Chapter ThirteenThe Ancient Wolves Awaken
869 Words
The ground split beneath the palace.
Elara stumbled as another tremor shook the courtyard.
Cracks raced across the stone floor, spreading toward the gathered Alphas.
Then came the roar.
It wasn’t the sound of an ordinary wolf.
It was deeper.
Older.
It seemed to come from beneath the earth itself.
The guardian raised its head and howled.
Every wolf in the courtyard immediately lowered itself to the ground.
Elara stared.
“Why are they kneeling?”
Lysandra hurried toward her.
“Because they recognize what is awakening.”
“What is it?”
Her mother’s expression was filled with fear.
“The First Wolves.”
The ground exploded.
A massive silver wolf emerged from beneath the palace ruins.
It was larger than the guardian, with glowing eyes and ancient markings covering its body.
Another followed.
Then another.
The courtyard filled with enormous wolves.
The Alphas backed away.
One of them whispered, “The legends were true.”
Alaric’s smile disappeared.
“This wasn’t supposed to happen.”
Elara looked toward him.
“You said you wanted the ancient bloodline awakened.”
“I wanted its power.”
He stared at the wolves.
“Not this.”
The largest wolf turned toward Elara.
Its eyes met hers.
A voice entered her mind.
Heir.
Elara froze.
“You can hear me?”
We have waited for you.
Cassian stepped beside her.
“What are they saying?”
“They’re talking to me.”
The wolf lowered its head.
The crown has returned.
Elara touched the silver crown.
“What do you want?”
Freedom.
A cold feeling passed through her.
“Freedom from what?”
The wolf looked toward Alaric.
From the bloodline that imprisoned us.
Elara slowly turned.
“You?”
Alaric’s face hardened.
“Don’t listen to them.”
“Why?”
“They will destroy everything.”
Elara shook her head.
“You’ve been telling me what to fear my entire life.”
She stepped forward.
“I’m done listening.”
Alaric raised his hand.
“Kill her.”
The remaining soldiers charged.
Cassian moved immediately.
He shifted.
Silver fur replaced skin as his wolf form emerged.
He launched himself into the attackers.
Elara stared.
She had seen wolves before.
But never one like Cassian.
His eyes remained silver.
His movements were fast and controlled.
He fought beside the ancient wolves rather than against them.
Elara felt something pull inside her.
The Moon Wolf.
Let me out.
She closed her eyes.
“Okay.”
Power surged through her.
Her bones seemed to vibrate.
Silver light surrounded her body.
The courtyard disappeared.
For a moment, she felt nothing but wind.
Then she landed on four paws.
A gasp swept through the crowd.
Elara looked down.
Silver fur.
Glowing eyes.
A crescent mark across her forehead.
She had shifted.
Her wolf looked toward Cassian.
His wolf stopped fighting.
Their eyes met.
A strange connection passed between them.
Not words.
Not thoughts.
Recognition.
Cassian approached slowly.
Elara’s wolf lowered her head.
He touched his forehead against hers.
Then they turned toward the battlefield together.
The soldiers began retreating.
Alaric shouted:
“Fall back!”
No one obeyed.
The ancient wolves surrounded him.
He looked toward Elara.
“You have no idea what you’ve done.”
Elara shifted back.
She stood in the center of the courtyard, breathing heavily.
“What did I do?”
“You awakened them.”
“Yes.”
“They will never obey you.”
Elara looked at the wolves.
“They already do.”
Alaric’s face twisted with anger.
“You think wearing that crown makes you Queen?”
Elara stepped forward.
“No.”
She lifted her chin.
“Being Queen means choosing what happens next.”
Alaric suddenly smiled.
“You still don’t understand.”
He raised his hand.
A strange black symbol appeared in the air.
The wolves began growling.
Lysandra’s face changed.
“Everyone move!”
The symbol exploded.
Dark magic swept through the courtyard.
Elara was thrown backward.
Cassian caught her.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
She looked toward Alaric.
He was gone.
Cassian stood.
“He escaped.”
Lysandra shook her head.
“He didn’t escape.”
Elara frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“He was never trying to win.”
She looked at her mother.
“Then what was he doing?”
Lysandra’s eyes moved toward the ancient wolves.
“He was testing you.”
A chill ran through Elara.
“For what?”
Lysandra didn’t answer.
Instead, she looked at the crown.
“The moment you awakened the First Wolves, the prophecy changed.”
“What prophecy?”
Her mother whispered:
“The Queen will return.”
She paused.
“But so will the King.”
Elara looked toward the dark mountains.
“Alaric?”
Lysandra shook her head.
“No.”
Her eyes filled with fear.
“Someone older.”
The ancient wolf suddenly lifted its head.
A howl echoed across the kingdom.
Far away, another howl answered.
Then another.
And another.
Elara felt the Moon Wolf stir inside her.
He is awake.
Elara’s blood ran cold.
“Who?”
The answer came as a whisper inside her mind.
The first Alpha.
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