THE LAST ALPHA FEMALE (sequel to Reign of the hybrid)

Chapter 6

In what used to be an abandoned castle a few miles out of Sky view town. Amelia had set camp. It didn't take long to get her camp flooding with witches. They were already living among them but due to suppression by other species kept hiding in the shadows. Her recent actions had put her on the map as the most powerful witch of that time which also garnered a lot of support for her course. The compound was fenced with well-trimmed hedges. A short black gate with a couple of guards for her girls. The compound was evergreen with a lot of trees. Dry leaves on the short we'll mowed elephant grass. A flower garden right in front of it and a sprinkler near it so that any visitor who wanted to help them water their flowers could do it. Mostly it was Amelia herself who was doing it. She said before her life was distorted by the Viking war lord she had wanted to be a florist and that flowers gave her the kind of peace no human could offer. That morning she was watering the flowers humming an inaudible tune.

After suffering a brutal attack from Steve, James was not giving up on his mission to a peaceful superhuman society and les conflicts between them and the humans. He didn't want to use the name on the street; they called them freaks. He was chosen to be a neutral party and calling them freaks would have made it obvious he was leaning on his kind. That morning Amelia was their next stop. She already had a seat at the council reserved for her. Of all the leaders she did the heavy lifting.

"Can we see Mrs. Amelia?" James asked.

He did not carry a security detail. They were alone with Jefferson in the car.

"Please wait here let me ask if she is expecting you", the guard said walking towards Amelia at the garden.

"She isn't", Jefferson said frankly.

"But I still have to check she might want to meet you", the guard insisted.

"Okay"

It took him more than a minute to startle her out of her sunny morning musical mood. Dressed in a long black clock with a hijab covering her head, she was not old. Her ears after screaming at her parent’s grave some years back had never recovered. But it was worse when she was watering.

"Mistress!" The guard Called for the fourth time.

The other way through get her attention would have required one to mow through the flowers. But it was a suicide way. So James decided to help with the beep. She snapped right back in reality.

"Tom dear you startled me", Amelia said.

"Morning miss Amelia, there are guests who wish to speak with you" Tom said.

"Let them in, our doors are open to everyone", She said opening her arms.

The gate was opened. A posh SUV came in and packed under the biggest umbrella tree. It shed most of the small water-drop like leaves. She figured whoever it was they were new. The only visitor she was expecting was Grace but Amelia could see men only in the car. With Eric gone she was her only friend. At least grace thought so. At the time when every female was trying to step up and rule the supernatural world that was allegedly left in anarchy after three top leaders died, she was also bidding for the top seat with an aim of filling the same void Amelia wanted the witches_alone_to continue ruling under her leadership. She had some of the lethal artifacts from Tina's pack. Something she did not tell Grace although she was speculating grace had her own weapons she did not share with her either. They were still friends but with lies between them. One lie, was enough to create an enemity that could last centuries.

"Good morning, my name is James brown my friend is Professor Jefferson, we're from the newly formed superhuman department our job is to oversee a good relationship between you witches and us humans", James explained eloquently.

"Well come in we can't talk out here", she said showing them inside.

The professor had notified James that among the three witches were the most dangerous but very friendly to humans. This was the kind that could cause harm without being in the vicinity. It was hard to tell if one was witch a fact that made them dangerous. They bled like humans unlike the two who healed instantly. Although they could stop the bleeding with a spell some needed to be closer to the shrines of their ancestors. It was the only weakness that affected most of them. Few like Debbie, Ariella and her girls and Amelia had their magic with them wherever they went.

"Tea or coffee?” She asked showing them an old dusty coach.

"Tea" James spoke for them.

The castle was still under renovation. Some walls were painted while others still looked like a century old. It was made of wood and brick. There was an old brown mart in the middle of the room, no table but countless stools. A chandelier above what looked like the dining area. It was still on, powered by electricity. They could hear female voices speaking happily in the background. It was a full Coven already. Children could be seen running across the corridors playing happily.

"Careful with the sharps dear", Amelia was heard warning from the kitchen.

She came back with a tray carrying a tea pot with three cups. Tea bags, drinking chocolate and sugar with three tea spoons. It was hard to tell if she was old or young. James noted how strange she was. Sometimes she could seem old and other times young depending on how kern one was looking. Amelia served the three cups in silence.

"Thank you", Jefferson said picking his cup first.

"Welcome, I know the recent acts of war have caused a lot of harm to your kind. Personally I saw many of your kind suffer innocently in the hands of the vampires as both food and laborers”, she said in an inviting tone and sipped her tea.

