Destiny of the Wayward Queen: The Alpha Huntress Trilogy, #3

By Neo Edmund

Only one brave enough to risk everything will gain anything on the path ahead! In this whimsical sequel to Rise of the Alpha Huntress & Fate of the Big Bad Wolf, Red Riding must again face her fate as the legendary Alpha Huntress. This time, Diona, goddess of the hunt will force Red into a kill or-be-killed tournament against 30 of Wayward's greatest warriors. If Red is to prevail, she must accept her ultimate destiny and rise to become the Wayward Queen...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Neo Edmund
• Release date: Nov 4, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393492740

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

THE BLAZING CRIMSON moon loomed high above the ancient trees of Wayward Woods. Howling cries of a legion of depraved werewolves echoed across the land like the thunderous rumbles of a coming storm. The sultry scents of murderous predators lurking in the shadows infested the night breeze. With each beat of her heart, Red Riding could feel the power of the lunar spirits surging through her body. It took every bit of will she had to contain the wolf within, as she knew full-well that transforming into her Alpha werewolf form under the light of a Hunter’s Moon could drive her into malevolent lunacy.

Of the many conflicting notions swarming through the mind of the young Alpha Huntress, there was one thought that haunted her every waking moment.

Who is Ebony Rose?

Red Riding, it is high time you stop droning over that subject, said the shrill voice of Ice Seether from not far behind.

Seether, I told you to go back to my granny’s house, Red gritted. She hoped the dangerous beasts that infested the Northern Highlands would’ve discouraged Ice from following her that night, but the pale skinned witch followed with unshakable determination.

And I have told you to stop calling me Seether; nonetheless, you persist in doing so. Ice would’ve had an easier time keeping pace with Red on the rocky terrain, but that night she opted to wear an overly long-hooded cloak, tailored from fine purple velvet. I have discarded the disgraced Seether name. I am now Ice of the Riding Clan.

As if. Red held back a mouth full of expletives she wanted to spit in Ice’s face. It’s not that she still hated Ice, but rather, she preferred to act as if she did. In truth, Red couldn’t help but to care for her once mortal enemy, at least a little bit. This was a thing she would never-ever admit to anyone, even if her life depended on it.

Ice quickened her pace until she was walking by Red’s side. Who would have ever thought it possible? Less than a year ago, we were trying to kill one another, and now we stand bound in beloved friendship, to the very end.

We are not beloved friends. We’re not even friends in the kinda-sorta way, Red insisted.

Ice dramatically pressed a hand to her chest. You say that, and yet every beat of my heart tells me otherwise.

Red raised a fist. If you don’t stop talking, that heart of yours won’t be beating for long.

Ice smiled with sincere endearment. Dear Red, I so enjoy your unbridled wit. 

I so enjoy when you shut your flapping-trap. Red raised her head and took a sniff of the air, the way a canine would. That goes double when we’re being hunted.

Ice stopped cold in her tracks. Tell me what you smell. Be specific!

Red took several more sniffs of the air. As odd as it sounds, I smell cookies.

What part of be specific are you not comprehending?

Red grumbled in frustration. It’s not cookies so much as gingersnaps.

Then that is exactly what is hunting us, Ice concluded, taking a nervous gulp.

We’re being hunted by snack food?

If only. Ice reached beneath her cloak and took out a wand, eight inches in length and carved from brimwood, a type of wood only found in the Valley of Dead Souls. Gingersnaps are carnivorous little beasts. It would do us well to evade capture, unless you fancy the notion of being eaten alive.

Spiffy! Red reached behind her back, and from beneath her red cloak, she pulled out a sterling silver bolt-action crossbow. Taking another sniff of the air, she picked up the scent of hundreds, perhaps even thousands of the menacing creatures lurking about. From the smell of it, we better stop the talking and get to the running.

For the next half-hour, Red and Ice hurried along the murky wooded path. Red’s heart raced in distress as the scent of the gingersnaps grew ever-nearer. If she were on her own, she could have easily outrun the vicious creatures, but she felt oddly compelled to slow her pace to assure that Ice would not fall behind. Casting aside this frustrating thought, Red focused on the mission ahead. A sinister tyrant called the Dragon King had captured her father, Ethan, and was threatening to execute him unless paid a sizable ransom.

