Pain.

That was what Myra felt when she awakened.

Pain in her arms, wrists, legs.....

She winced and tried to move her body but regretted the action dearly. More pain exploded in her arms, forcing her to grit her teeth.

Her head throbbed faintly as she regained consciousness, struggling to piece her memory together.

Then it hit her.

Her father was killed, her kingdom was burned and her fiance had betrayed her at the dying minute.

Presently, she was in a carriage moving to the pack of the perpetrator of her plight.

Now her eyes were adjusted to the darkness, she could see people asleep, awake, crying, all locked up in chains like she was.

It stabbed her heart swiftly like a needle to see their state but she refused to cry. Not anymore.

She had to think. Think of a plan.

In a matter of minutes, she would be in Silvercrest Pack. And she needed all her mind to confront the alpha.

Abruptly, the carriage came to a stop, silently announcing their arrival. Its wheels screeched to a halt, shoving her forward.

Myra knew the moment they entered. She could feel the power surrounding this pack from afar.

She clenched her jaw. They were here.

In the domain of the very monsters who had burned her home—and life—to the ground.

Her stomach twisted into rock-like knots at the notion.

The doors slammed open and clawed hands reached out to drag people outside.

The moment her feet touched the ground, Myra knew she had stepped into the lion's den. After a whole night spent in darkness, the sudden brilliance of light had her squint her eyes to see properly.

Slowly, her eyes adjusted to the brightness and she took in her surroundings.

Though the palace had a dark and heavy presence, its beauty was undeniable. Blooming gardens stretched across the grounds, and tall ivy-covered trees towered above.

The palace itself stood at the centre and was a dark, majestic structure that seemed to absorb light itself. Tall spires reached toward the sky and large, arched windows allowed glimpses of the inside.

But Myra wasn't awed by it. Even in all the glitz and glamour, this was the territory of her enemy. Awe couldn't enter the sentence.

She could feel the heavy stares of other wolves pressing on her like boulders. Yet, she held her head high, refusing to let them see her as anything less than a princess.

She squared her shoulders and—despite the chains that bound her wrists—walked like royalty.

Because I am royalty, she forcefully corrected herself, as if the thought alone could reverse her status.

She felt Evelyn's hand close over hers as they drew nearer to the palace, and spared a glance at her sister.

“I won't let anything happen to you. I promise" she whispered reassuringly.

Evelyn nodded with a weak smile.

But deep down, Myra felt the weight of that promise like a rock on her shoulders.

When they walked into the palace, her eyes discreetly scanned everywhere, burning the image into her head.

Its interior was even more luxurious. The great hall was vast, with high ceilings and elaborate designs. Beneath them, shiny marble floors stretched endlessly, while heavy crimson curtains cascaded down the walls.

The grand double doors of the throne room opened and they were ushered inside.

The air in here was different. It was much stronger and authoritative that it had the hairs on her neck stand on end.

The warriors forced them to their knees on the cold ground.

“Well well well, what do we have here?" A man drawled, lazily sitting on a high, golden throne.

Myra swung her gaze upwards and it fell on him.

The alpha. The man who had stolen everything from her.

He was nothing like she imagined. He sat upon the throne like he was born for it—relaxed yet exuding a composed dominance. His features were almost too perfect, too ethereal for a man so ruthless.

Sharp cheekbones framed a face that spoke of elegance and charm, his skin glowing bronze under the sunlight.

He didn't need to move or speak to command. Power oozed from him, wrapping around the room like a fog.

But his exquisite features and aura weren't what made her blood freeze like ice.

This must be one sick joke.

He....He was the man in her dreams. This was the man who invaded her sleeps every night and consumed her thoughts for the past few months.

But how? How was this possible? Was this all a dream?

If possible, her mind swayed with confusion, filled with more questions than answers.

“These are your captives Alpha Arthur" Nathaniel, the leader, bowed before the man.

His statement broke the brief spell that clouded her mind.

This couldn't be the man in her dreams. The man before her eyes was the monster who had taken away her kingdom and ruined her life.

He wasn't the man in her dreams. He was the man in her nightmares.

“I beg to differ" Myra spat out, attracting the gazes of everyone—human and wolf alike—in the room.

Arthur's eyes fell on her. She could feel the weight of his piercing gaze, as if it were a blow, but she stood her ground, refusing to cower.

