Chapter 17: The King's Training
796 Words
Morning came slowly over the Lycan palace.
The first light of dawn stretched across the towering stone walls, casting long shadows across the courtyard where the warriors of the kingdom trained every day.
Steel clashed.
Wolves growled.
The sound of combat echoed through the cold morning air.
Aria stood near the edge of the training field, watching nervously.
Royal warriors sparred in pairs, their movements fast and powerful. Some shifted partially into their wolf forms during combat, claws flashing as they fought.
Aria swallowed.
“This is… intense.”
Behind her, a deep voice answered.
“This is nothing.”
She turned.
Kael was walking toward her across the courtyard.
Even without his crown, the Lycan King carried an undeniable presence. The warriors nearby immediately stepped aside as he passed.
His golden eyes settled on Aria.
“If you’re going to control the Moon-Bound power,” he said, “you’ll need to learn how to fight.”
Aria crossed her arms.
“I thought this training was about my power.”
“It is.”
Kael stopped a few steps in front of her.
“But power without discipline is a weakness.”
His gaze sharpened.
“And Magnus already knows that.”
Aria sighed quietly.
She knew he was right.
“Fine,” she said. “What do I have to do?”
Kael gestured toward the center of the training yard.
“Fight me.”
Aria blinked.
“Fight… you?”
Several nearby warriors stopped what they were doing, clearly curious.
Kael’s lips curved slightly.
“You wanted to train like a warrior.”
He stepped onto the training ground.
“Show me.”
Aria hesitated, but then followed him.
The warriors quickly formed a wide circle around them.
A few of them whispered among themselves.
“The human is challenging the king?”
“This will end quickly.”
Aria ignored them.
She stood across from Kael, her heart pounding.
“I should warn you,” she said nervously, “I’ve never done this before.”
Kael folded his arms.
“I know.”
Then he attacked.
In a flash, he moved forward.
Aria barely had time to react before Kael swept her feet out from under her.
She hit the ground hard.
The watching warriors burst into laughter.
Aria groaned.
“Okay… that hurt.”
Kael offered her a hand and pulled her back up.
“Lesson one,” he said calmly.
“Never hesitate.”
Before Aria could respond, he attacked again.
This time she jumped backward just in time to avoid his strike.
“Better,” Kael said.
They circled each other slowly.
Aria felt the familiar warmth building inside her chest again.
The Moon-Bound power.
Kael noticed it immediately.
“Good,” he said quietly.
“Let it come.”
Aria frowned.
“You told me yesterday I needed to control it.”
“Yes.”
His golden eyes gleamed.
“And you can’t control something you’re afraid of.”
The silver glow slowly spread across Aria’s hands again.
The watching warriors stepped back nervously.
They had all seen what that power could do.
Kael remained perfectly still.
“Focus,” he said.
Aria took a deep breath.
The energy inside her swirled like moonlight flowing through her veins.
This time… it didn’t explode.
Instead, the light gathered in her palms.
Kael’s expression shifted slightly.
For the first time, he looked impressed.
Aria stared at her glowing hands.
“I’m… controlling it.”
A faint smile appeared on Kael’s face.
“Exactly.”
But before the moment could last—
A loud horn suddenly sounded from the palace walls.
The entire courtyard froze.
One of the guards ran toward Kael urgently.
“My King!”
Kael turned sharply.
“What is it?”
The guard was breathing hard.
“Scouts from the northern forest just returned.”
His voice trembled.
“Magnus has gathered an army.”
Aria’s heart dropped.
“How big?”
The guard hesitated before answering.
“Big enough to start a war.”
Kael’s expression turned deadly calm.
The warriors around them immediately began preparing their weapons.
Aria looked up at Kael.
“So the rebellion is starting?”
Kael’s golden eyes lifted toward the distant forest beyond the kingdom walls.
“Yes.”
His voice was cold and certain.
“And this time… Magnus isn’t coming to threaten us.”
“He’s coming to conquer.”
Far away in the shadowy forest—
Magnus stood before a massive gathering 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. and the kingdom with her.
The wolves howled in response.
And the war for the Lycan throne had finally begun.
- Writer