Still, in spite of the many burdening issues weighing on her mind, there was one irritating thought Red couldn’t get out of her head, no matter how hard she tried. "For clarity, Ebony Rose and Wolfgang were once a thing, right?" she asked Ice.

Really, Red? Ice stumbled along trying to keep pace. Even in the midst of this dire situation, you still insist upon harping over that foolish nonsense.

It’s not foolish, and it’s not nonsense, Red snapped. Now unless you want me to leave you behind, you best answer the question.

Ice let an irritant sigh. All that I will say is that if Wolfgang and Ebony Rose were ever a thing, as you so crudely stated, that thing happened a very long time ago; thus, it is hardly worth discussing.

Just then, a screeching gingersnap leapt from a tree, landing directly in the center of the path. The plump creature resembled a rounded radish with lanky legs and arms. Dozens of green tentacles squirmed atop its head, each with a tiny white ball on the end, which allowed it to sense movement. What made the creature truly distressing was its wide mouth with a hundred razor-sharp teeth, much like the jaw of a carnivorous shark.

Major grossness! Red took aim with her crossbow and squeezed off a shot. A silver tip arrow pierced the beast’s blubbery flesh and zapped it with a pulsing bolt of mystical energy.

Red and Ice raced by the creature as it lifelessly flopped to the rocky ground.

The thing is, we’re only seventeen years old, Red said. If Wolfgang and Ebony Rose were a thing, it couldn’t have been very long ago,.

Red Riding, you must rise above this juvenile behavior, Ice scolded. Wolfgang is yours now. Whatever happened between he and Ebony Rose is in the past and is therefore meaningless.

Red gave Ice a quizzical glance. "So you are saying they were a thing?"

Squealing like ravenous beasts, a horde of gingersnaps leapt down from the trees, surrounding Red and Ice on all sides. Red swiftly aimed her crossbow and fired off a rapid melee of shots. A new arrow materialized in the enchanted weapon every time Red squeezed the trigger. At the same time, Ice fired several energy bolts from her wand. With their combined effort, they took out enough gingersnaps to clear a path for their escape.

Racing onward, Red and Ice soon reached the base of a towering rock formation. Their boots slipped and slid on the loose gravel as they worked their way up the steep embankment. Taking a quick look back, Red was relieved to see the pursuing gingersnaps were having an even tougher time on the slippery terrain.

I wonder why Wolfgang even liked Ebony Rose to begin with, Red said. Dote and Ash told me she’s a shrewish snake. 

Perhaps you might reserve judgement until you have the opportunity to make your own determination, Ice suggested.

I guess. Red bitterly bit down on her lip. I’m just trying to understand what her deal is.

"Define her deal!" Ice suddenly lost her footing and nearly tumbled down the embankment.

Red reached back and caught a handful of Ice’s hair, just in time to save her from toppling to her demise. Ice, you’ve been around me long enough to know what I mean.

Very well. Ice winced as Red pulled her along by the hair. Ebony Rose is a formidable warrior and a highly respected leader. She commands a pack of hunters that employ rather aggressive tactics to exterminate anything and everything that threatens the people of Wayward.

Translation: Ebony Rose is an unhinged vigilante. Red fired three rounds from the crossbow, taking out a trio of gingersnaps that were closing in on them.

Ebony Rose is certainly no vigilante. Ice flicked her wand, firing off a burst of mystical energy bolts, taking out several more gingersnaps. Many consider her to be quite heroic.

"Sooooooorry. I didn’t mean to insult your hero," Red jeered.

Ebony Rose is not my hero, Ice scoffed. Admittedly, she does possess qualities that I do admire. You could learn a lot from her.

Is that a fact! Red fired another volley of arrows, taking out a charging wave of gingersnaps.

You could in fact, Ice said candidly. Ebony Rose leads her soldiers with an inspiring degree of conviction. She acts without hesitation; thus, she is willing to do whatever is necessary to win the night.

Meaning she’s willing to risk the lives of her friends to win.

Alpha Huntress, you will do well to learn that the warriors under your command are not your friends. They are your soldiers.

