a Blood Moon hunt, the pack returned with victory energy, everyone lau

, no on

ss slowly appeared ahead. Ironfang Keep was not an ancient castle; it was a massive fortress built directly i

e forest perimeter. Normally the sight of it filled K

Ravok muttered inside his mi

very single one of them looked tense. As Kaelen's convoy

ward first. "What happ

en as he delivered the ne

snapped towa

nt," the gamma said quickly. "He suddenly becam

ress, everything was chaos. Staff rushed through the halls carrying medical

tense. Kaelen's boots hit the polished fl

quietly. Thi

espond, someone grabb

r hair messy and her expression unusual

he?" Kae

he said. "He's aw

been working nonstop," he added. "But t

pha King Darius Draven had ruled the kingdom for nearly three decades.

n something was very wrong. They rea

the door to reveal the dim room. Machines were beeping softly in the

nce powerful frame seemed drained of strength. Dark veins sp

second. He had never s

Highness," she said quietly. "The King i

ded once.

ntil only Kaelen, Rowan, L

den wolf eyes. They were sti

d from the hunt,"

closer. "What h

a long moment. Then he

anything unus

flashed back

he carved symbol

he said

s eyes briefly.

ned. "What

d his eyes aga

om on alert. Lyra shifted sligh

ce hardened.

ries ago... our ancestors slaught

as taught in royal history, and it happe

dying magic," Darius continued. "A cur

s head. "That's

same thing," Dar

l ton

eakly. Dark veins pu

t for the hunt... t

neasily inside him. The f

he royal bloodline grows too proud, and we all

d the room in

en asked, "Wh

ly at him. "There is

t like the s

eir must unite the bloodline w

y knew where

N

ical marriage has been arran

loded instantly. "Y

elen stepped back from t

n?" he

re Alpha to mate wit

"It is the only way

ed for a light chuckle. "They are fragile, short-l

And you want one of them sit

carefully.

N

is father again. "I do

alone," Kaelen said firmly. "I

rd. "You might not

l not tie myself to a human

"Then the curse will

paused. "What d

is eyes. "It

me uncomfortable with the declaration. Then the Kin

d Kaelen clenched his f

," he said quietly. "If there

y, "You don't ha

. "You just have to

ng moment. His wolf growled quietly

o I," Kael

His father, the strongest Alpha he h

throne demanded a sacrifi