Chapter 16: Secrets Written in Blood

The atmosphere inside the Royal Palace changed overnight.

Although the storm had passed, an uneasy silence remained over the kingdom. Guards continued patrolling every corridor while nobles whispered behind closed doors. The failed assassination attempt, the stolen Moonstone, and Princess Anastasia's sudden disappearance had left everyone feeling as though something far greater was unfolding beneath the surface.

Inside the Alpha King's private chambers, Micaela couldn't shake the uneasy feeling growing inside her.

She stood beside the balcony overlooking the palace courtyard, watching servants move hurriedly below.

"Something is wrong," she murmured.

Behind her, the Alpha King finished fastening the silver clasps of his ceremonial jacket.

"You're right."

"You're not going to tell me everything, are you?"

He looked at her with quiet regret.

"Not because I don't trust you."

"Then why?"

"Because once you know the truth... your life will never be the same again."

Micaela lowered her eyes.

"It already isn't."

The King had no answer.

A firm knock echoed through the chamber.

"Enter," he called.

Marcus stepped inside carrying several old scrolls and an ancient leather-bound journal.

"Your Majesty, I searched the Royal Archives all night."

"Find anything?"

"More than I expected."

Marcus placed the dusty journal on the table.

"These belonged to your grandfather."

The King's expression changed instantly.

"I thought those records were destroyed."

"Apparently not."

"The Royal Archivist hid them before he died."

Micaela looked curiously at the worn book.

"What is it?"

"The personal journal of King Alaric," Marcus explained.

"He ruled nearly a century ago."

"Before my father became King," the Alpha added.

The journal looked ancient.

Its leather cover had cracked with age, while faded silver markings decorated its edges.

The King carefully opened it.

Most of the pages contained reports about battles, treaties, and royal decrees.

Until one particular page caught his attention.

His breathing slowed.

"Marcus..."

"What is it?"

The King silently turned the journal toward him.

Written across the yellowed page were words that neither man had expected to see.

If the prophecy ever awakens, the Human Bloodline must remain hidden.

Marcus frowned.

"Human bloodline?"

The King continued reading.

"The First Alpha Queen shall return through the child born of wolf and human royalty. Until then, her descendants must never be discovered."

Micaela stepped closer.

"What does that mean?"

Neither man answered immediately.

"There's more," Marcus whispered.

Turning another page revealed a faded family crest.

Unlike the wolf symbols decorating the palace, this crest showed both a silver wolf and a white phoenix intertwined beneath a full moon.

"I've never seen that symbol before," Micaela admitted.

"Neither has anyone alive," the King replied quietly.

"It belonged to the First Alpha Queen."

"The founder of the Royal Bloodline."

Marcus noticed something else.

"Your Majesty... look."

Near the bottom of the page rested a carefully preserved portrait.

Although faded by time...

The young woman's face was unmistakable.

Long chestnut hair.

Gentle gray eyes.

Soft features.

Micaela gasped.

"She looks..."

"Like you," Marcus finished.

Silence filled the room.

"No..." Micaela whispered.

"It can't be."

"She's been dead for centuries."

"Exactly," the King replied.

"Yet the resemblance is undeniable."

Micaela backed away slowly.

"This doesn't make sense."

"My parents were slaves."

"They raised you as slaves," Marcus corrected.

"That doesn't necessarily mean they were born that way."

"Or that they told you everything."

Before anyone could continue, palace bells rang loudly across the kingdom.

Three sharp chimes.

Then another.

"Emergency assembly," Marcus said immediately.

"The Princess has returned."

The King's expression hardened.

"Already?"

"Apparently."

"She requested an audience with the Royal Council the moment she arrived."

"Interesting timing."

"Very."

Within minutes...

The Royal Council Chamber had filled once again.

Every elder.

Every noble.

Every visiting Alpha.

Princess Anastasia entered gracefully, dressed entirely in black.

Despite the exhausting journey, she looked unusually confident.

"Your Majesty," she greeted with a flawless curtsy.

"Princess."

"I apologize for my sudden departure."

"Do you?"

"Naturally."

The King watched her carefully.

"Where did you go?"

"To seek answers."

"Did you find them?"

She smiled.

"Yes."

The room fell silent.

"And what answers were those?"

Anastasia slowly turned toward Micaela.

"That human girls should never dream above their station."

Micaela lowered her eyes.

"I never have."

"Haven't you?"

"Then why does fate keep placing you beside the throne?"

Before Micaela could answer, the Alpha King's voice echoed through the chamber.

"Enough."

"This is not the place."

"On the contrary," Anastasia replied smoothly.

"This is exactly the place."

"Because what I learned concerns every wolf in this kingdom."

The council leaned forward.

"Speak," one elder urged.

Anastasia's smile widened.

"The human isn't ordinary."

"She carries something far more dangerous than anyone realizes."

The King immediately stepped in front of Micaela.

"Careful, Princess."

"Or what?"

"You'll regret your next words."

Their eyes locked across the chamber.

Power radiated from both of them.

The tension became almost unbearable.

Then...

A palace guard burst through the enormous doors.

"Your Majesty!"

"Report."

"Scouts have returned from the northern border."

"And?"

"An army is approaching."

Every noble stood.

"What army?"

"Their banners carry no royal crest."

"Only one symbol."

"Describe it."

The guard swallowed.

"A silver wolf..."

"Wrapped around a white phoenix."

The King's eyes widened.

Marcus stared in disbelief.

Micaela felt her heartbeat stop.

It was the exact same symbol...

From the ancient journal.