Needless to say, the mission ended in disaster. Zelena's healers set to work as soon as the wounded war party trudged back into the castle. Ruby walked at the head of the party, noticeably limping with blood still staining her clothes despite most of her wounds having been bandaged. Regina walked behind her, leading the bound snow queen. Ruby sent out commands to have the wounded tended to, denying any assistance for herself. She called for her generals and other trusted officials and kept walking into the throne room where she sat down. Only when the doors had been closed did she drop her powerful pretense. Regina dropped their prisoner and went to her side, healing Ruby of her many injuries.
"What happened?" One of the other generals asked.
"It was a fucking disaster. What do you think fucking happened?" Raksha growled.
"And her." Another pointed at the witch on the ground. "Are we draining her? Who is this?" He kicked the witch onto her side. "Who are you?"
"Ingrid."
"That's it?!"
"I was once the princess of Arendelle, you beasts!"
"Once? Where'd you go then?" The werewolf attempted to grab Ingrid and she lashed out with a headbutt that shocked the man so badly he immediately shifted forms and bared his teeth. Regina silently watched the reaction, as did Ruby.
"You're one of them too?"
"Hold, Brother." Ruby commanded. She stood up and quickly made her way down to Ingrid. "One of them? There are others like us in Arendelle?"
"They were there when I was a child, but I have heard no mention since. They came down from the mountains in the dead of winter, stealing our livestock, killing our horses, raiding our food stores. They even killed soldiers. They look like him except white...and smaller."
"Werewolves or regular wolves?" Ruby demanded.
"Were, I suppose?"
"I don't need you to suppose. I need you to be certain." Ruby snapped. "Have you seen one change form?"
"Yes." Ingrid said softly.
Ruby stepped back. "Take her to the prisons, continue to interrogate her. If her information is true, she'll be released."
"We should drain her anyway after she betrayed us when we let the queen go." Raksha hissed.
"We might still do that. Take her away." A guard was quickly brought in and lead her away.
"More werewolves." A female general said. "More wolves to bolster our numbers."
"More werewolves who don't have to live up in the fucking mountains." Another corrected. "They could replace the ones lost."
"No one could replace the wolves lost." Fee said, gaining everyone's attention as she boldly glared down the general who had spoken. "Our people are not pawns."
"You're right." The general dipped his head. "Forgive me."
"All of you are dismissed." Ruby suddenly announced. "All those who fought or lost loved ones will be given extra rations. All other missions are cancelled. Prepare a burial, please." She quickly left the room and Regina followed, leaving the others behind. Ruby stormed into her room and furiously paced back and forth. "All those dead, lost because of me."
"You can't blame yourself for that." Regina said.
"Yes, I can, I sent them there. To die!" Ruby growled, spinning around to face her. "It's my fault! All the mothers out there will look to me. Why did their children have to die? I have to look at their brothers and sisters and look their children in the eye and tell them their family member will never come home. Those wolves out there are more than soldiers in an army, they're my pack, my family. They follow me, they expect me to protect them not get them killed."
"And they knew that, Ruby." Regina came to take her hands and kissed them. "Every single of them knows the risks. They follow you because they believe in you and your goal."
"We lost though."
"You've lost before."
"But there was never this many fallen." Ruby sighed, going to sit on her bed. "I'm going to be trying to fix this for the next year."
Regina came and knelt in front of her. "Miss Lucas, look at me." She commanded. Ruby growled softly, finally meeting her eyes. "What are wars made of?"
"Battles."
"Exactly. Some battles are won, some are lost. What matters is you don't stop because of one loss. You're a leader. You can't stop. Not until we're done. Not until we have helped every werewolf, every shapeshifter live in a world without fear and persecution. Not yet. Change up things."
"How?"
"You got confident. You attacked in broad daylight. You always have superior numbers but sometimes you can win a battle just as easily without so many wolves. Use your old tactic. Attack at night, through the shadows, like when you took my castle. That would've been better, not to criticize or anything."
"You're right, I should've-"
"You can't think of everything. That's why you have generals. All of this is not on your shoulders. Let us bear the weight sometimes."
