Chapter 7

Sophia

The Diamond Heart Wolf Pack has a massive territory. Unlike in the northern territories, the packs within the South Alliance have their property fenced off. As with Karina's base, the town Connor resides in is quite modern. It's eye-catching, but I'm too tired to pay much attention. Connor keeps pointing out the various buildings, citing famous architects who designed them, but aside from a fake smile and brief nod, I just focus on getting to the guesthouse so that we can rest.

Alex doesn't look very happy, but I assume it's because he's also worn out.

Connor Fenris, on the other hand, seems to have a spring in his step, looking far too smug for some reason.

I don't have a personal opinion on any of the Alphas of the South, but I'm not very impressed with Connor. Even though the architecture is amazing here, and it's obvious that a lot of effort and investment has been used within this town and probably the rest of the Diamond Heart Wolf Pack's territory, I have to wonder if the same investment has been directed toward the well-being of the pack members under Alpha Fenris?

Robert Black also had a luxurious lifestyle, but it came at the expense of his people.

"Since you are the new Queen of the South Alliance," Connor steps in front of me, reverence in his eyes and tone, "I would be honored if you would stay in my home for the duration of your visit."

Before I can say anything, he adds, "I doubt any guesthouse I provide would be worthy of hosting someone as special as you."

I'm not somebody who is easily flattered. When you've been rejected your whole life, kind words tend to make you wary. Connor's smile and the look in his eyeshave me stepping back into my mate's arms.

Is it just me, or do I see a flicker of irritation in Connor's eyes?

I don't have a way of refusing Connor without sounding awful, so I relent. "Thank you."

I feel Alex's hand spasm on my shoulder, but when I glance at him, his expression is calm.

Connor's house is a sprawling mansion with gardens that are well-maintained and thick hedges that have been carved into wolves. While the place is beautiful, it's also a little creepy and gives off the vibes of obsession. Why does Connor need constant reminders that he's a wolf shifter?

I must have murmured the wordsbecause Alex suddenly snickers, and Brian, who's been walking next to us, tries to hide his own smile.

"Some people are weird," Alex reassures me.

Brian deliberately turns his face away from us.

We enter the mansion and Connor spreads open his arms, "Welcome to my home! Gladis!"

He snaps his fingers while speaking, and a stout-looking woman appears, almost as if she had been waiting for the summons. Her expression is blank and the black dress she's wearing that covers her from neck to ankles gives her a severe look. She's almost intimidating. The military-style, tight hair bun doesn't help either.

"This is Queen Sophia," Connor introduces her. "She's the new leader of the South Alliance. She'll be staying here for a few days. Show her to her room, Gladis."

"A few days?" I whisper to Alex. "Just how long are we planning to stay?"

"I would be happy leaving tonight," Alex looks around.

Connor catches that part and quickly says. "Tonight is impossible. We have a new leader of the South. This calls for a banquet, especially with the Alphas of every pack present here."

"A banquet? There's no need…"

Brian gives me a discreet shake of the head before saying loudly. "That sounds like an excellent idea."

The other Alphas chime in, in agreement.

I clench my teeth, anger washing over me. "Brian, if you haven't noticed, my mother's life hangs in the balance. I don't have time to party it up for a few days. I have to settle the pack, and then go to the Central Alliance. I don't have time…"

"Politics, my dear," Brian replies tersely. "Don't worry. You will be leaving tomorrow. Stay for the banquet. Right now, you cannot afford any enemies."

"Why-?

"Because they've seen that the Silver Wolf can be weakened by the excessive use of her magic," Alex breathes. "Brian is right. Until we get to the root of the problem of why your capacity for magic is waning, you are vulnerable. There's a good chance that the Alphas here will attempt to learn more about this perceived weakness of yours or try to exploit it."

My heart hardens.

"And here I thought I could trust them."

Brian gives me a tight-lipped smile. "Lesson number one: you don't trust anybody unless they have proven their loyalty to you. Especially in politics. I'll handle this."

"But he knows, right?" I stare at Connor. "He knows I'm running out of time to save my mother."

"Oh, he does," Alex murmurs, quietly, his hands on my shoulder. "Just wait."

I feel foolish for thinking that now that I am the Queen of the South Alliance, I will be able to trust the people under me. I still don't know who to trust and who to watch. Alex and Brian have to guide me.

The feeling of inadequacy that washes over me makes me shrink into myself.

It's not like I expected myself to know everything off the bat, but I feel naive, and it irritates me. After everything I've been through, why don't I have an ounce of common sense?

"Careful, sweetheart." Alex's voice is soft against my ear, making me shiver. "Your magic is getting a little volatile."

That's when I notice the shift in theair and the wary glances being cast my way by the other Alphas, including Connor.

I force myself to calm down, difficult as it is.

"A banquet sounds nice." I meet Connor's gaze, trying to hide the anger in my voice. "But tomorrow we have to leave."

Connor smiles pleasantly. "Surely a few days of festivities won't harm your plans for your mother…"

"Are you being dense on purpose?" I stare at him, my eyes flashing.

