《The Devil You Know》


 Chatpter 1

    Lucy


    A rusty haze covers the dusty plain stretching far as the eye could see, plums of orange fire illuminating the mist, rivers of molten lava snake their way through the plain. A haunting melody drift on sulfuric winds, the sounds of souls tortured by Eldritch Abominations for their past life¡¯s sins. Through the haze, a blood-red sun hangs motionless in the sky, adding an eerie timeless atmosphere to the world.


    I lay languidly on a lounge chair placed to one side of my ostentatiously large balcony, the glossy black stone reflecting the light from the sun. A small table next to me with a stack of best-selling books, at least according to Lilith¡¯s children who had brought them back from their trips to the Mortal Realm. I couldn¡¯t see why, after all, whoever heard of sparkly vampires, and the characters, I¡¯d call them flat as cardboard if it wasn¡¯t an insult to cardboard. It only goes to show how much has changed since the last time I ventured to the Mortal Realm, I thought with a mental snort at the directions of my thoughts.


    Hum, maybe it is about time I make that trip to the Mortal Realm; after all, I thought, it wasn¡¯t a new thought, though. I had been throwing around the idea for at least a few mortal centuries now. However, there always seemed to be one reason or another not to go. That¡¯s BS, and you know it, Lucy, a small voice says in the back of my mind. It wasn¡¯t like the realm would fall apart if I left for a few months, and really if anything did happen, it would be a simple matter to come back. No, the real reason I was reluctant to visit the Mortal Realm was how different it was from what I remember, I wasn¡¯t sure if I could blend in as well as I use to.


    ¡°Are you going to keep ogling your naked sister or are you going to explain why you¡¯re in my realm, dear brother,¡± I say when I feel a presence intrude on my solitude.


    ¡°Here I thought I had finally figured out a way to masked my presence from you,¡± a deep masculine voice responded from the direction of the door that led into my sitting room.


    I swivel my head to look at the only being in the whole of reality that could be considered my equal. While the being wasn¡¯t my brother, by any standard definition of the word, it was just easier to classify our relationship that way. He hasn¡¯t changed since the first day we created our bodies, I thought, as my eyes raked over the being who had come to stand next to my lounge chair, an athletic build, messy, dirty blonde hair top a perfectly portioned face with piercing blue eyes that seemed to look into your very soul.


    ¡°You¡¯re in my realm,¡± I said in answer to his statement as if that was explanation enough, and truth to tell it was. There is very little that happens in My Realm that escapes my notice, let alone the appearance of a being of equal power to me. ¡°Speaking of which, why is that? I thought you had declared your intention never to return.¡± I say with a smile, ¡°if I remember correctly your exact words were ¡®The only way you¡¯re getting me back here is if you drag my cold dead corpse here as long as that Succubus lives.¡¯¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you''re talking about, dear sister,¡± brother says with a strained smile.


    ¡°Well then, if that¡¯s the case, you won¡¯t mind if I call Lilith to join us,¡± I say, my tone making it a question, and my smile grows wider at the minute twitch of brother¡¯s lips.


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary, I¡¯m sure Lady Lilith is busy I would not want to take her away from whatever important endeavor she is participating in.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense, Lilith would be devastated to learn that you had dropped by, and she missed you.¡±


    Brother tried to hide it, but I could still hear the small huff of sardonic laughter that escaped his lips. ¡°Sure. She¡¯ll be devastated. More like she¡¯ll be disappointed that she couldn¡¯t pull one of her pranks.¡± My brother says under his breath before making another lounge chair appear next to mine and perching on its corner facing me.


    ¡°Have we finally gotten to the point where you¡¯ll enlighten me to the reason of your intrusion into my realm or are we still on the pointless small talk phase of the conversation,¡± I ask, ¡°if he latter is the case then I have quite a few tasks that I could be doing instead.¡±


    ¡°One of those tasks wouldn¡¯t be working on your tan, would it.¡±


    ¡°As a matter of fact, no, there are a few souls that have started to arrive recently that require my personal attention, I believe the mortals call them politicians. However, that isn¡¯t the most pressing concern I have at the moment, and I was making excellent progress on it until you came along,¡± I add the last part in a haughty tone.


    ¡°Well, in that case, I¡¯ll make this quick so you can get back to it.¡± my brother said, passing me a card with flowing golden script scrolled across its center.


    <blockquote>


    You are cordially invited to the Celestial Summit to be held in the realm of the Primordial God of Light, Lord Joseph.


    </blockquote>


    ¡°Has it really been two millennia since the last Summit,¡± my tone making it more of a statement than a question. The summit marked what most deities regarded as the beginning of a new celestial year. ¡°More importantly, how in the levels did you get roped into hosting it this time?¡± I ask, my eyebrow raised in question. The being most Deities call Lord Joseph just stared at me as if I had grown a second head, which I reflected wasn¡¯t an unheard-of occurrence.


    ¡°Well, let see here,¡± Joseph said, his tone dripping condescension as if I should know what he was about to say, ¡°with the sheer number of Deities on the invite list there are only three places in reality that could accommodate them all without blowing a hole in reality. The first being the Mortal Realm, which a little thing called the Accords makes impossible to use, what with the restriction placed on deific interaction and all that. That leaves mine or your realm as the only other places available, and since most of the invited Deities are either band indefinitely from or would never willingly enter your realm that leaves mine as the only possible location.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yea, I had forgotten about the little problem of holes forming in the fabric of space-time if you get too many Deities in a place controlled by a being of equal or lesser power than them.¡± a smile forms on my lips. ¡°also, I can¡¯t understand why none of the deities what to come to my beautiful realm,¡± an inhuman wale drifted across the dusty plain as the last part left my lips, ¡°I will admit it is an acquired taste, but you come here no problem.¡±


    ¡°only when I have to,¡± Joseph countered dryly at my shrug. ¡°at the risk of sound like I¡¯m changing the subject, I should mention, but knowing you, sister, you probably won¡¯t take advantage of it, you are allowed a plus one.¡± My smile begins to widen, showing some teeth, when Joseph adds, ¡°and if you try to bring that Succubus as your plus one, I will banish her back to this realm before she steps one perfectly manicured toenail in my realm.¡± It was my brother''s turn to smile at my expression.


    ¡°Just because the last time she was in your realm, she throws one small orgy you won¡¯t let her back in,¡± I lament.


    ¡°Small!¡± my brother exclaims, ¡°she had half my angels withering throughout the halls of my palace. Thank me, most of the guardian angels were in the Mortal Realm looking after their charges at the time, but it still took me almost a century to get everything straightened out. So, yea, that Succubus is banded from my realm for the rest of eternity, and even then, it¡¯s debatable whether I¡¯ll let her in.¡±


    ¡°I thought it was hilarious,¡± I say, picking up my discarded book, ¡°it definitely livened the place up. Also, at the risk of sounding ungrateful that the great and powerful Lord Joseph designed to deliver my invitation personally was that the only thing you came here for or was there anything else.¡± I said the last as I flipped back to the page of the book I was on.


    ¡°No,¡± my brother said, pushing out of the lounge chair, making it disappear in the processes, ¡°that was the only thing that brought me here.¡± As Joseph was about to take his leave, he paused, ¡°oh there was one more thing, Michael asked me if you¡¯d want a rematch.¡± I flipped my brother the bird at the mention of his second in command, but he had already left my realm, leaving his fading laughter behind.


    That is one thing Joseph, and I have in common; at least, we love our theatrics, I thought with a shake of my head before returning to my book. Realizing that the book wasn¡¯t getting any better, I threw it on the pile in disgust and got up from the lounge chair. After all, those politician¡¯s souls won''t torture themselves, which should be more entertaining than reading this trash. I thought as I walked back into my bedroom, the pile of books bursting into flames.


