Lycannar It was silence that overwhelmed me. Silence and… sadness. Strangely, it wasn’t surprise, nor anger. Only sadness, that the man I had once considered better than my true father, the Demon King I worshipped and respected, could do this. I remembered it clearly. We had received the order, but I canceled it. I could not step onto the battlefield on the eve of the full moon. I would have ended up slaughtering everyone, including my own men. So I was chained in the Steel Chamber, reassured that the Abyss Army would go in my stead and conquer as always, since my brother Hades was leading them. But when I walked out of the Steel Chamber the next day, I learned the truth. Xyrrha had given the order for my army to be included, forced into the front line. That betrayal ended us. I never forgave her. Not until now. Because now I see… it wasn’t her. It was a conspiracy. A plot to kill me, because they believed I was too dangerous. My eyes dropped back to the last letter. The name written there… Kaela. Why did it sound so familiar? I stiffened. The gods forbid it to be that rude woman, the one who mocked my maid. The so-called envoy of peace? I leaned back in my chair and swallowed hard. The pieces had finally fallen into place. Again, fate had bound Zephyrine and me together. “Get my horse ready, Chantel. I’ll be going to White Pack,” I ordered. He bowed and left my chamber, while I stared at the letters. The first was sent a full year before the war. Which meant the envoy had been going back and forth between the Demon Realm and the Shifter Empire all along. Bold. Too bold. No wonder Hades laid down his armor and retired. He knew the truth. That the war was not only a trap for the Ashmeres but also for my army and me. I sighed shakily, gathered the letters, and folded them neatly back into the cylindrical glass. My brother Hades was right about one thing. I must tell Zephyrine. She must hear it from me, not elsewhere. She must know who betrayed them. *** Beneath the night sky, my horse galloped until it stopped before White Pack. I sat still for a moment, staring at the familiar place, pausing at my usual spot to glance toward the window. But I could sense nothing of her, not even a trace. If only she had worn that amulet. But she hadn’t. I could feel it.I swallowed, dismounted, and walked to the door. My hand lifted to knock, but before I touched it, I heard footsteps. The door opened softly, and Blue appeared. At the sight of me, she bowed deeply. Her heart was pounding loud in her chest. “My King, you are here,” she said in a soft voice. I looked at her. “Your lady?” She straightened, though she would not meet my gaze. “My lady isn’t here, Your Majesty.” I raised a brow. Zephyrine wasn’t here but her personal maid was? Before I could ask, more footsteps sounded, and the door opened wider. This time, Zephyrine’s best friend appeared. She froze when she saw me, her aura radiating surprise and concern. “Your Majesty,” she greeted. I didn’t answer. I turned to leave, but her voice stopped me. “You’re here for Zephyr, aren’t you?” “Yes,” Blue answered quickly on my behalf. “His Majesty asked for her. What is going on?” Panic flickered in their faces. “Moon!” Zephyrine’s friend called out. Her younger brother appeared in the doorway, and when his gaze landed on me, his eyes widened in awe. “Moon,” she pressed. “His Majesty is here for Zephyr. Didn’t you say she told you she was going to him?” Instead of answering, Moon dashed toward me, his disbelief written clear across his face. “Your Majesty… Zephyr didn’t come to you?” I rarely spoke so directly, but something was wrong. “She isn’t in my kingdom. Did she lie about coming to me?” Moon gritted his teeth and bowed his head. “gods. I should have known she wouldn’t leave so easily.”“Leave where?” I asked, my voice sharp. Before he could respond, a carriage rolled up outside White Pack. I turned as my eldest sister descended in haste, a letter clutched in her hand. “Lycannar,” Mearez called, urgency in her tone. “Read this. Tell me what you think.” I took the letter, scanning the words. You promised me a lifetime of good health. Can you come start now, at my pack? I’d appreciate it if you take the next carriage the moment you receive this letter. My beta will grant you entry. I swallowed hard. It was Zephyrine. Even though her words were light, playful, there was urgency between the lines. “You should go to Ash Pack, then,” I said quickly. “Take Blue with you. Chantel will ride behind, escort you to the gate, then return.” I was about to speak again when Zephyrine’s best friend and Moon rushed forward. “Princess Mearez, please let us ride in your carriage too.”