<i>Zephyrine </i>


    I was just pulling my hair up when the knock came. I rushed to the door and opened it to see him already dressed.


    Nyroth.


    I smiled, relieved he was keeping his promise this time.


    “I’m almost done. The ride to the memorial hall shouldn’t be…”


    I was saying but my voice trailed off. The expression on his face made my chest tighten.


    He had promised we’d go together.


    What changed now?


    “Zeph… I, uh…” he hesitated, then asked, “You heard about the death of the Lycan King?”


    “May the Moon Goddess grant him safe passage to the afterlife,” I said. “But what does that have to do with anything?”


    “Apex Blood,” he said, and a cold chill ran down my spine. “He’s opened the gates of the Lycan Kingdom, for the first time in history, to werewolves. His coronation is tomorrow. Hue Pack just received an invitation.”


    That… is good news. Hue Pack had grown stronger since my arrival.


    I smiled and nodded.


    “Then we’ll go together. I can’t wait to see the Lycan Kingdom, but first, we should head to the memorial hall. You’ll have plenty to doter today.”


    He didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Just stared at me. And that was when I knew he was about to break my heart again.


    “Ka wants to host the coronation, Zeph,” he said atst. “She needs help convincing Apex. So… I’ll be apanying her to the Lycan Kingdom.”


    I froze.


    The silence stretched like an eternity. My knees went weak. He is doing it again.


    “The Alpha of ckbridge pack can help with that.”


    “Well it’s no news he has been unstable after his Luna left him.”


    “You’re choosing her. Again.”


    “That’s not what this is,” he replied quickly. “Your parents‘ ashes aren’t going anywhere. I’ll pay my respects eventually.”


    His words hit harder than any p. The silence that followed felt like a pit.


    Atst, he sighed. just as he always did when he thought he’d made the right call.


    “This is an opportunity for Hue Pack. I’ll meet Apex, see if he’s open to trade. Don’t you think that’s wise?”


    I said nothing. I turned away and walked to the window, staring out in silence.


    Everything always had to revolve around him. The pack. His ambitions. His mother. Ka,


    Never me.


    After a few seconds, I heard his footsteps retreating. Then the carriage wheels..


    I looked down and saw him guide Ka outside, his hand on her waist. She paused before stepping in and looked up. Right at<ol><li>me.</li></ol>


    A small smile curled at the corner of her lips. Taunting.


    Nyroth helped her into the carriage. He never looked my way. Then he got in too, and they rode off, with his Beta and guards, toward the Lycan Kingdom.


    Grief and silence filled my room after their departure. I pulled away from the window, turning to lie down but something moved outside again.


    I stepped back to the window and saw Dessyn walking into the pack courtyard, waving.


    A breath of relief escaped my lips. I rushed outside to meet her. She pulled me into a quick hug,ughing.


    “Guess what, best friend?”


    Dessyn Dusk,es from White Pack. My best friend since forever and my brother’s first love.


    She hosted most of the festivals back in Ash Pack as a nner, and her younger brother Aedric Dusk had fought beside me in battle. A fellow Sentinel. My junior. But now he is the Alpha of White pack.<fn6271> Follow current nov?ls on </fn6271>


    “What is it?” I asked, my mood lifting already.


    She grabbed my wrist yfully.


    “Are you busy?”


    “No.”


    “Then how about youe with us to the Lycan Kingdom?”


    I pulled back.


    “Why are you going there?”


    “You didn’t hear? Apex opened the gates for werewolves. He dered that anyone who can host the coronation can apply. Thousands have submitted requests, but Alpha Aedric set up a meeting. I’m going. He’sing with me. Our carriage is waiting just outside. I thought I’d check if you’d want to join.”


    My thoughts stilled. The same destination as Nyroth. The same opportunity.


    Is this Fate?


    “Zephyr,e along,” she said, nudging me. “You’ve been locked up in this pack too long. Let’s go see the Lycan Kingdom.”


    Then she lowered her voice, grinning.


    “Let’s go see Apex Blood. They say he’s strange but handsome. What do you think?”


    I turned back toward my chamber and sighed. I didn’t want to run into Pam or Olivia today and I had no intention of apologizing to anyone.


    “Let’s go,” I said.


    Dessyn grinned and tugged my wrist as we rushed out.


    Two carriages waited in thene. In one were the Alpha and Beta of White Pack. When they saw me, I bowed. Alpha Aedric smiled at me.


    White Pack lrad a long history of battle contributions, and Alpha Aedric was one of the few who knew my identity and honored it.


    He’d served with my father in war before retiring early due to a knee injury.


    I stepped into the second carriage with Dessyn. She settled beside me, smiling brightly as the wheels began to roll.


    213


    We were heading to the Lycan Kingdom. My heart beat fast, not from fear but from the knowledge that soon, I would be in the presence of Apex Blood again and something told me… this time, things would change.


    Send Gifts


    2.2K


    <b>D </b>


    M