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Healer Rhea's POV

Rhea's heart ached, and not in a good way. Course, there had been a written apology hand delivered by Cedric. But she had resented her words of releasing him from his duties as a personal guard.

And thus, ended immediate contact.

This was exactly what Rhea did not want, to have the survivors of the Rogue King make a secluded area of the pack. But with last night's visitor causing a ruckus, and that male being the Alpha of the pack, things were far too unsettled for her to even try to get out of bed.

No, she felt sick to her stomach—In addition to the side effects of her bi-weekly tonic.

Even now, as the sky was settling to calming and cool tones, Rhea still felt no need to get up. The only thing she could feel strength in doing was eating the smallest portions to be able to take her tonics.

But even then, she was wondering if there was ever a point, that the trials she's faced were worth it.

Perhaps I should've just burned away when given the chance. It was cruel that things were turning in this way, but damn it all, how was she meant to feel?

It was naive to think an Alpha would want her.
It was also naive to think she could leave the Rogue King's grasp without any leftover damage.

Was this the reaction that everyone had been waiting on?

Rhea had been the shoulder for dozens of members, making time to spend with each and every member and working toward a wonderful future.

For Osmin, it was the reason why he and Lillian refused to allow her to live alone.
Why her males didn't take the opportunity to manage a bit of separation, no, everyone was on edge when this was meant to happen.

And here she was, feeling the utter downfall to surviving.

Yet Lillian had not allowed for this sort of moping. Not one damn bit, even if everyone begged her to leave Rhea alone—It had lasted up until ten minutes after dinner had been placed before her.

And she had already taken her small nibbles, but it still twisted up her stomach that she was afraid to eat any more than she had.

"Rhea! This is awful behavior, no one has heard from you all day!" Lillian shouted, pounding on the other side of the door. And when she was given no response, it had swung open—And a very pregnant and very livid witch had come forward at the foot of her bed with her hands on her hips.

At any other time, Rhea would laugh at how misplaced her stomach made the stance, but there was no push to make such a comment.

"Rhea—"

"No point."

"Course there's a point. Rescheduling your pamphlet will only set things back, there are people waiting on your answers and wisdom." It earned Lillian a pointed stare, one that was dull and did not wavier the same motivation it had in the last coming weeks. "Sweetheart—"

"It's no point—No point in hiding behind academics or a need to feel needed." The witch sighed, this was more than a heartbreak, it was a coming of title. Perhaps Rhea was content with her life in a small one-room shack. But now she was involved with so many members day to day that it suddenly became overwhelming.

Not to mention that the wolf she loved had ripped her heart and squashed it, all in less than a year.

"Rhea, you are much better a person than that wolf could even manage." She whispered, coming to sit right beside her knees and taking to soothing her side, cautious of her wound.

"He said it himself, I'm a worthless Queen."

"He was drunk, surely—"

"Drunk words are sober thoughts. And besides, I am a worthless queen, I'm a Queen of utterly nothing." Lillian, being so open to the emotions lingering in the room had wiped away her tears to the side and offered up another smile.

"You saved so many lives with your bravery. You allowed Osmin and I the chance we only dreamed of. I don't see that as being pointless or worthless."

"So how awful is it that my downfall is from a male I trusted for a good chunk of my life?" Perhaps Lillian didn't know the finer details of Stephan, but she didn't need to. Everyone would face heartbreak now and again, but that was nothing to dwell on—And Rhea needed this type of support.
This type of female support.

If anything, it was that motherly comfort that Rhea was craving.
Something that she was unfamiliar with.

So together, they shed tears about their lives, daydreaming about what things were meant to be like. A Queen of a former kingdom and a Witch that should've been involved with her birth coven.

Yet the world had worked its way into things, and there was doubt in the cosmic plan.

"At least take a walk outside with Osmin?... You've managed to worry so many, goddess—You'd think they're the ones who caused it, they all look guilty." With a quick rub of her eyes and making the effort to sit up. Things were starting to feel much less pathetic as she cleared her face from the day's sadness and changed.

