π‘­π’π’“π’•π’š | 𝑰

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π‘ͺπ’π’Žπ’Žπ’†π’π’„π’†π’Žπ’†π’π’• 𝑢𝒇 π‘ͺ𝒉𝒂𝒐𝒔

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"Salvatore Cane is coming," Vindicatio spat out with malice, gripping the Queen's crown in his hand so hard that the gold began to bend. "One of you bury that woman's head, everyone else inside. We need to strategize." Moki hung back while everyone quickly followed Vindicatio to the War Room; the Head Warrior, Alfonso, was already there waiting with his most trusted men.

"King Vindicatio," Alfonso greeted with a stern nod, his men bowing their heads.

"Alfonso," Vindicatio returned in the same manner.Β  "There are pressing matters concerning the return of Salvatore Cane--,"

"I had a vision and I have no doubts that he will be bringing the White Rogues with him," Evanora interrupted as she staggered into the room, everyone glared at her audacity to interrupt Vindicatio mid-sentence.

"The White Rogues are nothing but a myth," Alfonso stated, slamming his fist on the wooden table. The table broke out into arguments and possible tactics to use.

"EXCUSE ME!" Syretia shouted. Everyone shut up and looked at her. "What are the White Rogues?"

"The White Rogues are a group of pure white-furred, cannibalistic werewolves that aren't native around here. They're from the polar regions where there is snow year-round and frigid climates. The legend goes that when winter hit, they would terrorize werewolf packs that were just starting out. They'd take control and capture the werewolves and take them back to their frozen scablands. The captured werewolves weren't built for such climates and scarce food sources that they'd often freeze to death as they starved. Then the White Rogues would devour them."

"It's all just a myth, a scary bedtime story that was told to young pups so they stay indoors on winter nights," Alfonso waved Evanora off in dismissal. Evanora opened her mouth to protest, "and even if they were real, how would Salvatore find them. Their location would be void."

"He's had months to search for them," Evanora argued.

"There's so much area that is included in the polar regions!" Another warrior cut in, siding with Alfonso. "He'd have to search parts of Alaska, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Northern Canada, Norway, Russia, and Sweden. And that's not even mentioning the Antarctic regions either."

"I'd doubt that they'd be in Antarctica, they'd have no means to get to the other continents, they couldn't possibly swim that far and they would be much too archaic to build boats," Evanora retorted.

"Still, there's a lot of land to be thoroughly searched and traveled on," the Warrior stated.

"I wouldn't underestimate Salvatore," Chaska spoke up. "He's very cunning; beguile. He's a wicked creature, I have no doubts in my mind that he would be able to find these 'White Rogues' because if anyone could find them it would be him."

"Let's humor this scenario, shall we?" Alfonso stood up from his chair and walked around the table eyeing everyone as they turned to watch his movements. "Let's suppose that Salvatore has found the White Rogues and has them in his corner. What do we do? We know nothing about them. Are they like other rogues? Stuck between forms? Or are they like us, able to shift freely between forms? Are they as old as time or are they our age? Are they smart, intuitive? Or do they act upon instinct and feral behavior? Are they--"

"Enough, Alfonso. Sit down."

Everyone turned to look at Vindicatio, who was seated at the head of the table, "we get it. There's a lot of unknown. We're treading into it blindly. But make no mistake, the both of you," he looked between Evanora and Alfonso, "we will take this warning with great caution. We have to prepare for anything and everything." Evanora simply nodded, content that Vindicatio was smart enough to heed her warning. Alfonso said nothing, his face stoic. Vindicatio's eyes caught Moki's as he walked into the room.

"I trust that you four will protect Syretia," he glanced from Moki to Chaska, Talise, and Odessa. They all nodded, pride filling their eyes.

