Word Count: 2146

~Ivara

Luelle and I walk side by side as staff unload our luggage from the carriage.

We head up the stone steps, through the gaping entrance and into the warm embrace of the main hall.

A young werewolf female stands with several members of staff behind her, smiling in welcome as we approach.

"Princess Luelle, it is an honour to welcome you onto sacred ground this day." There is something uncanny about her smile. "My name is Viviana, and I am head of staff here. I have been for quite some time, and my mother before me—"

"I would very much like to get to our rooms," Luelle cuts in, sweeping strands of hair off her face. "I am practically windswept."

Viviana's smile falters, but only for a moment.

"Of course. Charlotte here will escort you up." A member of staff behind Viviana raises a shy hand. "I would like to first remind you of tonight's welcome gala. We look forward to your attendance."

In other words, the expectation is that we attend, or else offend the long establish customs of the Gathering.

Luelle waves her hand. "Yes, yes."

Viviana's warm caramel eyes shift to me. "Ivara, right?"

I nod.

"May we speak? You can follow your Princess to the newly appointed human wing shortly."

I nod again. I'm technically a member of staff, so I anticipate some kind of induction.

Luelle leaves with Charlotte, heading up the sweeping staircase. Viviana pulls me to the side, out of the way of any more arriving guests.

"Can I help you with something?" I ask.

With Luelle gone, Viviana's veneer weakens a touch. She remains smiling, but a coldness crawls into her eyes as she regards me.

"You can, in fact." She angles her head. "What I need to say next requires me to be blunt."

"What is that?"

"Work is required of you here. Work you have been requested to engage in specifically." She sniffs, running a hand down the front of her dark green dress. It has high collar and crisp cuffs.

I adjust my stance, leaning my shoulder against the thick newel post to my left. "What kind of work?"

"Whatever kind of work you're assigned."

"I don't know what you mean." Is she explaining this poorly, or am I misinterpreting her?

She sighs, patting the side of her head as if it might calm an errant strand of hair. Yet, every piece of thick, black hair is neatly combed back into a tight updo.

"There are some tasks that require completion over the next few months. Sensitive tasks that cannot be disclosed to a single other person."

"I'm afraid I'm already employed—"

"This is not a formal job, Ivara," she cuts in abruptly. "No one will know you are completing these tasks. Only us."

I frown, still not understanding.

Someone here wants me to work for them? The King only sent word that I was arriving with Luelle yesterday, yet this all seems planned out.

"Who is the 'us' you're referring to?" I question.

"That matters little." There's a strange lilt to her voice. "You will not be compensated for your work, but you are required all the same."

A tingle of irritation gathers between my temples.

Pack leaders are only allowed to bring a limited number of staff with them and only one companion, should they chose it. This job offer—or rather, demand—must be from a disgruntled Alpha or Luna who is short a servant and is looking for one in me.

"As I've already said, I'm employed," I tell her shortly.

"I'm not sure you are understanding what I am saying." A crease forms between her brows. "This is not an offer. This is a command."

"At least tell me by who." So I can speak to them myself.

"It should matter little who these people are. It will not affect the nature of the work you will carry out," she says.

People?

"You cannot force me. I refuse," I state simply, backing up a step.

I'm done entertaining this strangeness. Luelle needs me upstairs so she can begin preparing for the gala this evening. She will not want me working for anyone else.

"If you do not agree to this, we will have to force your hand." Viviana fills the space I just vacated. "We are aware of some sensitive information that you do not wish to have released."

I blink, shocked at her audacity.

"Such as?"

She looks around with sharp eyes, ensuring we are alone in the great hall.

"We are aware that Princess Luelle is illegitimate, and her coming here is not a gesture of peace, but to secure partnership with a Pack to garner protection and money," she tells me lowly, sturdily.

I flinch, my heart almost skidding to a lethal stop.

"How..." I whisper.

No one should know that. I shouldn't even know that, but the King told me before I left with Luelle yesterday. He wanted me to have the full context to their political manoeuvring, so I might feel inclined to understand the true cost of failing my duties.

If Luelle does not secure legitimacy through marriage to a powerful Alpha, she could be found out. If that happens, there will be anarchy, and possibly, complete collapse in our already struggling nation.

The King spared me the details of how Luelle is illegitimate, but I figure it has something to do with an infertile Queen and an impoverished mistress he took advantage of.

Luelle is the consequence of that.

"Your tasks may come directly for me, or from notes left by staff in your room. You will complete the tasks as soon as possible, or within the timeframe specified," Viviana explains, aware of my internal conflict, yet is unbothered it.

She knows she has snared me. She knows I cannot refuse now.

"Why are you requiring this of me?" I demand harshly.

I no longer suspect an entitled Alpha or Luna to be responsible for this blackmail. At least not for the intention of using me as a general servant.

Whoever is behind this has far more sinister motives.

"We need someone close to Princess Luelle," Viviana explains.

My breath hitches. "Are you planning to sabotage her?"

"Your tasks will require several actions involving some territory leaders, including your Princess," is all she replies with.

