<i>Zephyrine </i>


    I stared at the arrival of the Imperium Council messenger who galloped into Ash Pack that cloudy afternoon.


    He dismounted sharply and bowed with deep respect toward the entrance, and I swallowed when I saw he bore a sealed scroll.


    All onlookers froze, their attention fixed on him. Then he came out, my brother. Varyn. He walked forward to stand before the messenger, who extended the scroll with utmost reverence, his forearm outstretched, his head lowered.


    My brother epted the scroll delivered from the Wolf Fortress. The messenger bowed again, this time so low his head touched the ground, before mounting his horse and riding away sharply.


    There I stood, swallowing hard. A scroll delivered with such ceremony, under a clouded sky, from the Imperium Council, it meant something sacred.


    I watched as my brother held onto it, then slowly turned his gaze upward, toward the window of my bedchamber. Our eyes met, and a chill ran down my spine. Varyn.


    He dropped his gaze and walked inside. For what felt like an eternity I couldn’t breathe. I felt… empty.


    I was not allowed outside anymore, and it had gradually be the norm. Blue had left, and Isolde now handled everythingpletely. Yet never have I felt so… empty.


    I was still standing when the sound of my door opening came. I felt his gaze on me even before I turned. My brother. <fn360f> Find the newest release on find(?)ovel</fn360f>


    He searched my eyes in silence, then extended the scroll to me. I stared at it for a long moment before walking toward him and taking it.


    Gently, I moved to the chair and sat, breaking the seal to read.


    ‘By themand of the Imperial Council, Varyn Ashmere, the true son ofte Warlord Vale, will stand at attention on the third day of full moon to be crowned the new Werewolf Warlord, and he will lead the Ashmere Armies to victory.


    It was great news. I was not born when my father was crowned a warlord, but I had heard the stories of how excited everyone had been, how they threw parties and drank all night.


    But… for Varyn? Why did I feel more fear than excitement? Why did I feel this position was offered only to pull him to the Council’s side rather than pay for what they had done to the Ashmeres? As though t buy him off?


    “Today,” Varyn said as he moved toward the chair opposite me, “I received a letter from Moonveil Fortress<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    I lifted my eyes to him as he continued.


    “Thousands of soldiers are ready to answer one order from us, Zephyr. Every werewolf in every pack is on our side after hearing that our father, the werewolf warlord was in unjustly by Apex’s ws. They all want justice, just as we do. We are stronger than before, and when we make the attack… we will win. This time, we will be victorious.”


    Hearing him say those words made my chest tighten. I hadn’t realized I was already panicking until he reached for my hand and gave it a tender squeeze, his eyes never leaving mine.


    Attack… where?


    That was the only question burning in my mind when the sound of gates opening and closing echoed.


    A scent hit my nostrils, the scent of a Lycan. Varyn caught it too. His expression darkened as he moved to the window, a dangerous smirk curling on his lips.


    “I suppose Apex has decided to dere war openly now.”


    I froze where I sat, dread spreading through me. Footsteps approached, and the door opened. I turned toward it, and there stood Blue, holding unto a ring and a book that looks more like an old diary.


    One look at her eyes told me she hadn’t rested. She had traveled all night to get here. Slowly, she walked forward and bowed. When she straightened, she extended the ring Lycannar had proposed with.


    My heart thudded painfully at the sight of it. Even more when she spoke.


    “My king said he will ept any punishment, but not this one. He said you are his, and he is yours, and no one will take that away. He said if you truly want a break up, then you muste to his kingdom and say it to his face.”


    The audacity. The boldness of those words. My brother lost it. He stormed toward the exit, but I shot


    up


    from my seat and said quickly.


    “Varyn, let me go.”


    He paused at the doorway and turned slowly, as though stunned I had spoken.


    “Let me go give him back the ring. I will break things off with him and return.”


    step, he Hearing this, my brother stared at me in silence for a long time. Then, step by slow approached. Each one made my heart thunder harder.


    When he reached me, his palm came up, caressing my cheek with a tender pressure that forced


    my gaze into his.


    “A carriage will be ready tonight. You will return immediately after putting him in his ce.” His voice was soft, almost coaxing. I nodded, though my heart raced.


    “You put him in his ce, Zephyr. He is an enemy. Our enemy. You understand…?”


    I searched Varyn’s eyes before choking back a sob as the tears fell.


    “Yes,” I whispered. “I understand.”