"Exactly, that's why I have already met with the other influential leaders like you. The state wants you to create peace such that humans should not continue to suffer”, he said handing over the same letter.

Amelia read through it shaking her head in agreement. James was celebrating a win already. She gave him back the letter and took another long seep.

"You want me to represent witches on the said committee?" she asked.

"Yes, that way we will know how many they are and if any of our members get attacked as a council we will find out who did it and prevent further deaths. Am sorry to say this but we are allowed to use force, to fight back", Jefferson said.

"No, it's good. For long humans and witches we have co-existed. We have had our fights here and there, am a victim too but we were good friends and neighbors until the beasts of behavior came up. Am willing to sit on the council if it can help tame them, thank you it's an honor", She said bowing in respect.

None of the two knew how Amelia was a victim of human witch violence. The professor couldn't capture her name in any of the recorded old tales. But that was not important. The important thing was the fact that two of the council members they wanted to recruit were already on agreement. The entire meeting ended with stories. She walked them around the castle and introduced them to the witches she had rescued. For a minute James and Jefferson came to understand her earlier point. They were more welcoming than wolves and vampires. Some with sad stories to tell on how they escaped from the Jaws of death.

"Professor Wait for me in the car let me talk to Amelia in private", James said when they were being escorted out.

"Take the children back", she said to the older witches.

"Thank you for what you're doing for this girls. This initiative also entails allowing the children to enjoy academic growth as normal humans though in their own institution I was hoping you would..."

"Like to send them to Eric's school? I would love to but the National construction authority stopped the project he told me" Amelia interrupted.

"I might have found a way to bring it back. It's being worked on as we speak", James said proudly.

"That's a great," She Said happily her eyes lighting up, "When will it be completed?" She asked.

"I will let you know but I want you and Grace and hopefully the others to work together in running it. He was not all monster I thought this is the best idea we have", James said.

"When you're ready handsome"

Perhaps they were not done with grace as she thought. Soon they were going to meet and she was hoping their friendship was going to flourish.

*******

Steve accepted defeat. The sign of a good warrior is knowing when to quit. Don was smarter than him but he had not lost the war. The first thing he did when he realized he was played was to apologize to James and his men. Lucky for him he had the numbers and his reserved seat on the said council was irreplaceable. He needed to be there to secure his power. The other problem was now with finances. He had no control whatsoever in any of the packs property. He knew soon the army that stuck around him because of favors and money was going to bail on him. He was a troubled man. Spending most of his time in the office drinking himself to sleep. Every time he regretted not listening to Debbie he woke up and reminded himself he was great. Even his ego went squashing down. There were no women around him.

"I have a suggestion", Oliver said to him that afternoon.

"What could you possibly offer that will get me through this mess?" He asked struggling to wake up.

"You know as werewolves we never leave the pack. This people won't leave whether you're the leader or not", He said.

"So?"

"Change your style of leadership, apologize and make them trust you then tell them What Don did and built them from the ground. They will help you get him. Not now or tomorrow but in the long run. He is not stronger than all of us", Oliver said banging on the table.

Steve had no other option but to stay humble. Money helped him rule his subjects with fear and now there was no money. Soon the pack was going to start asking questions on why there were no supplies and food. And he didn't have the answers he couldn't stand another war with Don. There was no money to motivate his guards. That day Steve couldn't believe he was doing exactly what Oliver told him. He asked him to call a meeting. They all came as usual. But something had changed in their leaders eyes. They were not commanding and bloodshot as usual.

"I called you here today because a friend of mine made realize something" He said stating at Oliver. He instructed him to go on,” Am sorry for my recent actions as your leader. First for leading a coup. Then forcing you into a war you didn't have to fight. Wasting the packs resources. From now on I owe you a lot and I want to..."

"Resign?" One elder asked.

"No, I have done bad things. Let's call them worse and before I resign I want to take this pack to its best than I found it. I apologize and how I wish you give me some time to prove it" He said.

"You have time?" A female voice asked from behind.

It was familiar to most of them. Even Steve was surprised to see her there. He had promised to kill her the next time they met. The deal was still on the table Even though it was bad timing. He had just promised to change and they were still seated there. But wasn't that part of the change? Killing an intruder whose husband had killed Veronica? He was not sorry Kylan was dead. It made his work easier killing his alpha widow. The thought of a pack being run by an alpha female made him sick in the stomach.

"You can all go", He dismissed them walking towards Tina with Oliver by his side.

She looked beautiful and vibrant as usual. Two guards by her side with one looking more protective. When they met the first thing he did was to try and punch her but the guard blocked him growling.

