Chapter Four
1243 Words
Elaris POV
The gates of Moranis slammed open with a sound so loud it made my chest jump. The carriage rolled forward slowly.
Huge black walls surrounded the city. The stone towers stretched high into the sky. Soldiers stood on top of the walls with long spears and sharp eyes watching every movement below.
This place was nothing like Bloodstone. Bloodstone felt dark and tense. Moranis felt powerful and alive.
The horses pulling the carriage slowed as we reached the gate. I lifted the small curtain beside the window and looked outside.
Two massive wolves stood beside the guards. Not normal wolves. War wolves. I held my chest as I looked at them.
Their fur stood up the moment they looked at the carriage. One of them growled. Low and deep. The sound made my stomach twist.
A guard walked toward the carriage and knocked once on the door.
“Tribute from Bloodstone,”
One of the escort soldiers said. The guard opened the door. His eyes landed on me. The moment he looked at me, his expression changed. His wolf reacted immediately. I saw it in his face filled with confusion. Then discomfort came. Then something close to fear.
“What… is that?”
He muttered under his breath. Another guard stepped closer and sniffed the air slightly. His face twisted.
“That scent is wrong.”
My fingers tightened together in my lap. I kept my head down. Like always. One of the soldiers escorting me spoke quickly.
“This is the tribute ordered by King Riordan.”
The guards looked at each other.
“A female?”
One asked.
“Alpha,”
Another said slowly.
“But she has no mark.”
The first guard stared at my neck again. Then he stepped back quickly like standing too close made him uncomfortable.
“Let them pass,”
He said stiffly. The gates opened wider. The carriage rolled inside the capital of Moranis. My heart beat faster. The city was enormous.
Stone buildings filled every street. Wolves walked everywhere. Merchants shouted prices from colorful stalls. Soldiers marched in lines through the streets. Everything looked loud and powerful.
And yet… As the carriage moved deeper into the city… Wolves began noticing me. Even through the carriage walls. Their wolves sensed it.
A woman walking with baskets suddenly stopped in the street. She sniffed the air. Then she turned towards the carriage. Her eyes narrowed.
“What is that smell?”
A man beside her frowned.
“That’s not right.”
Another wolf whispered loudly.
“Something’s wrong.”
My shoulders curled inward slightly. The whispers followed the carriage. More wolves turned. More wolves stared. Some looked curious, others seemed nervous.
One large warrior near a weapon stall suddenly bared his teeth without even realizing it. His friend grabbed his arm.
“Calm down!”
“My wolf doesn’t like that scent,”
He growled. The carriage kept moving. My chest felt tighter with every street we passed. Finally the palace appeared ahead.
It was even larger than the city walls. Tall silver towers. Huge gates. Banners with the Moranis crest hung everywhere.
The carriage stopped again. The palace guards stepped forward immediately. They opened the door.
“Out,”
One of them ordered. I stepped down slowly. The moment my feet touched the stone. Everything changed. Every wolf near the gate stiffened. Some soldiers took half a step back. One guard muttered quietly.
“What the hell…”
Another guard whispered.
“That’s the tribute?”
“She’s small.”
“But that scent…”
A third guard rubbed his arm nervously.
“My wolf doesn’t like her.”
I kept my eyes on the ground. Two guards moved beside me Not gently or even politely. They stood like they were escorting a criminal.
“Walk,”
One said. I obeyed. The palace entrance opened. Inside, the royal court was busy. Servants ran across the marble floors carrying flowers and decorations.
Long tables filled with food were being arranged. Music instruments were being tuned. The royal mating ceremony preparations were everywhere.
But the moment I stepped inside. People noticed. And the whispers started.
“A female Alpha?”
“That’s impossible.”
“She has no Luna mark.”
“She has no Omega scent either.”
“What is she?”
A noblewoman covered her nose with a handkerchief.
“That aura is disturbing.”
A man beside her whispered nervously.
“Is she cursed?”
My cheeks grew hot. I kept walking. My steps stayed small. One servant carrying wine nearly dropped the tray while staring at me.
A group of young noble girls huddled together near a column. One of them whispered loudly.
“She looks like a ghost.”
Another replied quickly.
“No… ghosts are less scary.”
The guards pushed the large hallway doors open.
“Guest quarters,” one said.
They walked me down a long corridor. Stone floors echoed under our steps..Finally, we reached a large door.
One guard opened it. Inside was a guest chamber. Large bed. Tall windows, heavy curtains and furniture carved with silver designs.
But two guards stood outside the door immediately. Watching and guarding. Like I might escape.
“Stay here,”
One of them said.
The door closed. I stood still in the center of the room. The silence felt strange after all the whispers.
I walked slowly to the window and looked outside. The palace gardens stretched below. Huge trees and stone paths.
Flower beds glowing in moonlight. My chest felt heavy. Everything felt strange.
This place felt powerful. But my body still felt like something was wrong, I just didn't know what it was.
***
Sorsha POV
Lady Sorsha slammed her jewelry box shut. A servant near the door jumped slightly. Sorsha turned toward her with sharp eyes.
“Say it again.”
The servant swallowed.
“The tribute from Bloodstone arrived this afternoon.”
Sorsha crossed her arms.
“A tribute?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“What kind?”
The servant hesitated.
“That’s the strange part.”
Sorsha stepped closer.
“Speak.”
The servant lowered her voice.
“A female Alpha.”
Sorsha blinked once. Then she laughed.
“That’s ridiculous.”
“She has no mark.”
Sorsha’s smile slowly disappeared.
“No mark?”
The servant nodded nervously.
“Everyone says her scent feels wrong.”
Sorsha’s eyes narrowed.
“Where is she?”
“In the guest quarters.”
Sorsha turned toward the window slowly.
“A female Alpha… without a mark…”
Her lips curled slightly.
“That sounds like trouble.”
***
Elaris POV
Night covered the palace when I finally stepped outside. The guards didn’t notice when I slipped past the hallway corner.
The palace garden felt quiet. Moonlight shined across the stone paths. Flowers moved softly in the wind. For the first time since leaving Bloodstone…
I could breathe. I walked slowly between the trees. My hands brushed the leaves gently. Then suddenly, my chest tightened. The feeling returned.
The same feeling from my vision. The strange pull. My body froze, my heart beat faster.
Something was wrong. Or maybe… something was close. I turned slowly. The garden was empty.
But my wolf stirred quietly inside me. The pull grew stronger. Like invisible threads tugged deep inside my chest.
Something was watching. Waiting and somehow… I knew this place was where everything would change.
- Writer
