Novels by Bigcheal

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Eight – The Betrayer's IdentityNina's POVThe palace had become a fortress.Every entrance was guarded. Every corridor was watched. Every servant, soldier, and messenger carried a token proving where they belonged. Even the kitchens no longer operated without inspection. Nothing entered the palace unless it had been searched twice.Still, I could not convince myself that we were safe.The greatest danger was no longer outside our walls.It was somewhere inside them.I stood in the council chamber studying the reports spread across the long oak table. Every page contained names, patrol schedules, witness statements, and sketches of the hidden passages discovered beneath the palace. The captain stood opposite me while two trusted officers organized another stack of documents."We have questioned everyone who served in the northern wing," the captain said. "The answers match. No one admitted seeing the impostor without a helmet."I looked up."That tells u

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Seven – The First Alpha's WarningTristan's POVThe Frozen Temple stood exactly as we had left it.Its towering pillars stretched toward the gray sky, wrapped in ice that had survived countless winters. Snow drifted across the ancient courtyard, covering our footprints almost as quickly as we made them. The silence surrounding the temple felt different this time. It was no longer the peaceful silence of an abandoned place. It carried the weight of memories waiting to be uncovered.I climbed the worn stone steps with Nikolai beside me and Lyra leading the way. None of us spoke during the final stretch of the journey. We had crossed mountains, frozen rivers, and narrow cliffs to return here, and every step reminded me that the answers we sought had been hidden for generations.Lyra stopped before the massive stone doors."They only opened because the bloodline awakened," she said quietly. "I do not know if they will welcome us a second time."I placed my h

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Six – The Bloodline AllianceTristan's POVMorning arrived quietly over the Frost Mountains, but peace never truly settled across the frozen valley. Fresh snow covered the ground where yesterday's battle had taken place, hiding the scars left behind by claws, steel, and blood. From a distance, everything appeared untouched, yet every warrior standing outside the Frozen Temple understood that the mountain had witnessed the beginning of something far greater than a single battle.I stood at the entrance of the temple, looking toward the endless white peaks stretching into the horizon. The second seal rested safely inside a leather case secured beneath my cloak, but carrying it did not bring comfort. It brought responsibility.Behind me, the temple doors opened.The captain stepped outside with Lyra and Nikolai following close behind.Neither of them spoke immediately.The silence between us was not uncomfortable. It was thoughtful.The events of the previo

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Five – Nikolai’s RedemptionTristan’s POVThe Frozen Temple had given us the answers we spent generations searching for, but it had also revealed a truth that none of us were prepared to face.The enemy was not only standing outside our walls.The enemy had been walking beside us.The second seal rested in my hand, carrying the ancient power of the First Alpha’s oath, but my mind remained focused on the message left behind by my father.The second heir.The hidden bloodline.The person who had been waiting in the shadows.For years, I believed every enemy had a clear face.Nikolai had been my enemy because he chose to stand against me.The Blood Hunters were my enemies because they wanted to destroy everything my family protected.But now I understood something I had failed to see before.The most dangerous battles were not always fought between strangers.Sometimes they were fought between people who shared the same history.The sound of approaching war

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Four – The Frozen TempleTristan’s POVThe ancient doors of the Frozen Temple opened slowly.The sound echoed through the valley, moving across the mountains like the voice of something that had been waiting for centuries to speak again.No one moved.Not me.Not Lyra.Not even the Blood Hunters standing behind us.For a moment, the entire mountain seemed frozen in time.The storm above us continued to move, but the wind no longer felt like an enemy.It felt like the mountain itself was watching.Judging.Waiting to see who would step forward first.The second seal was beyond those doors.The answer to another part of my family's history was beyond those doors.And perhaps the truth my father had spent his entire life hiding was waiting there as well.I stepped forward.Lyra immediately followed."Tristan."I looked at her.Her expression was serious."Once you enter, things may change."I studied her carefully."You knew this place existed."She remaine

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Three – The Hunter Without a MaskTristan’s POVThe moment I returned to the palace, I knew something had changed.It was not because of the damaged gates or the increased number of warriors moving through the courtyard.It was not because the council members stood together with expressions filled with concern.It was because the palace no longer felt like a place where my family was protected.It felt like a battlefield where the enemy had already taken the first step.The Head Elder’s words continued to repeat in my mind.Someone inside had opened the gate.Someone trusted.Someone who knew the palace better than any outsider ever could.For years, I believed the greatest threats would always come from beyond our borders.Enemies with armies.Enemies with weapons.Enemies who stood openly against us.I had never expected the most dangerous enemy would be someone who could walk through my halls wearing the same uniform as the people who protected my fam

