Going Up; Going Down

It had been a few days, and Myranda had become bored with the day-to-day activities in her home. She couldn't leave and it made her miserable. Jyriah and Joss took turns to check in on her, and brought her surprises from the outside - like berries or edible flowers for her favorite treats, but it wasn't a substitute for the hair running against your fur.

Today, Syrana came by to greet her with a bottle of fizzy juice. Any kind of drink other than water was a luxury - but juices and alcohols were the most coveted. How her elder sister was able to get a bottle of carbonated juice was beyond Myranda's imagination.

"Wow! What is the occasion?" Myranda asked with surprise. "...and where is my little pumpkin?" She followed up with disappointment.

"Syri is with her friends on a play-date. It was Shey's turn to watch the cubs, so I had the afternoon off, and wanted to come check on my favorite baby sister," Syrana beamed.

"I'm your only baby sister, but I'll take the compliment anyway," Myranda returned and smiled at how happy her sister seemed to be.

"I have news~" her older sister trilled.

"It must be huge if you got fizzy juice," Myranda replied with an upturned tone. "So tell me, come on, come on!"

"Silas is being promoted to the new Lieutenant General. Harbinger fired his last Lieutenant, and wants to put my mate into that position. He told me all about it when I came home a few nights ago. He said he has big plans for our family, Myri -- and that meas you, too. He wants all of us to finally live a nice, easy life," Syrana exclaimed with hope and joy bubbled in her voice.

She truly had no idea of what Silas was actually doing. He'd covered it for years ever since he got the ambition to rise into greater positions. Poor Syrana was doing all in her power to help her mate excel, and had no idea how badly it hurt her sister in the process.

Myranda had no clue, either - so the two unknowing ladies chatted about it with a bright fervor, but on the inside, she knew something was wrong. Metas had noted something about Silas being loved by the Alpha and Luna, and that had been enough to stop any trust that could grow with her brother in law.

Silas never felt 'right' to her - and honestly, anytime he was around it made her skin crawl with disgust. As each day passed, that feeling only deepened - especially when he came by to check on her all the time.

Luckily Joss or Jyriah had been there with her at his visits, because otherwise she'd feel intimidated and paranoid that she wasn't safe. His presence was overbearing to say the least, and his holier-than-though attitude only layered on her distrust.

"There is one more thing, too" Syrana started and smiled widely.

"We get to live in the palace!" She squealed, and gave no room for her little sister to even try to guess.

"Oh...wow. That's...amazing," Myranda replied with as much enthusiasm as she could muster.

"I plan on trying to get Metas down here so that you two can talk about whatever happened. I'll hound him every single day until he comes to explain or apologize. Either way, I'm not letting him ignore you. I also think it would be a good idea to have you over as a guest - that would make it harder for him to avoid you," Syrana plotted with glee as though she had everything figured out.

"I'm so glad Silas takes care of you and Syrilian. It's one less thing for me to worry about, and it's good to know you're going to the place you deserve to be. I've always seen you in jewels, fine dresses, and the best things money could buy. The goddess has blessed you with a wonderful fate," Myranda replied with happiness, even though she felt like crying.

"Well, she blessed me with a wonderful mate - and we'll get yours to see you for the amazing treasure you are, just wait and see" her older sister insisted - but that only made Myranda feel worse.

"Look - Silas told me that Metas doesn't want to see me anymore. He told me I could never meet him again, and that if he was going to accept me - he'd find me, not the other way around. Besides, if he's happy, that's what matters," she lied to her sister as well as to herself about the matter.

"No. You're going to be happy, too - or I'll make his life as miserable as possible. I swear it Myri. Perhaps you can find a crescent mate." (crescent mates were two abandoned or rejected wolves who find one another later in life)

"I don't want a crescent mate. I just want Metas. You know, I thought all this time I couldn't be with a royal because it would stifle me - and now I'd do anything to be the one at his side just so I could get to know him. You were right. I should have given him a chance," Myranda admitted.

"There is still time. He hasn't taken any vows. He hasn't taken a Luna or even announced one. We'll get him in a corner eventually and we'll make sure you're all primped and beautiful. He couldn't say no with enough lipstick," Syrana suggested with a grin.

"I love you, 'Rana. You're an amazing sister. Thank you for everything you do" the younger lycan replied and hugged her sister as hard as she could.

"Oh - how did you like the peanut butter? I added cinnamon in yours just like you like it," she followed up with a wide grin.

"You made peanut butter? When!?" Syrana looked disappointed and surprised at the same time, which looked weird.

"Around three or four days ago. I made two jars and told Jyriah to give you one. You'll have to take it up with him. If someone brings me more, I'll make a jar just for you" Myranda promised and also frowned.

"I shouldn't have trusted that treat thief, what a really inconsiderate jerk he can be sometimes," she followed up with a growl.

******

Metas was getting near the end of the jar of peanut butter Jyriah had brought for him. It had been a great source of protein, and his mate had made it - which had a very positive effect on him. He felt stronger and had more resolve, and it kept him focused on the task ahead.

The prince had never had something home-made from someone he loved. He discovered that it was true that love made things taste better.

Tonight, he'd try to find some fish or something savory so that he didn't have to eat anything else sweet. It was good, but it was nice to have variety.

His cave had felt much warmer lately with all of the company he had recently. Jyriah and Joss had made very good allies, and honestly - it was nice to have genuine relationships outside of Lara and Gerald. Plus, Jyriah lifted his spirits quite a bit with his joyful spirit.

Tonight was the big meeting down in the textiles den. He was nervous - but so excited. Metas worked at his speech, and had even bathed for the occasion. All day he had reminded himself that no matter how great the desire or temptation - he could not see Myranda. Jyriah promised to keep her busy so that he could sneak by their shop without her noticing (or that was the plan, at least).

He looked at himself at a mirror he had brought from the palace long ago, and ensured he hadn't done himself up too much. He didn't have to impress his people with his looks - it was his words and promises that would win them over.

He was prepared. Nothing else would help him, other than the support of the four people who believed in most - and he could sense they were on their way.

It was time to start a revolution.