The Lord ✔️

Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Hope, Almost None Left

"Give up," she hissed, creeping closer. "There is no hope left for you, Hunter. Queen Cora will win, she will rule them all. Give up while you still can."
Hunter sat up blearily, watching as she circled him, her beady eyes trailing over his body and then staring at him in the eyes. His tail twitched downwards as she smirked, and her fangs came into view.
"What is the use of a wolf called Ruby?" she smiled, but any wolf could tell it was fake. "She's just a disturbance. You could do so much better than her, Hunter. Why would you make yourself suffer with those pups, and a mate who only cares about herself? I will stand by you, I will help you achieve victory. Hmm?"
Hunter opened his mouth, but found he couldn't speak.
She continued. "You have one chance to give up. Queen Cora's greatness will override all; who are you to defy someone as great as her? Answer me."
"I love Ruby," Hunter croaked out.
She laughed, a laugh that was bitter and cold. "And is there a law saying she must love you back? She doesn't—she is simply using you, as you are a prince. She is using you for your position. All she wants is fame."
A wave of fear swept over Hunter. Did Ruby really care about him? Was she right, saying he needed to give up? Or was she just making it up? But why?
"I don't think I can trust you," Hunter said slowly, edging backwards. He tried to escape, yet, he was surrounded by walls of inky blackness that he couldn't break through. Panic flared in his eyes.
She raised her eyebrows. Even though the act was supposed to be casual, Hunter felt chills go up his spine. Her eyes pierced through him. "You have a choice," she growled. "Make the right one. Choose to override greatness and fail, or give up, leave Ruby and the midgets, and live in everlasting peace."
"I'll do whatever Andromeda does," Hunter said, firmly.
"'I'll do whatever Andromeda does,'" she mocked. "Andromeda is greater than you. She doesn't care about you, either; she is, like Ruby, merely using you."
"Why would Andromeda use me?" Hunter asked. "She's my sister, and she already has all the status she wants. I'm not going to be fooled. I have enough brains to know this is a trick by Queen Cora. Are you Cora?" He sounded more confident.
She snarled. "I'm not Queen Cora!" When she had calmed down, she continued. "You cannot go making assumptions. I am just pushing you towards the correct path, where you will find your place, and a chance to become great. You will be famous and a wolf respected by all other wolves."
"But Andromeda's not using me, and Ruby's my mate," Hunter said, persisting.
"'Disgraceful mates,'" she quoted.
Hunter narrowed his eyes, being careful not to let her see how intimidated he really was. "That's not a thing, and Ruby certainly isn't disgraceful; I will not join Queen Cora. She is evil, she is vile, and she is as dumb as an elk. If you are really stupid enough to think I'd join her after so long of hating her, you are delusional."
Hunter didn't know if it was wise to have said that. Her teeth, bared into the most ferocious snarl he had ever seen, jumped forward like the horns of a moose and bit into him. He only whimpered. Streaks of blood trickled out of his fur, slowly, carefully, painfully, and Hunter closed his eyes as darkness overtook him, whispering haunting words.