Great, that makes you my soldier; thus, we are not friends. Red gave Ice a devious smirk.

Red Riding, that is not at all what I meant, Ice protested.

The path narrowed, forcing Red and Ice to press their backs against a jagged cliff wall. Inching along, they carefully worked their way across a treacherous ledge, well aware that one false move could send them plummeting into the rocky valley below. Several gingersnaps attempted to follow, though most clumsily lost their balance and went tumbling to their demise.

Do you think there’s a chance Wolfgang still has feelings for Ebony Rose? Red asked.

I think you have far more pressing matters to concern yourself with and, therefore, should put the entire matter out of your mind, Ice replied.

I am fully aware of the laundry list of issues I have to deal with.

Just for kicks and giggles, how about a recap, Ice said. "Your father is being held hostage by the Dragon King. A coven of vile witches has captured your granny. The little looney witch you so affectionately call Dote remains trapped in the Mirror Realm.

And let us not forget about the lunar loony Diona, who plans to force me to fight in a battle to the death I know nothing about, Red added.

Upon reaching the far side of the narrow ridge, Red and Ice began to choke and hack from stifling smoke and smoldering ash polluting the air. They felt disheartened to see that razor-sharp volcanic glass littered every inch of the rocky terrain, spanning for as far as they could see.

Red, it would do us well to seek another path to our destination, Ice suggested.

You can seek all you want. I’m pushing through this. Red pulled up her red cloak to shield her face. The only chance of rescuing her father was to find the secret entrance to the City of Dragons, and nothing in Wayward would stand in her way.

What if I tell you everything you wish to know about Ebony Rose? Ice asked.

Red found the offer to be quite tempting, though not nearly enough to be worthy of serious consideration. Are you actually bargaining against my father’s life?

I am doing nothing of the sort, Ice scoffed. Do you not recall that I previously had offered to loan you the gold needed to pay his ransom?

Did I not previously tell you that my father would sooner die than to be in debt to a Seether?

Red started the perilous trek across the hazardous terrain with Ice following close behind. Their knee-high boots did well enough to protect their ankles from the sharp glass, but they still had to be cautious not to lose their footing.

Red Riding, I’ve said it a hundred times before. I have left the Seether name behind me, Ice insisted.

Maybe, but your gold has Seether fingerprints all over it.

Red and Ice hacked and choked as the ash in the air grew hotter and thicker.

That makes no sense. Gold holds no mortal allegiance, Ice insisted.

If you don’t get it, then there is no point in me trying to explain it.

Ice shrugged, unable to disagree. What if we forgo using the term loan, and I just give you the gold.

Red raised a skeptical eyebrow. I didn’t know a Seether was capable of doing such a thing.

A valid point. Ice kicked her way through a sharp chunk of volcanic glass. If that does not prove my resolve to put my past behind me, then I have no idea what could.

It’s not that I don’t appreciate your offer, Red admitted. I just know my father would go into full-on rage mode if he found out.

Then do not tell him. It will be our secret that we will take to the grave.

Red shook her head in disagreement. My father would figure it out in one second.

I suppose you are correct, Ice agreed. How else would a lowly peasant girl obtain a chest of gold.

Red callously glared at Ice. Maybe the same way she put a heart back into the chest of a dead girl.

Ice pressed a hand to her chest and felt the beating of her own heart. I suppose I never properly thanked you. Though, I am still perplexed as to how you accomplished that mystical feat.

Red recalled the moment in the Moon Temple several months ago, when for a brief instant, she had the power to will anything into reality. I couldn’t explain it if I wanted to, and you wouldn’t understand it if I could.

The girls soon reached the edge of a cliff, overlooking a rocky valley. Far below a small stream trickled along one side, bringing life to a lavish oasis of green trees and flowering foliage. Embedded into the cliff wall a few hundred yards away, there was an unassuming iron doorway, ten-feet in height and half that in width.

There it is. The entrance to the City of Dragons, Ice said. A melting pot for mercenaries, big game hunters, and bounty seekers. 

I don’t get it. Red puzzled over the size and simplicity of the door. Is this some kind of secret back entrance?

To my understanding, this is the one and only entrance.