I'm not going to act like a sheltered little girl who has to hide behind Brian and Alex to play politics on my behalf. There are all kinds of political tactics. Mine are just going to be blunt.

"Or are you telling me my mother's life is meaningless to you?"

Brian tenses but I can feel my mate's amusement.

"That's…" Connor begins, awkwardly, but I don't let him continue.

"I can appreciate the suggestion for the banquet, and I could understand if my mother's current status skipped your mind, but she's right in front of you." I look at the Alpha, my tone scathing. "Tell me, Alpha Fenris, what should I be giving priority to, in your mind? Saving my mother's life or attending festivities?"

Everybody around us falls silent.

Two of the Alphas are smirking while the others are watching intently.

"I didn't intend to…" Connor looks awkward. He clearly hadn't expected me to call him out on this. "I think you're overreacting."

When some of the Alphas murmur in agreement, the reality of the situation dawns on me. If I had agreed and gone along with this, I would have been shown to be someone easily controlled and walked on. And if I hadn't, these Alphas would have found some other reason to criticize me.

Why swear fealty to me when they want to play these games? One look at Brian confirms my assumptions. He had expected this. A show of power.

Why am I surprised? Wolf shifters don't respect those who don't have power, and when I collapsed in the North during the fight against the witches, it occurred to them that I might not be as powerful as they had expected.

My assumptions once again hold true when Connor finds himself bolstered by the backing of the other Alphas. "Since you're a woman, it's understandable that you're going to get a little overexcited…"

I don't give him a chance to finish that sentence, flicking my wrist and lifting him in the air without missing a beat. The air around me crackles with electricity and magic, and my voice is icy. "Do I seem overexcited to you? Or do I seem angry? Which one of you thinks that the desire to save the life of the woman who gave birth to me is an overreaction?"

I look around at the tense faces watching me.

The heavy silence gives me the answer I need.

Connor is clutching at his throat as I begin to block the air around him. "I can kill you as easily as I breathe. I can take your breath away. I can take over your territory. I can become what Karina is. Is that what all of you are hoping for? Or did you mistake my empathy to be my weakness? Or …" my tone is mocking as I let my anger show, "is it that you thought I was weak and could be controlled or pushed around?"

Connor's lips are turning blue, but where I normally dislike violence and death, that voice of peace is quiet inside me right now. My wolf is burning with a rage I have felt only a handful of times. It sees Connor as a threat. I don't know if I'm overreacting or not, but I know a display of dominance is important.

Alex will stop me if I'm about to cross the line. I know he will.

"Sophia…" one of the Alphas begins, casting a concerned look toward Connor.

"It's Queen Sophia to you," I say, coldly. "I made a mistake thinking I could treat you as equals to an extent. I mistook your loyalty for the ability to be able to trust you. I won't be making that mistake again."

I toss Connor onto the ground, allowing him to breathe again.

He clutches his throat, dragging in mouthfuls of air as he does.

The rest of the Alphas look subdued, but when their eyes turn toward me, there is newfound respect in them.

"There's not going to be a banquet," I declare, disgust etched all over my face. "So much for swearing loyalty to me. We're leaving."

I turn around and begin walking, but Connor gasps out. "I'm sorry! I wasn't…please forgive me! One more chance, Queen Sophia!"

Confused, I stop in my tracks. It's not like I'm going to kill him, so why is he apologizing?

Brian steps up beside me, his voice low, reaching only my ears. "You've rejected him in front of every pack in the South Alliance. They will all turn their backs on him now, unless you stay for the banquet. What do you want to do?"

I press my lips together. Why is this so complicated?

I glance toward Alex, who's watching me, calmly. He seems relaxed, as if he knows that I'll make the right decision.

The murderous intent in me has begun to fade. I know I'm physically weaker than all those who stand here. Thankfully, my magic gives me an edge. When they saw me in my weakest moment, those that had just sworn loyalty to me had sought to take advantage of me.

It's a ruthless world, and I have to carve my space into it, or else be eaten alive.

But I also don't want to be another version of Karina.

My jaw tense, I turn to look at Connor, who is now standing, his face pale. As soon as our eyes meet, he begins, "I didn't mean to disrespect you. Please let me throw the banquet in your honor, and I will prepare the flights for you in the morning."

Seeing him pleading in front of the others makes me realize the reality of Brian's words. The proud Alpha is willing to debase himself to get back in my good graces. That's how powerful a rejection from the leader of an alliance is.

I could still turn away from him—be harsh so that the others learn a lesson from him. But my heart won't let me be cruel. He was testing how far he could push me and he failed, and he knows that now.

"Queen…"

"Very well."

I have to force myself to sound pompous, and I catch Alex looking away, his lips twitching.

Relief is stark on Connor's face, and the other Alphas also relax. Brian shoots me an approving look.

I guess I did something right for once.

***

The banquet is a lavish affair.

Being in the spotlight is a strange experience for me.

"Try not to scowl." Alex nudges me.

"Why do I feel you're enjoying this?" I give my mate an annoyed look.

"It's a fine banqu…"

"I meant my misery."

He takes a bite of the roasted mutton leg on his plate before chuckling. "You call it misery. I call it you getting used to this kind of thing. And you'll have to."