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    A few hours later found me back in my office going over everything I could find on the other High Gods. One thing was clear, blowing a hole, in reality, would have been an understatement if the Summit was held anywhere but where it was. It was still mind-boggling how the number of High Gods and Goddesses had skyrocketed in the last two millennia, from about a hundred to close to three thousand. Well, it isn¡¯t like it¡¯s all that surprising, I thought, rubbing the bridge of my nose, after all the number of worlds that have some form of intelligent life on it has skyrocketed as well.


    The fascinating thing was that most of the growth wasn¡¯t in the prime universe but the wider multiverse. A shudder ran down my spine just thinking about all the different versions of the Earth there were now, some weren¡¯t all that much different from the Prime Earth, but more and more were taking the form of fantasy worlds right out of the popular fiction on Prime Earth. This brings into play the seemingly immutable law of reality that the more fantastical the world, the more gods that are created from that world, I thought picking up another report from the stack on my desk.


    ¡°I hear His Excellency Lord Joseph visited the realm this morning,¡± Lilith said, entering my office, with the grace only one could learn from millennia of seducing mortals. ¡°has he finally come to his senses and lifted my banishment from his realm.¡±


    ¡°Do you really have to always call him that,¡± I ask glancing up from the report that I had been reading, as my second in command sat in one of the overstuffed chairs in front of my desk.


    ¡°Does he have to keep calling me ¡®that Succubus,¡¯¡± Lilith said, ¡°and I¡¯ll take that as a no. Who would have thought having some fun with those stuck up angels would lead to banishment from an entire realm.¡± I could only smile at the lack of remorse the woman most would call the Crown Princess of Hell was showing. ¡°so, what did that lightbulb with an overinflated ego want.¡±


    ¡°Lilith,¡± my tone warning, but there was very little bite to it, after all she had summed up Joseph¡¯s personality perfectly, ¡°you may not have a high opinion of my brother, but he is still a Primordial God, and while you may be my second in command and the most powerful demon in existence, you are still a demon. Show at least a modicum of respect if only for his position.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Your Excellency,¡± Lilith said, her head bowed in sincere contrition, but I could still see a small smile playing on her lips.


    ¡°As to your question, my brother had been roped into hosting the next Summit, which will be happening in a year by the mortal calendar. His visit was to deliver my invitation.¡±


    ¡°Has it really been two millennia since the last Summit,¡± Lilith asked then the rest of my statement registered. ¡°Wait! What! Did you just say your brother got roped into hosting it, how in reality did that happen?¡±


    ¡°Apparently, I¡¯ve done a better job of keeping myself out of the loop where the pantheons are concerned then I thought.¡± I said, motioning to the stacks of papers on my desk, ¡°According to these, the number of Deities that could be considered a High Gods has increased since the last Summit, which necessitates the use of mine, my brother¡¯s, or the Mortal Realm as the meeting place.¡±


    ¡°Because of extenuating circumstances, your brother¡¯s realm is the only plausible choice to host the meeting,¡± Lilith said, finishing my train of thought, more eloquently then I could have.


    ¡°Exactly, and since we¡¯re on the topic, I did want to let you know that I will be taking a trip to the Mortal Realm to see with my own eyes how things have developed. After all, with all but two of the invited Deities getting their power in some form or another from the Mortal Realm, it will undoubtedly be a major topic during the Summit.¡±


    ¡°And the opportunity to take that vacation you¡¯ve wanted without it looking like a vacation is what? A bonus,¡± Lilith said with a knowing smile.


    ¡°That never even crossed my mind,¡± I said with a straight face, which only caused Lilith''s smile to widen, ¡°however since you brought it up, it is true that this educational trip could double as a vacation to the Mortal Realm.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s your story, and you''re sticking to it,¡± Lilith said with a raised eyebrow, shaking her head at the smile that spreads across my lips in response. ¡°Do you know where in the Mortal Realm you¡¯ll be going?¡±


    ¡°I was thinking the Prime Earth, most if not all the Deities invited to the Summit have some type of following on the planet, so it¡¯s a good place as any to get a general feel for how things are in the wider realm. The only question is how I should go about it. disgusting myself as a human would be too limiting, plus with how things have changed, I don¡¯t think I could blend in as well as I use to.¡±


    ¡°True, unlike back then, there isn¡¯t an unquestioned nobility to easily cover up your foibles,¡± Lilith said, a thoughtful look on her face. I could feel my mood darkening. Cause a continent to go underwater in a rage and your subordinates never let you live it down, I thought sardonically as Lilith continued without noticing my mood change ¡°of course, there is an upper class that could act in the same vane but with social media as prevalent as it is nowadays, you¡¯d still be toeing a pretty fine line. You¡¯d be better off disguising your presence as one of the other intelligent races on the planet, the problem there is that they¡¯ve become more organized then they use to be.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± I questioned with a raised eyebrow, ¡°I knew the shifters had a governing council overseen by their Shifter King, and the BloodKin has Elsa governing their every move, but I hadn¡¯t realized the other races had started to organize themselves.¡±


    ¡°It more like the power balance among the races has shifted, and a new power has emerged as the dominant governing body of all non-human races. It¡¯s really only happened in the last few years, but by the way, everyone acts, you¡¯d think it was a lot longer.¡±


    ¡°Anabelle has finally made her move,¡± I say with a nod of my head as if that was the only conclusion that could be reached, ¡°it¡¯s been a long time in coming, after all the dragonkin have been the undisputed powerhouses of the non-human races for as long as the mortal realm has existed.¡±


    ¡°Your partially right,¡± Lilith said carefully, and I raise a questioning eyebrow, ¡°Anabelle, along with Elsa and an as of yet unknown third party, have created a ruling council for the non-human races; that they¡¯re calling the Otherworld Council.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­interesting. I had thought it would take Earth almost being destroyed for those two to work together on anything, and even then, I would have given it a fifty-fifty shot of happening.¡±


    ¡°True,¡± Lilith agreed, ¡°their animosity for each other is the stuff of legends. However, from the reports that I have been getting form my children, it seems that whoever or whatever this third party is has become somewhat of a mediator between the two, which has allowed them to work together.¡±


    ¡°Which means that whoever or whatever this third party is, if not very powerful, has the wit to take on those two. I may not be on the best terms with either woman, especially Elsa, but neither of them is easily manipulated. Mostly this third party whoever or whatever it is offered them a deal that would benefit them in some way while also creating this, what did you call it, Otherworld Council.


    ¡°As you say, Your Excellency,¡± Lilith says with a seated bow. Silence descended on my office for a few minutes as we both pondered the implications of what I had just said.


    ¡°It seems we have strayed from the original topic,¡± I say, breaking the silence.


