Royals

Chapter Twenty-Six

Alyssa hid Daniel's head in her dress as the rogue slit his own throat. Her own innocence was never protected and she wanted to ensure that Daniel's would be safe for the time being.

The rogue bled out in a matter of seconds and Jordan tensed up.

"Someone clean this up and the rest of you come with me!" Jordan demanded in his Alpha voice.

Alyssa handed Daniel off to one of his nannies and pulled out her new phone that Josh got her. She dialed his number and when he picked up she could here rustling on the other end.

"Did you know?" Alyssa snarled.

"Know what Alyssa?" Josh asked, confused.

"That the rogues are attacking tomorrow." She hissed.

"That's why dad is mobilizing troops? No I didn't. I knew he was planning an attack but I didn't know that it would be against you." Josh said truthfully.

Alyssa exhaled.

"Do I have your support?" Alyssa asked, hopeful.

"Of course you do...I have a group of rogues loyal only to me, ones that I trust. There's about 30 of them, we will stand by you." Josh promised.

"Okay. I got to go but it's good to know that you have my back."

"I'll always have your back little sister."

"I love you Josh."

"I know, I love you too."

Then the line went dead.

Alyssa hurried outside and joined Jordan, Xavier and Taylor at the front. Alyssa noticed Xavier's discomfort but didn't say anything yet.

"The rogues will most likely attack us on our territory and we will not attack them until they cross the border. I will call neighboring packs and ask for their help but for now, we have to assume that they will outnumber us. Non-warrior women and children will go to the underground safehouses after taking a scent masking potion. Everyone else will help fight." Jordan boomed.

Xavier tensed up, an action that did not go unnoticed by Alyssa.

"Everyone get ready and begin preparing. I expect everyone to be ready at dawn. Dismissed." Jordan told everyone and Alyssa led Xavier to a quieter place.

"What's wrong?" She asked, her face etched with worry,

Xavier inhaled sharply and looked around before saying in a whisper,

"Taylor's pregnant."

"That's fantastic." Alyssa beamed. "Why aren't you happy?"

"She wants to fight tomorrow as Beta. Despite what I tell her."

"And you're afraid she'll be killed along with your unborn child?" Alyssa asked.

Xavier nodded and Alyssa whacked him upside the head.

"What was th-" Xavier started but Alyssa cut him off.

"Werewolves can fight and be pregnant and while I'm sure Taylor appreciates the concern, she is stubborn. That said, she cannot disobey a direct order from her Queen. So say the word and I'll give the command."

"Please." Xavier begged. "Don't let her fight. She may hate me forever but she'll be alive. I can only imagine what may happen if dad finds her."

"It is done." Alyssa assured her brother and he gave her a tight hug.

"Thank you." He whispered.

"Anytime."

They walked back to the palace and Xavier went to go prepare. Alyssa tracked Taylor down and led her to a secluded part of the castle.

"As your friend, I'm asking you not to fight and not to make me order you not to fight." Alyssa said to Taylor.

"Xavier told you?" She asked with a frustrated sigh.

Alyssa nodded and Taylor said,

"I'm going to need that order then Alyssa. As Beta, I am obligated to fight."

Alyssa took a deep breath and with as much authority as she could muster said,

"Royal Beta Taylor, I command you not to fight tomorrow alongside your fellow wolves."

Taylor looked a little pain as Alyssa gave her the command but she said nothing of it.

"Go to the pack safehouse." Alyssa told Taylor who obeyed.

----------------------------

Dawn came quickly and Alyssa pulled her hair back into a high ponytail and adjusted her leather gloves.

Her daggers sat comfortably inside of her jacket and as she exhaled she could see her breath come out in a wispy fog. Everyone was silent and waited for orders from their king and queen.

Nothing could be heard for miles except a deep throaty howl. King Wilder's howl.

Alyssa resisted the urge to shudder in fear and kept her eyes forward waiting for the rogues to step onto Royal land. It was a slow and exchiating wait. Aria itched for the fight that everyone knew was inevitable.

Alyssa knew that this day would come from the first moment she saw Jordan. When she smirked at him, challenging the Alpha King.

Alyssa wasn't sure what she would have done if Xavier wasn't almost killed by the Royals and used as leverage. Would she still feel drawn to Jordan? Would she even still want a mate?

Josh's howl of defiance caught everyone but Alyssa off guard and she saw Josh's wolf come onto Royal territory.

"Hold your positions." Alyssa commanded. "They're with us."

Jordan sent her a sidelong glance and said nothing of it. Josh gave Alyssa a small bow. Despite the fact that Josh was a rogue, the future rogue king, he still recognized that Alyssa was Queen of all werewolves.

Alyssa smiled at her brother and then at Max who copied Josh's actions. Victoria came up as well and gave Alyssa a hug, which Alyssa wasn't quite comfortable with but let it happen anyway.

"With Max's help we have 47 loyal warriors, who in turn are also loyal to you." Josh informed her.

"I appreciate it truly." Alyssa said with a smile. "Do we know dad's numbers?"

Josh's expression turned grim as he said,

"About 350 rogues. Most there by force or fear so I think if we take out the king, they will turn to the next king, me." Josh explained.

"How many wolves do we have here?" Alyssa asked Jordan.

"254 wolves, the rest are hidden." Jordan answered.

"That's not too bad." Alyssa tried for a positive spin, "That makes 301 wolves on our side. If we even got help from one pack it could sway the tide."

"Yes, but none of the Alphas have returned my messages. You'd think they'd want to help their king." Jordan said bitterly.

Alyssa rested a hand on his forearm and sent him a reassuring smile.

"They'll send help. I know it."

A piercing howl rang out through the dense forest and all at once, hidden rogues launched forward into Royal Territory.