A Throne Divided

The High Council Chamber inside Ironfang Keep was filled with chaos.

The circular room was filled with the most powerful wolves in the kingdom, which consisted of Alphas of smaller packs, military commanders, council elders, and noble families whose bloodlines had served the throne for generations.

Large glass panels formed one wall of the chamber, revealing the vast mountain landscape outside. The peaks were filled with dark clouds, the wind rattling faintly against the reinforced glass.

The tension inside was far worse than the wind blowing outside. “They want us to marry a human?” one Alpha barked from across the room.

“This is insanity!”

“The Moon Throne will be weakened!”

Another council member slammed his hand against the table. “Humans are barely capable of defending their own cities. And now we are supposed to place one beside the future Alpha?”

Voices rose everywhere. There were displays of anger, disbelief, and disgust. At the head of the long table sat Kaelen Draven. His expression was calm, but his golden eyes were cold.

Beside him stood Beta Rowan, arms crossed, watching the room carefully. Near the center of the chamber, leaning comfortably against the polished table, stood Lady Mirella. She was beautiful in a sharp but dangerous way. Her dark hair fell over one shoulder, and her eyes glittered with amusement as the council argued.

Finally, she spoke. Her voice cut through the noise and made everyone pause. “Oh, please,” she said lightly. Mirella straightened and looked directly at Kaelen.

“Are we truly discussing placing a human girl on the Moon Throne?”

Her lips curved slightly. “I always assumed the future Luna would at least be… capable.”

A few council members chuckled quietly, but Kaelen did not react.

Mirella continued, her tone mocking the situation. “Humans are fragile and weak. Their lives are short, and most of them panic the moment they see a real wolf.”

She leaned closer to the table. “And now we want one ruling beside our alpha?"

She shook her head slowly. “The kingdom will laugh at us.”

Rowan stepped forward. “This is not a suggestion,” he said firmly. “It is the King’s command.”

Mirella raised an eyebrow. “And since when does the throne make decisions out of desperation?”

A quiet murmur spread through the chamber. Everyone knew what she meant. Across the room, Lycus watched silently. Kaelen’s cousin stood near one of the pillars, his arms folded casually; unlike the others, he did not argue.

He simply observed and listened. Every angry voice in the room, insult toward the humans, and doubt about the throne were something he knew would work in his favor later on. Lycus smiled slightly to himself. The division was exactly what he needed.

At the head of the table, Kaelen finally stood. Everything got silent immediately. Even the strongest Alphas knew better than to challenge the heir of the Moon Throne directly.

Kaelen’s gaze swept across the chamber. “You are finished,” he said.

It was not a question, so no one spoke.

He continued. “The marriage will happen.”

Several wolves shifted uncomfortably, and Mirella tilted her head. “So you accept this humiliation?”

Kaelen looked directly at her. “This marriage is not about honor.”

“Then what is it about?” she asked.

“Survival.”

Kaelen’s voice dropped slightly. “The King’s condition is worsening. The curse affecting the royal bloodline will destroy this throne if it is not contained.”

A few council members exchanged uneasy looks. They had all heard the rumor of the curse, but hearing it spoken openly felt different.

“Then find a wolf Luna,” someone muttered.

Kaelen’s eyes hardened. “That option no longer exists.”

Finally, Mirella gave a soft laugh. “How tragic.” She leaned back in her chair. “So the future Alpha must marry a human princess.”

Her gaze lingered on Kaelen. “And here I thought the throne had higher standards.”

Kaelen stepped forward slowly. His presence alone seemed to press down on the room.

“This discussion is over.”

He looked across the chamber. “The alliance proposal has already been sent to the human kingdoms.”

Murmurs rose again, and Rowan spoke up this time. “Most human rulers rejected the offer immediately.”

That was no surprise. Humans feared wolves almost as much as they hated them.

“But one king accepted,” Rowan added. Kaelen glanced at him. “Which one?”

“The kingdom of Aurelion.”

Across the room, Lycus's smile faded slightly. Aurelion was powerful, and that alliance could truly stabilize the throne.

Kaelen nodded once. “Then preparations begin immediately.”

Mirella folded her arms. “And the human girl?”

Kaelen’s voice turned cold. “She is irrelevant.” Everyone watched silently. “She will fulfill her role,” Kaelen continued. “Nothing more.”

His gaze hardened as he spoke the next words. “She will never be my Luna.”

The high and black mountains were the boundaries between Ironfang Keep and Aurelion. They had shared boundaries for ages. In the capital, tall glass towers reflected the sky, and the busy streets were filled with traffic and people.

At the top of the royal government building sat King Malakor. The letter lay open on his desk, and the emblem of the wolf kingdom was stamped clearly at the bottom.

It was a marriage proposal between the future Alpha of the wolves and a human princess. Malakor leaned back slowly in his chair; a small smile appeared on his face.

He had heard rumors that the wolves had sent this offer to several human kingdoms, and most rulers rejected it immediately. No one wanted deeper ties with werewolves because they were too dangerous and too unpredictable.

However, Malakor saw opportunity where others saw risk. He tapped the letter lightly. “Interesting,” he murmured.

Standing near the door, Valerius watched him. “You’re considering accepting it?” Malakor’s smile widened. “Of course.”

Valerius frowned slightly. “Why?”

Malakor stood and walked toward the large window overlooking the city. “Because alliances are power.”

He looked down at the crowds far below. “And because the wolves are stronger than any human army.”

Valerius remained silent. Then Malakor added calmly, “And because we have the perfect princess to send.”

Valerius understood instantly. “Carys.”

Malakor nodded. “Yes.”

The silent princess and the unwanted daughter. The girl who drained energy from every room she entered that he had kept hidden for years.

Sending her away would solve several problems at once. He would strengthen political ties with the wolves and remove a problem from his own court. There was another benefit too.

Malakor turned back toward his son. “Wolves are powerful creatures,” he said slowly. “Their magic is ancient.”

His smile became colder. “And magic… can be taken.”

Valerius’s eyes lit with understanding. “You intend to drain them.”

Malakor folded his hands behind his back. “If Carys does her job properly,” he said calmly,

“The wolves will unknowingly hand us the power of their entire kingdom.”

He picked up the letter again. It was the alliance that would save the wolf throne or destroy it.

Malakor smiled. “Prepare the princess.”