If that’s true, how do the dragons get inside?

Through the one and only entrance, obviously.

Seether, if you’re messing with my head, Red warned, raising a fist.

Ice scowled at Red. First of all, I would not mess with your head in a situation so dire. Second, would you please, for the love of the goddess, never again refer to me as Seether. Try replacing the name with one of your witty insults. I know you are capable of conjuring a plethora of those. 

Ignoring Ice’s request, Red peered over the ledge, trying to spot a way down into the canyon. There’s no path to walk down and the wall looks too smooth for climbing. Maybe there’s a hidden path we’re not seeing.

We had best locate it quickly, because our pursuers have found us, Ice said gravely.

Red didn’t need to look back to know exactly what Ice meant. The wretched stench of a legion of gingersnaps stampeding their way hit her senses like a fist in the face.

And this time, there were far too many of the vile creatures to fight off.

CHAPTER 2

COWERING ON THE EDGE of a rocky cliff, Red and Ice watched a horde of hungry gingersnaps swarming their way. The thundering thumps of thousands of approaching feet rattled the land. In mere seconds, Red and Ice would be hopelessly surrounded by the vicious creatures. Arrows and mystical energy bolts would not be enough to save them this time. A feast of flesh surely would follow.

Red knew that if they were to survive the ordeal, she would have to do something dangerously unhinged. Ice, remember that time Lady Fate had turned into a fire breathing dragon and was trying to blast us off a mountain?

You mean when you took it upon yourself to revoke the laws of fate, forever spinning Wayward into chaos, Ice starkly replied.

I prefer to frame it as me giving everyone the right to free will, Red said. But that’s not really why I brought it up.

Ice snapped a startled look to Red. Wait. You don’t mean to—

You know I do! Red grabbed Ice by the arm and leapt over the cliff’s ledge, sending them on a freefall toward the rocky ground a hundred yards below. As the girls plummeted toward the rocky canyon floor, Red recalled a spellcraft Dote had once taught her that could momentarily transform solid ground into bouncy rubber. Though she had only successfully performed the spellcraft once, she felt fairly confident she could manage it again.

But before doing so, Red wanted to know one thing. How long did Wolfgang date Ebony Rose?

We are an instant from being dismembered upon jagged rocks, and that is what you choose to ask me? Ice shrilled.

How long?

Fine. They dated for six months.

With her curiosity satisfied, Red pointed her hands towards the ground. The power of the Alpha Huntress surged through her body from head to toe. "Spiffyo-Boing-Boing!" 

Upon their impact, instead of splattering to their deaths, Red and Ice rebounded off the now rubbery ground. Soaring skyward, they saw the legion of raging gingersnaps leering down at them from the cliff’s ledge. The girls plummeted downward, hit the ground, and bounced upward, again and again; each time soaring up a bit less than the time before. It took a dozen rebounds before they were finally able to safely roll to their feet.

For a lingering moment, Red and Ice stood hunched and gasping to catch their breath.

I supposed you found that to be quite amusing, Ice said.

Red grinned puckishly and ambled off towards the entrance to the City of Dragons. Along the way, she took in the sweet fragrance of the pink petunias that grew plentifully around the area. It seemed odd that a place with such a vile reputation would be located in the heart of a lavish meadow. Her eyes curiously surveyed the area around the entrance, half-expecting to see someone or something sinister lurking about.

When Red reached the iron door, she stood breathless, hoping to hear voices coming from inside, but there was only deafening silence. She raised a fist to knock, but Ice hastily stepped up and grabbed her wrist.

Red, please reconsider my offer to pay the ransom, Ice pled. If the Dragon King were to execute your father—

Not going to happen, so don’t even go there, Red insisted.

Of course not, Ice reluctantly said. But for the sake of argument, if it were to happen, the loss would forever change you. Trust me. I know a thing or two about losing parents.

Red felt a sinking feeling of guilt in the depths of her heart. She knew what happened to Ice’s parents wasn’t her fault, but she did play a hand in their deaths. Ice, I—

Ice placed a hand on Red’s shoulder. Let us not mince words. My parents chose to side with evil, and to put it in the most candid of terms, they had it coming.

