Chapter 5: Through the gates of Fireflies

The journey to Fireflies pack was brief but it felt like forever to reach the palace gate.

“Finally!” she said to herself in relief as they reached the gate of the Fireflies.

Lily rested her arms on her lap and stared ahead. The palace gate loomed closer. Guards watched the car like their lives depended on it. Yes, it did depended on it. Any penetration from outer forces will definitely spell doom to Fireflies pack and her citizens.

The guards, arms tightly on their weapons – staring at the car approaching slowly while also looking up at the tower above them, waiting for the signal to either let through or launch an attack.

The alarm buzzed loudly. The special tune for the alpha rang out and the metal gate slowly and loudly opened up to them.

The ride to the palace was a little bit less tense than the journey from the outer boundary.

Lily looked out the window to meet the familiar environment she once called home. Eyes meeting the path she shed tears on while she left Fireflies.

Reaching the palace – the building that held many of her secrets, beautiful memories, hopes and imaginations staring right in front of her.

Just its sights, opened the gates of all the past emotions she had buried six feet under. But, she has been trained by Gabriel. Control over every fiber and flicker of emotion. So while she battled within herself, nobody could tell.

Following orders, the guards walked to the other side of the car to open the door for Lily.

She confidently came out, radiating the aura of a queen. She held her head up high, not giving a damn about the not so hidden stares coming from the Fireflies pack. From the elders to the warriors down to the ordinary citizens.

Lily ignored the stares. She kept walking. Nothing mattered but the mission.

Standing up at the door of the palace, with her eyes meeting Lily’s, was Lena smiling very forcefully – her scheming eyes giving her away that she didn't welcome Lily and again; Lily didn’t care. Not even a little.

“You've returned.” One of the elders spoke.

Neither a question nor an observation.

It was a fact everyone had to face.

“Yes.” She loudly replied. Not as an answer nor a confirmation. it was like an announcement and that sank it down everyone's mind.

Walking half a step behind her, they reached the door which opened as they approached it. She walked in to be greeted by that eerily familiar scent.

The place she once called home…

“Lily, get your act together.” She scolded herself.

“Prepare the Luna quarters for her.”  Dylan instructed. “No.” Luna said. Dylan turned to face her, his eyebrows creased in confusion, his face searching hers for answers but couldn't find any.

“I'm not here as your Luna.” Lily said, taking a seat on a couch. Dylan, not wanting to offend her, said to the guards, “Clea…”

“Clear up the east quarters and do it fast, I'm tired I need to rest.” Lily cut him off nonchalantly, pulling out her phone lazily.

Dejectedly, Dylan signaled his guards to do as she said. Moving out to do as they were ordered, the guards were stunned. No one had the guts to cut Alpha Dylan, Ruler of the Fireflies Pack off.

They conversed in hushed whispers while they worked and in less than an hour the whole palace had heard what transpired in the living room.

Boiling in rage, Lena threw the third vase at the wall, smashing it completely. “I literally beg for his attention and yet there he is, letting some runaway mate dish out instructions like she owns this pack.”

Standing still, eyes filled with a mix of fury, jealousy and determination, she said, “I will make sure you do not get to stay here for long Lily.” “I promise you that.”

**********

“Your room is ready Miss.” A maid announced. “Good.” Lily replied. Standing up, Dylan followed suit walking directly behind Lily, letting the maid lead the way.

For the staff at the palace, it felt like they were dreaming. Never have they imagined that a day would come the almighty Alpha Dylan would act as number two.

Walking into a nicely decorated room. The room had a majestic aura and Lily loved it. But, she said nothing. Scanning the rest of the room, she sat on the couch and motioned with her hands for the maid to leave. Dylan, not knowing what to say, just stood there trying to form words in his head when Lily looked up and raised an eyebrow as if saying “what are you waiting for?”

With that, he scurried away, even hitting his knee on the cabinet on his way out. Lily inwardly smiled at this clumsiness.

Looking out the window, she saw the warriors sparring not too far in an open field in their hundreds. Each one of them laser focused on their training.

Team captains screaming out instructions, lashing those falling behind and making necessary corrections anytime need be.

The army of Fireflies was a great one and was feared by many – it took rigorous efforts for many moons to attain such heights and they would do anything at all costs to make sure they sustain that position.

Anyone who desired to join the Fireflies warriors must be ready to face death. Tasks dished out to new recruits were to test not just their physical abilities but their emotions, IQ, resilience, courage and patience.

Not many survived it and from the few left, a good percentage would opt out immediately they could. The Fireflies army was for those strong in heart, mind and muscle.