Chapter 10: The Alpha of Black Fang

The cold night wind swept across the highest balcony of Silver Moon Castle.

Aero stood silently, watching the dark mountains stretching across the horizon.

Beside him, Rowan looked equally troubled.

'They're waiting for someone?' Aero asked.

'That's what our scouts believe,' Rowan replied.

'Or perhaps... they're waiting for something.'

'Explain.'

'The Black Fang Pack has established camp, but they haven't advanced another step.'

'No patrols?'

'Very few.'

'No attacks?'

'None.'

Aero narrowed his eyes.

'That isn't how Darius wages war.'

'You've fought him before?'

'Twice.'

'And?'

'He overwhelms his enemies before they can prepare.'

'Then why wait now?'

Neither of them had an answer.

Meanwhile, several miles north of the capital...

Hundreds of black tents covered the frozen valley.

Thousands of warriors stood around roaring bonfires.

At the center of the camp stood the largest tent.

Inside, Alpha Darius studied a weathered parchment spread across a wooden table.

He was a towering man with dark hair streaked with silver and piercing crimson eyes.

Scars crossed both of his arms, each one telling the story of another battle won.

'Any news?' he asked.

A scout knelt before him.

'Yes, Alpha.'

'Speak.'

'Our source inside Silver Moon Castle has gone silent.'

'Captured?'

'Most likely.'

Darius wasn't surprised.

'And the girl?'

'Still inside the castle.'

'Good.'

One of his generals stepped forward.

'Should we attack at sunrise?'

Darius slowly shook his head.

'No.'

'Alpha?'

'If we attack now, Aero will hide her somewhere we can't reach.'

'Then what are we waiting for?'

Darius looked toward the distant mountains.

'For destiny to move first.'

Back inside Silver Moon Castle...

Serena couldn't sleep.

She tossed and turned beneath the thick blankets.

Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered the mysterious spirit inside the sanctuary.

'The Alpha King's heart must accept its true destiny.'

'What does that even mean?' she whispered.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

'Serena?'

It was Lily.

'Come in.'

The maid entered carrying a warm cup of herbal tea.

'I thought this might help you sleep.'

'You're becoming my favorite person in this castle.'

Lily laughed.

'Don't let His Majesty hear that.'

'Why?'

'He might become jealous.'

Serena nearly choked on her tea.

'The king? Jealous?'

'I'm joking.'

'You scared me for a second.'

'Although...'

Lily hesitated.

'Although what?'

'I've never seen him worry about anyone the way he worries about you.'

'He's protecting the prophecy.'

'Maybe.'

'Or maybe something else is changing.'

Serena immediately shook her head.

'Absolutely not.'

'We've barely spoken.'

'Feelings don't always wait for permission.'

'Please stop.'

'You're making this whole fake marriage even stranger.'

Both women burst into laughter.

The tension eased, if only for a few minutes.

Early the next morning...

The royal council assembled once again.

This time the mood was noticeably darker.

Maps, battle reports and scout messages covered the council table.

'Any movement?' Aero asked.

'None,' Magnus answered.

'They're simply waiting.'

'That bothers me more than an attack would.'

One of the generals pointed toward the map.

'If they're not planning to invade... perhaps they're trying to lure us outside the walls.'

'Possible,' Aero admitted.

'But Darius rarely wastes time on games.'

A messenger suddenly rushed into the chamber.

'Your Majesty!'

'Report.'

'A rider has arrived from the Black Fang camp.'

'A messenger?'

'Yes.'

'Is he alone?'

'Completely alone.'

Magnus frowned.

'That's unusual.'

'Bring him inside,' Aero ordered.

Moments later, a tall warrior dressed in black armor entered the throne room.

Despite being surrounded by royal guards, he showed no fear.

He respectfully bowed his head.

'I bring a message from Alpha Darius.'

'Speak,' Aero replied.

The messenger reached into his cloak and removed a sealed scroll.

Magnus carefully inspected it before handing it to the king.

Aero broke the black wax seal.

The message contained only one sentence.

'Return the woman from another world... and no blood will be spilled.'

Silence filled the throne room.

Every noble present looked toward Serena, who had quietly entered moments earlier with Lily.

Her face slowly lost its color.

'They're talking about me...'

Aero calmly folded the letter.

'Give Alpha Darius my response.'

'What shall I tell him?' the messenger asked.

Aero stepped down from the throne.

His golden eyes met the messenger's without the slightest hint of fear.

'Tell your Alpha...'

'That anyone who threatens my kingdom threatens me.'

'And anyone who seeks the woman under my protection...'

'Will have to walk through me first.'

The messenger remained silent for several seconds before giving a respectful nod.

'I'll deliver your answer.'

After he left, Serena looked toward Aero.

'You could've handed me over.'

'I could have.'

'Why didn't you?'

Aero's answer came without hesitation.

'Because I gave you my word.'

'A king's promise isn't something I break.'

For the first time since arriving in this strange world...

Serena's fear began to fade.

Not because the danger had disappeared.

But because she finally believed she wasn't facing it alone.