Love and Chaos Series
The Alpha King’s Ugly Bride Chapter 54

The maiden council meeting today was slowly reaching its end and elder Margaret rose to her feet to read out the notice about some activities that would take place during the week. A few of those at the court were hosting birthdays, having their rebirth and dedication in their various homes. Through the notification, those interested in these events would find it easier to join. Margaret led the announcement and, just like today, she always did it at the end of the meeting. After the first part of the announcement, Margaret flipped the pages of the note in her hand.

"Tonight is the full moon." she announced, bringing a happy cheer from the maidens seated, "and remember, safety comes first. Rules to keep while shifting. Rule one: Maintain territories. Do not go into foreign territory. You might get treated as hostile and unwelcome. Rule 2: Stay hydrated. This is important because shifting might take a lot from you and you shouldn't be weak. Rule 3: Do not attack-"

The door abruptly flew open and all eyes in the courtroom abandoned Margaret and travelled over to the intruder. A white wolf with bleeding claws, torn and bleeding back, legs, and face stood at the door. The wolf's eyes glowed yellow and held so much pain as they beheld the queen from where she stood.

Mia knew this wolf just ran out of a fight, one it barely survived. Her heart went out to her, and she wanted to know her story.

The guards at the centre of the hall stood in the wolf's way, as an act of defence. The wolf shifted into a human form and they all saw a young maiden stay bent on her hands and legs. An older woman seated not so far from her ran over to her and covered her up with her furry brown coat.

The intruder nodded at the kind woman, then proceeded towards the guards, but they didn't move.

"Please let me through, I need to speak to the queen!" she pleaded and thrust at the guards, but they didn't budge. "Let me through!" she cried louder, but the guards lifted her and carried her out instead.

"No! Put me down." She fought and kicked her legs, trying to shake them off, but failing miserably.

"Let her go!" Mia spoke up, rising to her feet, and the guards obeyed immediately. The young lady pushed past them further into the hall. "What do you want?" Mia asked and despite the lady drawing closer to the platform where the elders were, Mia didn't stop her. "I want justice for my father and his house, my queen." She bowed her head.

"What is your case?"

"My queen, we do not have the time. If she wanted to have her case heard, perhaps she should have made it on time," Margaret argued, displeased at Mia's decision to listen to the young lady and her tone made it obvious.

Mia crossed her arms over her chest and turned around to Margaret. "Do you have children, Margaret?" She curiously fixed her amber eyes on her. "Yes."

"Do you have girls?"

"Yes," she replied.

"If your daughter had walked into the court in place of this young lady." Mia pointed to the intruder. "begging to have her case heard. Would you still protest about the time or will you make exceptions?" Margaret remained quiet and Mia turned from her over to the young maiden. "What is your name?"

"I'm Rue, of the house Bakkare."

"Rue, what's your case?"

"My father just passed to the life beyond and now we are being forced to leave our homes!"

"What is the reason for that, and who's behind it?"

"My father's brother, my queen. My father had three children and we are all girls. My uncle does not believe we are fit to rule the Bakkare household." Painful tears ran down her face, and her throat choked up, but she cleared and continued. "We are yet to bury my father and he came today to drag myself and my three sisters out of the house. I abandoned the fight and ran here to ask for your help, my queen," she dropped to her knee, stretching her hands out. "I'm begging you to help us. The house is all we have and our Father would want us to have it."

Mia's eyes grew glassy at her plea and she turned to Margaret, who was also looking sympathetic where she stood. "What do you think, Luna?"

Margaret's eyes lit up hearing Mia ask for her opinion despite them starting up on the wrong foot. "I.. I'm... I," she stuttered helplessly and then regained her composure. "I believe your uncle has no right to your house as long as your father has living offspring. The constitution of Wahala section five clearly states that the inheritance of the dead goes to their living children, whether boy or girl. So unless your uncle has legitimate claims you're not your father's daughters, he is in the wrong." Rue wiped her face of the tears flowing down her face, a little hope coming into her countenance.

"Your uncle knows you do not know the law of the land and he's hoping to take advantage of that," Mia said, going down the platform and towards Rue, who still knelt on the ground. She took her hand and helped her up, then handed Rue her small red handkerchief.

She took it and wiped the tears running down her face. "I will need your name, age, and location. Once the meeting is over, I'll send an official letter to your uncle and the king's guard will come over today to take your side in case he rebel against the words of the king." She took hold of her hands, squeezing in assurance. "No more tears."

Rue nodded vigorously, mopping the last tears on her face away. She threw her arms around Mia for a tight hug before she could think about it and the crowd seated gasped. She was still covered with filth and blood and her actions surprised Mia, but she hugged back and a loud cheer went through the hall.

When they pulled away, Mia turned to Margaret and nodded for her to continue with her announcement, and she did.

"And the last and important rule: educate your child on their rights so that wicked uncles like hers don't make their life miserable when you leave for the life beyond." The crowd was cheerful, and they clapped and cheered.

Not long after, the meeting ended. Mia said her farewell to the elders, preparing to take their leave before departing.

She approached her awaiting carriage when she heard Margaret's voice. "I never really liked you."

She paused and turned to stare at the older lady standing not so far from her, her grey eyes bearing truth to her words. Mia couldn't act surprised. She had felt the negative energy towards her from Margaret the first day she stepped into the court. When she brought in the record book the week that followed, she knew she had added fuel to the coal of hatred the Luna had for her. Still, she was the elder of the council, and Mia took her along till today. She knew a confrontation was going to happen. It was long overdue. Mia stayed silent so she could finish her words.

"To me, you were the little girl who was the replacement for her sister and when you came into the court, I had zero respect for you. You did your thing your own way, and you didn't care who you hurt in the process as long as what you did was right. I thought to tell you this. I didn't respect you when you first started, but after what you did in the court today, I have to apologise to you face to face."

Mia looked stunned by her admission, and she bowed her head to the Luna in respect. "Thank you for your honesty."

"You are a good queen with a good heart, and I wish many others in place of power would be like you. You're certainly a role model for our young girls out there, my queen."

Mia hadn't received this many compliments since she became queen, and hearing Margaret pay it to her made her heart swell in her chest. "Thank you, Luna. I will work towards being worthy of this much compliment." "You already are." Margaret said with much confidence.