“Quite audacious for a woman" Arthur commented with a click of his tongue. His voice was smooth but had a faint chilliness to it.

He rose from the throne slowly and advanced towards her with calm, calculated steps.

Myra's fingers trembled as his aura suffocated her with each step. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears but she masked it all with a defiant tilt of her chin.

“I am not just any woman. I am Crown Princess Myra of Vespera" she stated with a clear tone of authority.

“So this is Vespera's crown princess" Arthur remarked, halting just an inch away from her then crouched to her eye level.

His gaze swept over her, lingering for a moment longer than necessary on her disheveled appearance. “I expected more"

Myra's blood boiled. Even after everything—after her people had been taken, after she had been dragged here like a slave—this man had the audacity to look unimpressed? To act as if she was beneath him?

A humourless laugh escaped her lips. “And I expected a real Alpha, not some cold-blooded monster and coward"

Gasps resounded within the wolves in the room. A few of his warriors exchanged wary glances, uncertain if their Alpha would strike or laugh.

Arthur did neither. He simply titled his head with a smile—devoid of any emotion—and observed her. Scrutinized her. “You think I'm a monster?"

Myra leaned in, holding his gaze directly. “I don't think. I know"

Amusement swirled in his unusual golden orbs. “You have fire" he murmured, standing up to his full height that forced her to crane her neck. “But that quality led to your ruin. I can see why your people had blind loyalty to a weak throne"

Myra shot to her feet before the wolves could stop her, her chains clinking against the marble floors. “And you're just a coward who hides behind the facade of royalty. Your people are blind to your cowardice"

His smile faded, replaced with a dark look.

The air thickened with tension, holding an edge sharp enough to draw blood.

Myra knew she had struck a nerve. And she was damn glad she did.

“I would watch my mouth if I were you" his voice was a spine-chilling murmur that awakened goosebumps on her skin.

“But you are not me" she scoffed. “You are nothing but the Alpha who has killed and ruined lives. I hope you sleep well knowing that"

Arthur's jaw ticked as an emotion flickered in his eyes. “Yes. I sleep well knowing that, and soon enough, you will" his voice was low, and laced with warning.

The unknown underlying meaning in his words made her palms clammy with sweat.

He clicked his fingers, and just like that, guards came forward instantly, grabbing her arms.

“You can lash out at me all day if you want to, but the bitter truth is this—your kingdom was captured and you belong to me now. If you were truly a princess, you would have defended your kingdom and saved your people..... and your father"

Arthur watched as the stubbornness melted away, and pain crept in, her eyes wide and round. He had hit a soft spot and struck it well.

“I-I am not weak" she said, her voice wavering.

“Face the facts princess. You are weak and that's why you and your people are captives of Silvercrest. I hope you sleep well knowing that"

His bomb-like words nearly sent her to her knees. The impact weakened her fury, and left her heart sore with the painful truth.

She was weak.

He turned to the guards. “Take them to the dungeons" he ordered harshly, “bind her up specially, and let her know the price of her rudeness to me, the Alpha"

Just before she was taken out of the room, she gave him one last, controlled glare. This wasn't over yet.

As she was dragged down the hallway, whispers from her people slid into her ears.

“If she was truly strong, we wouldn't be in this situation."

“She couldn't save her father and now, she can't save us"

“She is weak. Just like her sister"

Her steps faltered. She couldn't believe her ears.

Their words hurt more than the chains around her wrists.

How could they say such things? She had practically confronted the alpha before their eyes. She stood up for them!

Tears burned her eyes. She wanted to shout at them. To tell them she had tried, that she was only human and had done her best. But she didn't.

Face the facts princess. You're weak

Myra gritted her teeth and turned her tears to blazing anger. She would prove him wrong. She would prove them all wrong.

The passage leading to the dungeons was narrow and dark, a stark contrast to the grandeur of the palace. The walls, cold and worn out, were covered with rough edges.

The dungeon was not better. Dampness clung to the stale air, carrying the stench of death and blood. With each step, the air became tighter, as if a door hadn't been open in a century or two.

The ceiling was low while heavy iron bars formed the doors to small cells, each one barely large enough for a person.

The guards loosened the chains and locked them behind the cells.

When one reached for Evelyn, she slapped his hand away. “Don't you dare touch her"

“Ooh. Feisty, aren't we?" Another mocked, snatching her wrist and dragging her to a separate cell. “Too bad that can't save you"

There were chains on the walls, rusty with age and darkened with what she suspected was dried blood.

