when you are returned. Understood?”
What? Does she think I’m going to answer her? She has a clear misunderstanding of the extent of her power over me. I see your game… I lay down in the cage, and decide to take a nap. This entire time she has been trying to get me to look like the big bad wolf when they take me into the courtroom for this trial. I’m going to use this time to rest and prove them wrong.
I hear the door unlock and guards walking in, feeling the cage being lifted.
Chloe “Remember wolf! Behave or else!”
I hear the frustration in her voice. Seems no prisoner has ever listened to her and now she has no idea what to do.
I can feel the cage being turned this way and that not taking in the scenery as I was planning, but counting the guard’s steps and taking in as many scents as I can.
A door opens and I hear a crowd gasping. We must be in the courtroom.
Chloe “Ladies and gentlemen, please. Quiet. This is a very dangerous animal. Please calm down and take your seats. You do not wish to get him angry.”
I decide that that is my cue, pretending to groggily get up, yawning and stretching, I walk over to where she is standing and start rubbing against the cage purring like a cat… I don’t know if wolves are part of the cat species… but hell, whatever works. The crowd starts mumbling and she turns around to look at me.
Chloe “I told you to behave!”
She whispers with gritted teeth, making me sit up straight like a dog, panting and waiting to be scratched behind the ear. I see her turn red from her neck up, flopping back down on the cage floor.
Charlie’s POV
I wake up on the roof, hearing the birds sing. “Thanks, Grandma.” I smile.
Scratching around my floor closet for my most appropriate clothes, I find a pants suit mom bought me after graduation. She always hoped I would become someone important. The tag is still on it. I went scratching around my cupboard and found the matching shoes! Dressed I look at myself in the mirror. My wild hair tied up in a bun as neat as I can possibly make it. The ivory suit, fitting me perfectly, with a little bit of cleavage showing.
Charlie “This is it. Time to go knock that Queen off her throne.”
***
Walking into the courtroom I was expecting everyone to look at me as if I was carrying the plague, but their eyes are pinned to the front of the courtroom. Chloe is standing around looking furious and all is revealed when I reach the defendant’s booth. The wolf is there inside a cage… fast asleep.
What did they do to him? Why would Chloe be so angry? Could they have used dust on him to keep him calm in court?
Donella walks into the courtroom followed by her entire legal team of ten lawyers… which nobody ever questions. Ten lawyers can’t possibly be wrong, the Queen being the eleventh vote on the legal counsel. Not that we have trials… ever, except for mine.
The Judge is the last to enter the courtroom and takes his seat without looking up.
Judge “Your Majesty, please state the charges.”
Donella states them just as she told me that day in her office and I roll my eyes at her. She doesn’t have evidence and I’ve told her unless she went and fabricated evidence.
Judge “How does the defendant plea?”
I decide if I am going to do this, I may just as well go all out.
Charlie “Not guilty on all charges your honor?”
Looking right at him with my head held high. The wolf turns on his back yawning turning all the attention to him.
Donella “Your honor! I object!”
Judge “To what?”
He looks up confused.
Donella “I… I… “
Sitting down she realizes it is going to blow up in her face if she complains about what he is up to. I almost burst out laughing at his antics. Why is he doing this? The Judge is looking at everyone not knowing what he missed.
Judge “Your Majesty, may we continue, or do you want to stand on your objection?”
Donella “We can continue. Just get on with it.”
She waves at him and this time she is red with anger, glaring at Chloe. The Queen is given the chance to state her case and she refers to her declarations as Grandma said she would.
Her lawyers handing her scroll after scroll. They even brought the originals to court. The Judge having to silence the gallery every so often. Some agreeing with her point of view and others not.
Donella pacing around the front of the courtroom intently giving evidence why I’m guilty pays no mind to the wolf. Already prepared for my defense I watch everything happening around the courtroom and notice him waking up.
Donella “She has based her entire case on old expired law, where dust is not governed. A time when magic runs rampant and you didn’t know what and when your neighbor would plan something sinister against you! It was voted and decided that dust be locked in the city vault to protect all our citizens…”
Blah, blah, blah… he stretches his front paws, his claw hooking Chloe’s pants.
Chloe “AAAAAHHHHHH”
Donella “AAAHHH WHAT?!”
Chloe “My apologies your Majesty! I did say the wolf is dangerous and should not have been brought to court. He just tried pulling me into his cage.”
Jumping up off my chair.
Charlie “He did no such thing! He was simply stretching and caught your pants leg by accident!”
Judge “SILENCE!!”
Donella “Excuse me?”
Judge “My apologies your Majesty, but I need to get the court back to order. Whether the wolf grabbed you or not has no bearing on the case. If he is that dangerous it would be best, he is not brought to court where he can harm our people.”
I look at Donella, the wheels in her head-turning, trying to decide what would be the best way to make this work her way. Chloe looking slightly panicked at Donella and then angrily smacking the wolf’s paw with what looks like some kind of stick.
Donella “Your honor, in his wolf form, he is dangerous and cannot give evidence, which I will require him to do, but it is the only way to keep him quiet until it is time for him to testify. Chloe probably just got a fright after having to deal with him up to now.”
Judge “Then he will stay, but no more yelling. Please continue your Majesty.”
Keeping my eyes on the wolf, I could swear I saw his front legs shaking. Could he have been laughing? He stands up, turns around, his tail end towards Chloe and flops down again. His head resting on his paw, his eyes following Donella every step she takes.
I might not even have to defend myself, I almost burst out laughing, looking at the wolf. He is busy unnerving the old hag with this watching her every move and he is frustrating the living daylights out of Chloe for turning his back on her as if just dismissing her.
Maybe they aren’t as dumb a species as our dear Queen made them out to be.
Thomas’ POV
This Queen loves the sound of her own voice. I should actually fart in the little girls' face just for effect. I’m just an animal according to them and it might just put her off enough that she won’t come and abuse me again.
I’m a mated wolf! Okay well not officially or anything really, but…
I ran, I broke my promise. Do I still want to be with Selena? I flop down my head letting out an “Frrrrp” through my mouth and wind out my backside.
I didn’t think it was going to stink that much…
- Writer
