The Price of the Crown
1883 Words
The palace halls I walked through my whole life became harder to traverse during that particular night.
The two men stood in silence at the door which remained closed while they blocked my path to the council chamber. The two men stood silent when I came near them. The first man moved aside while the second man opened the door.
I walked in alone.
The chamber was quiet. The elders already occupied their seats which formed a semicircular arrangement. Elder Varkun occupied the middle position with his thin body which nearly vanished in his chair but his eyes maintained their sharpness.
All of them turned to look at me.
I stopped in the middle of the room and bowed my head slightly. “You sent for me.”
Elder Varkun showed single nod. “Kaiven Dorne. You have reached your eighteenth year.”
His voice traveled through the room at a slow speed while he spoke with clear pronunciation.
“Yes,” I replied.
“Today marks your transition into adulthood,” another elder added—Elder Sorell, his lips thin as always. “A significant milestone.”
I remained silent because this situation did not feel like a festive occasion.
Elder Varkun leaned forward slightly. “We watched your conduct today. Your speech was… acceptable.”
Acceptable.
“I am honored,” I said.
A pause followed which brought a change to the atmosphere inside the space. The reason for my presence in this place became evident to me.
Elder Varkun moved his hands together. “However, there are matters that must be addressed regarding your position.”
The statement had been made.
I maintained my expressionless stare. “I’m listening.”
The heir is not yet Alpha according to the heir's understanding of the situation.
“I understand,” I said.
Elder Sorell explained to you that Ironclaw needs clear leadership because there must not exist any doubts about their position.
My chest began to feel tense.
“I am not uncertain,” I replied carefully.
“Strength exists through Sorell because people need to demonstrate their power to others.”
The room remained silent after that statement.
Elder Varkun spoke again. “The throne becomes accessible for you after you complete all required training.”
My fingers curled slightly at my sides. “Training.”
“Yes,” he said. “At Apex Academy.”
The words settled heavily in the air.
I had heard of Apex Academy. Everyone had. The place became where future Alphas learned to become new leaders through a process of being broken and remade.
The area contained wolves who possessed greater strength than I did.
I maintained a neutral expression. “And if I refuse?”
The elders shared quick glances which showed amusement to them.
Elder Varkun spoke to me with calmness. “You will not refuse because you know what the situation requires you to do.”
I did.
Still, I asked, “And if I fail?”
“Then Ironclaw will require a different Alpha,” Sorell answered without hesitation.
The meaning behind those words was clear.
I swallowed slowly. “When would I be expected to go?”
Elder Varkun continued to look directly at me. “Immediately.”
My heart skipped once.
“Immediately?” I repeated.
“You must arrive at your location as soon as you receive your summons,” he said. “After you complete your training, you will stay there until your training ends. Your rightful position will be claimed by you after you successfully complete your graduation.
Rightful.
The word became unreal to me.
I nodded once, even though everything inside me felt tight. “I understand.”
“Good,” Elder Varkun said. “Then this matter is settled.”
Just like that.
No discussion. No choice.
“Is there anything else?” I asked.
“No,” he replied. “You may leave.”
I bowed again and turned, walking toward the doors without rushing. I didn’t allow myself to hesitate.
Not until I stepped outside.
The doors closed behind me with a low sound.
And only then did I breathe.
By the time I returned to my room my thoughts created a deafening sound which I could not ignore.
Apex Academy.
I knew this moment would arrive someday yet hearing it spoken clearly made everything feel real to me because I lacked readiness for such things.
I shut the door behind me and leaned against it, closing my eyes for a moment.
Powerful wolves. Constant observation. No room for mistakes.
If anyone found out the truth…
I pushed myself away from the door and walked around the space. My chest felt tight again, the same way it had earlier that morning—but worse.
Pressure evolved into something more than itself.
Danger arrived.
A soft knock broke through my thoughts.
I stilled.
“Enter,” I said.
The door opened and my mother stepped in.
Vaelira didn’t waste time. “They told you.”
“Yes,” I replied.
She studied my face. “And?”
“They want me at Apex Academy,” I said. “Immediately.”
She nodded once, as if she had expected nothing less.
“Their assessment requires you to demonstrate your skills,” she stated.
“You should not have put everyone at risk for this,” I said which became my quick response.
Her gaze sharpened slightly. “Control your tone.”
I exhaled slowly. “The academy is full of Alphas,” I said, more carefully this time. “Real ones. Strong ones. Wolves who will notice things.”
