SWNOVELS Chapter Chapter One
Tim’s Pov:
“Well then, make them see!” the Girl screamed, slamming her hand hard down on the meeting table, shocking all of us. “You are the Elders of their kind, are you not? Have you no control over them?” she hissed.
“Remind them this is the will of their goddesses. Remember the Amazons are just as much of us as you are,” the Woman whispered, the rage in her voice suppressed, but not unheard.
“The second son of Shadow’s Light’s Alpha continues to defy our orders. The brat is hell bent on wiping out the Amazonian women. He is continuing to take powerful wolves from almost every pack that the Amazons have ravaged. These wolves are still angry over events that happened before your joining my Goddesses,” I sighed.
“The brat cares not that they have stopped hunting for stronger offspring, and they are now looking for their mates,” I protested. Unable to hide my discomfort, I swallowed hard as the Girl made her way over to me. Her eyes burned deep into mine. “Then punish his father for making such an insolent brat!” she spat venom dripping from every word.
“We expect you to hold another meeting with the brat and his father. You, the council, will not tolerate the formation of Silverlight,” the Woman demanded. “The amazons are just as favored by us as any wolf, and we expect them to be treated as such. The witch’s coven has come around, so too must the wolves.”
“Your will be done,” we replied in unison. “That went about as well as we expected,” Gerald grumbled to no one in particular, shaking his head in frustration. “We leave for Shadow’s Light first thing tomorrow,” I announced. “So be it,” several other members of the council grumbled as we made our way back to our tents to get some rest.
“Timothy a word please,” Gerald boomed. “What is it, brother?” I asked, accepting this would not be an enjoyable conversation. “Do you really believe that we can make the young Martins boy listen to us?” he frowned, showing his doubt. “No, he is too much of a fool. He thinks he knows the will of the Goddesses better than we do,” I sighed.
The weight from my responsibilities weighed heavily on my shoulders. “Then what is it you believe we should do?” Gerald snapped, annoyed. “I will converse with the Amazon’s Queen and the Goddesses. By then, I should have something of substance to report to the council before we depart in the morning,” I explained. Gerald replied with a curt nod before heading off.
Frustrated by current events, I made my way across the small pop-up village of tents which, since the joining of the Goddesses, had become our home. Silverlight was the bane of our existence, especially now. They dedicated their existence to destroying all the Amazons, against the will of the Goddesses. Their blood lust was insatiable. If Silverlight continued to gain followers, it would spell disaster for the Goddesses’ ultimate plan.
“My Queen,” I announced my arrival as cheerfully as I could. “What is it you want, Elder?” she growled. “As you are no doubtlessly aware, we, the council, are to depart for Shadow’s Light pack first thing in the morning. I need to discuss the details with you and the Goddesses. If you are willing, of course,” I bowed.
“Why would you need a plan? How hard is it to tell your beasts that we are your equals? Or we worship the same goddesses as you. We are their chosen people; we must live in harmony. Hybrids are the future of both of our races,” she snapped, showing her Alpha tone.
“Yes, the future of all our kind. I am well aware of my mother’s plans with her new counterpart. The more pressing matter is undoing the damage of your people’s actions,” I replied coldly. Although we coexisted, she was not my Queen. Nor did we bow to her as she believed we should.
The Elders only bowed to the Goddesses. “I believe it is best that you meet the young Alpha. Perhaps this will convince him of your legitimacy and earnestness,” I smiled, praying she would use her head and not be so stubborn, as always.
“I think, Elder, you have lost your mind; I’d slit his throat on sight,” the Queen hissed. “Easy, Hellena, remember you must give in order to be given too,” the Girl’s voice broke into our conversation.
“Although I’m unsure why you feel she should go to the brat, Timothy?” the Girl stated, angrily. “I believe it necessary to show the brat that the Amazon’s want peace based on the Goddesses orders,” I explained, bowing to the Girl. The Girl’s gaze penetrated my soul, to ensure my intentions were pure.
