Chapter 53

Seeley's POV

Was she telling the truth? What if she's not behind the attack itself and just knows about it and was getting people she knew wouldn't survive to safety? How did she even know? I slammed my fist down on my desk out of frustration. Every time I talked to her, I only ended up with more questions than answers. Either she was really that good at hiding things or I was losing my touch in my old age. I highly doubt that it was the latter.

I called Jax into my office and told him to prepare the troops. Although we were not sure of when or who would attack, I wanted to be prepared. Even if this was an empty threat, rather be safe than sorry. Jax never said a word while in my office, just nodded and took off. Then I heard threw the mind link for all section leaders to meet in the conference room.

I called Reeva to come help me prepare for battle and I could tell she was nervous but we didn't have any other choice. I told her to gather her things, and to take the family to Norway for safety. Again, no questions were asked although I could tell she had plenty of them. She rushed off and that was the last I saw of her.

I finished putting my crown on and then looked at myself in the mirror. I had a few more wrinkles than I remembered and my hair was going silver. Regardless of the outcome of this alleged fight, it was going to be my last. Just the thought of that had my lycan on edge. He was also the fighter while I was more of the lover.

I made my way down to the conference room where all the leaders were already gathered going through different fight plans and strategies. I took my seat and Jax filled me in on what they were discussing and some of the plans they have already put in place. He was showing me the plan in place for the vampires and although I wanted to throw it out the window I decided against it.

"I think we can put this plan on hold for the time being. I have spoken to Collin, and he assures me that they are not the ones involved in this matter. I am thinking it's the wolves that will be attacking." I said staring at the maps on the table.

"Pardon my questioning, but why do you think that sire?" One of the leaders asked and all eyes turned towards me and I let out a sigh.

"Because. Every 150 years there's been a war between our kind and theirs. It is time for the next one. Also, I had threatened to bring war to them if they did not surrender my daughter back to me to be able to take her place as your Queen when I step down. Of course, they did not surrender her like promised 18 years ago, so I was forced to take her myself. But with her here, I had no intention of attacking them. I guess they didn't think I was serious and planned on fighting anyways." I said looking between each one of them as realization hit.

"Well, if it's just the wolves then we'll have no issues. We have the numbers and the wolves are not half as strong as we are. Only question is where are they?" One of the section leaders spoke up and all eyes turned back towards the maps.

"I would suggest posting up on the side of the mountain. This would give you higher ground to help minimize any attack from behind. Also, it's easier to push them down the mountain and let the terrain break their necks than it would be to try and push them up it." Jax continued as he pointed towards a few spots on the side of the mountain.

Once a plan was in place, I released everyone to go gather their ranks. I told them to report at the edge of mountain at dawn. I wasn't waiting on the wolves to bring the fight to us, I was going to bring it to them.

Cheyenne's POV

Jax and I were grappling with each other just burning off some stress when he got called into Seeley's office. Instead of heading to the dining hall for an early breakfast, I headed down the mountain towards my pack. I had to make sure they were ready. I made my way along the beach acting like I was just out for a morning run before dipping off into the woods.

Once I was under the veil the witches put up, I saw everyone working to prepare themselves, some cockier than others. By the time I found Gunner, Jax had mind linked me telling me that Seeley had gathered the leaders and they were coming up with a plan. I kept the link open with him so I could listen in, and I couldn't help but laugh at some of their comments. They truly had no idea what was coming.

Gunner was in the tent with all the Alphas, along with the higher ranked witches who had joined our ranks for the time being. They also had maps laid out and were going over the plan one final time. It was when I heard Seeley's voice come through the link between Jax and I that I froze and all eyes had turned towards me.

Gunner must have felt my rage rising, because after a minute or two, I'm not exactly sure how long it was, he walked over to me and wrapped his arms around me in an attempt to calm me down. Once he was done talking and I heard their agreed plan, I shook my head and then inhaled Gunner scent. The scent of a fresh summer's rain invaded my nose and instantly calming me down.

"You ok babe?" Gunner whispered in my ear.

"Yeah. I'm good. Thank you." I said softly while pulling back to look him in the eyes and offered a soft smile.

"Might as well just call us Winnie the Pooh cause we're going to be gobbling up those bowls of honey when we get back home!" Koa said in my head.

"For fuck's sake Koa! FOCUS! What is wrong with you!?" I snapped.

I could almost see her shrug her fluffy shoulders and all she could say was, "Mate."

I rolled my eyes and blocked her out for the time being, I had to focus on the battle coming. When I looked back at Gunner's face, he had an all-knowing smirk on his face.

"What?" I asked trying to play stupid.

"Oh…nothing." He shrugged still smirking while turning back towards the others before stopping and looking back at me, "Pooh Bear."

