Chapter 5

The Winter Wolf (Marcus POV).

Marcus punched the wooden training dummy, sending sawdust flying. His knuckles bled, but he didn't stop. He hit it again, breaking the wood apart.

"Alpha." Lucas called from across the courtyard. 

"The man is waiting."Marcus wiped his bloody hands on a cloth, breathing hard. Even in the cold mountain air, sweat dripped down his skin.

"Let them wait."

"But sir, it's about the Raven Crest princess." The reports..

"I said wait." Marcus's green eyes flashed with anger, and Lucas stepped back. Even his own beta knew better than to push the winter wolf when he was in a rage.

The broken dummy lay at Marcus's feet. He had destroyed the third this week. The nightmare is getting worse.

Lucas walked closer, his boots crunching on the icy stone. He had served Marcus's family for twenty years; he knows when something is wrong.

"Bad nights again?" He asked quietly.

Marcus clenched his jaw. "The nightmares are getting worse."

"You were calling for Emma again."The name hit Marcus like a knife. He shut his eyes, but that only made memories sharper: a girl with black hair from twelve years ago, laughing as she chased a butterfly in the castle garden. Her hand in his as he taught her how to skip stones on the lake. Then her voice screams, echoing through the temple at Moonfall Ridge.

"Don't," Marcus growled. "Don't say her name."

Lucas agreed but didn't leave. He had been there when they brought Marcus back, half dead and poisoned with silver. He helped carry the body home. He knew the pain his alpha carried.

"The princess." Lucas said carefully. "Her scouts said she is looking for a mate." "The council gave her one year to provide an alpha husband."

Marcus laughed bitterly. "Good luck to her. Which alpha would share power with an omega?

"You could."

"No." Marcus turned, his alpha power pressing down like a storm. Lucas stiffened the fury in his eyes. "I won't be used in someone's game. Especially not a Raven crest."

"But if you marry her, you'd get inside. You'd get..."

"Inside what?" Marcus stepped closer, his voice dark. The castle where my family was slaughtered? The throne room where Kael tortured children.

Lucas swallowed hard. "Justice, Alpha. You'd have a chance at justice".

The word hung in the air, shaped as a blade. "Justice." For two years, Marcus had dreamed of it. Planned for it. 

Live only to make Kael Raven Crest pay.A horn blew from the watchtower. Marcus looked up; riders were coming fast from the south.

"Expecting anyone?" Lucas asked.

Marcus shook his head. "Get the men ready." "If it is a Raven Crest soldier..."

A young wolf, still in his fur, dashed into the courtyard. "Alpha."The young wolf shifted mid-run, stumbling as his paw turned to the human leg.

"Riders, three of them," he panted. They're flying the Raven Crest color". 

 Marcus has reached his sword. "How many"

"Only three, Alpha." "But..." The boy swallowed. 

"One of them is carrying a truce flag."

Lucas frowned. "A trap?"

"Maybe." Marcus wiped sawdust from his hand. Or maybe our chance has finally come.

They climbed the stone stairs of the castle walls. The Northern Peaks fortress was built into the mountains, strong enough to survive attacks.

From the high battlement, Marcus could see for miles: snow-covered valleys, winding roads, and riders approaching in the distance.

The black and silver banners of Raven Crest were even from far away. But so was the white flag of truce, flapping in the cold wind.

"What do they want?" Lucas asked.

Marcus watched the riders carefully. They rode like warriors, not soft palace guards. Only three of them, riding straight into enemy territory, are either very brave or very foolish.

"Open the gate," Marcus ordered. "But keep the soldier ready."Lucas hesitated.

 "Sir?"

"If they wanted a fight, they'd bring an army." "This is something else."Twenty minutes later, the rider entered the courtyard. 

Their leader was a tough-looking old soldier who dismounted and held up his hands, showing he meant no harm.

"Smart." Few who entered the Northern peaks left alive."I'm Captain Reynolds of the royal guard," the man said. "I brought a message from Princess Lyra Raven Crest".

Marcus walked down slowly, letting his alpha power fill the space. The other two riders shifted nervously, but Reynolds stood firm. A seasoned fighter, then.

"Speak," Marcus commanded.

Reynolds unbuckled his saddlebag and handed over a sealed letter. The wax bore the princess's mark, a flying raven."Her Highness requested an audience with you".

Marcus took the letter but didn't open it. "With me? Why?"

"I don't know her reason, sir, only that she'll come here herself if you grant her safe passage". 

Lucas stepped forward. "The Princess wants to come here?

To our land?"

"Yes. She knows the history behind your families. But she believes there are things that must be said.

"Marcus turned the letter over to his right hand. "Lyra Raven Crest." He'd seen her months ago at the trial, small, quiet, and sitting in the witness stand like a caged bird.

 An omega in a world ruled by alphas.

But when he had spoken about his family massacre, her eyes met his. Not with fear. Not with pity. With understanding"When?" Marcus asked.

"At your command," my lord. "She awaits your reply."

Marcus broke the seal and read the letter. The writing was elegant but firm.   

 Lord Thronfield     

" I know you have every reason to refuse me. What was done to your family was unforgivable, and I do not  expect your trust."  "But perhaps we can help each other. There are things you need to know, things that may affect your search for justice." "I ask for one conversation. If my word displeases you, I will leave and never trouble you again."  

  "Princess Lyra Raven Crest"

No lies. No sweet word to trick him. Just a direct message from someone who knows the risk she was taking. 

"She wants to talk about justice," Marcus said."What will you say to her?" Lucas asked.

Marcus read the letter again. The princess had been named heir over her monstrous brother. Now she needs an alpha mate to secure the throne. Before Kael took from her.

A plan formed in his mind. Dangerous. Maybe reckless. But it could work.

"Tell her she has a safe passage," Marcus said to Reynolds. "But she comes alone, no guards. And while she is here, she follows our customs."

"What customs?" Reynolds asked warily.

Marcus smiled cold and sharp. "She comes as a guest seeking Alpha's favor, whether she shows respect or she leaves."Reynolds stiffened but nodded. 

"I'll deliver your terms."

"Good." She arrives tomorrow at sundown. Marcus tucked the letter into his coat. And Captain.

 "Yes, my lord."

"If this is a trick, if she brings even one extra guard, or if anyone follows her, I'll send her back to the castle in pieces. Understood?"

Reynolds paled but nodded."Understood."

As the rider left, Lucas turned to meet Marcus. "You are really going to meet her?"

Marcus watched the Raven Crest banners vanish down the mountain. 

"She wants to talk about justice. Let's hear what the princess has to say."But even as he speaks, he remembers those violet eyes watching him at the trial.

 Eyes that had seen pain and reflected it back, not with pity but something deeper.

Maybe Princess Lyra wasn't like her brother.

Tomorrow, he will find out.

The wind howled louder, carrying the scent of snow. Winter was coming with it, the revenge Marcus had waited two years to claim.

One way or another, the Raven Crest family would pay for what they'd taken from him.

Even if it meant destroying the one innocent member left.