Ruby whimpered softly and Regina leaned forward, capturing her lips in a harsh kiss. Regina grabbed Ruby's arms in surprise when the Dread Wolf picked her up and slammed her on the bed. She didn't mind being Ruby's stress relief. She wanted the she-wolf to know that she was here for her. After a year of flirting, stolen kisses and not so subtle hints she thought it was about fucking time that Ruby took her. She knew Ruby wouldn't claim her as her mate. Not yet. But that could be discussed later.
After a few minutes Ruby stopped and placed a kiss to her forehead. "I have to go get ready for the funeral."
"We'll continue this another time?" Regina asked.
Ruby smirked. "Of course. Thank you, by the way."
"Anytime."
That evening was the funeral. It was the first one Regina was allowed to witness. There were over several hundred dead and each one was given a burial plot in the forest. The others in the pack shared the task of digging them and the fallen was laid to rest. Family members were buried together. Trees and flowers were planted around the small piles of stones they used to mark the graves, giving back to the forest that gave them so much. Ruby walked through, calling the names of every one of her brothers and sisters that had been lost. It lead to a howl from every wolf so loud and deafening that Regina had to restrain herself from covering her ears. The werewolf afterlife depicted a paradise for both man and wolf, where they would live and Run forever beneath the moon's pale light and it was on that night that the moon was full and Ruby lead nearly the entirety of her followers on a midnight Run to reaffirm pack bond and to honor the fallen.
Regina didn't participate. Instead, she made her way back to her room. As she reached her door she felt a hand wrap around her waist and soft lips against her temple. "Not now, Phaedra." She said softly.
The older she-wolf tilted her head, looking down at Regina in confusion. "What's wrong, Evil Queen?"
"I just…" She shook her head. Phaedra opened her door for her and gave her a gentle nudge inside. She was one of the friends Regina had made since coming here. A beautiful woman with extremely long golden hair and pretty green eyes, she was a cousin of Raksha, another of Ruby's generals and a well respected hunter and archer. She sat down on the bed and patted the place next to her.
"What's wrong?"
"I can never be Ruby's mate, can I?"
"Why can't you?" Phaedra frowned.
"Because for one, I'm not a full blooded wolf. On top of that, I'm still basically new compared to everyone else. And even if none of that matters-"
"None of it does matter." Phaedra said. "If Ruby's heart wants you, then she will take you as her mate, regardless of the politics of a wolf pack."
"I can't even have children." Regina whispered.
"Who told you that?"
"No one had to tell me. I did it to myself."
"Then you can fix yourself." Phaedra replied. "My parents told me that True Love is the ultimate power. If you really love someone enough, anything is possible. Werewolves don't have True Loves. We have Mates and that is something entirely different and far more powerful. You don't get to choose your True Love, but you get to choose who you share your soul and life with when it comes to Mates. If you truly loved each other, then having kids wouldn't even matter. There are plenty of motherless pups in the world."
"Well, what about Zelena?" Regina asked. "She has a high rank due to all her inventions and shit. She can have children and they already seem to share some stupid bond."
Phaedra smirked. "Someone's cute when she's jealous."
"I'm not jealous. I just don't want my sister stealing Ruby away from me." She and Zelena were steadily building a relationship with each other, but after a lifetime apart, neither would be treating the other like a sister or a best friend just yet.
"If Ruby is yours, she will not be stolen." Phaedra said matter of factly.
Regina sighed and fell back onto the bed. Her friend laid down next to her. "I hope we find all the power we need fast because I'm getting tired of this tiny castle. I want to see more of the world." One of her favorite things about being a werewolf was the freedom, the Running, seeing the world in a different light. It was incredible. Not only that, but when Ruby sent her to various places for this and that, it opened up a world she had never known. Locked away on her parents' estate, then caged in that putrid castle, she had never gone farther than she was allowed. But not now.
"You have the ability to leave any moment you choose." Phaedra reminded her. "You could take a trip to a place you've never been."
"I can't leave Ruby."
"It would not be forever. Besides, you could find more things to add to our future world. I...could go with you. For protection of course, and direction."