    ¡°Yes, Your Excellency,¡± Lilith said, ¡°since the human option is off the table, that means one of the non-human races. However, that provides its own set of problems, no matter which one your choice to descend to the Mortal Realm as. most people you will come into contact with will expect you to have some understanding of modern-day Earth, and while some things have stayed the same since the last time you visited, many things have also changed.¡±


    That was the cruces of the matter, I thought. No matter which of the races I design myself as, including humans, I need a way to brush off any foibles that I may make while I get my bearings. ¡°Well, I could always say I¡¯ve lived in the mountains away from civilization for most of my early life and have just entered the civilized world. Which would mean that it would be best if I go as a teenager instead of a fully grown adult.¡±


    ¡°If you''re going as a teenager, then I know a great place for you to visit. It also has a lot of mountains around, so your story wouldn¡¯t be that farfetched. Plus, it also has a large non-human population, of course, most of it is made of shifters, so you should be able to get a good feel for how things are in the wider world. The only thing that could possibly be called a drawback it that the place is the seat of power for the shifter¡¯s current Shifter King.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not really a drawback,¡± I say, ¡°after all, despite everything Luna has done, this realm has great relations with the general shifter population. Actual, the shifters are probably the only non-human race that we actively trade with. however, that can¡¯t be the only drawback to the place.¡±


    ¡°There is one more,¡± Lilith said carefully, ¡°however I don¡¯t know if I would count it as a drawback just yet, it too early to tell how things will develop.¡± I raised an eyebrow in question, with all the ass-covering Lilith, had done in that one sentence my interested was peaked. ¡°you see, Your Excellency the Otherworld Council took it upon itself to get rid of the inheritance laws for the non-human races that had such laws and replaced them with a global inheritance law enforced by the council. What it basically comes down to, Your Excellency is that the oldest child of the non-human race in question would inherit the title regardless of gender.¡±


    ¡°This is all fascinating, but what does this have to do with my trip. The inheritance of the Shifter King title shouldn¡¯t concern me on this trip.¡±


    ¡°To tell the truth, I don¡¯t see it having any bearing on your visit to the mortal realm either, but as I said, I¡¯m not sure how things will develop, so I figured since your planning to be in the area, you should be informed. With that being said, however, the thing is the current Shifter King, Sebastian BloodMoon, only has one child, and that child happened to be female. This means under the new law, Ashley Bloodmoon will be the first Shifter Queen.¡±


    It took me a few minutes to process what she said, but when I had, I couldn¡¯t help myself, a burst of laughter left my lips. I could just picture the look on the faces of the members of that chauvinistic Shifter Councils when they realized the next ruler of the shifters would be female, for the first time in shifter history.


    ¡°Oh, how I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when it dawned on those chauvinistic asshats of the shifter council that an inferior female shifter is destined for the throne,¡± I say when I¡¯ve finally gotten my mirth under control.


    ¡°So, I take it you are going with my suggestion?¡±


    ¡°Yes, if anything, it would be a good chance to see how this future Shifter Queen handles herself.¡±


    ¡°Then I will have one of my children make the arrangements, Your Excellency. The only question now is, what race will you be descending to the mortal realm as.¡±


    ¡°I thought I¡¯d go as a demi-human; it the best fit for the type of back story I want to cultivate.¡±


    ¡°Excellent choice, Your Excellency. I will get my children to set everything up, how soon do you plan to leave?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, probably within a week or two.¡± I say, rubbing my chin in thought. ¡°now then with that out of the way, was there anything else you need or was the whole point of your visit to pester me about my brother''s visit.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s only preliminary, but I¡¯ve been getting reports¡­¡±

 Chatpter 2

    Amber


    A long breath escapes through my teeth as the inconstant beeping of my alarm penetrates my sleep-addled mind. Rubbing my eyes, I look around my dimly lit room, the first rays of the morning sun just showing through my window, another breath leaves my lips. Untangling myself from my bed covers, I moved to my closet and rummaged through the offerings to find something to wear. Wonder what Mat has in store for me this morning, I think, as I go about my morning routine.


    Mathew Reddy, the Captain of The Guard of the Bloodmoon Pack, was the third most powerful person in the pack, behind my father, the Alpha, and myself, as my father¡¯s successor. It was unheard of for any female in shifter society to become Alpha of any pack, let alone the Bloodmoon Pack. It¡¯s the Pack, the one that stood above all others with its alpha known as the Shifter King. I guess that going to have to change to Shifter Queen when I take over, I thought with a mental smirk. I wonder how many of those chauvinistic pigs on the council will die of apoplexy when that happens. A malicious glee tinted my mental voice as that last thought passed through my mind.


    ?That isn¡¯t something the future ruler of all shifters should be thinking,? my wolf chided in my mind.


    ?Maybe, but if I have to endure another one of Council Member Armstrong¡¯s lectures on ¡®the proper decorum of a lady,¡¯ I¡¯m liable to disembowel the man? I send back, my mental voice a growl. In place of answering, I could feel my wolf¡¯s agreement, and the sad thing was that Armstrong wasn¡¯t the worst. Oh, he had some antiquated ideas of the role of women in shifter society, but at least he understood the political realities that currently obtain, the same couldn¡¯t be said for the other seven members of the council. Surprising since the two most influential people in terms of both strength and political power in the Otherworld are female. I guess they forget that little fact when it¡¯s convenient, like whenever the topic of the succession comes up. That thought brought a smile to my lips as I made my way to my attached bath.


    If they could, I wouldn¡¯t put it past them to trying to convince dad that my cousin Jeremy would be a better successor. The only thing preventing them from doing just that was the same document giving them their power also stipulates that only a direct descendant of Eric BloodMoon, the first Shifter King, can sit on the Shifter Throne, which hasn¡¯t been contested because either by fluke or design, every successor has been male. Of course, there that edict from the otherworld council that should make things interesting, I thought as I finished getting ready for the day.


    Descending the main stairway from the second floor of the Pack House, which was the personal living quarters of the current Alpha and Beta of the Pack and their families, I make my way to the administrative area of the first floor where all the senior-level leadership of the Pack had an office. As my father¡¯s acknowledged successor, I technically have an office in this wing, but the number of times I¡¯ve been in it can be counted on one hand, as evident by the stacks of paperwork covering almost every inch, really if anyone wanted to get in contact with me all they had to do was shot me a text or email or if such a hypothetical person needs something immediately, they could just call me on my cell. Living in the twenty-first century is such a beautiful thing I thought dryly, the only problem is that most of the older generation hasn¡¯t adapted too well.


    As I walk down the hallway, I notice light pouring out of one of the offices closer to the end. ¡°Do you sleep,¡± I ask, leaning against the doorjamb.


    ¡°A good morning to you too, Amber,¡± the mountain of a man behind the desk responded without taking his eyes of the report he had in his hand. Pushing off the doorjamb, I make my way over to one of the empty chairs in front of his desk and waited for him to finish.


    ¡°For your information,¡± Mathew said when he fished the report, ¡°I got a full eight hours of sleep last night.¡±


    ¡°That good to hear, after all, it important as you advance in years to get a good night''s sleep,¡± I say with a smirk, for his part Mathew only scowls as he fished a file folder from the mess of reports on his desk.


    ¡°I was going to let you off on something easy and just have you patrol the northern board this morning, but because of that comment, I think I¡¯ll have you supervise the recruits during their training this morning.¡±


    ¡°Knowing you,¡± I say, taking the file, ¡°you were just looking for a reason to farm the responsibility off on me anyway.¡± Leafing thought the file I add, ¡°after all the only two people in the entire pack qualified to judge the readiness of recruits for the guard are you and me.¡± that, I reflected, is only one in a long list of reason the Bloodmoon Pack is different from every other pack in the world.


    While every pack in the world has an Alpha, Bata, and Captain of The Guard, that make up the pack¡¯s senior leadership, with the Captain¡¯s position being the only merit-based nonhereditary position, the Bloodmoon Pack was slightly different in that the Alpha was the Shifter King and was alpha to every shifter on the planet and the Bata taking on the role of a typical pack¡¯s alpha. The position of the Captain of The Guard was generally the same; however, he would have to provide security for both the pack and the Shifter King, meaning authority who¡¯s his position was akin to a regular pack¡¯s Bata.


    ?The only reason you have the qualifications to act in the capacity of the Captain of The Guard of a normal pack is because of the amount of time you spent with the guard as you grew up? my wolf reminded me as if I need it.


    ?well, it was either spend time with the guard who didn¡¯t care that I was a female or spend that time listening to the councilmembers make thinly veiled insults about my gender. Which do you think I would choose to spend my time doing?? I shot back.