Even if she would be heading to sleep within the next hour or so after the walk, it did not matter. Nothing mattered as she needed to get over this hurdle, and after the help, Rhea looked back and scolded Lillian for trying to change her sheets.

"I want you comfortable, damnit, so get going and I don't want to see you for at least an hour or more. Even if you're sitting on the damn porch, you're banished from the room." It had taken Rhea longer than usual to get into the hallway and tackle the staircase, and in doing so, she sounded like another female that was just as cautious.

"Lil—How did it go?"

"Fairly well, now who is taking me on a walk?" Rhea said, but her smile did not meet her eyes. With Osmin at the bottom of the staircase and the rest of her dutiful males at the table, all of them had hurried to join her—Though it was Dane who was already at the front door holding it open.

"Lead the way, milady." Rhea rolled her eyes and hummed along as she took hold of Ray's offered arm and took the first steps out for the day.

It felt strange, of course, that her body wasn't used to the sudden chill from the wind—Given that she had the comfort of her bed and the warmth of her blankets.
"So, how was your day?" She segwayed, hoping that they could distract her. That they did, and it was that endearing moment when they spoke about their own excitements and goals.

Not that she hadn't before, but it was a new outlook, that she didn't have to accomplish so much and deserved a break. That is what she would be doing, taking a vacation of some sort.

She didn't doubt that Lillian would agree.

Since Rhea was not built for such a long type of walk, the males decided for her to circle around the property. It was just enough where they could greet those actively moving about, and of course, it did mean that there were a few sit-downs and discussions. But nothing about work, nothing in the realm of projects and such.
Instead, it was just a meaningless conversation, and Rhea truly couldn't breathe any easier than she was now.

"Perhaps we should do this more often, Rhea. You cannot keep going twenty-four-seven." Gilroy offered, but she let out a laugh to the skies. "You're right, even if my legs are burning." That had popped the males into overdrive as Dane instantly went ahead to pick her up.

"A good burn! Goddess, please, Lillian will go nuts if she sees you carrying me back home." Osmin defended Dane's reaction, yet upon rounding to the house, there was an abrupt roar that caused the Alpha instinct in the wolf to bounce and hurry to his den.

To his mate and unborn pup.

Rhea's hold tightened over Dane's shoulders as they slowed their pace in worry. But she managed to wrangle out of his hold and return to the decided pace. "Rhea—"

"Something is wrong..." She croaked, and goddess if it was Stephan returning, then there was no reason for Lillian to suffer by himself.

However, the warning yells and responding shouts had spooked the entire section and any passing byers.

"We are under direct orders from the King to enter this premise!" The growl was a promise that there was no room for persuasion, and as Rhea came closer she managed her way through before she stood in front of her home. "I would like to see the court order then, sir." She dictated, and the male huffed.

"Are you the mistress of this manor?"

"I believe I asked for an order, until I see such, then I do not have answer a damned thing." Perhaps it was a blessing that she knew the inner fineries of the laws and their standings, as it surprised both he and the others surrounding him.

However, when she eyed those in their Enforcer uniforms, she spotted the very two that she met prior.
The ones that aided her when she was attacked—Marrow and... Petilo was it?

Goddess, even her reaction to their appearance had caused an abrupt stop of her heart as she continued to stand her ground. But there were still tells in her expression that suggested that she recognized them.

Petilo had turned to Marrow and thus, they had come forward and nodded their head in a polite greeting, but Rhea had bit her tongue and remained impassive. "Good evening, ma'am...Are you the mistress of this manor?"

"I am the mistress of this property, what is it you are looking for?" With the buckling sound of an incoming carriage, Petilo smirked and allowed it to remain as he returned back to gaze upon Rhea. "It is not a what, but a who."

This had allowed a moment for Osmin to bring Lillian to the porch and settle her into a seat, while Rhea's males had weaved their way through and managed a bit of separation and protection.

Though it did perk up Marrow's attention.

"I can promise you, everyone who lives on my property are well mannered and behave. Whatever the issue is. I can assure you, I will handle it." Rhea remained as passive as possible, but she knew that these two knew very well who she is.

"A wonderful upgrade from the shack we visited earlier this year..." Marrow whistled, eyeing the neighboring houses, and all but confirmed her recognition and theirs.

