Zephyrine


    I haven’t slept.


    玲


    His agreement to the rejection didn’t shock me. I’ve always known that’s what his heart desired.


    What surprised me was his anger. How furious he became at the mere fact that Apex looked at me.


    Finished


    While he has stared at another woman all his life, just one nce from another man at me is enough to make his blood boil.


    I sigh and turn to the window. The sun is rising.


    The coronation will begin soon. The time has said it will be held under sunrise.


    I get up from the bed, readying myself too before the carriage of White Pack arrives, when the sound of giggles catches my


    attention.


    “Stop that, Nyroth. You have a mate. You can’t kiss me like that.”


    Ka’s voice filters in from his chambers and then his deep voice followed.


    “Stay still. She means nothing now.”


    I blink rapidly and pull back, suppressing my wolf.


    Shouldn’t he restrain himself? At least until the rejection is finalized?


    I walk away from the b


    and take a bath. As I step out of my bath chambers, I overhear gasps outside.


    Slowly, I walk to the window and peer through.


    Every eye is on her.


    The guards, the maids, the pack members, they’re all fixated on Ka, graceful in her coronation dress.


    Pam, Nyroth’s mother, and Olivia, his sister, beam with joy, glowing with pride at Ka and Nyroth’s closeness.


    They’re already dressed for the coronation.


    They mount the carriage and ride toward the Lycan Kingdom.


    Without me.


    I turn back, walk to my wardrobe, and stand in front of the gown for a long time. It’s stunning, rich, elegant, but it feels foreign.


    I’ve long since grownfortable in trousers and soft linen shirts.


    Now, I gather my hair into braids, but I pause when my fingers brush the scar at my scalp. I sigh.


    The scar I earned when I saved a boy from a fire, long ago.


    I braid over it, covering it, sealing the past.


    Just then, I hear my name called. I walk to the window again. Dessyn is already dressed, radiant.


    Princess Mairez had gifted us these dresses and fine shoes. She’s been gentle, warm. If I said I didn’t respect her already, I’d be lying.


    “Let’s go. We’rete,” my best friend calls.


    I rush out. As I step into the open, I hear the gasps, see the heads turning.


    0:30 PM p p


    My first time dressed feminine.


    How’s that for a change?


    Finished


    Power


    I’ve seen it, raw and unfiltered, when my father oncemanded an army before my eyes.


    That day, something inside me was hooked. Addicted.


    I felt it again when my brother was promoted to War General.


    Since then, I’ve craved it, that feeling that sends shivers down your skin.


    And I feel it now as I step into the grand hall of the throne room and see the golden crown, glowing, waiting for its king.


    I’ve never known just how many packs exist in the werewolf world.


    But hundreds havee to witness Apex’s ascension.


    Everyone is already seated, most fawning over Ka, who sits beside Nyroth.


    The door opens, and I enter with the Dusk family and Alpha Aeudric of White Pack.


    Instant silence. Heads turn to me but it’s someone else who catches my eye.


    Jurrek and two Ash Pack elders seated in the front row, a ce of honor.<fn432e> Latest content published on f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fn432e>


    Honor for us. For my brother.


    Jurrek stands, but I nce away, signaling him silently to sit back down.


    This is Apex’s moment, not mine. I won’t steal the light.


    I follow Alpha Aeudric and Moon to the seats reserved for the White Pack. Dessyn hurries over, frazzled and breathless.


    “The King will arrive shortly,” she says, adjusting a tray of goblets. “Goodness. The staff I hired are doing their best, but the security isn’t as tight as I thought.”


    “Everything will be fine, Dessyn,” I assure her.


    She nods.


    “I really pray so.”


    No sooner has she spoken than the double doors open again.


    The two Lycan princesses enter. Grace incarnate. Their presence


    demands reverence.


    They make their way to the two seats beside the king’s throne.


    Princess Mearez pauses by Alpha Aeudric, giving him a warm smile and a respectful nod.


    Then she turns to me.


    “You look… wonderful, Zephyrine,” she says, her smile radiant. “I can call you that, right?”


    “Right.”


    She gives Dessyn a kind smile too and leans in to whisper,


    *My brother said this morning the host will be hired again for future festivals across the Lycan Kingdom. It’ll be a tedious job. Brace yourself.”


    9:39 PM P P.


    Then she leaves. But her words ignite joy in Dessyn, she can’t contain her smile.


    Even Alpha Aeudric is grinning, proud that White Pack’s name is spreading.


    I sit down, quietly smiling, my eyes fixed on a porcin cup on the table.


    Then I feel it. An intense gaze.


    But this time, it doesn’t excite me. It doesn’t send a chill.


    I nce up and meet Nyroth’s eyes.


    He’s watching me from the table reserved for Hue Pack. He hasn’t stopped staring since I arrived.


    But I no longer care. I look away. Only to notice Moon ncing my way.


    Finished


    “It’s strange seeing you in a dress like this,” he says when our eyes meet. Then he looks down and smiles faintly. “You look beautiful.”


    His words barely register before the room falls into deep silence.


    He is here.


    Yesterday, he was a lord. Today, he bes a king.


    The great doors part and Apex Blood enters.


    Gasps ripple through the room. All attention pivots to him. Shock, awe, reverence.


    Many have never seen him in person. Now they do.


    He is a shadow stitched in flesh. So tall, dressed inyered ck again with his raven on his shoulder.


    Only this time, his fur cloak bears the royal crest of the Lycan Kingdom.


    Even the silence bows beneath his presence.


    He walks forward, imposing, calm. But then he stops. Abruptly.


    His head turns. To me.


    I swallow hard as his eyes meet mine.


    Colorless this time. cial. Devouring.


    He holds the stare for a moment before moving on.


    He walks to his throne but not without detouring first to his sisters. He kisses them both gently on the lips just as he did yesterday.


    Gasps ripple again.


    Yes, I was stunned yesterday too But I’vee <i>to </i>understand their bond,


    Atst, Apex sits on his throne. Head bowed. His Eyes lowered like yesterday, Avoiding every gaze. Or perhaps… choosing not


    to see us at all.


    “It’s time. Let’s get started,” Dessyn says<b>, </b>rising with renewed energy.


    And just like that, the coronation begins.