~Zayne~



My doubt was confirmed, Emily was still too weak, her current strength level is no we're near that of well trained humans.

Although she has very quick reflexes it's still not enough to battle against any one.

She still needs to undergo more training to atleast get to a level where I can worry less for her.


The day passed by quickly and I didn't let up on her training, I trained her rigorously in every move until she was almost unable to stand up.



Looking at how tired she was, I shook my head.

Pity for her creeped into me. She was too important to me, but I just hoped my training would make her stronger.

'Training is over!!"

My voice thundered through the empty grassland.

Rowan approached Emily and began attending to her.

She fell flat on the Gras, drenched in sweat as he panted heavily.


'Sorry I might be a bit tough on you, but it's because I want to train you until you can protect yourself"


After the training was over I left the training ground directly.

I returned to the conference hall to attend a meeting Luther had.

I could only wonder what my brother had in mind.

I arrived at the conference hall to find everywhere choked up.

Members of the delegates in the castle and in the towns were all present.

There were loud chatterings coming from every corner of the room.

But as I arrived at the hall, placing a foot inside, the hall went dead silent.

They were all turned in my direction, their gaze fixed on me.

I walked elegantly to a seat, reserved personally for me.


'Okay now with everyone present. The meeting can commence"

Luther yelled out, his voice audible enough for everyone in the hall.

'As we all now know there's a looming war against the vampires.

It is almost inevitable at this point and we have to face that prospect"

Luther spoke, the crowd listened carefully to him.

'But with each passing day, the fear becomes more real.

People are unable to sleep well. Why?

Because they know, once the vampires catch us off guard, then we are dead"

'But I'm tired of living in that fear again. So here's my suggestion.

We go on the offence!

We set out to the vampire kingdom and attack them!"

What?

I couldn't believe my ears. Is Luther mad?

'NO! Way it's not happening Luther"

I strongly disagree with Luther.

There was no way we're going to the vampire kingdom and going at them.


'Wait before you all disagree, let me explain it more.

We won't charge in on them at full force"

Then what?

Luther finds it very hard to be straightforward in what he says.

'We bring in a few well trained warriors to kill a few bunch of them without gaining overly much attention at least till we leave"


'I still disagree brother!"

Vampires we still be one guard especially after the heist we pulled off under their noses.


'I still think it's best we wait, in a place where we are comfortable"


'Let's do a show of hands for each idea" I suggested to the crowd.


'Those in favour of Luther's front foot approach indicate with a show of hands"

A fair few of the crowd raised their hands to my surprise.

Didn't they value their lives enough to make such a bold move.


'Those in favour of my seat back and wait approach indicate with a show of hands"

A majority of the crowd put their hands up.


'It's decided!"

I turned to Luther, he wore a very disgruntled face.

He may not agree with me right now, but it is the decision for the interest of our people that we wait and strategise more rather than walk into a trap by going to their kingdom.


The crowd gave a resounding applause to adjourn the meeting.


'Hey Luther!" I called Luther back as he was leaving the hall.

He reluctantly turned to face me.

'What?!"

Luther asked, his voice was laced with anger, his temper was rising.


'Don't take it personally brother, it's good you care about the welfare of the people. But going out to the vampire kingdom isn't going to make them any safe"

I spoke in a calm and gentle voice to Luther trying to calm his temper down a notch.


'Don't tell me what to do and what not to!" Luther was still deeply enraged.

'I do what I want to do! Because I am Luther the future heir to the throne.

I will be a better king than you will ever be!" Luther finished and stormed out of the hall.

His voice was so loud that everyone in the hall heard it, as they fixed their attention on me.


My mind went blank for a moment to Luther's words.

Luther said this to me? What is wrong with him?

I wanted to run up to him and give me a strict scolding but that will only infuriate him more.

It was best I give him his space to cool his head down.


I walked out of the hall and to my room to try and cool my head down a bit.


I stood at the balcony inhaling the fresh air when a loud commotion reached my ears.

'Emergency!!!!"

'Zayne, we have an emergency!"

Cedric screamed at me from the courtyard below me, his voice tinged with urgency.


I rushed down stairs following in the direction of the crowd.


They all swarmed around something, light gasps escaping from their lips as they looked down on the floor.

I wriggled through the crowd until I was at their front.

Looking down to the floor, my mind went cold, my body frozen to the spot.

I couldn't believe my eyes.


Flora laid dead on the floor, blood flowing profusely from her body.

Her eyes shut, I knelt down close to her. Her breathing was weak but nevertheless she was still barely alive. There was hope!!


'Help her! Take her to the emergency room now!"

I ordered, and a guard grabbed her from the floor and rushed to the clinic.


Tension filled the castle, they all but their lips nervous about the state of Flora.

