“Elaine Powers, you were banned from entering the Emerald Pack’s territory. Why are you here threatening my guards!?”
“Your Majesty, this is all a misunderstanding!” she blurts, avoiding eye contact with the Luna Queen.
“A misunderstanding?” my mother questions.
“Yes! Luke and I made amends. I came here because he asked to spend time with me.” She glances at me sideways. “But your daughter refuses to let me into the mansion!”
“Did he now?” My mother arches an eyebrow and places a hand on her hip.
“He did, but your horrible daughter tried to slam the door in my face. She’s jealous, and... and she’s trying to keep us apart!”
“Elaine!” my mother snaps.
Elaine jumps, and her head snaps up. “Your Majesty, please, just ask him. He will vouch for me! He invited me over, and we made plans for Cassie to join us later with Liam.”
“Elaine! Luke has not been home for several months. You and your friends were banned from ever entering our territory. It was not a request but an order of the Alpha King!”
“Your Majesty!” she screeches, wilting under the scrutiny of my mother’s enraged glare.
“If I may, Your Highness,” Shadow interjects. My mother shifts her glare to Shadow. “Elaine threatened to end the Princess. She is under the age of eighteen so she cannot be tried for terroristic threatening. However, we can trial her father on her behalf.”
Elaine’s eyes widen, and tears spring to her lashes. “Please, I meant no harm. I—I... She made me angry when she refused to let me into the house. I know she’s jealous of me and what I have with Luke. I’m sure if you?—”
“Enough!” my mother shouts. “Get her out of here! When you return, Shadow, I want Alpha Powers charged for terroristic threatening.”
A wicked grin spreads across Shadow’s face. “Of course, Your Highness. I do hope Elaine understands the penalty for terroristic threatening is death by execution.”
Elaine crumbles to her knees and wails.
“I’m sure if you were given the title of Luna Queen, Elaine, you would show no remorse for moving forward with such a charge. Wouldn’t you?” my mother prompts.
“Please!” she cries. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just trying to put her in her place. She doesn’t know her place!”
My mother crouches down in front of Elaine. “No, you don’t know your place. Look at her!” My mother points to me.
Joe steps aside, no longer hiding me from view. But she refuses to look.
“Look at her!”
Elaine peers at me through her fake eyelashes. Black streaks trail down her face from crying. Pure hatred shines in her eyes.
“She is the Princess, not one of your friends or your classmates who you can bully. She is your Princess!”
Elaine faces my mother and nods, hiccupping between her sobs.
“Now, look at me, long and hard. I am the Luna Queen. My blood runs deep, and the bones of my ancestors rest in the soil of the entire LS territory. You better learn your place, Elaine Powers, because you don’t want to make an enemy out of me. Consider this a warning.” My mother stands from her position and turns away.
Elaine falls to the ground in a fetal position, whimpering.
The Luna Queen motions to Joe and Shadow. “Get her out of my territory!” They grab Elaine by the arms and drag her away, screaming and crying.
I try to peer into her mind, to gauge the potential fallout after today. My mind link isn’t consistent, and I’m only able to grasp bits and pieces of her thoughts. One thought I hear loud and clear is that this is far from over.
Chapter 12
The Devil’s Spawn
SHADOW