"I want to help you," Syretia said, Vindicatio opened his mouth to protest but she cut him off. "I wish I was able to fight, but I know that I can't. The results of an unskilled human fighting against skilled wolves is an equation destined for disaster. I don't want to be that girl that acts on impulse and ends up endangering everyone because she can't back up her own actions; because she doesn't have the fighting skills, to begin with. It's brash and idiotic; it's selfish. I don't wish to endanger people just to 'prove myself'. I can do that from inside the castle, I will keep the people calm and taken care of. And if there comes a time that I need to fight the best I can to protect these people, then I will." Vindicatio looked at Syretia with pride in his eyes, he loved that she was becoming more assertive and taking on the role as a leader; a queen. He felt a weight lift off of his shoulders now that he knew she wouldn't rush out and try to fight, it would be a life-threatening distraction to both her and himself.

"Spoken like a true queen," Evanora stated. "Keeping the people calm and taken care of is one of the most important duties, I'm proud that you are able to admit your weaknesses and put your strengths to good use. It's refreshing."

The Royal Court was bustling with citizens, each and everyone was ID'd as a security precaution before being allowed into the castle walls. Smaller neighboring packs were instructed to go to the larger ones for safety as well. The warriors were training hard; relentlessly. One mistake and they had to do the routine over again. Tactics were ever-changing and every single one had to be memorized and executed perfectly, it was backbreaking hard work. Vindicatio experienced it all first hand as he trained alongside the warriors under Alfonso's discretion and control.

Syretia was able to practice first aid, and unknowingly to Vindicatio, some fighting skills that she would undoubtedly need if any of the enemies got into the castle walls and were able to get through Chaska, Moki, Talise, and Odessa. Syretia noted the twisted smile as Odessa punched her in the gut and kicked her in the same place milliseconds later. She let it go, she wasn't about to be petty and immature and stoop to her level. Talise taught her how to use a bow and arrows which she found a bit more fun and less exhausting and painful. She was pretty good at it, after all, she only had a couple of days to learn how to shoot it with some precision. She would've thought a gun would've been more convenient and concealable, but Talise had only ever been around bow and arrows in her Wild pack.Β 

As the night drew in, almost immediately the air shifted and gusts of cold air began to shake the trees outside. Vindicatio and Alfonso were sitting in the main lounge, sipping on whiskey.

Alfonso's broad frame shivered, "I've never felt anything like this."

"Like what?" Vindicatio asked as he brought his crystal glass to his mouth and swallowed back a bit of the amber liquid sloshing around inside of it.

"It's dark, dangerous, unfamiliar," Alfonso whispered. "I'm almost... scared."

"Scared?"

"Yes, I'm afraid of the unknown. It's unpredictable," Alfonso paused for a moment. "I hate being out of control of things. Usually, I'm so confident in the battles and confrontations we partake in. But this... this is something else. I feel like a rookie. All those men are counting me. My knowledge, my instincts."

"You're a great warrior. And an even better leader," Vindicatio stated. " You take pride in your work and care about your warriors. But you must remember, we're a pack. You aren't alone in this, we work as a unit. If something fails, we'll get back up.Β  We will fight until our lasts breaths and we will win. We will prove to be victorious and none of this shit will happen again. We won't be dying in vain, I promise you that." And with that Vindicatio stood up, patting Alfonso on the shoulder before he walked out of the room. He held his head high as he watched his people walk about the castle freely, they seemed a bit on edge but happy being together nonetheless.

He walked up the stairs, down the corridor, and into his chambers where Sebastian was tucked into his bed fast asleep and the curtains of the balcony were swaying in the wind. He quickly walked over to the balcony and found Syretia leaning on her forearms that were crossed on top of the railing. The wind blew through her hair carrying her scent to his nostrils. The scent comforted him as he walked closer. Sweet-peas.Β  He looked up at the sky that currently held her gaze. It was plagued with angry-looking clouds that nearly blocked out the silver moon overhead.

"Are you ready?" He turned to look down at Syretia who was already looking at him expectantly.

"Of course I am," he stated confidently. "Salvatore is going to be easy."

"What about if..."

"What?"

"What if the White Rogues are real? Are you ready for them?"

"I have confidence that Alfonso has trained us all to be prepared for them if they do happen to be real."

