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Healer Rhea's POV

It was always at the forefront of Rhea's mind that a male's inability to control a situation would cause the world to burn.

And unfortunately, it had been her father's unruly downfall as well.

A brutal lesson that doing the right thing could look to be the worst from another's perspective. But seeing the traitors amongst the group, wolves and humans alike, trying to reign hell—Roaring their displeasure—Had Rhea soaking in the energy.

"Order! Order!" Wilhelm attempted, eyes flickering before shaking his head in damnation. Not believing how things could crumble and fall, but seeing Rhea enjoying the sight had him chuckle.

But there was more in her eyes, the suggestive tint that screamed at him to settle the matter down.

Did she—She plan to use the favors now?

Bless be, my mate is kind and terrifying all at once. Romulus whispered out to their inactive bond, hoping that the time would come soon when she could respond.

"Silence!" The King roared, and thus, the crowd had gone just that. Though the tempered glares and suggestive torments were all circulating in their minds that it nearly caused Romulus to unhinge his beast from his slumber.

"Since you are all acting like children, I suppose I will enact it now. And no, I won't be placing it on standardized testing, Ganon. I plan to win that fairly." It had settled some tension, but not all. Not when her body had switched over to the King.

"It's come to my attention that this court is missing something, something that would equal the balance of voting—Thirteen is not a smart number, it means it rules for a majority. And with everyone building and building upon favors, it's a habit that we need to break." Perhaps the dread had finally outworn their beating hearts, or they were suppressed by the Alpha's calling.

Ether or.

"An even court shifts if one of us is allotted out, so I make this promise as such—Alpha King Romulus Tirean, son of the late Alpha King Randal...Will you marry me under the negotiation that our King needs a Queen Luna?" It had been the perfect ploy, to hold these males by the scruff of their necks and bait them with such a statement.

But the King had all but leaned forward.

"And why should I want you as my Queen, Lady Rhea?" He was toying with her, smirking up a storm as he was enjoying every passing moment this continued.

"I believe together we could do many a great things, find the balance of wolves and humans alike. Which is what your father attempted in his reign. Something that I think this court has forgotten about." It had been a fair argument, one he knew that Wilhelm was silently grinning like a small child at the prospect being laid before him on a silver platter.

Literally.

And there was simply nothing the court could do to rule out or object. Instead, it had been Mithwell who turned to the end of the table. "This is beyond words, we cannot allow this to happen! My King—"
"If my court agrees it is a fair idea, then who am I to judge?" Was the consensus he provided, but since the majority were in debt with whatever Rhea decided, it left those who did not speak against her that were left as their savior.

"But she did not get a full court! Or Advisor Wilhelm!"
"Oh? Are you speaking for me, Sir Mithwell? As a matter of fact, I will be the first to support this union. Lady Rhea, you have my vote and support. You will make a fine Queen." She tilted her head in her thanks before her eyes narrowed directly off towards the rest of her opposing side.

"Kieran! Drex! Say something!" Morris hissed, the panic starting to settle in kindly—But Drex had all but leaned back and smiled. "Oh? And what could you possibly give me in return?"

While the question had landed to Morris, the male had remained silent, stumped as to what a General could possibly want, which caused another voice to throw in an offer. "Land! Gold! My daughter—Anything!" Mithwell begged, begged!

"Even in desperation, I wouldn't take a glass of water from your beloved daughter if I was dying of heat. Lady Rhea, you have been a blessing to this court—You've shown your strength and ability to lead a room of males, no matter if the cruelty they have shown you. You have my vote." It had been settled, though the last stake any at all had in the pot was Kieran, who was offered anything and everything.

Wealth, females, pups, land—The works.

But all he had done was allow his smile to grow wide and give himself the proper moment of laughter. "I will digress on the matter that I hate every single one of you to no end, but the fact that you are all so willing to disagree when someone good comes to take the throne worries me. Lady Rhea, you have my blessing as well. Long may you reign."

The commotion had started in many forms, one with a chair—One with the table flipped over that somehow Clive had managed to snatch his notes in the nick of time had been a blessing.

Since Ray's was now soaked with what appeared to be wine from Richard's chalice. But Rhea had remained ever so calm as she took to the chaos showcase around her.

Neither Drex nor Kieran were a worry about whose side they would choose, not when they were formally invited to the wedding in the previous nights.

Instead, Rhea had smiled off to her King, a still unofficial title of fiancee—But considered her husband to those that mattered as it was given under oath.

"Lady Rhea, would you please join me?" It startled the crowd, but did not negate her movements as she had taken the courageous steps from her seat and made her way to the throne's landing.

Romulus, ever the kind gentleman, had met her halfway and escorted her into the throne itself. Her throne, to be exact.

And when she was finally seated, Romulus had taken to standing idly by with a grin ever so wide on his hands. "I will accept Lady Rhea's proposal, given by the court's ruling—And by default, I believe my Queen has another favor from Mithwell...?"
"That has expired long—"
"When I am married and crowned, I want this entire court to be updated on the rules and regulations. Had you known better, Mithwell, my kidnapping, and illness do not qualify as time exempt. So in technicality, I still have a favor to ask. So here it is, change your stance on standardized testing for the next courting hearing. Yours as well, Morris, since you were under favor for an ill-appropriate comment." Rage like no other had weaved its way through Mithwell's gaze, but under the careful watch of Romulus, a growl emerged.

