***I finally gave the entire wolf realm a name! Can you find it in this chapter?***

Alastair stood, stoic. He was always stoic. 

"Listen, I don't think this is going to be an easy thing we're going into."

"What do you mean?" he asked.

I bit my bottom lip and looked at him for a moment. I needed him to understand how serious things were without revealing the visions.

"I just have this feeling. I don't know, call it intuition, that something bad is going to happen."

He smiled slightly. "I'm sure things will be fine."

I nodded my head, not pushing it.

"I'm going to find Ashley and the pups."

"Try the nursery," I said, walking away to find my own mate.

I walked toward mine and Edmond's office, stopping at the King's briefly. Popping my head in, I waved to Queen Amelia who sat behind his desk as he lay on his couch. He was grumbling and mumbling something while she nodded her head. She smiled up at me and rolled her eyes.

Our office wasn't too far from the King's. Our desks faced one another at opposite sides of the room. I paused outside the door when I heard muffled voices from within. I tried to eavesdrop but unfortunately, the thick door made it impossible to hear who was with Edmond.

Opening the door, I saw him standing there with Andrew. They looked distraught.

"Andrew? Hi!"

"Majesty."

"Is everything okay?" I questioned.

"Yeah. I think."

"You think?" I asked.

"One of my warriors is sitting with the vampire ambassador to make sure they're okay and adjusting to things here in Selenea. Winter Lake is at least having a fairly cloudy day, but our realm is a lot sunnier than what they're used to."

"Right. So what's wrong?" I asked.

"The ambassador, Valtor Draven, mentioned seeing creatures trying to chase him."

"What?"

"Yes, he described small creatures chasing after him making strange garbled noises that had blow darts," Andrew explained.

I looked at Edmond who nodded his head almost as though he knew what I was thinking.

"The same things that attacked Kallisto? Do we know how long until Reuben is back?"

Edmond sat on the edge of his desk. "Yeah. He should be back by tomorrow. He sent word this morning that he arrived in Loseldoon late last night. King Eamon and Queen Lyra are with him."

"Good." I sat in my chair, leaning back, and rubbed my temples.

How close are we to the battle?

'Closer than you think.'

I sat up and subtly looked toward where the soft voice came from. Diana stood near the window in her glowing glory. Aelfred stood near Edmond. He looked at me and nodded.

Andrew stood there, stroking his chin completely oblivious that our guides, the long-dead king and queen of all Selenea stood there.

'Are we?'

'Yes. There is something in the air. Even the spirit world is on edge.'

"We need to increase security in Winter Lake. We have the vampire ambassador and Princess Kallisto here now and the fairy King and Queen on their way," I said. "I don't want any more attacks happening here in Selenea. Not on our guests, not on our citizens."

"Agreed," Andrew said, nodding.

"I'll send word to the guards to be on high alert and to keep an eye out for these creatures," Edmond added.

"I'll call down the warriors. I can have a few in each pack's territory and more to help with the royal guards."

"I think that's a great idea. Do that."

As we all left the office, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that was creeping up on me. These creatures were not to be underestimated. If it was anything like before, with Hera, they weren't in control of their actions.

Is it the same? Is this Hera? I didn't see her in my visions. She was nowhere to be seen. Who else would have such an issue with all of the mythical creatures in the world?

'There are plenty who do not like mythics.'

'There are?'

Diana and Aelfred nodded their heads. I watched as he walked to her, he grasped her golden glowing hands with his green glowing hands. They smiled at one another and touched their foreheads together.

It was incredible that the mate bond went beyond death and into the spirit realm. Souls that are meant to be together forever.

Diana pulled away first, looking at me. 

'There are a handful of Gods and Goddesses who are the embodiment of anger, hatred, and discord.' She said.

'Who?' Edmond asked.

I glanced at him quickly before diverting my gaze so Andrew wouldn't be suspicious of anything.

'Eris. She's the goddess of chaos and discord. Nemesis is the goddess of retribution and vengeance. Ares, the god of war, is violent and bloodthirsty.' Aelfred said.

'But why attack us?' I questioned.

'If you think about it,' Diana started. 'They're not.'

'What?' I asked.

'Selenea isn't being attacked. Not like when Hera was possessing your sister. They're attacking all the other mythics. Creating chaos.'

She was right. We had not been directly attacked. Everything was happening outside of our realm. 

But why? Why would any of the Gods or Goddesses want to create chaos in the world for no reason? It made no sense.

I stood and looked at Andrew. "Well, I think we have a lot to do and plan. Edmond will speak with the royal guards, you get the warriors, and I will speak with Orsand and Amelia."

We left the office and set off on our missions. Before heading to Orsand's office, I made a pit stop in the kitchen. I knew that snacks would calm Orsand at least a little bit. Most wolves were extra cranky if they didn't have full stomachs.

"Princess Elanor! What can we do for you?" one of the cooks asked, stopping what she was doing to quickly curtsy.

"Could I get a snack for King Orsand and Queen Amelia? Something small."

"Absolutely! I have just the thing!" 

She walked to the walk-in and dug around before coming out with a platter of cheeses and fruits before cutting up some bread and meats.

"Does this work?"

"Oh, it's perfect! Thank you."

"Anything for you, princess."

I smiled and left with my prize, heading back to the King's office. I paused when I heard shouting. Someone was really having at it with someone. I crept down a side hallway till I saw a light coming from under a door. It was one of our guest rooms. 

It was Harmony and Alex's room.

I stood outside the door, eavesdropping. Something I was doing quite a lot it seemed.

"I can't believe you, Alex! Why would you act like that?"

"Stop, Harmony."

"No! You made it sound like Ellie instigated the whole thing with you on purpose."

"She did! She was there! There was no reason she had to be in on the meeting."

"Are you serious?" Harmony yelled. "She's the ambassador to other realms and she's our princess! She has every right to be there! You're going to lose your spot as Alpha if you don't stop!"

"Nobody can touch me. I'm the future Alpha."

"Are you not listening to me, Alex? They can disinherit you! Why are you being like this?"

I heard him let out a low growl. 

"Someone would think that you're jealous and want Ellie."

Alex remained silent. 

"Oh, my Goddess. You do. She's mated with the Prince you idiot! And you're supposed to be my mate!"

"If it wouldn't mean my death, I swear Harmony, I would break our bond!" he screamed.

My eyes grew large as saucer plates when I heard that. Someone was stomping toward the door as Harmony began sobbing. I hurried away, back to the offices with my platter of food, my stomach in knots.

As much of a pain as Harmony could be, she did not deserve a mate like that.