***
It was a witch's tantrum.
It started out from a letter sent by no other than Leland himself. The Blood River Pack was withdrawing their alliance with the coven and finally arrived in the Gazi Desert, it was only sent via a hawk.
The letter was still amicable. The Alpha 'kindly' informed them that Isolde was exiled from the pack. Thus, he said didn't want to trust in the coven who had strong ties with a rogue lycan.
It was all for safety purposes, the letter informed them. It was not offensive in any way. Prompt. Maybe a bit brutal. Perhaps, it was a terrible thing to say, but Leland didn't want to start a war with the witches.
While Sophie was still sick and suffering, the Alpha didn't want to expend any effort in making new enemies because he wanted to focus on sustaining his wife's health. So, it was still a respectful letter to inform of the changes in circumstances.
The winds had changed and so Blood River Pack didn't have any interest in war right now. There was that great loss of numbers in Riga, which Leland didn't care about but he still mentioned it.
Witches were still a terrible enemy who could hex and curse you from afar.
"That... that arrogant Lycan. He wouldn't be this arrogant if he were in our vicinity. An alliance is an important thing to us witches, but he broke it anyway."
Grand Witch Elaine's hands shook as she gripped the letter and immediately stuffed it in her robes. She didn't want to deal with her daughter who would no doubt raise hell and give her a headache.
"How could he do that to his own mother?" she sighed.
Isolde had a lot of flaws. Grand Witch Elaine knew them well. The two of them had been friends for years. She knew how the usually arrogant female lycan was infatuated with Alpha Leon and helped her despite making a vow to sisterhood.
So many wrong decisions in their lives, but Isolde never quite gave up.
"Where is that woman now?" The Grand Witch Elaine wanted to immediately look for Isolde. A part of her still cared for an old friend, no matter the failure in the mission to kill Leland's mate.
She was upset at Isolde, but if Lowell hadn't died, it was supposed to be Isolde's favorite child who would be married off to Eloise. It was never Leland in the first place.
"She should have come here if she was exiled." Grand Witch Elaine narrowed her eyes at the dark crow sent by the Blood River Pack. "Hah. I shouldn't worry about her. That woman can be thrown into a wasteland and she'll survive."
For now, the Grand Witch needed to find a way to break the news as gently as possible.
Witches bore a lot of resentment. She must tread gently and with caution when she explained the situation to Eloise. It was such a sensitive matter.
"Mother!" Eloise suddenly ran up to her mother and smiled. She held up a crystal shard and showed it to Grand Witch Elaine. There was a small image of Leland and Sophie in a carriage. "I saw a bird fly over."
"Yes… but it was simply a stray." Grand Witch Elaine frowned at the image. "I see that Leland's mate is still alive. However, I do know that Isolde poisoned her properly. Did you make a weak concoction, Eloise?"
"You think I was the one that ruined the plan, Mother?" Eloise's eye twitched.
Grand Witch Elaine pursed her lips. "We must not leave it out as a possibility, Eloise. Did you take into account the travel time from here to Riga? Dilution? It might have waned when Isolde got there."
"Oh of course, mother," Eloise said. "Perhaps… perhaps it was my fault."
Elaine should have never forgotten that it was those who bore grudges from their childhood that was more deadly.
***
< Several Hours Later >
"Why thank you so much, Mother." Eloise picked up the long staff from the fallen body and met the eyes of the entire coven of witches. She languidly held it up and smiled. "I'm thrilled to be the new Grand Witch."
Several of the witches exchanged looks and stared at Witch Eloise with shock.
A number of them were already muttering spells underneath their breaths but were stopped by Eloise thumping the staff. Sparks of power flickered out from the ancient artifact challenging.
However, it was the crazed look on Eloise's eyes that made them hesitate from acting and avenging the fallen Grand Witch.
"Before any of you do anything rash." Witch Eloise addressed the crowd with a calm smile. "I would hate to see all of you get hurt so please all settle down and pay respects to the Grand Witch."
"Why did you do this, Eloise?!"
"How could you do this to your own mother?"
"Questions. Questions." Witch Eloise pursed her lips. "I am obligated to explain them to my loyal coven. My mother has betrayed all of you and that is why I had to take over."
"Where is your proof?!"
"Of course." Eloise glanced at the crowd. "Selam, can you please give me some assistance over here?"
Silence filled the crowd as a crow flew and immediately landed on the late Grand Witch Elaine's body. It pulled out a letter, placed the parchment in Eloise's hands, and then flew back to one of the witches.
"We made an agreement with the Blood River Pack." Witch Eloise eyed the letter with contempt. "However, they failed to uplift it. Alpha Leland was supposed to be my mate and yet Isolde didn't talk with him. My mother chose to hide it from me."
"You still shouldn't have killed Grand Witch Elaine!"
Witch Eloise sighed aloud. "My mother was choosing her best friend over her daughter and yet not one of you offers me sympathies? How cruel."
She gazed at them, feigning a disappointed look. The witches around her could only stare at Eloise, waiting for her next move.
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