로그인The 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 focusThe warning bells rang before the sun had fully climbed above Blackstone's eastern walls, their deep echoes rolling across the palace until every corridor fell silent. Servants abandoned half-finished chores, guards rushed to their assigned posts, and heavy iron gates slammed shut one after another until the fortress stood sealed from the outside world. The theft of the original prophecy spread through the palace like wildfire, transforming whispered conversations into anxious silence. Within minutes, the safest palace in the werewolf kingdoms no longer felt like a home but like a prison where every face had become a question.Kael remained on the balcony long after Rowan delivered the news, his gaze fixed on the awakening city below while his thoughts refused to leave the stolen prophecy. The cool morning breeze carried the scent of pine and fresh bread from the markets, reminders that ordinary people had already begun another day without knowing how cl
Kael read Rowan's message twice before folding the paper into his palm so tightly that the edges bit into his skin. His pulse remained outwardly calm, but Shadowfang exploded into a furious growl that echoed through every corner of his mind like thunder trapped beneath stone. Tanya immediately noticed the subtle change in his breathing because, over the past few days, she had begun recognizing the smallest shifts in him without needing words. Whatever Rowan had discovered was serious enough to make the Alpha King forget to hide his emotions."What happened?" Tanya asked, stepping closer until only a breath separated them. Her eyes searched his face with quiet determination instead of panic because she had learned that fear only clouded judgment when the people around her needed strength. She gently wrapped her fingers around his clenched fist before slowly prying it open, feeling the tension running through every muscle in his hand. "Please don't tell me
The 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







