Rage of the Alpha (Part 2 of the Alpha Queen series)
Chapter 12

Asher intrigued Saber when he moved to stand in front of her, taking both her hands in his.

“It is an honor, my Queen…” Her Fae Prince pulled her closer while bringing his fangs into position on the unmarked side of her supra-sternal notch. “An honor to love you as well.” As soon as he pierced her skin, their power merged completely. His was the ultimate opposite of hers - ice to her fire, cold to her warmth.

Gasps and cheers from the congregation of wolves erupted as arcs of purple lightning spread through the air and formed a dome over the entire gathering. A separate purple bubble ensconced the two lovers, causing the Alphas to spread out amongst the people.

To Saber and Asher, the privacy was a welcome form of encouragement, because the new cadre attachment between them affected the mating bond in a carnal way. They were made for each other in every way imaginable. Instinct had taken utter control.

Asher snapped his fingers and the boundaries of clothing was gone. With this new mark on her, there was no holding back. Their newly bonded power was almost alive with the force of urging them to join physically.

There was something else too. Asher had noticed the entity within him pledging his allegiance to Saber right along with him - although after he had met the entity, when he had urged Asher to reinforce their mating bond, it had kept well away. This time, through their coupling, it was completely merged with Asher.

This would have happened with the Alphas if Saber had not been mated already when they marked her as their Queen. Asher felt no threat from the entity as their shaft speared into Saber with one swift stroke. At Saber’s urging, they pounded into her with single-minded obsession, never easing up.

Saber felt the different energy radiating through her and accepted it wholly. The protective wave she sensed had purpose. Each time they slammed into her, their need to give her pleasure intensified. Saber rode those waves of ecstasy into sweet oblivion - over and over she was sent spiraling into bliss.

LIFFIN

There was absolutely no difference between the Winter King and Prince Asher. Setting aside the fact that this man didn’t know them, the coldness emanating from him was just as unsettling as his brother’s. Even in Asher’s warmest moments, there was always something between them. Liffin trusted Asher in all things, no question, because he knew him. But the effect the Winter King was having was the opposite.

Liffin could only hope Ferian would have better luck. If we had foreseen this, it would’ve been much better to have Ferian deal with this one. He forced himself to focus on what the King was saying.

“One of the last things she spewed at me was, and I quote: ‘Your Fae Queen did this, and you refuse the truth!’ My shock at her words had put me in a stupor. Whether it was denial or confusion didn’t matter at that moment. It was my reaction that caused the obliteration of all life around us. Regretfully I still don’t quite see the bigger picture. Tell me, is Prince Asher a good man? Or is my son…”

A small smile appeared by itself on Liffin’s face as he saw the insecurity the King felt - this would be Asher in another half-millennia, showing tiny fissures amidst all that frost.

“My brother is the best version of the Fae in every way. He is our brother, our leader, and our reason. A great man that inspires and takes nothing for granted. He would sacrifice himself for his people any day.” Liffin spoke from his heart. Seeing that crack in the King’s armor solidified this alliance for Liffin, but he couldn’t trust him yet.

“As soon as this impending war has been handled, we will launch a full investigation into this matter. As I’m certain your Majesty will agree, this is personal to all of us involved. We need to understand it. Currently the Fae Queen is devastated, but our focus must lie with the bigger threat first, replaceing allies to fight with us.”

“And you probably want me to handle the Elves.” The King said without emotion.

“That would be your Majesty’s prerogative, but Prince Ferian and the Witches’ Princess Lamia have brokered an audience with the Elven Queen. They were also successful with the Autumn King and Vampire Queen - who has volunteered to try to convince the Vampire nation.” Lola answered this time.

“Much as I wish that as a good development, it seems that my presence will be needed in both cases. My mate has surely captured your sibling by now, and the Vampire Queen… well, she has not been a Queen to her people in a long time. She might be facing a death penalty, even with Pavel at her side.” The King informed them with a pensive look.

Although this would be dangerous, the King needed to do something to aid his long-lost son. If it could inadvertently bring his mate back to him, so much the better. It was past time for his heart to be healed. Having lived through centuries with the emptiness and pain as constant companion, this seemed almost a blessing in disguise. How could he pass up this opportunity?

“We will leave after lunch. Your assistance would be a welcome respite.” The King said as if they’d already agreed. The arrogance of royalty, Liffin kept this thought to himself, but noticed Lola smiling at him as if she heard every word.

FERIAN

Though he and Lamia had been thrown in the same jail cell, there had been few words between them as each pondered a way out of their predicament. Their accommodations were stellar when compared to usual dungeons. Besides the hardened heap of clay and stitched-together leaf blankets, it was impeccably clean, running water via a basin and even a toilet - which seemed straight from the human realm.

He had a feeling that this was intended to be a punishment for Elves, since they hated anything to do with the humans after the previous war, and for the fact that they didn’t tolerate other species in their seclusion.