“You will manage,” she said.
I shook my head slightly. “You don’t understand.”
Her expression didn’t change. “Then explain.”
For a moment I hesitated.
I finally said it.
“If people learn the truth about me, then I will not survive.”
The words sat heavy between us.
For the first time she didn’t interrupt.
“I will lose my throne,” I said in a low voice. “My entire life will be taken from me. They will not accept it. They will not understand. People will see me as a threat. A lie.”
“You are not a lie,” she said firmly.
I released a small breath which lacked any trace of humor. “That’s not what they’ll see.”
The room maintained its quiet state.
Her eyes softened just slightly, but not enough to change her tone.
“I anticipated this,” she said.
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Come with me,” she replied.
That was all she said before turning and walking toward the door.
I hesitated for only a second before following her.
—
The main halls did not serve as our route.
The narrow corridor that she showed me was a space which I had never seen before because it remained concealed in an area of the palace which I rarely entered. The air turned colder as we moved forward while the lights became dimmer.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“You’ll see,” she said.
Through the concealed back entrance of the palace grounds we exited. The cool sharpness of night air struck my skin. A carriage waited for us which appeared neither elaborate nor decorated to show its presence.
We got in without another word.
The ride maintained complete silence.
I watched the outside as we moved farther from the palace, deeper into the forest. The trees grew thicker, the path rougher.
The carriage reached a stop.
My mother stepped out first. I followed.
A small structure stood before us which appeared to be built from worn materials and stood hidden from view by shadows and overgrown branches. The place looked like a location that nobody should enter.
“This is where you brought me?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said.
We approached the door. She knocked once.
There was a pause.
Then it opened.
The woman standing there looked… wrong.
Her frame was thin, almost fragile, but her eyes were sharp and hollow at the same time. She wore dark robes that seemed too heavy for her body.
“Luna Vaelira,” she said slowly.
“Morveth,” my mother replied.
So this was the witch.
Morveth kept looking at me for too long time which made me uncomfortable. “And this must be the child.”
I stiffened slightly.
“She needs your help,” my mother said.
Morveth smiled faintly, but there was no warmth in it. “Of course she does.”
We stepped inside.
The air carried an unusual scent that included herbs and two unidentified items which had a bitter and sharp aroma.
Morveth moved around the room, gathering items without explaining. “You’re sending her away,” she said.
“Yes,” my mother explained.
“To a place where secrets die quickly,” Morveth added.
I remained silent.
“She needs protection,” my mother said.
Morveth stopped and turned to face me. “Protection always comes with a cost.”
“I’m aware,” Vaelira replied.
“Are you?” Morveth asked as she moved closer to me.
I held her gaze. “Do it.”
She studied me for a moment, then nodded.
“Sit,” she instructed.
I did.
The ritual began quickly.
Then it stopped.
Just like that.
The room went quiet.
Morveth stepped back, observing me carefully.
“It’s done,” she said.
I looked down at myself, then stood slowly. Something felt… different. Subtle, but there.
“What did you do?” I asked.
“I masked your scent,” she said. “Nobody will identify you as a female. I changed your appearance. You will appear more… fitting.”
“And my strength?” I asked.
“Enhanced,” she replied. “Your strength does not match a true Alpha yet it remains enough to prevent detection.”
I nodded slowly.
Then she added, “But understand this.”
I looked at her.
“This magic is not perfect,” she continued. “The spell will lose power if your body goes into a heat cycle.”
My stomach dropped.
“The spell will break if you lose excessive blood,” she added.
Silence filled the room.
“So I just… hope that doesn’t happen?” I asked.
“You avoid it,” she said simply.
I let out a slow breath.
This was not protection.
This created exposure to danger.
“Thank you,” my mother said.
Morveth only smiled faintly.
We returned to the palace before dawn.
Everything felt the same.
But I didn’t.
My room appeared different to me as soon as I entered.
A sealed letter rested on the table.
My name was written clearly across it.
I walked toward it slowly, my chest tightening again.
I already knew what it was.
Still, I opened it.
My eyes scanned the contents quickly.
Then I stopped.
My grip tightened slightly on the paper.
“They didn’t wait,” I said quietly.
My mother stepped closer. “What does it say?”
I looked up at her.
“They expect me at Apex Academy,” I said.
A pause.
“Tomorrow.”
- Writer
