Echoes of War

Coronation

All the men smell of sweat and dirt. All except one. That one is yelling at the others. "11? I told you to get 15!"

"They can breed sir."
"Can you command them to do so."

Scraggly beard doesn't hesitate to walk up to the cage. "You, red." He points at Ivar, who has resently lost his mate. "And you, white." He points at Fei, who is an unmated she-wolf. "Breed!" He orders. They hesitate. Their hesitation earns Ivar a sharp poke. He slowly nudges Fei's rear. Fei only nods. Knowing she doesn't have a choice. They both turn to look at me.
I shake my head, I won't condemn them.

Ivar sits on his rear, refusing to mate with her. Getting poked and proded at he doesn't mount her. I turn to the young mated pair in the far corner.

Mate. I link to them. They nod, waiting patiently for my blessing. Once I bless them, I turn away. Not wanting to see the mating take place.

"See, your grace, we can make more."

"Get the black ones in chains." Not so smelly looks at me as he speaks. "They must be made presentable." And so he leaves.

Our captors doesn't do much to separate me and Sigrid from the rest. The remaining three pups cries as we are muzzled and chained around necks and front paws.
I don't fight it. We don't fight.

Two better dressed men walk in an take the chains. They lead us to two grand doors. We are told to walk ahead on the red carpet and only stop at the foot of the stairs. I don't understand until people with spears open the doors.

On the other side is a enormous room filled with bodies. The laughter and music dies abruptly. The people stare.

Sigrid and I are ordered to walk ahead. I start off running. The man behind me falls and gets dragged behind me. Sigrid trots slightly tugging her handler along. Shocked gasps erupt through the room. I stop and sit where I was told to. My handler was left in the middle of the room. There are only two stairs and a small upper part with an over the top chair. Throne. I think.

On the throne was an amused looking man. Maybe he was amused by that metal thing on his head. What was that thing called again? He bursts out laughing and soon the room is filled with laughter. "These wolves are wonderful, father." Look it's Not so smelly. I wondered where he'd wonder of to.

Throne boy rises to his feet, confidently strides over to me. He reaches out and pet the top of my head. I let him, somehow I am enjoying the attention.

"Son, they are werewolves." Not so smelly tells Throne boy.

Throne boy looks at me he's scratching behind my ears slowing. He swallows before answering. "I want the female's hide on my wall."

I snap my head to see my sister struggle as more men gather around her. With the muzzle, my jaws can't open but I can still growl. Throne boy immediately steps back. "Take him to my room."

Four metaled men pull on the chain connected to my body in vain. With little strength I easily over power these men. My victories are futile as more and more men surround me.

Slfffth. And short scream. And I stop.
I hear her body thud lifelessly onto the ground.

How could they see me as a monster if they are so quick to kill.

I collapse. Not from exhaustion. From pointless anger. No thoughts gather in my mind. I was too weak.