I could feel the blood rush to my face from embarrassment, of course she told Maddox. I playfully smacked his arm as he flinched away laughing at me. We went back to the maps and I told the Alpha's of the King's plans. I knew that all of Jax's section was on our side, but I wasn't one hundred percent sure of how many others were.

After the plan was discussed, I asked for the Alpha's and Charlie to remain behind for a private talk. I didn't want Gunner around because I knew exactly how he'd react. He wasn't going to like what I had to say. He looked a little hurt when he was told to leave but I told him I would make it up to him later if we made it out of this alive.

Once the tent was cleared out, I asked Charlie to put some type of anti-eavesdropping spell on the tent, if it was possible. He faked a hurt expression before smiling and mumbling some mumbo-jumbo and then told me to speak freely.

"I can't help but feel bad for the lives we are about to lose. You are all here to help me, and I don't know if I can live with their deaths on my conscience." I started when Alpha Brock held his hand up to stop me.

"Cheyenne, they, we are all here to help their kind. Yes it was a mission to get you back home but we weren't about to leave without a fight. These lycans, royal or not, need to know that wolves don't take kindly to being messed with, regardless of their status within their packs." All the Alpha's nodded in agreement causing a small smile to form on my lips.

"Still, I don't want to lose anybody if we don't have to. So, this is what's going to happen. You will lead your packs as planned, but before the fight starts you know there will be some shit talk. There always is." I rolled my eyes as the Alpha's just shrugged and agreed.

"So, I'm going to call the King out himself. I'm going to challenge him, to the death." I could tell they were all about to speak up but I held my hand up to stop them so I could finish. "If I win, there is to be NO battle! It'll be done said and over with at that point. I can't say that they will not attack in an attempt to avenge their King, in which case we go on as you all have planned."

"Actually, Your Highness, if I may…" Charlie started but waited for permission to continue to which I nodded. "There is an old, and I mean old, law that if a challenge is issued then neither side can interfere without punishment. Punishment being death. You might want to remind them of that during the 'shit talk' that you so royally refer to it as." He chuckled.

"There is no talking me out of this. If I can save everyone's lives by doing this, then it's what I have to do. Also, one more thing. If ANYONE," I narrowed my eyes at Charlie, "Refers to me as 'your highness,' 'princess,' or anything of the sort, I'll knock your teeth out." I ended with a big innocent smile showing my pearly whites. The Alpha's just chuckled and nodded their heads.

"I do have one last question before we do this." Alpha Trent was the one to step forward this time.

"Stupid question gets stupid answer. Tread carefully Alpha." I said.

"When you win then you will automatically become the Queen. I guess I'm just curious as to what you have planned for afterwards?" He shrugged.

"Let's just get through this fight first shall we. The king might just kill me and then you're question is then invalid." I said. Damn that's the second time I've been asked that. You'd think I would've thought about it by now.

"I don't want anybody distracted. I need all attention and focus on this fight right now. We will cross that bridge when and if we get to it." I said.

Once everybody agreed, we walked out of the tent and all the pack members were all standing at attention awaiting orders. Gunner really didn't play around, he got the ranks pulled together and ready to go. I was standing there staring out at all these people that came to fight for me when I felt a nudge in my side drawing my attention.

"Speak to them." I heard in my ear. I wasn't sure who said it but I heard it. I took a couple steps forwards and then cleared my throat.

"My name is well, some of you know me by Cheyenne. Come to find out my actual birth name is Alida. Alida Romanov." There were looks of shock from some of the warriors but nobody said a word so I continued.

"We all know why you are here. You all came on your own knowing the risk of not returning home. But you stick to the plan that has been explained to you, and follow orders, and we will make it through this. I can't promise any of you that you will make it out alive, but I can promise that our kind, our species, our loved ones back home, will survive. We will show these lycans that regardless of bloodlines or species, that everyone is human, well kinda…" I shrugged which caused a slight chuckle from the ranks. It was true, we are all part human.

"I am not asking you to be Superman or Batman or Ironman. I am not asking you to be Wonder Woman or Batwoman, or even Gamora. If you are in trouble, please, PLEASE, call for help! With everybody here and all the variety of skillsets, I have faith in us. Now who's ready to show these fuckers who their fuckin with?!" I was answered by the loud cheers and howls from the warriors and I felt a smile pulling at my lips.

"Alpha's join your warriors." I turned to them and said and they all shook my hand and headed to the front of each of their packs.

Once everybody was in place and waiting for my cue, I told Charlie to drop the cloaking spell and then Koa let out her war howl. Once I started moving towards the mountain, everybody followed behind me.

"Koa, if we don't make it out I just wanna say thank you. Without you, I wouldn't have made it through this!" I told her.

"You can thank me after we rip his throat out." She said.