Notes:
   Morgana is missing, Maleficent heads out to right a wrong, and Regina undertakes a dangerous mission, all while Ulrica prepares to make Morgana compliant...
Warnings: smut, mention of past sins, birthing, being ordered to murder pups, implication of torture

   Morning dawned on Whispering Pines, casting a golden glow over the farmland. The Alpha Pack Leader basked in the morning light, pulling his Omega further onto his chest. She shifted in her sleep, subconsciously rubbing up against him, causing his cock to stir in interest.
    Without opening his eyes, Merlin rolled Rose over onto her side, slotting himself behind her, before taking his cock in hand and pushing into her. He began to slowly thrust, causing Rose to lay her head back against him.
    It was only when his knot had filled her that they both awoke fully. "Good morning." Rose teased.
   "Morning, beautiful."
   At that moment, Cenred burst into the room. "Alpha! I need you!"
  Merlin groaned. "What is it, brother?"
  "Morgana's gone missing!"
  "Are you sure, Cenred? Have you checked around the farm? Asked around?"
   "I've been checking all morning!" Cenred cried, desperately. "No one has seen her since last night!"
   Merlin rutted against Rose more forcefully, knowing that his mate was about to... "Merl, we need to find her!" Rose shouted.
   "I know, my love, I know." He whispered against her skin. "We'll be out as soon as we can." Placing a hand on Cenred's shoulder, he added, "We'll find her, brother, this I swear."
                            * * * * *
   "You will go to Whispering Pines and reassure the Alpha Pack Leader that Morgana is safe."
   "What do you want me to say?"
   "Honestly, I couldn't care less. You're clever or so I'm told. Am I wrong?"
   "As you wish." The brunette spit out, bowing her head before turning and leaving the room.
                             * * * * *
    A magnificent, golden carriage pulled by two black stallions parked by the main farmhouse. Out stepped a woman with dark brown hair piled on top of her head, dark eyes, and a kind smile, her figure covered in a deep purple dress with a golden belt.
    Arthur rushed forward, a smile brightening his face as he embraced her. "Lady Helen, it's been awhile."
   Lady Helen smiled, showing off the gap between her front teeth. "It's good to see you, Arthur."
   Merlin walked out into the area where Lady Helen was standing out in the bright sun, Rose standing next to him. "Merlin, dear!" Lady Helen said, throwing her arms around him.
   "It's so good to see you again, Helen." Merlin said with a smile. He gestured to Rose. "Dearest, this is Lady Helen. She's...uh...a friend of the family."
    "What Merlin means is I used to date his grandfather."
    "I thought weres didn't date?" Rose asked in confusion.
    "It sounds nicer than the truth." Helen admitted. "Uther became promiscuous after Ygraine died. He had relations with many weres after that: Vivienne and Gorlois, Catrina and Jonas, Agravaine and each of his mates when they were alive, Dahlia, possibly Aithusa herself, he probably went for Dragoon and Dolma too."
   "What?" Arthur asked, growing angry.
   "I don't understand. What's the significance?" Rose asked.
   Merlin exhaled sharply. "Aithusa was our mother, Kilgharrah our father. Father's parents were Uther and Ygraine. Mother's parents were Dragoon and Dolma and she had a half sister named Dahlia that came from another mother.
   "Uncle Agravaine had two mates--Elizabeth and Laurel--that died in a turf war some years ago, before he came to live with us. Catrina's father was the Alpha Pack Leader of a pack that was allied with ours. Uther tried to mate Catrina years before but Ygraine would not allow it. Jonas is Catrina's servant but I believe they are mates now. And Helen met Uther through her career. She's a singer."
    "Oh that was awhile ago." Lady Helen sighed. "And don't hold animosity towards your grandfather. He did many wrong things but he was broken with Ygraine's passing."
    "I'm sorry if I seem bothered today." Merlin said. "I apologize. So much has been on our minds between a war brewing, trying to gather friends and allies, settling disputes here, and Morgana's gone missing."
    "Everything is forgiven. I know from experience how difficult your job is as Alpha Pack Leader. As for Morgana, she's safe."
    "What do you mean?" Rose asked. "Cenred says she has gone missing."
    "I'm so sorry. That's why I'm here today. I was worried for her safety and that of her pups what with the threat of a war on the horizon. I thought it best that she spend some time with me and Catrina for the next few weeks. Just give her some time to unwind."
    "I wish you would've told me of these plans." Merlin said. "Or at least Cenred. He's been worried sick."
    "I know. Please tell him I'm sorry for taking her without warning." Helen went silent for a beat before saying, "I have to go."
   "Can't you stay? Catrina should be coming to visit soon."
