chapter 4
1206 Words
Voices clashed beneath the vaulted ceiling.
A long obsidian table stretched through the center of the room, surrounded by figures whose expressions ranged from furious to deeply unsettled.
“This is no longer something we can ignore!” one of them snapped, slamming his palm against the table. “The attacks are increasing, it's becoming stronger and more coordinated. This is not coincidence.”
“Or perhaps,” another voice cut in coldly, “you are exaggerating what you do not understand.”
A scoff followed immediately. “Exaggerating? Tell that to the southern packs that have been wiped out!”
“They were weak.”
“They were unprepared!”
“They were careless!”
“They were warned!”
“They were slaughtered!” the first man roared, rising halfway from his seat.
The room erupted.
Voices overlapped, rising higher, sharper and more chaotic with each passing second.
“This has never happened before...”
“The Lycans are losing control...”
“No, something is influencing them...”
“Then what is it?!”
“We should strike first...”
“And start a war we may not win?”
“We are already under attack!”
The arguments spiraled, growing louder, more heated, until reason was buried beneath accusation and fear.
“They are turning feral!"
“That is impossible!”
“Then explain what is happening!”
“Enough theories, what we need is action"
“And what action would that be? Blind retaliation?”
“Better than waiting to be torn apart”
The air itself seemed to vibrate with the weight of their voices and yet at the head of the table…
He had not moved.
Not once.
Seated upon a throne-like chair carved from black stone, his presence alone commanded the room even in silence. His fingers rested lightly against the armrest, his posture relaxed, but there was nothing calm about the energy that coiled beneath the surface.
His gaze moved slowly across the room, Observing the..
The noise continued until...
“Silence.”
One word, Just one...
It didn’t need to be loud.
The effect was immediate.
The room fell into complete, suffocating stillness.
No one spoke or moved.
Even the flames along the walls seemed to still, their flickering reduced to a quiet, obedient glow.
Every gaze shifted toward him.
The king rose slowly and somehow, that made the silence heavier and more oppressive.
His presence filled the chamber as he stood to his full height, his expression unreadable, his eyes dark with something none of them dared question.
“You have spoken enough,” he said.
No one argued.
No one would argue.
His gaze swept across them once more, sharper now.
“There will be no war,” he continued, his voice calm but firm and final in a way that left no room for discussion.
A few of them shifted slightly, unease flickering across their faces, but none dared interrupt.
Not after that.
“Leave.”
The word was simple.
But it carried weight, authority and command.
For a brief moment, hesitation lingered in the air and uncertainty.
As though some of them wanted to protest… to question…
But none of them did.
One by one, they stood.
Chairs scraped softly against the stone floor as they gathered themselves, casting lingering glances toward the king before turning away.
The chamber slowly emptied.
Footsteps echoed and doors opened and closed until silence returned.
True silence.
Only one figure remained.
She had not moved when the others did.
Had not rushed to leave.
Instead, she stepped forward now, her movements composed.
The king exhaled slowly, dragging a hand across his face as if the weight of the room had finally settled onto him.
“What could possibly be the cause…” he murmured, more to himself than to her.
The woman stopped a few steps away, her gaze steady.
“The High Priestess has been consulted,” she said carefully.
He let out a quiet, humorless breath.
“And yet… we have nothing.”
“No clear origin,” she confirmed. “No pattern that can be traced with certainty. Only… consequences.”
His jaw tightened slightly.
That was the problem.
Not knowing or understanding.
It left too many variables and too many risks.
His gaze shifted toward the far end of the chamber, though his mind was clearly elsewhere.
“The Lycans do not lose control without reason,” he said quietly. “Something is driving them.”
The woman inclined her head slightly. “That is our belief as well.”
Silence stretched between them for a moment.
“There may be… another way,” she added.
His eyes flicked toward her instantly, sharp with interest
“Speak.”
She hesitated just for a second, choosing her words carefully.
“There is someone,” she began, her tone more cautious now. “A witch.”
That alone was enough to shift the air in the room. it was subtle but noticeable.
His expression didn’t change.
But his attention sharpened.
“There are many witches,” he said.
“This one is different.”
there was a pause before she continued speaking.
“She is… difficult to find. She does not involve herself in court matters or politics. She remains hidden.”
His gaze held hers.
“And yet you know of her.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“She is said to possess knowledge beyond what even the High Priestess can access,” the woman continued. “Ancient knowledge. Forbidden, some would say.”
His eyes darkened slightly at that.
Forbidden, that was interesting.
“And you believe she can give us answers?”
“I believe,” she said carefully, “that if anyone can trace the origin of what is happening… it would be her.”
Silence followed like he was considering what she had just said.
The king turned slightly, his gaze drifting back toward the empty chamber.
The echoes of the earlier argument still lingered faintly in the air.
Fear, uncertainty and weakness, that was what they all sounded like.
He did not tolerate any of it.
Not in his kingdom or under his rule.
“If this continues,” he said slowly, “it will spread.”
The woman didn’t respond, she didn’t need to.
They both knew it was true.
His jaw tightened slightly before he spoke again.
“Arrange it.”
Her posture straightened immediately.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
His gaze shifted back to her, sharp and unwavering.
“Discreetly.”
“Of course.”
“I do not want word of this leaving this chamber.”
“It won’t.”
There was another short pause
“Set the meeting.”
The command was final.
The woman inclined her head once more. “It will be done.”
She turned to leave
“Make sure she understands,” he added, his voice colder now, quieter, but far more dangerous, “this is not a request.”
The woman paused briefly then nodded.
“Yes… Your Majesty.”
And with that she left him alone.
The chamber fell silent once more.
But this time…
He stood there for a moment longer, unmoving, his gaze distant....
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