We're sitting at the head of the table. The other Alphas and shifters are too busy getting drunk. I've never actually attended a celebration banquet, and I ask, "Are all banquets like this?"

Brian, who's sitting on my left, nods. "It's an excuse to let loose and drink yourself into a stupor. Banquets in the South are notorious for this."

"The food is excellent," Alex points out.

"Us Southerners know our food." Brian's voice is filled with pride.

"I don't doubt it," Alex agrees.

I sigh, wondering how much longer I have to sit here like this. The Alphas are drunk off their asses, and we are the only ones left sitting at the table. Even Alex's soldiers are drunk. I don't know why he's okay with them letting their guard down, but that's his problem.

"You did good today," Alex murmurs, putting more food on my plate.

"I thought so."

My mate grins at me. "Brian looked like he would shit his pants."

"Language," the older Alpha says disapprovingly. "And I had full faith in Sophia."

"He's lying." Alex gives me a somber look.

"You did look rather pale." I take a bite of what tastes like wild boar marinated in a plethora of spices and herbs.

Brian frowns. "Well, I usually deal with situations with more tact, but your method worked too. You displayed a show of strength, and now no one will question you."

Something's been bothering me, and I tap my fingers on my thigh. "They swore their loyalty to me."

Brian picks up on what I'm thinking and smiles lightly. "Yes. Their loyalty, but not a blood oath. A blood oath would have bound them to you for life, to your good and bad decisions."

"So now what?" I look between the two men on either side of me.

"Now, you can retire for the night. Rest, and then prepare for your flight tomorrow. Connor will stay true to his word. You helped him to save face, and for that, he will be eternally in your debt." Brian sounds satisfied.

I get to my feet. "That was all I needed to know. I'm going to bed. Alex, your men are getting a little too drunk. You might want to go talk to them."

"I'll walk you to your room." Brian gets to his feet as well.

Alex takes my hand in his and then kisses the back of it. "I'll go knock some sense into them and join you."

The suite Connor gave us is in the main house as he had claimed, but the mansion is so large that it's a ten-minute walk simply to get to our quarters.

Brian walks me to the door before pausing.

"Here." He reaches into his pocket and brings out what looks like a gray rock.

I stare at it, puzzled. "Thanks?"

His lips curve. "I commissioned a witch over here to create this. It's going to guide you to the Central Alliance. The closer you are, the more it will heat up."

"But Alex already knows where the border is."

"Yes." Brian puts the rock in my hand and closes my fingers around it. "But the area is treacherous. This will guide you to the right path, the safest route."

The value of the gift dawns on me, and I lift my gaze. "You're saving me time."

He smiles, kindly. "Your mother is important to you. What Connor tried to do today was something anyone would have considered unforgivable. I know Connor. He's no fool. The fact that you forgave him isn't a small thing. And it proves to me that my decision to relinquish the role of the King of the South to you was the right one."

I look ahead. "I didn't want to forgive him."

"I know," Brian murmurs. "But you did. This isn't going to be the last time you are tested, Sophia. The Alphas swore fealty to you because they believed you were invincible. They're starting to realize you're not. So, a show of power is important. Let them know you are not to be trifled with."

I give him a tight smile. "Thanks for the magic rock."

His lips twitch. "You're welcome."

"I'm going to call it a night."

He nods, stepping back. As I open the door and head inside, he says, quietly, "You're doing a fine job, Sophia. Don't doubt yourself."

I close the door behind me.

Leaning against it, I let my eyes flutter shut and sink to the ground.

I'm exhausted.

My knees pulled to my chest, I open my palm and look at the ordinary-looking rock.

Is this really going to help me navigate my way through the Central Alliance?

I close my fist around it, resting my head on my arms.

I just want to save my mother. I don't want to do all of this. This banquet, schmoozing with the other Alphas, trying to settle everyone into a new pack—I don't want to do any of this. None of this is matters to me.

I sigh heavily into the silent room.

I just want to save my mother.

But all I seem to be doing is wasting time.

Despair and guilt sink into my gut, and my wolf paces inside my mind, affected by my worries. I promised to save my mother, but all I'm doing is running around in circles. My fingers grip my hair in frustration.

I'm running out of time!

Why doesn't anybody understand that?

Why are they constantly weighing me down under responsibilities I never wanted?!

Footsteps approach me, and then a pair of familiar arms wrap around me as Elsa murmurs. "It's okay."

My jaw is painfully tight as I try to hold in my emotions.

"Sophia, it's going to be okay."

My shoulders begin to shake under the weight of the world, and Elsa's arms tighten around me, her voice gentle. "One thing at a time. That's how things are done. And you're doing fine. We have time."

She knows.

Even without me saying anything, she knows.

I break in her arms and weep, and Elsa comforts me.

"She knows you're trying. She knows, baby."

My head is buried in her chest, andI cry like a child. I'm so tired and worn out.

"It shouldn't be this hard. I just want her back."

"I know. You're doing all you can, Sophia."

My fingers dig into her arms as the woman who has been a mother to me for most of my life holds me.

I'm just so damn tired.