FreeNovel
Chapter 121: A Workable Plan
*Ciana*
I left Maggie, still wondering why she was doing all of this. Greg and Sherry were close behind. They
trailed after me like worrying parents, making sure I was safe.
"Okay, guys, if you're going to hang around, you might as well talk to me,' I turned to them. 'Unlike your
Alpha, I’m an extrovert and it helps to talk it through.'
Sherry chuckled and came to my side. She and I became good friends really quickly. I loved her
energetic and upbeat vibe. Having her around was a lot of fun.
On the other hand, Greg was still a bit standoffish. I wondered if he was worried about how Theo would
react if my "protection detail” got too involved with me.
What better way to protect me than to know everything that was going on?
"So, how is everything looking?" Sherry asked as they accompanied me to my house.
"Things are... not great. Because of Maggie's influence, two of the most influential elders, Frederic and
Murray, are now inclined to support Luther. They weren't when I left," I explained.
"But you're the Alpha's daughter, can't you convince them that Alpha is a good king? They’ll listen to
you, won't they?" Greg asked, his voice contemplative.
"That's my hope but... it feels like a lot of the pack members still treat me like I’m a little kid. I need to
get Frederic and Murray's support and then the rest of the pack will follow."
Truthfully, the elders made me feel like I was an immature little girl. It wasn't a good feeling, especially
after everything I'd been through since going to the palace. I felt like I'd earned my stripes. But I needed
to convince the rest of the pack, otherwise, they wouldn't really support me.
But how could I convince them?
Frederic was my best bet. He had always doted on me when I was younger. Murray was picky and
strict. He'd be harder to sway.
I made sure Greg and Sherry went back into hiding while I handled pack business.
Instead of going home, I went to Frederic's house. The first thing I noticed were the guards he had
stationed outside. I didn't give it much thought because everyone was trying to be more careful these
days.
"Ciana, come in, come in,' Frederic said, meeting me on the porch.
"Hey. Uncle Frederic, I know we didn't get to catch up much the last time I was here. I hope you have
time now,' I said, walking up his steps.
"Of course, I always have time for you. I just made some tea."
We sat at his kitchen table together.
"I’m glad you're here, Ciana. I've had enough of Maggie and all her nonsense. I was hoping that you
could send her away," he said, jumping right in.
I was surprised by his quick declaration. He picked up his tea and sipped, tapping his foot on the floor. I
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtpicked up my tea but I didn't drink yet.
"I can help with that.' I nodded slowly.
Frederic wasn't usually that quick to make decisions. Besides, he'd been waiting for me, coming out on
the porch to greet me. The guards were feeling more suspicious as well. Guards weren't welcoming to
their Alpha's daughter.
Sighing, I set the tea down again and glanced out the window at the guards.
"Drink your tea, won't you?" Frederic asked.
"I'm not thirsty. Why do you have all these guards here, Uncle Frederic?" I asked casually.
Frederic growled and jumped up. "To protect you, of course!'
I pressed, "To protect me, or to monitor me?"
"This is for your own good, Ciana," Frederic said, trying to appease me now. "I don't want you to get
involved or to get hurt. Regardless of what happens, I need to return you to your father unharmed and
intact."
"So are you putting me under house arrest?" I stood up, pushing the tea down the table. "I'm an Alpha's
daughter, you can't restrain my freedom like this! Also, what do you mean by 'regardless of what
happens?'“
"Things are changing in this country, and it's best for a little girl like you to not get involved. Stay out of
the way, and be good," Frederic said with a condescending sneer.
"I'm not a little girl, I'm an alpha's daughter! Last time I checked, I still have authority here. I'm here
because I want what's best for the pack, not because I'm seeking protection' I reminded him.
"Well, you can't really get out of here, can you? Don't worry. I'm not like that bastard Raymond. I won't
hurt you, I just need you to stay out of this. When the Alpha is back, he'll be happy to see the change to
the pack and our country! If he blames me, I'll gladly take it," he declared, puffing up his chest.
Inwardly, I groaned, but I knew that Frederic was doing what he thought was best for the pack, not
because he was selfish or wanted power.
I sighed and said, "Uncle Frederic, unfortunately, I can't listen to you.'
I got up and left the house.
Frederic raced after me. "Ciana, get back here..."
He trailed off when he caught up to me and saw that all his guards were knocked out and scattered on
the lawn.
I smirked and stepped off the porch. Greg and Sherry jumped off the roof and stood at my sides.
"I'm sorry, Elder Frederic, but they didn't want to let us in. Greg and I had to teach them how to... put up
a proper fight," Sherry said, chuckling mischievously. "Don’t worry, they'
II recover in a few days. I promise."
Frederic gaped and pointed at the guards, then at us. He sputtered, his cheeks turning from red then
blue, like he couldn't breathe.