Yet it did nothing but raise her males' suspicions, especially when the carriage had finally been placed and two bodies had come forward. The smallest of the two had held the door open and remained in the back, but the one phrase had caused her to choke.

"My King..." It had been a split-second decision and Dane had already been in the movement to tell Rhea to run, and she did exactly that.
Hurrying into the house past Osmin and Lillian who were now on their feet and hissing their words of panic.

Goddess, Rhea never felt more rushed or vulnerable all at once.
And it didn't take much of an effort for the closest guards to knock her down—Causing a howl of pain to course through her, erupting every part of her body that she attempt to ease into.

Yet it was to the point where she couldn't speak, not when her dress was already soaking through the bindings as though it was the very day the Rougue King had stabbed her.

With her wrist pressed against the lower half of her back and her face pressed into the gravel just beside the front steps of her manor, she only allowed a hitched breath to escape her lips—Perhaps the pain thumping in her head would allow her a peaceful rest.

Perhaps this is where she would finally die.

Rhea truly believed that the pain had been at its limit when she was knocked down, but being hauled back to unsteady feet only to be forced down to her weakened knees with her arms held by either Enforcer, all Rhea could see her males at sword point.

She had run and left her men for a promising death.
No, she could not allow this, she was thankful to be caught.
Rhea knew that she would never beg for her own life, only for the King to be merciful and not hurt the others.

And with how the Enforcers were holding her without any room for escape, the truth was out and about, even when she looked to both Marrow and his partner—Rhea knew that they were the ones that had outed her.

But she couldn't place the blame on a wolf doing their duty.

So as the King came forward, plowing his way through the Enforcers who were now holding down the majority of Rhea's closest allies—There was no room for a mistake or escape...But perhaps there was room for conversation.

Even if Osmin was doing his best to become physical with the beasts. It was quite easy to undermine him, given the fact that his greatest weakness was right there for the taking, and heavily pregnant.

A male had cleared their throat, but Rhea truly did not need an introduction. Not when, for the first time in over a decade, her eyes locked onto the glorious grey hues of Romulus Tirean.
The Alpha King.

With a quick tilt of her chin, she showed no slight in determination and willfulness. Even when a tear had fallen down her cheeks in tandem, as the pain was starting to become a bitter reminder that this will all be over soon.

Her eyes lingered on his for all but a moment, but goddess, with the time apart they had both entered into adulthood with more wear and tear than what they were meant to.
Rhea heard the rumors that the King was a seasonal wolf, and that could too claim to the many battles and challenges he's won.

But some scars were never meant to heal, and thus, one took up the majority of his face—An uneven scratch. Yet Rhea could hardly be a judge of looks, given her position and own short dealings.

"It appears you've traded in one name for another. Isn't that right, Healer?" It was a taunt, bright as day. But the way Hawes had panicked and tried his best to speak and move was all for not.

And Rhea couldn't help but try to play the part of the limited Healer.

"I'm sorry sir, but I can only work in the light...If-if it's urgent, then I can try to—" Romulus had growled lowly, wondering cruelly if Rhea truly could not recognize him.

He had been a boy, after all.
A pup.

"The only thing you can do for me, is share your truths. Isn't that right, Queen Amory?" To hear him say her birth name had caused her stomach to turn, even as he came forward to bend down and meet her at eye level, as if he wanted to burn her face to memory.

Perhaps it was childish, but Rhea had nearly threatened to smile, thinking that this was the same male who had snuck into bed with her because he was afraid of the crack of thunder and lightning that echoed throughout their wing of the palace.

His eyes had dulled since then, and not in a kind way.

There had been a clearer roughness as she was shoved forward to offer the King an answer, but Romulus halted his Enforcer's next movements as he turned back towards Marrow.

"You told me she has burns?" The question had diminished any and all confidence. Not when her gown had been pulled for all to see her permeant injuries. And the betrayal had caused her to look directly at the two wolves that she thought were kind.

Again. It was rather naive to think they would keep her secrets, this was their King, their Alpha—She was a simple Healer, though their uncomfortable shifts had certainly spoken volumes. Especially when Romulus' curious hand had started at her neck and trickled down to both her arm and upper breast.

