Chapter 9!Lady Ayla!

AYLA

My eyes drifted to Slade, who had a look of concern on his face. I haven't been able to control my powers, and he knows this. But from the look of things, I don’t think he will be able to change his mother’s mind.

“Well, go on,” I could hear the mockery in her voice. “You do not want to keep this subject of the King waiting,” I cleared my throat. “You want to serve at the pleasure of our King. You want to be useful so you won’t be cast out?” she asked, and I nodded.

“Good. Then do what you were brought here to do. Heal her,” I looked down at the woman in front of me.

I swallowed hard, my throat tightening with both fear and confusion. I had never been asked to heal someone like this, with so many watching, with so much riding on the outcome. And the pressure was almost unbearable. The council’s eyes were sharp and full of judgment, and I could feel the weight of every expectation on my shoulders.

I stepped forward, hesitating for only a moment before I knelt in front of the woman. I laid her flat on the floor and held her hands. I could feel Slade’s gaze on me, but I didn’t dare meet it. The queen’s words were clear: heal her, or prove that I was nothing more than an empty threat.

The woman before me trembled slightly, her breath shallow. She was barely holding on. “Hold on, I got you,” I said to her. She nodded, trying to keep her tears from rolling down her chin.

I closed my eyes and tried to feel the magic that is supposed to be coursing through my veins. I have felt then before, today, right now, should be no different.

Shutting out my thoughts was the first thing I did, then I began to feel. My hands glowed, and I could feel a cooling sensation flow through my body. The glow in my hands pulsed gently, and it sparked a glow in the high hall.

I looked down at the woman before me, and the pain in her eyes had begun to fade away just like when I do the same for Slade. I could hear the whispers coming from the council. They might be some of the most powerful Lycans alive, but none of them have seen magic happen before their hands.

The woman let out a soft gasp, her chest rising slightly more than before. Her fingers, once limp, curled weakly around mine. A spark of hope flared in my chest. It worked. I helped her up on her feet, and she stood properly.

Most of the members gave an approving nod but some had an expressionless face like the Queen. I couldn’t tell if Slade was smiling, but I could tell he was proud of my progress

“You just proved to me that you can only save one person at a time,” Queen Lyra said, and I scoffed.

“I’m still learning a lot, Queen Lyra. I only found out about my powers weeks ago from His Highness,” I said, and she waved her feathers.

“Yes, when you healed him in the forest,” She said, sarcastically.

“That’s why I will be training her,” Slade said and stood in front of me.

“Really?” the queen asked. “There are other soldiers, fighters, and warriors. You don’t have to do that.”

“You want her to be able to fight on the battlefield. Training her myself is the only way,” I could feel my palms getting sweaty. 

Fighting on the battlefield was one of the ways I thought I could prove to my father that I wasn’t just some wolfless Omega.  Now, not only will I be fighting, but I might be fighting against him.

Queen Lyra leaned back in her chair, her gaze fixed on me. “You will stay by my son’s side,” she said coldly. “You will be known as Lady Ayla,” she said, and my eyeball moved in a different direction.

“Lady Ayla Stormbringer?” I asked.

“No,” Slade’s words came out rather sharply. “You will only be known as Lady Ayla, and you will have to denounce the Stormbringer name and pack,” he said, and I let out a gasp silently.

I might hate my father with everything in me, but that doesn’t mean I will want to denounce his name or my pack’s name. Facing hardship is part of who we are, my mother taught me that. 

If not for anything but for her, I would love to keep my name. 

“What’s going on with her, King Slade?” His mother asked. “What’s she thinking about?” I turned my head sharply at her at the sound of her question.

I have forgotten that Slade could read my mind. And I have been thinking about my family and my whole pack.

“I’m sorry, Mother, but I can’t read her mind,” he said, and I looked at him, confused.

“Can’t or won't?” she asked him.

“Won’t,” he said and walked up to her. “You forget your place, Mother. I am the King, and whatever I say goes. I have asked for a proposal, and now, I can do whatever I want. You have done your duty, and now, it is time I do mine,” he turned away from her and sat on the huge throne in the room. 

Queen Lyra’s face hardened, her sharp eyes narrowing into mine, but she didn’t speak. Her silence spoke volumes. I’m guessing she knows better than to challenge the King in front of the council, even though he is her son.

Slade’s voice echoed in the high hall, powerful and sure, “From this day forward, Lady Ayla will train under my command. She will be protected by royal decree, and any offense against her will be taken as an offense against the crown.” He looked directly at the council, daring any of them to object. None did.

I stood still, my hands trembling slightly from the aftershock of the healing and the weight of what had just happened. I was no longer just a girl trying to survive. I was no longer just a healer. I was Lady Ayla. I could already feel the weight of the title on my shoulder.

As the council began to disperse in murmurs, Queen Lyra stood abruptly, her long silver robe sweeping the marble floors like a snake ready to strike. She paused beside me, her voice low enough for only me to hear.

“Titles are fleeting, girl,” she said, her tone cold and edged with something darker. “But loyalty — loyalty is forged in blood. Remember that before you decide who you truly belong to.”

With that, she walked away, her regal posture never faltering.

Slade was by my side in an instant. “You did well,” he said, gently brushing his knuckles against my arm. “Better than I hoped.”

I looked up at him, my voice barely a whisper. “Did you mean it… about me denouncing my name?”

His jaw tightened. “It wasn’t to hurt you, Ayla. It’s about protection. The less you’re tied to your past, the harder it will be for your enemies to use it against you.”

I shook my head, conflicted. “But it’s still my name. ”

He sighed, placing a hand over mine. “Then keep it in your heart. But here, at court, Lady Ayla is who you must be. For now.”

I nodded slowly, trying to accept it, trying to be strong.

A low growl echoed through the corridor beyond the throne room. One of the guards came rushing in, blood staining his armor.

“My King,” he panted. “Some rogues are attempting to cross the eastern border.”

“Rogues?” I was surprised. 

“Are you ready, Lady Ayla?” Slade asked, and I stood still.

I wasn’t sure if I was ready. But I knew I couldn’t turn back now.