"That doesn't answer my question, Vindicatio."

"You better get some sleep, they could attack at any moment," Vindicatio watched as Syretia rolled her eyes at him before walking inside, climbing into their bed by Sebastian. He watched as she fell asleep almost the moment her head hit the pillow, he knew that the past two and half days had been exhausting for her. He stood on the balcony, left with nothing but his thoughts as he looked out at the vast land of forest and mountains.

He didn't want to tell Syretia that he was afraid, he didn't want to tell Alfonso that he had his doubts. He didn't want to admit that there was a chance that he'd lose to Salvatore Cane. He didn't want to admit that he spent too much time with Syretia and Sebastian and that because of that he had been putting the prevalent problem that was Salvatore Cane on the back burner for far too long and it was beginning to boil over much too fast for his liking. He didn't want to admit that he might've made a mistake by not allowing Ettore to come back into control. He didn't want to admit that the responsibilities of being a king were more taxing on him than he thought. He thought it would've been more... pack-like. That he'd be in control of a more animalistic court like the Wild Wolf packs but he was dead wrong. It was entirely human just like the Domestic Wolf packs. He didn't want to admit that he was stupid for thinking that all along. He didn't want to admit that he felt unprepared. He didn't want to admit that in that moment as he stared off into the vast space before him, that he felt selfish and weak.




His posture tensed as he watched birds fly from their perches in the trees, forming a massive cloud that flew right over him making his hair blow around wildly. His eyes hardened as an awful stench wafted into his nostrils. He walked inside the balcony's French doors and locked them before shoving the massive armoire in front of it. He left the room hastily after kissing Syretia's forehead and ruffling Sebastian's already messy hair.

He ran down the steps, and out the castle's front doors to where Alfonso and his men were waiting for him. He watched as they turned around towards the gate in a uniformed motion, all in sync, Alfonso at the front. Vindicatio made his way through and stopped next to Alfonso, staring straight ahead.

"It reeks of death already," Alfonso stated.

"I have a feeling the repulsive smell will only intensify," Vindicatio replied.

"A war on our own nostrils," Alfonso laughed dryly trying to lighten the heavy mood. Vindicatio only nodded, his eyes narrowing as he took a few steps forward.

Then he thrust the massive gates open the moment Alfonso directed the warriors to hang back for a moment. Some were in wolf form while others remained human, clad in leather, and metal-plated armor. Vindicatio held up his hand, silencing everyone as he halted at the mouth of the forest. It was dead silent. Alfonso walked up beside him, "what is it?"

"Them."

"White Rogues," escaped Alfonso's once disbelieving lips.Β 

The once mythical wolves surged through the muddy ground, looking crazed and feral. Their leader was a grotesque beast that looked like he had seen much better days. There were at least twenty of them in total, the sheer power that radiated off of them pummeled against Vindicatio and Alfonso. They were old, supernatural beings. They would be hard to fight, and even harder to kill. And through them walked Salvatore's black-furred lycan form standing on two legs, lip curled back in a snarl that Vindicatio could only assume was an attempt at a wicked grin.

"What a warm welcoming," Salvatore's beast rumbled out gesturing to the one hundred warriors. "It's unnecessary and a waste." He motioned with one of his hands and one of the White Rogues bolted passed and tackled one of the warriors down like he was a deer and it hadn't eaten in months. The warriors stood stunned, it had all happened within a matter of seconds. It wasn't until the White Rogue went to drag the warrior back to the others that one warrior snapped out of his daze and punched it in the snout, a crack resonating through the air. The White rogue yowled, it's broken snout undoubtedly painful, it's jaw hanging a bit slack.

Then all hell broke loose.

The other white wolves surged forward, mowing down skilled warriors that fought back with all they had. Alfonso was occupied by their leader and that left Salvatore to Vindicatio. Vindicatio stayed in his human form and paced in a circle with Salvatore, both of them were trying to find any weaknesses.

