6. The Core Council

The Alphas and whatever other warriors were present began to disperse.  Most were headed to the accommodations made by Gaia per the King’s request.  Those that lived close enough would return home for the evening but with the large expanse of Harvest Moon, that was very few.

Andraste began to follow the crowd out of the hall when her arm was grabbed. Tingles rushed through her system sending her heart racing.  She turned to see Adonis holding onto her.  Behind him still stood Seth, her father, the king, Jove, and Axton.

“Father requested through the mind link that you stay as well.” Adonis told her softly.

“Oh. Oh. Well yes of course. Anything for his majesty.”

Adonis continued to gaze at her until her cheeks began to flush.  Never had anyone been so overt in their attention, male or female.  And rather than feeling the need to shy away from him, Andraste was only more and more compelled to be near him.

He had slid his hand down from her upper arm to gently cup her elbow as he led her back to the table. It would have been proper to remove herself from his touch but she just couldn’t bring herself to tear away from that connection. If anything she wanted more of it.

The look on Apollo’s face told Adonis that the way in which Adonis touched the princess had not gone unnoticed. Adonis merely gave his father a sly smile and continued leading Andraste to a seat.

‘We will discuss that in private.’ Adonis did not respond to his father.  He knew that rather than his earlier prenotions of keeping his secret, his father was far too suspicious to keep it hidden.

Apollo watched the scene before him.  The only thing that gave him comfort was Andraste’s reaction towards Adonis.  Unlike any other she-wolf Apollo had ever seen in his son’s presence, Andraste seemed more confused than flattered. He was actually curious to see how this would play out.  He had a strong feeling Andraste was going to give Adonis a run for his money.  And in his opinion, it was about time a she-wolf gave Adonis a wake-up call.

The small group left behind all took a seat.  From the entrance, the royal Beta and Delta ensured the doors were locked.  They too then took a place at the table.

“I’ve asked that this group remain as the core of what I believe will be the inner council of what we face.” Apollo announced.

Andraste waited for the snickers or for her presence to be questioned.  Much to her relief and quite frankly surprise there was neither.

“Geb, Seth, I know it is a heavy burden I ask of you, but as the strongest pack next to my own in the alliance I feel that it is best for our kind that you help lead us.  With this small council we will strategize, plan, train, and govern the warriors who will protect our kind.”

Geb and Seth solemnly nodded in acknowledgement.  Apollo needed nothing further to know that he had their full cooperation.

“And why am I here?” Andraste couldn’t stop herself from asking. She could see Seth roll his eyes in annoyance and Geb scowl at her bluntness. Apollo, on the other hand, turned towards the face that held so much knowledge for one so young.  He softly smiled at her and held out his hand.  Andraste, without hesitation placed her hand in his.

“Princess, there is so much more to you than meets the eye.  I was going to initially ask your father in private, but I understand now that you enjoy plain speaking as much as I do.  What blessings has Selene bestowed upon you?”

“That is enough.” Geb stood over the table looking the king eye to eye.  His fear, anger, and protective nature hit Andraste like a ton of bricks.  The stronger the emotions the heavier they weighed on her.  For her, his reaction was both appreciated and irritating.  As a daughter she loved her father and the way he loved her.  As someone who wanted to be more than just his daughter, it was time she stood for herself.

“Father.  I do believe his Majesty was talking to me.”

Geb turned and looked at her, shock written all over his face.

“King Apollo, you are not mistaken.  And Father, I love you, but it is time that we acknowledge my differences and hopefully use everything we have to our advantage.  You cannot protect me forever, nor would I want you to.  If this is what Selene has planned for me, then I am going to do everything to make her proud.”

Geb reached out and caressed his daughter’s cheek.  How had he ever been so blessed with such a daughter. A single tear rolled down his face.  It was months before she turned 18 but he had already lost his little girl to the she-wolf who now sat before him.  He had no doubt that she had already made Selene proud.

“My apologies your Majesty.  As I’m sure you understand, a father’s love is hard to overcome, especially when your daughter is Andraste.  Go on Bean.”

Andraste blushed at her father’s nickname for her.  From the moment she started sprouting her height, he’d started calling her “Bean” in reference to how quickly she was growing. But she continued on.

“My talents are not strong or fully understood.  And truth be told not always have I considered them talents or blessings.  It’s more like feelings or understandings.  There’s a present and future tense to these senses.  The ability to read one’s emotions.  The foreboding of an upcoming event.  Intertwined with that is the effect my presence seems to have on those around me.  It is not a conscious effort, but my aura seems to calm anyone within my vicinity.”

“Her mother and I speculate that once she gains her wolf these abilities will only enhance and become clearer.”

“I tend to agree, Geb. I would still like to invite one of my elders who has studied the blessings of Selene to a considerable extent. Knowledge is power, and the more knowledge Andraste has, the more her talents can be honed. That is, if you agree as well Andraste.”

It was all happening so fast.  Here she was sitting on a council of men.  Now the king of their kind was offering his own scholar to assist her in learning more. If it weren’t for the remaining scent of blood and wolfsbane lingering in the air, she was certain she would have been dreaming.

“Of course, your Majesty.”

“Please, call me Apollo. I have a feeling I have as much to learn from you as you have to learn from me.”

