The Summons

The wolves did not leave.

By nightfall, they still circled the settlement.

Watching.

Waiting.

Silent shadows moving between the trees.

No attacks came.

No growls.

No signs of aggression.

Yet somehow that made them even more terrifying.

The entire settlement had gathered around the perimeter walls. Torches burned against the darkness while nervous whispers spread through the crowd.

Seraphina stood near the main gate, Aiden beside her.

The boy held her hand tightly.

His usual curiosity had vanished.

Even he could sense something was wrong.

The wolves were responding to him.

And everyone knew it.

Kael approached from the watchtower.

"There are more arriving from the eastern forest."

Seraphina closed her eyes briefly.

"How many?"

"Too many to count."

Aiden looked up.

"Are they angry?"

Kael's expression softened.

"No."

The boy frowned.

"Then why are they here?"

No one answered.

Because none of them knew.

Or perhaps they were too afraid to say it aloud.

The wolves were here because they had come for their Alpha.

And that Alpha was a five-year-old child.

A sudden cough drew their attention.

The royal messenger had emerged from the healer's hut.

He looked terrible.

Pale.

Weak.

Barely able to stand.

Yet determination burned in his eyes.

He approached Seraphina and bowed.

"My lady."

"You should be resting."

"The King's command cannot wait."

At the mention of the King, several villagers exchanged uneasy glances.

The messenger reached inside his cloak.

He removed a small silver box.

Seraphina's heart stopped.

She recognized it immediately.

Years ago, Killian had commissioned only three such boxes.

One for royal decrees.

One for matters of war.

And one for matters involving the Crown's bloodline.

The messenger held it out.

"This arrived shortly before I left the capital."

Seraphina hesitated.

Then accepted it.

The metal felt cold against her skin.

Too cold.

Almost unnatural.

Slowly, she opened it.

Inside was a single parchment.

And a ring.

A black ring engraved with a wolf's head.

Kael stiffened.

"The Alpha King's signet."

The messenger nodded.

"The King ordered that if Lady Seraphina refused to return, I was to give her that."

Seraphina unfolded the parchment.

The handwriting was unmistakable.

Killian's.

Strong.

Precise.

Controlled.

For a moment she simply stared at it.

Five years.

Five years since she had last seen his handwriting.

Five years since she had heard his voice.

Five years since he had shattered her heart.

Her hands trembled.

Then she began to read.

Seraphina,

If this letter has reached you, then time is running short.

You have every reason to hate me.

I would hate me too.

Yet despite everything, I ask you to come.

Not for me.

For the kingdom.

For the child.

The moment she reached those words, her breath caught.

The child.

He knew.

Or suspected.

Fear curled through her stomach.

She continued reading.

There are truths I failed to see and enemies I failed to recognize.

I have made mistakes that may destroy everything I swore to protect.

If I die before you arrive, seek the Queen Mother.

Trust no one else.

Especially Lord Cassius.

The letter ended abruptly.

No signature.

No farewell.

No explanation.

Just a royal seal pressed into the corner.

Seraphina folded the parchment slowly.

Her pulse thundered.

Lord Cassius.

The name stirred an old memory.

A cold smile.

Sharp eyes.

A man who always seemed to know more than he should.

Kael watched her carefully.

"What did it say?"

She handed him the letter.

As he read, his expression darkened.

"You can't seriously be considering this."

"I am."

His jaw tightened.

"Seraphina—"

"He mentioned the child."

"That could be a trap."

"It could."

"Then don't walk into it."

She looked toward the forest.

Toward the hundreds of wolves hidden among the shadows.

Toward a destiny she had spent years avoiding.

"I don't think fate cares what I want anymore."

The messenger suddenly dropped to one knee.

"My lady."

She turned.

His face had gone pale.

Almost gray.

"The kingdom needs you."

His voice cracked.

"The King needs you."

Seraphina stared at him.

Then quietly said the words she never thought she would speak again.

"We leave at dawn."

The settlement erupted.

Some protested.

Others pleaded with her not to go.

But her decision was made.

The past had found her.

And running was no longer an option.

---

Later that night, Seraphina sat beside Aiden's bed.

Moonlight spilled through the window.

The boy was asleep.

Peaceful.

Innocent.

Unaware that by this time tomorrow, his entire world would change.

She brushed a hand through his curls.

Emotion tightened her throat.

"What am I supposed to do?" she whispered.

There was no answer.

Only silence.

Then—

A knock.

Soft.

Careful.

She already knew who it was.

"Come in."

The door opened.

Kael stepped inside.

For a long moment neither spoke.

Finally he sat beside her.

"Aiden's asleep?"

She nodded.

Kael studied the child.

The boy he had helped raise.

The boy he loved like family.

"The capital isn't safe."

"I know."

"Neither is Killian."

"I know."

His eyes found hers.

"And if he asks you to stay?"

The question hung between them.

Heavy.

Dangerous.

Seraphina looked away.

"I don't know."

For years she had imagined seeing Killian again.

In some dreams she hated him.

In others she forgave him.

But reality was far more complicated.

Because despite everything...

Part of her still loved him.

Kael seemed to understand.

Pain flickered across his face.

But he nodded.

"I'll go with you."

Her head snapped up.

"Kael—"

"You need protection."

"I can protect myself."

"Maybe."

His voice softened.

"But you shouldn't have to."

Emotion filled her chest.

For five years, Kael had never asked for anything.

Never demanded more than friendship.

Never pressured her.

Yet he had always stayed.

Always.

She squeezed his hand.

"Thank you."

A faint smile touched his lips.

"You don't have to thank me."

For a moment they simply sat together.

Listening to Aiden's breathing.

Listening to the distant howls.

Then Kael stood.

"We leave at sunrise."

Seraphina nodded.

After he left, she remained beside the bed.

Sleep never came.

Instead she watched the moon drift across the sky.

And wondered whether the kingdom she was returning to even existed anymore.

---

Far away, inside the royal palace, darkness ruled.

Servants moved quietly through candlelit corridors.

Physicians stood outside the royal chambers.

Waiting.

Praying.

Failing.

Inside the room, Alpha King Killian Blackthorn lay motionless.

His breathing was shallow.

His skin pale.

The curse spreading through his veins looked like black cracks beneath his flesh.

Death was coming.

Everyone could see it.

A figure stood beside the bed.

The Queen Mother.

Evangeline Blackthorn.

Her silver hair gleamed in the candlelight.

Her expression remained calm.

But fear hid behind her eyes.

The chamber doors suddenly opened.

A guard entered.

"Your Majesty."

She turned.

"What is it?"

The guard bowed.

"The messenger reached the Rogue Lands."

Hope flickered briefly across her face.

"And?"

The guard hesitated.

Then smiled.

"Lady Seraphina is coming."

For the first time in weeks, the Queen Mother exhaled.

"Good."

The guard frowned.

"My Queen?"

Evangeline looked toward her unconscious son.

Toward the dying king.

Toward the future hanging by a thread.

Then she whispered words no one else was meant to hear.

"The kingdom's true heir is finally coming home."

And somewhere deep within the palace walls...

A hidden enemy listening from the shadows smiled.

Because the game had already begun.