THE ROGUE QUEEN 의 모든 챕터: 챕터 51 - 챕터 60

Two hours later, we returned to the council meeting looking thoroughly disheveled despite our attempts to tidy ourselves.No one mentioned it. But Maya was definitely smirking.The meeting continued, focusing on war preparations."The Council's forces will reach our borders in approximately three weeks," one commander said. "We estimate five thousand wolves, possibly more.""Our forces?" Damon asked."Four thousand currently mobilized. Another two thousand we can recall from outlying territories within two weeks.""Do it. Recall everyone. I want every wolf who can fight ready when they arrive." Damon's voice was cold. "And prepare for siege. If they breach the outer defenses, I want this palace fortified to withstand months of assault.""Yes, Your Majesty.""What about the Shadow Wolf?" another advisor asked carefully. "The Council wants her specifically. Should we consider—""No." Damon replied coldly. "My Queen stays exactly where she is. By my side. Anyone who suggests otherwise ca

The Next Morning - Training Grounds I found Maya in the training grounds, working with a group of female warriors. "Your Grace," she said, bowing. The other women followed suit. "Please, just Selene when we're training." I picked up a practice sword. "Can I join you?" Maya's eyebrows rose. "Of course. But I should warn you, these drills are intense." "Good. I need intense right now." For the next two hours, I trained harder than I ever had. The bond with Damon had enhanced my strength, my speed, my reflexes. I moved through the drills with a grace that surprised even me. "You're incredible," one of the warriors said during a break. "The way you move—it's like dancing." "It's the bond. It enhanced everything." I wiped sweat from my face. "But I still need to practice. When the Council comes, I need to be ready." "You're planning to fight?" Maya asked carefully. "Of course. I'm not hiding in the palace while everyone else risks their lives." "Does the Alpha King know this?"

The Next Morning - Lycan CourtI woke up to Damon already dressed for training."Morning," I mumbled. "Where are you going?""Training the warriors. We're two weeks out and I want to see them in action." He leaned down to kiss me. "Go back to sleep. You were up late last night.""Because someone kept me up," I said with a smile."Guilty. But you weren't complaining." His eyes heated. "Though if you want a rematch—""Training. You have training." I pushed him playfully. "Go be the Alpha King. I'll see you at the war council later."After he left, I lay in bed for a few more minutes, feeling content.Through the bond, I could sense Damon's focus as he moved through the palace. Could feel Rex's satisfaction at the prospect of combat training.“Our mate is very warlike,” Kya observed.“It's hot,’ I thought back, and she purred in agreement.I finally dragged myself out of bed and got dressed. I had my own training session with Maya and the female warriors this morning.As I walked through

Later That Morning - War CouncilI couldn't concentrate on the discussions.Lyra's words kept echoing in my mind: “Someone in this Court has been planning your death for a very long time.”Who? Who would have known about Shadow's Bane before I even arrived at the Lycan Court?"Selene?" Damon's voice cut through my thoughts. "Are you listening?""Sorry. Yes. Continue."He gave me a concerned look through the bond but turned back to the maps. "As I was saying, the Council forces will likely split into three attack groups. We need to—"The doors suddenly burst open.A scout ran in, covered in blood and breathing hard. "Your Majesty! The northern border—there's been an attack!""What?" Damon was on his feet instantly. "The Council isn't supposed to arrive for ten more days.""Not the Council. Rogues. Hundreds of them. They came out of nowhere, overwhelmed our border patrol." The scout swayed. "They're not trying to breach the territory. They're... they're leaving bodies. Messages.""What

The Next MorningI woke to find Damon already gone, a note left on his pillow:‘Emergency council meeting. Didn't want to wake you. Stay in our chambers until I return. This is not a request. - D’I crushed the note in my hand, annoyed.I was the Queen, not a prisoner.But before I could leave, Zara burst through the door without knocking, her face pale."Selene, you need to come with me. Now.""What's wrong?""It's Ash. He's... just come. Please."We ran through the corridors to the healer's wing, where Ash lay unconscious on a bed, his body covered in strange symbols burned into his skin.Lyra was examining him, her hands glowing faintly green."What happened?" I demanded."He was on patrol near the Shadowlands border." Zara's voice shook. "When he didn't report back, we sent a search party. They found him like this, barely alive.""What are these symbols?" I traced one with my finger—it looked like an ancient script."Coven marks," Lyra said grimly. "They're a warning. And a tracki