“Again, your Majesty, I mean, Apollo, my grasp on what I have is slippery at best. I’m not sure what I could offer you directly.”

“Sometimes, it’s not about what we know, but the choices we make. You dear, defied all standard behavior.  I watched you today, and what I saw was not a young, naive princess.  I saw a Queen in the making. I’m told what makes you such a capable warrior as well is your ability to read the situation. I’m assuming that’s in part to your abilities.”

“It is. Even in the middle of sparring, there’s a sense of what my opponent is thinking or planning.  And then it’s as though I just know what next move I need to make. I fear it’s hard to explain. But in a way, it's as though I can strategize even in the heat of the moment.”

“And it’s yet to fail her.” Seth piped in. Axton chuckled.  Both had been sparring partners with her prior to getting their wolves. And both were ashamed to admit they’d landed on their asses with more than a few bruises.

Adonis had remained silent through all of this.  His eyes hadn’t left her face. She could feel it all along and tried her best to ignore it. She just could not get a grasp on his emotions.  It intrigued her, frustrated her, and in a way was a welcome change.  When near him, she felt a peace that she could only assume is what everyone else felt around her.

But in the meantime, she genuinely wanted to know what was going on behind those gorgeous eyes of his.  Andraste was fearing the worst from him.  When in fact, Adonis couldn’t be more in awe of the mate he had been blessed with.  Every moment spent with her brought him more and more yearning to make her aware of the bond they’d share. 

And the urge to hide her away from the world.  She was his and he would die protecting her.  Her abilities, her strength, would be seen as a target. She may not see it yet, but as she had spoken, it was the blinding fact Adonis could see. Of all of them, should their enemies ever figure out her talents, they would come for her.

“So it is settled.” Apollo’s voice pulled Adonis out of his thoughts. “I will send word to my capital and have Xeno, my scholar, brought here so that we can further expand on Andraste’s abilities. And those who sit here now are my official inner council as we move forward. I cannot pretend to know what the future holds. I cannot even predict if this is going to be a few skirmishes here and there or a full out war that will last for years.  I pray for the former but will plan for the latter.” 

Apollo paused, a look of sorrow passing over his face. A war would mean lots of lives, the thought alone caused an ache in his soul.  Every life was precious, this is not what he had intended for his life.

“We will meet on a regular basis. For the time being, especially as there are still wounded recovering, we will remain here. Geb, the alliance will assist in supplies and compensation for your hospitality.”

“It is my honor your Majesty to host the summit and council. I can assure you, my pack is more than capable.”

“I do not question that at all Geb. But I also do not want to take any chance of draining your resources before anything has really begun. We will all need to be at our best and strongest. Come, it’s been a very long day. Let us all retire and meet here between training and the first meal of the day. We will then present the council to the summit following the meal.”

Each member stood as Apollo stood. Then one by one they followed him out of the Great Hall until only Adonis and Andraste remained. She was still too stunned at the turn of events in her life. She had stayed rooted to the spot hoping for a peaceful moment to herself. A chance to gather her thoughts and feelings. She knew upon her return home her mother would be waiting for her family. Andraste wasn’t afraid of much, but her mother was one. And she had no idea how her mother would receive her news.

Yet, there he stood. The one presence that clouded all other thoughts. Irritation flickered across her face. “Is there something I can do for you, your highness?”

The chill dripped from every word. Apparently he still wasn’t forgiven for not being open about his identity. Little did he know it was only a mask for her confusion to her own emotions.

“I wanted to congratulate you on your position.”

Andraste raised an eyebrow, amused and suspicious. “Is that so?”

“You doubt me?”

“I don’t know you.”

“I’d like to change that.”

Andraste blushed at those words. They’d begun a kind of dance around the table. Never breaking eye contact.  And though there was no touch, she felt shivers, as though his fingers graced her skin. The moment felt so sensual.  It took her all to not give in to the look in his eyes.  Or the need that was bubbling up in her own core. But she couldn’t deny the pull to him was so strong.

“You speak so boldly compared to anyone I’ve met before.”

“I can assure you princess, I’m not like anyone you’ve met.”

“Oh I think that is very apparent. I haven’t decided if that is a good thing or a bad thing.”

Adonis let out a soft chuckle. Each step around the table brought him closer to her. But gone was the naive and shy princess from earlier. It seems she had found her footing. And this side of her was just as tempting as the first.

“Are you brave enough to find out?”

“Brave, yes. But I’m not sure if courage is needed to get to know you or a dose of carelessness.”

“Ouch. A little harsh for not knowing me isn’t it?”

“It doesn’t take much intuition to see how dangerous you could be to my kind. And as you well know by now, intuition is my specialty.”

“I must say, I’d love to pretend to be offended, but my past would make a liar out of me. Instead, I’d like to show you a different side of me. A side that none before you have seen. Join me for a meal tomorrow. Just the two of us. We shall meet here for the midday meal, and by then I’ll have found a spot where we can talk.”

“Talk.”

“Just talk.” Her hesitation had Adonis nervous. It was quite a new feeling for him.  Every fiber of his being held its breath waiting for her response. Finally, when he thought he was going to crumble-

“Fine. But I’ll select the place.”

“Deal. Well then princess, good night.”

“Good night.”