   "No. I'm sorry. I have to go." Helen moved toward her carriage, stopping for a moment to take a look at Rose. "Is this your mate, Merlin?"
   "My true mate, Rose."
   Helen smiled. "You are a beauty, dear."
   With that, she rushed back to her carriage. Moments later, she disappeared over the horizon.
                          * * * * *
    A few hours earlier, Regina stood at the top of a cliff side, looking down at the valley beneath where the members of Wolf Haven were. After Maleficent had told her story, arguments had broken out all over about whether or not to trust her and what to do should she be telling the truth.
    Regina needed a break from all the arguing and noise, as well as a moment to herself to think on her next plan of action. She had learned that there were two weres leading the villains: one creating an army and one in charge of the magical weres. If she could speak to at least the latter of the two, there was a possibility she could find out how Fenrir would come back and prevent it from happening.
   Regina barely moved when she felt a presence beside her. "So...what sort of trouble could the former evil queen be musing?"
    Regina sighed and turned to Maleficent--the real one not the fake one she'd known for years. "I'm not that person anymore."
    "But to do what you're planning, you may need to don that familiar title once more."
    The former queen's dark eyes widened in surprise and she shushed Maleficent quickly. "How do you know about that?"
    "You don't get where I have in this world without learning a thing or two. Don't worry." She pressed a finger to her lips, amusement playing across her features. "But pretending to be what you once were will be tricky."
    "Any more difficult than your own mission?" Regina retorted. "You intend to find Aurora's sisters in some attempt to right your previous wrongs."
    "Very good." Maleficent smirked. "Perhaps it will be difficult but I have no choice. I couldn't save my little beastie but I will not fail her again."
    "Blue will never approve."
    "Who said I wanted the approval of that annoying insect? She's interfered in the lives of so many already. Because of her, Fiona became the Black Fairy, Malcolm became Peter Pan, and Rumplestiltskin became the Dark One."
    Regina nodded. "Without which I never would've become the Evil Queen and who knows how else we would've been affected."
    "Well, I have children to rescue and you have villains to trick into trusting you." Maleficent said, still smirking. "Destiny awaits."
                           * * * * *
    It took some convincing but it was decided that Maleficent could be trusted to save Talia, Rosabelle, and Briar Rose on the condition she bring along help.
                           * * * * *
    "Are you sure this is necessary?" Thomas asked as he watched Ella pack a bag.
   "It's the only way." Ella responded.
                           * * * * *
   "Are you sure you'll be safe?" Philip asked Aurora.
   "I may not trust the woman who was the cause of my father's death and the things that happened to me and my sisters but I'll finally get the family I always wanted." Aurora answered. "How can I say no to that? Besides, we have to make sacrifices for the greater good. That's something everyone in our family understood."
                            * * * * *
    "I feel like we just got reunited and I have to leave you again." Snow said, quietly.
    "It's ok, Snow." David said, taking his mate's hand. "What do I always say? We will always find each other. Besides, now we don't have an evil queen trying to kill us every five seconds. You'll be fine."
                           * * * * *
    "Are you sure this is a good idea?" Shrek--a were from a far away swamp--asked his mate.
    Fiona sharpened an ax blade, loading herself down with daggers. "Is anything, my love?"
    "I know but you just had our third litter of pups."
    "I've never known you to worry about anything." Fiona giggled. "I promise. I'm safer with the princesses than anywhere else right now."
                           * * * * *
    "Goodbye, mother." Neytiri said, giving Sola a hug as she grabbed what she needed.
    "You be safe, dear."
                            * * * * *
    "You're the only two I trust." Sapphira said as she glanced between Carter and Theo, the two weres she grew up with.
   They glanced at each other then at her. "We will run with you."
                            * * * * *
   Aurora, Ella, Snow, Fiona, Neytiri, Sapphira, and her two guards met up with Maleficent who was waiting by the border of Wolf Haven. "Ready? Let's head out."
   Together, the group shifted into their animal forms and headed out.
                          * * * * *
    A figure in a long cloak approached Regina. "You came."
    "Why wouldn't I?" Regina asked, trying to put as much annoyance and distaste in her words as she would've used in the past. "I'm the Evil Queen. Whatever you and your subordinates are doing, I want a part of it."
    "You wish to help us bring back our king?"
    "There used to be order among weres. Too many have allowed themselves to become weak. I want us to be strong again. Now, are you one of the strong or did losing your wings make you weak?"
    "I like her." Gothel said, turning to Anita. "I think she could be useful to us."
    "I'm not so certain." Anita answered. "She's been hanging around Merlin's pack too long and spending too much time with that little flake of Snow that helped turn my daughter against me. How do we know she hasn't sided with them?"
