Bad Euphoria 2: The Four Tribes

IMANI

It's been a month since getting back my essence and I woke up this morning feeling light as a feather. Euphoria's aura decided to stay in slumber as I walked along the land. I was taken by the beauty of the forest and the beautiful colors displayed amongst the trees. White, pink and yellow leaves were all over the trees...I was told they changed color depending on the warmth of the sun. Which explains why they were all white when I first arrived.

I heard birds chirping and saw turquoise feathers fly past me. Following its movement, I made it all the way to the lake. It was clear and I could see all the creatures of the water swimming around and floating.

"My Queen, would you like a blanket?" Fallon asked.

She was my bodyguard when roaming the lands. Seeing her wrestle down a man twice her size made me so proud. Fallon knew the land inside out, very skillful in combat and tougher than many of the male guards at the palace. So it made sense that she was the commander of the team.

"No thank you." I smiled.

"Many bobcats and wolves come here for drinks of water. Some bring their babies too."

"Have you ever been attacked?" I asked.

"Oh plenty of times..."

My eyes widened. "Oh, maybe we should go then."

"No, no, please enjoy your time...we're fine." She laughed.

Euphoria is the fearless one...not me.

Soon I began to relax, then I saw a wolf in the distance. It was a mixture of white and gray fur and it just stood there staring at us. Euphoria doesn't like wolves...especially werewolves.

It stared at me for a while then turned, walking away. I was relieved.....my encounters with wolves weren't too great.

"My Queen, I was wondering if I could have a talk with you?"

I looked to see Captain Stone smiling at me. "Sure." He helped me up and we began to walk away from Fallon.

I knew he really liked Euphoria and I was hoping she would come forward for this conversation but she stayed back.

"So Captain, what do you need to talk to me about?"

"You know you can call me Braxton."

I gave a nod. "Sorry, force of habit."

"One of the pack's Alpha wanted to pledge his allegiance to the new Queen. I know how you feel about werewolves and wolves in general, so if you decide to meet with him...I will attend the meeting with you."

I smiled. "Thank you, Braxton. I really appreciate that."

"My pleasure." He took my hand and placed his lips on it.

The blush on my face was hard to hide and he smiled at my shyness.

"Braxton, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure....anything my Queen."

"Do you know how many werewolf packs there are in Ecstasia?"

He took some time to think. "About 50 or so..."

"Whoa! That's a lot. Have they caused any harm in the past?"

"Not in the ten years I've served. They usually stay to themselves and keep order among each other and other packs."

"What about witches and hybrids?"

"Hybrids?"

"Yes..like half Vampire half Werewolf...."

Braxton smiled. "I will set up a meeting for you to receive all the intel on the species that are here in Ecstasia."

"Oh that would be amazing, thank you, Captain.....I mean Braxton."

His smile was so warm and inviting.

"Do you have any plans for this evening?" He asked.

"No...but I'm sure Euphoria would love to see you again."

Many in the Queendom didn't know that Euphoria and I were one but different beings. Only Fallon, Jasmine, Katrina and the Captain knew. The rest of them just thought I was bipolar.

Braxton stopped in front of me. "Actually, I was hoping to get to know you better, Imani."

My eyes grew wide. Uh oh....

***

I was reading documents, getting them all organized and put away properly. A cluttered desk was not my thing and I wasn't going to start now that I'm Queen. Yes, I could've had someone do it for me but I was bored and organizing relaxes me.

Mommy? Mommy, where are you?

Ethan?

Mommy, I wanna go with you. Why can't I be with you?

I immediately got up and created a portal to see what was wrong with my son. He wasn't in his room and my temperature began to rise. I walked through his father's home ready to destroy whomever got in my way.

"Ethan, where are you?!"

I looked to see him sitting in the corner of the living room area, holding the teddy I got him when he was a baby.

"Ethan, baby are you okay?"

"MOMMY!!!" He ran towards me and I held him tight. His little body was shaking and my heart broke.

"Ms. James...I wasn't told you were visiting him today."

I got up to see Mr. Oliver standing before me. He had sorrow in his eyes and I walked towards him as he opened his arms for a hug.

"Oh, Oliver...I missed you." I pulled away, looking into his eyes.

"Likewise...I think you should take Sir Ethan with you. There's been some distress going on between Mr. Spear and Ms. Diana. I think it would be best...."

"No need to explain any further. I would love to have my son with me." I looked down and smiled at Ethan squeezing my hand.

"Has anyone hurt Ethan?"

"Over my dead body...."

I exhaled, knowing what Oliver said was true. He loved Ethan with everything in him.

"Mr. Spear, really hasn't been himself lately. He hardly spends time with Ethan and sits alone. He and Diana have not been able to conceive and I think that might be taking its toll on their relationship. I will explain to him Ethan's new living arrangement. "

With those words we heard Diana's voice behind us.

"What new living arrangement?"

I turned around to face Diana, who stared with sadness in her eyes. She stood there with a lost look on her face, not at all the woman that I first met in Nathan's study room.

"Are you trying to take Ethan away?" She asked with teary eyes.

"He is coming to stay with me for a while. Oliver will make Nathan aware once I leave."

"Why not tell me yourself....." Nathan walked into the room.