CHAPTER 3: I TRANSFORM INTO MY WOLF TONIGHT...

Tonight was transformation night and lunch had been prepared for the guests who had come to witness Adrian’s first shift. The hall was a quiet battle field of looks, alliances and ambitions. It was a performance, carefully staged. It heavily smelt of power and the unspoken hunger of people who understood that alliances were often made between bites of bread and sips of soup. Important people got a chance to dine with the king and the royals. Just a few, but it was always a great opportunity. Alliances were created on this day, deals and alot of things .

By midday, the palace was alive in a different way than morning. Bells rang softly from the inner towers, signaling the servants and slaves alike that it was time to get to serious work.

The smell of roasted meat, fresh greens, warm bread, and different soups moved through marble and golden corridors. Everywhere, footsteps sounded as slaves walked around.

The Grand Hall dining stood at the centre of it all and was lively with life .Its ceiling curved like the ribcage of some ancient beast.

At the center, the High Table, was raised on a low dais, and it was reserved for the king, queen, their immediate family, and honored guests of blood and rank. It shone under designed runners and silver place settings.

To the right sat the Council Tables, where ministers, army commanders, generals, and scholars gathered, men and women whose minds shook kingdoms even when their hands never held swords.

Silver cutlery was shining. Crystal sticks caught the light. Plates were rimmed with gold, filled with carefully prepared dishes, spiced meats, fresh vegetables, baked roots, sauces thick with flavor, and bowls of soup steaming gently.​​​​ Everything was placed with intention.

The hall buzzed with controlled conversation.

Across the king’s table sat Lady Elizabeth Ravenhall, radiant and composed, with Evelyn beside her and Adrian seated proudly between them.

Adrian could barely sit still.He leaned forward often, eyes shining, gaze drifting repeatedly toward Rudieloff with open admiration.

“He is so composed,” Adrian whispered to Evelyn at one point. “I want to be like him.”

Evelyn smiled gently. “You will be your own kind of strong. I believe in you brother”

At one of the right-side tables, General Edward Thornefield sat upright in his uniform, medals shining across his chest. Beside him sat Gwen Thornefield, dressed in a deep emerald gown that hugged her form perfectly.

She kept stealing glances toward Rudieloff. Not small ones.

Penelope Ashcroft noticed first, smirking into her wine. Rosalie Manning followed soon after, nudging Penelope lightly under the table.

“She’s not even hiding it,” Rosalie murmured.

"She must prove her point. Let her." Penelope replied

Meanwhile, Gwen lifted her chin slightly, unbothered. Her eyes flicked back to Rudieloff again, and this time, several people noticed. Including the queen, Lady Elizabeth and Rudieloff himself.

He did not look back though. Queen Eleanor smiled at Gwen. She had known how Gwen felt for Rudieloff for a while now. She wished Rudieloff could notice this and reciprocate her feelings. The entire kingdom was already worried for him for failing to find a mate for many years now. It worried her, the king alike.

Gwen was a very beautiful girl. Highly educated. She understood about the army just like her father. She was very good at finances and confident. She didn't fear to share her views, she knew how to present herself right before crowds. Indeed, she would make a perfect queen.

Queen Eleanor thought of talking to Rudieloff about Gwen. There was no girl in the palace as fit as Gwen.

King Reginald cleared his throat. “Now,” he said warmly, “before the soup is served, I want to speak of matters that concern both the current state and future of Bolivia. We have nothing to hide for we all know, there is no wolf kingdom more peaceful than Bolivia. I promise you a prosperous and peaceful future of Bolivia”

The hall quieted immediately.

“Alpha Rudieloff,” the king continued, turning toward his son, “Has been working hand in hand with General commander Edward Thornefield, the man who has preserved our borders, to ensure safety within and outside the boarders of Bolivia. Rudieloff,tell them about your activities with the general.”

