Changing Tactics

Myranda put a lot of care into her baked goods for the morning. Since Joss and Jyriah were going to meet with the other 'resistance' members, she wanted them to take treats with them. If she couldn't help him out-right, she would do so with what she could.

Now she was nervous he would deny her again. More than anything, she wanted to fight at his side, and honestly, after last night, she would feel safer, too.

Each little detail into each edible treat was made with extreme care and love, and she made sure to make more than just sweets - but savory things as well. Her brother and his mate had mentioned something about him living out in the woods instead of in the castle lately, and that he had to catch his own food daily.

That wasn't right to Myranda. She would ensure he had something good to eat that he didn't have to fish out of a river, or hunt down himself. Now that she knew he was suffering, she would stop at no end to help, even from far away.

Metas had been right - she would have gotten herself involved a lot sooner had she known his troubles were so great. Now it was the waiting game - which somehow was worse than not knowing anything at all.

She had sent them off hours ago. It was nearing late afternoon, and still there had been no sign of anyone - not even her brother or Joss.

What was really odd were the amount of guards coming and going from the upper and lower levels. They seemed to peer over at her as if watching her every move and it made her feel very uncomfortable. After what Silas had said to her last night, she was terrified he would use another method to kill her - or worse, torture her.

To keep her mind from racing, she focused on cleaning, prepping, and planning out the next day's orders and shop offers. Despite her parent's harsh criticism, and the elders of her clan not finding her useful, Myranda had put all of her effort and practice into baking and making confectioneries of all sorts.

'I wonder if he'll consider it..'

'...Maybe he thinks I'm not strong enough?'

'What would I do anyway? Would we even get along?'

'...Oh no, what if we don't get along and everything is awkward?'

'Why am I obsessing over this?'

Her thoughts raced the longer the day ran. Worst of all, she kept seeing Silas out of the corner of her eye, even though he wasn't in the mountain. The words he had said hurt on a different level, too. It bothered her to be such a burden on her siblings, even if they had never said anything, the idea was now implanted in her head.

Night had come, and there had been no news, no arrivals, no word from anyone. Myranda had all but given up - and still she tried to not feel let down or abandoned. She opted for a shower instead, and occupied herself by ensuring flower and egg weren't mixing with the water between the fibers of her hair (it happened a lot).

After the actual bathing was done, she couldn't help but think about Metas'strong, hard body and dashing gold eyes. Ah, what she wouldn't to to look into those pairs of suns as he pinned her to a wall and took her maidenhead for himself.

The mere idea of his hot skin running against hers made her stomach flutter, and her legs squeeze together as though it would stop her fingers from ravaging her own private petals,or her lips from calling out his name.

********

"I agree with them, Metas - you need to bring her into the fold. I'm sorry I told Ajax, but I couldn't take it anymore. Sleep was evading me, nightmares took over - and I needed him. I'm sorry, but I think it was the right choice," Lara argued respectfully as she sat across from her best friend whose face was filled with a sullen darkness.

"This ruins all of my plans on how I wanted to approach this..." Metas replied, and sounded quite displeased.

"We can always do it another way. A surprise attack isn't going to work anyway. Silas knows - and now Harbinger knows for certain. The fact she hasn't run in yet should show she trusts your judgement by now. Don't shun her," Lara replied just as stubbornly as his tone had been.

"Listen, we can disrupt their plans even if it's not at the ceremony. In fact, why not let Silas challenge you, and we can have Myranda there to show you aren't a lone Alpha. Just go get her so your face isn't stuck like this forever," she continued as she watched his expression droop.

The Alpha King sat silently and pondered on their advice. Part of him was still afraid Myranda wouldn't trust him, and change her mind half-way. Jyriah had told him she was being patient and waiting for his word, but it was a terrible risk for everyone involved if his Luna left him before he could secure their place in the kingdom.

Perhaps it was his turn to trust her, now. There was no risk without reward.

"Metas, she's not safe here anymore anyway, and you know that. I know you want to think she is safer away from you, but after Silas' visit last night, it's evident that she is not. If you're afraid of something else, you can always say so," Lara offered.

"Stop reading my face," the Alpha replied with defeat as he looked to Lara's beautiful blue eyes as if to refute her - but her gaze was steady, and he knew she was right.

"How do I even approach her about it?" Metas asked and looked to her for advice.

"Ask the little red-hot, not me" she directed and put her hands up, to then gestured to Jyriah with her head.

Metas didn't say anything when he looked to Jyriah for help, but his well-trusted ally had an answer ready with a smile on his face.

"You go with Joss and I - pick her up, and take her to your place. There is no way she'd make it out otherwise. We may have friends in low places, but in the higher levels belong to Silas. They won't let her leave."

"True. I am rather positive none of them would want to challenge me - but if they do, I have no intentions on letting anyone who attacks me live anymore. Last night was the final one that I will refrain from spilling blood. We're at war now," Metas informed them with a nod.

"Then let's go get the most precious cargo in the world -- my baby sister. Operation Cradle Rob is go!" Jyriah cheered.

Everyone cringed at the words he chose and made a collective groan of disappointment and disgust.

"Yeah....No more naming missions for you, Jyr" Gerald said at his side and pat his shoulder in a joking condescending way.