"You'll be sorry for crossing me!" Frederic shouted, pointing a sharp finger at us.
"Ciana," Sherry ignored Fredric's flaring nostrils and commented, "Why does this old guy not get that
he has nothing on us?"
Greg remained silent, but I could tell he was getting ready to fight.
I didn't know who Frederic thought was going to capture us. All his guards were knocked out.
Heavy footsteps behind us drew our attention, and my heart sank. It sounded like a lot of guards
approaching, and fast. Frederic's reinforcements?
Sherry narrowed her eyes and turned around. She crouched down, standing back to back with me,
ready to defend me. Greg moved in front of me.
"Frederic, stop this now!” Murray's voice called from behind us.
I whipped around and saw Elder Murray and his guards as they approached. They circled around us,
all the way to the porch.
Instantly, Greg and Sherry took up defensive positions. I shook my head, telling them to stand down for
the moment. Murray didn't seem like he was there to stop us.
I was honestly surprised by his presence. I'd anticipated him being the harder elder to sway. He always
seemed more set in his ways. Maybe that meant he was so set in his ways he didn't want to switch
who he supported or see all these changes in the pack.
Inwardly, I was grateful to have one ally.
"This isn’t your business, Murray, get out of here!" Frederic shouted, throwing his arm out to the side.
"You don't have a choice here," Murray said, motioning to his guards. "You have to let Ciana go."
Frederic sneered and walked into his house. He slammed the door behind him.
I winced. He'd always been such a loyal supporter and friend to my father. It was painful to see how
much he opposed the crown.
Murray motioned for his guards to withdraw from Frederic's house and I followed him as we headed in
another direction.
"I’m glad you're safe, Ciana. You shouldn't be here. Too much is going on," he chastised.
I shook my head.
Another Elder that wanted to treat me like I was a defenseless child. Had they all forgotten that my
father had taught me self-defense and how to think like a leader? I wasn't some random little girl!
"I hate to say it, but Frederic believes that the royal family is not worthy of Alvar Pack's allegiance,"
Murray explained as we headed toward his house.
"Is that what you think?' I asked, cutting to the chase before he had a chance to spin any story.
"No. However, I, like the other elders, have some concerns. I do not follow Luther but we do wonder
about Theo. He is the son of Sebastian, and he has a brutal reputation," Murray pointed out.
I rubbed the side of my head. I knew this was going to happen. Everyone thought of Theo and all they
could see was that he'd done horrible things for his father.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Well, to be entirely fair to Theo, he never would have done those things if Sebastian wasn't controlling
him. Sebastian turned him into a killer, used him as a weapon, and threatened those closest to him
when Theo tried to stop," I clarified.
"Even if those were true, we still don't know what kind of king he's going to be. The apple might not fall
far from the tree." Murray stroked his chin as he thought.
"He's not like that. He hated the way Sebastian treated him and he would never do that to anyone
else," I assured.
"Ciana, a lot of pack members saw him kill dozens of warriors the last time he was here."
"Yes, but that was to protect the pack. It was to stop Raymond, remember?" I asked.
"Yes, it was for a good reason, but there are those that are still scared of him. He could turn on anyone
at any time."
"But he won't."
I couldn't tell Murray that I knew Theo would never raise a hand against my pack. Not just because he
wasn't like his father but because he and I were together. We didn't want to go public with our
relationship yet.
"I promise, Murray, Theo isn't like his father. He is the one that ended his father's tyranny, with his own
hands," I explained.
Murray stopped walking and raised an eyebrow at me.
"Really? He is the one who..."
"He is. I was there. It was a rough fight but Theo wasn't going to let his father hurt anyone else ever
again. He's out there right now trying to stop these rebellions and show that he's a different kind of
king."
"Well, that does sound like he’s really trying. Look, Ciana, leave Frederic to me. I can deal with him and
I will tell the other elders what you told me," he suggested.
"I'm not here to sit around and watch things unfold. I want to help. It is what my father would do," I
replied, crossing my arms.
"I can handle Frederic. You need to keep yourself safe, for your father," Murray repeated.
Quickly, I thought over what my options were. I could put up a big argument and end up with Murray
opposing me and Theo, too. Or, I could go along with what he wanted. He didn't say I couldn't help, just
that I couldn't be directly involved.
"Alright, if you want me to stay out of it, I can. But would you at least tell me what your plan is to
persuade Frederic?" I asked.
Murray pursed his lips and gave me a suspicious look. It was like he was questioning my willingness to
agree. I gave him a moment to process all of it.
"Thank you, Ciana," he nodded first, and then answered my question, "Regarding my plan... I'm going
to need some time to think about it. I'll fill you in on all the details once I have them. However, it really
isn't something you should be worrying about.'
"I know you don't want me involved in actions directly, but maybe I can help you come up with a plan...
one that doesn't put me in danger,' I smiled sweetly.
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
