Shelbrooke gripped a handful of his hair and walked the length of his den. He had a much better understanding of people who stated they were frustrated to the point of pulling their hair out. Yes. He now had that feeling.

He'd waited years for the Onyx to be theirs and if patience was what would win it over, he'd done that over and over again. What else could he have done to get that stone? The one that could change the lives of his generation. Earning him the legendary name of a warrior King who brought back the heritage of the Werecats. 

He heard Gorge's boot click on the floor as he walked in. 

"How many men do we have now?" 

"We have over a hundred of them, your Highness," Gorge replied, bowing slightly.

"Do I have to force out words from your mouth before I know the actual number of soldiers we have now?" He grimaced.

"One hundred and fifty. Most of them were very stubborn and their family wouldn't let them be. We had to force..."

"I didn't ask for all those stories. Neither did I ask you to pacify them. It is your duty to make sure I have more men. We lost a large number of them to the army of Vampire city in alliance with the Wolverines. I'm not taking any chances now."

"You're going to have to have some patience," Gorge said under his breath.

"Patience?! Patience you say?"

This man rolled his eyes but he didn't care. The only thing on his mind that bothered him is getting the Onyx. Yet, this man was standing before him saying he must have patience. Yes, his men, Gorge and Reyns were good and they have proven to be quite useful. However, none of that assurance can do anything to help his raging desire to grab that stone for himself. 

Shelbrooke leaned back on his stony throne in the cave-like den that spread wide enough to contain his body. He looked at Gorge who wore a matching uniform of the black t-shirt over khaki pants and black boots, wearing a black hat over his head that did little to conceal his freckles. 

"We've got to move fast. For we have no time."

After Reyns had told him about how Luana carried Zeidan back to the palace building, he had since been suspicious about her working with Chloe. For one, he barely trusts that woman who is slowly drifting away and allowing her emotions to get the better of her. Secondly, Luana might be working as a spy for her which is very dangerous for them. None of them can be trusted.

"If I'm to follow what you taught us. It is to act according to time."

"Fourteen years!" Shelbrooke hit his clenched fist on the arm of his throne. "Fourteen years of struggling to get a hold of that Onyx. They weren't just for sitting around."

"But they yielded no result." Another voice answered.

Heels were heard clicking as the owner waltzed inside and as soon as Shelbrooke looked up, he knew he wasn't wrong. Long brown hair pulled up in a ponytail, long lashes, dark eyeliners, and leather wear and boots. It was Luana. Reyns followed behind.

"Wow. Didn't think I was gonna receive a visitor today."

"Me too." Luana folded her arms akimbo as she balanced on one leg. "I just felt we needed to work together."

"Isn't that what we've been doing before?" He asked.

"She is here for a different reason." Reyns chipped in. "A very unique reason."

"Oh really?" Shelbrooke leaned back, nodding his head and looking at the two of them who share a knowing look.

"Go on."

"I decided to make Zeidan pay. All sentiments aside." Luana spoke up.

"Interesting. So you're doing this because Zeidan hurt you and not because you believe we deserve to have the Onyx?"

"I don't know the history and I'm not interested in Knowing. But what I know is this," she walked towards him slowly, hips swaying and gaze darkening. "I will make Zeidan pay with every drop of blood in his body. And I will make him breathe his last, begging for life, while my sword tastes his blood. You can do with his Kingdom however you like."

Shelbrooke rose, surprised at the transformation. 

"How bloody!" He mocked, hands in his pocket as he walked to meet Luana.

"He must have hurt you so badly."

Silence dropped in the den and only the sound of the rushing distant river could be heard, as well as the blowing wind. 

"Luana deserves justice just like us," Reyns spoke up. "And justice she shall get."

"True." Gorge and Shelbrooke chorused, agreeing.

"I don't want justice." Luana surprised them with her response.

She chuckled.

"I want revenge. I spent my whole life thinking I'd found the one. Unfortunately, he broke me."

"But then, why did you lie against Shelbrooke during the war while carrying Zeidan back to the palace?" Gorge inquired, breaking the silence.

"Yes," Shelbrooke affirmed. "That's true. Why?"

"Because I was caught in between." Luana stared at him at eye level. 

"If that was so, you should be wanted in Vampire city right now," Gorge replied.

Luana looked from Gorge to Reyns and then back to Shelbrooke. 

"You didn't think I was going to betray you, did you?"

"How can I be so sure? You have done this before. You could do it again."

"As I said, I was caught in between. Zeidan had the effrontery to make me look like a fool. First, I will take away what makes him happy and I'll make him beg for mercy. Before then, we have to work together. Only I can give you access."

"And Chloe?"

Luana huffed. "You really thought Chloe was on your side?"

"I should have known. That woman was always more of an emotional woman. Imagine seeking revenge for fourteen years only to lose it because of a stranger she loves. Tragedic." Reyns commented, exhaling as if disgusted.

"You have to prove your loyalty to us, Luana. We can't make the same mistake twice." Shelbrooke said, removing his hat.

"As they say, once bitten, forever shy," Luana replied but was cut short by a young man that was dragged in by two hefty guards in their striped armors.

The boy had blisters all over his skin and he looked like he had been badly beaten up. Probably for being stubborn. His eyes and lips were swollen, with dust all over his clothes, making his white shirt turn brown. His hair was full of dust as well and was as rumpled as troubled hay. 

"Your Highness," one of the guards greeted. "This young man has proved to be stubborn as he refused to be recruited into the army."

"Well," he stopped when Luana raised her index finger to shut him up, her eyes fixed on the man before her.

"Men always make the mistake of choosing death over other options so I'm not surprised." Luana walked up to them and drew out a sword from one of the guard's scabbards, driving it into his chest.

"I'm never gonna look back." She said, looking back at Shelbrooke.

"No matter what." She drew out the sword and the man fell to his face, body soaked in the pool of blood on the floor.