Chapter 17: The King's Training
704 Words
Morning came slowly over the Lycan palace.
The first light of dawn stretched across the towering stone walls, casting long shadows over the training courtyard.
Steel clashed.
Wolves growled.
The sound of combat echoed through the cold air.
Alina stood at the edge of the field, watching nervously.
Royal warriors sparred in pairs, their movements fast and precise. Some shifted partially into their wolf forms, claws flashing as they struck and defended.
Alina swallowed.
“This is… intense.”
“This is nothing.”
She turned.
Kael was walking toward her.
Even without his crown, his presence commanded the entire courtyard. Warriors stepped aside instantly as he passed.
His golden eyes settled on her.
“If you’re going to control the Moon-Bound power,” he said, “you’ll need to learn how to fight.”
Alina crossed her arms.
“I thought this training was about my power.”
“It is.”
Kael stopped in front of her.
“But power without discipline is a weakness.”
His voice hardened.
“And Magnus already knows that.”
Alina exhaled slowly.
She couldn’t argue with that.
“Fine,” she said. “What do I do?”
Kael gestured to the center of the courtyard.
“Fight me.”
She blinked.
“Fight… you?”
Nearby warriors paused, watching with interest.
Kael’s lips curved slightly.
“You wanted to train like a warrior.”
He stepped forward.
“Show me.”
Alina hesitated—
Then followed.
The warriors formed a wide circle.
Whispers spread.
“The human is sparring the king?”
“This won’t last long…”
Alina ignored them.
She faced Kael, heart pounding.
“I should warn you,” she said, “I’ve never done this before.”
Kael folded his arms.
“I know.”
Then—
He moved.
Too fast.
In a blink, he closed the distance and swept her legs.
She hit the ground hard.
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
Alina groaned.
“Okay… that hurt.”
Kael extended a hand and pulled her up.
“Lesson one,” he said calmly.
“Never hesitate.”
Before she could respond—
He attacked again.
This time, she jumped back just in time.
“Better.”
They began circling.
Alina felt it again.
That warmth.
Rising inside her chest.
The Moon-Bound power.
Kael noticed immediately.
“Good,” he said quietly.
“Let it come.”
She frowned.
“You told me to control it.”
“Yes.”
His eyes sharpened.
“And you can’t control what you fear.”
The silver glow spread across her hands.
Warriors nearby stepped back instinctively.
Kael didn’t move.
“Focus.”
Alina took a deep breath.
The energy swirled inside her—wild, restless.
But this time—
She didn’t let it explode.
She guided it.
Slowly.
Carefully.
The light gathered in her palms.
Controlled.
Stable.
Kael’s expression shifted.
Impressed.
Alina stared at her hands.
“I’m… doing it.”
A faint smile touched his lips.
“Exactly.”
But the moment shattered.
A horn blasted from the palace walls.
The courtyard froze.
A guard rushed toward Kael.
“My King!”
Kael turned instantly.
“What is it?”
“Scouts have returned from the northern forest.”
The guard’s voice shook.
“Magnus has gathered an army.”
Silence fell.
Alina’s heart dropped.
“How big?”
The guard hesitated.
“Big enough to start a war.”
Kael’s expression turned cold.
Deadly.
Around them, warriors began preparing for battle.
Weapons were lifted.
Armor tightened.
Alina looked at him.
“So… it’s starting?”
Kael’s gaze lifted toward the distant forest.
“Yes.”
His voice was calm.
Certain.
“This time, Magnus isn’t coming to threaten us.”
A pause.
Then—
“He’s coming to conquer.”
Far beyond the kingdom walls—
Deep in the shadowed forest—
Magnus stood before a massive army of rebel wolves.
Hundreds of glowing eyes stared back at him.
He raised his sword toward the moon.
“Tonight,” he declared, “we take the Moon-Bound…”
His smile widened.
“And the kingdom with her.”
The wolves howled.
And the war for the Lycan throne…
Had finally begun.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD