Chapter Two
1532 Words
Kaelan's POV
The first soldier hit the ground before the others even understood what happened.
My fist connected with his chest and the air left his lungs in a loud grunt. His body flew backward and landed hard in the sand of the training arena.
Dust rose into the air. The other two soldiers froze for half a second. That half second was enough. I moved forward.
My body shifted low and fast. My boot slammed into the second soldier’s knee. He lost balance immediately and crashed to the ground with a shout.
The third one tried to swing his sword but he was too slow. I grabbed his wrist, twisted it sharply, and forced the weapon out of his hand. The sword dropped into the sand with a dull sound.
My arm pushed him down. His back hit the ground. Three warriors. All down. The entire fight lasted less than ten seconds. The training arena became silent.
Soldiers standing around the edges stared at me. Some crossed their arms. Others shifted uncomfortably.
No one clapped. They never did. Not because they weren’t impressed but because they were afraid.
I stood in the center of the arena and brushed sand from my hands. My breathing stayed steady. My wolf stirred inside me. Old and heavy. Watching.
One of the soldiers slowly sat up and rubbed his ribs.
“Prince Kaelan fights like a damn war beast,”
He muttered.
Another guard beside him whispered, not quietly enough,
“His wolf feels… strange.”
“Ancient,”
Someone else said. I heard them all, I always did. I stepped back and rolled my shoulders while the fallen warriors stood and dusted themselves off. The captain of the royal guard shook his head.
“That’s enough for today,”
He said loudly.
“You three are done.”
The soldiers looked embarrassed but relieved. I walked towards the weapon rack and grabbed a cloth to wipe sweat from my hands. A familiar voice spoke behind me.
“You’re going to break my soldiers if you keep doing that.”
I turned slightly. Commander Hades walked into the arena. Tall, dark armor. Messy black hair that never stayed in place.
He looked more relaxed than everyone else here. That was because he grew up with me. He wasn’t scared of me.
Most days, Hades crossed his arms and looked at the three guards limping away.
“You didn’t even give them a chance,”
He said. I shrugged.
“They came at me together. That was their chance.”
He smirked.
“Next time maybe don’t move like a monster.”
“I wasn’t moving that fast.”
“Kaelan,”
He said flatly,
“You disarmed a man before he finished raising his sword.”
I tossed the cloth aside.
“They need better training then.”
Hades stepped closer and lowered his voice slightly.
“You’re in a bad mood.”
“I’m fine.”
“No,”
He said.
“You’re not.”
I didn’t answer right away. Instead I walked towards the edge of the arena and picked up my water flask.
The training yard of the Moranis palace spread wide around us. Tall stone walls surrounded the area. Royal banners hung from the towers.
Soldiers moved everywhere preparing for tonight. Decorations, torches, ceremony banners.
The entire palace was getting ready for the royal mating ceremony. My ceremony. Hades leaned beside me.
“Still thinking about Lady Sorsha?”
He asked. I took a drink of water. Cold liquid slid down my throat.
“I’m not thinking about her.”
“That’s the problem.”
I closed the flask.
“She’s the daughter of a noble house. The council approved it. The kingdom gets stronger alliances. That’s the point.”
Hades watched my face carefully.
“And what do you get?”
I didn’t answer. Because the answer was nothing. He sighed.
“Everyone in the palace is excited. The future Alpha finally taking a mate. The nobles are celebrating already.”
“Good for them.”
Hades laughed under his breath.
“You’re the only groom I know who looks like he’s going to war instead of a mating ceremony.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. My wolf shifted again inside my chest Restless and annoyed. Something felt wrong. I couldn’t explain it. Hades noticed my expression.
“There it is again,”
He said.
“What?”
“That look.”
“What look?”
“Like you’re waiting for something.”
I frowned.
“I’m not waiting for anything.”
He studied me for a moment longer. Then he slapped my shoulder.
“Well, the council meeting starts soon. Better go pretend you care about politics.”
I snorted.
“Lead the way.”
