<i>Zephyrine </i>
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“You won’t believe the rumors already circting the Shifted Empire,” Princess Serena said, mouth full. “They im you, Zephyrine Ashmere, Alpha of Ash Pack, are… the real deal.”
<b>I </b>stared at her nkly before giggling. The way she had phrased it made the room tense, and for a moment I worried the rumors might be dark.
“I hate being the talk of everyone in the empire. That’s why I epted my prize quietly, when I was named the Goddess of War in silence, in private.”
“You still can’t escape being the talk,” Princess Mearez chimed in, reaching for her goblet, which I filled for her.
“Thanks,” she said, sipping, then set it down. “You are an Ashmere. That alone is enough for everyone to speak of. I wouldn’t be surprised if that man who calls himself your mate came begging you now.”
Princess Serena turned sharply toward her sister, almost ring.
“He wouldn’t even dare,” she said. “Not even with a case here in the Lycan Kingdom.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Nyroth?”
“Is that his name?” Princess Serena asked, reaching for the scroll she had brought and reading briefly before nodding. “He’s been summoned to the throne chamber with that rudedy, Ka. Both will apologize to the maid they humiliated at the party. Your best friend, the host, will also be there.”
I blinked in awe.
“Dessyn? Wow. Is she… safe?”
“Yes. She’s only there to provide exnation. My baby brother won’t harm anyone you care for. You are our wife. Our queen.”
Iughed softly, shaking my head.
“Being a queen sounds boring. Imagine sitting in meetings all day?”
“Lycannar shares that mindset,” Mearez said with augh. “When Father first called him to court to learn how to rule, Lycannar dozed off in the meeting. And he paid dearly for it.”<fn1419> For more chapters visit f?ndnovel</fn1419>
Iughed, taking another bite.
“That day wasn’t funny then, but recalling it now…” Mearez’s voice softened as she swallowed. “Father had him kneel in the arena for a month straight. Fell gravely ill when finally released. No healer was allowed. He had to go straight to court and endure the meetings while sick.”
The breakfast atmosphere turned sour, and I unconsciously dropped my cutlery.
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“Do you have to tell her that, Mearez? You’re killing the mood,” Serena scolded. Both sisters looked at me.
“It’s nothing. I’m fine,” I said softly, though neither believed me. I lowered my gaze, sighing. No wonder Lycannar felt unloved. His father, who should have been a mentor, had never treated him well.
“May I ask a question?” I said gently. They paused, looking at me. “Lycannar<b>, </b>is he a warrior too?”
***
I walked through the hall with Princess Mearez at my side, leading me to the guest hall where Jurrek was staying.
Maids and passing Lycans bowed deeply. Princess Serena had left the dining hall early to attend to the throne chamber, while Anahita cleared the dishes.
We walked in silence until Mearez stopped at an entrance.
“He’s staying here. Thest chamber. You should go in.”
I looked <i>at </i>the door ahead, hesitating, when she gave me a gentle smack on the arm.
“You naughtydy!” she teased. “You know the Beta of Ash Pack closely and listened to my words about him without telling me? You must have mocked me, Zephyrine Ashmere.”
I giggled, shaking my head. I know what she meant.
“How could I dare? For what?” Iughed again when she yfully red. “I heard things about you him too, but since you just smacked me, I’ll keep it to myself.”
Pretending to step past, I tried to slip by, using my agility. She wasn’t a warrior so it was easily done.
“You’ll be a queen, Zephyrine. How do you expect to survive without me when you n to give the kingdom an heir?” she teased. “Out with it, and I’ll grant you lifelong healthcare. Free of charge.”
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Her words made me pause. A kingdom heir. Slowly, the smile left my lips. Thinking I was teasing, she smacked my left arm, the one Lycannar had wed. Pain shot through me, and I leaned on her slightly.
She froze, awe written across her face.
“Zephyrine…”
Footsteps interrupted. A familiar scent and voice reached me before I saw him.
Jurrek.
“Alpha Zephyrine?”
I straightened, moving away from Princess Mearez, setting my jaw against the pain. Concealing it, I turned to Jurrek, who emerged looking as glorious as ever. The same scroll he had held the other night remained in his hand.
“Mydy,” he greeted Mearez, who gave a low nod before turning away, visibly swallowing hard. Jurrek’s gaze lingered on her briefly, then shifted to me as he bowed.
“How are you feeling now?”
I nodded, ignoring the pain in my arm.
“Perfect.”
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“You need to read this. It’s urgent. A letter written by him. He who im to know about about your brother. People call him the Mirror Monger.”
I nodded gently, taking the scroll, and walked a few paces away to read.
The Mirror Monger had written that I, Alpha of Ash Pack with Ashmere blood, muste alone. Then he would speak to me face–to–face about my missing brother.
I gulped as I folded the scroll, sighing. The journey was inevitable… and by tonight, I would likely have to go.
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