From Princess To Queen

Time to Regroup

“Princess, we won this battle to keep Alpha Leo’s pack intact, and he is very grateful for all your help and Xavior’s help as well. We have sent some of the rogues to packs willing to take them in, which is a relief to them.” Max sent the text to Princess Clara.

“Good. How badly did you injure Felix? Obvious not to his demise of death?”

“Nope, but it did enough damage to scar him for life. Hopefully, it will send him a message to back off.”

“Doubt it. Xavior and Dunken got word from Libby that ‘Xavior’ is revisiting us to claim the thrown and me.”

“Is your mate still there and his beta?”

“Dunken is still here, but his gamma, Flelix’s beta, is with Felix as the spy.”

“That is right, but I have not seen him at all. I do not think he comes here with Felix.”

“No, he stays back at the pack house and runs it when Felix is not there, so we get a lot of intel from him; then there is you and Kelly. By the way, how is she doing?”

“She is doing great, getting the ones out of here at the right times. It was easy to get them to safety at the attack, and they were thankful. You can get a ton of information from any of them. I have my beta questioning those who have taken refuge in my pack.”

“Good, I have those that came here being questioned too, and they are full of information. But we will hide them while Libby and her son are here. We do not need an attack on my lands even though they would be killed on the spot, no questions asked.”

The conversation ended, and Max walked back to the camp, looking at how thinned out the pack suddenly became. All new members were absent. The old ones forced into Felix’s hands are disappearing into thin air. Max and Issy had to regroup and decide what would happen next for their packs and the rogues.

They took the long roads back to the compound on foot because they were off the elite team. Issy should have been on the elite since she was part of the elite team of her pack. She was unhappy about their situation, having to walk back to the compound again as everyone was exhausted from fighting and losing the small fight they were forced to participate in.

After four days on the path, they were exhausted falling into the compound brought attention to them. The medical staff ran to them, bringing gurneys to the medical tent. IVs were introduced to them as they were severely dehydrated and starving with the lack of available food. They never went hunting. Thanks to Felix and his close associates, no animals or water were available for them to drink.

Several days later, they were up walking around once again, and those who were for Felix suddenly had a change of heart. They sought out Issy and Max, talking to them, wanting a way out of this so-called life, knowing that Felix and his mother both did not have any care for them.

“Okay, we have to regroup and decide what to do next. We have to figure out how to get everyone on our side at some point, see how Felix is.”

“How are we doing to do that?”

“Issy and I will figure it out, but just go about your day as normal as before. Train with her and the others to increase your strength and stamina and weight train to build body mass. You must be stronger and better than the rest of his goons around here.”

Over the next several days, everyone worked, trained, and paid attention to what Felix was doing and saying to his mother and goons. Whatever plans they would make and change, it was reported back to Issy and Max. The atmosphere was changing around the camp, and everyone noticed. It seemed to be heavier, sinister, and harder to breathe the air. Something was happening, and Issy needed to take to the trees fast to figure out what was happening.

“Max, climb up the trees as high as you can, something sinister is happening, and it is not good.”

Max gathered the others, sneaking them into the forest and getting them up to the trees as high as possible, masking all their scents. From there, they could see something thicker than smog hovering over their camp. It was some evil magic, poison to kill everyone or put them to sleep, but there was no way in hell they would be a part of this attack.

“Max, to your right over the fence, it is a clear head that way with the others. I am one tree away from you to your front left.” Issy said.

“Got it. We are all in the same tree, so we will go, be careful, love, see you on the other side.”

They headed over the fence while Issy was behind them, stopping occasionally to ensure they were not being followed. She flew to the next tree outside the compound when the coast was clear. Climbing higher up, she could see the others to her right knowing they were safe. She was relieved and knew she would be regrouping with them shortly.

“Max, how close is your pack from here?”

“Twenty miles to the West, the other side of the compound. Why?”

“Well, shit, we went the wrong way. Mine is forty minutes to an hour on the ground in wolf or Lycan form to the East. In the trees, it will take a good day or two. Relay to them as I head over.”

Max told them that they were figuratively not out of the woods just yet as they contemplated what to do. Issy met up with them in the trees right by them. They looked at her and looked over where the sun was starting to lower its rays. She nodded to the East, telling them to keep moving quickly and quietly, their scents masked until further notice. She wanted them to be in the clearing near the castle before they descended and unmasked themselves.

Taking on the next several hours running the trees toward the castle, they found a place to stop and nestle up to get some sleep. She mind-linked the princess advising her they were up in the trees and at least a couple of days out the way they were traveling.

“Kelly, we will send out a few trucks to get you so you do not have to use the trees for protection. They will live in sunlight. I will text you the ones coming for you so you can be on the lookout for them and meet them.”

“Bring water and food, too. We are starving and thirsty. No food or water safe out here as there is a fog of poison hovering over the camp, and the mist, or whatever it is, is spreading out this way. We do not have much time, needless to say.”

“Xavior is getting the vehicles ready, along with Dunkan and a couple of guards. He is sending pictures of the fleet now; they should reach you in a few hours. Stay awake for as long as possible, keep moving, and for the love of the goddess, DO NOT FALL asleep. It will only be to your demise.”

“Max, do not go to sleep. Keep the group moving now. We will meet up with the fleet in an hour or two. Hurry, we have to get moving.”

They got up and started moving quickly, not missing a beat. An hour passed, and they could see the vehicles approaching them with the insignia of the royalty family crest on the sides. She told them to keep moving as they were about twenty minutes away.

When they got closer, they shimmied down the trees running towards the vehicles scampering into them, looking at Xavior, who was driving one, Dunkan another, and a couple of other guards in the following. They were thrilled beyond belief to know they would not have to return to the compound again.

“Kelly, good to see you again. Tell me what is happening back at the compound and how many of you brought it. Oh, Clara is on the line.” Xavior said.

“Princess? I am ecstatic to be coming home. We are bringing seventeen other people along with us who flipped against Felix. Max is with the others in the other vehicles, but right now, we need to turn around and get out of here before that mist gets any closer.”

There was silence as the vehicles gunned it, leaving the mist in their wake. They stopped after returning to the castle grounds and pulled into the parking garage. They all exited the trucks running inside the kitchen, and the staff laughed at the sight of them, knowing they needed baths, rest, and a bunch of food and drinks. They looked like starving children coming home from school looking for their after-school snacks.

“Princess, good to see you again.” Kelly is going in for a huge hug.

“Ummm...go to your assigned rooms to shower and get clean clothes. Max, you will room with your mate. The others will bunk with each other. The staff will show you to your rooms. Welcome to the castle. We have some small snacks set up in your rooms, along with water. You missed breakfast, but lunch is buffet style in three hours, and dinner will be served in the main dining room at seven pm sharp. Rest in between, please, but you do not have to join us for lunch. I do request you all to be there for dinner.”

They nodded and followed the staff to their quarters’ men on one side sharing rooms and the women on the other unless they were mates. Those who were mates did not have to share the rooms, but they did not care. Being in a home with running hot water, endless food, clean clothing, and soft, comfortable beds were lovely. Damn, they looked so good.