Fear

King Cole’s POV

I stood at the window of my dark and towering castle, the vast werewolf realm spreading out below me.

I was a newly ascended alpha king, my reign only just beginning.

The weight of the crown pressed heavily on my brow, not just from its physical heft but from the burden of leadership and the treacherous whispers that filled the air.

Among those whispers, one stood out, chilling me to my core: my younger brother, Prince Greg, might be plotting to usurp the throne.

I had always known that ruling would be here with dangers, both seen and unseen. Yet I had hoped for a tiny tinge of peace, a brief breathing space before the inevitable machinations of power began. But peace was a fleeting dream in the werewolf realm, and trust was a commodity I could not afford.

In my chambers, the flickering light of the fire cast long shadows as I thought about my next move. I needed counsel, and there was one wolf whose wisdom was renowned across the lands – Elder Raxor.

Summoning the elder to my chambers, I hoped to gain insight into the treacherous thoughts swirling around me.

Elder Raxor arrived, his long, silver beard and piercing eyes lending an air of suspense to the room.

He bowed before me, his movements slow but deliberate. "Your Majesty," he said, "what troubles you so deeply?"

I did not waste words. "Elder Raxor, I fear my brother, Prince Greg, is plotting against me. I need your counsel on how to proceed."

“Why do you say so?” He asked. “He is your little brother. I doubt he would try to be that stupid.”

“Your doubts and my fears do not exist in the same bowl. I have heard the rumors. I do not want to believe this is true but I cannot evade the thought of my little brother trying to take away my birthright.”

When I had finished, Raxor closed his eyes in thought, the silence stretching out until it seemed almost unbearable. Finally, he spoke, offering three insights.

"Your Majesty, there are three paths you could take. First, you could confront Prince Greg directly, seeking to root out the truth through his reactions. Second, you could distance yourself, sending him to the far reaches of the realm, away from court and power. Third, you could surround yourself with loyalists, ensuring that any plot would be reported to you before it could come to fruition."

I considered these options, turning them over in my mind.

“Confrontation could lead to open conflict,” I muttered while staring in space. “And sending Greg away might only delay the inevitable, and surrounding myself with loyalists could breed further mistrust.”

In the end, I decided to trust my own instincts.

"I will have my spies monitor his every move," I declared, summoning my trusted agents.

Cloaked in shadows, the spies appeared before me, their eyes glinting with readiness.

"Watch my brother," I commanded. "Report to me everything he does, every person he meets. I want to know his plans before he does."

The spies nodded, disappearing as swiftly as they had come. I felt a momentary sense of relief, but it was short-lived. Elder Raxor shook his head, his expression grave.

"Your Majesty," the elder warned, "this is a dangerous path. These spies can be discovered, and mistrust will only grow. There is a better way."

I looked at him, questioning. "What do you suggest, Elder?"

"Seek out the Snow Fox Tribe," Raxor advised. "They are masters of stealth and subterfuge, nearly impossible to detect. Hire a girl from their tribe, one who has been trained as a royal guard from childhood. She will be your eyes and ears, visible but she wouldn’t be traced back to you if she was caught."

I nodded thoughtfully. The Snow Fox Tribe was legendary for their skills, their loyalty unwavering once earned. I could see the wisdom in Raxor's words. Turning back to my remaining spies, I issued new orders.

"Find anyone from the Snow Fox Tribe who has been raised as a royal guard from childhood and bring them to me. I will choose my spy from among them."

The spies bowed deeply, then vanished into the shadows. I watched them go, a sense of resolve settling over me.

I would uncover the truth about my brother, but I would do it with cunning, not brute force.

The next evening, as the moon cast its pale light over the castle, my lead spy reappeared, accompanied by a young woman.

She was lithe and graceful, her eyes a striking shade of blue that seemed to see everything and reveal nothing.

Her white hair marked her as a member of the Snow Fox Tribe, and the aura of quiet strength around her spoke of rigorous training and discipline.

"Your Majesty," the spy announced, "this is Anna, from the Snow Fox Tribe. She has been raised as a royal guard and comes highly recommended."

I regarded this Anna with interest. "Do you understand the task before you?" he asked.

She nodded. "I do, Your Majesty. I will watch Prince Greg and report his every move to you. No one will know I was sent by you."

"Good," I said, feeling a glimmer of hope as elder Ramon joined us.

“Is this the girl?” The elder asked as I nodded.

“I want her to spy on him and get me everything about his moves. I need to know what Greg is doing.”

“And you will, my lord,” the elder smiled. He then turned to the woman. “Come, let me introduce you to your new master who you will spy on.”

With a bow, Anna left the chamber with Raxon, her steps silent and sure.

The game was afoot, and I was determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.