The Lie

"Don't make me repeat myself, King Zachary. Your daughter with the red hair, bring her out - now".

---

Mona was panting heavily as the words left her lips. It made the Queen lose every peace she had as she sprang to her feet, having her heart in her mouth.

"What... What did you say?" Her words were barely heard and abruptly, the King, Rana and Archie rushed in.

"It's like I feared; it's Jagger" King Zachary said, his voice filled with so much terror.

The Queen's hands quaked; she had to force them on Raziya's shoulders.

"It can't be" She muttered under her breath. "It just can't be".

"Who is this... Jagger?" Rana finally asked, deciding she'd had enough suspense already. "Is he someone bad?"

"Someone bad would be better than Jagger" Queen Heba brushed her fingers into her hair. "Jagger is not just a...a demon, he's worst than one. He is a crazy man, a sadist who derives pleasure from hurting others. He's not someone anyone would pray to be with".

"And he... he's a wolf?" Raziya asked in wavering breath.

"Not just a wolf, but a hybrid" The King supplied. "He's a wolf and wizard".

"Wizard?" Archie quaked a brow. "Is that even possible?"

"It's rare, Archie, but it's possible and this Jagger is one. He wouldn't come here for no reason and that only means, whoever you killed, Raziya, was from his pack".

Tho Raziya had never seen nor heard of this Jagger before, the thought of his name alone filled her with so much terror. The muscles around her eyes were beginning to twitch.

"We need to do something, please! Jagger cannot see her; he'll kill her!" The Queen cried out, holding Raziya dearly from behind.

"What do you expect me to do, Heba? Jagger's not the type that negotiates, and he's not someone I can fight off either - he'd burn down this entire Palace in minutes. Even if I ask the other Kingdoms for help, none would agree to challenge Jagger. There is no way out of this".

"So, what? We're just going to sit back and let him kill our daughter? There should be something we can do!"

"Like what?!" The King half-yelled. "What can you suggest?"

There was a tensed silence.

"What if we make them believe it was Mona?" Raziya's taut voice suddenly broke in, making everyone look at her in confusion. "I mean...she was the one I'd been hunting with. So... maybe we could make them believe she shot the arrow and not me".

The helpless maid receded with a gasp.

"Raziya!" Rana flinched. "How can you say a thing like that? That'd be making Mona get punished for an offense she didn't commit".

"But it's better than me having to die!" Raziya baffled. She looked at Mona and saw the disappointing look in her eyes - the look of being betrayed. It was too heavy, Raziya had to burst into tears.

"I'm sorry, Mona, but I don't want to die. I don't want to be the one to face that man. I'm so sorry".

All eyes turned to Mona. "But, I ...I also don't want to die", her throat had suddenly gone heavy. "I know you think people like us are below you, Princess, but I also have a life I love. And remember, I had told you not to go into that forest, but you wouldn't listen", Mona found herself saying things she wouldn't utter to the Princess on a normal day - although, she sounded piteous.

"Oh! Mona, please" The Queen stepped forward. "Could you just do this for me? It's not certain he'd even kill you; probably just a little punishment and it's over. Please!"

"But... But, My Queen..."

"Mona, please!" The Queen took her hand. "I am begging you in the name of everything you believe in. I promise you, when this is over, you shall be rewarded beyond expectations. I promise you!"

Mona bent and shook her head as a tear slid down her cheek. Using her as a replacement, wasn't that selfish?

A knock on the door interrupted them.

"Who is it?" The King asked raucously and a guard stepped in.

"My King, Alpha Jagger has made his way to the Palace. He's waiting outside and seeks your presence". The guard's words came as terrible news to Zachary's family. Tho, they'd expected it, they just never thought of hearing it.

The Queen turned back to Mona, this time around, forcing tears down her cheeks. "Please, Mona; do this for my poor daughter".

The next few seconds were filled with an emotional outburst until the King chipped in. "I have to go face Jagger. Keeping him waiting might not turn out good".

And without anybody's consent, he left the room.

...

King Zachery was known for his bravery and relentlessness. He hadn't bought his rank of being one of the Most Powerful King, he had earned it. But, battling with a Wolf-King was something he never planned for; it was an experience he never wanted to have. And as he walked down that hallway, on his way to face the unwanted Alpha, he felt unusual nervousness. Even the guards behind him were not enough for his protection. But as a King, he was never to display cowardice in the presence of his minions.

