Chapter 20 The King's Summon
1311 Words
The air around us was still trembling from the force of Liam’s collapse.
His wild energy faded slowly, like a storm dragging itself across the horizon. The grass around us was scorched in circles, the earth ripped open in jagged lines, and my lungs were still heavy from the weight of his power pressing down on me.
He wasn’t moving.
“Liam,” I whisper, dropping beside him, brushing his hair off his forehead. His skin is warm—too warm. “Hey… look at me.”
His eyes fluttered but didn’t fully open.
Around us, my pack stood frozen, unsure whether to step forward or stay back. Their faces showed a mix of fear, awe, and confusion. My Beta, Kael, approached cautiously.
“Alpha,” he said quietly, “is he stable?”
“Yes.” I looked up sharply. “No one touches him. No one comes near him. Understood?”
Kael nodded and backed away.
I slipped my hands under Liam’s shoulders, pulling him gently onto my lap. His breathing was shallow, but steady. The bond pulsed painfully between us, tugging at me, making me feel every flicker of pain inside him.
“You scared me,” I whisper. “You can’t do that. Not to me.”
A faint sound escaped him—something between a sigh and a weak attempt at speech.
I pressed my forehead against his.
“I’m right here. You’re safe.”
But even as I said it, I felt a presence approaching. Heavy. Unfamiliar. Powerful.
The hairs on the back of my neck rose.
A flicker of gold at the edge of the forest caught my eye. Then another. Then—a figure emerged from the shadows, tall, armored, and carrying an aura so commanding the entire field shifted with tension.
A warrior.
And not from my pack.
“Alpha Selene of the Bloodmoon Pack,” he called, voice booming. “I come under direct command of the Lycian King.”
Every wolf behind me stiffened.
The King.
Liam’s father.
I stood slowly, keeping Liam in my arms.
The warrior stepped closer, bowing his head respectfully. “I am Captain Ronin. His Majesty has sent me to retrieve Prince Liam.”
Prince.
The word rang in my skull like thunder.
I swallowed. “He’s not going anywhere.”
The warrior lifted his head. His eyes were a deep burnished gold—Royal Guard eyes. “He has lost control of his inherited power. The King foresaw this possibility. The prince must return to the palace immediately. His life may depend on it.”
My heart hammered.
Inherited power.
Prince.
The King foresaw this.
There were too many answers in those words. Answers Liam never gave me. Or maybe never could.
I stepped back slightly, shielding Liam with my body.
“He stays here.”
“Alpha Selene,” Ronin said, voice firm but not hostile, “this is not a request.”
A growl rippled through my pack.
But I felt no fear. Only anger—deep, fierce, territorial anger.
“He’s mine,” I said quietly. “He is my mate. I’m not handing him over to anyone. Not even your King.”
Ronin didn’t flinch. “Which is why you are also summoned.”
The breath left my chest.
“What?”
“The King demands your presence in the palace,” Ronin said. “Both of you. Immediately.”
Kael stepped forward. “That’s impossible. Our Alpha owes nothing to the King.”
Ronin’s gaze swept over him dismissively before returning to me.
“He said,” Ronin continued, “that if you refused… he would come himself.”
A stunned silence fell.
The King.
Coming here.
No. That could not happen. A royal alpha stepping onto Bloodmoon land would start a political war before anyone even drew their weapons.
I clenched my jaw.
Liam’s breathing hitched weakly in my arms. The pulse of our bond trembled with fear—his fear.
He didn’t want to return.
I knew that. I felt it.
I held him tighter.
I won’t let them take you.
Ronin took one step closer. “Alpha… the prince’s condition is dangerous. For him. For you. For everyone around him. If he loses control again without proper training—”
“I’ll handle it,” I cut in.
“His power is not something you can contain.” His tone sharpened. “But the King can.”
I hated every word.
I hated that he might be right.
I hated that Liam had collapsed in my arms, nearly killing himself.
I hated that I couldn’t stop it.
But most of all…
I hated that I might have to let him go somewhere I couldn’t follow.
I exhaled slowly. “I’ll go with him.”
Ronin nodded once. “Prepare to leave within the hour.”
He turned and began walking back toward the forest.
I looked down at Liam. His lashes trembled as he forced his eyes open. “Se… Selene…”
“I’m here.” I brushed my thumb over his cheek. “Save your strength. Please.”
His voice cracked. “I’m… sorry.”
“Don’t be. Just focus on breathing.”
His fingers curled weakly into my clothes. “Don’t let them… take me. Don’t let him—”
“I’m not going anywhere without you.” My voice lowered, raw. “I promise.”
A tear slipped from the corner of his eye.
Kael approached quietly. “Alpha… what should we do?”
I lifted Liam slowly, cradling him against me. “Prepare supplies. Only the essentials. And Kael…”
“Yes, Alpha?”
“You’re in charge while I’m gone.”
His eyes widened. “Gone…? Selene, you can’t trust—”
“I don’t have a choice,” I said, voice tight. “This is bigger than us.”
I walked toward the packhouse, Liam’s head resting against my shoulder, his breath ghosting weakly across my neck.
He was so light. Too light.
The moment my door closed behind us, I laid him gently on my bed. He blinked up at me, still dazed.
“I don’t… want to go back,” he whispered.
“I know.” I sat beside him, brushing his hair gently. “Tell me why.”
He swallowed, eyes clouded. “He’ll make me into something I don’t want to be.”
“What does that mean?”
He shut his eyes, voice trembling. “A weapon.”
My chest tightened. “Liam…”
“Selene…” His hand reached for mine, desperate. “Don’t let him take you from me.”
The bond pulsed hot and aching between us, tightening around my heart like a fist.
“I told you already.” I pressed my forehead against his. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I didn’t know what awaited us at the Lycian palace.
I didn’t know what the King wanted.
I didn’t know why Liam feared him so much…
Or why Liam carried royal power strong enough to tear the earth open.
But I did know one thing:
I would burn the entire kingdom down before I let anyone take my mate from me.
A soft knock hit the door. Kael’s voice came through.
“Alpha. They’re ready.”
I took a deep breath.
“Liam,” I whispered, helping him sit up. “We need to go.”
He nodded weakly, but his eyes were full of fear.
I laced my fingers through his.
“Whatever happens,” I said firmly, “I face it with you.”
He squeezed my hand back.
We stepped outside, and the entire pack watched silently as Ronin awaited us at the forest’s edge.
The journey to the palace would begin now.
And deep in my chest, a cold whisper rose:
This is only the beginning.
- Writer