Her stomach churned uneasily and she tried putting up a fight but the guard was easily stronger than her and binded her wrists and ankles.

“Enjoy your stay while it lasts" he crowed, shutting the iron bars behind him.

Fury seethed within her. They had reduced her—a princess of Vespera—to this? Like some common criminal?

She curled her hands and tugged at the chains but they didn't budge.

“Stop wasting your time. Those chains don't break" came the Alpha's voice as he appeared outside the iron bars.

Her spine stiffened as a guard unlocked the cell, and his heavy footsteps echoed against the cold stone floor.

“You think chaining me up will make you powerful?" She asked sharply. “It won't. Besides, a real Alpha wouldn't need chains to make a princess bow"

“And yet here you are. Caged" he pointed out smoothly.

His words irked her. “Cut straight to the point. Here for another round of threats? Or are you missing my taunts?"

Arthur's lips twitched, almost like he was amused. Almost.

“Neither. I came to check how my new.... guest isn't settling in"

Her dry laughter echoed sarcasm. “You call this hospitality?"

Arthur chuckled, low and deep. “Most people that dared defy me craved to be in your shoes"

“They can have it" she retorted.

“They're dead" he stated flatly.

A sliver of unease pricked her spine but she forced herself to stay calm. “Then kill me too. It would save us both time"

He chuckled again, as if she said something funny, then reached out, fingers gripping her chin—not hard enough to hurt, but enough to remind her she was at his mercy.

“Death would be too easy for someone like you. Breaking you bit by bit is much preferable"

“You wouldn't dare" she whispered, fighting the urge to look away.

His gaze burned into hers. “I never back down from a dare"

Silence stretched between them for a minute.

Thankfully, he released her, stepping back. “I heard you have a sister"

She shuddered at Evelyn's mention. “Leave her alone" she said, glancing away.

Just before her eyes left his, Arthur caught a look of vulnerability in her eyes. A look he noted and stored away.

“You care for her" he murmured.

“Mind your business. She's not your concern"

“Everything in my territory is my concern"

Her eyes narrowed to a glare. “Don't even think about laying a finger on her. Do you hear me?"

A smirk tugged at his lips. “You're forgetting one tiny detail here princess. You're a prisoner here. And prisoners do not give orders"

“Make fun while you can, but mark my words. You'll regret this" she spat out.

“It has been an eventful day. Let me leave you to rest, after all the journey has been tiring" he gave a mocking smile that infuriated her.

He stepped out of the cell then stopped and glanced at her over his shoulder. “Get used to this place. You'll be here for a while"

She watched him walk away from the filthy cell she was left in, anger simmering within her.

He may hold the chains but he would never break her.

You have fire.

He was playing with fire, but soon he'd realize that fire didn't just burn—it reduced everything to ashes.

Myra didn't know how long she had stayed in the dungeons.

A day? Two?

She had lost track of time, waking up everytime to behold the mouldy four walls of her cell and the rusty, iron bars that served as the gate.

Her wrists ached against the restraints, her throat was dry and parched from thirst.

Even in the stillness of the dungeon, she could hear the distant sounds of chains scraping against stone.

And every so often, a rat scurried by, looking for food or warmth—things that were impossible to have in this dark, forgotten place.

To stay alert, Myra concentrated with the sharpened ears of one who was desperate.

She tried wriggling her hands out of the chains, vainly hoping she could free herself.

She didn't. She only made the cold metal sink more into her flesh.

“Give up princess. It's no use" A gruffly voice spoke up from the nearest cell.

Slightly startled, she peered closer and an old man came into her line of vision. He sat slumped against the far wall, his face worn and his eyes wizened. His clothes were ragged, and a thin chain bound his ankle to the wall.

“What?"

“I said give up princess. You can't escape those chains" he repeated, his voice rough with age.

“Who are you?"

“Moses"

Under the dim light from the narrow window, she had a glimpse of long canines. Her eyes narrowed slightly. “You're a werewolf. Tell me, are you a friend or foe?"

Moses smiled, lines fanning out at the corners of his eyes. He stroked his white beard and took his time to respond.

“Neither" he said. “You'll find no allies here Princess. We're all just waiting for the end"

Myra's chest tightened. “The end?"

Moses chuckled darkly. “Yes, the end. The Alpha doesn't keep prisoners out of mercy or pity. We're here because we're no longer useful. We're just waiting for death"

His words chilled her bones. “I refuse to believe that" she said, keeping her voice steady despite the fear that knotted her stomach.

Moses snorted. “Believe whatever makes the truth feel less daunting. It won't change your fate. When the Alpha is fed up with us, he'll bury us"

Most people that dared defy me craved to be in your shoes.... They're dead

“I'll find a way out of here" she whispered, more to herself than him. “I'll get out and save my people—"

Moses laughed. “Keep fooling yourself woman. Do you think the Alpha would let a princess—"

“You're a princess?" A young girl spoke up from the same cell.

Myra hadn't seen her until now. She looked no older than sixteen, with unruly, tangled hair and wide eyes. She clutched a dusty-looking rag doll to her chest.

Myra's eyes softened a bit. “What's your name girl?" Her voice was as gentle as she could manage.

“Victoria" she whispered then licked her dry, chapped lips. “I was brought here when my pack got conquered ten years ago"

“And....your parents?" Myra asked hesitantly, then regretted it when she saw a flash of pain in the girl's eyes.

A pain she was all too familiar with. “T-They're dead"

“I'm sorry"

Victoria nodded and clutched the doll tighter to her chest, her eyes moist with unshed tears.

“Can't you see Princess?" Moses cut in. “You're just like us. Doomed. No escape. Hope for freedom is useless here woman. Sooner or later, you'll accept this bitter fate of yours"

“I have no bitter fate" she countered. “I refuse to accept defeat. I will find my way out of here and no one can stop me"

“Maybe you will be the exception that proves the rule"

“He can't stop me" she said, gritting her teeth.

“You can't defeat the Alpha" Victoria said quietly. “He's not human. Even the late Alpha of my pack couldn't defeat him*

“Listen to the child princess" Moses hummed. “She knows a lot more about the Alpha than you"

“I may not know much about him but of one thing I'm sure—he is an egoistical coward" she said sharply.

Moses's eyes narrowed. “Be careful with your words. Alpha Arthur is more than just an ordinary werewolf—he's a beast that can force you to your lowest level"

Myra tried not to let his words affect her but failed. Her body shuddered. If this Alpha was truly what they claim—a beast—did she stand a chance against him?

No. She couldn't let her mind sway with uncertainty or doubt.

I must defeat him. Vespera depends on me, she thought, strengthening her resolve.

The sudden sound of iron scratching against concrete broke into her thoughts.

A guard stepped in, holding new chains.

Moses's eyes hardened while Victoria stiffened and withdrew into the darkness.

“Let me guess, your Alpha has decided to get me new chains since these ones are old" she snarled sarcastically.

The guard rolled his eyes. “Don't be stupid princess. You're a prisoner. You're not worthy of gifts here"

“Fool" she muttered under her breath.

From chains to chains, she thought wryly, as he binded her wrists up.

A symbol of her life now. Chained.

For the past few days, her hands were anything but free.

“Good luck princess" Moses murmured as she was led out of the cell. “You'll need it"

Myra had no idea she would actually need it in the coming months.

Behind the guard, her legs carried her out of the dungeon and through the passage.

When she stepped into the hallway, she inhaled a deep breath of air. Here, the air was free and fresh, unlike the tight one back in the dungeon that smelled of mold and blood.

The guard led her to the very same throne room she had been in days ago.

Her people, huddled together, filled the far corner of the room. Their hollow eyes darted toward her as she stepped inside.

The looked to her, their princess, for hope and strength.

Qualities she doubted she had right now.

The Alpha stood before her, watching her with those golden eyes that had allured her in her dreams. Now, all they did was haunt her.

A man stood by his side—serious faced and exuding an aura similar to his.

She didn't have the luxury to study him because her attention was fixed on the man before her.

“It seems your arrogance hasn't faded princess" he said, coming closer. “Still standing here like a queen, like you still have power. The dungeon didn't do much to your pride, I guess"

“You may have destroyed my home but you can never destroy my pride" she stated calmly, projecting the image of courage.

“Destroyed? No princess, I conquered."

Myra huffed. “Amd you think war makes you a winner?

“No." He shrugged. “But victory does"

“Oh this war is far from over Alpha, mark my words."

