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    *5 Free Coins


    Lycannar


    It is the sound of wind rustling that wakes me. I open my eyes with a low groan, feeling heavier than usual. Slowly, I reach for her, Zephyrine, but the space beside me is empty.


    That makes me sit up, scanning the bedchamber. No sign of her. Even her gown, the one she’d hung by the stand, is gone.


    Slowly, I get out of bed and walk into the bath chamber. I wash, the silence pressing hard against me. It is only when I finish bathing that I realize something is wrong. The stillness outside my kingdom feels unnatural.


    Frowning, I return to the bedchamber and dress, raking my damp hair back with my fingers. I finishcing my boots and walk out to pause.


    Chantel isn’t in the hallway. He’s always on alert when I’m not steady. His absence draws a deeper unease.


    With quiet caution, I make my way down the hall, emerging into the open. That’s when I see <i>it</i><i>. </i>Something has happened.


    I move toward the tall window, my gaze falling on the courtyard below. The stones are stained with blood. It wasn’t there before I fell into that deep sleep. My chest tightens. My sisters… or my people?


    I rush down at once, heading straight toward the princesses‘ quarters. The maids are tense, moving quickly, fear etched in their faces.


    The courtyard hums with hushed murmurs, people whispering, pointing. When they see me appear, silence falls like a weight.


    Chantel stands at Serena’s door, his sword still dripping red. Seeing that, I swallow hard.


    “What happened?” I demand, my voice low.


    He doesn’t answer, only bow. I push past him into the chamber and stop at the doorway. Serena lies pale and weak upon her bed. For a moment, guilt flickers. I had hurt her not long ago. Is that why she still looks so fragile?


    “Lycannar.” Mearez’s voicees from behind. She steps in with a bowl of herbs in hand, her expression taut.


    <b>9:50 </b><b>Sun</b><b>, </b><b>Oct 5 </b>


    She looks at me with worry.


    :


    “Are you all right? I meant to check on you after tending to Serena.”


    <b>04 </b>


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    Her question drifts past me. All that gnaws at me is what could have happened. She seems to read my silence and swallows hard before speaking again.


    “We were attackedst night. If it weren’t for Chantel… we would have been taken.”


    I freeze.


    “What?”


    “The Ashmeres,” she breathes. “Five of them. They came to take us, to use us against you. Rape and disgraced, so they say.”


    For a long moment, I can’t see or think. My pulse pounds. Rape?


    “The gate is sealed. There’s no way five men could have entered.”


    “We thought it was Zephyrine,” she says softly, shame flickering in her eyes. “She sent word that she would deliver food supplies. We thought it was her…”


    “Food supplies?” My brow furrows deeply. “Why would she think I need anything from her pack?”


    “Lycan…” she sighs, clearly exhausted. “They hurt Serena. And they would have hurt me too. That isn’t the issue now, the issue is that Chantel saved us, but at the cost of revealing what he is. Everyone knows now. He’s a demon.”


    I go still. Completely.


    “In no time,” she continues, “they’ll realize you carry the same blood.”


    A low growl builds in my throat.


    “Why would Varyn Ashmere think he can march into my kingdom because I stayed silent after he destroyed my tower?”


    Mearez’s eyes widen.


    “Lycann, we are safe. You are not listening. That’s not what matters right now. The problem is that Chantel’s identity is exposed…”


    I cut past her words, fury rising. The audacity stuns me. Because I had chosen peace, restraint,


    <b>9:50 </b><b>Sun</b>, Oct 5


    6:


    humility, he thinks Lycannar Blood can be trampled.


    94


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    If it weren’t for my shattered tower, for the rule I broke that left me weakened, no wolf would dare cross into my kingdom and live.


    My gaze drops to the faint wound on Serena’s neck. Rage coils inside me.


    “Prepare my horse, Chantel. Bring my twin des.” My tone is final, cold. He bows once and obeys.


    Mearez pales, rushing to my side, striking my shoulder.


    “Lycann, you can’t retaliate with war! You have no armies, and you’ll lose control over your beasts. It’s better to stay weak than be something uncontroble!”


    I don’t answer. Not yet. I look at her, at the fear in her eyes, and I realize what she’s endured these past nights. Still, some lines cannot be crossed.


    “If Varyn Ashmere dares enter my kingdom unafraid,” I say quietly, “then perhaps it’s time I stop pretending to be tame. Everyone has limits, Mearez. And mine do not bend when ites to my sisters.”


    I turn to leave, but her voice stops me.


    “You killed their father. He only wants revenge.”


    I turn halfway, meeting her gaze.


    “And he’s killed my men at war. Just because I never dered it doesn’t make it any less true. You have no idea what the families of my warriors feel when their husbands, fathers, sons never return.”


    “Lycann…” she whispers, trembling. “They’ll know what you are.”


    “Maybe it’s time I start embracing what I am,” I say tly.


    Without another word, I walk out into the open. The people are gathered everywhere, watching me in silence. Their king. Their cursed king.


    I take my gloves from Chantel, mount my horse, and grip my twin des. The gates creak wide open for me.


    And with fury coiling tight in my chest, I ride out towards the Ash Pack.