"They are losing control, My King."
A deep voice echoed through the grand, dimly lit chamber. The walls of the ancient throne room were lined with towering pillars, each carved with the history of their kind. A fire burned low in the great hearth, casting flickering shadows across the high ceilings.
At the center of it all sat the Wolf King.
His presence was suffocating.
A towering figure draped in furs and dark armor, his golden eyes gleaming beneath the heavy crown that rested upon his head. He was power itself....the force that ruled above all wolves. His aura was suffused with sothing ancient, sothing far beyond mortal understanding.
Before him, kneeling with his head bowed, was his second-in-command.
One of the few wolves who could stand in his presence without being crushed beneath his dominance.
"The council has descended into chaos," the warrior continued, his tone sharp. "They quarrel over what must be done about the girl."
The Wolf King did not react, his gaze unreadable.
"They fear her." The warrior’s lips curled slightly. "And the thing inside her."
A low, dark chuckle reverberated through the chamber.
"Of course they do."
The Wolf King leaned forward slightly, elbows resting against the armrests of his massive throne.
"Fools," he murmured, voice deep and smooth. "They have always feared what they cannot control."
His golden eyes flickered with sothing almost... amused.
"And yet, they believe they have the power to decide her fate?"
The warrior inclined his head. "They will not act without your command."
The Wolf King exhaled slowly.
The council had always been a pitiful display of arrogance and delusion.
And now...
They had awoken sothing they could not comprehend.
"Haelyn..." he murmured, as if testing the weight of the na.
It was not the girl they feared.
It was the other.
The one lurking beneath her skin.
The one whose power had nearly rivaled his once.
His fingers tapped against the armrest, his expression unreadable.
"They believe they can try her before the council." The warrior continued. "But we both know... there is only one who can truly judge her."
The chamber grew impossibly still.
Then....
The Wolf King smiled.
Cold. Calculated.
"She will stand trial." His voice was final.
The warrior bowed slightly. "Shall I deliver your decree?"
The Wolf King did not answer imdiately.
Instead, he lifted his gaze, staring into the flickering fire.
"Not yet."
The warrior stiffened.
"My King?"
A dangerous glint flickered in those golden eyes.
"Before she faces judgnt..." His lips parted in a slow, deliberate smirk.
"We must first... lure her out."
The warrior’s breath hitched, understanding dawning upon him.
"You know how to do it," he murmured.
"Of course." The Wolf King’s fingers curled around the armrest. "I have known her for far longer than anyone else in this world."
His smile widened slightly.
"And I know exactly how to make her co to ."
"Say, Alpha King, you and I fcked last night..."*
Haelyn’s voice dripped with sarcasm as she rolled her eyes, stretching lazily on the lounge chair. Archer stood rigid, watching her with a conflicted expression.
"So why are you acting like that? You weren’t scared to put your manhood in last night." She huffed, tilting her head at him, amusent flickering in those eerie, unfamiliar eyes.
Archer’s jaw clenched.
"Who are you, and why did it have to be my woman?" he demanded, fists tightening at his sides.
She scoffed, eyes narrowing. "Your woman?" The words were taunting. "You and I both know you don’t love Haelyn. You’re only stuck with her because she turned out to be your mate."
Her laughter was sharp, mocking.
"That’s not true!" Archer snapped, his heart pounding against his ribs.
"Isn’t it?" She leaned forward, elbows resting on her knees, her smirk darkening. "You raped her days after she was sold to you."
The room felt suffocating.
Archer flinched.
"I love her..." He whispered, almost as if to convince himself.
"Thinking about all she’s been through..." She dragged her nails across the armrest of the chair. "She clearly deserves better."
His throat was dry. "Is that why you’re here? In her body? To tornt ?"
Her lips curled. "You know... you’re nothing that special. The sex with you is average at best." She leaned back, her voice dropping to a purr. "But no, I’m here for sothing bigger. Like I said, you’re nothing special, and she deserves better. Soone who actually loves her."
His eyes burned with sothing between rage and despair.
And then,
The door slamd open.
Cerius, Seraphis, Rowena, Artemis, and the others stord in.
"There’s no ti!" Rowena’s voice was laced with urgency.
Archer turned sharply, his stomach twisting at the expressions on their faces.
"You’re being summoned."
Seraphis’ voice trembled.
"By the Wolf King."
The air shifted.
A slow, eerie smile stretched across Haelyn’s lips.
"It’s about ti!" She nearly squealed in delight, stretching her arms as if she had been waiting for this very mont.
Seraphis stepped forward. "You’re putting Haelyn in danger... please..." Her voice cracked. "Stop this."
Haelyn’s expression snapped cold.
