Zephyrine


    I have never seen so many people in one ce until the massive gates of the Lycan Kingdom open and our carriage wheels<ol><li>in.</li></ol>


    Ancient walls, imprable and towering. The scent in the air is different, earthy, wild, and touched by something otherworldly. The wind seems to whisper in a tongue I don’t understand.


    Children run past. Men, women, young and old move about, going on with their lives as if a king hasn’t just died. I expected mourning… but it feels like they’re celebrating.


    How else could a coronation be announced only two days after the death of the Lycan King?


    I nce around in quiet awe. Then I spot it. A crest I know too well. Nyroth’s carriage.


    So… they’re already here.


    I swallow hard, and beside me, Dessyn notices. She follows my gaze and arches a brow, recognizing the sigil as well.


    “Nyroth apanied Ka to secure the host position,” I murmur.


    I brace myself for her reaction. A sharpment. A curse. But instead, she looks at me, really looks at me.


    “I’m fine. It’s nothing.” I add too quickly.


    To you, maybe. But your parents wouldn’t have wanted you to live like this, Zephyr. Not even Varyn.”


    Her words cut deeper than I expect, a lump forming in my throat.


    A guard approaches then, saving me from answering.


    “You’re wee to the Lycan Kingdom. Please follow me,” he says politely.


    We move as one. Me, Dessyn, Alpha Aedric, and his Beta, down a long corridor and into a grand hall. A wooden table stretches down the center, surrounded by carved chairs. The walls are lined with ancient prints, the kind that tell stories no one dares whisper aloud.


    And then I see them.


    Nyroth and Ka. Seated beside each other. His hand covering hers. Smiling like lovers.


    His eyes flick toward me and a frown pulls at his brow. But he says nothing. Publicly, we are strangers. That’s what he wanted, isn’t it? To keep our bond secret. Now I understand why.


    I walk with Alpha Aedric and Dessyn to our seats across from them. Kai, Nyroth’s Beta, res at me as if I’ve betrayed them somehow. I ignore him. I ignore all of them.


    Because just seats away from the head of the table sit two women I’ve only heard of in whispers. The Lycan princesses. Apex Blood’s elder sisters.


    They are stunning in a way that could inspire envy in even the most secure soul. I have never been the jealous kind. My parents gave me everything. The Moon Goddess blessed me with strength. But even I am left breathless by their grace, their poise. Their presence.


    The hall is heavily guarded. Tense. Everyone on edge. This is, after all, the first time werewolves have ever been allowed into the Lycan Kingdom.


    But Apex Blood is nowhere to be seen.


    I nce at Dessyn. She’s nervous, her hands wringing in herp. I take one of them and squeeze it gently. She turns and offers a small, grateful smile. This is a big moment. Hosting the first ever Lycan coronation as a werewolf. And yet, she’s handled warrior festivals before. She can do this.


    I’m still thinking that, silently encouraging her, when the sound of footsteps echoes through the hall.


    Silence falls. A silence so thick, it feels sacred.


    He’s here.


    The door opens and I feel it again. That same ominous sensation. My wolf stirs. Goosebumps rise on my skin.


    Apex Blood walks in and everything changes.


    He moves past us, his presence a storm wrapped in ck. His scent clings to the air like an intoxication. Flowersced with blood. Grace cloaked in danger.


    Up close, he is… haunting. Dressed all in ck, a thick fur cloak over his shoulders. His long dark hair falls around his face, some strands clinging to his cheek. His raven perched on his shoulder as he walked in, its glossy feathers absorbing the dim light. It tilted its head, as if judging everything around them, yet remained utterly at ease atop him. He doesn’t nce at anyone. Not even once. Instead, he walks straight to the two women waiting for him.


    And then he kisses the first princess. On the lips.


    She smiles and touches his cheek as if it’s the most natural greeting in the world.


    Then he turns to the second and kisses her too. Again, on the lips.


    Alphas don’t greet their sisters this way. But the Lycans from the Royal bloodline do. And now I understand what people meant when they said Apex Blood worships his sisters.


    This… is devotion. This is something else entirely.


    He finally pulls away and walks over to take his seat at the head of the table, far away. He keeps his eyes down, refusing to meet anyone’s gaze.


    A man, who seem to be his beta steps forward and addresses the room.


    “Wee to the Lycan Kingdom, Alphas and representatives. His Highness acknowledges your presence.”


    “Thank you,” Nyroth says smoothly.


    Alpha Aedric follows,


    “We are honored, Your Highness.”


    His beta continues, his gaze drifting to the women present.


    “You havee to present the most suitable host for the coronation. But I see three women.”


    Alpha Auedric speaks first.


    “Zephyr is not here to apply. She is a guest. It is Dessyn, of the White Pack, who wishes to host. She’s well–versed in ceremony and has led many sessful events in the Ash pack.”


    A loud snort breaks the moment.


    Kai.


    “Please. Ka of ckbridge Pack is here as well. She’s not just graceful, she’s brilliant. The first female envoy of our time. Shepleted every mission the Empire gave her, Ka was the best when it came to archery and everyone knew it. If anyone should host the coronation, it’s her.”


    “Thank you, Kai,” Ka says softly, then turns toward Dessyn with a patronizing smile. “This isn’t a vige festival that needed a local event nner. It’s the coronation of a King. You wouldn’t be able to handle it. I’m sorry.”


    Dessyn’s eyes red, and she wasted no time retorting.


    “Then let’s put skill to the test instead of trading petty insults. Unless, of course, you’re afraid topete. In a fair contest of


    hosting. I’d beat you without breaking a sweat.”


    “Beat me?” Ka scoffed. “When ites to hosting? Sweetheart, you can’t even tell the wine goblet from the chamber pot. And those so–called festivals you ‘hosted‘ in Ash Pack? Please. You want apetition? Fine. Archery. It is well known that a host needs to have great physical fitness, and archery happens to be a good way to test one’s physical abilities. I’ll have you ck and blue before your first arrow leaves the string.”


    Silence fell on Dessyn’s side this time. She had never learnedbat, let alone archery. Ka, however, was known as one of the finest archers alive, capable of hitting a bullseye from impossible distances.


    I had never nned on intervening or speaking to Ka but when I saw Dessyn fisting her hands helplessly under the table, I set my jaw and met Ka’s eyes.


    “Fine. If that’s what you want. Let’s have thepetition.”


    The room went still immediately after my challenge. Then he moved.<fn1025> Updates are released by F?nd-Novel</fn1025>


    Apex lifted his head, and his eyes, those eyes,nded on me.


    They didn’t waver. Didn’t blink. Didn’t shift to Ka or Dessyn or anyone else.


    Only me.


    That stare… it wasn’t like the way Nyroth used to look at Ka. It was deeper. Heavier. Mysterious in a way I didn’t understand and at that moment, everything changed.


    Send Gifts


    合


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