"If you ask me to harm her, I will not do it."

Viviana steps so close, I almost suspect she might hit me. She doesn't seem violent, but there is a vicious sort of desperation in her eyes that frightens me.

"You will do what is required of you, or else the world who learn of your illegitimate Princess. There will be no one to take her father's throne, and your territory will be thrown into chaos," she hisses cruelly. "Is that what you desire?"

I stare at her, fighting for each breath.

This threat is real, tangible. I've been strung up like a puppet, and now, I have to dance. There is no other choice but to oblige these people whose identities I do not know.

"Who is asking this of you?" I scan Viviana's face, searching for a clue. "Is it a rebel group? One of the territory leaders?"

Is she being paid for this? Is she a volunteer, or is she being forced into this like I am?

"As I've said, it should not matter to you," she states.

"It matters to me if you're asking me to bring harm to one of them...to incite a war," I exclaim. "What if I'm caught?"

The punishment could be worse than being fired, being sent home in disgrace. I could be jailed...even executed for conspiracy, for being an accomplice to a crime that is yet to be revealed.

Viviana absorbs my words but does not respond.

"Your first task requires you to gain entry into Alpha Ezra's rooms. Retrieve his seal and bring it to me," she commands.

"You're asking me to break into an Alpha's rooms?" I gape at her. "I cannot pull that off."

"You must. You will break in tonight, while he is occupied at the gala."

I shake my head in utter bewilderment. "This is unbelievable."

"Find me tomorrow evening. Have the seal or there will be consequences." She brushes past me, heading for a side exit.

I watch her go, thoughts spiralling.

Breaking into an Alpha's room is an impossible task. If I am caught, he will see fit to punish me himself, and I can't imagine he would go easy on me.

But what other choice do I have?

+++

Without someone to escort me upstairs, it takes me a bit to find the human wing.

Eventually, I let myself into what will be the rooms Luelle and I share for the next three months.

Luelle lies face down on one of the few chaise lounges arranged at the centre of the common space. Her hair is splayed out wildly over the richly red upholstery.

"I'm am so glad to be done with travel." Her voice is muffled against a cushion.

I smile to myself, taking in the lavish space.

My feet pad across a sprawling mosaic tile floor, tiny pieces accumulated into a constellation of red and gold. The colours of home, of our Kingdom.

On the furthest wall of the common space is massive woven tapestry depicting a sun, our Kingdom's symbol. Shockingly, it's an ancient Alpha who denoted us the Kingdom of the High Sun after receiving a prophecy from the Moon Goddess.

It has been a symbol of pride since then, worn on liveries and shields of our greatest soldiers. But I've always felt it was a bad omen.

A sun is always doomed to set, to give way to the power of the moon, where werewolves thrive.

Luelle sits up suddenly. Her hair is a frazzled mess around her face as she narrows her eyes at me.

"What did the head of staff lady want to say to you?"

"Her name is Viviana," I tell her absently, stepping toward where two massive double doors have been thrown open. They reveal a balcony and a stone balustrade, the top of which has been worn down by the touch of many hands.

Gauzy drapes brush lazily against the side of my body as I let the outside air snag like fingers in my hair. It soothes the warmth in my cheeks like a frost tinged caress.

I have never known such luxury, but there is little time to enjoy it.

I can't tell Luelle about the blackmail. It will put her in danger, and if I'm honest, I'm not convinced she won't encourage whoever is blackmailing to protect herself.

It's best if I deal with this in private.

"She just wanted to give me instructions on the gala tonight." I step closer to the lounger. "Have you decided on what you're wearing this evening?"

This invigorates her. She stands with a flourish, agitating her wrinkled skirts.

"As you well know, I must make an impression. I'm thinking of wearing my raw silk gown in the most vibrant shade of carmine red, to represent home." She's on her feet, teeth flashing as she smiles. "I brought with me a dress my father got from this little shop..."

I quickly tune her out, gaze drifting back out to the mountains.

This ball is important. She needs to make formal introductions to Ezra and Atreus, who she is yet to meet, while navigating a political minefield with the other pack leaders.

I hope they excuse the folly that is our humanity.

It is then my duty to determine which Alpha shows the most interest in her so we can pursue that lead.

We're not off to a good start with Syre. But I have a good feeling about Ezra.

As long as I don't get caught stealing his seal tonight.

I turn to watch the sun as it lowers toward the horizon, spilling rich shades of gold and amber across the floor. It glides over the mountains, which crowd the horizon in massive clusters, white gaps glistening. They dip into a vast, flat valley in the centre that is dotted with lakes and forest clusters.

My heart aches for home. I've never been away from it, from Rory.

He would know what to do about this blackmail. He would encourage me to find who is behind it, to dig out and reveal their true intentions.

So that is exactly what I will do.

And at the same time, I'll get my Princess married.

❤️••❤️

If you want more, you can read up to 10 CHAPTERS head on Inkitt!! Your support over there means so much, and allows me to continue being a writer!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, let me know what you think of Luelle!

~Midika 🐈‍⬛💜