"Ian, stay out of this", Tina ordered. He hesitated thinking maybe it was a joke, "I mean it"

She didn't need him to fight her battles. She needed him for the night. Tina knew how to take care of herself. She stepped forward and punched Steve in the throat. He countered with a kick in her gut that didn't cause much impact. The two blocked heavy punches from each other. Falling for those that caught them and getting up. At some point Steve had Tina at claw point. She used her heels to deliver a low blow that forced Steve to set her free. She send a series of quick blows. Oliver wanted to intervene but Ian already had him on the wall with his fangs ready to bite him. Tina did the same with Steve her eyes glowing a perfect red. He was getting re-introduced.

"Am not the same b***h you remember, can we talk" She said with a growl.

"Fine, nice to meet you" Steve said coughing.

He led them to his office. Tina took his seat while he and the boys took the coach.

"What is it that brings you back here?" Steve asked.

"First let's forget the past. I helped you and you helped save my family though not for long but am here for a new business deal between me and you", she said maintaining eye contact.

"All the way from old fort for business here? Besides I don't run any businesses Don escaped and screwed us over we have nothing to offer in return", Steve said with discontent.

It made the deal even sweeter for Tina. Now she had a huge chance of influencing him to be partners again. Letting Don Escape was his mistake they had offered him on a silver platter. She needed the same favor but with bigger stakes. He only had to help her kill phony Boaz and the jezebel Stacy so that Tina could pretend to care and absorb their pack when they were gone.

"That makes it even better this is a deal that going to change everything. You won't need Don again", she promised.

"Am listening" Steve said.

"I need your help with my neighboring pack. They want to attack me and I can't stand another war. Most of my people are still healing up and I don't want any more violence so here is a deal for you and your boys," she paused, "I want you to help me kill them before they kill me in exchange for their precious assets. You keep everything that will get you back on your feet I absorb them and live in peace" She said hanging back on the comfy chair.

"Deal" Steve said looking at Oliver.

"When do we start?" Oliver asked.

"I knew we would agree. That's why I only carried two men. Don was restraining your abilities... We have to sign this just in case any of us dies" She said handing him a file.

Oliver and Steve both went through it. He was telling him to sign it in the mind link. An opportunity to becoming the greatest of all had just presented itself. Steve had to kill Boaz and as the law of their kind dictated, anyone that killed their leader was their leader. They knew that was what Tina wanted. More power and influence. She wanted them to do the donkey work and hand Boaz to her on a silver plate the same way she handed Don over. He signed anyway.

"Call me up when you're ready", Steve said.

"We're killing them tomorrow night hunnie pick your best men and let's go" She said signing her part and handing Steve back the file.

"Even better, Oliver tell the boys we're going for a hunting expedition, a big hunt they should carry the big guns", He said.

"Right away Steve" he said going out.

"That's how you rally your troupes?" Tina asked surprised.

"What other better way?"

As they walked back to where they had packed their cars Steve decide to play the benevolence card. He could tell she was struggling to live in reality by hiding her pain. Her face Said different. She was slaying her own dragons in silence.

"Am sorry you know", Steve Said.

"Real sorry or a fake one?" Tina asked.

"Kylan was my friend, as for your daughter no mother has to bury her own children", He said opening the door of the car for her.

"Thanks, but the better sorry will be getting this over with", She said.

"Let the Actions speak then", He said and shut the door in her face.

**********

Lydia and Debbie were still digging in Ariella diaries. If there was anyone who had done and seen it all in magic was her and she must have recorded the magic prison somewhere in her writings. Owing to her fear of anything that threatened her immortality there was a chance she had either not written or omitted any information relating to it.

"This is useless!" Lydia said keeping the books away.

"Yeah there's nothing in this books. It might as well not be a magic prison I think we're dealing with something else", Debbie said.

"I think so too, how about we pay the Amelia witch a little visit?" Lydia asked with a sick smile on her face.

"Before that, has anyone seen Hillary?" Mike asked almost startling them.

They were used to his sudden appearance and disappearance.

"No", Lydia said.

"And you Debbie?" He asked.

"Me neither” She said.

“That’s strange, I have looked for him everywhere... And bytheway am free all day tomorrow we can go for your little witch hunting party", He said.

"No!" Lydia was the first to disagree.

"Come on we need all hands on deck here, if she did that to the two most powerful beings of their kind we probably don't stand a chance of things go south",, Debbie begged.

"Okay you can tag along", she said.

"It's an honor, he would have wanted me to accompany you", He said typically disappearing from the room in super speed.

Mike was like a child with a new toy. They can't sleep or do anything else if not playing with the toy. He enjoyed being a vampire but not a stay at home one.