Kept Secret

Chapter 28

Lia~

"Lia, sweetie, what happened to you?" I give Meaghan a curious look but Nicole continues before I can respond, "We were talking, and then suddenly you went down. We managed to get you to the bed but the moment your head hit the pillow it was like you were untouchable, literally. Your body was surrounded by silver and gold light and none of us could even touch you. The doctors couldn't even reach you to figure out what was wrong." I nod my head absentmindedly while a smile makes its way onto my face. Silver and gold, just like mom and dad, "What is that?" I look to where she's pointing and gasp.

On my left wrist is a tattoo, but not just any tattoo, it's the symbol of the moon goddess but instead of just one wolf, there are two now. The larger wolf is standing in front of a pup who's resting at her feet. I blink away tears at the sight of the beautiful tattoo in what looks like iridescent ink, making it almost look like it's projected on. The tattoo flashes and I gasp, hearing my mother's voice in my head, "This way you can reach out to me or your father whenever you need us. We love you daughter. Stay safe, and remember we are always watching over you." this time I can't stop the tears from flowing. Meaghan and Nicole shoot each other curious gazes before wrapping their arms around me. I can tell they have questions but for some reason, I just can't stop crying.

"It's okay, love don't worry. You don't have to talk right now and we'll make sure no one disturbs you if that's what you want." I send them a grateful nod as they get up and leave the room.

Silence envelopes the room and for the first time, I feel like I can breathe. Well, I've been in bed long enough. I throw the covers off me and get out of bed, swaying slightly as the room spins. A sudden urge overcomes me and I run to the bathroom despite my aching limbs, emptying what little I have in my stomach into the toilet bowl. Raeya howls but something about her is different and she seems so protective all of a sudden, but of what I have no idea. I groan as another wave of nausea rushes over me but luckily I don't throw up this time, not that there's anything in my stomach tó throw up. I haven't eaten in two weeks so to say that I'm starving is an understatement.

I brush my teeth and make quick work of stripping down and turning on the shower. I step under the water and savor the feeling of the boiling hot droplets hitting my skin. I take this moment to think about the tremendous responsibility that's been placed on my shoulders. I have to prepare my warriors, run the kingdom, stop or win this war, all while figuring out if I could move past everything that's happened and accept Lucas back into my life. That decision alone has me contemplating running away to a faraway land and starting a new life as a coconut farmer. Honestly, I could do with the simple life right now because these days all I've known is drama.

The lavender-scented body wash coats my body as I try and scrub away the indecision. The tattoo on my left arm seems to glow under the slivers of sunlight peeking through the windows, making it seem so vibrant, alive almost. I sigh as I turn off the water and grab a fluffy towel to dry myself off.

Neither Lucas nor Henry have come to see me so I'm guessing neither of them knows I'm awake. Mother told me not to marry Henry and I should probably trust her goddess wisdom but that also means accepting Lucas back into my life. I tie my hair up into a sleek ponytail and use my magic to dry it. My eyes go wide as I grab the sink, barely able to keep myself upright. My breathing is ragged as I take a seat on the closed toilet and try to catch my breath. I don't understand what just happened. I feel weak and that little bit of magic I used made the room spin. What's happening to me? First I throw up and now I can barely stand, "You should eat and find mate, he'll be happy to see you."

I agree with Raeya's words as I get up and after stumbling a bit, I right myself and walk to my closet to get dressed. I can sense that most of the pack members are in the dining hall and I have to eat anyways so that's where I'll go.

***

I disguise my aura, wanting to see the look on all their faces when I walk into the dining room after being asleep for two weeks, mostly I want to see the look of the council. I've heard rumors through the pack link saying that the council hasn't exactly been overseeing things justly and that they've wrongfully imprisoned innocent pack members saying that they've poisoned the queen. My eyes roll at their own accord because really, who could poison me? I can't even die for goddess sake! Oops, am I allowed to say that knowing she's my mom?

I hear the commotion in the dining hall before I'm even at the doors and thanks to my heightened hearing I can hear every single word, each one making my blood boil.

"This is preposterous! I'd never hurt the queen."

"How dare you speak up to a member of the council you lowly omega! We've all noticed how close you've gotten to the queen, goddess rest her soul and-"

"She's not even dead!"

"How dare you interrupt me!"

I hear the sound of a slap and realize that councilman Richard just slapped Gretchen. This man has gone too far and this was the last straw!

I send a blast of magic at the doors, sending them both flying off their hinges. The warriors immediately leap into action but cower in their seats when they see who's at the door, or what used to be the door. My eyes glow a blinding blue as I all but float into the hall towards the head of the table, my seat which this councilman has the audacity to occupy. I leap on top of the table landing gracefully in the middle, my alpha aura seeping through every pore of my skin making each and every one of them submit to me. I set my eyes on councilman Richard and smirk at the fear in his eyes. My voice is deep and authoritative, the presence of my wolf bleeding through.

"Councilman Richard, you have committed crimes against your pack and abused your title by wrongfully imprisoning pack members you knéw were innocent. As punishment you will be stripped of your title and banished from the blood moon pack, permanently." everyone around me gasps and Richard's eyes are furious.

" You can't do this to me! I've been loyal to the crown since before you were born! These lowly omegas are the reason you were out for so long, they poisoned you-"

" Speak one more word against my pack members and you will suffer my wrath." my voice is venomous and sharp. I can hear pack members cowering at the mere sight of me, their leader, their alpha... their queen," You have disrespected me for the last time. Pack your things and leave my territory within the next 72 hours. You will free the wrongfully imprisoned wolves by the end of the day and you will leave here and never return." by now most of the pack has gathered in the dining hall, watching the scene unfold. I glance around at all of them to see them watching me with a mixture of admiration and gratitude. I can't imagine what Richard did in the two weeks I was gone and I can't imagine how the rest of the council and my mother let it happen.

I spot Gretchen still hunched down on the floor next to the table. I step down from the table and approach her. The other omegas cower slightly but she looks at me with something closely resembling pride. I hold my hand out to her and help her stand before turning around to address the rest of my pack. My voice booms through the hall and through the link, strong and authoritative like the proud Alpha Queen I am meant to be, "I am Queen Amelia Knight, ruler of werewolves and protector of our kingdom, and as such it is my job to make sure my subjects are safe, secure and happy under my rule. I swear to dedicate my life to making sure that men and women like ex-councilman Richard are forever kept out of positions that gives them the power to hurt others." I glance around and every pair of eyes is on me, listening intently to what I have to say. I take a deep breath before continuing on to the matter that's been pressing at the back of my mind since I woke up," Many of you have heard of the wicked Vampire King and his plot to take over the supernatural world, including us. He wants to destroy everything we stand for and he's plotting this as we speak. He is slaughtering entire villages with hundreds of innocent lives being lost whether it be human, werewolf, vampire, or witch. He will stop at nothing before he has every last pack, coven, and clan under his rule because he knows that if he controls them the other species will have no choice but to submit. This isn't just about protecting our own, this is about protecting our way of life and ensuring that the harmony of species isn't lost to a tyrant. I know I can count on you to be strong and brave and I want you to know that you can count on me to lead you into this war and together we will win!"

Deafening screams and cheers erupt all around me, proving to me how loyal my pack really is. If the Vampire king wants a war then he'll get a war, I just hope he's prepared to lose.