    ?oh, I¡¯m not complaining in fact that training we received will defiantly help us in the future, but you do have to admit that it unusual for a pack to have two people that have the qualifications to be the Captain of The Guard.?


    ¡°I absolutely cannot understand why you would say something like that,¡± Mathew said, breaking into my conversation with a smirk playing at his lips.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you can¡¯t, ¡°I say with a snort at Mathew¡¯s hurt tone. I have to admit he is a good actor, I thought, closing the file and pushing out of the chair. Placing the file back on the desk, I turn to leave, but not before saying, ¡°I assume these guard hopefuls are in the barracks.¡±


    ¡°They are,¡± Mathew said, and with a smirk more heard than seen, he added, ¡°have fun.¡± I shake my head that isn¡¯t the additive I would have used to describe my coming experience if the quality of past recruits was any indication.


    Making my way out of the Pack House, I cross the vast field, which serves as a gathering place for the pack, to the barracks on the other side. Some of the guards milling around the front came to attention at my approach; the only one that didn¡¯t were to busy sparring on the training fields.


    ¡°Where are they,¡± I ask no one in particular.


    ¡°Inside your highness,¡± the guard closest to me, Andrew, said realizing without me having to ask who I was talking about.


    ¡°I feel sorry for those kids, having the Ice Queen as their instructor,¡± I head one of the guards, standing just outside the nearest training field, whisper as I enter the main barracks.


    ¡°Shut up, you moron, do you want her to hear you,¡± another guard said equally as quietly.


    Ice Queen, so that what the guards are calling me these days, I thought as my eyes adjusted to the dim light inside the recruit¡¯s barracks. The noise level in the cavernous room notably decreases on my entrance, and the sound of the heals of my shoes hitting the floor echo around the room as I make my way down the line of bunk beds. By the time I had made it to the end and done a heal turn, everyone had lined up in front of their bunks. I see my reputation proceeds me; mirth evident in my mental voice.


    ¡°Sophia, Jacob, Ethan, Aiden, and Olivia. Front and center.¡± I say into the ringing silence, my voice crisp. It only took a few seconds for the named recruits to gather, ¡°In Captain Reddy¡¯s infinite wisdom, he has deemed the five of you worthy of my training. Follow me,¡± the tone of my last words making them an order. Moving back to the only entrance I add before walking through it, ¡°Everyone else as you were.¡± Leading my five recruits to one of the deserted training fields, I have them spread out in a semicircle in front of me.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    ¡°at least you can follow orders,¡± I remark my tone harsh, unforgiving and out of the corning of my eye I could see a few seasoned guards winces remembering their first day of training. ¡°however, the guard is not just about following orders,¡± I continue, ¡°for the next three months you will be put through many situations requiring you to think on your feet. To make sure you survive the next three months this week, I will be putting you through the most intense training you have experienced ever, and believe me when I say all five of you will want to quit before the second day is through and run home to your mommas.


    ¡°This is the Bloodmoon Pack guard; not only are we charged with the protection of the pack, but we¡¯re also charged with protecting the Shifter King and his family. Due to this, if I find during these three months that you are unsuited for the guard, I will dismiss you then and there. You may appeal to Captain Reddy; however, I hope you have a good case because you will not enjoy the experience of wasting his time.


    ¡°now then with that out of the way, I want you all to give me one hundred pushups, one hundred curls, and one hundred pull-ups. Your goal for today is to complete all three tasks within five minutes. Starting now.¡±


    One of the guards who had been watching on the sidelines walked up to stand beside Amber as the recruits went about their assigned tasks. ¡°don¡¯t you think you were a bit harsh on them.¡±


    ¡°no harsher than Mathew was when we went through this, Andrew.¡±


    ¡°so, you''re using this to get back at the Captain for what he put us through?¡±


    ¡°no, well somewhat, but more importantly, these recruits need to understand while there is a certain prestige that comes with being a member of the guard; it is also a dangerous position. Not only are they changed to protect the pack like any other pack¡¯s guard, but they also have the lives of the Shifter Royal family to look after.¡±


    ¡°discounting the fact that a certain success to the Shifter Throne can go toe to toe with the Captain and even win seven out of ten sparring matches.¡±


    ¡°of course,¡± I responded in a tone that made what Andrew said seem obvious. ¡°then there¡¯s the fact that a certain second in command of the guard can also hold his own against the successor. Which now that I think about it reflects poorly on the successor¡¯s battle prowess that she can¡¯t consistently beat the Captain of The Guard or his second in command in sparring matches.¡±


    ¡°it doesn¡¯t reflect poorly on your battle prowess, but it shows that the leadership of the guard is just as good,¡± Andrew responded, ¡°and let¡¯s face it how many Alphas, or Batas for that matter, can say they can match their Captains of The Guard in a sparring match.¡±


    ¡°I see we¡¯re done referring to each other in the third person,¡± I chuckle, looking down at my watch. ¡°well, it looks like their time limit is almost here; let see how poorly these recruits did.¡±


    ###


    A blast of cold air greets me as I push open the front door of the Pack House, a sharp contrast to the warm afternoon air. As I move down the hallway, nodding at the few pack members employed to keep the large building clean to the administrative area, I notice Mathew''s door closed, which usually meant he was in a meeting. Instead of doing the usual thing and wait for his meeting to end before entering, I throw open his office door, and before anyone could say anything, I throw the file folder in my hand on his desk.


    ¡°they¡¯re not horrible, but they¡¯re not great either.¡± I say flopping down into the same chair I had occupied that morning. ¡°which isn¡¯t all that surprising considering who their captain is.¡± A smirk plays across my lips as I watch Mathew fight back a fiery retort.


    ¡°At least, unlike a certain uncouth person who will go unnamed, I would never have such reprehensible manners as to intrude into a meeting with our august Alpha,¡± Mathew said.


    Before I could respond, the third occupant of the room let out a snort, ¡°It¡¯s good to see some things never change. Now that I think about it, I would be more worried if you didn¡¯t snipe at each other, and it makes those weekly status meetings so more entertaining.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so glad we can provide you with some entertainment, dad,¡± my tone dry, and both adults burst out laughing.


    ?Your father has a point? my wolf added her two cents, and the crucks of the matter was that she was right It wasn¡¯t that I disliked Mathew, he¡¯s a great guy that I have a lot of respect for, it was just my way of getting back at him for the hell he had put me through when I was younger. I will admit that I had used my father¡¯s position to enter the guard a lot younger than the minimum age requirements allowed for, and Mathew had been a little more enthusiastic than necessary in his training to try and counteract the apparent show of nepotism. Plus, I thought, it¡¯s always fun verbally sparring with someone who has the wit to reciprocate.


    ¡°I see both of your observations of the recruits are the same as always,¡± dad said, bringing me out of my thoughts, ¡°so how bad are they this year.¡±


    ¡°well, I can only give my impression of the group I was training this morning,¡± I responded and continued when the adults nodded acknowledgment of my disclaimer, ¡°the foundation is there and most if not all of them seem to have the drive to go all the way. Really what they need right now is training and experience, other than that I don¡¯t have any major complaints. However, with all that being said, I would watch Jacob closely; I get the feeling the only reason he joined the guard is that it was expected of him.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, that¡¯s to be expected,¡± Mathew said with a sigh, ¡°and it shouldn¡¯t come as a surprise his family has a long history of serving in the guard, Luna, his great grandfather was Captain of The Guard when your grandfather was Alpha. It was bound to happen that one of them wouldn¡¯t want to join the guard even though it¡¯s the family tradition.¡±


    ¡°I know, and don¡¯t get me wrong, he does have the potential to be one of the best guards this pack has seen in a while, but he doesn¡¯t have the passion for it. This means we either need to figure out a way to spark that passion or find a way for him to save face with his family when we kick him out of the guard. As it stands, I¡¯ll have no choice but flunk him.¡±


    ¡°What do you have planned,¡± dad asked content to listen to Mathew, and I hash out a plan.