"Careful, Mithwell—Your comments are being directed to your future Queen. Any threats, verbal or in jest, will not be accepted." Suddenly a wall of protection had been granted over Lady Rhea, one that she was not accustomed to so far away from the Red Moon pack.

"When can we expect the wedding?" Richard grumbled out, and Rhea looked up to her newly placed fiancee and husband with a perk of her lips. "Undecided. A new date will be put together by the end of the week." Romulus announced before Rhea could place in anything else, had they shared a bonded link, he could warn her about the possibility of sabotage.

Though, perhaps she was already preparing for that outcome regardless.

"Well, in the grand scheme of it all, perhaps a human on the throne will be useful," Edmund suggested, and it seemed to cause the agreement to humans while also angering the wolves further—

"How could you dismiss the Kingdom's she-wolves for her! My King, you could have disagreed—"
"But what fun would that be, when Lady Rhea is already actively involved with all of this?" It had been the final straw, on Mithwell's behalf at the very least, clearly, he possesses more sway than just the ability to kidnap and hide away.

"And what business did she have in your bed?!"
"My bed, oh you are mistaken, I wouldn't make Lady Rhea move. I went to hers—Wilhelm, I believe it's time to properly end this meeting. Grievances will be left to deal with in the next meeting as I have a wedding to plan with my lovely bride...Is that the correct term?" The question had come in as a whisper to Rhea, and she simply smiled up at him, completely adoring his attempts to be accurate in the human customs.

It was difficult to leave the throne, but after witnessing the males charging for the door in complete disarray, Rhea knew that it was a perfect outcome.

"They will try something...I didn't want to rush, Rom, but I believe we must." With only five members of the room remaining, it was Wilhelm who started to gape at the nickname Rhea had allowed slip.

Though this time, a smile had returned. "I second that, m-my King...Lady Rhea is popular in many circles, the wrong ones especially. Might I suggest a similar theme to the ball you created?" She did find herself liking it, but as Kerian and Drex found their way forward, as well as Clive and Ray—Nearly half of the wedding guests from before had found their way forward.

"My mate and daughters would be of some assistance as well, Lady Rhea."
"And you will be well protected in the meantime, I will assign personal guards...With the King's permission." With a sanctioned bow, it had been established that their group was secure, and Rhea looked forward to it.

"I suppose all is well on this forefront—I was hoping for an outcome when the King was found where he was."
"Oh? And what do you suppose we were up to, Wilhelm?" Embarrassment was not Rhea's forte, so she bounced it in return as the elder male had soon turned red from the tips of his ears to the better half of his neck.

"Er—In a compromised position?"
"Wilhelm," Romulus growled, and the Advisor had ducked his head down. Muttering his apology outright, but Rhea soon laughed it off.
"As entertaining as that would be, you're fine, Wilhelm. That was a very innocent night. Foolish as we were, drinking the wine." Rhea instated, gazing up at her husband—The worry in her mind had all but vanished as she felt not only love and comfort but secure as well.

Rhea couldn't recall the last time she felt this safe.

It meant the world to her that while Wilhelm hadn't been her biggest supporter when she first arrived, he had ended up being the first in the court to vocalize his backing.

Though credit was due in terms of Drex and Keiran, though they would not be forgotten.

"Well, we will have an exciting few weeks ahead of us...It will be best to announce it today and follow up soon with a date. Other Kingdoms will surely want to attend." Keiran introduced, but all eyes had turned to the King—Who inadvertently started to gaze around the room.

"My court has turned into thieves and liars, we will announce it soon and start preparations straight away...Drex, I want your best Enforcers to keep Rhea protected until the day. She isn't to be left alone." While she had started to pout, it was clear that both Clive and Ray seemed relieved that they wouldn't be alone in keeping an eye on her.

Soon enough, the room had been released, though Rhea had promised to go straight to the Healer—Even her males were shocked by her admission to following his request, but she hid her annoyance with a smile and decided to head onward.

A rush of a headache was bound to occur if she thought about just how much the others were begging, pleading, and bargaining for the two final Council members to sway the vote.

But two votes against the rest of the room wouldn't have persuaded the King, but it would have called for a returned meeting if the courtroom called for it. Though Rhea hardly believed that anyone in the room knew about proper edict of that nature.

After visiting the Healers, she was set to return to her lounge room, as she had decidedly started to call it, given that it was best for her to remain in one area and surrounded by guards than move from place to place.

That way, Romulus knew where she was at all times, in addition to the fact that it meant she could buckle down on her most important project yet. Her wedding.

By the gods, she hadn't been prepared for such an exciting meeting, but the rush of excitement had all but vanished as she saw the last person she wished to see storming directly toward her.

"Rhea—"
"Let her speak, she is bound to get herself in trouble." She replied to Ray's warning, but he was hardly in a position to disagree.

Though it did give him a bit of support knowing that trained Enforcers were well on Rhea's tail.

