The Hunting
Chapter 29

"Alpha Henry will be here in about 10 minutes." Clayton said as he rounded the corner into Tobias' office.

"Good." Kia said as she ran a hand through her hair.

"I hope this plan of yours is good. I already hear rumors of the humans inquiring about the wareabouts of their councilors." Tobias said, eying his mate.

Kia gave him a smile and a twinkle of fire danced through her eyes. She loved it when people underestimated her, she loved proving them wrong.

"Ah, gangs all here I see." Henry said as he barged through the door. "Let's get this on with then."

Alpha Henry sat down next to Tobias with Clayton and Kent standing off to the side behind them.

"It's all very simple actually..." Kia said as she grabbed her bag pulling out two separate letters.

"This, is an official document stating that I, Kia Everest, am a member of the Great Council." she said, sliding the document over to both Alphas.

They inspected the letter closely. It had Daniel's signature and seal on it, along with the council crest.

" Looks legitimate enough. " Tobias said and Clayton let out a scoff behind him as he tried to stifle his laughter.

Kia's eyes snapped to Tobias as she slowly walked over to him, leaning down so their faces were only mere inches apart she smiled a devilish smile. "That's because it is legitimate." she said, with that same fire in her eyes.

She backed away and got the second letter. "And this, this is my alibi." she explained unrolling the paper.

"I, Daniel, leader of the Council hereby give Kia leave to visit her family starting today, until the beginning of next week. She will continue her training at the Riverdale pack whilst she is there."

Kia read out loud before handing the letter to Alpha Henry.

"That leaves me in Riverdale during the assassination and therefore out of harmsway and..." she said, "The only member of the council remaining."

"But you weren't in Riverdale?" Henry questioned.

"No, I wasn't. But I have you and a whole pack to say otherwise." Kia said, leaning against the wall.

"I see." Henry said, studying the paper. "This is all very well, but what use is this?" he asked, showing her the letters.

"Allow me to explain Alpha." Kia said, "I will be leaving tomorrow, traveling over the border under the crest of the council. With me, I'll take these letters as proof of what I will be telling the human Kings."

"And what will you be telling them?" Clayton asked.

"That there was an assassination attempt that was sadly successful. Every member of the council died and that I was the only survivor, given that I wasn't present and that nobody knew of my existence, yet." Kia explained.

"Furthermore, I will propose that we discontinue the use of a council and that every Alpha and King decided for themselves what will be best for their people. I will suggest that we leave the border in place and that anyone crossing it from the other side, will be executed on the spot."

"And you assume that they will just agree?" Tobias asked.

"I assume nothing my dear mate. I know they will accept, from what I had understood from my training, the human councils members were a lot harder on their people that the werewolves were. And I'm guessing, that just as our Alphas hated working through the council, the Kings did as well. " Kia explained casually, picking at her fingers and avoiding eye contact with Tobias.

He was angering her, somehow since he became Alpha he changed. He no longer seemed to trust her judgment.

"I think this will work." Clayton said.

"I'm glad you think so daddy dearest, because you'll be coming with me." Kia said, throwing a smile his way.

"Why?" Henry asked.

"Well since he is the only one here that doesn't have a pack committed, such as being Alpha or Beta." Kia said glancing at each of them in turn. "He is the only free to join me."

"Very well." Henry said, nodding to Clayton.

"We'll leave tomorrow morning at first light." Kia said as she grabbed the letters and left.

Tobias got up and ran after her.

"Kia, wait." he said.

"Yes, Alpha." Kia said as she turned around to face him.

"Did I do something wrong?" he asked.

"Not at all. Not unless you consider doubting your mate and treating her like a child as something." She spat his way.

"I did not..." Tobias started saying before realization flashed through his eyes.

He looked away embarrassed before taking her hands into his. "Kia I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way. I just need you to be sure about this, we could be facing another war if you're not."

Kia laughed at him, yanking her hands away. "You're really something Tobias. Even Alpha Henry has more faith in me than you do."

Tobias' eyes shifted from blue to black. "Watch your tone." he snarled at her.

"Or what? You going to go all Alpha male on my ass, well bring it buddy. I already survived everything your family threw my way, what's one more member." Kia snapped, glaring at him.

Tobias stepped back, hurt and regret forming on his face. "Kia..."

"Don't." she said as she turned to wall away.

Dammit Tobias. He thought to himself as he stood in the hallway watching her leave.

"Smooth." Kent said as he walled up behind him.

"Yeah." Tobias said as he sighed.

"You know, this is none of my business, but that was a pretty dick move." Kent said facing Tobias with a stern expression. "Pulling your rank on her like that, she's still your mate you know, your Luna actually." he said, "which means she's pretty much your equal."

"I know." Tobias said shaking his head. "It's like Timber doesn't know who she is to us anymore. He's so consumed by being Alpha, that he's not thinking about anything else."

"Well you better remind him who she is, and soon before you end up losing her for good." Kent said, patting Tobias' shoulder.

"Thanks." Tobias said and Kent gave him a nod.

----

"Are we ready to leave?" Kia asked as she dropped her bag into the SUV.

"Yes." Clayton said as he hopped inside.

Kia got into the drivers seat and started the car, heading out towards the edge of werewolf territory. It was a four hour drive and Kia was silent the whole way. Things with Tobias was bothering her more than she wanted it to, but she didn't want to talk about it.

"Want to talk?" her father asked, giving her a sideways glance.

"Nope." she replied still focused on the road.