Knowing that doesn’t make it any easier for me, Red said softly.

Nor does it for me, though it did, and the result can never be undone. Ice looked away, hoping Red wouldn’t see her wipe a tear from her eye. I urge you to believe me when I say you must do whatever is necessary to save your father.

That’s exactly what I’m going to do. Red pulled away from Ice and proceeded to repeatedly bang a fist on the door. Hello! Anyone in there!

Ice sighed. Subtlety was never your strong suit.

Red continued knocking until a slot in the upper half of the door slid open. A pair of glowing yellow eyes peered out through pitch black darkness.

What do you want? asked a woman with a burley Irish accent.

Red glared back unshaken. I’m here to see the Dragon King. He and I have some important business to discuss,

"Bwahahahahaha! the woman laughed. Nobody gets to see The Dragon King, and that goes double for the likes of a scrawny little lass. Now bug off!"

The slot slid closed with a clunk.

Bug off! Red bashed a fist into the door. Open up, and I will show you how I bug off.

Huntress, get ahold of yourself, Ice demanded. Beating the door down will hardly get you what you want.

Red took a calming breath. I don’t know what got into me. It was like— She held out her hands and was surprised to see her werewolf claws protruding from her fingers.

Like something about this place is bringing out the primal rage in you, Ice said.

Red licked the tips of the canine incisors forming in her mouth. That woman’s voice made me so—

Now you see why I protested this course of action, Ice said. Let us be done with this nonsense before you unleash a vulgar burst of Alpha rage.

Maybe a burst of Alpha rage is exactly what we need right now. Red lashed out in a furious melee of kicks and punches. The raging flurry came to an end with a walloping side-kick, packing enough force to send the door soaring inward.

A gust of smoke and hazy light gleamed out.

As I said previous, subtlety was never your strong suit, Ice whimpered.

Red cracked her neck to one side, straightened her cloak, and proceeded through the mangled entryway. Ice nervously followed. Their noses twitched in revulsion from a putrid stench. The smoke polluting the air made it difficult to make out their surroundings, though it was clear they were in a rather unsavory tavern. All along the stone walls were the mounted heads of hundreds of ferocious beasts. Menacing hunters sat at tables, drinking spirits and smoking cigars. Some were in the process of skinning the corpses of their recent kills, which explained the wet blood splatter that covered much of the cobblestone floor.

Red stood poised. Her fists raised and ready for a fight, expecting an aggressive retaliation for her abrupt arrival, but most of the patrons hardly noticed what had happened, or they simply didn’t care.

Lass, what part of bug off are you not getting! A burley woman shouted from behind a bar built from the femur bones of a dozen slain giants. Fearless grit filled her hazy eyes. Deep scars covered much of her face. She wore baggy garbs haphazardly stitched from the skins of a dozen creatures.

Red leered at the burley woman from beneath her cloak. I’m not bugging anywhere until I speak with the Dragon King.

The burley woman bashed her fist on the bar. I told you once. Nobody ever gets to see The Dragon King. Now I’m giving you one last chance to bug off!

Ice whispered into Red’s ear. Huntress, I am not one to usually take orders, though in this rare case I would feel no shame in doing what the lady asks.

Red met the burley woman’s stone-cold glare with a fearless glare of her own. Lady, if you want me to bug off, you best be planning to make me.

All at once, the room fell silent and all eyes snapped to Red.

From behind, a clammy hand gripped onto Red’s arm. An unsettling quiver shot down her spine as she snapped a look back and saw the hand belong to a man twice her size, outfitted in soiled leather armor. His complexion was grimy and he stunk of the decaying blood of a recent kill.

You got a lot of spunk in your step, little lady, said the grimy man.

Red’s nose crinkled at the sight of his rotten yellow teeth and the rancid stink of his breath. Mister, you’ll be walking with a major limp if you don’t take your hand off me.

The grimy man grinned, showing Red his rotten teeth. No need to be hostile, little one. You and me is gonna have us a whirl around the room. I may not look it, but I’m a right fancy dancer. 

Pass.

The grimy man forcefully pulled Red close. What makes you think I was asking for your permission?

