Chapter 13
1114 Words
The private jet descended smoothly, the city unfolding beneath us like a sea of glittering steel and glass. Towering skyscrapers pierced the clouds, each bearing the crest of one werewolf territory or another. I pressed my forehead against the cool window, watching the world grow larger.
With barely a shudder, the aircraft touched down on the rooftop landing pad of a towering building opposite the event hall. The engines slowed to a low hum, vibrating through the luxurious cabin like a contented beast settling down.
A crew member hurried forward to open the cabin door. Warm afternoon wind rushed inside, carrying the distant sounds of the city and the sharp scent of power.
Nyx rose first, adjusting the cuff of his black suit before extending a hand toward me. The gesture was both smooth and practiced, but his silver eyes held that intensity that always seemed to pin me in place.
I stared at it for a second before placing mine in his.
His fingers closed around mine firmly, warm and possessive.
“Stay close,” he murmured, voice low enough that only I could hear.
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not a child.”
“No,” he replied, his silver gaze never leaving mine. “You’re a queen.”
For some reason, those words settled strangely in my chest. Heavy? Real? I didn’t know how to feel about it.
The rooftop was transformed into a private landing terminal, guarded by rows of elite Lycan soldiers dressed in black ceremonial uniforms. Every one of them bowed as Nyx walked past, their heads lowered in perfect respect.
“Your Majesty.”
“My Queen.”
Their voices echoed in perfect unison. I resisted the urge to look behind me. This still felt unreal. We walked together toward the private elevator.
The private elevator carried us silently downward. No one spoke. Only the quiet hum of machinery filled the air. Nyx’s thumb brushed over my knuckles once, a small possessive gesture that sent heat racing up my arm. I didn’t pull away.
When the doors slid open…
Noise exploded around us.
Camera flashes burst like lightning.
Hundreds of reporters were held back behind silver barricades, shouting questions that blended into one chaotic roar.
Luxury cars lined both sides of the avenue.
Banners bearing the royal Lycan crest fluttered above the entrance.
Across the street stood the venue itself — a palace of white marble and towering glass that sparkled under the afternoon sun. A long crimson carpet stretched from the entrance all the way to the curb.
When the doors slid open...
Noise exploded around us.
On either side stood dozens of Alphas, elders, council members, nobles, politicians, and foreign delegates, all dressed in expensive suits and elegant gowns. Conversations stopped the instant Nyx appeared.
Every eye turned toward us.
Some bowed. Others lowered their heads in deference. A few simply stared.
Not at Nyx.
At me.
The hybrid Queen.
I could almost hear the questions burning behind their eyes.
That's her?
She's hybrid?
Why would the Lycan King choose her?
How did she survive when others died?
Nyx quietly offered his arm. Without looking at me, he spoke.
"Smile."
I frowned. "Why?"
"They're already looking for weakness."
I slipped my hand around his arm anyway. “None of my concern.” My voice came out steadier than I felt. I survived worse, so I could handle their petty judgments.
Together...
We stepped onto the red carpet.
As we walked, a cold breeze swept across the avenue. Every flag fluttered. Every camera flashed. Every noble smiled. Yet...
Ashra suddenly growled inside my head. *Something's wrong.*
The words sent ice down my spine. My wolf’s instincts were always sharper than mine. I scanned the crowd subtly, noting the forced smiles on some faces, but nothing seemed suspicious. Nyx must have felt it too because he stopped for the briefest fraction of a second. His eyes slowly lifted toward the rooftops surrounding the venue. His expression hardened. He smelled blood. He heard the heartbeat of someone holding their breath.
Then...
> TWANG!
An arrow whistled through the air.
Nyx yanked me backward just as the arrow buried itself in the marble where my head had been a heartbeat earlier. The force of his pull made me stumble against his chest. His arm wrapped around me instantly, shielding me with his body.
For one heartbeat, the entire venue fell silent.
Then chaos erupted
Screams tore through the air. Reporters dove for cover, leaving their cameras clattering to the ground.
More arrows rained down from multiple rooftops — a coordinated attack. One grazed a delegate’s shoulder. Another embedded in the carpet inches from an elder’s foot.
Nyx roared, his Lycan aura exploding outward like a physical wave. “Protect the Queen!”
Guards surged forward, forming a protective wall around us with inhuman speed. Darius barked orders “Secure the perimeter! Rooftops—now!”
Elite soldiers fanned out, some shifting partially into wolf forms as they claimed walls towards the rooftop.
“Stay down,” he commanded, voice rough with the beast just beneath the surface.
Ashra was snarling furiously now. *Ambush. Coward hiding in shadows. Let me out—I’ll tear their throat.*
*Not yet,* I shot back, though my own claws itched to emerge.
Another arrow whistled past. It shattered against the marble pillar behind us. Nyx spun us, shielding me completely with his larger frame. I felt the impact as one arrow grazed his shoulder, tearing through his suit. He didn’t even flinch.
“Find them!” he bellowed at his men. “Bring me their heads!”
One soldier shifted fully mid-jump, a massive black wolf landing with a growl that shook the air.
Nyx didn’t wait. He scooped me up effortlessly and moved with blinding speed toward the venue entrance.
Inside the grand hall, the chaos dulled to a muffled roar. Crystal chandeliers swayed gently from the commotion outside. More guards poured in, sealing doors behind us. Darius appeared at Nyx’s side, breathing hard but trying to stay composed. “Perimeter teams are engaging. It was a lone sniper—looks like anti-royal faction. Silver-tipped arrows.”
Nyx set me down but kept me close, his hand never leaving my waist. His eyes scanned me from head to toe, checking for injury. “Are you hurt?”
I shook my head, exhaling shakily. The adrenaline was crashing now, leaving my legs a bit unsteady in the heels. “Yeah. Thanks to you.” The words tasted strange—gratitude to the man who had upended my life. But he had moved like lightning for me. Not just the queen, but *me*.
- Writer
