Chapter 1: Fifty Days Left

Death had a scent…

Lucien Blackwood had never believed that saying until his wolf began dying from the inside.

Every breath drawn felt like silver in his lungs, every heartbeat echoed through his body like a countdown he couldn't silence, and every sunrise reminded him he was one day closer to the grave.

The pain had become so familiar that he no longer reacted whenever his vision blurred or blood stained the white handkerchief tucked inside his tailored suit. He'd simply wiped it away before anyone noticed.

An Alpha King could not afford weakness.

Especially not him. Standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows of Blackwood Manor, Lucien overlooked the sprawling capital of his kingdom.

 Towering skyscrapers carrying the Blackwood name dominated the skyline while thousands of wolves below lived peaceful lives, unaware their Alpha King was slowly dying and barely slept three hours every night because the curse never stopped tearing through his wolf.

His kingdom depended on him and failure wasn't an option.

"The elders are waiting, Alpha King." A knock interrupted his thoughts.

"I'll be there." Lucien didn't turn around.

“Yes my Lord.”

The door closed quietly behind the servant.

His reflection stared back from the glass.

He was putting on a dark tailored suit, his black hair perfectly styled back.

He straightened his tie before leaving his office. Every servant lowered their heads respectfully.

The council chamber fell silent the moment he entered. Six elders stood from their seats while his Beta, Adrian Hayes, remained leaning against the wall with folded arms.

Unlike everyone else, Adrian had known Lucien since childhood. He was the only one who didn't fear him.

"Alpha King." The elders bowed together.

Lucien nodded once before taking his seat at the head of the table.

"Begin."

"The Southern Territory reported another rogue attack." Elder Marcus opened several documents. "Eighteen casualties. The border wall requires reinforcement. The Silver Ridge Pack requests permission to expand their trading routes."

"Approve the expansion." After Lucien listened patiently, he said without hesitation. "Double patrols near the southern border."

"Compensate every affected family."

"No child should lose a parent because we delayed action." The elders exchanged approving glances.

Despite his cold reputation, Lucien always placed his people before politics and that was why they respected him.

An hour later, the meeting ended.

Everyone left except Adrian.

"You coughed blood again."

Lucien remained silent.

"I smelled it the second you walked in." Adrian looked at him.

"It doesn't matter."

"It does." Adrian stepped closer. "You've grown weaker."

"My wolf collapsed twice this week." Lucien finally met his friend's eyes.

"How much time do you have left?" Adrian's expression darkened.

Before Lucien could answer, another sharp pain ripped through his chest and his knees nearly gave way as blood spilled onto the polished floor.

"Damn it, Lucien." Adrian caught him before he fell.

"I'm fine." He stretched out his hand and waved.

"You call this fine?"

"Have you seen better recently?" Lucien pushed himself upright despite the dizziness threatening to consume him.

"You have a death wish." Neither of the men spoke again.

"The High Moon Priest has arrived."

A servant hurried into the chamber before dropping to one knee and Lucien's expression froze.

The High Moon Priest never visited unless the curse reached its final stage. Without another word, Lucien followed the servant into the sacred hall hidden beneath Blackwood Manor.

Blue flames flickered against stone walls covered in forgotten runes.

An elderly man dressed in silver robes stood before the Altar with a wolf and a woman carving.

"The time has come, Alpha King." His blind eyes slowly turned toward Lucien.

"What did the Moon Goddess reveal?" Lucien stopped walking.aa9yA9uy

"The curse has awakened completely."

He paused, as he raised a trembling hand.

"You have..." His voice shook with pity. "...only fifty days left to live." 

Lucien stood motionless before the Altar, his expression unreadable despite the storm raging inside him. Fifty days. It sounded impossible, yet his body had warned him for months. 

"There has to be another way." Adrian took one step forward.

"There is." The old High Moon Priest lowered his head.