“It'll be my pleasure to watch you try and fail princess"

Myra's lips curled up bitterly. “He who laughs last, laughs best. Enjoy your time while it lasts wolf"

His eyes narrowed on her. “Still got a sharp mouth, I see. I think it's time you understand your place in this pack"

“And where exactly do you think my place is?"

A smirk curved his lips. “On your knees before me"

Myra lifted her chin, meeting his gaze with all the fire left in her. “I'd rather die"

A wicked glint flashed in his eyes. “We'll see about that"

Then, without warning, he lifted a hand and suddenly, a choked gasp filled the air.

Myra's blood ran cold.

Evelyn.

Her sister dangled in the grip of the man, his fingers wrapped tightly around her throat.

Her face contorted with panic, her fingers clawing at his hand, but no sound passed her lips.

Myra's muscles stiffened with tension. And fear.

“Leave her alone!" She took a step towards her but the guard grabbed her arms and held her down. She thrashed against his hold but his grip was like steel.

Panic flowed through her veins. “Leave her! Let her go now!"

Arthur's eyes gleamed. “A sister's love is enviable. Look at you now, struggling to rescue your weak and helpless sister"

Anger gnawed at her heart. “I swear I'll kill you Alpha. Leave my sister out of this"

He leaned in, so close she could see the mocking amusement in his gaze. “If you don't want her to die before your eyes like your father, then submit. Her life is in your hands princess"

She balled her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

Unexplainable anger simmered beneath her skin. She knew what he was doing, he was threatening her, using her greatest weakness.

She wanted to gauge his eyes out right that instant. Humiliation and helplessness warred within her, but nothing outweighed the terror that squeezed her heart at her sister's pitiful sight.

“Let her go Alpha. She's innocent"

“Bow before me and accept I am your Alpha, then she'll live"

Myra would rather die than how to him. But she had to be smart. She couldn't lose the only family she had left.

“I. Hate. You" she delivered the words with enough induced venom, struggling to contain the storm within.

Arthur glanced at the man and ordered coolly, “Snap her head off"

“No! I'll say it, don't kill her"

Arthur tilted his head. “Say what?"

“You win" the words were a whisper but felt like the loudest she had ever spoken.

“Louder. I can't hear you" he said, clearly relishing her shame.

Myra's eyes burned, her pride drawing her to refuse, but she had no choice. “You win"

A satisfied smile touched his lips. “Then kneel before me"

Slowly, her knees dropped to the marble floors with a loud thud, sealing her words.

She could feel the weight of every pair of eyes in the room then; her people, the guards and, most crushing of all, Arthur's.

He snapped his fingers and the man loosened his grip on Evelyn, lowering her to the ground.

Evelyn staggered to the ground and held her throat, drawing painful gasps of air.

And then, for the final blow, Arthur turned to the room, and declared,

“This woman, whom you placed your faith in, is no more your princess. From this day forward, she is nothing but a maid of Silvercrest"

A few of her people averted their gazes as laughter echoed in the room, and a wave of humiliation washed over her.

They were witnessing her fall and her complete disgrace. She was being stripped of all her dignity.

Tears glistened in her eyes but she refused to let them fall. Not in front of him.

“Take her to the servants hall. She belongs there now" Arthur ordered, turning his back to her.

As she was dragged away, she caught a glimpse of her people's stares—accusing and filled with disappointment.

Her resolve cracked but she swallowed her tears.

“He's a beast that can force you to your lowest level"

No matter how low he pushed her, she promised herself never to break as she vowed silently,

I will make him pay. I will make them all pay

The cold water struck her like ice.

Myra gasped, her body shivering as another bucket was poured over her head.

The maids helping her barely looked concerned, as if washing a former princess like an animal was normal, like another chore.

Nora, the head maid—a woman with sharp eyes and a prim mouth—pushed a bar of rough soap into her hands. “Scrub yourself clean. The Alpha despises filth in everything that's his"

Alpha. Myra gritted her teeth at the title.

Hours ago, she was a princess, even though she was in chains. Now, she was nothing more than a slave.

Another bucket was dumped over her head, making her teeth chatter as the coldness stung her.

She scrubbed her body hard, trying hard to wash away not just the dirt, but the shame eating the heart.

Servant. The word hit her harder than a club would. It tore apart her pride, reducing her to a status worse than a commoner.

