Chapter 24: The Frost King’s Invitation

The celebration in Moonhaven lasted long into the night.

Music drifted through the village as laughter replaced the sounds of battle.

For the first time in years, Lyra allowed herself to smile without forcing it.

Children ran around the bonfires, chasing glowing fireflies while elders shared stories of old heroes.

Yet beneath the joy…

A feeling of unease lingered.

Lucien stood alone on the watchtower, staring toward the snow covered mountains far to the north.

His expression was troubled.

Arnold climbed the wooden stairs.

“You’ve been watching those mountains all evening.”

Lucien didn’t look away.

“Because someone just woke up.”

Far beyond Moonhaven…

An ancient palace of ice stood hidden within the Frozen Wastes.

Massive wolves carved from crystal guarded its gates.

Inside the grand throne room, snowflakes drifted through open skylights despite the complete absence of wind.

The man with golden eyes stood before an enormous map of the kingdoms.

His silver-white hair rested against a cloak of white fur.

He was handsome…

But there was a sadness in his face that no amount of power could erase.

A young knight entered and knelt.

“My King.”

“The invitation has been prepared.”

The Frost King nodded.

“Send it.”

The knight hesitated.

“Will the Princess accept?”

A faint smile crossed the King’s lips.

“She will.”

“If not because she trusts me…”

“…then because she seeks answers.”

The next morning…

Moonhaven slowly came alive.

Lyra stood beside the lake feeding small white swans.

The water reflected the clear blue sky.

For the first time since leaving Blackwood Pack…

She felt something close to peace.

Behind her, Karl approached quietly.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Lyra smiled politely.

“You didn’t.”

Karl looked toward the swans.

“I used to come here when I was younger.”

“You’ve been here before?”

He nodded.

“My father brought me to Moonhaven once.”

“I was twelve.”

“He said even enemies deserve respect.”

Lyra looked at him curiously.

“Was Moonhaven your enemy?”

Karl smiled faintly.

“No.”

“Just… different.”

For a few moments, they watched the swans together.

Neither noticed Selena standing behind a nearby tree.

Her emerald eyes burned with jealousy.

Selena clenched her fists.

Karl is smiling…

At her.

The Alpha who rarely smiled…

Was smiling at Lyra.

Hatred twisted inside her heart.

“I won’t lose everything to a servant.”

She quietly slipped away.

Meanwhile…

Inside Moonhaven’s council hall…

Arnold, Lucien, Karl, Damien, and the village elders gathered around a large wooden table.

Spread across it was a map of the kingdoms.

Lucien pointed toward the Frozen Wastes.

“The Frost Court.”

Damien frowned.

“I thought it disappeared centuries ago.”

“It did.”

“Or at least…”

“Everyone believed it had.”

Before anyone could speak again

A guard burst through the doors.

“Arnold!”

“A messenger has arrived.”

“From the north.”

The room fell silent.

Outside the gates…

A magnificent white carriage stood waiting.

Six enormous white wolves rested beside it peacefully.

A tall woman dressed in silver armor stepped forward.

She carried an elegant scroll sealed with blue wax.

She bowed respectfully.

“I bring greetings from His Majesty…”

“…King Cassian Valerius of the Frost Court.”

Lucien’s eyes widened.

“So it really is him.”

The woman handed the scroll to Arnold.

“The invitation is addressed to Princess Lyra of Lunaris.”

Arnold broke the seal and began reading aloud.

To Her Royal Highness, Princess Lyra of Lunaris.

The time has come for the truth to be revealed.

Your parents once trusted me with a secret that belongs only to you.

Come to Frostfall Palace within the next full moon.

Come willingly, and no harm shall come to your companions.

Ignore this invitation… and others will come seeking what should have been yours long ago.

You have my royal word.

King Cassian Valerius

The hall became eerily quiet.

Karl frowned.

“It could be a trap.”

Damien nodded.

“Or an opportunity.”

Arnold looked toward Lucien.

“What do you think?”

Lucien answered without hesitation.

“Cassian never breaks his word.”

Karl looked surprised.

“You know him?”

Lucien nodded slowly.

“He fought beside King Alaric during the Great Northern War.”

“He was one of your father’s closest allies.”

Lyra, who had quietly entered during the reading, looked down at the invitation.

“My father…”

She whispered.

“So someone still remembers him.”

That evening…

Lyra stood alone beneath the willow tree where she often found comfort.

She unfolded the letter once more.

Part of her feared the journey.

Another part longed to know the truth about her family.

Soft footsteps approached.

It was Arnold.

“You’ve already decided, haven’t you?”

Lyra smiled sadly.

“Have I?”

Arnold nodded.

“You’ve always run toward the truth.”

“Even when it hurts.”

She looked up at the moon.

“I spent my whole life wondering who I was.”

She folded the invitation carefully.

“If the answers are waiting in the north…”

“I have to go.”

Arnold placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“Then you won’t go alone.”

From the shadows nearby, Karl overheard every word.

His silver eyes hardened with determination.

No matter where the road leads…

I’ll protect her this time.

Neither of them noticed a pair of emerald eyes watching from the darkness.

Selena smiled coldly.

“If Lyra leaves Moonhaven…”

She slipped a small black crystal from her sleeve.

“…she’ll never reach the Frost Court alive.”