   Regina scoffed. "You may be washed up but I had control of your army for years. I'm the Evil Queen. I bow to no one. Or should I remind you of who I am?"
   "That sounds like a great idea." Anita answered. "Tell you what. Find Maleficent and bring her to us. You're old friends, correct? Convince her to join us. Then, we'll know you're on our side."
    "So what do you say?" Gothel asked, handing Regina a drink. "Are you still a bad girl?"
   Regina drank the shot down quickly, crushing the cup between her fingers. "The worst."
                          * * * * *
   "Are you out of your mind?" Primrose said as soon as Regina told her what had happened during her meeting with Mother Gothel. "You want me to pretend to be my sister so you can gain their trust?"
   "You've done it for years because she asked you to. Can't you do it once for the greater good?" Regina asked, harshly. She quickly realized how rude she sounded and shook her head. "I'm sorry, Prim. That was rude."
    "You don't need to apologize to me, Regina. I understand. You're my only friend and I should've been honest with you from the beginning." Prim sighed. "I don't know if this is the smartest idea, though, old friend."
   "Trust me, Prim. I've been talking to various enemies all over, gaining their trust so they gave me the information I'd need to get to the true villains behind this plan. Yet, after all that, I think Gothel and the wannabe queen are hiding something. I don't think they are the actual leaders of...whatever this is. I have a feeling it's someone else."
   "And you think if I come with you and pretend to be my sister that you'll gain their trust and...what then?"
   "I can get as much information on their plans as possible like who's in charge, how they plan on bringing Fenrir back, why they are doing this, and who else is involved. If we're lucky, we can stop this war before it starts, Prim!"
   "Ok, Regina. Since we are old friends, I will help you, but I don't need to tell you how badly things will go should they ever learn of what we're doing."
    "No worries. Trust me, I know what I'm doing."
                            * * * * *
    "Have you learned your lesson yet, Morgana?" Ulrica asked, sweetly.
    Upon hearing the sounds that came from Morgana's cell, she knew it was time. "Gothel, get your ass over here, now!" She called. She then sent a similar message to Helen.
    Gothel was beside Morgana in seconds. "It's time, milady. She's gone into labor."
   "Shift and start pushing." Ulrica commanded.
   "I am pushing, you bitch!" Morgana screamed, shifting into her wolf mere seconds later.
   Gothel sat beside her, guiding her through the process until five pups with different mixtures of brown, black, white, and tan were born, three boys and two girls.
   Gothel dabbed Morgana's head with a wet washcloth. "You did well. Rest now."
   "That'll be all, Gothel. Off with you." Ulrica commanded.
   Mother Gothel did as she was commanded. As she left, Lady Helen arrived.
   "Finally you show up!" Ulrica said.
   Morgana had shifted to human and was attempting to crawl to where her pups were left just out of reach. "Please, Ulrica," she begged, "give me my pups. Let me hold them. Let me feed them."
   "Take them." Ulrica said, gathering them into a basket and handing it to Helen. "Kill them."
   "No!" Morgana screamed.
   "Kill pups?" Helen asked. "How?"
   "Strangle them. Drown them. I don't care how you do it! Just do it!"
   "But why?"
   "Fenrir is returning, a war is coming. They are of no use to us. The father wolf will give us far more of far more use to us. We will rebuild but to do that, we must be rid of any weakness."
    Helen's gaze flickered to the woman she had thought of as a daughter, seeing how sad and pathetic she looked, begging for her pups' lives. Then she made a decision: she would save them and raise them herself until she could find a way to free Morgana.
    With a bow, she responded, "As you wish."
    She left the room. Ulrica turned to Morgana and grabbed her, pulling her to a spot in the middle of the room, shackling her leg to a chain that was attached to a metal disk in the center of the room.
    With that, she waved her hand and hundreds of mandrake roots were attached to the ceiling. "What comes next won't be pretty so I suggest you learn quickly who's side you're on."
   "FUCK YOU!" Morgana spat. "I will never betray my family and I will never trust you!"
   Ulrica smirked before slapping Morgana across the face. "Oh trust me, all of you learn at some point."
   Standing, she left the room, locking the door behind her.
                           * * * * *
   Regina and Primrose stood at the spot they were told to meet Mother Gothel and Anita. "You came." Anita crowed.
   "And you brought Maleficent with you!" Mother Gothel said, impressed.
   "So she did." Said a third were, this one in a black dress and mask. "Congratulations, Regina. You and your friend are about to take part in a noble cause.
    "Let me introduce myself: I'm Ulrica, Queen of Weres and the one who will bring our dear king back."