Lora got out of bed early, shivering in the nude. She changed into her wolf form and shook herself, letting the cold chill run through her fur. She changed back to her human form and looked out the window, pulling back the curtain. The entire forest was just a white blanket. The way the snow dripped over the trees, houses, and cars in the quiet suburb, it all looked like they were snuggled with love and care.
Aticus stirred in the bed but didn't awake. It was still too early, about four. These meetings were mandatory and more and more of them were taking place. The ambushed was scheduled to take place within just a month.
After she was dressed, Lora walked to her son's room. She kissed him on the head. Lora would try and talk to the Alpha when he is by himself. Try to get through to him what Aticus warned her of: they would not win this war.
She walked with the other Alphas in the darkness and still of the morning. They spoke nothing even when it was informed the spy had been killed by the princess. They didn't understand how a human could be quick enough to have time to shoot the wolf. Many were starting to think Aticus was the reason.
They all knew about the affair but said nothing. They allowed Aticus to continue and they didn't belittle Lora as a result of her Omega's actions. Aticus was apart of the plan without knowing she was. Of course, her Alpha wouldn't tell her.
Their boots crunched the snow when they go to the local library to have their meeting in the conference room. The Alpha was already in the meeting, pacing back and forth. The Alphas gathered in, not all the Alphas of the small community, the high ranking ones.
"Sit, sit, let's go!"
The Alphas sat with their dampened clothes. No suits, no ties, just blue jeans, lumber jackets, black boots. The wolf communities of this countries were very much blue color and though they weren't the wealthiest, they had the biggest dreams.
"I spoke to Doureena Apex of Red Woods Springs of Canas. You know, that pack is amazing. They've been so strong so long. They managed to chase everyone away-"
'Yeah, everyone but the humans', Lora thought.
The Alpha walked around the room. "Our greatest commander will lead our units to success. We will overrun the capital and take this country."
The Alphas clapped even Lora so as to blend in. But after the meeting was over, she stayed behind as she so often did to go over the war plans.
She sat in her chair swirling around just as the Alpha closed the door. He took his chair and sat beside Lora, slapping his thighs. He had the biggest grin on his face as he playfully punched Lora in the shoulder.
"You ready?" You asked.
"Yes," Lora said and it was true. She was in fact ready. She didn't say anything more allowing the Alpha to raise his eyebrow.
"But..."
"You take your que from Red Woods?" Lora asked. She leaned forward on the table, crossing her left leg. She tapped the table.
The Alpha held his owned and confirmed he did.
"Red Woods Alphas have yet to win against humans."
She watched the color drain from his face and he began to stutter a bit. Eventually he got up with his hands on his hips. He turned back to Lora.
"We will be different-"
Lora stood up and rolled her eyes. "Alpha, come on now." She appoarched and got closer to him. In a whisper, she said, "We can stop this now and save face."
The Alpha's mouth tighten, becoming small. He shook his head and lowered it. "I can't. We were promised wealth, an ally with Red Woods."
Lora back away from her Alpha. She bite her thumb finding to think of something. It was too late now. She needed to think of her wife and her son. She turned back to her Alpha. "Let us do the best we can." Hope was their last option and that was enough to send a smile to the Alpha
The King and Princess walked with one another in the cold iced over garden. Their goats wrapped around their bodies like blankets. Petun would have liked to see some life in the garden but when you live in a country of snow all year round then one becomes accustomed to death.
Her father pointed to a bench for them to sit on. They wiped off the snow and proceeded to sit. Petun took out her pipe so as to start playing. Her father liked listening to her play, he enjoyed seeing the rats come out and interact with them. It was such a symbiotic relationship the royal family and the rats had. When she was done, her father sighed. His breathe turning to small, tiny ice shards once hitting the air.
"Your mother is a very wise woman."
"When will she be back?" Her mother was traveling, she couldn't remember the name of the country. One that started with an 'n' but wasn't Nadia.
"In a week. Your mother told me wolves lack agency." His daughter listened. "They follow the Alpha of that back with such loyalty and no questions. If the Alpha wants peace and prosperity then that's what the pack will recieve, but if the Alpha wants war and death then that's what the pack will recieve."
The rats remained near them, eating little nuts they happened to have found buried in the snow.
"That woman, that Omega, what do you plan to do with her?"
Petun looked at her father, not understanding what his implication was. "What do you mean?"
"I order all those over seven to be killed. Man, woman, Alpha, Omega."
"Why seven?" Petun asked.
"Those under seven won't remember. They can reenter into society. They will hold no anger, no revenge, maybe sadness but thats it." He glanced at his daughter using his peripheral vision. "Your Omega may be killed."
Lora barely ate her dinner that evening. Choosing to remain silent until their son was put away ,she nibbled on the cooked carrot before putting it aside when Aticus entered back into the dining area.
Without asking questions, she took her mate's plate, putting the remainder of the food into some plastic containers.
"Aticus."
"Yes."
"...look at me." Her wife turned to look at her, stopping what she was doing. "When the wolves head out, go down to the cellar and hide in the basement." She stopped and bit her lips, doing her best to not get emotional. "Take Potel with you. When you hear absolutely nothing, run, run as fast you can to...to your lover."
Crash!
The dish Aticus had in her hand fell to the ground. This meant Lora knew the entire time. She turned around, barely able to breathe. She used the edge of the sink to hold herself up. Feeling weak in her knees, her hands were white knuckled.
Aticus wiped her forehead, unsure how she could even face Lora. She knelt down and began to pick up the peices of the broken plate, hoping Poop Poop hadn't heard.
"You insulted my intelligence." Lora said.
"I'm sorry," was all Aticus could feel, not feeling disgusted and embarrassed for herself and her family, especially since this meant others knew as well.
Lora got up and went to her wife, kissing her on her forehead then embracing her in a hug that would be one of the last.