Rudieloff inclined his head slightly. “ First, I want to acknowledge General Edward for being a good leader. I have learnt so much from you and I hope to keep learning more."

General Edward stood up for recognition. Murmurs of approval erupted through the hall. He was a very respectable man. He had fought alongside two generations of kings to preserve the borders of Bolivia. He sat down sending a greatful smile to the royal family.

Alpha Rudieloff continued."There have been minor disturbances especially across the battle valley near the Tozon forest, nothing alarming, but readiness is essential. We have therefore reinforced the eastern ridge. The rogue activity has dropped by half. The younger wolves, We have decided to raise an army from a tender age, I won't explain further about that but we are training an army”

General Thornefield nodded approvingly. “Very wise move.” he said to himself.

“And leadership?” the king pressed.

Rudieloff met his gaze calmly. “Isn’t inherited. It’s practiced, father.”

“A lesson many never learn,” a minister murmured.

The hall erupted with handclaps. The king looked at Rudieloff with pride in his eyes. Everyone noticed. He was growing wiser by day.

Meanwhile, Gwen laughed easily, her voice carrying just far enough to be noticed. Her eyes, however, kept straying again and again, to Rudieloff.She laughed at the right moments, spoke when appropriate, but her eyes betrayed her. They slid towards Rudieloff. Brief glances that she thought were unnoticed.

But she was wrong. Rosalie and Penelope had been observing her the entire time. Penelope was elbowing Rosalie lightly. Rosalie kept smirking, following Gwen’s gaze with lazy amusement.

Prince Almond Theodore, the second son to Reginald was also given a chance to speak. In support of Rudieloff he said. " Just like Alpha Rudieloff said, We are having more plans to negotiate with our neighbors, to increase patrols and train more army until we have a kingdom free of war with it's neighbors."

Gwen thought it was her time to shine. She therefore leaned forward. “With respect, prince Theodore,” she said smoothly, “increased patrols strain resources. Perhaps reinforcing the southern trade routes would bring more benefit. Instead of focussing on war that we are not even sure when it will happen, it's better we redirect an equally substancial amount of our finances to trading. Its more beneficial for our economy”

A few murmurs of interest followed.

Rudieloff finally turned his gaze to her. With a calm voice he replied “Trade means nothing if our borders fall.”

The room went still.

Gwen smiled. “And borders mean nothing if our kingdom starves.”

A ripple of amused laughter followed.

“Well said,” a minister remarked.

Rudieloff studied her for a moment, then nodded once. “Balance, then. We will look into it”

King Reginald smiled faintly. “Exactly why these gatherings matter.”

General Edward patted Gwen's back." Well said darling" he whispered for her ears only.

All attention shifted as Adrian suddenly shook his head. His eyes flickered with violet. He could feel something changing inside him. His senses were becoming sharper. He could smell everything around and still differentiate all the smells. Lady Elizabeth patted his back to calm him. All eyes were on him.

“I can feel it,” he said excitedly. “My hearing is getting sharper. I can hear the kitchen bells even from here.”

Laughter softened the room.

“You’re transforming already,” Lady Elizabeth placed a calming hand on his arm. “That’s normal. Your senses are waking."

“You’ll receive gifts after tonight,” a general said. “If you survive the transformation without biting anyone.”

Adrian laughed." I will."

A general laughed. “Enjoy it, boy. Tomorrow, you won’t care about a thing.”

Soup was served then.

Large silver bowls were placed carefully on the tables. And that was when Rudieloff stopped in his mid motion. His fingers paused mid-motion. His nostrils flared slightly. Something was wrong or different.

A smell brushed against him. It was so Faint and unfamiliar yet It cut through the heavy smells of food and perfume. It was strangely alive.He inhaled again slow and deliberate.

He leaned toward Theodore, lowering his voice. “Do you smell that?”

Theodore's eyes widened subtly. “You mean....” he was interrupted by a servant and the topic was dropped.

