Chapter Eight: Killing The Blue Wolf

Lord Creon was bewildered by the snippets of rumours that were floating around him as he left Artemis chamber's and returned to the party. Not everyone was well versed about prophesies. In fact only a few knew about the blue wolf so why was everyone talking about the blue wolf? When the blue wolf had initially appeared, there had been no speculation whatsoever on the meaning, the people had only gaped in awe, while some in annoyance that an ordinary servant had dared to interrupt the Alpha's speech.

"I wonder where she is from? Who birthed such badluck to Aysun?" He heard a middle aged woman tell her daughter.

"She's probably an outsider. From another pack perhaps,"the young girl responded, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"I hear she's the Alpha's mate," someone butted into their conversation. Loud gasps from around could be heard.

"Shh!" The first woman cautioned. "How dare you speak ill of the Alpha?"

"Yes, my mother is right,"the woman's daughter said. "Moreover, the moon goddess would never be wicked unto his family. Know you not how pure their blood is?"

"But the moon goddess loves to test the people's faith in her," the other woman who interrupted them argued. "If you so much believe that she is not the Alpha's mate, why did he take her away? He should have had her executed immediately! Surely he is aware of the prophecy but he did not as much as mention it,"

"Hmm," the first woman mused. "You might be right."

"How dare the alpha betray us like that? Is it his intention to place his sanity over the welfare of his pack?"

"Treason! How dare you gather to speak such treasonous words against the Alpha! I will see to it that you all are punished," Lord Creon thundered in anger. The little crowd that had formed around the gossiping women started to dissipate so as not to be embroiled in the melee.

"Has it not crossed your minds that he said nothing of it so as not to soil the festivities?" Lord Creon said through gritted teeth.

"My Lord," the woman trembled visibly, she had only repeated what she had heard from someone else and now she might be punished for it. The moon goddess had prophesied at her birth that her mouth would put her in trouble and that prophesy was about to come to pass.

"Who says the blue wolf is Artemis mate? How would you know that?" Creon growled. "Perhaps you would like repeat what you just said to the Alpha?"

"Lord Creon, we-"

"Silence woman!"he bellowed. "Who says he shall jeopardise your safety? Don't you know your alpha better than that?And who guaranteed to you that the blue wolf is bad luck?" Giving the women one last glare, he stormed off to meet his wife whose eyes shone with excitement.

"My love," she called out to him. "Have you not heard the rumours?"

"Gossip profits no man," he said, sinking down into a seated position. He was exhausted.

"They're very interesting," she ignored his previous statement, she was grinning from ear to ear. "The blue wolf might be the Alpha's mate and that's why-"

"Esmeray." Lord Creon said firmly. "Do not let ill gossip bring you and our family to doom."

Esmeray cleared her throat and smiled knowingly at her husband. "I'm just telling you what I've heard. Who knows whether these rumours shall be useful to the Alpha?"

Creon only grunted in response. He knew his wife was only trying to justify her love for idle talk. He loved her dearly but that was her only fault.

The murmurs heightened once the people saw Artemis return to the front arena, some people dared to sneer at him while others faked smiles at their Alpha. They felt betrayed by his lack of action.

When Artemis climbed the podium, he said; "Tis a red day, not a blue one so why do we let it be determined by some wolf?"

The people of Aysun quietly hummed in response.

"I've heard rumours and speculations about her," he continued. "You my people have every right to be concerned. The prophecy is true, the moon goddess does not lie to her own,"

Gasps erupted from everywhere. The people looked amongst themselves. Esmeray shot her husband an 'I told you so' glance.

"The coming of the blue wolf is the beginning of chaos," Artemis said.

"However, I must express my distaste towards your lack of faith in my governance."

Lord Creon hummed in agreement. He had also been angry at the people's reaction towards Artemis.

"Some people say the blue wolf is my mate," Artemis went on. "Would it be a bad idea?" He teased the crowd. "After all, she is one beautiful woman."

The werepeople of Aysun were confused now- Lord Creon included. Had the rumours been true that Velma truly was his mate?

"I would tell you that I am disappointed that the moon goddess did not let such beauty be my mate but alas, I'm relieved. The blue wolf has no connection to me whatsoever."

Lord Creon shrugged. It wasn't a bad idea that his daughter be mated to the Alpha but he was grateful she was not. A destined warrior had no business doing politics. It would also make things complicated as Velma was the blue wolf.

"I heard a young lady over there," Artemis said pointing somewhere in the crowd. "Have the audacity to say that I have plans to keep her to myself in secret as I would like to protect my mate."

The people whispered amongst themselves guiltily: passing the blame from one person to another.

"I shall pardon you as I understand your worries that I might choose a single werewoman of thousands of people," he continued. "I'd like to announce to you great people of Aysun that the blue wolf shall be executed before your very eyes."

Lord Creon's eyes widened in shock and dismay. How dare Artemis betray him like that? He had thought the young Alpha understood his plea concerning his daughter, yet here he was- announcing her execution. Lord Creon wanted to jump up and drive his sword through Artemis belly. Did the words of the public mean more than the life of his daughter?

"Yes, before your very eyes," Artemis said. "After all, if she's to bring chaos, we might as well end her life and put an end to our destruction."

Lord Creon clenched his fists by his sides angrily. He was sure of one thing: if his daughter were to be executed tonight like a common animal, the land of Aysun would shed blood. Perhaps, the prophecy would come to pass through him.

"Do you, my people have any objection to her death?"

"If she has any family, they should be killed as well!" Someone in the crowd shouted.