Alpha’s Obsession, Luna’s Revenge:

"You, there, the lady officer," I said pointing my index finger at her.

"Yes, Your Highness," she took a few steps, and stood upright with her head bowed down.

"What's your name?"

"Rita, Your Highness."

You all as you just heard are now inducted into the division of Queen Regent's staff, and you Rita would be my Aide-de-Camp. In short, the ADC.

"I direct you to go out and find the situation in our territory. If you are going to the Royal Palace, I suggest you tread cautiously. Do not let anyone know you are here carrying out my orders."

Before Rita could get out to execute my order, I took her aside and spoke to her confidentially, "Rita be careful while treading in. I might suggest you change your official dress in favor of a normal civilian dress. If possible, plant your sources in the Royal Palace. Keep me informed."

I had already put Jackson to the task of interrogation.

I had learned from my father the importance of covert operations. My dad had told me those golden words, I still cherish. NEVER EVER TRUST ANYONE

"We the werewolves are ever at war," he said one morning. Perhaps, he saw in me his heir.

"Why Dad? Why are we at war?" I asked.

"Because we have territories. We are insatiable because we want to expand our territories," I could barely understand my dad's POV, but knew he was saying something profound. It was his manner of speaking that made his simple utterances profound.

Alpha Darius was a name synonymous with terror, especially in the enemy camps in those days.

The Southern Territory was on its ascendance. The Northern Territory was his only obstacle in the unification of the Great State he had been dreaming of. It was not an impossible feat with his marauding army wreaking vengeance at will.

He had told me and insisted upon me to NEVER EVER TRUST anyone.

"I am sorry Dad," I said as I had said thousands of times to myself in the last five years.

As I was lost in my thoughts, I heard someone say, "Your Highness"

I awoke abruptly out of my reverie: "Yes Please".

It was Jackson standing before me with his head bowed down: "Yes Jackson, please tell me whatever you want to speak."

"I am sorry Your Highness," Jackson said, "I think my third-degree treatment has been too tough on this poor soul."

"What do you mean?" I shouted sternly.

"I think he has lost his senses," Jackson confirmed.

"What?" I howled threateningly, "Are you a fool, you duffer? We don't want him damaged or dead."

"Call the doctor, immediately," I commanded.

"The communication lines are still dead," Jackson informed me.

"I know you idiot, send someone or do whatever you can; summon a doctor here. I can't risk taking Allison to the hospital."

"Remember, we are at war. We are not going to trust anyone. Rush. Go summon a doctor."

The Northern Territory was without power or communication for nearly 24 hours. It was not a good sign.

I was determined to restore order to the Northern Territory once I had the situation under grasp.

The doctor came sooner than expected. He was ushered in to examine Allison.

The doctor observed him closely. He felt his pulse, which was quite weak, and immediately administered saline water to the patient.

"What is the condition of the patient, doctor?" I asked.

"Your Highness, the patient is safe now. Early intervention saved his life. He was dehydrated almost to death," the doctor said with his head bowed in respect. 

"And I can see the patient was beaten up mercilessly," the doctor added with disappointment.

As soon as the doctor began to leave, I commanded him to stop.

"You cannot go, doctor," I said.

The awe-struck doctor looked at me surprised as he froze in fear.

"Don't fear, anyone doctor. We are here to ensure your safety. I think, it is not a good idea to go out when there's complete chaos and anarchy."

"Besides, we need someone to take care of us during medical emergency," I said, and went on to add further, "If I am not mistaken, you are Doctor David, the chief medical officer of the city hospital, as my man who went to summon you informed me."

"You are absolutely correct, Your Highness," the doctor said respectfully.

"As the Queen Regent of the Northern Territory, I am highly pleased to appoint you as the Physician General of our state. You will get your official appointment letter under the state seal once the order is restored."

My command had an electrifying effect. The physician stood silently with his head bowed down.

"Besides, the official title, from now on, you will carry the honorific title of THE HEALER," I said and immediately there was a thunderous applause. 

The Luna wolf within me could smell the doctor, whose positive vibration made me smell the herbs he was dealing with.

The Police Station had turned into a mini court and the hierarchies and gradations were beginning to be defined.

I had begun to gather a loyal set of followers.

I needed to convince the populace in time that I was their lawful queen Regent. I needed to identify a set of traitors and expose them to the civilian population.

The more time I was losing, the more dice loaded against me. I knew the Patriarch William Wolf was a ferocious alpha, whom I had successfully banished to the sickbed citing his senility as the reason.

I had never expected this old hulk would rise from his near grave like a sphynx, so suddenly and abruptly as to completely tear away the networks I had so assiduously established with intelligence, guile, and charm.

I was waiting for Rita to come back with credible evidence against a handful of important men in the palace who were secretly snooping upon me.

I was more confident and reassured now than I began with. The Healer was on my side, promoted to the rank of Physician General. He may not wield physical and military powers but he could be a powerful aide to me.

In our tradition, the Healers are gifted with magical powers. They have the power over life and death, and I needed someone like Dr. David right now.

I took a close look at him wondering if he could prove Dr. Death when the time came for him to take action in that capacity.

"Dr. David," I summoned him in a commanding tone.

"Open your mouth," I said.

The physician was surprised and confused by my command.

"Did you listen to my command doctor? I said open your mouth," I spoke louder and more authoritatively this time.

The doctor opened his mouth. I looked deeply into his mouth and felt satisfied with my decision to keep him close to me.

I had seen the signs of ferocity in his mouth. His pointed canines and incisors clearly indicated to me the extent of ferocity inherent in this kind and compassionate physician. He could easily shift his form when needed.

My ADC Rita returned panting and tired. From the expression on her face, I guessed things were not positive.

Before she could utter a word, I indicated with my index finger on my lips to keep silent remembering the golden words of my dad "Never Ever Trust Anyone"

I took her aside to a separate room. "Now tell me whatever you found out?" I whispered.