FAZER LOGINThe council chamber overlooked the eastern cliffs of Blackstone, where the first merchant caravans of the morning were already winding their way toward the city gates beneath the protection of royal guards. Sunlight poured through the tall windows, illuminating a table covered with maps, supply ledgers, engineering reports, and messages delivered from every allied kingdom before dawn. Unlike the desperate meetings that had become routine over the past months, today's gathering focused on rebuilding lives rather than surviving another battle. Even so, every person seated around the table understood that peace was only borrowing time.Kael arrived with Tanya walking beside him instead of behind him, a small change that escaped no one in the room. Rowan noticed several council members exchange surprised glances before quickly returning their attention to the reports spread across the table. In the past, Tanya would have stood quietly near the wall while the
Sleep abandoned Kael long before dawn. He had returned from the hidden archives carrying a burden no king should ever have to bear, yet he spoke of it to no one. The ancient prophecy rested inside a locked iron chest hidden beneath the floor of his private study, while the copied parchment had already turned to ash in the palace fireplace. Even after destroying it, the final verse continued to burn itself across his thoughts every time he closed his eyes. "Only by the willing sacrifice of the Alpha King shall the Creator survive the awakening." The words echoed through his mind with relentless cruelty. Shadowfang paced restlessly beneath his skin, refusing to settle. "Tell her," the wolf growled. Kael stood beside the tall window overlooking Blackstone, his hands braced against the stone frame. "I can't." "She deserves the truth." "I know." "Then why are you hiding it?" Kael watched the first rays of sunrise spread across the rooftops below. "Because if Tanya believes my life is t
The return journey to Blackstone Palace felt entirely different from the carefree walk that had brought them into the city. The laughter of the festival faded behind them until only the distant echo of music remained, replaced by the steady rhythm of hurried footsteps through the palace corridors. Tanya sensed the change in Kael long before he spoke; his shoulders had straightened, the warmth in his expression replaced by the quiet focus of a king answering an urgent call. Whatever Rowan had discovered beneath the archives was important enough to pull them away from the first peaceful night either of them had enjoyed in months. Rowan was already waiting outside the restricted archive wing. Dust covered the sleeves of his uniform, and a lantern hung from one hand while the other gripped an ancient leather scroll case that looked as though it had not been touched for centuries. Several royal historians stood behind him, their faces pale with disbelief, while two guards remained
The warmth of the festival slowly gave way to cooler night air as the moon climbed higher above Blackstone. Lanterns reflected across the river like scattered silver stars while the crowds drifted toward the central square where musicians prepared for the final performance of the evening. Tanya found herself walking closer to Kael without realizing it, their shoulders brushing now and then as they navigated the growing crowd. For once, neither of them felt the need to fill every silence with words. Rowan's voice suddenly echoed through Kael's communication crystal. "My Alpha." Kael sighed dramatically. "There goes my peaceful evening." Tanya laughed. "You say that as if you're surprised." "I was hoping the kingdom could survive one night without me." "It survived years before you." "My wolf disagrees." She rolled her eyes. "I'm beginning to think your wolf has an opinion about everything." "He does." "And is he always this dramatic?" "He says he's perfectly reasonable." Nyx sti
Night settled gently over Blackstone, transforming the capital into a sea of silver lanterns that swayed above every street like captured stars. Music drifted through the evening air, blending with laughter, the scent of roasted meat, sweet pastries, and blooming moon lilies that decorated every corner of the city. Merchants called cheerfully to passing customers while children raced between colorful stalls wearing glowing wolf masks carved from polished crystal wood. For the first time in many weeks, the kingdom chose joy instead of fear. Tanya paused beneath the palace entrance, surprised to find Kael waiting instead of the evening security detail she had expected. He had abandoned his formal military uniform in favor of a dark jacket over a simple shirt, making him look less like the Alpha King and more like an ordinary young man enjoying a rare evening away from responsibility. His hair refused to stay neatly in place, and the relaxed smile he offered her felt strangely unfam
The first rays of dawn slipped through the tall windows of Tanya's room, painting the cream-colored walls in soft shades of gold. For the first time in what felt like years, she woke without the weight of screaming, blood, or nightmares pressing against her chest. The silence felt strange after everything she had endured, almost unreal, and she remained still for several seconds, listening to the quiet rhythm of another person's breathing. It wasn't until her eyes drifted toward the sofa beside the bed that she remembered she wasn't alone.Kael had fallen asleep sitting upright, one arm stretched awkwardly across the mattress where his hand remained entwined with hers. Sometime during the night, she must have tightened her grip around his fingers because she found herself unwilling to let go even now. His head rested against the back of the sofa, dark hair slightly disheveled, while the exhaustion on his usually composed face made him look years younger. Without the armor of autho







