Chapter 6 - THE ALPHA WHO WASN'T SUPPOSED TO EXISTThe entire capital fell silent after the roar.

Then the screaming began.

People ran through the streets.

Horses broke free from their stalls.

The palace guards dropped to their knees.

Not because of fear.

Because something had ordered them to.

Draven stood in the ruined chamber.

Silver eyes.

Black veins.

Power moving beneath his skin.

Ren touched his arm.

“Draven?”

He turned toward her.

For one terrible second, she didn't recognize him.

Then his eyes softened.

“I'm here.”

She exhaled.

“Good.”

Vesper had disappeared.

Captain Hale reached the chamber with twenty soldiers.

They stopped when they saw Draven.

“Your Majesty…”

Draven looked at them.

“Seal the city.”

Hale hesitated.

Then bowed.

“Yes.”

The king turned to Ren.

“We need answers.”

They returned to the throne room.

The nobles were already there.

Chaos had spread.

Lady Karine stood beside Vesper.

No.

Not beside him.

Behind him.

Draven noticed immediately.

His gaze sharpened.

Karine lowered her head.

“You're finally awake.”

Draven said nothing.

Karine smiled.

“The real you.”

Ren stepped forward.

“What did you do to him?”

Karine laughed.

“I did nothing.”

She looked at Draven.

“He was born this way.”

Vesper raised a hand.

“You should tell them.”

Karine obeyed.

“The old blood runs through Draven's veins.”

She looked around the room.

“The Blackwood kings were never ordinary alphas.”

A noble whispered,

“Then what are they?”

Karine answered,

“Guardians.”

Ren frowned.

“Guardians of what?”

Karine's eyes moved toward the floor.

“The thing under the kingdom.”

Draven stepped forward.

“Why was I chosen?”

Karine smiled.

“Because you survived.”

“Survived what?”

“The awakening.”

She looked at Ren.

“Because the Vael heir was supposed to die twenty years ago.”

Ren went still.

“What?”

Karine continued.

“Your mother saved you. She altered your memories. She hid your scent.”

Draven looked at Ren.

“She was protecting you.”

Ren nodded.

“From your father?”

“No.”

Karine's voice lowered.

“From the king beneath the kingdom.”

A cold silence.

Vesper smiled.

“Every hundred years, the ancient ruler wakes.”

Draven asked,

“And if he does?”

“The kingdom becomes his.”

Ren stepped forward.

“Then why awaken him?”

Karine looked at her.

“Because he promised us an empire.”

Draven's sword flashed.

Karine flinched.

“Enough.”

Vesper laughed.

“You still don't understand.”

Draven looked at him.

“You're afraid.”

Vesper's smile disappeared.

“You don't know what I am.”

Draven stepped forward.

“I don't need to.”

His silver eyes burned.

“I know what you fear.”

Vesper's face twisted.

Suddenly, a thunderous crash came from the courtyard.

Everyone turned.

A massive black wolf stood beyond the palace gates.

Its eyes glowed silver.

Its body was covered in old scars.

Ren stared.

“I know that wolf.”

Draven looked at her.

“How?”

“My mother told me stories.”

“What did she call it?”

Ren swallowed.

“The First Alpha.”

The wolf looked directly at Draven.

Then lowered its head.

The entire council gasped.

The First Alpha bowed to the king.

Vesper stumbled backward.

“No.”

Draven looked at Ren.

“What does this mean?”

Ren slowly smiled.

“I think it means you're not the vessel.”

Draven frowned.

“Then what am I?”

The wolf raised its head.

Its voice filled the palace.

“THE LAST GUARDIAN.”

The walls shook.

Vesper screamed.

“Kill them!”

Assassins burst from the crowd.

Draven moved faster than anyone.

Steel flashed.

One assassin went down.

Then another.

Ren ducked behind a pillar.

Captain Hale rallied the guards.

Karine fled.

Vesper disappeared through a hidden door.

Draven turned after him.

But Ren screamed.

“Draven!”

He looked back.

The First Alpha was lying on the floor.

Blood spread beneath its body.

Someone had stabbed it with a silver blade.

The wolf looked at Ren.

Then at Draven.

And whispered,

“He is coming.”

“Who?”

The wolf's eyes closed.

“The king below.”

It died.

Draven froze.

Then the throne room doors exploded inward.

A man walked through the smoke.

He wore a crown made of bone.

His eyes were black.

And behind him stood King Alaric.

Draven stared.

His father said quietly,

“Son.”

The crowned stranger smiled.

“Come, little guardian.”

His voice was ancient.

“I have been waiting for you.”

Ren grabbed Draven's hand.

The stranger looked at her.

“And you…”

He smiled.

“Daughter of Vael.”

Ren's blood ran cold.

“You know me.”

The stranger's smile widened.

“I named you.”

Then he pointed at Draven.

“And I chose the exact day he would fall in love with you.”

Draven's face changed.

Ren stared at him.

“What?”

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The stranger laughed.

“Do you really think your meeting was an accident?”