The Alpha King’s Captive

Valerie’s Pov “Surrender, Silvermoon!” Kieran’s voice carried across the ruined courtyard, but I did not lower my sword. A Blackfang warrior came at me from the left, and I turned just in time to block his attack. The force sent me back a step, but I recovered and struck his arm, making him stumble away. Another warrior rushed toward me, and I raised my sword again. Around us, Silvermoon was falling apart. Smoke covered the sky, flames climbed the walls of the houses, and our warriors were being pushed farther into the village. I could hear people crying as they tried to reach the eastern road, and every time I looked in that direction, I saw more Blackfang soldiers closing in. “Princess!” someone shouted behind me. I turned and saw one of our wounded warriors leaning against a broken wall. “Where is my father?” I asked, moving toward him. He shook his head and pointed toward the northern gate. “Alpha Darius was captured.” I froze for only a moment before running toward the northern gate. “Princess, wait!” the warrior called after me, but I kept going. My boots slipped against the dirt as I pushed past two fleeing villagers and grabbed the arm of a Silvermoon soldier who was trying to carry a wounded man. “How long ago?” I asked. “Not long,” he replied, breathing heavily. “They took him toward the main road.” I released him and continued forward, but three Blackfang warriors stepped into my path. I raised my sword and attacked the first before he could strike. He blocked me, and another came from behind. I ducked, turned, and drove my elbow into his stomach before cutting across his side. I knew I was wasting time, but the thought of leaving my father in enemy hands was worse than anything waiting for me ahead. I pushed forward again until Kieran appeared in front of me, his weapon already drawn. “You heard the order,” he said. “The battle is over.” I lifted my sword. “For you, perhaps.” Kieran moved before I could strike. His sword knocked mine aside, and when I tried to recover, he caught my wrist and forced me back. I fought him with my free hand, but he shoved me away and my sword fell from my fingers. I reached for it, only for a Blackfang soldier to kick it farther across the ground. My eyes went to the northern gate, where several captured Silvermoon warriors were being dragged toward the road. Then I saw him. My father was among them, blood covering his clothes as two soldiers held him upright. “Father!” I shouted and tried to run toward him, but Kieran stepped in front of me again. “Your father is alive,” he said. “For now.” I stared at him, my hands shaking with anger as I looked at the soldiers taking Darius away. “Take me to him.” Kieran stared at me before looking toward the northern road. “You want to see your father?” he asked. “Then keep moving.” I followed him, but my attention kept shifting toward the battlefield. Blackfang had nearly taken the entire village, and their warriors were moving with an order that made it clear they were not fighting without direction. Someone was commanding them from the front. Then I heard the name from two soldiers passing nearby. “King Ryker ordered the northern gate secured.” “And the eastern road?” the other asked. “He sent more warriors there himself.” I looked toward the far end of the courtyard and finally saw him. Ryker stood among his warriors, dressed in black armor marked with the Blackfang crest. He was not shouting or waving his weapon like the other soldiers. He simply gave short commands, and everyone around him moved immediately. He looked calm while my kingdom burned around him. I hated him before I had ever stood close enough to speak to him. Kieran took me toward the northern gate, where the captured Silvermoon warriors had been gathered. My father was there, sitting against a broken stone wall with his hands tied behind him. Blood covered his forehead and one side of his clothes. “Father.” I moved forward, but two Blackfang soldiers blocked me. Darius lifted his head. “Valerie, don't fight them.” “They hurt you.” “I am alive.” His voice was weak, but he still managed to sound like my father. “That is enough for now.” I looked at Kieran. “Let him go.” Kieran almost laughed. “You are still giving orders?” “I am asking for one thing.” “You are asking the army that defeated your kingdom to release its Alpha.” His gaze moved toward my father. “That is not how this works.” I looked around at the captured warriors, the wounded, and the families being held near the road. Then my eyes returned to Darius. He shook his head slightly, warning me not to do anything reckless. I knew what he was telling me without words. If I kept fighting, more of my people would pay for it. I bent down and picked up my sword, but instead of raising it, I placed it on the ground. Kieran watched me carefully. “What are you doing?” “Surrendering.” The word felt bitter, but I kept my voice steady. “In exchange for my people.” Kieran stepped closer. “You think surrendering makes you valuable?” “No. I think keeping me alive gives you a reason not to kill them.” His expression remained cold as he reached for his weapon. “You are Darius's daughter. That makes you a threat.” I stepped in front of my father. “Then take me instead.” Kieran drew his sword. “That was already the plan.” He raised it, and I prepared myself for the strike. Then the soldiers around us suddenly moved aside. I looked past them and saw Ryker walking toward us. He had removed his helmet, revealing a hard, controlled face and dark hair damp from the battle. His sword hung at his side, and there was blood on his armor, but he walked as though nothing around him could make him hurry. Kieran lowered his weapon. “My King.” Ryker's eyes moved from him to me. “What is happening here?”