She heard a cough and turned just in time to catch some pairs of eyes peeking through the half-open door.

Guards. They looked relaxed, arms folded, lewd smirks on their lips. Not the least bothered to hide their lascivious stares.

Her cheeks burned red-hot. These monsters had murdered her people, stolen her freedom, and as if that wasn't enough, they entertained themselves with her shame.

“G-Guards" she stammered to the maids, “Guards are—"

A cold splash of water cut off her sentence. She coughed and wiped her eyes then looked into Nora's flat gaze.

“Shut up and bathe. Do you think you can make demands again like a princess?"

Her lips quivered as another wave of water washed over her.

She clenched her fists and turned her back to the door, holding down her embarrassment and anger.

She heard a few whistles and dug her nails into her palms, wishing she could kill those men or die right there. The heat of her anger burned away the ice-like coldness of the water.

Myra exhaled shakily while scrubbing herself, conscious of the maids's impatient gazes.

She would endure this bitter pill. Revenge would mean nothing if she didn't endure and survive to see it through. But she would never forget this moment.

Finally, a maid noticed the guards and shut the door.

Once she was clean enough to them, she was given a plain, brown dress. The material was rough against her skin as she put it on.

No corsets. No silk. No embroideries.

A reminder of her current status, she thought bitterly.

By the time she was taken out of the bathing room, her anger had cooled, allowing her to think calmly.

They took her down a narrow, dim corridor with cracked ceilings and dirty walls, until they reached a tiny room at the farthest end.

Myra just stood there, staring at the door as if she'd stepped into her worst nightmare.

“This is where you'll be sleeping" Nora hissed, nudging her forward. “Work starts at dawn. Don't fall behind"

Before she could respond, the woman and other maids were gone, leaving her standing alone in the cramped, airless corridor.

She walked inside slowly, because she felt as if the walls were closing in on her. It was harder to breathe. It was harder to walk, to move each foot forward.

She felt a sense of defeat as she looked around her.

The only light was from a narrow window high up in the wall. Cobwebs decorated the ceilings like chandeliers, and the only items in there was a straw mattress in the corner, yellowed with age, and a small brown bowl.

Myra didn't know how long she stood there, absorbing every detail of the room.... and her new life.

She walked over to the mattress and slid down onto it, ignoring the sting of the straws.

Myra felt really scared and useless for the first time in her life.

“She is weak. Just like her sister"

“If she was truly strong, we wouldn't be in this situation"

She closed her eyes, seeing their broken faces filled with disappointment.

They were right. What kind of leader allowed her kingdom to fall, her people to be captured and herself to be reduced to this?

Instincts made her want to kick and fight her way out of there, to stab that Alpha in his heart and save her people.

But she couldn't. Because he had the life of her sister in his hands. One wrong move and Evelyn would pay the price.

The thought made her sick, tormenting her in that dark, confined space.

She had no kingdom. She had no pride left. She had nothing.

Failure and helplessness wrapped around her. She took a deep breath, but it wasn't enough to cool the ache inside her.

A tear dropped. Then two.

A second later, Myra drew her knees to her chest and buried her face in it, sobbing so hard she couldn't breathe.

It went on for a long time, exhausting every single emotion pent up inside her.

She was not a woman taught to believe in God so much, but now she prayed.

For one last chance at redeeming her pride and kingdom, she'd do anything, give anything.

Even give up her dark, empty heart.

************

The council room was brightly lit with torches mounted sporadically along the walls, adding heat to the ongoing discussions.

Arthur sat at the head of the shiny oak table, surrounded by his advisors, ministers and generals.

A large map was spread out on the table, marked with green dots for conquered territories and red for those yet to be.

Beta Lucian—the man with him earlier— was the first to speak.

“Silvercrest is expanding beyond our expectations, which is good. But other packs are not too happy with this. If we strike again, we might invite trouble"

Arthur's fingers tapped against the wood. “And if we don't, we might portray weakness"

General Wesley spoke up. “I received letters from the Red Howl pack today. Alpha Viktor is planning to report us to the Elders"

“On what grounds?"

The general shifted uncomfortably. “He says that we are aiming to upset the natural order by invading the human territories"

A young man, with a calmer aura than the other men, said, “We are already incurring the wrath of other human kingdoms."

Advisor Charles scoffed. “Oh please Gamma Vincent. Vespera was pathetic, their king was down in minutes. It was barely a war"

Arthur's gaze didn't flicker. “And yet, despite their weakness, their princess did not cower"

Lucien smirked. “So?"

Arthur leaned forward. “So we shouldn't let our guards down. A wolf cornered is predictable, but a woman with nothing left to lose? That's a whole different situation"

“What you mean to say Alpha, is that we should be scared of her?"

For a long moment, deafening silence filled the room.

Some advisors glanced at Lucien, utterly dumbfounded at his question.

Arthur treated him to a cold, unblinking stare but the Beta barely seemed fazed.

After a tense minute or two, Arthur's fingers formed a tight pyramid. “Silvercrest didn't get to where it is now by depending on fear. Still, let everyone stay alert and cautious. Their weak surrender looks suspicious"

“Borthoris might decide to launch an attack, since they're an ally of Vespera" Vincent reasoned.

“And why exactly?" asked Arthur.

Wesley explained, “Because that's the kingdom of the Princess' fiance"

“And where is this fiance you speak of?"

Lucien chuckled. “The coward ran back to his kingdom the moment he sighted our wolves, leaving behind his helpless fiancee"

Arthur took in the information slowly. “A man that abandoned his fiancee does not have the balls to lead an attack. Borthoris isn't worthy to be our problem"

“What about the princess? Should we deal with her?" Minister Rudolph asked.

“Not yet. A fire that refuses to die is best studied first. Then if it proves to be a problem, we'll blow it out"

Vincent chipped in, “Speaking of which, Alpha, shall we announce a banquet? The warriors expect a reward"

“Begin preparations then. Invite the alphas of Ironfang and Moonclaw packs. Let them drink and feast but keep all your eyes open. This war is far from over"

“What about Red Howl pack? Should we begin a plan to end them?" Wesley inquired.

Arthur's lips twisted into a calculating smile. “Not so fast Wesley. Let's give them a chance to make the first move, then when they least expect it, we turn the tables and pin them on the map"

Later that night, Arthur stood at the window of his private study, holding a glass of alcohol in his hand, and overlooked the vast lands of Silvercrest.

Lucien lounged lazily in a chair, swirling a glass of wine. “You were staring hard at the princess today"

Arthur's eyes didn't move from the window. “I watch all my enemies"

Lucien nodded, sipping his drink. “So it's not because she's more beautiful than how rumours portrayed her"

His fingers tightened slightly around his glass. “It is essential to study your enemy whether they're as ugly as an ogre or as beautiful as a fairy"

“So she's beautiful"

“She's trouble"

“Ah. Trouble. That explains why you haven't killed her yet" Lucien hummed.

Arthur finally turned to face him. His eyes were cold, indifferent. “If I wanted her dead, she would be"

“Then why don't you? She's defying your authority already. Might as well end her now"

Arthur didn't respond. He remembered her defiance in the throne room, her snappy comments, the fire in her eyes.

She was dangerous. And beautiful. Dangerously beautiful.

And killing her was the most logical choice. Blow out the flame before it became an inferno.

Yet, he had left her. Alive and untouched.

He felt his wolf whimper inside him, an emotion that was entirely foreign to him.

Deeply uncomfortable, Arthur downed his drink in one gulp, feeling the burning liquid slide down his throat.

“She's still the rightful ruler of Vespera regardless of her current status. Killing her would be a waste, she's much more valuable alive"

Lucien shrugged. “You're the Alpha, you know best. Let's just hope she won't be any real trouble"

Arthur set his glass down his desk with an unreadable expression. “She might be stubborn but she has a weakness. She knows the life of her sister is in my palms"

Lucien stood up and switched the topic. “Okay whatever you say. By the way, lord Alistair wants to speak with you tomorrow"

Arthur turned back to the window. “Fix him in before my meeting with the ministers"

Lucien nodded and exited the study, leaving him wrapped in the sudden silence and his thoughts.

“Crown Princess Myra of Vespera" he murmured, his gaze fixated on the black sky.

Even in rags and dirt, she was more beautiful than he would care to admit.

Arthur's jaw tightened as he recalled their conversation in the dungeon. He told himself he had been studying her, not observing the deep blue of her eyes or the soft curve of her lips.

As he stared blankly at the sky, his thoughts were consumed of the fiery princess who had stood up to him.

And for the first time in a long time, the wolf within him was waking up.