Salvatore let out a howl, a yellow wolf and a red wolf broke out from the trees, his henchmen. The burly blonde man and the woman with ruby red lips. Vindicatio watched as they bolted passed navigating through the fighting only getting stopped a few times before the yellow one was finally taken down. The red one stopped for a moment, stumbling, the yellow wolf had been her mate, and she was in soul-wrenching pain. Salvatore let out a murderous growl at her causing her to whip around and keep running to the castle. Vindicatio turned back to Salvatore and attacked first, his right foot pushing against the ground propelling him into the air, delivering a swift kick to Salvatore's jaw, knocking him to the ground. Salvatore took the brunt of the attack, as Vindicatio pummeled him with unrelenting punches before retaliating, throwing Vindicatio into a tree.

Vindicatio shook his head a bit, dazed from whacking his skull against the trees unforgiving bark. He stood up, eyes flashing gold.

"Shift already! This is pathetic!" Salvatore snarled, rushing towards him. Vindicatio ducked, missing Salvatore's attempt of slapping him with his sharp claws. Vindicatio shot his right fist forward into Salvatore's unprotected gut, sending him backward. Salvatore let out a wheeze for air, the punch knocking the wind from his lungs.

"Pathetic, huh?" Vindicatio, held his head high as he looked down on Salvatore. "The sight before me is pathetic enough," he spat onto Salvatore's face. "You're so hellbent on getting the throne, the crown, the power. That you don't even realize how unfit you are. There's a reason you're not king right now! That I was able to strike you down in human form. You're weak. Thats why Analyn didn't want you."

"NO!" Salvatore snarled out, getting to his feet and tackling Vindicatio to the ground. Salvatore wrapped one of his massive hand-like paws around Vindicatio's scarred neck, his claws drawing blood. "You're dead wrong. I'll make sure of that! Mark my fucking words, you petulant pup." With each sentence, Salvatore tightened his grip. Vindicatio's eyesight began to go splotchy with black dots due to the lack of oxygen. Vindicatio slowly closed his eyes as he allowed his head to fall limp feigning passing out. He felt Salvatore's grip loosen before it was completely gone. He waited a few moments before opening his eyes, a fiery golden that was illuminated by the moon's light.

He watched as two very familiar wolves ran out from the castle gates. What were they doing?! He felt his anger rise. They were supposed to be watching after Syretia! He let out a snarl as he got to his feet, his enraged gaze falling onto Odessa and Chaska. They ran through the chaos effortlessly, even going as far as jumping onto the fighters to propel themselves across the battlefield. They both attacked a White Rogue taking turns attacking and defending each other, they were working in sync, like a well-trained fighting machine. The White Rogue crumpled to the ground, Odessa and Chaska already moving onto the next as they made their way over to Vindicatio.

Vindcatio picked up a rock and chucked it, hitting Salvatore directly in the back of the head as he walked away. Vindicatio would never attack someone from behind, it was a dirty and cheap shot and he'd never stoop so low. Salvatore seethed, running towards Vindicatio like a bull would charge a Matador. Vindicatio shifted into his lycan form, closing the distance.

They attacked each other quickly, both drawing blood and taking hits. Claws ripping flesh, jaws breaking bones, and severing tendons. They were crazed beasts fueled by their fury, and there was only going to be one winner. Salvatore managed to get his jaws wrapped around Vindicatio's neck yet again. But before he could clamp them shut with the force of a bite that was unbeatable by any animal on the planet, he was knocked off of Vindicatio. Vindicatio growled as Chaska and Odessa started lunging at Salvatore, they wanted to protect him, he was their leader and they owed him their lives. They fought with everything they had, taking turns with attacking, deflecting, and dodging. Until Salvatore finally managed to grab onto Odessa and snapped her neck like a twig, tossing her body aside. Chaska halted in his movements, whimpering as he looked at his sister's limp body. Right as Salvatore went to do the same to him, Vindicatio jumped into action and knocked Chaska aside.

Salvatore and Vindicatio resumed their unrelenting fight, both were covered in blood and serious injuries. They fought on and on until Vindicatio managed to knock Salvatore over an uprooted

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