Chapter 4

Before I could process what had happened, hoofbeats echoed in the distance.

Alaric arrived with his guard. He saw the wolves kneeling at my feet—and his face went pale.

He dismounted and grabbed my bleeding wrist.

"Wren. Who told you that you don't have a wolf?"

He bandaged my wound and took me back to the castle.

Agnes examined my blood. Her face turned serious.

"She's not wolf-less. Her wolf-soul has been suppressed by some kind of potion."

I remembered all those potions my family had forced down my throat since childhood.

Alaric didn't press her for more. He just told Agnes to keep quiet.

Then he led me to his study and locked the blueprints away.

"These papers decide whether I live or die," he said.

He looked at me—and for the first time, decided to tell me the truth.

"Wren. You deserve to know what I've been planning all these years."

That night, he talked.

About his mother—the first queen—framed for treason by Prince Cassius's family. Her entire Frostfang clan executed.

The second queen convinced the king to send Alaric to war against the vampires, hoping he'd die.

He came back victorious.

So the queen found a witch. Laid the curse on him.

Every full moon, his wolf would break free and kill whoever he loved.

The old king turned a blind eye. Just exiled him to this castle to guard the northern cliffs.

"They all think I'll die anyway," he said flatly. "Perfect. No one suspects a dead man."

For years, he'd been planning in secret.

Revenge for his mother. For his clan.

I listened.

And understood—this man was far stronger than he looked.

And far more alone.

I stared at his pale profile and felt a sudden urge—to reach up and smooth the crease between his brows.

After that, I became his right hand.

One look, one gesture—we understood each other.

That winter, he told me the story of the wren.

The fire was roaring.

"Do you know what your name means?" he asked.

I said yes. My father picked it at random.

Seraphina, the firstborn—named after the seraphim.

I was born while a gray little bird perched outside the window. So I was Wren.

"That's not right," he said.

He told me the old tale.

The birds held a contest—whoever flew highest would be their king.

The eagle soared to the clouds, certain he'd won. He spread his wings and cried in triumph.

Then—a tiny wren, hidden in the eagle's feathers, sprang from his shoulder and flew higher.

The smallest bird won the whole sky.

All the birds bowed to him.

He looked at me.

"Wren was never a small name. It's freedom. Sky-king."

"Your father threw away something he never deserved to have."

After that night, the name felt heavier. Fuller.

For the first time, I thought it deserved to be said loud.

The full moons passed, one after another.

Before, he'd writhe in agony. Chain himself in silver to stop the beast, even as the metal wore down to bone.

Now, he was learning to control it.

The first time, he kept me in the room. Nails growing into claws. Roars tearing from his throat.

I just placed my hand on his burning one.

The roar lowered. Quieted.

The second month, he took off two silver links.

The third month, he made it through the full moon without shifting. Just sweating through his clothes, jaw clenched so hard his teeth ground.

Each step cost him. Sweat soaked him. He never complained.

I stayed by his side. Water. Towels. When he faltered, I held him up.

Sometimes he'd lean on my shoulder—hot breath against my ear.

"Little wren... having you here... it helps."

His voice was a whisper. Feather-light. It tickled my heart.

Word of Alaric's recovery spread quickly back to the capital.

Three days later, a Blackwood carriage stopped outside the castle gates.

My father stepped down—with Seraphina at his side. He looked at me and said:

"Wren. Pack your things. You're coming home."

I froze.

He pulled out the royal marriage contract and handed it to Alaric.

"Her job was just to get you through the most dangerous full moons. Now that your curse is lifting, it's time for the real bride to return."

Seraphina walked up to me and smiled.

"Thank you for taking care of His Highness for me, sister. Now please—give me back my place."