We stand outside the palace, waiting for Okoye and T'Challa to return with Nakia. That is Mother, Shuri, The Dora Milaje, and me. 

Finally, Okoye lands the Talon Flyer with agility and care; the only way she knows how to. 

Of course T'Challa has to get Nakia himself. I wonder how furious Nakia was having T'Challa interrupt her mission. I wonder if he froze. He better not have. 

Nakia bows respectfully in front of Mother and Shuri once she disembarks the Talon Flyer. "Queen Mother, Princess, White Wolf, my comfort for your loss."

Mother smiles softly. "Thank you, Nakia. It's good to have you back with us." 

Nakia does a quick glance at T'Challa, before turning back to mother. Returning a smile. Okoye looks to Ayo, ordering, "Take Nakia to the River Province to prepare for the ceremony." 

"Yes, General." Ayo says, crossing her arms against her chest. She nods to T'Challa before leading Nakia away. As she passes, Nakia grabs my shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze. I glance back at her, giving her a small nod of thanks. 

I look back to see T'Challa watching her leave. The poor thing is such a mess. 

Shuri smirks, waiting for Nakia to leave before asking, "Did he freeze?" 

T'Challa quickly shoots Shuri a look of disbelief. A small smile appears on Okoye's face. "Like an antelope in headlights." 

Well, Damn! Guess I lost the bet. I should've known better than to hold such a bet on our mess of an older brother.

"Are you finished?" T'Challa snaps. Shuri and I laugh as Okoye winks at us. Slamming her spear down onto the ground twice. Okoye and The Dora Milaje make their leave. 

T'Challa smirks at Shuri. "So surprised to see my little siblings to see me off before our big day." He chides as he glances between the two of us. 

"Ah, you wish." Shuri replies. "I came for the EMP beads; I developed an update. And Hunter's just here because I am." 

"Update?" T'Challa asks. He held his hands behind his back. "No, it worked perfectly." 

"How many times do I have to teach that just because something works, doesn't mean it cannot be improved." She says while holding her hand out for the beads. 

"You are teaching me?" He asks. His eyebrow rises before handing her the beads. "What do you know?" 

"More than you." Shuri says as she walks away. I roll my eyes but obediently follow close behind her. 

"I can't wait to see what kind of update you made to your ceremonial outfit!" T'Challa calls after us. I snicker to myself. T'Challa may be traditional, but Shuri is all about being up to date. 

Shuri raises her hand and flips him off. I gasp at her, my mouth opened wide in shock. I look over my shoulder and see T'Challa mirroring my shocked expression.

"Shuri!" Mother calls out exasperatedly. 

Shuri drops her hand as if it's on fire.  "Sorry, Mother!" She calls back. I release a snicker as I rush to catch up with her. "Shut up." She mutters to me. 

"Someone got in trouble." I mutter back as we walk side by side into the palace. 

🐺

"Mother! I can't breathe!" Shuri whines as she fidgets with her ceremonial outfit. 

At least her outfit has some form of color. Mine is nothing but white. White pants, white shirt, and white mask. As the White Wolf, everything I dress in for ceremonies and such must be white. About a week ago, I was assigned to guard T'Challa during his speech. I had to wear a white tuxedo, with white pants. Even the shoes were white. So now, for the ceremony, I'm stuck wearing a white waistcoat corset and really tight white pants. 

"Shuri, please stop being so dramatic. You don't hear Hunter whining like that." Mother says as she wacks Shuri's hand away from her corset. Mother turns to me as we walk towards the boats, moving a little strand of hair on my forehead. She made sure my hair was perfect for today. 

"Yeah Shuri." I say as I adjust my mask under my arm. We begin to climb aboard our boat. "You don't hear me whining." 

Shuri sticks her tongue out at me behind Mother's back. "Shuri!" She calls out, not even turning around. I chuckle as I snap my White Wolf mask back into place. Shuri sighs in annoyance. 

Already the air is filled with sounds of singing and heavy drums. I see four of the five tribes celebrating on their own ships. All of Wakanda has gathered. 

With a great cheer, the boats start moving slowly down the river to our destination. 

I watch as Mother and Shuri dance around in a circle. Shuri makes faces at me whenever she gets the chance. As The White Wolf, I'm not allowed to dance or celebrate with everyone else. I am to be silent and serious and observing my surroundings. 

Okoye raises her spear into the air. "Phambili!" onward! She shouts, before being joined by the rest of the Dora Milaje. 

In unison, they slam their spears against the floor of their boat, sending a shock wave underneath the water. The water level slowly begins to fall, allowing everyone to disembark their boats and begin climbing down the rocks of the waterfall, taking their rightful places. 

I stand behind Mother, next to Shuri, surrounded by The Dora Milaje. We all wait for T'Challa's arrival. 

I silently pray to the gods that I don't have to use them, that someone from another tribe will challenge T'Challa to the throne. I pray this because if no one else challenges him, as The White Wolf, I must challenge him. 

At the same time, I recite the lines Zuri had me memorize the night before in my head. Everyone around me is celebrating, waiting for T'Challa to arrive, but I am silent and serious, observing my surroundings. The White Wolf always observes his surroundings. I say to myself. 

Finally, a Talon Flyer lifts over the rock line, lowering the back walkway. T'Challa slowly walks down, watching his people dance to the music. Everyone chants his name. The Talon Flyer takes off as the music and chanting stops. Zuri walks forward and raises his arms. "I, Zuri, son of Badu, give to you Prince T'Challa. The Black Panther!" 

T'Challa lifts his arms before sinking to one knee. Everyone crosses their arms over their chests, bowing their heads in respect. 

"The Prince will now have the strength of The Black Panther stripped away," Zuri announces, cradling a bowl of liquid heart-shaped herb in his hands. 

Zuri moves to T'Challa. lifting the bowl to his lips. T'Challa drinks, wincing as the liquid begins to flow through him. 

Everyone watches, a drum beats lightly somewhere in the background, everyone's shoulders bounce along to the beat. Except mine. I'm observing. 

T'Challa shuts his eyes before returning to his feet.

"Mdumise o okhokho!" praise the ancestors! Zuri yells as we all echo his call. "Victory, in ritual combat comes by yield or death. If any tribe wishes to put forth a warrior, I now offer a path to the throne." 

Well. Here we go.