Rejection to the Alpha King's Daughter [amazon edition]

Chapter 28 - A Declaration of War

Chapter 28 – A Declaration of War

I glare at the wolf who dares challenge my decision of preparing the safe rooms throughout the pack, the Head Warrior slowly shrinking back into his seat as he realizes that calling me a stupid little airhead was a mistake he could not afford.
"Marco, it seems your retirement is coming up in a few years, five if I am not mistaken." Narin speaks from my left, he too glaring at the wolf who challenged and insulted me.
"Th—That's right, Beta Narin." Marco stutters out, a look of relief on his face.
"Well, I think it should be earlier, with how you have served the pack the last one hundred years as head of the Guards. See Butler Leo now and inform him Her Grace has awarded you an early retirement. We can find your replacement later today." I chuckle, secretly fist bumping my friend under the table as he defends me, watching as two Guards lift Marco from his seat and escort him out. True to his word, Narin took over as Beta five days after our talk. He helped Albot create a list of supporters loyal to Coro and dispatched a group of Trackers to deal with them.
[Do we have a replacement candidate?] Albot links us, his hand squeezing my thigh.
[I was thinking that stoic Daniel you two have. He is fair when training and helps those having a hard time learn the new moves.] Narin answers. I agree, linking Daniel and telling him to meet me in my office later today. He would make a great Head Hunter and his mate would be perfect for training the she-wolves. I frown at the thought of mates, wondering when my true mate will show up and praying that it is Albot. Every morning I wake in his arms, hoping for the bond to snap into place, only to have to hide my disappointment from him when nothing sparks between us. I want him and only him. Why couldn't Morai see that he is my destined mate, when my heart already knows it to be true?
"Your Grace, have you thought about my suggestion for training our soldiers for war? We cannot let their training falter or we might die when Prince Coro attacks," Lester, an advisor whose loyalty changes depending on who is sitting on the throne, states. Bringing my attention back to the room, I frown at the man who still sports a light bruise on his cheek from the fight we had yesterday. This man challenged my authority during training, stating that only having training days every other day was not enough to protect the Royal Pack from Coro. He learned quickly just what my five-foot-nothing frame could do. I cannot wait to interview his replacement tomorrow and remove this weasel of a wolf from my council.
"I have, and we will keep the current training schedule. Just because there is a threat looming over us does not mean the wolves need to train everyday. If they do, they will become too exhausted to fight when my brother and his army comes." I state, watching Lester nod in acceptance. He knows his days are numbered after yesterday, and watching Marco being led out must have been his wake-up call to just how short his days remaining on the council are.
"Abbigail, how are the preparations for the emergency shelters going?" I ask the she-wolf, head of my maids. She smiles, her grey hair and thin body hiding the strength this she-wolf has. I personally have sparred with her since returning, learning a few new techniques from the three-hundred-year-old wolf who vowed her loyalty to me the moment she saw me at the masquerade ball.
"They are going well. We managed to clean out four of the six shelters completely and replace many of the furniture inside. Sadly, two of the shelters have fallen apart and are flooded from the snow. It seems they were not sealed properly when they were made." Abbigail answers, a smile on her face.
"Principle Lidia and I have also come up with an emergency drill for the students to follow in case of war starting unexpectedly and how to get into the shelter under the school. This involves the older pups helping guard the school while the pups ages five to thirteen make their way to the shelter first." She continues, impressing me. I thank the she-wolf, praising her hard work and for taking a concern off of my shoulders without realizing it. I catch Lester glaring at her and sigh internally. It seems this idiot does not like how Abbigail handles her tasks better than he can his own.
"Doctor Howard, what are the supplies like for the pack hospital?" I ask, the young wolf looking at me with shock before flipping through his notes.
"We have managed to get most of the supplies we needed in, but we need help finding a few herbs. I was wondering if you could get in contact with your uncle or someone from the Moon Goddess' Temple and see if they have a few, preferably ones we can replant and grow ourselves." The doctor answers. I find myself frowning again, reaching over the table to take the list that Doctor Howard holds out to me and scan the contents.
"I think Ira has a few herbs on this list. If anything, Cassandra has been moving back into her towers and should have a few as well. I will talk to the two tomorrow." My response seems to be the correct one as the doctor thanks me, even if he did give me another headache to worry about.
"Mom, trouble!" The door is burst open as Blake rushes in, his face a look of terror as he takes my left hand in his right and pulls me from my seat. Shocked and worried, I follow my pup with the council right behind me, the group rushing down the hall, past the ballroom and out to the front steps of palace. Soldiers in both human and wolf form stand there guarding the entrance as a sickly looking taupe wolf limps towards us, his head adorned with a silver crown made of thorns and brambles.
"How cruel, he never chose to become a Rogue or Soulless." Alice states, her small body standing at the foot of the stairs as she stares sadly at this Soulless making his way towards us. I make my way quickly to her side, putting Alice behind me while Narin and Albot take a spot to stand protectively in front of me. The Soulless continues to limp forward, ignoring the growls and threatening stance of my wolves, his eyes hollow looking as if the only thing that matters to him is moving forward.
"Let him through." I state, my Soldiers looking at me in confusion before bowing, creating a line on either side of the walk way. A spark of life seems to ignite in the Soulless but only for a second before the hollow look returns, the wolf neither attacking nor backing away from those that watch him, waiting for any signs of danger to end his sad life until he stops before me, bowing his head.
"State your business." Narin orders, eyeing the wolf suspiciously. The wolf growls slightly but drops a piece of paper he has kept between his teeth, ignoring Narin. With another bow, he turns around and limps away only to collapse to the ground five steps into his retreat. The driveway is silent, all of us holding our breath as we look on at the Soulless, seeing is there is any trick. Albot takes a step forward, looking back at me before turning to the wolf laying motionlessly on the ground. With quick strides, he kneels beside the taupe wolf, a sad look in his eyes as he looks to me.
"He's dead. The silver crown killed him." Albot stats, his fingers closing the wolf's eyes. I rush forward, bending down and gently remove the crown from the wolf's head, tears falling from my eyes. Only one person would be this cruel, and he used a silver crown to send me a message.
"Find out who he is and send his ashes to his family. He never deserved this." I state, placing the crown on a pillow Lilac brings me before using my forearm to wipe away my tears.
"If he has no family, then spread his ashes with the rest of our pack's by the sacred tree." Doctor Howard steps forward, ordering a few soldiers to help carry the wolf away as Narin comes forward, the note this Soulless died to deliver to me in his hands.
"It's addressed to you." His lips are set in a grim line and with shaky hands, I take the note. Albot wraps his arms around me, pulling my back against his chest while I open the note.

Hello Little Sister,
Congratulations on becoming Queen, it's too bad you only have a few weeks left to enjoy the power as I plan to take the throne from you soon. Be prepared, Little Sister, to give your head to me on a silver platter when the moonflowers bloom.

Xoxo — your loving brother, Coro the Soulless King

P.S. I cannot wait to meet the newest pups in my bloodline, it's too bad that they have different mothers.