What makes you think I have to ask permission to say pass? Red twisted the grimy man’s arm around, lifted him high above her head, and slammed him onto his back, right in the middle of a table. A rugged group of hunters sitting around the table burst out laughing.

Well done, Red Ice gleefully cheered.

I’ll second that, Alpha Huntress said the burley woman behind the bar.

The hunters and mercenaries throughout the room curiously eyed Red and whispered to one another. Some looked on in admiration, while others pondered sinister notions.

The burly woman leapt high into the air, clearing the bar in a single bound, and landed directly in front of Red. You are the Alpha Huntress, ain’t you, lass?

If I say yes, will you take me to see the Dragon King? Red asked.

Red and the burley woman stood nose to nose for a tense moment. The hunters around the room watched, waiting to see who would flinch first.

You have the grit of your father, said the burly woman.

Red curiously eyed her. What do you know about my father?

"Lass, I know just about everything there is to know about old Ethan, and I mean everything," the burly woman grinned.

Many of the patrons around the room snickered.

Define everything," Ice asked inquisitively.

Scratch that. Red shook her head, not at all interested in knowing the details. All I want to define is if you’re going to help me find my father willingly or not willingly.

The burly woman grinned and giggled, impressed by Red’s fearless grit. Fine. I’ll help you find him. We here at the Hunter’s Den aim to please. The woman extended a hand for a shake. Petunia is me name.

Petunia? Red said, a bit taken aback. She cautiously lowered her fists and shook Petunia’s hand, which was three times the size of her own. It felt callused and as rough as a rock.

With that settled. Petunia glanced over at Ice. Tell me why in high heaven a Riding is colluding with a Seether.

Ice was about to speak, but Red elbowed her in the side.

It’s complicated, and we don’t have time to explain, Red replied. The Dragon King has threatened to execute my father.

That is unfortunate indeed, Petunia said gravely. I do hope you’ve got a great big sack of gold hiding under that cloak of yours, or your old pop is as good as done for.

You see. It is exactly as I told you, Ice whispered to Red. You must allow me to give you the gold so you may pay the ransom. 

Petunia belted a belly laugh. Old Ethan would sooner die than take a grain of Seether gold.

You see, Ice. It is exactly as I told you, Red said.

Ice rolled her eyes. Gold is gold. The inherent source is meaningless.

Spoken like a true Seether, Petunia said.

Once a Seether, always a Seether," Red agreed.

Ice gritted down. It is not beyond possibility for one to change her colors. Wolfgang turned away from his Helheim heritage, and you accepted him. And then there’s your father—

What about my father? Red gritted.

Think it through, Huntress! Ice tapped a finger to Red’s forehead. Riding was your mother’s name, meaning your father took on her name, leaving behind his own. Why do you think that is?

Red pondered this curious notion. Never really thought about it.

Maybe you can ask him yourself, Petunia said. If you somehow manage to save him.

Does that mean you’re taking me to see the Dragon King, Red asked.

Petunia profanely grumbled and waved for Red to follow. She stammered off through a narrow doorway near the far end of the bar. Red and Ice exchanged a nervous shrug and followed. As they cautiously passed through the doorway and entered a dank stone corridor, a rancid stench of mold and rat droppings bombarded their senses. Slippery sludge covered every inch of the floor, forcing them to press their hands against the sticky walls to keep their balance.

They trekked on for another hundred yards and soon emerged in an octagon shaped chamber surrounded by solid granite walls. Petunia stood in the center, glaring at Red with a sinister grin. A vortex of green mystical energy swirled above her head.

What’s going on here, Petunia? Red asked nervously.

Sending you to see the Dragon King, just as you demanded. Petunia candidly replied. I just hope you don’t die in the arena. I’d much rather kill you myself in the Requiem of the Alpha, Petunia said.

The Requiem of what? Before she could hope to receive a response, every muscle in her body went limp, leaving her dangling like a puppet on strings. She looked over and saw Ice in the same hapless state. Then, in a blink, a colossal gust of wind sent them both soaring upwards through the mystical vortex.

CHAPTER 3

WELCOME TO THE KINGDOM of Dragons, a man’s voice thundered, brimming with gritty masculinity, like an announcer at a sports event.

Red