"You can't simply expect us to accept you as our new leader!" one of the witches shouted at Eloise. "Even if you have the Staff of Power, it's one against the entire coven!"
"Do you really believe that I have no friends?" Eloise laughed and out of the crowd of the witches, several of Eloise's trusted witches came up and bore arms. The beautiful woman waved her hand, looking bored. "But really, this is all unnecessary. No need to fight."
"What… what do you mean?" one of the witches asked with hesitance.
"I poisoned our water supply." Eloise's eyes twinkled as the entire coven started to panic. She laughed at the mass hysteria and looked at them. "I'm the only one who can create the antidote. So please, let's not fight."
This time a gnawing and uncomfortable silence filled the crowd, resentment in their eyes as they stared up at the new Grand Witch.
Some wanted to fight, others actually wanted to run away and flee from the coven, and yet like a poisonous spider, Eloise managed to keep them all.
***
The circumstances around one's life had the ability to take away the life of someone precious to you instantly. Over a decade ago, Queen Marianne thought she lost her son Nicholas when he was captured by the lycans.
Sophie's parents were gone before she even knew it. Nicholas was unaware that he lost an important part of himself, but he knew that he lost Uncle Joseph and his own father due to the lycans who attacked his family.
Leland lost his father and brother to an illness that he didn't even know and then finally lost his two precious sons due to the actions of his own mother. Death was a part of life as any other. However, to those who lived their lives each day, it was still shocking.
It was so sudden.
Everybody thought Alpha Zaros was in good health, but while the Alpha was climbing up the dangerous cliffs of Zekkyl Heights, a strong wind suddenly blew him and the man was swept away from the cliffs.
He died.
Everyone believed that he died because of the heights and for failing to transform during that time, but Isolde knew better. It was not obvious at first, because the poison was only in droplets, but it still had been enough.
She remembered it well.
***
"Isla, can you give this to your father?" Isolde smiled at her niece and offered her a water bag. "I heard that he will be traveling today and I do not wish for him to be dehydrated. The sun is harsh and the wind is tormenting."
Isla blinked and eyed the water bag and then looked at her. "Why not give it yourself, Aunt Isolde? I heard that the two of you had an argument some days ago."
"Your father will not appreciate it because it comes from me." Isolde sighed. "But I have been up there in Zekkyl Heights before and it is dangerous. My old friend, the Grand Witch Elaine nearly died when she was trying to obtain ingredients."
"You know Grand Witch Elaine?" Isla perked up and didn't immediately reach for the water bag. "You really know a lot of people, Aunt Isolde. I admire you."
Isolde blinked but eventually quirked a lip at the praises. She held out the water bag some more to get the message across. "Ah yes, that's how it is when you're a well-versed traveler and do not stay in one place."
"Would there be an opportunity to go to the witches' territory, Aunt Isolde?" Isla batted her eyes innocently. "My father does not let me go anywhere. He is afraid that I'll put myself in danger."
Isolde sighed inwardly. A part of her knew that going there would be a death sentence. Her friendship was strong with Elaine, but it was Eloise that she was more worried about. Her mother could not control her.
"Am I bothering you, Aunt Isolde?" Isla looked at her with a sad look.
"No, no. I'm just not used to all of these questions…" Isolde averted her gaze. "My son never asks me for anything or talks with me. So, I am not used to it."
Isla gently touched her arm. "It seems incredibly hard to believe that my cousin shunned you, Auntie. I do not want to talk out of my place, but it seems like you are a strong woman and butt heads easily with people."
Isolde glanced back at her niece and snorted.
"Isla, dear. I am holding back for the sake of peace here, but if I had my way, your father would have already been fighting with me. I know my way here better than him. He soiled his fur as a puppy and now he's like a retired old lycan."
Isla's eyes widened. "What?"
Isolde smirked a little. "Your father may be the strong Alpha now, but he used to rely on my wits. Our people value strength above all, Isla. However, if you know your way around, all you need is your head. You have power on your own."
Isla stepped back a little. "My father… said you were a little intense, Aunt Isolde. I didn't realize that was what he meant. Is that what you picked up from hanging out with witches?"
"It's less something I picked up, and more of something I realized on my own." Isolde frowned. "For example, Isla, where is your husband?"
"Oh, he's out hunting with the rest of the pack." Isla glanced faraway. "I believe that he will be back by sundown."
"What happens when he comes back?"
"He'll be giving the spoils to our pack's lead cook, maybe help in separating the meat from the useful parts of the prey like fur and claws… I have to get water from the river by then so he can take a bath for the evening dinner."
"You could be accompanying him, you know?" Isolde said. "During the hunting. Why aren't you?"
"My father wouldn't allow it," Isla said. "But that's just for me. Other young female lycans in our group are free to join in the hunting. We're much more liberated than humans, Aunt Isolde."
"And you're not bothered at all that you're staying here?" Isolde asked. "You're not questioning at all why you're supposed to stay here. I heard that you also visit Armeria, does your husband come along with you?"
Isla bit down on her lip. "Well, he doesn't like going there…"
Isolde realized she was speaking for too long. It reminded her too much of when she used to talk to Lowell, she eventually shook her head and simply handed her niece the water bag and looked into her eyes.
"Isla, the lycan society is patriarchal and the witches are more matriarchal. I will not linger too much on senseless topics. I understand that you think differently from me. And that is fine, adapt to your environment and survive the best way you can."
"But, Aunt—"
"Carry along now dear." Isolde pushed the younger woman forward. She looked at a woman who didn't look too different from her and found herself saying. "You still want to say goodbye to your father don't you?"
"Yes, I need to give my father a hug before he leaves." Isla smiled and held up the water bag. "And I'll give him this and say it came from you as a gift?"
"No."
"Alright. I hope that the two of you can get along when he comes back, Aunt Isolde." Isla waved at her aunt and ran up to find Alpha Zaros.
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