Chapter 7: The Enemy at the Border

The atmosphere inside the royal library became unbearably tense.

No one spoke for several seconds.

The words 'Black Fang Pack' echoed through the room like a warning bell.

Aero slowly closed the ancient book lying before him.

'How far are they from our northern border?' he asked.

The guard straightened his posture.

'Approximately two days if they continue marching at their current pace, Your Majesty.'

'How many?'

'Nearly three thousand warriors.'

Magnus entered the library just as the report ended.

'Three thousand?'

'Those are only the soldiers we counted,' the guard replied.

'There may be more following behind.'

Aero's expression remained calm, but his mind was already calculating every possible outcome.

'Dismissed.'

'Yes, Your Majesty.'

The guard bowed before leaving.

Once the door closed, Magnus turned toward Aero.

'This isn't a coincidence.'

'No.'

'Someone informed them.'

'Or they've been watching us.'

Rowan folded his hands behind his back.

'Either possibility is troubling.'

'Increase security throughout the castle,' Aero ordered.

'Especially around Serena.'

'I'll personally assign additional guards,' Magnus replied.

'No.'

Magnus frowned.

'No?'

'Too many guards will make her suspicious.'

'She already knows she's in danger.'

'Knowing and feeling imprisoned are different things.'

Magnus nodded slowly.

'Understood.'

Meanwhile, Serena sat beside the large window inside her chamber.

The dress Lily had brought earlier still rested untouched across the bed.

She wasn't ready to accept tomorrow's ceremony.

Every time she looked at the elegant fabric, her heart became heavier.

A gentle knock interrupted her thoughts.

'Come in.'

Lily entered carrying a tray of tea and pastries.

'I thought you might be hungry.'

'Thanks.'

Lily immediately noticed Serena's distant expression.

'You're thinking about tomorrow.'

'Is it that obvious?'

'A little.'

Serena picked up the warm teacup.

'Back home my biggest concern was whether I'd finish my project before Friday.'

'And now?'

'Now I'm apparently marrying a king I've known for two days.'

Lily smiled sympathetically.

'Ceremonially.'

'That word really doesn't make me feel better.'

The two women laughed quietly.

For a few moments, the fear inside Serena faded.

'Can I ask you something?' Serena said.

'Of course.'

'What was Aero like before becoming king?'

Lily thought carefully.

'I've only heard stories.'

'Tell me one.'

'People say he used to laugh often when he was younger.'

'Really?'

'He loved horseback riding.'

'He trained with the royal guards every morning.'

'He even sneaked into the marketplace disguised as a commoner once.'

Serena looked genuinely surprised.

'That doesn't sound like the man I met.'

'Everything changed after the previous king and queen died.'

'He had to grow up overnight.'

Serena lowered her eyes.

Suddenly his cold personality made a little more sense.

That evening, Aero walked alone across the castle walls overlooking the kingdom.

Cold wind swept across the battlements.

From this height, the entire capital stretched beneath him.

Peaceful.

Unaware of the danger approaching.

Magnus joined him a few minutes later.

'The soldiers are preparing.'

'Good.'

'The people don't know anything yet.'

'Keep it that way.'

'Until when?'

'Until I know whether war can be avoided.'

Magnus leaned against the stone wall.

'Do you believe they'll negotiate?'

'No.'

'Then why wait?'

'Because thousands of lives depend on every decision I make.'

Magnus stayed silent.

He had followed Aero into countless battles.

He knew the Alpha King never rushed toward war.

He only fought when there was no other choice.

Across the castle courtyard, Serena stepped outside for some fresh air.

Two palace guards respectfully followed several steps behind.

'They're definitely watching me,' she muttered.

She wandered through the moonlit gardens.

The night air was cool.

White flowers shimmered beneath the full moon.

For the first time since arriving, the castle actually felt peaceful.

'Can't sleep?'

Serena turned.

Aero stood beneath a large silver tree.

'Apparently neither can you.'

'Occupational hazard.'

'Being king?'

'Exactly.'

She slowly walked toward him.

'Can I ask you something without offending you?'

'You usually do anyway.'

Serena laughed.

'Fair enough.'

'Ask.'

'Are you really okay with tomorrow?'

Aero looked toward the moon.

'No.'

'Then why agree?'

'Because sometimes a king chooses duty over preference.'

'That's... lonely.'

'It can be.'

'Back home we call people like you workaholics.'

'Is that an insult?'

'Depends who's saying it.'

A faint smile almost reached Aero's face again.

'You're doing it again.'

'Doing what?'

'Almost smiling.'

'You imagine too much.'

'No.'

'You just forgot how.'

Her words lingered in the silence.

Before Aero could answer, a loud horn echoed across the castle.

Once.

Then again.

Its deep sound rolled across the entire capital.

Aero's expression instantly changed.

'That's the northern alarm.'

Magnus came running across the courtyard.

'Your Majesty!'

'Report.'

'The border watchtower has sent another message.'

'Already?'

'The Black Fang army reached our territory much sooner than expected.'

'How?'

'They weren't marching.'

'Then what were they doing?'

'Running.'

Every guard inside the courtyard immediately became alert.

Aero turned toward Serena.

'Return to your room.'

'What's happening?'

'We're running out of time.'

Serena saw something in his eyes she hadn't seen before.

Not anger.

Not frustration.

It was concern.

Real concern.

As Aero hurried toward the war room with Magnus beside him, only one thought filled his mind.

If the Black Fang Pack had arrived this quickly...

Then someone inside the kingdom had betrayed them.