***
The council chamber sat in the center of the palace. Large stone doors opened as we approached. Guards stepped aside immediately. They bowed their heads.
“Prince Kaelan.”
Respect filled their voices. I nodded once and walked inside. The council chamber was already full. A long table stretched across the room.
Important figures of the kingdom sat in their seats. At the head sat Queen Veylora. My mother. She looked calm and powerful like always.
Silver hair tied behind her head. Sharp eyes watching everything. To her right sat the twin brothers Malrik and Draven.
Both leaned back in their chairs. Both smiling like they always enjoyed trouble. Elder Darius sat across from them. He was old and way too erious.
Next to him sat Lord Caelric, quietly reading through documents. Everyone looked up when I entered.
Queen Veylora spoke first.
“Kaelan. You’re late.”
“Training ran long.”
Malrik smirked.
“Let me guess. The royal guard lost again.”
Draven laughed.
“Poor soldiers.”
I pulled out my chair and sat down.
“They volunteered.”
Hades stood near the wall with the other commanders. Queen Veylora folded her hands on the table.
“Let’s begin.”
Lord Caelric cleared his throat.
“Reports from the eastern border arrived this morning. Bloodstone forces increased patrols again.”
The room grew quieter, Malrik leaned forward.
“That’s the third report this month.”
Draven nodded.
“They’re testing us.”
Elder Darius spoke slowly.
“Or preparing something.”
I leaned back slightly.
“We should strengthen our border forces.”
All eyes turned to me. I continued.
“Send more patrols. Increase scouts in the forest regions. If Bloodstone moves, we should know before they reach our land.”
Malrik nodded.
“That makes sense.”
But Elder Darius lifted his hand.
“Military action isn’t the priority right now.”
I frowned.
“It should be.”
“The kingdom needs stability,”
He said firmly. “The royal mating ceremony will show strength and unity.”
I rubbed my jaw slowly.
“We’re discussing a potential enemy threat.”
“And I’m reminding you of your responsibility,”
He replied. Queen Veylora watched us quietly. Draven leaned toward Malrik and whispered loudly,
“He’s going to lose this argument.”
Malrik chuckled.
Elder Darius continued.
“Once the ceremony is complete, the kingdom will feel secure. Nobles will stop worrying about succession. Alliances will strengthen.”
I looked straight at him.
“You’re saying the ceremony matters more than preparing our defenses.”
“I’m saying both matter,”
He replied calmly. Silence filled the room for a moment. Then Queen Veylora spoke.
“Kaelan.”
I looked at her.
“The ceremony proceeds tonight.”
Her tone wasn’t harsh but it was final. My fingers tapped the table once. Then I nodded.
“Fine.”
Elder Darius relaxed slightly. The rest of the meeting continued with smaller discussions. I barely listened.
My wolf moved again inside me, restlessly. Finally the meeting ended. Chairs scraped against the floor as people stood. Malrik walked past me and grinned.
“Try to smile tonight, brother.”
Draven added,
“The ladies faint easier when you smile.”
I shook my head.
“Get out.”
They laughed and left. Soon the room emptied. Only Hades remained near the door. He walked over slowly.
“You look like you swallowed poison.”
“I’m fine.”
“Still lying.”
I stood and stretched my shoulders. The room suddenly felt too small.
“I just want tonight finished,”
I said. Hades nodded.
“That makes two of us.”
We walked toward the doors. Just before stepping out, my wolf suddenly stirred hard inside my chest. It wasn't anger. It was an unease.
Like something far away was moving closer. I stopped walking. Hades noticed.
“What?”
I looked down the hallway. The palace stretched long and quiet ahead of us. But something felt different. Like the air changed.
“I don’t know,”
I muttered.My wolf paced inside my mind. Slow and heavy. It was waiting for something.
Hades frowned.
“Kaelan?”
I shook my head and continued walking. But the feeling didn’t leave. Something was coming. Something inevitable. And for the first time in a long time…
My wolf wasn’t calm.
- Writer
