Chapter 59: Secrets and Symbols.
**Thelma Zane’s POV**
My father’s demeanor suddenly shifted. He was no longer the caring parent I was used to but the stern and commanding king. His presence filled the room with authority, and for a moment, I felt the weight of his position.
“Kindness is a necessary quality for any leader,” he began, his voice steady and firm, yet still full of wisdom. “The people must know that their ruler has a heart, that mercy is part of what makes a good ruler. Without it, they can’t recognize the cruelty of a leader who rules without compassion.”
He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. “However, a ruler who is only kind will not last long. People will always make mistakes, and criminals will always exist. It’s foolish to be kind to everyone–it is cowardly and irresponsible. You cannot allow weakness to fester in your kingdom.”
I listened intently, trying to absorb the depth of his message. “Strictness,” he went on, just as vital as kindness. Only a leader who is both strict and compassionate can treat their people fairly and lead the nation effectively.”
His words hung in the air, and for a moment, the room felt heavier. Then, unexpectedly, my father’s stern expression softened. He reached out and gently placed his hand on my head. His voice, now filled with warmth, carried a note of satisfaction. “I’m proud of you, Thelma. You possess both of these qualities–strength and compassion. Do you remember what I told you on the first day?”
I nodded, not fully sure what to expect.
“You will be a great Queen,” he said with certainty.
The affirmation hit me like a wave. I wasn’t prepared for such a high compliment from him. The pride in his eyes made me feel a rush of emotions. I blinked rapidly to keep my tears at bay, overwhelmed by the sheer warmth of his words. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to indulge in the feeling of being recognized, being seen for who I was becoming. It was a feeling of pride that I never knew I needed, and I was almost consumed by it.
Yet, even as tears threatened to spill from my eyes, I tried to maintain my composure. I didn’t want to seem weak or overly emotional. This was an important moment, one I didn’t want to taint with a display of weakness.
Seeing me struggle to calm myself, my mother gently placed a hand on my shoulder. Her presence was like a soothing balm, and her eyes were full of patience and understanding.” Take your time, Thelma. We’re here with you.”
It took a few moments, but I finally managed to regain my composure. I wiped away the last of
my tears and looked at both of my parents, my heart still racing. “So, what comes next? asked, eager to move forward.
“We will proceed as you’ve suggested,” my father replied. “You were right to suggest keeping this matter secret for now. And we will inform the Southern Duke, of course. The pack has been peaceful for too long, and now there are those who are eager to stir up conflict. It seems. some people can’t resist the temptation to disrupt things for their own gain.”
I could sense that my father had some thoughts on the situation, but he didn’t elaborate. He simply gave a slight smile and added, “It’s nothing to worry about. Just idle commentary.”
He didn’t want to share his suspicions, and I didn’t press the matter. It was clear that, as the king, he had many concerns that weren’t always meant to be shared. The weight of his responsibilities was a burden that I couldn’t fully understand yet.
From my interactions with my father, I began to realize that being in his position was never just about leading–it was about carrying the heavy load of secrets. The king couldn’t reveal everything, nor could he share his every worry, especially not with someone like still learning what it truly meant to lead.
✔me who was
Because of the secrecy surrounding the situation, I couldn’t be involved directly in the discussions between my parents and the Southern Duke. They spoke on my behalf, as was customary, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was missing something important. There were always things that were kept hidden from me, for my own protection, I supposed.
While my parents dealt with such matters, I spent my day with the girls. We were still preparing for the Moonlight Festival, picking out accessories to complement our costumes.
But today, the mood was different. The carefree joy that we had shared the previous day was replaced with a cautious hesitance. Even Avril, the boldest among us, seemed wary. I couldn’t understand it at first–what had changed in just one day?
Mara glanced at the pile of jewelry, her face a mix of admiration and reluctance. “Selma, these are too expensive. We can’t afford them,” she said softly, almost as though she was afraid to touch the delicate items.
Avril, who usually threw herself into everything with wild enthusiasm, hesitated as she gazed at a particular brooch. “This brooch looks like it could cost a year’s worth of my living expenses,” she murmured. “It’s beautiful, but it makes me feel guilty just looking at it.”
There was no need to mention Dorothy. I could see she was already contemplating the idea of walking away from it all. The “girl in the shadow” look that she had chosen was simple enough, but I knew the brooch would not suit her character.
It was then that I realized my friends‘ concerns. I had been too careless in my thinking. I was about to apologize when I caught myself. I hadn’t shared enough information with them to
ease their worries.
I smiled and explained, “There’s no need to worry about the cost. These gowns and
accessories are gifts from Her Majesty the Queen herself.”
The girls stared at me in shock. “What?” Mara and Avril gasped in unison. “But these are far too precious! We can’t accept such expensive gifts.”
To calm them, I winked playfully. “You think Her Majesty would offer us anything less than the finest? The royal family can’t afford to make a poor impression with anything less than the best. Imagine how embarrassing it would be for the Queen to gift us common, mass- produced items.”
After a moment, I placed a tray of jewelry in front of them. “To honor the reputation of the Lycan King and Queen, I ask that you accept these gifts with grace.
13
The girls burst into laughter, their earlier anxieties melting away. Avril, ever the first to act, eagerly picked up a star–shaped diamond brooch.
“It’s said that baby’s breath is made from the tears of the Moon Goddess,” she explained, turning the brooch over in her hands. “It commemorates a Valkyrie who died while protecting children.”
Mara nodded, “I’ve heard something similar in one of my electives. It’s also said that witches use baby’s breath to display their power. The Valkyrie was cursed by a witch before she died.”
“Yikes,” Avril grimaced. “Now that you mention it, I’m not sure how I feel about wearing this
anymore.
The conversation turned quieter as the girls began picking other pieces. I remained silent, my mind turning over the significance of the brooch. There was something about it that felt unsettling, but I couldn’t place it.
Then Mara spoke again, her voice more thoughtful. “On the first day Carolyn joined, I noticed she was wearing a silver ring shaped like baby’s breath. I remember because she wore it when she applied to the club.”
The room fell silent. A weighty tension filled the air.
“Let’s stop talking about this for now,” Dorothy said, shaking her head as if to dismiss the idea entirely. “The more we think about it, the more everything will start to seem suspicious. We’ll start seeing conspiracies everywhere. It’s all just nonsense.”
But even as she said that, I couldn’t shake the troubling feeling in my gut. The pattern of baby’s breath, its connection to witches, and Carolyn’s peculiar behavior were all linked together in a way that made my suspicions grow. The silver ring, which was harmful to werewolves, added another layer of doubt.
As the festival drew closer, I knew that things were about to change. The coming days would be pivotal in understanding the truth, but for now, I couldn’t ignore the sense that something far more dangerous was unfolding beneath the surface.
Chapter 60: The Parade of Moonlit Secinta
