THE HEIR THAT SHOULDN’T BE
“You summoned me, Alpha?” Beta Vegas stood at the edge of Vito’s private war room, shoulders squared, eyes unreadable.
“Close the door.” Vito didn’t look up from the patrol map spread across the table, his finger tracing the southern border. “And lock it.”
A faint click followed. Silence hung.
“Do you see this ridge here?” Vito tapped the inked terrain line with a claw-tipped finger. “The old trail near Ravencliff Hollow?”
“Yes. Abandoned since the floods. Scouts said it’s unstabl
THE CROWN BELOWBeneath the Stone VeinsCeres, cloaked in a black shawl, kept her steps quiet as she moved beside Lady Ilven and the disguised palace guard, a young man named Thorne, who had once served as a stable boy. The torch in Ilven's hand cast long, twitching shadows against the jagged corridor walls as they descended into the palace's forgotten belly.Ceres (whispering):"Are you sure this leads to the vault?" This part of the palace isn't even on the maps."Lady Ilven (gravel-voiced):"That's because it was never meant to be. These stone veins are older than Fresh M
BLOOD SIGILS AND BROKEN SEALSThe Lady's ChamberSetting: A secluded upper tower in the eastern wing of the palace. Moonlight cuts through the dust-smeared glass as Ceres enters, summoned by a cryptic note sealed with wax—the mark of Lady Ilven.Ceres: (entering cautiously)"You asked to see me… in secret?"Lady Ilven: (removes her gloves slowly, her fingers trembling slightly)"I did. Lock the door, child. What I must tell you will change everything you thought you knew."Ceres: (steps forward, eyeb
FIRE BENEATH THE THRONEMemory in the Dark"Are you still awake?""...I haven't slept.""The guards said you were murmuring in your cell. Talking in your sleep.""I wasn't asleep. I was remembering.""Who were you talking to?""A ghost.""His name?""Auren.""...The king?"
THE HEIR THAT SHOULDN’T BE“You summoned me, Alpha?” Beta Vegas stood at the edge of Vito’s private war room, shoulders squared, eyes unreadable.“Close the door.” Vito didn’t look up from the patrol map spread across the table, his finger tracing the southern border. “And lock it.”A faint click followed. Silence hung.“Do you see this ridge here?” Vito tapped the inked terrain line with a claw-tipped finger. “The old trail near Ravencliff Hollow?”“Yes. Abandoned since the floods. Scouts said it’s unstabl
WHISPER IN THE MARBLE HALL.The Torn PageCeres: (murmuring as she flips through the old ledger) "Come on, come on… there has to be something here."She sat hunched over a stack of old manuscripts in her late tutor's study, the air heavy with dust and the scent of old ink. Candles flickered along the marble windowsill, casting trembling shadows across the dark mahogany desk.As she reached for a book bound in cracked green leather, a slip of parchment fluttered out and landed on the floor.Ceres: (eyes narrowing) "What's this?"She knelt an
QUEEN OF TWO WARSThe Letter Arrives (Tower Chamber, Midnight)The wind howled like a beast around the stone tower. Queen Blythe sat alone, her crown untouched atop a velvet cushion. A flickering candle cast shadows across the ancient glyphs on the walls as her eyes remained fixed on the sealed parchment in her hand—black wax, branded with the Umbra mark.Lady Nyra (entering, bowing): “Your Majesty… this came by a hawk. No sigil but that… cursed wax.”Queen Blythe (coldly): “Leave it on the table.”Lady Nyra (nervously): “My Queen, shall I summon the Mage Guar