"How dare you! Come into my castle and steal my mate!"
"Your mate? Surely, you must be mistaken." She chided, but Mariah had hissed once more—Her dress coming into contact with her enlonged nails, ones that were already posing a threat and causing Ray to take hold of the handle of his sword in the instant.

"Mistaken?! How would a human know about the beauty of having a mate?! You're worthless, weak—"
"And you're simple-minded and arrogant. Are you finished? I have too many important things to get done before our grand day." That is all Rhea said, ending the comment right then and there, though stepping off to the side of Mariah had been a mistake, onto that resulted in a fist full of her hair being grabbed.

The yank itself was painful, but the reward had been utterly worth it. As Rhea had taken the blunt end of her cane and whacked Mariah straight across the cheek. The statue hit the better half of her jaw.

Or, in the proper description, the silver decal connecting with her skin.

It was an odd reaction, when silver touched the skin of a wolf. She had witnessed it so many times before, but the sizzling pop that pure silver had managed was already leaving a well-designed mark.

The scream was futile, as Mariah's guards had come forward to meet with the Enforcers being called directly.
"Lady Rhea!" A voice called out, and damn it all, of course, it had to be a new Enforcer at a moment like this.

Though in all honesty, she was shocked that Mariah's guards had even dared touched her to begin with. Apprehending her of her cane and holding her by either of her wrists.

"By order of the King, you are hereby arrested for touching Lady Rhea—!"
"She whacked me!" Mariah cried, and Rhea had all but touched the root of her hair and discovered a drop of blood.
Indicating that the bitch truly had made first contact.

The male had called in for backup, creating orders to take Lady Mariah to an investigation room to be questioned. But there was little be done, as her guards were not as high ranked in the Kingdom as an Enforcer was.

In addition to the fact that Lady Rhea was now under complete and utter protection by the King himself. Which was now starting to have its own downfall, given that there was a roar at the end of the hall.

Causing her to groan.

"It is best to wait for the King, Lady Rhea." The Enforcer offered, and her body deflated as she nodded in agreement, knowing that Romulus was most likely in a sort of panic—Would it be worse now that there was blood involved?

The whole confrontation was starting to give her a head rush, so what better way to distract her. "What is your name?"
"M-my name?" She nodded, and the male fought through his choking stutter as he tried to respond. "W-Walter, Lady Rhea."
"Ah, Walter. I'm sorry we met under this circumstance. Trouble likes to follow me." Before the Enforcer could even think to respond, the King had made his first appearance, and the poor male was stuck with the consequences.

To the point where he dropped to the floor with head low— "I—I'm sorry sir! I was just informed that I will be guarding Lady Rhea."
"It doesn't matter, I will be questioning my General's decision on—" The shiver that Walter had produced had caused Rhea to place a hand onto her husband's chest.

This was not the time to lash out.

"My King, Sir Walter didn't know what his job entailed—Nor did either of us know what sort of games Mariah would be up to. I'm alright." Rhea pleaded, but Romulus had made an exasperated huff. "You're bleeding!"
"And as I recall, that isn't Walter's fault. So how about we call on Councilman Mithwell and face the real issue, before making a new one." Romulus licked his chops and snarled down at Walter, not liking to be told that he was in the wrong.

But his wolf and the anger that followed had resided—Given that the mere scent of Rhea's blood was driving him into a frenzy, yet that had soon turned to target Mariah.

"Tomorrow, my King. Let her stew in a holding cell. She's still a daughter of a councilman, but even that won't sway the judge or jury." She reminded, her head placed gently on his shoulder before sliding to his chest.

"And executioner?"
"Don't tempt me." Was it cruel to think of that possibility? That ending Mithwell and his daughter with a single order could prevent a whole line of other dangers to enter their lives?

The answer was simple—Mithwell had kidnaped and left Rhea neglected by her own illness to die. There were times throughout the day that she felt a pulse of pain, that her body hadn't forgotten what it felt like.

Even after all the healing it has achieved thus far.

"I'll escort you to the Healer for them to take a look at it," Romulus suggested, and Rhea was far too deep in thought to make a comment to claim that she has already visited them once today. Truly, how could she even begin to start a reign when there were so many liars amongst the courts?

No, their wedding would not be subjected to another attack, nor could they allow them to stand any longer. "Is Markus still around?"
"I believe so, yes. Last I heard he was still healing from his integration." That was more news that Rhea did not want to hear, that her ally had been falsely accused by Drex, though in full honesty, it did permit the fact that Markus had remained diligent and aware of the situation and only shared when he realized what dangers she was in.

He and Drex had been a turning point in finding where she had gone.

"Good, I want to speak with him after seeing the Healer."
"Any reason why?"
"We need to reshape our court."
"I agree, but that takes time and—Rhea, what is it you're planning?" It was as if he was asking that question every other beat of his heart. Though this time, the devious smile was an invitation to plot.

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Date: 07/21/23

Time: 11:25

Words: 3259

Author's Note:

Mariah might have made her last mistake...
Alright, that wraps up tonight's updates, I hope you're all doing well and perhaps I'll post some more tomorrow if I have the chance!

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