I reached the princess' chamber just as she seemed ready to depart. The room was empty apart from a young woman with long platinum hair sitting on a single table carved from ice. Strewn across the table were dozens of documents and blueprints as well as what looked like a glass ball. The woman was noticeably tall, but slim. She wore a dress of slowly whirling clouds that hugged her body from shoulders to knees. She didn't bother to turn her head away from the papers as I walked into the room.

I took a bow before speaking, "My lad-"

"You must be the burning Alpha that I have heard about. I did not expect my brother to release you so quickly. That is fortunate, as it moves our schedule along sooner. Come closer," she commanded.

When standing up close, I could almost see through the layer of white fog that formed her dress, but I chose to look elsewhere. The princess handed me the glass ball from the table and it instantly made my fingers go numb.

"There are seven large Glacier crystals just like this one at key points surrounding the town. One of them is active within this castle, and one is in the town center. I have dispatched the other three Alpha to activate the outer four. Your task is to bring this to the town center and activate the last crystal. After that, my mother will summon you for further instructions."

I examined the ball in my hand for a moment, but it looked just like glass or polished ice to me. "May I ask what is a Glacier crystal? And what will happen when they are active? I have not been informed on the details of this plan yet, Princess Elisiana."

Her green eyes snapped up to stare into mine and glowed intensely. She stood up off the table and my body instinctively lowered. "What meaning is there in telling you the details of a plan that you will carry out without a doubt? A warrior acts without questioning his superiors," she declared adamantly.

I was starting to resent the entire royal family more with each encounter. "I meant no disrespect, Princess. I only asked so that I could be more prepared," I apologized.

My apology seemed to placate the Lycan, and she returned to her seat on the table. "The Glacier crystals are what you would describe as a secret weapon. Each one has the power to cause an immense snowstorm when activated. By activating multiple at once, we will cover the town in ice and snow. Any home without some sort of supernatural protection will be effectively closed off.

"We are aware of the demon's plan to invade the territory to attack, but I will never give them that chance. With the power of seven Glacier crystals, the storm will easily surpass the town's boundary and also isolate them as well. After the storm reaches fruition we will release the skits from their cages and have them wipe out every supernatural entity in the storm radius."

I had to ask, "What are skits?"

The princess smiled dangerously, "You may know them as saber-tooth tigers, but I doubt anyone has seen their kind of this continent in millennia. They are massive furred beasts that have an unrivaled hunting instinct. In terms of raw deadly force, they are probably on the same level as your class. Maybe even greater, but they cannot survive or hunt in warm climates."

The pieces clicked into place. "Which would be no problem in a snowstorm. You plan to let them out in the open so that they can hunt anyone that isn't already buried in the snow."

"Exactly!" she beamed. "The skits will rip apart every demon, witch, and renegade shapeshifter in the whole area. Then they will die shortly after the snow melts and save us the trouble of dealing with them afterward."

"Wait, but my pack doesn't know anything about these creatures. Our fighting strength is still recovering but if the skits are as dangerous as you described then we can't handle them. Members of my pack could be seriously hurt if we go through with this plan today!" I knew the princess wouldn't appreciate me raising my voice, but I couldn't hold back.

"You do not need to worry. I have heard good things of your pack. There are many Beta that should be able to endure an attack if they fight together. I am sure that some may even be fast enough to escape fairly intact as well. Just think of this as a culling of the weakest members. Any shapeshifter weak or foolish enough to be killed by a raging animal is not worth a second thought."

"But-"

"Enough of this. You have your instructions, and I have even entertained your meaningless questions. Go and obey your orders, Alpha."

"No," I'd rather commit treason than follow this plan, and it looks like I would have to.