Ivory Snow

Duke Andrew was just sitting down to his morning meal, with his mate and two sons, when his butler opened the door, holding a folded parchment in his trembling hand.

“Beg your pardon, sir. This just came by messenger from the castle.” A tear slipped out of the corner of the butler’s eye.

Andrew slowly set his fork back down. His mate looked between the two of them, her face paling. This butler was a professional. He never interrupted them during their private time, nor was he one to show emotion.

Two things out of the ordinary at once was concerning.

“What is it, Jeffery?” Jack, the eldest of the two male pups asked. Jack was fourteen, plenty old enough to know that something was clearly not right.

Jeffery kept his eyes on the Duke as he answered. “A rogue attack, sir. The royal family was at the beach, celebrating the Princess’s birthday.”

Duchess Jessica gasped and covered her mouth, fearing what was to come next.

They had just seen them all at Ivory’s party two nights before. They came home early the next morning, not long after the party ended really. The Duke had important business to deal with that evening and he would need time to recuperate from their travels before it started.

Andrew held it together, waiting until he knew everything before reacting. “What happened?”

Jeffery looked at the note carefully, the paper shook, and his voice cracked. “No one really knows. The King was found near the shore, in wolf form. The Queen was in human form not far away. There was no sign of the Princess, but there were traces of blood found on the rock wall. It is believed that she fell into the ocean during the attack. The guards have looked everywhere, sir.”

Silent tears slid down Jessica’s face. Two days. How could everything change drastically in only two days?

Ivory was such a beautiful female, so smart, so bright.

Maria was a gentle soul. A dear friend.

Now they were gone.

Andrew struggled to swallow the lump rising in his throat. He and Alex had had their problems when they were younger. What brothers didn’t? Since reaching adulthood though, they had been good friends.

“We need to get back to the castle. We need to secure the kingdom.” The Duke, and second in line for the throne, barely pushed the words out. It was the last thing he wanted, but it was expected of him.

“I’m sorry, sir. But it is too late.” Jeffery added nervously.

Andrew’s head shot up. “What do you mean too late? This news is barely a day old! With no heir, as the King’s brother it is my responsibility.”

“Yes, sir. It’s just... Umm. It says here that Countess Ava, the Queen’s sister, has her coronation tonight. With the possibility of a war with the rogues, the council felt it necessary to move quickly.”

The Duke jumped to his feet, leaning heavily on the table. “Who was this note from?” He growled out.

“Advisor Dale, sir. He thought you deserved to know at once.”

Andrew had an idea of what really happened, though he was not brave enough to mention it. He remembered Ava’s attempts at capturing Alex’s attention when they were younger. She even took a chance on him. Thankfully, he had met Jessica not long after he shifted for the first time. Not that that had stopped Ava from trying.

“Ready my carriage. I want to be gone within the hour.” He commanded his butler.

Jeffery bowed. “Yes, sir.” He spun on his heels and quickly left the room.

“What are you going to do, my love?” Jessica asked softly, her voice filled with sadness.

Andrew lifted a hand toward her, beckoning her to come to him. Once he had her wrapped in his arms he answered.

“I am going to validate this message. I am going to fight for what is mine, for this kingdom. Ava is not fit to rule a manor let alone a country.”

True to his word, before the hour was up, Duke Andrew said goodbye to his family and left for the castle once again.

Only, it would be too late. Just as the butler said.

Dale had managed to convince the council that Ava was their only option. She of course had acted surprised and hesitant.

An act they all had fallen for, unable to believe someone so beautiful could be so poisonous.