The Council of Wolves

Seraphina did not sleep.

After Aiden's strange words, sleep became impossible.

He isn't dead.

The boy had spoken with such certainty.

Such conviction.

As though he hadn't guessed.

As though he somehow knew.

The moonlight streamed through the chamber windows, casting silver patterns across the floor.

Beside her, Aiden slept peacefully once more.

But Seraphina remained awake.

Watching.

Thinking.

Remembering.

Killian's face haunted her thoughts.

The news of his death still felt unreal.

Too sudden.

Too final.

Too wrong.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

Three quiet taps.

She immediately recognized them.

Kael.

"Come in."

The door opened.

He stepped inside, already dressed for battle.

His expression alone told her something had happened.

"What is it?"

"The Council has called an emergency assembly."

Seraphina frowned.

"At this hour?"

Kael nodded grimly.

"They're moving faster than expected."

A chill ran through her.

Cassius.

The name immediately surfaced.

"What does he want?"

Kael's jaw tightened.

"The throne."

---

The Grand Council Chamber had once been one of Seraphina's favorite places in the palace.

Now it felt like a battlefield.

Rows of nobles filled the room.

Alpha leaders.

Military commanders.

Advisors.

Judges.

Every influential figure in the kingdom sat beneath the towering vaulted ceiling.

The atmosphere was tense.

Hungry.

Predatory.

People smelled weakness.

And right now, the kingdom looked weak.

At the front of the chamber sat Queen Mother Evangeline.

Her face remained composed.

But Seraphina could see exhaustion beneath her calm exterior.

Cassius stood nearby.

Confident.

Relaxed.

As though he already knew how the meeting would end.

The moment Seraphina entered, whispers erupted.

Every eye turned toward her.

Some looked shocked.

Others curious.

A few openly hostile.

Five years had not erased old opinions.

Kael stayed close beside her.

A silent warning to anyone considering trouble.

The council bell rang.

Silence fell instantly.

An elderly lord rose.

"The purpose of this assembly is simple."

His voice echoed through the chamber.

"The kingdom requires leadership."

Murmurs of agreement followed.

The old lord continued.

"Our King is dead."

The words hit Seraphina like a punch.

Dead.

Even hearing it spoken aloud felt wrong.

"The succession must be addressed immediately."

Another noble stood.

"With no acknowledged heir, the throne passes to the closest blood relative."

Seraphina's stomach tightened.

Cassius.

The entire room seemed to pivot toward him.

Exactly as he had planned.

Cassius stepped forward modestly.

Too modestly.

"I take no pleasure in this tragedy."

Liar.

The word flashed through Seraphina's mind instantly.

Cassius lowered his head respectfully.

"But if the kingdom requires my service, I will answer that duty."

Several nobles applauded.

Others nodded.

The Queen Mother's face hardened.

Yet she remained silent.

Watching.

Waiting.

Seraphina suddenly understood.

Evangeline was buying time.

She knew something.

Or hoped for something.

Before Cassius could speak again, a voice interrupted.

"How convenient."

The chamber froze.

Everyone turned.

A silver-haired noblewoman stood near the back.

Lady Miriam.

One of the kingdom's most respected elders.

Her sharp eyes fixed on Cassius.

"The King dies and within hours you're discussing coronation."

A few nobles shifted uncomfortably.

Cassius smiled.

"Someone must think of the kingdom."

Miriam snorted.

"Yes. Someone."

Several people struggled to hide their amusement.

Cassius' smile tightened.

Only slightly.

But Seraphina noticed.

The mask was beginning to crack.

Good.

Then the council doors burst open.

A guard stumbled inside.

Out of breath.

Terrified.

The entire room stared.

"What is the meaning of this?" one lord demanded.

The guard swallowed hard.

"My Queen."

He bowed toward Evangeline.

"There is a situation outside."

The Queen Mother's eyes narrowed.

"What kind of situation?"

The guard hesitated.

Then answered.

"Wolves."

A ripple of confusion spread through the chamber.

"Wolves?"

"At the city gates."

Another noble laughed dismissively.

"Send hunters."

The guard looked even paler.

"There are hundreds."

The laughter died instantly.

Silence followed.

The guard continued.

"Hundreds more are gathering in the surrounding forests."

Now the room erupted.

Questions.

Arguments.

Fear.

Everyone talking at once.

Seraphina felt her pulse quicken.

Aiden.

This had something to do with Aiden.

It had to.

Cassius raised a hand.

The room slowly quieted.

"Then we eliminate the threat."

Simple.

Cold.

Efficient.

Seraphina immediately hated the way he said it.

As though living creatures were pieces on a board.

The guard shook his head.

"We tried."

Cassius frowned.

"Tried?"

"The wolves aren't attacking."

Confusion spread again.

"What do you mean?"

The guard swallowed.

"They're waiting."

A strange silence settled over the chamber.

Waiting.

For what?

For whom?

Seraphina already knew the answer.

And judging by Evangeline's expression, so did she.

The heir.

The wolves had come for the heir.

Cassius looked annoyed.

"Then this is irrelevant."

"No."

The guard's voice trembled.

"No, my lord."

Cassius' eyes narrowed dangerously.

The guard took a deep breath.

Then delivered the words that changed everything.

"They brought one with them."

The chamber went silent.

"What?"

The guard's hands shook.

"A giant silver wolf."

Every face in the room paled.

Even the Queen Mother.

Even the elders.

Even the warriors.

Because everyone knew the stories.

The Silver Guardian.

The sacred beast from the ancient prophecy.

A creature believed extinct for centuries.

Impossible.

Yet apparently standing outside their gates.

Waiting.

Watching.

The council erupted into chaos.

People shouted.

Prayed.

Argued.

Some looked terrified.

Others looked hopeful.

Cassius looked furious.

And for the first time since entering the chamber, Seraphina smiled.

Very slightly.

Because she could see it now.

Fear.

Real fear.

Not of wolves.

Not of prophecy.

But of losing control.

Cassius had spent years preparing to claim the throne.

And now fate was interfering.

Suddenly the chamber doors opened again.

This time no one announced it.

No guard.

No servant.

Just a rush of cold air.

The torches flickered violently.

One by one, they dimmed.

The room fell eerily quiet.

Every instinct in Seraphina's body screamed.

Something was wrong.

Then she felt it.

A pulse.

Deep beneath the palace.

Ancient.

Powerful.

Alive.

At the exact same moment, miles away beneath the castle foundations, Killian reached the final stone staircase.

His hand touched the wall.

His golden eyes burned.

The curse inside him trembled.

Not defeated.

Not yet.

But weakening.

Above him, his enemies plotted.

His mother waited.

His mate mourned.

And his son unknowingly called the kingdom to heel.

Killian looked upward.

Toward the palace.

Toward destiny.

Toward war.

Then he climbed the first step.

And the ancient magic protecting the throne awakened for the first time in centuries.