"You mean that? You're a general, doesn't Ruby need you here?"
"My men mostly focus on defense here at the castle. We haven't been called to battle since you arrived." Phaedra replied. "And I have a second just in case. Say yes. It will be a great adventure."
"I'd have to talk to Ruby about it first, but you make a good case." With her mind a little more at ease, she was able to spend some time with her friend before Ruby returned late that night, providing the perfect opportunity to talk to her. "Ruby, can we speak for a second?"
Ruby nodded. "I'm going to go take a quick shower first and meet Zelena and Mal at her castle. We can walk together." Regina dipped her head and impatiently waited for her leader to return. When she returned, they changed into wolf form and started off for the castle at an easy pace. "Glad you caught me." Ruby said. "I was going to come find you."
"Oh yeah?" Regina asked, skipping alongside her, wagging her tail a little any time their pelts brushed.
"Yes, I'm going to show you our new world. You'll love it."
"Are you done with the designs and everything?"
"Mostly, but there's always room for more. Why?"
"Um, I was thinking of taking a little trip to see more of the world, find some other things to add."
"You mean leave." Ruby immediately stopped walking. "For how long?"
"Few months, maybe?" Regina shrugged her furry shoulders. "You said I could leave any time I wanted to, right?"
"Of course, but that would be months I wouldn't get to see you." Ruby whined softly, nuzzling her neck. Regina purred at the affectionate gesture. "We still have to finish our discussion from earlier too."
"I know, but I want to see this world before we leave. I promise I won't be gone too long. And you have Zelena and Raksha-"
"They're not you, Regina." Ruby growled.
"I know." She swallowed. "But I can check in every night. Show you everything I find. It'll be like I'm not even gone."
Ruby slowly nodded. "I'll send some wolves with you. And I'll wait for you to get back." She decided.
"Phaedra promised to come with me to protect me."
"Phaedra?" Ruby growled softly.
"Don't be jealous. She's just a friend."
"Sure." Ruby started walking again, falling silent, and Regina followed, hoping that she hadn't ruined everything. The guards at Maleficent's castle let them pass without a word, although they were required to return to human form before entering. Ruby lead her to a pair of grand doors and stopped her before entering. "I'm not going to hold you back, Regina. I promise I won't."
Regina frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"I promised you the world and confined you to the castle and sent you to kingdoms you've already visited and probably hate. I should've been more considerate and I shouldn't have rushed you to be by my side. You should move at your own pace and explore this world at length. Yes, I will miss you, but, you deserve your freedom. I have no right to command you to give that to me."
Regina was a bit surprised at her soft spoken words. After all, Ruby seemed to have two modes and the Dread Wolf was the most dominant, powerful, commanding, reassuring. But she needed to be that way. Her pack needed to believe that she was a great and powerful wolf and that her speeches about building a better world would come true. Only in the privacy of her room did she allow that facade to fall away and show just Ruby. So few people truly knew the great leader, even though she did her best to try and make herself appear less larger than life. Regina was almost honored that Ruby so willingly showed this side of herself.
"As I said, a few months at the most and then I will be right back here with you. I promise." Regina pulled her close, connecting their lips in a soft kiss. She ached for more, but now was not the time. Ruby kissed her forehead before taking her hand and leading her into the room. It was full of open trunks and chest filled with gold and gems and a single giant circular table in the center. Zelena was already standing in front of it, looking down at it while the owner of their castle sipped a glass of wine and examined her recently acquired trophies.
"Looks like you had a good year." Ruby said, attracting the blonde's attention.
Maleficent and put down her goblet to grasp Ruby's forearm in greeting. "By the time I am done, I will no longer be the Dragon Queen. They will be calling me a goddess of war." She laughed.
"You're going out again?"
"Not for a long while. I have so much new treasure to count before I add it to my hoard and payments to send to my soldiers, gold to hand out to my servants and my citizens." Mal replied. "The people of the Enchanted Forest can rest easy. My rampage is done for now."
"Rampage. Perfect word." Regina said.
Mal arched an eyebrow in her direction. "Ah, Regina. How are you, Old Friend?"
"Fine." She shrugged.
