Chapter 4 - THE QUEEN'S TESTAlora screamed.
Kael caught her before she fell.
“What happened?”
“There was a voice.”
“What did it say?”
She looked at the wolves.
“They called me queen.”
Kael's expression darkened.
The ancient white wolf approached.
It was larger than any animal Alora had ever seen.
Its fur was silver.
One eye was blue.
The other was gold.
Kael lowered his head.
“Elder.”
The wolf ignored him.
Its gaze remained fixed on Alora.
You carry the blood.
Alora heard the voice inside her mind again.
She swallowed.
“What do you want?”
The wolf stepped closer.
To know whether you deserve it.
Kael stepped between them.
“She doesn't need a test.”
The wolf growled.
“She does.”
The cavern shook.
Kael's claws emerged.
“No.”
The elder bared its teeth.
You have already failed once, king.
Kael froze.
Alora looked between them.
“What does that mean?”
Kael said nothing.
The wolf answered.
He lost his kingdom.
He lost his family.
He allowed the throne to be stolen.
Alora looked at Kael.
“Is that true?”
His silence was enough.
The elder continued.
And now he has brought the last heir into danger again.
Kael lowered his head.
“I will protect her.”
Protection is not leadership.
Alora felt something strange rising inside her.
A pressure.
A pull.
Like the moon itself was drawing breath.
The silver mark on her wrist began glowing.
The wolves backed away.
Kael looked at the mark.
“Alora…”
“I don't know what's happening.”
The light spread up her arm.
Then across her chest.
She screamed.
The cavern flashed white.
Every wolf dropped to the ground.
Kael fell to one knee.
The elder raised its head.
The queen has awakened.
The stone beneath Alora's feet cracked.
She saw something.
A throne.
A battlefield.
Her father kneeling in snow.
Her mother screaming.
A baby being carried into the night.
Then a man wearing a crimson crown.
The Emperor.
He was holding a blade.
And her father was telling him something.
Alora couldn't hear the words.
Then the vision changed.
Her mother placed a baby into the arms of an old woman.
Her grandmother.
“Keep her hidden.”
“Until when?”
“Until the king returns.”
The vision shattered.
Alora collapsed.
Kael caught her.
Her eyes opened.
“My grandmother knew.”
“Yes.”
“She knew you.”
“Yes.”
“She knew I was royal.”
“Yes.”
She pushed away from him.
“Then why didn't she tell me?”
“Because knowing would have killed you.”
“No.”
Alora's voice broke.
“She lied to me for my entire life.”
Kael didn't defend her grandmother.
Instead, he said quietly:
“She was protecting you.”
Alora turned away.
Then the elder spoke.
There is more.
The cavern darkened.
The wolf looked at Kael.
Tell her.
Kael closed his eyes.
“No.”
Tell her.
Silence.
Alora's heartbeat accelerated.
“What?”
Kael finally looked at her.
“The Emperor is not the true enemy.”
“What?”
“He serves someone else.”
“Who?”
Kael stared toward the black throne.
“The High Priest.”
Alora knew the name.
Every child did.
The High Priest was the spiritual ruler of the continent.
He rarely appeared in public.
People said he could speak with the dead.
“That can't be.”
“It is.”
“Why would he want me?”
Kael's jaw tightened.
“Because the royal bloodline can unlock the Moon Gate.”
“What is the Moon Gate?”
“The doorway to the first wolf.”
Alora stared.
“The first wolf?”
Kael whispered:
“The creature your people call a legend.”
Another tremor shook the cavern.
The elder turned.
Too late.
A horn echoed from above.
Kael's face hardened.
“They're here.”
“How many?”
“An army.”
The wolves began moving.
Kael looked at Alora.
“You need to leave.”
“No.”
“You cannot fight them.”
“I won't leave you.”
His expression froze.
Alora realized what she had said.
Kael's eyes softened.
Then a voice echoed through the cavern.
Cold.
Calm.
Almost amused.
“Kael.”
The king went completely still.
“You have been hiding for twelve years.”
A second voice followed.
“The girl has come home.”
May you like
The cavern walls shook.
“The High Priest sends his regards.”
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