Taking the bold steps, he finally got to the exterior of the Palace where he found Jagger waiting with a few of his boys. He was clothed in a black toe-length robe - which was his favorite - and stood so gently with his hands at his back - giving him the perfect devil look. His dark eyes were illegible, making it more difficult. King Zachery could spot one of his boys holding a blood-stained arrow with him - an arrow with their symbol.

"Alpha Jagger" King Zachery tried to feign a surprise as he made to stand before him. "If this is not a surprise, then I know not what to speak of it. Having a Wolf in my Palace was never something I'd imagined. To what do I owe this?"

Jagger had been staring at him the whole time and when he was done, he lowered his head in a chuckle.

"Do not feel flattered, King Zachery, for I am not here for a pleasant reason" he taunted in his cold clipped tones, making the King grow more uncomfortable.

If there was one thing about Jagger, it was how blunt he was with words. He practically feared no one, and neither would he try to please any.

"Um...can we go in, at least? Two noblemen shouldn't be standing under the sun. This way" The King had to await his consent before leading the way.

It didn't take long before they got to the hall which was usually the King's meeting hall. Tables and chairs were arranged in it and concurrently, the Alpha and the King sat facing each other, a long table between them while their guards remained standing.

"Hmm" Jagger let out a sigh as he crossed his legs on the table. "Have you no apples?"

King Zachary was taken aback by his arrogance. Placing his legs on the table in front of him? How rude could he be?

"Well..." King Zachary cleared his constricted throat. "I could have the guards get you some apples if you really want".

"Yes, I do" Jagger warned a smile that only lasted for a second.

Turning to a guard behind him, King Zachary signaled him to get it done and he left.

"Now, while we await my apples" Jagger paused and stretched out his hand to his beta beside him. Instantly, the blood-stained arrow was handed to him and he placed it on the table. "I'd love to understand why your arrow was found in the head of my gamma - late gamma, actually. He's dead".

The King gulped nothing as he stared blankly at the arrow. If it had been some other King, he sure would've found a way to handle the situation. But for someone like Jagger.

He clasped his both hands on the table and lowered his head. "I hate to admit this, Jagger, but indeed, one of my own is responsible for that. And I must say I am deeply sorry for your loss. My .. daughter and her maid returned some hours ago, frightened, and the maid confessed to accidentally shooting a wolf. I had no idea it was one from your pack" Turning to another guard behind him, the King ordered him to go get Mona, and he left.

For a long while, not a word was said as both the King and Jagger awaited the arrival of the maid. But while the King tried avoiding his gaze, Jagger made sure his didn't leave the King's face.

At the right time, they heard footsteps and King Zachary turned to see the maid walking in. She walked diffidently with her head lowered while fiddling with her nails. Obviously, she looked so scared.

Mona's breath wavered as she got to the table and all she could do was bow. She couldn't afford to look at either of them in the face.

"Mona", King Zachary called. "Please, tell them what really happened".

The poor maid could feel the cold gaze on her; she had never been so scared her whole life. Not even the Princess' nags had gotten that close.

She tried to speak, but discovered her tongue was tied; her head spinning, and her heart racing faster than normal.

"Speak up, Mona" The King urged. "Just explain it was a mistake".

Tears blinded her eyes and slowly, she found her words.

"I'm...I'm sorry" it came with a sniffle. "I... I was just hu... hunting, I saw the wolves, I... I didn't even know when the arrow left my string. Please... for...forgive me", she babbled, almost finding it difficult to understand herself.

The King felt relieved, but at the same time, more tensed. Would the Alpha fall for her story? And even if he does, what would be his opinion?

Jagger's scrutinizing eyes were pinned on the frightened maid when his beta lowered to his ear and whispered into it: "The arrow wasn't shot by her, Alpha. It was shot by the Princess herself - her hair is red in color".

King Zachary smelt trouble as he watched the beta whisper into the Alpha's ears. There was nothing going wrong, was there?

Oh! There was. He confirmed that when he found the Alpha's eyes growing darker.

"I love games, King Zachary" He took his legs down from the table. "But, not when I'm in a hurry. My beta here claims your daughter shot the arrow, not her maid. Now, bring your daughter to this table right away".

The King's breath seized, even weeping Mona had to take a look for the first time. What? The plan wasn't working?

"Wh... What are you talking about, Alpha Jagger? The maid just confessed to it herself!" The King nearly faltered.

Crankily, Jagger cracked the hint of a smile - a cunny smile. He learned forward to the table until his face was so close to the King's.

"Don't make me repeat myself, King Zachary. Your daughter with the red hair, bring her out - now".