    ¡°I was thinking about it on the walk over, but it depends on who¡¯s in charge of the wilderness survival portion of the training. I feel confident that Jacob will pass my portion of the training, but Jacob will flunk wilderness survival if we don¡¯t pair him with the right instructor.¡±


    ¡°It looks like Randy is the next one up,¡± Mathew said after shuffling through the papers strewn across his desk. I could feel my lips form into a grimace at the name. ¡°I know you don¡¯t like the guy Amber, but he is one of our best wilderness instructors.¡±


    ¡°I know I can¡¯t stand that womanizing man whore. While he is a good instructor, we need someone who can get blood from a rock, and objectively I don¡¯t think he¡¯s our best option.¡±


    ¡°then who do you think would be good,¡± Mathew asks.


    ¡°as much as I hate to ask this but, what¡¯s Brie got up to these days?¡±


    ¡°Last I heard she was overseeing the patrols in S5, over by that new development,¡± Mathew responded, and I grimaced. With all the humans working in the area, it required our best Guard Commander to oversee that area. Letting out a sigh because there was only one solution that could work, but I didn¡¯t like it.


    ¡°Here¡¯s the plan, we give Randy some meaningless assignment that sounds to everyone like an important one, I¡¯m sure someone as resourceful as you, Mathew, can find such a task. We don¡¯t want to hurt Randy¡¯s already oversized ego because, as you said, he is one of our best wilderness survival instructors. In Randy¡¯s place, we give my group to Brie.¡±


    ¡°Then who¡¯d oversee her sector. We can¡¯t leave that area without leadership; it too important at the moment.¡± Mathew asked with a raised eyebrow.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take it,¡± I say with a resigned sigh, ¡°it about time I got some experience in leadership, and besides you and Brie, I¡¯m the next most qualified person to oversee that area.¡±


    ¡°As much as I hate the idea of recalling her because you know how it¡¯s going to look to the armchair critics, you¡¯re right; she¡¯s probably the only person who can find the passion in Jacob to say with the guard.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you can see it my way, which is always the best way.¡±


    ¡°Such modesty from the future ruler of the shifter race.¡± Mathew¡¯s smile matches my own.


    ¡°So, what were you two talking about when my uncouth self, barged in,¡± I ask positive that the matter was settled.


    ¡°Nothing much, just your father¡¯s trip to the packs down south,¡± Mathew responded, his smile turning into a smirk at my grown.


    ¡°Has it been a year already. This means I get to deal with those chauvinistic pigs on the council for a whole week while you and mom go galivanting off.¡±


    ¡°Amber,¡± my father¡¯s tone warning.


    ¡°What I could¡¯ve used a lot stronger language to describe those people, it not like any of them have endeared themselves to me or earned my respect, and don¡¯t give me the BS about them being the Shifter Council and should be respected.¡± Snapping my figures in an epiphany, ¡°I know when I¡¯m Shifter Queen, my first order of business will be to remove all the current members of the council and replace them with more progressive thinking members.¡±


    ¡°Sorry to burst your bubble, honey, but an appointment to the council is a lifetime commitment.¡± dad commented.


    ¡°So, what your saying is that I have to engineer their deaths somehow,¡± I respond with an evil glint in my eye, ¡°without it looking like I did have them killed. Harder but still doable.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve lost her, Alpha,¡± Mathew said when he saw my father about to say something. He had seen the glint in my eye before and knew I was in my little world, and trying to reason with me was the epitome of futility.


    ¡°In that case, let¡¯s go over my security arrangements for this trip while my daughter plans shifter domination.¡±


    ¡°Shifter domination? More like world domination.¡± Mathew said with a laugh. ¡°if there is one thing about your daughter that I can wholeheartedly agree with, it¡¯s that she doesn¡¯t think small. As for that matter of your security during this trip, I thought you should have at the very least four guards on you and Her Majesty at all times. As for when you¡¯re traveling¡­¡±

 Chapter 3

    ¡°Welcome, Your Excellency to the Mortal Realm,¡± two voices said as I appear inside a fully furnished living room. These must be the two Lilith was talking about, I thought, as I really looked at the two who were to be my guide in this changed world.


    The male had a shock of brown hair that framed a handsome face. He wasn¡¯t any different than most males I had seen during my last visit. Maybe a bit bulkier than the average back then, but that¡¯s to be expected with easy access to food. It was the female that surprised more than the man, for instead of wearing a dress like most females had worn during my previous visit, she had on what the mortals call a printed t-shirt that was clearly a size too big and jeans. The traditionally male attire, however, didn¡¯t take away from her feminine appearance; if anything, it enhanced it, raven black hair, falling like a waterfall to the small of her back, framed a heart-shaped face.


    Lilith wasn¡¯t lying, things defiantly have changed, even if it¡¯s just how the females of this era dress, that thought pass through my mind as I took one last look. ¡°Alexander,¡± I said motioning for the male to rise, ¡°Mitzi,¡± I mentioned for the female to rise as well, ¡°Lilith has guaranteed me that you are the best to guide me thought my stay here in the Mortal Realm. I will expect you to live up to Mine and your Mother¡¯s expectations.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Excellency,¡± Alexander said for both him and Mitzi. ¡°if it pleases Your Excellency to follow me, I will show you to your room while Mitzi prepares refreshments.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Alexander, I would like the chance to freshen up before we get down to work. Also, while we are in the Mortal Realm, please call me Lucy.¡±


    ¡°As you wish, Your Excellency,¡± they both said with a bow, and I just sighed. I should have realized it wasn¡¯t going to be that easy, all the denizens of my realm were engrained from birth to instinctively show me respect.


    A few hours later, I descend the staircase to the kitchen where Alexander and Mitzi are preparing dinner. Music is flowing from a small cylindrical device with the word ¡°Amazon¡± at its base, it wasn¡¯t anything like the music I had heard on my last trip. Mitzi was the first to see me, and she nudged Alexander, who looked in my direction before saying, ¡°Alexa, pause music.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Your Excellency,¡± Alexander said with a small bow in apology, ¡°it¡¯s a habit for my sister and me to have music playing while we¡¯re doing anything around the house. If it would please, Your Excellency, we will refrain from doing so for your visit.¡±


    ¡°There is no need to apologize, Alexander, I am not here to impose on you, and for the most part, I would like you both to treat me as if I was your teenage niece and please call me Lucy. However, I do have one question: what was that music that was playing I have never head it¡¯s like.¡±


    ¡°Rock n¡¯ Roll, Your Excellency, it is a relatively new form of music that has gotten quite a following in recent years. If it does not please you, we could always put on something more to your taste, Your Excellency.¡±


    ¡°No, I quite liked this Rock n¡¯ Roll, it had an enjoyable beat, nothing like the instrumental music that was popular during my last visit. If you and your sister prefer this music playing, who am I to stop, you. As I said, I do not wish to impose on either of you more than necessary, and as your mother most likely told the two of you, this is as much of an educational trip as it is a vacation for me.¡±


    ¡°thank you, Your Excellency,¡± Alexander said before saying, ¡°Alexa, play music.¡±


    ¡°who is this Alexa you keep talking to?¡± I ask as the music resumed.


    ¡°Oh, Alexa is just the trigger word for the smart speaker to recognize a voice command, Your Excellency.¡±


    ¡°Smart speaker, voice command?¡± I ask confusion evident in my voice.