Flora is a well loved Lycan in the castle, she has a remarkable work ethic and a good and friendly character.

Two of the few reasons I brought her from the town to the castle.


They rushed her to the clinic, where she was taken to the emergency room.


I waited in the hallway of the verdict of the doctor.

Flora's dad is unfortunately dead and her mom runs a farm in town, so she might not even know what happened to Flora. So for now Flora is my responsibility.

I nervously waited for the doctors to pass the information. I couldn't afford to lose such an innocent young Lycan to circumstances I don't know of.


'Zayne!!!" I heard Emily's distant scream across the hallway.

I turned to her direction seeing Rowan and Zayne running towards me, their faces were distressed.

'What happened?" Emily asked about Flora's state.


'I don't know, we found her on the floor covered in blood"


'The vampires did this, why would they attack such an innocent girl?"

Rowan said.

'I don't know, maybe they're trying to send us a warning"


'Sir Zayne" a doctor stepped out of the room, I rushed to him eagerly waiting to hear his verdict.

'So how's she doing?"I asked, my voice tinged with urgency.

The doctor took a deep breath, his pale face causing me to worry.

'I can't confirm anything yet, she's still between the state of life and death.

Im sorry sir that's all I can say"

The doctor said before heading back to the room.


I lowered my head in despair, thoughts going through my mind.

What if Flora dies? What will I tell her mom? And my people?


'Zayne, let's go!" Rowan's voice brought me back to my senses.

'We'll check back later"


'Okay" I followed Emily and Rowan as we exited the clinic.

I couldn't find the words to tell my people when they ask about Flora.

That's she in a coma? No! I can't let them freak out when they hear that.


But as we reached the courtyard to my deepest surprise there was no one there, just a few workers.

'Rowan, where are the people?" I asked, whispering into Rowan's ear.

'Zayne ordered everyone up to the hall again for another meeting"


Wait, really?

What could my brother really be up to again?


I rushed upstairs, the distant noises coming from the conference hall.

I gently approached the hall and stood at the door, none of them really noticed my arrival. I stood at the door as Luther spoke to the crowd there.


'You have seen it with your own eyes! The vampires have come after us once more!


So I'll ask, are you going to wait for them to get to one of us again or will you follow me into their territory and attack them!"

Luther yelled at the top of his voice, motivating the crowd.


'Yes!

We will go to battle!!"

The crowd shouted simultaneously.


Oh no! Going to attack them will be a big mistake that we will regret.


~Luther~


'So what if Zayne declines, what do you suggest we do"

Reta asked me as I sat on my couch brainstorming.

We had to strike against the vampires by all means.

I can't lead the kingdom well enough if I have vampires coming against us.

We strike now or never.

And those who survive will join me to start up my new kingdom.

And as for Rowan and Zayne, I will make sure they die in battle.


'I know what to do Reta. We have to make the people see the dangers the vampires can cause us.

Send Thorn and Crystal to keep a close eye on Flora.

On my order Crystal will send Flora to the castle gates"


'Wait, are you going to kill her?" Reta asked, her question twitched my heart.


'NO! I'll instruct Thorn strictly not to. Just send a message"


'Wish me luck!"

I stood up from my couch and headed to the conference hall and after Zayne arrived we officially began our meeting.

After stating my points and my reasons to strike first, Zayne declined as expected. He got the crowd to go for the safer approach over mine, a decision which infuriated me.


I can't let Zayne have his way at my expense again!


I marched to my room, Reta sat comfortably on my couch caressing her face.


'It's time!" I said in a stern voice to Reta.

She immediately jerked off from my couch and marched to the kitchen.


My plan was now in motion.

I stood at the balcony to observe and after a short while Flora left the kitchen heading to the castle gates.

It's time! I hope Thorn won't fail me.


'Ahhhh!!"

A girl's voice was heard as she screamed in agony.

Yes he did it!

Soon a troop of guards marched in the direction of the scream.

I hope Thorn gets out of there quickly. I won't want him to implicate me.


But so far my plan has worked to full. When the people see what the vampires can do to Lycans.

They will drive to take the next move.


Soon there was a crowd scene and Flora managed to be taken to the clinic.


I looked around at the distressed faces of the people.

Now is the time! They're vulnerable.


'Meeting now!!" my voice thundered through the courtyard.


In a few minutes, the conference hall was filled.

I wasn't waiting for Zayne this time around.


'Welcome my Lycans yet again. I have an important information to address you"


'You guys have seen it with your own eyes! The vampires have come after us once more!


So I'll ask, are you going to wait for them to get to one of us again or will you follow me into their territory and attack them!"


'Yes!!" the crowd's voices thundered through the hall.


Finally the Lycans are on board. My plan to claim the throne is now in full motion.