“I do not agree,” the Girl snapped. I bowed, honoring her wishes. “Then I implore the Queen and Goddess for direction on this situation,” I sighed. A wicked expression washed over the Girl’s face, chilling my blood. “If Silverlight endures, Shadow’s Light will fall. By the will of the Goddesses,” the Girl laughed.
“The Martins have always been loyal to me, dear one. I am not sure how I feel about betraying their loyalty from one brat,” the Woman stated, stunned by the Girl’s callus words.
“Yes, I have seen their loyalty. Do not worry, I will honor it. Fear not, for it will benefit them. I have a plan, Wise one,” the Girl smiled softly, taking the Woman’s hands into hers before they faded from sight. Stunned, my eyes met Queen Hellena’s, neither of us sure of what to say.
The rest of the night passed quickly and at daybreak, we started our long journey to Shadow’s Light pack. We hoped this meeting would force the young Alpha to submit and relinquish his pack.
My heart was heavy with doubt. Something deep inside told me the Goddesses didn’t believe he’d submit to our demands. The information I received about their plans was sketchy at best. I needed to trust that they would reveal more details when they became prudent.
The council was to meet with the former Alpha Martins alone. We hoped to impress the desperation of the situation, therefore forcing his son to submit to him. Should we fail, Shadow’s Light would fall, and its people cast out as rogues. The very lives of hundreds of wolves hung in the balance.
“Halt! What wolf dares to trespass on the sacred lands of Shadow’s Light pack? To trespass is an act of war,” the scout threatened. Only by the grace of the Goddesses did we arrive a full day early.
“We belong to the council of Elders, and we wish a word with the former Alpha Martins. And we also wish to convene once more on neutral ground with the son that has gone against our Goddesses,” I replied, retaking my human form.
“We expect we are welcome?” Gerald growled at the scout, causing the colour to drain from his face. “Forgive me, Elders, we were not expecting you. I’ve informed the former Alpha Martins and the current one. A messenger is being dispatched to Silverlight as we speak good sirs. Please, at the request of my Alpha, come eat, drink and rest.”
“Thank you, and we shall, just as soon as we have spoken to the former Alpha,” I stated, hoping he understood the urgency in my words. “Allow me to lead you,” he said. Nodding, I shifted to my silverish wolf to follow our escort into the heart of Shadow’s Light territory. My mind raced, trying to find the confidence to pull this off. Too much was riding on this conversation.
“Elders, to what does Shadow’s Light owe the pleasure of this unannounced visit?” the former Alpha Martins greeted us cautiously. “I wish it was for pleasure, my old friend, unfortunately the Goddesses remain unimpressed with your son and the birth of Silverlight. Come and sit. We have much to discuss,” I muttered. The old man closed his eyes, allowing a long-drawn-out sigh to leave his lips. The pent-up frustration from the old Alpha flooded the room.
“I am unsure where I have failed with my son. May the Goddesses forgive me for this,” he muttered. “What is the will of the Goddesses?” the former Alpha asked, bracing himself for whatever it was I needed to say.
“It is bleak. The Goddesses see your loyalty and wish to thank you for it. Unfortunately, your son is the issue. They expect you to get him to submit and willingly disband Silverlight. Or at the will of the Goddesses, Shadow’s Light will be the one to pay the price,” I explained as softly as I could.
The old Alpha stared at me in disbelief. The hurt and anger rolled off him. “But why must Shadow’s light pay for the sins of my son? He is the one that has gone rogue and it was my son, not me, who started the new pack without the permission of the Goddesses and the Council!” he yelled.
“You are his father, you raised him, you failed,” the Girl’s bitter voice filled the room, forcing the old Alpha to drop to his knees. “Goddess, please, I beg you. Take my life for my failures instead of casting out my people from your strength, protection, and guidance,” he pleaded.
A strange softness filled the Girl’s eyes as they fell on to the old Alpha, taking me by surprise. “Loyal to your pack still, this is admirable. Offering your own life to keep your pack from being cast out,” the Woman smiled, as she made her presence known.