Chapter2
986 Words
The Council Chamber
"How much medicine is missing?" Alpha MacLeod's voice boomed through the hall.
"Nearly half the stores, Alpha," Adwin reported, his head bowed. "Including… the last vial of Moonlight Essence."
Sarah, just entering, felt her heart quicken, but her expression remained composed. "Father, you summoned me?"
"Sarah," MacLeod turned to his daughter. "How are preparations for your coming-of-age ceremony progressing?"
"There's a slight complication, Father," Sarah said, delivering her prepared response. "I'd like to postpone it for a week. Lately, I've felt my powers unstable."
"Oh?" Elder William, who had remained silent, spoke up. "Could this be connected to the recent thefts?"
Sarah raised an eyebrow at the elder. "I don't understand your implication."
"Enough, William," MacLeod silenced the elder. "Sarah, go and prepare. Whether you postpone it or not, you remain our strongest heir."
Leaving the council chamber, Sarah exhaled. But she quickly noticed someone following her – Adwin.
"Princess," the old pack doctor said in a low voice. "How is that man's condition?"
Sarah froze. "What?"
"Don't be alarmed, child," Adwin chuckled kindly. "Do you think my years as pack doctor are wasted? I recognize that scent of medicine on you instantly."
Sarah glanced around cautiously, pulling Adwin into a secluded alcove. "You knew?"
"That you stole medicine? Yes. That you were saving someone? Yes." The old pack doctor sighed. "But I don't know who he is, and I don't care to. I'm only concerned with one thing: his curse… it's the mark of the ancient royal family, isn't it?"
Sarah stared at Adwin, shocked. "How did you know it was the ancient royal curse?"
"Only that curse requires Moonlight Essence to suppress it," Adwin produced a small vial. "This is my last private reserve. Remember, three drops a day, no more, no less."
"Uncle Adwin…" Sarah was overcome with emotion.
"Go," Adwin started to leave, then paused. "Oh, remind him, the royal curse can be temporarily suppressed, but to completely break it, he needs…"
"Needs what?"
"The Blood Moon night, at the old royal altar," the old pack doctor gave her a knowing look. "But the next Blood Moon is six months away."
Back at the cabin, Sarah found Alexander attempting to stand.
"Are you insane?" she rushed to his side. "Your wounds aren't healed!"
"Much better," Alexander smiled, but almost stumbled, caught by Sarah. Their faces were inches apart.
"Uh…" Sarah quickly pulled back. "Adwin gave me new medicine."
"The pack doctor knows about me?" Alexander asked, alert.
"Don't worry, he's trustworthy," Sarah handed him the medicine, hesitating slightly. "He said you have the royal curse."
Alexander's hand stilled. "The old pack doctor is sharp, indeed."
"So, you really are…"
"A descendant of royalty?" Alexander gave a bitter smile. "It's a long story."
"I have all the time in the world," Sarah sat opposite him. "And I believe I have a right to know who I saved."
"Very well," Alexander took a deep breath. "But before that, you must swear to keep this secret. Once it's out, you can no longer remain uninvolved."
"Please," Sarah rolled her eyes. "I'm already neck-deep in this, aren't I?"
"Quite right," Alexander chuckled, then his expression turned serious. "Let me tell you a story of betrayal, exile, and a curse. A story of how the wolf royal family vanished overnight…"
Outside, a raven passed overhead, its cry ominous.
"Your silver eyes… they remind me of someone I knew as a child," Alexander leaned against the cabin wall, watching the flickering candlelight. His wounds had improved, but as he spoke of the past, a trace of bitterness lingered in his golden eyes.
Sarah, preparing the potion, paused. "You met my mother?"
"Yes, when I was very young," Alexander said softly. "The royal family still existed then, and your mother often visited the palace. She was my father's most trusted guardian."
"Guardian…" Sarah set down the bowl, sitting opposite Alexander. "Father never speaks of this. I only remember, as a child, when he taught me to use my silver eyes, he said it was the guardian's duty."
Alexander looked at her. "Your father was right. The guardian bloodline has been the royal family's most important ally for generations. The silver-eyed clan maintains order within the wolf pack, while our royal family…" He offered a wry smile. "…controlled the most ancient magic."
"That's why William and the others…"
"Yes, they feared the combined power of the royal family and the guardians," Alexander's voice hardened with anger. "That night, during the lunar eclipse, they launched their rebellion. If it weren't for your mother…"
Sarah looked up sharply. "My mother?"
"She bought my father time, allowing me to escape," Alexander closed his eyes, suppressing a wave of painful memories. "That was the last time I saw her silver eyes."
The candlelight flickered across their faces. Sarah suddenly understood why her father never spoke of the past, why Adwin always looked at her with such sadness.
"Do you know?" Alexander whispered. "The council always claimed they created a better system, speaking of a balance of power. But in reality…"
"In reality, they were afraid," Sarah finished his sentence. "Afraid of the power of the golden eyes and the silver eyes. My father always said true balance isn't achieved through suppression."
Alexander looked at her intently. "You're very much like her, not just the eyes, but that… unwavering resolve."
"And you?" Sarah smirked. "A royal heir, dependent on a young girl for care."
"Hey!" Alexander feigned offense. "I'm giving you the opportunity to fulfill your guardian's duty."
They shared a smile, then fell silent again. Moonlight streamed through the window, and Sarah watched the golden light in Alexander's eyes, remembering her mother's words from her childhood.
"The golden eyes bring power to the wolf pack; the silver eyes maintain order. Only when they are united is there true balance."
She never imagined she would understand her mother's words in this way.
- Writer
