Phoebe’s POV
I was hanging out with Marcela during my break, having just finished that brutal history lesson about the kingdom. My brain felt ready to burst from all that heavy material—learning about the forty-three packs and how Perry’s great-grandfather had brought those smaller groups together under one rule.
Now Perry planned to unite the seven kingdoms across this continent.
Valerium was only the start. The others would fall in line since they weren’t nearly as powerful as Valerium. If not for the civil war tearing through our own kingdom, we would’ve conquered that territory months ago.
The internal conflict had cost us dearly, claiming too many skilled fighters who should’ve been deployed to the front lines.
I got all of that, but thinking about warfare and daily casualties made my stomach turn.
So I unwound by diving into dical texts, finding so peace in knowing my studies could save lives rather than destroy them.
*Will it help if I am healthy?* I scribbled in my notebook.
"I’m not sure, but the safest choice is not to attempt it. Don’t. Please, let this go," Marcela begged, though she should’ve known by now how stubborn I could be.
*I will drink your disgusting mixtures and follow every instruction you give , just please try. Maybe there’s still hope.* I shoved the note right under Marcela’s nose so she couldn’t pretend not to see it.
"Phoebe."
I flipped through my notes and showed her the word I’d been using constantly these past few days. *Please.*
"I should rip up that paper." Marcela’s eyes narrowed.
"Fine."
I couldn’t hold back my joy—I threw my arms around her and kissed her cheek, beaming at her with pure happiness.
"But there’s a condition," Marcela said firmly. "You must follow every single thing I tell you, and I’m not promising anything. If I decide you still can’t do this, you won’t fight on it."
I nodded eagerly, ready to agree to whatever she demanded.
"Also, don’t get your hopes up too high. There’s a strong chance this won’t work. You need to understand there will co a mont when you have to give up, no matter how badly you want this."
I took a shaky breath and nodded again. I knew the odds were terrible, but I’d risk everything for even the smallest possibility.
I wanted this desperately—not just to avoid future problems with the elders, but because I truly wanted to have Perry’s child. A little family for us both.
Besides, I knew Perry’s plans involved killing people, and I couldn’t bear that.
I craved peaceful days without war or spilled blood.
Perry still harbored this burning ambition to unite the seven kingdoms. Though I disagreed completely, convincing him otherwise would be an enormous challenge.
I’d tackle each obstacle one at a ti.
*Thank you, Marcela. I love you.*
"You can only say those words to the king. If he found out you said that to , he’d be insanely jealous, and I don’t want to beco his wolf’s next target."
I playfully swatted at her.
Speaking of the wild wolf, I hadn’t returned to the forest since our last visit there.
The mory made heat rise to my cheeks.
Two days later, when I had so free ti, I hiked out to the forest. Naturally, I brought at from the kitchen—definitely not human flesh.
I wouldn’t kill anyone to feed them.
"Are you heading to the forest, Luna?" Justin asked, falling into step behind .
Justin and Samuel were the two warriors Perry had personally chosen to guard when he was away.
Most of the ti, I barely noticed their presence since they stayed incredibly quiet. They wouldn’t speak unless I addressed them first, and even then, they’d only give single-word responses.
When I’d asked about this behavior, they simply said they weren’t permitted to chat with unless necessary and had to maintain their distance.
Of course, I understood why. Perry didn’t want getting cozy with other n, even the warriors assigned to protect .
Since I couldn’t speak freely either, I didn’t mind the arrangent. I was comfortable with how things worked.
*Yes.* I nodded. Samuel carried the at while Justin walked ahead of .
"But it’s dangerous there, my queen. You can’t get too close to those wild wolves."
*It’s fine. I’ve been there with the king. Perry introduced to them, and now we’re friends.*
"Friends?" Justin raised his eyebrows, clearly caught off guard by my choice of words, but he didn’t press further as I kept moving forward.
When we finally reached the forest’s edge, I took the at from Samuel’s hands and waved it in the air so the wolves could pick up the scent.
But first, I motioned for them to step back.
"Are you certain this is safe, my queen?" Justin still looked worried while Samuel frowned, his eyes sharp and alert as he scanned our surroundings.
I nodded and smiled reassuringly, then wrote sothing down. *The wolves are friendly with , but I’m not sure about all of you, so I think it’s safer if you back away. I’ll be fine.*
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