    ¡°I see there is much we will need to go over, Your Excellency, but with school starting in a few weeks that doesn''t give my sister and me all that much time to go over the many changes Earth has undergone over the centuries, especially in the last decade or so.¡±


    ¡°School, why would that affect how long you have to bring me up to speed on modern times. The only thing I can think of that would put a time limit on my trip would be the Summit but even if that were so, I would still have a year.¡±


    ¡°you are planning to pass yourself as a teenager, are you not, Your Excellency?¡± Alexander asked more to confirm what Lilith had told them than anything else.


    ¡°Well, yes,¡± I answer not sure how the two were connected, ¡°that¡¯s the best way to observe the future Shifter Queen.¡±


    ¡°Under United States law, all minors under the age of eighteen must attend an educational facility from the age of five to the age of eighteen. If that was not the case, there is also the fact that the future Shifter Queen will be attending school as well. you will be able to see her in a neutral environment where multiple races mingle for the common pursuit of knowledge.¡±


    ¡°Your serious,¡± incredulity tinting my tone as I looked between Alexander and Mitzi.


    ¡°Yes, Your Excellency,¡± Alexander answered, ¡°but even though we are short on time, I think it would be for the best for you to spend tomorrow getting yourself acquainted with the town. The day after we can start your education in what it means to live as a teenager in the twenty-first century.¡±


    ###


    I slowly open my eye, and for a split second, I forgot where I was, instead of the familiar, polished abyssal stone of my bedroom in the Infernal Palace there was an unfamiliar drab wooden ceiling. Getting out of the comfortable, by mortal standards, bed and walking over to the wardrobe, I selected a soft magenta shirt and a pair of dark pants made of some type of coarse material and some underwear. Finishing getting ready I head down the stairs, at the bottom I hear the unmistakable noise of pots and pans coming from the kitchen


    ¡°Where¡¯s your brother,¡± I ask Mitzi slipping onto one of the stools that lined the island.


    ¡°Good morning, Your Excellency,¡± Mitzi replied respectfully not turning away from the stove where she¡¯s preparing breakfast. At least that something, I sigh mentally, it really will take time for these two to get use to calling me by my name. ¡°Alexander has already gone on ahead to get everything ready so you can start school with the rest of the students. Since you wish to observer the future Shifter Queen, Alex will be registering you as a senior at the local High school. I must warn Your Excellency, you may not get all the same class as Amber; however, with the small school population that should not present a problem.¡±This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    ¡°I see,¡± I remarked as Mitzi deposits a plate filled with eggs and bacon before me, ¡°I still don¡¯t understand why I have to go to this school thing. It¡¯s not like I¡¯d learn anything meaningful anyway; after all, from what you and the rest of Lilith¡¯s children have reported, most of the world believes in a bastardized version of history at best and at worst a complete fabrication. I mean all the major religions are just a variation on the same theme: My brother, the one and only all-powerful God, created the universe and everyone should worship the ground he walks on. I mean what am I, chopped liver?¡±


    ¡°Well, if we look at the current monothetic religion, Your Excellency would be the devil figure in most of them,¡± Mitzi replied diplomatically.


    ¡°That¡¯s better. How?¡± I retort, ¡°not to mention most of them have Lucifer playing that particular role, while him rebelling against my brother is true to an extent, however, that my brother banished him to hell to rule over as punishment isn¡¯t. My brother just didn¡¯t want to deal with the bastard, which meant that my dearest brother, without consulting me by the way drop, the bastard in my lap to deal with, and I¡¯m eternally thankful for that.¡± The sarcasm that laced the last part was so thick that you could cut it with a knife.


    ¡°Be that as it may,¡± Mitzi responded carefully noticing the mood I had gotten myself into, ¡°and while Your Excellency is correct, there is no reason academically for you to attend school; however there is a social component to modern school which is more important to your current visit. Not only will you be able to observe the future Shifter Queen and her closest friends in a natural environment it will also give you a chance to observe the other races in the same environment.¡±


    ¡°You do have a point,¡± I concede, ¡°but that still doesn¡¯t mean that I have to like it.¡±


    ¡°No one likes going to high school,¡± Mitzi commented with a laugh. The laughter only lasted a few seconds before being replaced by a look of fear and I held back a sigh.


    And we were having such a pleasant conversation, I thought with a mental sigh, I guess it¡¯ll take time for them to get use to me.  Trying to change the subject, I say, ¡°at least that hasn¡¯t changed since the last time I was here, and while your brother¡¯s out what do you plan to do today?¡±


    ¡°I thought we could go into town where I could show you around and get you acquainted with the area,¡± Mitzi answered visibly relaxing, realizing that I wasn¡¯t going to bite her head off. ¡°we can also go shopping to fill out your wardrobe, mother picked out most of the clothes that were in your wardrobe, your excellency.¡±


    ¡°I thought I saw Lilith¡¯s hand in the clothing choice: dark colors and clothes that leave very little to the imagination.¡± I comment, ¡°While I don¡¯t necessarily dislike Lilith¡¯s style, I prefer comfort over sex appeal, so yes, shopping does sound like a good idea.¡±


    ¡°In that case. Your Excellency, once you¡¯re finished with your breakfast, we can get going; most of the shops should be open,¡± Mitzi responded glancing at her watch.


    ###


    ¡°Hum, I thought it would be busier,¡± I comment as Mitzi, and I walk down Main Street about half an hour later.


    ¡°It¡¯s still early,¡± Mitzi answers, ¡°when we get closer to lunchtime it will get busier, mind you it¡¯s nothing compared to the Vegas Strip, or Time Square, but with school out for the summer and it being the height of the tourist season it can get pretty hectic.¡± Noticing my raced eyebrow, she quickly added, ¡°sorry your excellency I forgot how long it was since you last visited, the best comparison I can think of would be the street of Rome when something was happening at the Circus Maximus or the Colosseum.¡±


    ¡°Ah, I see,¡± I respond, ¡°what your saying is this is the best time to shop if we want to avoid the crowds.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, Your Excellency,¡± Mitzi answered as she guided us into a small boutique where a young woman in her early twenties was behind the counter. When she saw Mitzi, a smile bloomed on her lips, and I hid my own. I see why she brought us here, I thought I¡¯d seen that smile enough time on Lilith¡¯s companions.


    ¡°Mitzi, how are you this morning? I¡¯m looking forward to Friday,¡± the woman says confirming my suspicions. Noticing me for the first time adds, ¡°And who is this?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m doing well, Mary, and this is my niece Lucy who will be staying with Alex and me for her senior year,¡± Mitzi answers smoothly.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you had any siblings that lived outside of town.¡± Mary responded, not waiting for either of us to answer, she continues, ¡°well no matter I hope you enjoy your time here in Blood Moon Falls. What brings the two of you to my shop this fine morning anyway?¡±


    ¡°Well, you see,¡± Mitzi said, shyness tinging her voice and I raise a mental eyebrow, ¡°I want sure what Lucy was going to like, so I had mother pick some things out figuring that she would know what Lucy would like. You see Lucy here is closer to her grandmother then she is to her own parents. Well, you can guess how well that turned out,¡± Mitzi sighed with a glance at what I was wearing, while what I was wearing would be considered modest by Lilith¡¯s usual standard it still didn¡¯t leave anything to the imagination. The shirt was a little too tight around the chest, drawing the eye to my healthy C cups, and the pants were what I had seen described as painted on. ¡°We were hoping you could help us with some back to school clothes.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry honey I¡¯m sure I have everything a young girl needs for her senior year. Just leave everything to me, Mitzi.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Mary,¡± Mitzi answered, and for a split second, I could have sworn I¡¯d seen an evil smile flash across her lips. I must have imaged it, I thought, Mitzi and her brother are scared shitless about offending me.