"?" she whispered, her tone suddenly sharp. "Between and all of you, who has hurt her the most?"
Her piercing gaze swept over the room.
"All you do is lie to her and endanger her."
"That is not true!" Cerius thundered, his presence darkening with authority.
Haelyn rose from the chair.
"Then none of you are telling yourselves the truth."
Artemis exhaled sharply and stepped closer, his hands reaching out....
A feral snarl split through the air.
The Faceless Wraiths materialized instantly.
Their distorted forms lunged between them, snarling, hissing, their hollow voids for eyes locked onto Artemis like prey.
He froze.
Seraphis gasped, gripping Cerius’ arm.
Haelyn chuckled softly, lifting a single hand. The wraiths obeyed imdiately, retreating back into the shadows with unsettling obedience.
"Touch again," she murmured, "and they won’t stop."
The air was thick with unease.
The Wolf King’s summoning lood over them like a storm cloud.
No one knew what awaited them there.
But one thing was certain...
This wasn’t just about Haelyn anymore.
It was about the thing inside her.
And the Wolf King wasn’t summoning her for judgnt.
He was summoning her for war.
"This is it. The Wolf King will handle her."
Arthur leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smirk stretching across his face. The flas from the grand fireplace flickered, casting a sinister glow over the dark study. His fingers tapped against the mahogany desk rhythmically, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Across from him, Helen poured herself a drink, swirling the amber liquid in her glass. Layla sat beside her, frowning.
"You sound way too confident," Helen muttered, taking a slow sip. "Have you forgotten what that girl has beco?"
Arthur scoffed. "I haven’t forgotten. But I also know the Wolf King. If there’s anyone in existence who can put Haelyn in her place, it’s him."
Layla exhaled, tilting her head. "Unless she destroys him first."
Arthur’s smirk twitched slightly.
For a mont, silence stretched between them.
Then Layla placed her glass down. "Speaking of threats... where the hell is Lyra?"
Helen set her drink down with a sharp clink. "Exactly my point. She should’ve been back by now."
Arthur waved a dismissive hand. "If she failed, she’s probably dead already."
Layla arched a brow. "Or worse....she switched sides."
Helen’s expression darkened. "We should have soone look for her."
Arthur sighed. "Fine. Send Tiago’s n after her. But don’t waste too many resources. That girl was never reliable anyway."
Layla exchanged glances with Helen. Sothing about Arthur’s nonchalance irritated her, but she let it go.
For now.
Tiago leaned against the balcony of his penthouse, a cigarette dangling between his fingers. The city stretched before him, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
Layla.
She was the key.
Arthur had always been careless with his assets. And Layla? She was blinded by her own hunger for power, making her the easiest target of them all.
Tonight.
Tonight, he’d convince her.
Or manipulate her.
Either way, he was getting what he wanted.
"Layla, we need to talk."
Layla turned sharply at Tiago’s voice. He leaned against the doorway, his expression unreadable, his dark eyes gleaming with sothing... calculated.
She hesitated, then stepped into his room.
Helen watched them go, her lips curling into a smirk before turning back to Arthur.
Once inside, Tiago shut the door behind them.
Layla crossed her arms. "What is this about?"
Tiago’s gaze flickered over her. "I have a proposition for you."
Layla arched a brow. "Oh?"
Tiago walked over to the bar, pouring two drinks. "You and I both know your father is reckless."
Layla stiffened.
He smirked. "Don’t act surprised. You’ve been thinking it, haven’t you? That maybe... you’d make a better leader."
Layla’s jaw clenched. "I don’t betray my own."
Tiago chuckled, handing her the glass. "Betray? No. But securing your own future? That’s just survival."
Layla eyed him suspiciously. "What exactly are you proposing?"
Tiago leaned in, his voice dropping to a murmur. "Sign over Arthur’s remaining properties to . His pack leadership? That, too. With your influence, it won’t take much."
Layla scoffed. "And in return?"
Tiago’s smirk widened as he slid a hand down her waist, pulling her flush against him. "Power. More than you’ve ever had. More than Arthur ever gave you."
Layla stared at him, expression unreadable.
His lips brushed against her ear. "I’ll make you my Luna, Layla. Together, we’ll take Archer’s lands. And when the ti cos... I’ll take the Demon King’s throne."
Layla’s breath hitched.
A mont passed.
Then, slowly, she reached for the pen.
anwhile, sowhere deep within the estate, unseen by all, a figure moved through the darkness.
A silent whisper in the night.
Eyes gleaming.
Waiting.
Watching.
And then
A slow, chilling smile.
Because the ga was only just beginning.
Reviews
All reviews (0)