Chapter 12Rowan Protects NyraNyra's POVNo one moved.No one even breathed.The words from the stone statue still echoed across the courtyard."The betrayer has returned."Every pair of eyes turned toward Prince Dante.His face had lost all color.For the first time since I had known him...He looked afraid.The giant statues took another step.Boom!The ground shook beneath our feet.Cracks spread across the stone floor.Several servants screamed and hurried away.The guards immediately drew their swords."Protect the prince!"More guards rushed forward, forming a wall around Dante.Their hands trembled.Even they looked frightened.The statues did not stop.Step.Step.Step.Each movement made the air feel heavier.Prince Dante slowly pulled his sword."I don't know what trick this is," he said through clenched teeth."But it ends now."He pulled harder.Nothing happened.His sword refused to leave its sheath.His eyes widened.Again.He pulled with all his strength.Still...The

Chapter 11 The Surprise Visit The courtyard remained silent. No one moved. No one spoke. The silver mark on my wrist had finally stopped glowing, but everyone's eyes were still fixed on it. My breathing was uneven. Everything had happened too quickly. The Sacred Shrine had opened. A mysterious voice had called my name. The elders looked frightened. Even Alpha Rowan, the strongest man in the kingdom, looked more serious than I had ever seen him. I wrapped my fingers around my wrist, trying to hide the mark. I wished I could disappear. I didn't understand any of this. I didn't even know why all of this was happening to me. Suddenly... The sound of horses echoed through the palace. Hoofbeats. Fast. Loud. Every guard immediately turned toward the palace gate. A servant hurried across the courtyard. "The prince has arrived!" My heart skipped. Prince Dante? Why was he here? Didn't he already have Lyra? Didn't he already reject me? Why

Chapter 10: The Sacred ShrineNyra's POVThe loud horn echoed through the palace again.Everyone was running.Guards rushed past the office.Servants hurried out of the way.Even the elders who usually walked slowly were almost running.I looked at Rowan.For the first time since I met him...He looked serious.Not angry.Not cold.Serious.He turned to one of his guards."Seal every entrance.""Yes, Alpha.""Allow no one near the Sacred Shrine.""Yes, Alpha."Another guard rushed into the room."Alpha, all the elders have already gathered."Rowan nodded once."I'm coming."He walked past me.Then he stopped.Without turning around, he spoke."Nyra.""Y-Yes?""Go back to your room."His voice was calm."Do not leave until I send for you."I nodded quickly."Yes, Alpha."He left with the guards.Within seconds, the office became empty.I stood there alone.My heart wouldn't stop beating.What was happening?Why was everyone so frightened?What was the Sacred Shrine?I slowly left the o

Chapter NineToo LateNyra's POVMy heart pounded loudly against my chest.The old man's hand was still holding my wrist.His fingers were cold.His breathing was uneven, as if he had been running."You must come with me," he whispered again."Before Alpha Rowan finds out... you're too late."I stared at him in confusion."What are you talking about?"His eyes darted down the hallway.He looked frightened.Not of me.Of someone else."There isn't much time."He tried to pull me out of the room.I quickly stepped back."No."His grip loosened."I don't even know who you are."He looked at me for a long moment.Then he slowly let go of my wrist.."My name is Elder Cyrus.""I have served this kingdom for over forty years."His voice was low, almost shaking."I never thought I would live long enough to see you."I frowned."See me?""Yes."He looked into my eyes."You..."Before he could continue, footsteps echoed through the corridor.Both of us turned.A palace guard was walking toward

Chapter Eight The Mark I stood in the middle of the library, unable to move and unable to talk The old man's frightened face would not leave my mind. His eyes… The way they had widened when he looked at my wrist. It was not the look of someone who had simply been surprised. It was fear. Real fear. Slowly, I lowered my gaze to my right wrist. There was nothing there. Just my skin. I turned my hand over and looked again. Still nothing. I rubbed it gently with my thumb. "What mark?" I whispered. The old man had clearly seen something. But I couldn't. My heart refused to calm down. Should I go after him? Should I pretend nothing had happened? I looked toward the open door. The hallway was empty. The old man had disappeared. I took a deep breath and slowly walked out of the library. Maybe I could find him before he left. The palace corridors felt strangely quiet. Servants walked past carrying baskets and trays, but none of them paid atte

Chapter SevenFirst MorningNyra's POVI didn't sleep.Every time I closed my eyes, I heard Lara's voice again."Leave this pack before next week.""You will regret it."Then her last words followed."Do not mistake Rowan's attention for protection.”I turned on the bed for what felt like the hundredth time.The room was quiet.Too quiet.It was nothing like the crowded hall where the other rejected mates slept.There were no whispers.No laughter.No crying.Just silence.I sat up slowly and looked around the room.Everything was still exactly where it had been the night before.The bed.The table.The folded clothes.It all felt too perfect.Too strange.Why would Alpha Rowan give me a room like this?I wrapped my arms around my knees."I don't belong here," I whispered to myself.A soft knock came from the door.I jumped.My heart began to race."Come... in," I said carefully.The door opened.Two young maids walked inside.Each of them carried a tray.I frowned.One tray held brea