Chapter 7 – The War Invitation
685 Words
The envelope arrived at exactly 7 AM.
Black paper. Blood-red wax seal.
A single silver claw pressed into the wax.
Ryan was in the gym, I was sipping tea on the balcony overlooking the lake.
One of my crimson guards knelt and presented it on a velvet cushion.
“From Silver Claw Pack, Your Majesty.”
I broke the seal.
Inside, a single card written in Aarav’s handwriting.
To Empress Riya of Crimson Moon Empire,
You are formally invited to the Silver Claw War Council.
Date: Full Moon, three nights from now.
Purpose: To discuss the return of the banished omega and the child she carries.
If you refuse, Silver Claw Pack declares war on Crimson Moon Empire.
Signed,
Alpha Aarav Singhania
I laughed so hard the teacup rattled in my hand.
Ryan walked out shirtless, sweat still on his skin.
“What’s funny, little flame?”
I handed him the card.
His golden eyes darkened to molten lava.
“He’s lost his mind.”
I traced the tiny bump under my silk robe.
“Or he’s desperate.”
Ryan crushed the card in his fist.
“Let him come. I’ll end this before it starts.”
I caught his wrist.
“No.”
My silver flames flared.
“This time, I finish it myself.”
Three nights later.
The War Council was held in the old neutral grounds—an open meadow surrounded by ancient oaks.
Every major pack sent representatives.
I arrived in full imperial armor: crimson leather etched with silver runes, cape flowing like liquid fire.
Ryan walked beside me, black armor, golden claws extended.
Our combined army—ten thousand warriors—waited in the shadows.
Aarav stood on a raised platform, flanked by his warriors.
He looked like he hadn’t slept in weeks.
Eyes bloodshot. Cheeks hollow.
When he saw me, he stepped forward.
“Riya—”
I raised a hand.
“Empress Riya,” I corrected.
“You lost the right to my name the night you banished me.”
He swallowed hard.
“I challenge Alpha Ryan Knight for the right to claim you and the child.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Ryan growled, stepping forward.
“Accepted.”
I placed a hand on Ryan’s chest.
“No.”
I stepped past him.
“I accept the challenge.”
Silence.
Aarav blinked.
“You… you’re pregnant.”
I smiled, slow and dangerous.
“Exactly.”
Silver flames erupted around me, forming a protective dome over my belly.
“Your war threat is against an unborn royal heir.”
I lifted my chin.
“Fight me, Aarav. Or surrender your pack here and now.”
His warriors shifted nervously.
Ryan’s voice boomed behind me.
“Empress Riya speaks for both empires. Anyone who raises a claw against her answers to me.”
Aarav’s Beta whispered something.
Aarav shook his head.
He dropped his sword.
Fell to his knees.
“I surrender,” he said, voice breaking.
“Silver Claw Pack surrenders to Crimson Moon Empire.”
The meadow went dead quiet.
I walked forward until I stood over him.
“Do you yield completely?”
He pressed his forehead to the ground.
“I yield. Everything. The pack. The territory. My title. Take it all.”
I looked down at the Alpha who once called me trash.
Then I turned to the crowd.
“Let it be known: Silver Claw Pack is now under Crimson Moon rule.”
I placed my boot on Aarav’s back.
“And its former Alpha will serve as my personal guard… until the day he dies.”
Cheers erupted from my army.
Ryan wrapped his arms around me from behind, lips brushing my mark.
“Remind me never to make you angry, little flame.”
I leaned back into him.
“Too late for that warning, Alpha Knight.”
As we walked away, Aarav’s broken whisper followed us.
“Thank you… for not killing me.”
I didn’t reply.
Some punishments are worse than death.
To be continued…
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