Birthright

Chapter 8 - A promise I can’t keep- Ephy POV

Walking through Slaver’s Bay basically the slums of Talvarna. I kept my head down as the familiar stench of rot, blood, and piss clung to the air. I’d grown up in it; the smell no longer bothered me. It was simply the scent of survival.

As I passed the weary faces and hollow eyes of the people around me, I couldn’t help but imagine what life must have been like before. They say the old Talvarna was a paradise, a place bursting with color, music, and the aroma of food so rich it could make your mouth water.

I’ve never seen that world, but I dream of it.

I want that for them, for all of us.

For our future.

That thought takes me back to what Raven told me earlier about the whispers of a rebellion forming in the shadows.

And I have to admit, something does feel different lately. There’s a change in the air, a stirring of energy that wasn’t there before. Hope, faint but growing hums through the streets like a forgotten melody.

People talk in hushed tones about a saviour, the one destined to free us from Lucian’s reign. Some say it’s only a myth. Others swear it’s the unborn son of Alpha King Kade and Luna Queen Emilia, the child who was said to have died the night of the Great War.

But if the rumours are true.. maybe he didn’t die at all.

“Boo!” Jake’s voice rang out behind me a second before his arms wrapped around me in a crushing bear hug.

“Jake!” I gasped, half laughing, half scolding as I swatted at his chest. “You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that!”

He only grinned, unbothered, his golden eyes glinting with mischief. Jake lived next door to me and Mum, he’d been part of my life for as long as I could remember. At nineteen, he was already built like a wall, broad-shouldered and strong, his wolf genes making him seem larger than life.

“Well, you shouldn’t be spacing out walking down these streets,” Jake said, falling into step beside me. “Saw Lord Doom leaving your place not long ago.”

“Yeah, Raven told me,” I sighed. “I’m on my way there now. Wonder what the creep wanted this time.”

Jake smirked. “So, what’s got your head shoved so far up your own arse you didn’t even smell me coming?” He wiggled his nose dramatically.

I rolled my eyes. Werewolves were known for their sharp senses, smell, hearing, instincts. As far as anyone here knew, I was just another wolf. No one suspected the fae blood running quietly beneath my skin.

“I’ve been thinking,” I said carefully, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. “Raven mentioned something earlier..about a place.”

Jake arched a brow. “A place?”

“Yeah,” I said, lowering my voice. “A special place. Somewhere for people who still have hope.”

“Oooh,” Jake said, eyes lighting with understanding. “I think I get what you mean.”

He scratched the back of his neck, glancing around before lowering his voice. “I’ve heard my brothers talk about something like that, whispers of a place, a sanctuary.”

Then his tone softened, the teasing gone. “Look, Ephy.. you’re strong. Stronger than most. You’ve got the heart of a warrior.” He held my gaze, serious now. “But don’t go looking for trouble, alright? Promise me.”

I wasn’t sure if I could keep that promise.

If there was even the slightest chance of changing Talvarna, of freeing it from the misery, slavery, rot and the blood, then I’d take it.

I’d risk everything.