They had to get the Elven Queen to listen to reason. Neither him nor Lamia had any power in this cell where they’d been locked up for two days already. There was one small window - maybe six Liffins could reach it if they stood atop one another. They hadn’t received any sustenance either if one didn’t count their access to water.

By the time anyone remembered they were down here, they would’ve starved to death. Or in the case that they weren’t completely forgotten, they would surely be malnourished and at the edge of reason - useless in the coming battle. We don’t have time for this! Ferian thought yet again.

Sounds sparked his attention. It was coming from the darkness - then again, everywhere was darkness outside of their cell. The acoustics down here was not to be trusted as it turns out, because in the space of a breath there was someone standing behind him.

The newcomer stood unaffected as Ferian whirled around with Lamia suddenly appearing at his side. The Elf seemed to be studying them, taking their measure while wearing disgust on his or her face.

“Queen Elbereth believes you have been disoriented enough and wishes to know the truth…” seemingly pausing for effect before finishing the thought, “all of it.”

Disoriented! None of our senses are working properly. The only thing we know for sure are up and down. Sight, smell… even touching the metal bars had me believing it was bound twigs and strings. Disoriented? This cell has turned everything we’ve trusted since birth into lies!

“Speak, for She has no patience for prisoners. And,” another damned pause, “She is listening.”

The next thing Ferian and Lamia knew, they were spilling all the beans from all the containers. It made no difference which of them was speaking, the other would continue whatever truth they knew pertaining to the reasoning for their intrusion of the Elven Forest.

Ferian could admit this way of interrogation was spectacularly effective as he listened to himself explain his adoptive mother’s actions and the effect on the four Fae Princes. Truly dastardly, well played your Majesty. He almost wished she could hear his thoughts.

Receiving a strange look from Lamia, Ferian let her continue. They might as well get this over with. Whether they would be killed or not depended on Queen Elbereth’s mood. But if she had all the information, he hoped that she could make an informed decision at the very least.

When there were no truths left, the person in front of them tilted their head. With a faraway look in their eyes, he or she spoke some Elven command that made Ferian’s vision swirl. He couldn’t even tell if the vertigo hit Lamia in the same way. But as soon as their eyes met, they found themselves in an audience with the Queen.

It became a battle to stay standing when nothing was moving. It felt as though they were seasick, but while they were on solid ground. Refusing to fall flat on her face, Lamia shivered and screamed out in rage. Ferian was unsure how she could be so long-winded.

Her aggravation suddenly had new meaning when her eyes started glowing like red-hot coals when she went down on all fours, growling menacingly. Her fiery lava-like hair turned pitch black and shortened considerably. Limbs started breaking and the horrible sound of snapping bones filled the air.

Lamia’s growling turned into a thunderous roar that echoed through the forest and silenced everything in its wake. The Elven Queen stood slowly from her seat on the dais as she beheld the beautifully slick panther mere steps away.

“Magnificent… Your rage would keep nature’s power at bay. This is a surprise. What do you have to say Fae King of Winter?” Elbereth asked, never taking her eyes from Lamia.

Ferian knew his mind was lost when she spoke those words. Everything that was wrong with him had ceased the moment Lamia started screaming. His equilibrium had returned only for his mind to snap. There could be no other explanation for the Winter King’s presence.

Winter turned to his companions, who looked astonished at the turn of events. This transformation was news to them too. Another secret exposed by his mate. He regretted not listening to her when their son was born.

“I will never doubt you again El. That is my vow.” He told her, calmly examining the burning skin where the tattoo settled on his forearm, twin to the one now gracing the Queen’s arm too. Asking her to return home now would be a waste of time, but he needed some assurance for his heart’s sake.

“Will you fight with us Elbereth?”

The Queen had finally taken her eyes from the stunning creature, maybe to reassure herself of the oath that was now inked into her very being. She still found it a strange custom - to ink something onto flesh as a reminder to keep one’s promise or forfeit one’s life.

“What vow do you wear on your neck, mate of mine?” She rebutted with a raised brow as she lifted her chin.

Winter didn’t hesitate, “To replace our son…”

The Queen bent slightly to reach Lamia’s black fur. Lamia allowed this apology of sorts because she sensed the woman had softened, although it didn’t show on her face. Peace filled her heart when Elbereth stroked her shoulder and held out a hand to Ferian.

He stepped closer, taking the monarch’s hand in his. He wished he could touch Lamia like that. Ferian noticed the Queen saying, “A gift, for your choice to trust me with the truth,” and immediately it was as if his eyes had been closed all this time and now, at last, they were opened.

Not only could he see the bond between Lamia and him, but he could also feel it as well. How have I been this blind? How can this be? It took only a moment to realize that his mother was responsible. Pushing this hateful realization away, he dropped to his knees and settled his forehead against that of the panther.

Queen Elbereth was dripping with resolve when she looked at the Winter King who just happened to be her mate.

“Yes Magnus, we will fight beside you.”