Chapter 67: The Queen Rise

In the night, Reika sat frozen upon her horse, Riftan's smirk spreading across his face like the shadow of past torment. "Did you think you could hunt me down like some animal, sister?" Riftan's voice was honey-laced with mockery. He stepped forward, the sound of his claws flashing in the faint morning light. "How many times will you make the same mistake?" Reika's pulse quickened as her fingers tightened on the reins. "You've gone far enough, Riftan. You don't get to escape justice this time." "Justice?" Riftan laughed harshly. "You always believed in justice, didn't you? That your pitiful sense of fairness would save you." He nodded to his men. "Take her." The wolves ran closer. Reika didn't move. She shut her eyes and whispered low, a voice meant for no one else but her soul. "Awaken, my wolf." In one amazing bound, a fire surge raced through her body, energy racing along her veins. Her breath caught; her vision sharpened, it seemed, as suddenly the air vibrated with every sound and heartbeat. The men slowed; faces etched in confusion as across the clearing a low guttural growl echoed. Reika's horse reared as if it sensed the change. With predatory grace, she slipped off the saddle and landed light on her feet. Her eyes opened, glowing gold-a reflection of the wolf she carried inside. "What!." Riftan muttered, stepping backward involuntarily. "You thought to cage me," Reika said, her voice layered with eerie resonance. "But you underestimated me. Again. The werewolves faltered, their hands shaking on the hilts of their swords. They'd heard the rumors of the Alpha Queen, the legend of her rebirth-but no one had ever thought to see it. "Kill her!" Riftan bellowed, his panic breaking through the façade of control. The men charged, but Reika was quicker. In a blur of movement, her body turned wolf-like as the power consumed her. Her hand raked across the nearest werewolf's chest; he flew backward into the trees, to land with a dull thud. Another swung his blade; Reika ducked low, her fingers clawing at his boots and pulling him clean off his horse. "Stop her!" Riftan bellowed. Unfortunately, however, it was already too late then for one thing: Reika had finally transformed into the hunter. The terrible growl of an animal ripped through the meadow as her powers materialize. With one jump, she got on top one of the horses, jerkily tugged on the rein, and flipped off a rider with ease-no human in their right mind could handle so much strength. The horses shot off in all directions, scared by an unnatural alpha presence. Riftan's claws hissed as he drew it; his face was pale, "Enough of this! Reika spun to face him; her glowing eyes locked onto his. "Are you scared, Riftan? For the first time in your pitiful life?" "I'll kill you!" He plunged forward, claws raised high. Reika danced aside faster than the wind and slapped one foot square between his ribs. Riftan tumbled backward, the earth ringing loudly from his clattering sword. Before he could rise, Reika was on him, her foot pressed against his chest. "You don't deserve mercy," she said, her voice low and deadly. Riftan struggled beneath her, his breathing ragged. "You wouldn't kill me. You don't have the stomach for it." "You're wrong." Her face softened a moment, haunted. "But I'm not you, Riftan. I don't destroy for pleasure." But before he could utter a word more, a howl shook through the forest, the treetops rustling, as from between those trees a black wolf charged in-rendition of her wolfran form, mirroring her soul itself. The sight sucked his breath clear away. "Wh-what are you? Reika smiled a little wistfully, with gold in her eyes. "Your reckoning." She stepped off of him, giving him one chance to rise. Riftan struggled to his feet; the fear turned to rage and he lunged with his sword in a mindless scream. Reika met his charge head-on, her hand shooting forward and catching the blade mid-swing. Sparks erupted as the steel clashed with her raw strength. Riftan's eyes went wide as she wrenched the sword from his grasp and snapped it in half. "It's over," she said coldly. "Never!" Riftan spat, launching himself bare-handed at her. Reika let her wolf strength unleash fully, sending her arm flying up and across with a wild arc into his face. The power sent Riftan flying back into a nearby tree with a groan to the ground, bleeding from the mouth. The woods were silent now: gone was the sound of hooves lost among the leaves upon the wind. She drew no closer to Riftan but was nearer, her footfall measured, one after the other, and knelt beside him. Her voice came no louder than a whisper, but unrelenting. "You are no brother of mine, Riftan. You're a plague upon this earth." Riftan coughed, weak, the pride bleeding through the pain. "You. you'll never be rid of me." "I already am," she told him. Reika stood, turning away from him as the black wolf circled back toward her. It stopped at her side, nuzzling against her hand. She looked down, her heart calming at the connection to her wolf, her truest self. "Take him," she ordered as the shadows of the forest took life. Royal guards emerged, having watched the scene in wonder a distance away. They took Riftan into custody; he was too shattered to resist. "See that he is imprisoned," Reika said, cold as stone. "This time, he does not escape." "Yes, Your Majesty. Reika returned to the castle just as the sun rose. Daisy was waiting for her anxiously at the gates, her eyes widening in relief when she saw her queen unharmed. 'You're back!" Daisy cried, running up to her. 'What happened?" 'It's over," Reika said quietly, exhaustion settling into her bones. 'Riftan has been defeated." Daisy exhaled, pressing a hand to her chest. 'Thank the heavens." Reika laid a reassuring hand on Daisy's shoulder. "Come. There is still much to do." As they entered, Reika looked up into the sky. The sun was brighter now, it seemed, as if even the world itself had cleansed itself of its darkest shadow. Hours later, in the quiet of her chambers, Reika sat alone. The events of the day replayed themselves in her mind, and her victory tasted bittersweet. A chill overspread her skin as the room grew unnaturally cold. Reika wheeled sharply as the corner shadows deepened. A low, unmistakable voice whispered from the dark: "You may have won today, sister," Riftan's voice seemed to echo, 'but this is fae from over." He vanishes