    Three long hours, of trying on different outfits, later I concluded that what I had thought was an evil smile was just that. I will have to come up with a suitable punishment for this transgression, I mentally complained, and to make things worse I can¡¯t even enlist Lilith, she¡¯d just laugh her ass of and not do a damn thing. What¡¯s up with Succubi and shopping anyway.


    ¡°Come again you two,¡± Mary said as Mitzi, and I left the store with an armful of bags.


    ¡°We will,¡± Mitzi responded, and I halfheartedly agreed, it will be a cold day in my realm the next time I step foot in that place.


    ¡°Where to now,¡± I ask now that we¡¯re back on the street.


    ¡°Well, if it isn¡¯t Lucy,¡± a voice said before Mitzi could answer and my face went blank as I recognized the voice. Turning to the woman who had spoken, I plaster a smile on my face, it was difficult.


    ¡°Luna, what a pleasant surprise,¡± I say in my best diplomatic voice, ¡°what brings the moon goddess¡¯s avatar to this realm.¡±


    ¡°A little birdy might have let it slip that you had decided to take a vacation in the Mortal Realm, and as you are in the territory of one of my most loyal followers, it is only right that I check up on you and make sure you¡¯ve settled in.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m touched that one such as you would feel it necessary to check up on me, and from the little, I have seen of the town, everyone seems nice.¡±


    ¡°Well, in that case, I will be sure to pass on your compliments,¡± Luna said with a smirk, knowing full well that I didn¡¯t want to be reviled to the local shifter pack.


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary; I am more than capable of providing adequate praise to your loyal followers.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure it would be no trouble for me.¡±


    ¡°I am quite sure, you must be quite busy, and I am grateful that you chose to spend some of your precious time to making sure I was okay, I would hate to impose on your time any further.¡±


    ¡°It would be no imposition, but if you¡¯re sure, I will take my leave first. Please do enjoy your stay in the mortal realm.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure, and it was lovely to see one again Luna, and please do give my best to Ra when you see your husband next.¡±


    ¡°I will,¡± Luna said, and, in the time, it takes to blink the moon goddess, and patron goddess of shifters was gone.


    ¡°Thank the levels that bitch is gone, and I think my brother¡¯s neck needs a good ringing the next time I see him.¡± I say under my breath as I turn back to Mitzi, ¡°now as I was asking before we were interrupted where to now?¡±


    It took her a few seconds for her to regain her ability to speak, ¡°well, it is close to noon time so I thought we could stop at a small dinner that I know to grab a bite to eat for lunch.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good to me,¡± I say as I motion for Mitzi to lead the way.

 Chapter 4

    Amber


    ¡°Now then on to the last order of business,¡± My father says from his throne, sitting atop a marble dais. I sat upon a smaller throne a few stops down from the top of the dais, the rest of the council sat at a crescent-shaped table face the dais. ¡°as We will be touring the packs for the next two months, Our daughter and heir will be taking on the responsibly of leading the people in Our stead.¡±


    The surprised gasps that ran the length of the table had me smiling internally, scanning the faces of the councilors that smile faltered. Well, I guess it was too good to expect that the plan would work completely, I thought, there was one face that didn¡¯t look surprised in the least, and it had to be him of all the councilors.


    ¡°My Liege,¡± the councilor in question spoke, ¡°don¡¯t you think this is premature, you, yourself did not start taking on similar responsible until you were out of high school and had spent a few years shadowing your own father. Not to mention with the new school year starting next week as well, Her Highness¡¯s time will be split between the two. With both demanding copious amounts of Her Highness¡¯s time, she will simply not have the time to give her full attention to the discharging of her responsibilities.¡±


    Well, I will give him that, my free time for the next couple of months will be limited, I thought with a mental grimace.


    ¡°While you bring up good points, Councilor Evans,¡± my dad responded calmly, ¡°is it not true that at times we all find ourselves pressed for time to execute our own responsibilities to the people. This will only show the people that Her Highness is dedicated to both her schooling and the future of our people, neither of which any reasonable person can find fault in. As for Her Highness not having the practical experience, she has attended more council meetings then We had at the same age. Her Highness has also been an active member, and in some cases the lead, in talks with the other major races of the Otherworld. Not to mention her continued participation in the guard. We have no doubt that Her Highness will have any problems discharging her duty to the people.¡±


    ¡°As you say, Liege,¡± Councilor Evans responded, conceding the point. However, I made a mental note to get Emily to watch the good councilor closer while dad is away. Something just told me that this wasn¡¯t the last time I¡¯d be hearing about this, and I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll try to persuade some of the other councilors to his side.


    ¡°In any event, if there are no other concerns that need to be brought before the council,¡± dad declared pausing long enough to be sure none of the other councilors had anything to say, ¡°We officially call this meeting of the Shifter Council to a closed.¡±


    ###


    I watched from my perch on the hood my car as my best friend pulls into the parking spot next to mine. How is that we can leave the house at the same time, and Ashley arrives a good five minutes after me, I think, sliding off the hood and slinging my backpack over my shoulder. As Ashley gets out of her car, I hear her muttering about old people that need their license revoked, and I got my answer: Old Man Johnson. He wasn¡¯t all that old, somewhere in his late sixties, but the problem was that he drove like he was in his early hundreds.


    ¡°You know he¡¯s going to cause an accident one of these days,¡± Ashley says, seeing my losing battle with the laughter that was trying to escape my lips.


    ¡°I know, and but there nothing legally anyone can do,¡± I say with a shrug as we both start walking toward the school.


    ¡°How do you know that, ¡°she asked before adding after a pause, ¡°wait, don¡¯t answer that I don¡¯t want to know. it most likely involves the words Emily and ¡®Illegal records search,¡¯ and the less I know about it, the better I am to deny everything.¡±


    ¡°You make it sound like I¡¯m running some organized crime syndicate or something,¡± I remark with a distressed look, and she just stares at me. ¡°how was your weekend,¡± I ask trying to change the subject, and Ashley proves why she¡¯s my best friend.


    ¡°It was okay, but I¡¯m more interested in how your meeting with the council went.¡±


    ¡°Boring as usual, at least until the last minutes or two when dad dropped his little decree, let just say some of the council members were not happy with his decision.¡±


    ¡°Not happy?¡± Ashley repeats with a raised eyebrow, ¡°I would say that¡¯s the biggest understatement in history, with how the council members were acting this weekend not happy is putting it mildly. Let just say I¡¯m glad I don¡¯t have to go to those council meetings because next Friday is not going to be fun.¡±


    ¡°Funny you should mention not having to addend council meetings,¡± I say with a smirk on my face and a look of hour slowly manifest on Ashley¡¯s face. ¡°my father in his infinite wisdom had come to the conclusion that as you are the future Alpha of the Bloodmoon Pack, it would be good experience for you to attend the council meetings while he is away.¡±


    ¡°What have I ever don¡¯t to you to deserve this cruel and unusual punishment,¡± Ashely bemoans as we pass through the front doors of the school.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t I who decided this, my father figured that the council should get a full taste of what it would be like when I do officially take over as the ruler of all shifters. Also, it only right that as the future Alpha of the BloodMoon Pack, who I might add has traditionally been the Shifter King¡¯s Chief of staff, for you to get some experience as well.¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t think I don¡¯t see your figures in this as well.¡±


    ¡°It is true that I may have mentioned that you haven¡¯t had any real chances of gaining experience in the role of chief of staff.¡±


    ¡°That because ever since we entered middle school, you¡¯ve been filling the role of your father''s Chief of Staff, leaving my father to actually act like any normal alpha.¡±


    I smile at her response before commenting, ¡°and you thought that would continue when I ascended, and you took over, I guess what they say is true that ignorance is bliss.¡± I let a small laugh escape my lips at the look on her face before a serious expression stole across my face, ¡°in all seriousness, there is no one that I would trust in the role other than you.¡±Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°What about Emily,¡± Ashely asked.


