The Stand-In Queen

He thought I blamed him for not arriving in time.But that wasn’t what I blamed him for.It was the night of the attack. When Kael returned, I didn’t tend to my injuries first. I forced myself to the master chamber.I wanted to see that he was safe.But he didn’t look at me.He carried the pot of silver-edged lilies straight into the inner chamber. It was the only thing Elara had left behind. He summoned every Healer to study how to revive its dead roots.I curled on the couch in the side chamber, waiting for someone to treat my cramping stomach.The lilies sat on the windowsill of the master chamber, only a few steps away.Later, I learned that the roots of the silver-edged lily release a silver-tainted scent harmful to pregnant women. I had lain too close that night. The bleeding became unstoppable.In that moment, it felt as though someone had reached into my chest and ripped out my heart.All those years of sacrifice became a cruel joke.So much for love growing over time. It had

Kael stared at me in disbelief.I didn’t wait for his answer. I turned and walked toward the hall doors.He reached to stop me. I sidestepped him gently.“This Bond, I return to you. Not as a trade. As an ending.”I looked at the four of them one last time, my voice barely audible:“I won’t be coming back. Consider these six years my repayment for being born into the family. From here on, take care of yourselves.”I hated them for bringing me back.If they had left me alone, I would have lived out my days with my foster mother in the countryside.She wouldn’t have cried herself blind from missing me, and died alone on a winter night.The next morning, I woke in a cottage in the outlands.The table was covered with letters like scattered snow.The maid whispered, “They were sent by the King and your parents… I did as you asked. I told no one where you were.”I opened a few at random.“Ayla, Mother knows you’re angry. What was said yesterday came from temper. We know we were wrong. Come

We settled in a cottage by the water, in a relay town on the edge of the capital.Lyra arrived a few days later than me. She had urgent family matters.The day she pushed through the door, she was carrying a massive bundle in her arms, her face bright with barely contained excitement.“Miss!”She placed the bundle carefully on the table, her eyes shining.“Guess what? Those foul-mouthed women who blocked us at the capital gates? They got what was coming to them!”I had been trimming a pot of wild herbs by the window. My hands stilled.“I heard their tongues were pulled out.”Lyra leaned closer. “The King gave the order himself.”I didn’t answer. I only gathered the cut leaves into a clay bowl.Lyra studied my expression carefully. “And…”“Say it all. Now.”Lyra spoke faster:“The King had Miss Elara moved out of the Pack Hall. She’s in a western estate now, half a territory away. He told everyone outside that he and Miss Elara only met a few times, and there was nothing between them.”

Elara wore white furs, no paint on her face, weeping beautifully as she knelt on the steps of the capital square, drawing a crowd of pack members.“Everyone, hear me!”Her voice was pitiful.“I only wanted to come home, to reunite with my parents. I meant no harm! But Ayla cannot tolerate me! She forced me to leave the territory, to abandon everything! She stole my fate, took my place for six years, and now that I’ve returned, she wants me dead!”She raised her tear-filled eyes, scanning the growing crowd, and her voice shot higher:“She is the imposter! Back then, she used tricks to bewitch Kael and take my place at the Bonding Ceremony! For six years she has occupied the Luna Queen’s throne, enjoying the glory that was mine, and now she wants to strip me of even a place to stand! Where is the justice in that?!”Her words were earnest, stirring, manipulative.The crowd began to whisper, looking toward the Pack Hall with sympathy for her and contempt for me, the “vicious sister.”Just

A spark of relief lit inside me. The time I had bought had finally paid off."Pack Enforcers! Traitors and outlaws—drop your blades and submit!"Torchlight flared. Elite warriors in silver mail poured from every direction, sealing the forest tight.The assassins fell into chaos. Some tried to flee, but the trained Enforcers cut them off and herded them into pockets, leaving no escape.The chief saw his doom. His eyes turned savage. Abandoning all caution, he lunged at me, his blade slicing straight for my face.He knew he wouldn’t escape today. He meant to take me with him."Ayla, watch out!"Kael shouted in terror, ignoring his wounds to rush toward me.But I was faster.The image of my foster mother clutching the bread. The faint cry of my lost child. The countless nights I woke from nightmares, gasping.All my grief and hatred crystallized into strength.I sidestepped the blade. Knife sank intothe chief’s chest.Warm blood sprayed across my cheek.His eyes widened. His mouth opened.