Third Person’s POV
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Lycan Erasmus’s mind drifted back to a time before he was the Lycan King. Back then, his reputation within the Pce wasn’t exactly ster. It was Zander and Bentley–two legendary generals–who had given him their unwavering support.
He remembered attending private dinners at Bentley’s packhouse.
In those days, he genuinely wanted to befriend those passionate warriors from the Frostfangs.
But now, sitting on the throne with a heavy crown on his head, things were different.
His heart was no longer pure; it was cluttered with suspicion, paranoia, and cold, calcted schemes.
Looking at the deep lines etched into Zander’s face, it was easy to see how brutal the winds of the Northern border had been. They had taken an Alpha made of iron and whittled him down into a frail, elderly wolf.
In this moment, Lycan Erasmus’s heart–hardened by power–softened with a sharp, painful pang of guilt.
He stood up instinctively, hurried down the steps of the dais, and personally reached out to steady the old man.
“Alpha Zander… please, get up.”
Zander lifted his head, his clouded eyes shimmering with tears.
“I… I failed the trust you ced in me. I couldn’t control my people, and I’ve caused a disaster. I don’t deserve your mercy.”
Lycan Erasmus sighed heavily, looking at the broken man before him. “Sit. Let’s talk.”
He personally guided Zander to a plush chair.
As he touched Zander’s arm, he noticed that the muscles–once hard as granite–were now loose, the bone protruding beneath the
skin.
Zander had wasted away; he looked so frail a strong breeze might knock him over.
Lycan Erasmus returned to his desk, watching Zander’s hunched figure.
<i>“</i>You’ve lost a lot of weight,” he noted with a sigh. “Regardless of what happens, you must look after your health.”
“Thank you for your concern, Lycan Erasmus,” Zander said, wiping his eyes with the back of a rough hand, looking utterly ashamed. “My life matters little, I only regret the trouble I’ve caused you.”
Lycan Erasmus felt even worse hearing that.
He offered some warm words offort before getting to the point.
“I know Snowdeer Town wasn’t your doing. You were in aa; surviving at all was a gift from the Moon Goddess. However… you are the Supreme Commander of the border. The Western delegation ising in hot, and I have to manage the fallout. If we’re going to give them a resolution, you may have to shoulder some of the responsibility in the diplomatic arena.”
Zander’s expression immediately turned solemn.
<b>1/3 </b>
1:01 <b>pm </b>
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“I understand. I am at your disposal. Whatever you need me to do, I will do it. I only wish to atone for the debt to our country and stop the mes of war.”
Fabian stood silently in the shadows, watching the scene unfold.
As the wolf who knew Lycan Erasmus best, Fabian knew Erasmus’s heart was truly softened–but he also knew that soft spot was as fleeting as a shooting star.
Once Zander left this room, Lycan Erasmus’s mind would snap back to the power struggle.
Fabian seized the moment. He stepped forward and bowed.
“Your Majesty, now that Alpha Zander is back in the capital, what are your orders? Should he be taken to the Enforcement Bureau, or do you have other ns?”
He paused, gauging Erasmus’s reaction before continuing.
“I have a request. I’d like to suggest sending the best Royal Physicians to examine him. He looks quite ill–his spirit may be failing due to the poison, and the long journey has clearly taken its toll. If we don’t treat him now, he might notst until the day of the confrontation with the Westerners.”
Erasmus had been torn.
Throwing Zander in prison would trigger a riot in the streets, but doing nothing would look weak to the Westerners.
Fabian’s suggestion was the perfect middle ground.
“He doesn’t need to go to the Bureau,” Erasmus waved a hand dismissively. “Let Alpha Zander return to his packhouse. Send two high–ranking physicians to treat him immediately.”
Then, his eyes sharpened again. “However, for his ‘safety,‘ assign the Royal Sentry to protect him.”
“Protection” was just a polite word for house arrest.
The Royal Sentry was an elite unit recently carved out of Lycan Erasmus’s personal guard.
In just fifteen days, Lycan Erasmus and Ulrik had used a heavy–handed approach to overhaul the Pce guard system.
The original personal guard had been renamed the Obsidian Guard,pletely separated from the Ironthorn Legion, and answering only to Lycan Erasmus.
The Obsidian Guard was split into six units, all under Ulrik’smand-
Royal Sentry, PhanMartin Snipers and Royal Shield: In charge of house arrests and internal security, specialized in long–range hits and assassinations, and focused on outer Pce defense. Imperial Escort, Left and Right Wing Guards: In charge of Lycan Erasmus’s immediate bodyguards and the mobile strike force.
Many of the Obsidian Guard’s duties now ovepped with the Royal Patrol and the Capital Guard, leading to constant <b>friction</b>.
The leaders of the major packs knew exactly what Erasmus was doing: he was using the Obsidian Guard to hollow out <b>the </b><b>old </b>military system and pull all the power into his own hands.
When Adide had first been appointed Commander of the Ironthorn Legion, many old–school Alphas had <b>protested</b>.
<b>2/3 </b>
“Entrusting the city’s safety to a she–wolf who’ll be sidelined by her heat? Ridiculous!” they’d said.
But seeing Erasmus’s ruthless restructuring, they were finally realizing something was very wrong.
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Erasmus wasn’t just tightening discipline. He was systematically dismantling a military that was loyal to the state rather than to him personally.
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<strong>Olivia Harris</strong> is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.