The feeling in the skin there had been long lost, but the idea of the King touching her caused her to flinch.
Ultimately making his hand retract. "Amory, you'll do me the honor of—"

"I will do nothing of the sort, sir. I don't know you or what you plan to accomplish here. But I ask you to be quick and swift about it. Leave my people out of this." Rhea hissed, and Romulus found the will to smirk.

"Quick and swift of what, my Queen?" The words had been velvet and sweet, but it only caused her tears to burn even louder in her eyes. And within a blink, she had been unaware that he had cupped her cheek with the same smile still playing on his face.

Even now, she felt the childish safety of those familiar eyes, and if she truly focused, she could remind herself that she wasn't in front of her home—But in the castle, before the war had come to an end.

"Amory, do me the honor of taking back what was once yours." It was a play to continue using her birth name, and it continued to cause her an unnerved reaction, that it was unholy—That she no longer felt like the young girl she once was.

Amory was long dead.
And in her place was a shell of a Healer that was being threatened just an hour after being convinced that her survival was worth something.

With Romulus shifting for a moment, he had offered a wrapped gifted from his inner pocket and pushed aside the fabric to reveal a dagger. And not just any dagger, but the one Rhea had foolishly lost that faithful night.

From what she remembered, it had seen better days, but here it looked as though it had been restored and cleaned. And as she took hold of the handle, a thought appeared in her mind.

Did he mean for her to kill herself?
To save the bloodshed over his men and realm?

She knew, from a political standpoint, it would save him the rioting if he allowed this to be swept under the rug.
That it remained as a rumor and nothing more.

As Romulus leaned forward and place a willing kiss on her temple, Rhea truly could not fathom a thought before he turned a stepped aside. Silently ordering the Enforcers about, but none had moved from their stationed positions in holding down her males or Osmin, who was still seething into the dirt.
His gaze completely blackened as his wolf was moments from shifting and coming to defend his mate.

Yet here Rhea was, feeling utterly weightless as both Enforcers didn't allow for any more defiance on her part.
 But she was truly baffled that Romulus would do this to her, to bring her out into the fray.

Would he make it a spectacle?
Would he make her walk all the way to the Kingdom as she begged for death?

Considering she had hardly made it around her properly, she was likely to fall long before they make it out of Red Moon?

"R-Rhea!" Dane yelled, her males still trying to escape their captives, but it was pointless. Even when she shook her head and tried to get them to see reason, to not risk anything as there was no point.

At the last moment, she had gripped her cane as she was pushed rather roughly towards the carriage that Romulus had come from. Yet she had been utterly struck by how the King took the lead and opened the door.

When she had been shoved inside without much of a warning, the door had closed off behind her as she sucked in a painful breath while Romulus berated the two once more.

In a moment of privacy, the sob had come whether she liked it or not. Even as she tried to get her cane from underneath herself, her body rang with pain that made the task even more challenging.

Just as she managed to pull herself up and onto the cushioned seat, she nearly choked at the fact that these were her parent's carriage and the paint had hardly managed to cover over her royal insignia.

How fitting.

Romulus had come in swiftly just as the wagon had lurched forward, and she was left with the howling of her men. Rhea was hopeful that they would go to Stephen, that they would try to persuade the court otherwise.

Perhaps if she revealed her pen name, all would fair better. But upon taking the first look at Romulus, the wolf had lost his stoic glare and seemed to relax—After a couple of breaths and sighs.

"Please, my males have done nothing wrong except protect me..." His eyes turned to focus back on her and she nearly flinched that she had not held her ground more professionally.
She noted the surprise on his face, the way that he had risen from his slouch, and nodded.

"No harm will come to them, they were simply in my way." It hadn't discouraged her, not when she could still hear their shouts of damnation, shaking each time they picked up until finally...

They ceased.

______

Date: 06/12/23

Time: 9:55

Words: 3638

Author's Note:

Reunited but Rhea is still thinking the worst!

Perhaps not the best way to hold a reunion but Romulus did his best😂