Servants moved like they had practiced their steps a thousand times, between the tables, dressed in black and grey, heads lowered, steps quick and quiet.

Vivienne walked among them. She kept her eyes down, her shoulders drawn inward, hands tight around a silver tray that felt heavier than it should have. Cecilia walked a step behind her, lips tight but eyes bright, already taking in the moment like it might spill into her bones and stay. Vivienne felt too pale for this hall.

As she placed a bowl of soup before Lady Elizabeth, the lady noticed her pale hands. Vivienne quickly left the spot to serve others but it was too late. She was already noticed. Before she went to bring in another tray, lady Elizabeth summoned her.

​“Come here, you” she said suddenly.

Vivienne froze mid-step.

Every head turned.

The hall fell into sudden silence.

Vivienne swallowed hard and approached slowly, heart pounding violently in her chest. Her heart slammed against her ribs as she stepped forward, every eye turning toward her pale skin, her strange hair, her silver-grey eyes that refused to be ordinary.

Gwen’s smile vanished, Vivienne had forgotten her place again. She was going to teach her a hard lesson this time.

“Yes, my lady?” she whispered when she reached where Lady Elizabeth was. She knelt down and bowed her head.

Rudieloff quietly observed the scene unfold before him.

"Look at me." Lady Elizabeth instructed and Vivienne obeyed. "Stand up". She studied her openly before asking “ What is your name?”

"My name is S. Vivienne." She replied tightly hugging the tray.

"Your parents?”

"My mother is S. Monera. I don’t know my father.” She replied.

"Oh! Is this your real appearance? I mean, forgive me for my curiosity. But you are too different not to notice." Curiosity was written all over Lady Elizabeth's face.

"Hm!" She nodded. This made Rudieloff smile though he hid it.

"How old are you? When do you Transform.?" She added

"I turned eighteen last month and am transforming tonight." She replied barely containing her excitement.

" Really?"

"Yes"

"Shouldn't you be preparing for tonight. I mean you should not be working today!" She was genuinely concerned.

King Reginald looked at her, "little girl "he called out

"Yes my lord." She turned towards him. Quickly knelt down and bowed her head till it touched the floor.

"Come here"he ordered.

"Yes my lord." She replied and moved closer to where he was.

"That shows you are so hardworking. I am impressed. Bring that tray." He ordered and she quickly held it out to him. He called another girl. "Serve her whatever she wants. Just point." Reginald added.

She was so scared to even point at anything. She feared to look at the king. However, everyone was happy at what the king did.

When she failed to choose, Lady Elizabeth gave her another tray." Let her take everything."

Part of almost everything at the tables was put on her trays. She couldn't believe her eyes. A tear escaped her right cheek. Everyone was staring at her.

before she moved out, Rudieloff. Summoned two guards to escort her to her quarters. She thanked him but dared not to look at him.

"And, you and your whole family will be given a two weeks holiday. Tell your leaders the king has said. By the way how many are you in your family.?" He asked lazily

Vivienne thought for a moment before saying three." Me, my mother S. Monera and my sister S. Cecilia."

Rudieloff bowed his head and laughed quietly. He knew she was lying. She had no sister but he didn't expose her.

"Your sister looks like you?"

"No my lord"

" Alright, you and your family, go and rest."

The two guards followed her to the quarters. Cecilia followed suit. And her mother was stopped from working in the kitchen for two weeks.

When the three reached their small space. S.Monera cried looking at her daughter. She hugged both the girls. "We will survive this. We won't die slaves. I know that. Hung in there, this is a sign."

For the first time, they ate on royal plates. It was unbelievable. All of them ate while laughing. Very sweet foods. Meat that no body measured for them. Eating as much as they wanted. Cecilia kept cracking jokes. S. Monera looked at the girls and hope was brought back to her hopeless heart.

"Eat now, take a nap, and we wait for twelve O'clock. I wanna meet my wolf daughter.But don't be disappointed when you turn out a junk just like your mother"