章 26: To Become Utterly Heartless

ZINA

Face streaked with tears, Zina looked up to the woman who still held her shoulder, "Is that what you mean by you've been waiting for me?"

In a distant voice, the woman spoke, "Some visions are not for the eyes. It is harsh, but it is the way of the world. You, Zina WolfKnight shall pave the way for greatnesses rising. The destiny between you two is much unclear, but I know that this is hardly the end of it. It is the beginning."

Zina was quite confident that she knew of this greatness that the woman talked about. The man in her visions, the one with dark hair tousled by the wind, eyes as deep and mysterious as it is powerful, the poise of a king, and the clothing of a commoner.

Indeed, no one oozed of greatness as the man in her visions did.

Zina wiped her tears away, "Sooner or later, I would be swallowed whole as you're now. I am without a wolf, without a pack, nor any powerful family to back me up. How could I possibly survive in this role?"

More painful than speaking those words was remembering her original family, whoever they were, her adoptive family and Jacen Vampage. Three solid pieces of evidence that showed just how alone she was in their world.

"Survival?" The theta murmured like the words held a deeper meaning for her, "indeed, survival is important."

Engulfed by the feeling of despair, Zina found herself pleading, "So what must I do? What must I do not to fail these visions and the future?"

"In times of old, even in times of today, people with nothing by their side make an extreme move to make a point."

What do you mean?

You've heard of the Matriarchy Pack have you not? They are quite notorious and feared even by the high ranking packs. Why do you think that is so? Because they are connected by the moon goddess? No. Because they are a pack of just women? Certainly not."

Zina thought about it, "Because they took a vow of chastity?" She said hesitantly.

"Indeed. By doing the extreme, no matter how ridiculous it might seem, the thought of them strikes fear in the heart of every and any shifter. Women who have vowed never to lay with any man, women who chase after the heart of the moon goddess herself, women who have separated themselves from the rest of the hoard and abandoned worldly desires…even to you don't they sound mysterious?

Zina's breath caught in her throat as she remembered the hardened tales of the Matriarchy Packs, "They do."

"In that case, you must make yourself just as mysterious. It might not entirely save you, but it would make you unreachable to one and everyone who wants to pull you down. You have to give up a part of yourself to save the rest of yourself.

"Ours is a world ruled by superstition and might. Where superstition fails, Might comes down like a blade to make up for the failure. Where Might fails, superstition makes up for it. People like Eldric NorthSteed only care for might. So how could you possibly counter him with just your powers? You must think about it, and you alone must find a solution for it. You must now learn how to wield the double edge blade of superstition and might…."

After a long silence, the woman added, "And you must be heartless."

Zina knew it would be ridiculous for her heart not to be hardened after all she had gone through. So highly offended, she asked. "And how do you know that I am not heartless?"

"If you were, then you and I will not be having this conversation. Instead you would be somewhere, enjoying a life of luxury that your powers would have bought you. But no, you Zina WolfKnight choose a fragile affection over your own heart."

Fragile affection? Was that what it always was? And worse, did Zina know of it but instead turned a blind eye. Content to pick the crumbs of affection her adoptive family showed her?

"I shall leave you a word of wisdom. You my dear must be utterly heartless. Heartless to both yourself and your desires. And if you're afraid that the wrath of Eldric will come after a seemingly weak you, then you must know that he has already made a grave mistake."

"And what will that be?" Zina asked curiously.

"Killing his father after the command declaring you Theta was made. The Theta's of every prestigious pack have always almost descended from the Temple of each region. While you're not from the Temple, the Temple recognizes foremost the command of the Alpha. The Temple is a force on its own, they do not tolerate any besmirch on the appointed Theta."

"But what of your predecessor? You said it yourself that her mysterious death was the handiwork of the Alpha King. And you? You are about to face the same fate! The temple did not save either of you. What makes you think that I would be different?!"

"No sane man would want to invite the third child of trouble. Besides, what the North needs now is stability. The man tugging Eldric's strings will not dare to taint the Alpha King's dying decrees. It is for that reason that Daemon NorthSteed will make it safely to the borders no matter how much they want to kill him. It is also for that reason that you shall become Theta to be revered by all because you stand as the King's last wish."

Zina gasped at the devious analysis. Who was this woman?

"You're shrewd."

"And you must be even more shrewd."

A wolf howled into the night, a terrifying howl that had birds scampering away.

"And now, I must go meet my fate. I trust that you will carry on the mantle of Theta even better than your predecessors have."

Zina didn't know what words to offer a woman about to meet her execution. But strangely, Theta Amelia was content to meet her end.

So Zina only said, "I will try hard not to die."

"You would be surprised at just how hard that can be."

Theta Amelia's last words hovered over Zina as the steps of the woman leaving the temple that will become her new abode receded. Zina could only listen to the emptiness that existed in the place she knew nothing of what it looked like. The wolf kept howling, even when Zina called to Seraph to take her to Daemon NorthSteed before it was too late.

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