Amani burst from the tent, collapsing to her hands and knees on the grass as she retched violently. The sight of Terrence’s lifeless body hanging from the chains was a blow to her gut.Malakai rushed to her side, his hand gently resting on her back, his touch a calming presence amidst her turmoil. “Amani…?”She raised her hand, a silent plea for a moment to compose herself. She took a shuddering breath, forcing the bile back down as she tried to regain control. She had never wished death on anyone—except perhaps, the King. But now, as the bile of despair rose in her throat, the notion of killing him felt hollow. It wouldn’t erase the pain in her heart, and it certainly wouldn’t restore what she had lost. She wanted justice, not vengeance; to see the King held accountable for his heinous crimes and to stop the cycle of suffering inflicted by his corruption.“Are you alright, Amani?” Malakai asked gently.“No… I’m not alright,” she replied, turning to face him with a mix of frustration
The moment Malakai entered the Conference Hall, the air grew heavy with tension, every eye locking onto him with consternation. “What’s the verdict, Prince Malakai?” Alpha Dale of the Swiftwater Pack asked, his voice cutting through the silence. “Is she pulling her troops out of Blackclaw?” Malakai’s gaze swept the room before he responded. “No, she’s not.” The King, unfazed, leaned forward, a cold smirk playing on his lips. “Very well then. This won’t be the first time I’ve sent some trifling rogues to their demise, and it won’t be the last. Members of the Council, assemble the army—we’re going to war.” “Not so fast,” Malakai interjected, his tone laced with a quiet, simmering intensity. “There are some serious allegations against you, Father.” The room fell into an oppressive silence, every breath seeming to hold still. “Amani obtained a confession from Terrence Kramer, the head of shipments and trade. He claimed that you ordered him to poison an entire shipment of food meant for
Amani’s mind raced as Daniela laid bare the dark, twisted history of the late Queen Marie’s death. She knew the King was a malevolent man, but to hear that he was capable of murdering his own mate sent a chill through her bones.“Daniela,” Amani’s voice was a mere whisper, laced with disbelief, “are you absolutely certain these accusations are true? How do we know Queen Cara wasn’t just spinning a web of lies?”Daniela’s eyes hardened with conviction. “It’s not just her words, Amani. It’s the burden she carries. You can see it in her eyes—the weight of years spent harboring that dark secret. Queen Cara didn’t just hear about it; she was part of the cover-up. Why else do you think she became Luna Queen? King Zander could have chosen anyone, yet he married a woman he can’t even bear to sit beside. It was a trade—a lifelong alliance between their families, sealed by her father’s help in cleaning up the King’s crime. The price of silence was her ascension to the throne. That’s the truth s
“What does it say?” Amani inquired, her voice taut as Kaleb unraveled the note from the blue jay.“They arrested the Queen,” Kaleb replied, his tone heavy with concern.“Are you kidding me?!” Amani exclaimed, disbelief turning into anger.Kaleb’s eyes narrowed as he added, “Damn it, the entire Council could be corrupt for all we know.”Amani began pacing the tent, her nails biting into her lips as she wrestled with her thoughts. “This is all my fault… I never should have asked her to stand alone. I should’ve had her flee here to me… I could have protected her!”“This isn’t your fault, Amani,” Archer interjected, glancing at the note from Rush. “There’s a standoff between Malakai and his father. Malakai is awaiting our arrival.”“If we step foot in that palace, it’ll be war,” Amani murmured, the weight of the actuality pressing down on her.“Isn’t that what we came here for?” Kaleb raised.“No… I mean yes. But, if I can prevent more unnecessary deaths, I’ll do everything in my power to
Archer paced the tent, his mind racing. “Just like that, he’s ready to surrender? I’m not buying it.” “Kai’s letter matches the one with the King’s seal. He said his father admitted that he can’t win this war,” Amani replied. “Something doesn’t feel right, Amani.” Archer’s unease was palpable. “That’s completely normal, Archer. We’re in the thick of this war, tensions are at their peak, and we’re all feeling the pressure. You know I wouldn’t trust the King as far as I could throw him… but I do trust Kai, and I know you do too.” Archer knew she was right. He trusted Malakai with his life, and if Malakai believed his father was sincere in surrendering, then that was enough for him. “We should still proceed with caution,” Archer urged. “I couldn’t agree more,” Amani replied, moving to the table where a map of the Royal Kingdom was spread out, her gaze narrowing as she assessed their next move. “The King plans to send one of his guards to sign the treaty,” Amani explained, her tone
The stillness was unsettling as Amani stepped into the heart of the clearing. Not a single cricket chirped, nor did the wind dare to stir the grass. Midnight had settled over the land, yet there was no sign of the King’s guard. Amani’s gaze swept across the trees on the far edge of the clearing, searching for any flicker of movement. The eerie quiet gnawed at her; in times of war, punctuality wasn’t just protocol—it was a matter of truce.Her army lay in wait, concealed and poised to strike at the first hint of treachery. Darius and Archer held the front line, their senses razor-sharp as they awaited their Alpha’s signal.Archer pawed at his head for the third time, catching Darius’ attention. “What’s the matter with you?” Darius asked through the mind-link.“I’m not sure,” Archer replied, unease threading through his thoughts. “There’s this strange buzzing in my head, like something’s trying to tug at my mind.”———Malakai tore through the palace in his wolf form, a blur of dark fur
Darius and the soldiers moved swiftly, their steps urgent as they carried Malakai’s unconscious form into the medical tent. Amani followed close behind, her eyes wide with fear, heart pounding in her chest. The warm, coppery scent of his blood filled the air, mingling with the scent of antiseptic and herbs inside the tent. The tension was thick, oppressive, as every soldier felt the gravity of the situation.Maggie was already waiting, her hands steady but her eyes sharp with concern. When her gaze fell upon Malakai, a gasp escaped her lips, and her face paled. The sight of the darkening veins around the gaping wound made her stomach twist with dread.“Oh dear Goddess, what happened?!” Maggie’s voice trembled as she rushed forward, her hands moving instinctively to assess the damage.“He’s been hit with silver, Maggie,” Amani’s voice cracked with desperation. “Please… please help him.”Maggie’s eyes darkened with understanding, and she immediately took charge. “Call the Physician! Get
As Amani’s fangs sank into Malakai’s flesh, a sudden jolt of energy surged through her, stronger than anything she’d felt before. It was as if the world around her blurred for a moment, then dissolved entirely, leaving her in a place that was neither here nor there—a space beyond time, beyond reality. Her vision swirled with brilliant colors, then settled, revealing an ethereal scene.Suspended in the vastness of the cosmos, was a luminous, iridescent egg. Its shell shimmered with a soft, otherworldly glow, shifting between shades of deep violet and radiant silver, like the night sky encapsulated in a single fragile sphere. Inside the cosmic egg, two small wolves played, their forms glowing with a light that seemed to come from within.The first was Zayn, a sleek black wolf, his fur dark as midnight, with a powerful yet gentle presence. He moved with a confident grace, his large paws barely making a sound as he playfully chased after the smaller wolf beside him.The other was Seraphin