Attacked

Raiden’s POV

Rogue attacks across the kingdom had gotten worse every year.

What once started as small raids along distant borders had evolved into organized assaults with strategy behind them. More warriors. Better timing. Stronger fighters. Somebody was building an army in the shadows, and whoever stood behind it had become bold enough to challenge the throne directly.

Ever since Zayden and I became kings after our parents died, enemies had circled us like starving wolves smelling weakness.

Some attacks came from rogues. Others came from packs pretending loyalty while quietly waiting for an opportunity to overthrow us.

Cowards always preferred hiding behind alliances instead of facing us directly.

The elders constantly shoved the same concern down our throats.

Produce an heir.

Secure the bloodline.

Protect the kingdom.

Because if somebody managed defeating both Zayden and me without heirs in place, the throne could fall into anybody’s hands. That alone was enough to make my patience disappear daily.

Still, neither of us could force ourselves into taking chosen mates knowing our true mate existed somewhere in the world. The Moon Goddess created the bond for a reason.

Besides, Zayden and I already knew how our bond would work.

One mate. Shared between us. Twins born from the same bloodline often shared destiny in ways other wolves didn’t understand. Our mate would belong to both of us equally. Hopefully she wouldn’t try killing us after finding that information out.

“You think too much,” Nyx muttered.

“And you don’t think enough,” I bit back.

“Balance,” he chuckled.

I ignored him while running through the palace corridors toward the southern entrance. The second I cleared the doors, I shifted.

Bones cracked violently beneath my skin while black fur burst across my body in seconds. My massive paws slammed into the ground as Nyx fully took control. As Alpha Kings, our wolves towered over regular alphas in size and strength. Nyx stood nearly double the height of most wolves with dark black fur that blended into the night itself.

Power rolled beneath my skin immediately.

“Zayden,” I linked sharply while sprinting through the forest. “Location.”

Static crackled briefly before my beta answered. “Onyx and I are already here. Damn, brother, they came prepared tonight.”

Trees blurred around us as Nyx pushed faster through the darkness. The scent hit us first.

Blood.

Silver.

Death.

By the time we reached the south border, bodies littered the ground across the battlefield. Torn earth stretched beneath claw marks and blood stains while growls echoed throughout the trees. Warriors fought everywhere beneath the moonlight.

Rogues definitely weren’t playing around tonight.

“Zayden,” I linked quickly. “Try keeping one or two alive. We need answers.”

“Easier said than done,” my brother snapped back while fighting. “These idiots are suicidal.”

A rogue launched toward one of our warriors only to get thrown sideways into a tree hard enough to crack the trunk.

Nyx growled low. “Something smells wrong.”

I slowed slightly. “What do you mean?”

“Wolfsbane.”

My eyes narrowed instantly. “Damn it.”

Wolfsbane weakened wolves dramatically if inhaled or injected. Slowed healing. Suppressed strength. Too much exposure could stop a wolf from shifting entirely. Which meant this attack had planning behind it.

I opened the pack link immediately. “Everyone listen carefully. Nyx smells wolfsbane. Stay alert for silver or other substances.”

Zayden’s voice followed seconds later. “Fight cautiously. If wolfsbane is involved, silver probably is too.”

Warriors answered quickly through the link while battle continued raging around us.

Then three massive wolves stepped from the tree line directly ahead.

“These aren’t normal rogues,” Nyx growled.

He was right. The wolves stood far larger than average rogues with thick builds packed heavily with muscle. One pure brown. One gray. One black with scars stretching across his muzzle.

Ranked fighters. Possibly elite.

“Try capturing one alive,” I warned.

Nyx lunged first.

The brown wolf charged directly toward us with jaws open wide, but Nyx moved faster. Claws ripped across the rogue’s throat before sliding upward violently.

Blood sprayed across the ground. The wolf’s head separated completely from his body.

“Subtle,” Nyx muttered.

Before we could recover, the gray wolf attacked from behind sinking teeth deep into our back leg. Pain exploded sharply through us.

Nyx snarled viciously before twisting around and slamming the wolf sideways. Claws tore through flesh across his chest while ribs cracked beneath the force. One final swipe ripped directly through his chest.

The rogue collapsed instantly.

As Nyx held the wolf’s heart within his claws, the third rogue leaped from behind aiming directly for our neck.

“Move!” Nyx barked.

Too late.

The rogue’s jaws nearly reached us before another massive black wolf collided into him midair.

Onyx.

Zayden’s wolf slammed into the rogue hard enough to send him crashing across the dirt before pinning him beneath massive paws.

“You’re welcome,” Zayden linked smugly.

“You couldn’t resist showing off.”

“Somebody has to carry this family.”

Nyx snorted loudly. “Honestly he might have a point.”

Traitor.

The rogue struggled violently beneath Onyx while snapping his jaws repeatedly.

“Ryker,” Zayden barked through the link. “Silver chains. Now.”

Several warriors rushed forward carrying restraints while the rogue continued fighting.

“Damn,” I muttered while shifting back into human form. “Thanks, brother.”

Zayden smirked while pulling on a pair of black pants handed over by a nearby warrior. “You’d die without me eventually.”

The remaining rogues fell quickly after that. Within minutes the battlefield quieted except for injured warriors groaning nearby and chains rattling around captured rogues.

Smoke drifted through the trees from scattered fires while healers rushed across the border checking injuries.

Ryker approached us covered in blood and dirt.

“What the hell was this?” I asked immediately. “Any idea who organized the attack?”

“They hit all at once,” Ryker replied grimly. “Too coordinated for random rogues.”

Zayden crossed his arms. “Did you notice anything unusual?”

Ryker nodded once. “A mark. Several of them carried the same tattoo across their upper chest.”

Nyx immediately stiffened. “What kind of mark?” I asked carefully.

“Broken crown.”

Silence settled heavily around us.

Nyx growled low inside my head. “That belongs to the Rogue King.”

My jaw tightened instantly. Every warrior in the kingdom knew stories surrounding the Rogue King. Most believed he was a myth created to scare young wolves into obedience. Unfortunately, myths usually didn’t leave piles of bodies behind.

“They brand their fighters,” Nyx continued darkly. “Loyalty through fear.”

“How many survived?” I asked Ryker.

“Three.”

“Good.” Zayden’s eyes darkened coldly. “Get them into silver restraints immediately.”

Ryker nodded sharply. “We already started moving them toward the dungeons.”

I glanced back toward the battlefield once more while unease settled heavily in my chest. This wasn’t some random border raid. This was a message. And somebody out there wanted the throne badly enough to start a war for it.

“Get the prisoners secured,” I ordered coldly. “We’ll handle interrogations personally.”