Episode 2
767 Words
The Royal Ring
Lyria... answer me!
Her cousin, Rowan, snatched the black ring from her trembling fingers, his face drained of color.
"This is the Alpha King's royal ring." His voice cracked. "How did you get this?"
Lyria swallowed hard.
I... I found it.
"You found it?" Rowan almost laughed. Do you know what this means? The Alpha King never takes this ring off. Never.
Her heart pounded violently.
She couldn't tell him the truth.
She couldn't tell anyone what had happened beneath the Blood Moon.
If the Royal Guards see this, Rowan continued, lowering his voice, they'll accuse you of k********g the Alpha King... or worse.
Before Lyria could respond, the sharp blast of a hunting horn echoed through the forest.
Rowan's eyes widened.
They're here.
Within seconds, dozens of wolves burst from the trees.
Each wore black armor engraved with a silver wolf crest.
The Royal Guards.
Their captain stepped forward, his cold gaze scanning the clearing before settling on Lyria.
No one leaves.
The guards surrounded them instantly.
The captain's eyes narrowed as he noticed the ring in Rowan's hand.
Where did you get that?
Rowan hesitated.
It... it belongs to my cousin.
The captain strode forward and snatched the ring.
The moment he saw the royal crest, he dropped to one knee in shock.
The Alpha King's ring...
Every guard immediately knelt.
Lyria's blood ran cold.
The captain slowly rose, his expression darker than before.
"The Alpha King disappeared during the Blood Moon ceremony."
His eyes bored into hers.
"And now his ring is in your possession."
"Take her."
Two guards grabbed Lyria before she could react.
"I didn't do anything!" she cried.
"You can explain yourself before the royal council."
Rowan stepped in front of her.
"She's innocent!"
A guard shoved him aside so hard that he crashed into a tree.
Rowan!" Lyria screamed.
"Move again," the captain warned, "and I'll arrest you for interfering with a royal investigation.
Tears burned her eyes as Rowan struggled to stand.
"I'm sorry," he whispered helplessly.
The guards bound Lyria's wrists with silver chains.
As they marched her through the forest, whispers spread among the soldiers.
Could she be the assassin?
Maybe she stole the King's ring after killing him.
No... she's too weak.
Each accusation cut deeper than the last.
By sunset, the towering gates of the Royal Palace came into view.
Lyria had never seen the palace before.
Its black stone walls stretched toward the sky like a fortress built by giants.
The gates slowly opened.
Inside, hundreds of nobles and warriors filled the grand courtyard.
The entire kingdom had gathered.
The moment Lyria was dragged inside, every conversation stopped.
Thousands of eyes turned toward her.
The captain raised the ring high above his head.
We found the Alpha King's royal ring in this woman's possession!
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"Execute her!"
She's the traitor!
She knows where the Alpha King is!
Fear squeezed Lyria's chest.
She searched desperately for an escape, but every exit was blocked.
Suddenly...
A powerful Alpha aura exploded across the courtyard.
The pressure was so overwhelming that nearly everyone dropped to one knee.
Lyria's heart skipped.
She knew that presence.
Footsteps echoed across the stone floor.
The crowd parted instantly.
A tall figure emerged from the palace, dressed in a black royal cloak.
It was him.
The Alpha King.
Alive.
Lyria's heart flooded with relief until he looked directly at her.
There was no recognition in his silver eyes.
Only icy indifference.
His voice echoed through the silent courtyard.
"I have never seen this woman before."
Lyria felt the world shatter beneath her feet.
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