    ¡°She more a fit for the role of my Spy Master then my Chief of Staff,¡± I respond after a few seconds of thought Ashley agrees with a nod.


    ¡°Speak of the weasel,¡± Ashley remarked, glancing behind me, and I turn to see what she¡¯s talking about and find Emily running at full human speed toward us. Turning back around, I give Ashley a look, ¡°what, it¡¯s not an insult when it¡¯s true. How does that even work anyway when both of her parents and even her brother are lions?¡±


    ¡°Most likely, her parents have enough recessive weasel genes between them that she expressed the receive genes instead of the more dominant lion genes. However, that not what¡¯s important here; what is important is the fact that I can count on one hand the number of people who know what her animal is, and it¡¯s not something any of us want widely known. After all, it is one of the major reasons their family had to move from their last pack, but more importantly, I would hate to lose a reliable subordinate like Emily.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see wah the big deal is, Emily is one of the rarest shifters there is, that should be celebrated not scorned,¡± Ashely said as we turn to wait for the girl in question.


    ¡°Where have you been the last seventeen years, if there is one thing shifter love to do more then proving their own superiority, it''s degrading any that they find different or out of the norm. it one of the things that I hope to change when I officially take over, but I know it¡¯s going to be a long road, especially with the old hardline conservative alpha.¡±


    ¡°Did you guys here about the new girl,¡± Emily says skidding to the halt in front of us before Ashely could respond.


    ¡°Um, what new girl,¡± both Ashley and I ask.


    ¡°The one that¡¯s living with Alexander and Mitzi,¡± Emily responds with a satisfied smile knowing she was the first to let us know about this development, and it was.


    ¡°Are you saying that we actually have one of their ilk attending classes with us, ¡°Ashley asks while I¡¯m still processing everything. While it was true that both Alexander and Mitzi were what most humans would call demons, more specify succubae, they had never actually caused any significant incidents since they moved into the neighborhood almost a century ago. Well, there was that incident nearly thirty years ago, but from what I heard from dad, that was more a practical joke than anything with malicious intent behind it, I thought.


    ¡°Well, according to Mary, Mitzi introduced the new girl as a relative, so I would assume that means she is of the same persuasion, I have never heard of any of their kind mating outside of their¡­own circles.¡±


    ¡°This is not good,¡± Ashely said, turning to me, ¡°what do you want to do?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± I answer, and the surprise looked that crossed both Emily and Ashley caused me to smile, it was a rare event when I surprise both at the same time. ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t want this new girl under discrete surveillance, but with both Alex¡¯s and Mitzi¡¯s track record, I¡¯m willing to give their relative the benefit of the doubt.¡±


    ¡°As you say,¡± Emily says with a formal bow, ¡°I will have my best operative assigned to this.¡±


    ¡°What do you plan to tell the council,¡± Ashley then askes.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± I say walking toward the throng of students on the other side of the interior courtyard, ¡°they don¡¯t need to know about it and if they ask I¡¯ll just tell them I¡¯m dealing with it.¡± taking a few more steps I pause and turn to Emily when a thought occurred to me, ¡°there is one thing that is bothering me, however. I¡¯ve never heard that their particular circle having the third generation before.¡±


    ¡°Now that you mention it,¡± Emily said, both her eyebrows raising in thought, ¡°your right, nothing I¡¯ve come across ever mentioned anything like that either. I¡¯ll get someone on researching this, but we may need to get access to the Otherworld Council¡¯s library.¡±


    ¡°If we absolutely have to, I¡¯ll authorize it, but exhaust every resource we have internally before then.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Emily said, and we resume our walk toward the throng of students to get our own homeroom assignment. As we near the wall, a small corridor forms in the crowd as pack members either move out of the way or pull their friends out of our path. Moving up to the now-empty area in front of the sheets with our homeroom assignments print on them. I run my finger down the list of names, I look over to Ashely a few sheets down, and in unison, we say ¡°Mrs. Ashholme.¡±


    ¡°Well, the goddess must be smiling on us today,¡± Ashely said as we move away from the sheet a new corridor opening as we walk back through the throng.


    ###


    As I move through the lunch line to gather whatever the cafeteria has deemed edible today, I feel a sudden chill run down my spine. Looking over my shoulder, I see the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen walk through the doors. I see my fellow students mesmerized by this woman; it doesn¡¯t matter if they were male or female; their eyes followed her every movement. Long black hair that seemed to drink in the light fell down her back like a waterfall slightly swaying as he walks. An ample chest that straining against her burgundy top that seemed to defy gravity, long shapely legs that fit perfectly in the almost painted on black jeans. In short, she looks like she just walked off a runway in Milan during fashion week.


    The only reason I wasn¡¯t as mesmerized as my fellow students was the fact that my wolf was terrified, and I had come to learn that when she¡¯s terrified, nothing good could happen.


    ?What¡¯s wrong?, I sent.


    ?I don¡¯t know what that woman is, but she is definitely not a succubus. She¡¯s hiding it well, but her power is at the level of a demon lord ?. My wolf sends back still cowing in the further part of my mind she can find.


    ?What are you talking about? I thought demon lords were banned from entering the mortal realm?.


    ¡°Well, isn¡¯t this interesting,¡± a voice says from behind me before my wolf could answer, ¡°for you to resist my innate magnetism, you must be the heir to the shifter throne. I¡¯m Lucy by the way¡± as she says this, I look around frantically at all the humans in earshot. ¡°don¡¯t worry, they won¡¯t remember anything of this conversation,¡± and that sends an even more significant chill down my spine especially with how she smiles.


    ¡°What do you plan to do to them,¡± I say surprised by how steady my voice is.


    ¡°Just a simple memory suppression,¡± the other woman says in an off-handed manner as if it was no big deal, ¡°it quite easy for anyone that has even a mediocre control over their mana.¡± She looked me up and down, not in an appraising manner, ¡°even you could learn with a little training.¡±


    ¡°What do you want,¡± I ask


    ¡°Oh, it seems the wolf does have a backbone after all,¡± she say with a smile, and I was getting tired of that condescending smile, ¡°I just wanted to introduce myself and to ask that you have your friends stop following me around it¡¯s quite annoying and I won¡¯t be responsible for any unfortunate incidents that happen. With that said, I do hope you have a wonderful rest of your day.¡± With one last smile, Lucy turned around and walked out of the cafeteria, but not before I felt a surge of power pass through everyone in the room.


    A few minutes later, Ashely walked into the cafeteria and notices me standing in line and rushes over, ¡°Am, what¡¯s wrong you look like you¡¯ve seen a ghost.¡±


    ¡°Tell Emily to call of the surveillance of the new girl, and she has my authorization to do what she needs to find out what she can about what we talk about this morning.¡±


    ¡°Am what happened?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say I just met the new girl, and she scares me more than my father when he¡¯s furious.¡±


    ¡°I will,¡± Ashley assures, ¡°but are you going to be okay?¡±


    ¡°I think so,¡± I say, taking a deep breath, ¡°I just need some time to myself.¡± Walking out of the cafeteria, I head to the one place I know no one will ever disturb me: the library. I don¡¯t notice that Ashley watches me until I¡¯m out of sight before heading over to the table where Emily and the rest of our friends are sitting. I also don¡¯t see the abnormal movement of the shadows.