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Alpha Jagger

"Stupid, Raziya. Stupid. Have you forgotten every arrow from the Palace is made with our symbol? Definitely, the Alpha of whoever that wolf belonged to, must've known it came from us. We're doomed!"


Raziya's hands were still shaking as she rode through the gates of the Palace. Getting to a stop, she climbed down and rushed in without sparing Gina a glance. Even the guards and maids were surprised at how unusual she looked.

"Where is my mother? Where is she?" She hastily asked the first maiden she found in the hallway.

"She...she should be in her chamber, My Princess" The maiden answered nervously, wondering what was wrong with the fearless Princess.

With hurried steps, she took the next turn, all the way to her mother's room. She didn't bother knocking, but just pushed the door open and felt relieved on seeing the Queen seated on the bed, receiving a pediicure.

"Raziya!" The Queen was taken aba ofcked by her sudden entrance.

"Mother!" The princess melted as she aimed for her arms. Quickly, the Queen sprang on her feet and received her.

Seeing her daughter bawl on her shoulder was something she hadn't seen in years.

"My goodness! What is wrong with you? What happened?" She asked worriedly while stroking her hair.

"Mona? What happened?" She asked the maid who had just stepped into the room, but Mona could say nothing.

"Hey, Raziya, please talk to me. What is going on?!"

And tearfully, Raziya lifted her head to look at the maid who had been handling her mother's pedicure.

"Get out!!" She yelled, and without hesitation, the maid scurried out of the room.

"Okay, now you can talk to me" the Queen cupped her cheek. "Please Raziya, what happened? Why are you like this?"

"I killed someone, Mother" she returned her head to her shoulder and sobbed. "Mona said I killed a wolf".

The shock that crept into the Queen's eyes was like one that couldn't be discerned. Fear sizzled through her, she looked dreadfully at Mona.

"Mo... Mona, what is she... talking about?" she floundered.

"It's...it's true, My Queen. We were just hunting and she...she saw these animals and shot one of them. She had no idea they were wolves" Mona shuddered.

"Oh, no... Oh, no" The Queen was beginning to waver. Her hands had fallen off her daughter's hair as she equally needed someone to console her.

She looked at Raziya, then back at Mona.

"Quick, Mona; go call the King. Now!"

................................

MINUTES LATER

................................

"You did what?!" King Zachery yelled, not minding the soft eyes staring at him.

With his heavy coat, he swayed left and right, glaring daggers at Raziya.

"Did you just say you killed a wolf? Do you even know the gratitude of what you're saying?"

"I'm sorry, father" Raziya lowered her head and whimpered. "I didn't mean to; I had no idea it was a wolf".

The Queen was holding her hand, while her siblings just stood sullenly, watching. Mona was in the room as well, standing like a humble lad.

"How did this even happen?" King Zachery went on. "Wolves don't just come into our Kingdom in their wolf shape. You must've crossed the boundary! Where did you go, Raziya?"

But, the weeping Raziya couldn't give an answer, hence he turned to the maid.

"Tell me, Mona; where did you go?!"

"I...I have no idea, My King. But...the princess and I rode for a very long time before reaching it. The...the place was kind of deserted and..."

"For goodness sake, you were at the border!" King Zachery yelled. "How could you be so foolish, Raziya? Last night was the full moon and it's possible they were just roaming about! Why will you go there in the first place?"

Raziya could say nothing, still.

"My King, I believe we should stop chastening her and just come up with a solution" The Queen cooed.

"Seriously?" The King scoffed. "Can you even hear yourself, Heba? Do you know what it means to kill a wolf? They'd definitely come for us! They'll come for her!"

He huffed and took some to-and+fro steps, then stopped walking. "We don't even know who it is, who's pack it belonged to".

"It .. it could be Alpha Rex" The Queen chipped in. "Alpha Rex is very considerate; I'm sure we can talk to him. Or maybe Alpha Oden. You... you've met with Oden a couple of times, right? So I'm sure we can equally talk to him".

"And what if it's not then? What if it's someone like..Jagger?"

The Queen's eyes drooped at the mention of that name.

"No" She quickly blinked and shook her head. "It can't be him. Why would you even think of someone like that?"

"I'm not concluding it's him, Heba. I'm just making random mentions.."

"Well, you shouldn't mention someone like him. By the name of the Protectors, it can never be Jagger!"

There was a brief silence, then Princess Rana chipped in a mild tone: "Who is Jagger?"

Everyone looked at her, but none could give an answer.

"Raziya" The King turned to her. "You said they were two wolves, right? And you only shot one? That means one of them was alive?"

"Yes, father" she whimpered.

"Do you think he might know you're a princess?"

Raziya reflected for some seconds. "I...I...I don't think so. Although..." She looked up at Mona. "... Mona had called me Princess while trying to make me run away. I don't know if he heard it".

"Urgh!" The King fisted his hands against the wall. "And the arrow was left in his head when you ran away?"

She nodded humbly.

"Stupid, Raziya. Stupid. Have you forgotten every arrow from the Palace is made with our symbol? Definitely, the Alpha of whoever that wolf belonged to, must've known it came from us. We're doomed!"

There was a deeper silence in the room.

"Maybe I should just run away" Raziya's faint voice came, turning her eyes to her direction. "Wouldn't it be best if I left before anyone comes?"

"I don't think that would work. If they know the arrow came from here and was shot by a princess, they'd definitely be looking for one when they come around. And with you not being around, they'd think it was Rana" Prince Archie commented, killing the last hope Raziya had.

"I didn't mean for this to happen" She broke down more in tears but was embraced by her mother.

The King was more perplexed. He never dreamt of being in such situation where he'd smell war.

"I believe you should have some rest for now", He said after a while. "I'll just make some enquires to know which wolf was shot".

With his hands crossed at his back, he walked out the room.

"Mona, quick - get something for her to eat, please", The Queen requested and the maid bowed and left immediately.


It had taken the Queen a lot to convince Raziya into eating as the Princess had completely lost her appetite. Fear had become her new taste and panic - her heartbeat.

Even when she'd agreed to eat, all she could do was little. She stayed alone in the room with her mother, her head on her chest as the Queen tenderly stroke her.

The two were quiet for a long time until the Queen began humming for her.

"Mother, do you think everything will be fine?" Raziya asked suddenly, her voice so calm, but the Queen hesitated a little.

"Of...Of course, dear. We are to trust in the Protectors always. I believe they'll make it fine", she cooed and planted a kiss on Raziya's head afterwards.

Due to the much tears, comfort and humming of her mother, Raziya fell into the arms of dizziness; but it was short-lived as the door had bursted open. Raziya's eyes flipped open instantly to see a panicking Mona by the door.

"Mona?! What is it?" The Queen asked, equally being shocked at the lady's intrusion.

"My Queen... it's Jagger...! It's Alpha Jagger! He's riding with his men to the Palace gates...!"

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