"For what it's worth, you have every right to be mad at him." he said giving her a small smile.

Kia just hummed in response, ignoring her father's meddling.

Just before Kia felt like she could lose her mind they neared the borderline. A few guards stood on either side of the gate, watching the car approach.

"State your business." one said as Kia rolled down her window.

"I'm here to visit with the Kings. I am Kia Everest, newest councilmember and I have important news to deliver." Kia said coolly.

"Do you have any documentation supporting your claim?" the guard asked.

"Yes, here you go." she said as she handed him the letter that confirmed her appointment to the council.

"Very well, but I'm sending one of my men to travel with you." the guard said as he motioned for one of the men to step forward.

"Of course" Kia said with a gentle smile.

The guard got into the SUV with them and they opened the gate fully to let them through.

"I'm Nate, by the way." the guard introduced from the back seat.

"Kia, and this is my father Clayton." Kia said as she turned down the road to go to the nearest town.

The human country was devided into five kingdoms, each with their own King.

First up was Nuria, the kingdom of the fisher folk. With King Edmur reigning.

Kia drove up to the castle and got out of the car, eager to get this over with so she could go home.

"I'm here to see King Edmur." Kia announced as she approached the door.

The guards opened the door for them and Kia walked in first.

"King Edmur will be here soon." A guard inside announced and Kia gave him a nod.

They waited a few minutes until a man in his mid-thirties walked in, dressed in fine silks and leather boots.

"I was told my presence was needed for council business?" he asked, eying Kia.

"Yes, King Edmur" Kia said, bowing slightly. "I'm Kia, new member of the council. I'm afraid I have some bad news for you."

"Very well, have a seat." King Edmur said as he sat down on his throne.

"No need, your Highness. I won't be long, we still need to visit the other Kingdoms as well." Kia said. "There was an assassination and sadly none of the council members made it."

"And you survived how?" he asked.

"I was visiting my family in Riverdale." Kia explained, "Here's the letters to confirm what I'm telling you."

She handed the letters over to him and he inspected them.

"I have a proposal for you as well." Kia said gaining his attention again.

He raised an eyebrow at her. "I think we should remove the council completely, since I'm the only member left I don't see the point anymore, let's just have each King decide what's best for their own people." Kia said.

The King was silent for a while, "Very well, I'll agree to that." he said giving her a slight nod.

"Great, if you'll just sign here please." Kia said handing his a document.

"What is that." He asked.

"You may read it over if you want, but it basically says that you agree the council should be removed and that you take full responsibility for your own people. Also there's a clause that says the border will remain closed and that anyone moving over the border will be executed on the spot. "Kia said folding her hands behind her back.

The King glanced over the document briefly before signing his name to one of the allocated spaces below.

"Thank you, your Highness. Have a great day." Kia said as she collected her things and left with her father and Nate trailing behind her.

They spent the next two days driving between all the kingdoms, and as Kia expected they were mostly in favor of what she was proposing.

The kingdoms Luray and Murad, both farming lands were next on their trip. And both King Lance and King Rupert (who were twins, both splitting their original kingdom in half so they wouldn't have to fight over who gets the throne) agreed to her terms, saying that they have wanted to expand their territory for some time now but the council always got in the way. To the South in the Kingdom of Zantac, King Morgan also agreed to her proposition all too eagerly, although he didn't give details as to why he was so willing to accept.

Their last stop was at the Kingdom of Calgary, to see their ruler Queen Asli. She was the only woman in power on this side of the border.

"Queen Asli, it's a pleasure to meet you." Kia said as they walked into her throne room.

"And you are?" she asked.

"Kia Everest. I am a member of the council and I'm afraid I have some grave news." Kia said.

When the Queen didn't respond, Kia continued. "The council members are dead, unfortunately they were all assassinated. I was a spared because I was visiting family and no one knew of my appointment to the council yet. My introduction ceremony would have been this week." Kia explained handing her the letters of proof.

The Queen didn't even look at the letters but rather looked at Kia impatiently.

"I have traveled through the other Kingdoms already with the news and a proposal. That being that we remove the council completely and leave each ruler to rule as they please." Kia explained. "So far, every Kingdom has agreed."

"No, I don't consent to this." Queen Asli said.

"My Queen, not to be rude or overstep but you're out voted. Whether you agree to this now or not, the council will be discontinued." Kia said, handing her the document that already had four other signatures on it.

"This is ridiculous, the council was the only thing keeping me in my seat." she fumed. "With them gone, every eligible man - or those who see themselves as eligible, will come marching in here and demand I take a King. Because God forbit a woman should rule alone."

"My Queen, I am sorry to hear of your predicament, but I'm afraid there's nothing I can do about it." Kia said bowing her head slightly.

She understood the Queens fear, and she was thankful that the werewolves weren't so outdated. They could have women in leadership position and no one asked questions. Werewolves naturally have respect for anyone of higher rank, regardless of their gender.

"Get out." Queen Asli snapped. And when they didn't move quickly enough she yelled again. "GET OUT!"

Kia and her companions rushed out to the SUV quickly, and she made a b-line for the border. She had, had enough of the humans to last her a lifetime. They drove back to the gates in silence, being on the other side of the human country they had a long way to go. And all Kia could think of was Queen Asli and how upset she was that the council got removed.

Well it's done now, finally we can move on with our lives. Kia thought as she focused on the road.

"We deserve this." Niri mumbled in her mind and Kia couldn't help but smile.

"Damn straight we do." Kia answered back.

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