Mal smirked at her, her eyes twinkling with mischief. As if she knew something Regina didn't. Regina fought off the scowl that wanted to show and bit her tongue before she said something to anger the dragon bitch. Eventually, the blonde turned to Ruby. "Heard you lost at Arendelle."
Ruby nodded. "I did."
"Good."
"Good? Are you serious? I lost a lot of people."
"Then you won't make the same mistake twice." Mal replied, meeting Ruby's eyes firmly. "It won't matter if you have a million wolves at your beck and call, you are never too good to lose. You are never too smart to lose, and you are never too big to lose. It happens, my dear. And it happens when it needs it happen. Learn from it, but don't dwell on it. You may have suffered a loss but your next victory is waiting for you to take it." Ruby nodded again as Mal turned to the stone table. Regina gave Ruby's hand a comforting squeeze, a bit surprised yet again. At best she thought Mal's involvement with Ruby was just for her entertainment or a chance for a little more gold, but it seemed a bit deeper than that. Mal acted almost like a mentor, just as she had once with Regina. It didn't seem to end there. The dragon instructed Zelena on how to operate the table and it took a few words in elvish before it began to glow. A globe of magical energy appeared above the table. With a motion of her hand, Zelena was able to zoom into the world and show them the vast and beautiful landscapes, ranging from thick forests to lush jungles, to snow covered mountains and wide deserts. Prey of every type imaginable, even exotic beasts were seen roaming the wilds. A few small towns and cities had been built, bearing architectural styles from the Enchanted Forest, Agrabah, Maleficent's castle and various other places they had visited. It was beautiful, beyond words.
"This is it, Regina. Our world." Ruby smiled.
"It's amazing." Zelena whispered in awe.
"And you've just barely scratched the surface. I fill in the gaps when I can, but you should be ready in the next couple of years, assuming you have the necessary power to bring this world to life."
"I will." Ruby assured her. "I won't rush anymore. I learned my lesson. But we'll be ready."
"Good."
Regina watched them add even more designs to the world, focusing mostly on flora and fauna for the moment. They were building a world from the ground up, so it would take some time. Two years wasn't long though. They didn't have any time to waste to find magical energy. "Ruby."
"Hmm?"
"Rumple's power isn't enough, right?"
"Right. Why?" The werewolf turned to face her, listening intently to the idea she was debating.
"We searched his castle for the dagger but did we find anything else? A vault, maybe. Rumple was terrified of something or someone else being more powerful than he. He collected magical artifacts, books, tomes, scrolls, weapons. All of that would harness even more magical energy. If we find his vault-"
"We find his stash." Ruby grinned. "I'll send a patrol over as soon as possible. You're a genius."
"I would like to lead it if that's alright with you. I know how to find vaults. He helped me build my own."
Ruby nodded. "As you wish." She kissed Regina's forehead with a smile. "Trying to keep us busy while you're gone?"
"Gone?" Zelena asked.
"Regina's going adventuring for a little bit. She's coming back with even more stuff to add to our world." Zelena didn't really respond, too busy paying rapt attention to Mal's instructions. With another word of magic, the table faded out. "Excellent. We have a lot to do, ladies."
/
The sisters departed but Ruby stayed behind to give Mal a map that she pulled out of her coat. "You found something?" Mal asked, betraying an excitement Ruby had never seen in her before.
"Yes, one to the east is a sea serpent, male and silver. It sunk an entire fleet of merchant ships this year. The other is far to the west, a golden dragon. Female. I have patrols watching them, just in case. They seem to be in good health and strong and capable of being a good mate for you."
"We'll have to see about that." Mal said, clutching the map tightly in her fist. "If what you say is true and I go to the east and to the west...it will be the first time I have seen another dragon in almost a century. I thought I was the last."
"Nope," Ruby grinned. "I'll keep searching for any more sightings for you. I have spies everywhere just for this purpose. Everyone deserves a little happiness, Mal. After everything you've done for me, helping you find a mate is the least I can do." She held out her hand and Mal didn't hesitate to shake it.
"Thank you, Dread Wolf."
"You're more than welcome, Goddess of War."
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