Hope flashed across Adrian's face while Lucien remained silent. The priest slowly lifted his ancient staff. "The Moon Goddess has already chosen your fated mate." Lucien's brows knitted together. "When you find her, the countdown will truly begin."

"The curse will bind itself to the mate bond. From the moment your wolves recognize each other, the Alpha King will have exactly fifty days before his wolf dies completely."

"And the cure?" Lucien's jaw tightened.

"Complete the mating bond." The priest's cloudy eyes filled with pity.

Lucien waited as the priest continued.

"Then kill your mate before the fiftieth sunrise." The words echoed throughout the chamber.

"What?" Adrian stared at the old man as though he had lost his mind.

"The ritual must be performed under the full moon?" The priest muttered looking at Lucian.

"You must tear out her heart with your own hands." The priest closed his eyes.

"That's insanity." Adrian's breathing became uneven.

"It is the law left behind by the First Alpha King."

"So every Alpha before me murdered his mate." Lucien's voice was calm.

"Yes."

Lucien looked down at the blood staining his hand before clenching it into a fist. "No." The single word carried enough authority to shake the room.

"You do not understand the severity of your condition." The priest frowned.

"I will not kill an innocent woman simply because fate chose her for me." Lucien met the old man's gaze without hesitation.

"You speak exactly as your father once did." The priest sighed deeply.

"My father?" Lucien's expression flickered.

"He eventually chose his own life." The old priest remained quiet for several seconds.

"My father loved my mother. She died protecting him during the rogue uprising."

"That is what history says." The priest's voice became heavy. "But history does not always tell the truth."

Before Lucien could demand an explanation, another pain exploded through his chest, and his knees struck the stone floor.

"Lucien!" Adrian rushed forward and caught him before he collapsed completely.

Blood spilled from his mouth, his wolf howled in agony inside his mind.

Every bone felt as though it were splitting apart.

"The curse is progressing faster than expected." The priest watched with sorrow.

"Do something!" Adrian glared at him.

"No witch can undo what the Moon Goddess has decreed."

"This conversation is over." Lucien slowly forced himself upright.

His breathing remained uneven, but his voice never wavered.

"Alpha King…"

"I said it is over." The command silenced everyone. Lucien wiped the blood from his lips before turning toward the exit.

"Lucien!" Just as he reached the doorway, hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor.

A young woman rushed into the sacred hall without waiting for permission.

Her blonde hair had come loose from its braid as panic filled her bright blue eyes.

She froze the instant she saw the blood covering his shirt.

"Oh my Goddess..." She rushed toward him. "What happened? You're bleeding!"

She reached for his arm.

"Don't." Lucien stepped back.

"Lucien, stop pretending you're fine!"

Her trembling voice echoed against the ancient walls.

Adrian closed his eyes. This was exactly what Lucien had hoped to avoid.

The woman looked around desperately.

"Someone tell me what's happening!" But no one answered.

"Commander." Lucien's face hardened.

"Your Majesty." The captain of the royal guards immediately stepped forward and bowed.

"Escort Miss Ashford back to the east wing."

"Yes, Alpha King." Not a single guard hesitated… Two royal guards approached her immediately.

Sophia Ashford was the daughter of one of the most powerful Alpha families and had been a frequent guest at Blackwood Manor for years. And in as much as he respected her… they feared someone else.

"If anyone enters this hall without my permission again..." His voice echoed through the chamber. "...they will spend three days in the dungeon regardless of their status."

"Understood, Alpha King." Every guard lowered their heads.

Sophia realized he wasn't speaking only to the guards. He was warning her.

Without another word, the guards escorted her away while the heavy doors shut behind her.

"Was that necessary?" Adrian looked at his best friend with disappointment.

"The fewer people who know I'm dying..." Lucien stared at the Altar. "...the safer they are."

"Find my mate." For the first time in years, the Alpha King whispered words he had never imagined saying.

 Lucien closed his eyes.

"I need to see the woman fate has chosen..."

"...before I decide whether I'm willing to die for her.”