Chapter 17: The Forgotten Bloodline

The Royal Council Chamber erupted into chaos.

Every noble stood from their seat, voices overlapping as panic spread through the hall. The announcement of an unknown army appearing at the northern border was disturbing enough, but the symbol they carried turned the atmosphere into complete confusion.

A silver wolf wrapped around a white phoenix.

The same crest hidden inside King Alaric's journal.

"Silence!"

The Alpha King's commanding voice echoed through the chamber, instantly quieting the room.

"Captain, report everything."

The royal guard stepped forward, still breathing heavily from his ride.

"Your Majesty, our scouts counted nearly three thousand warriors."

"Three thousand?" Marcus repeated.

"Yes, Commander."

"Are they preparing for war?"

"No."

"Then why are they here?"

"They requested an audience with the Alpha King."

The council exchanged nervous glances.

"Who leads them?"

"A woman."

Silence fell once more.

"A woman?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"She refused to give her name."

"She only said one thing."

"Speak."

"She said... the rightful heir has finally returned."

Every eye in the room slowly turned toward Micaela.

She froze.

"Me?" she whispered.

"Impossible," Anastasia snapped immediately.

"There is no rightful heir besides the Royal Family."

The Alpha King didn't respond.

Instead, his mind replayed the words written inside King Alaric's journal.

The Human Bloodline must remain hidden.

Marcus leaned closer.

"Your Majesty... surely it can't be."

"I don't know anymore."

"But we're about to find out."

"Prepare the throne courtyard."

"You'll meet them?"

"Personally."

"That could be dangerous."

"So is ignorance."

An hour later...

The massive palace gates slowly opened.

Beyond them stood thousands of armored warriors dressed in silver cloaks.

Unlike ordinary wolves, none of them wore the crest of any existing Alpha Pack.

Each shield bore the ancient symbol of the silver wolf embracing the white phoenix.

Standing at the very front was a tall woman with long silver hair flowing beneath a dark hood.

Although she appeared no older than forty, her calm eyes held centuries of wisdom.

She stepped forward alone.

"I greet the King of the Wolves," she said, bowing respectfully.

"State your name," the Alpha King replied.

"My name is Selene."

"Guardian of the Hidden Bloodline."

The King's expression remained unreadable.

"Hidden from whom?"

"From those who feared the prophecy."

Her gaze slowly shifted toward Micaela.

"And from those who wished to destroy it."

Micaela instinctively stepped closer to the King.

"Who are you?" she asked softly.

The woman smiled warmly.

"Someone who promised your mother I would protect you."

Micaela's heart skipped a beat.

"My... mother?"

"Yes, Princess."

"Don't call me that."

"I've never been a princess."

"You were born one."

The courtyard became completely silent.

Even the wind seemed to stop.

"Explain yourself," the King ordered.

Selene nodded.

"One hundred years ago, when the human kingdoms fell, not every royal bloodline perished."

"One family escaped."

"Your family."

Micaela shook her head.

"No... my parents were servants."

"Only after they changed their identities."

"They abandoned their royal names to keep you alive."

"The former Human King entrusted them with a single task."

"Protect his granddaughter."

"Protect you."

Tears gathered in Micaela's eyes.

"You're lying."

"I wish I were."

Selene slowly removed a small silver pendant from around her neck.

"Do you recognize this?"

Micaela gasped.

Around her own neck, hidden beneath her dress since childhood, hung an identical pendant.

"How...?"

"Because it was forged as a pair."

"One belonged to your mother."

"The other was placed around your neck the day you were born."

With trembling hands, Micaela pulled her necklace into view.

The two pendants began glowing softly.

A faint silver light connected them.

The entire courtyard watched in stunned silence.

Marcus whispered, "The legends were true..."

The Alpha King's wolf roared inside him.

"Mate... Queen..."

"I know," the King answered silently.

"She's ours."

Across the courtyard, Princess Anastasia's face turned pale.

"This can't be happening."

Cedric stepped beside her.

"Your Highness..."

"Quiet!"

She clenched her fists until her nails drew blood.

"She was supposed to die."

The Alpha King looked toward Selene.

"Why reveal this now?"

"Because the prophecy has awakened."

"The enemies who hunted her family have discovered she's alive."

"And they are coming."

"Who?" Marcus asked.

Selene's expression became grim.

"The Crimson Fang."

"An ancient order that existed long before the Alpha Kingdoms."

"They believe humans and wolves should never unite."

"If they discover Micaela's true identity..."

"They will destroy this kingdom to reach her."

Before anyone could respond, a thunderous explosion echoed from the palace walls.

Boom!

The northern watchtower erupted into flames.

Soldiers rushed toward the smoke.

"Enemy attack!" someone shouted.

"Archers on the walls!"

"Protect the King!"

Another explosion followed.

Then another.

Black smoke rose into the sky.

Selene drew a silver sword from beneath her cloak.

"They're here sooner than I expected."

The Alpha King stepped in front of Micaela.

"Marcus!"

"Evacuate the council!"

"Selene, with me."

"Micaela stays behind me at all times."

"Understood."

But as the palace descended into chaos...

No one noticed one person quietly slipping away.

Princess Anastasia disappeared into the smoke-filled corridors.

Her hand rested on the ancient silver dagger hidden beneath her cloak.

"If prophecy wants a queen..."

She whispered coldly.

"Then I'll make sure there isn't one left to crown."