Chapter 20 The Lycan King’s Letter
Finished
I paced the palace hall for what felt like eternity, the maids shooting curious glances as they continued their work. An hour passed, and I felt more and more a failure. The Draven family now wore the crown that belonged to the Velkans for generations.
The doors finally swung open. Alpha King Aldrich walked in, he looked surprised to see me
“Seraphine Velkan,” he rumbled. “I had not expected to see you here.”
I dropped into a curtsy, an old habit I hadn’t shed. “My King”
He gestured for me to rise. “What brings the daughter of my old beta to the palace? I understood you had chosen a different path.”
“I’ve just divorced my husband.” I said, meeting his gaze. Tve come to reclaim my birthright as beta of the Northern Kingdom.”
A harsh laugh cut through the air. “Is that so
A man stepped from behind a column, having clearly overheard our conversation. Tall and lean, with dark hair and the Draven family’s signature amber eyes, he watched me with open contempt.
Aldrich sighed. “Seraphine, allow me to introduce Caldwell Draven, eldest son of our new Beta, Adonis Draven.”
Caldwell circled me, his gaze roaming over my travel–worn clothes with undisguised disdain. The famous Red Phantom,” he sneered. “Looking rather… domestic these days”
I kept my eyes on Aldrich. “My King, there are matters we must discuss. The coronation-
“Has already taken place.” Aldrich finished. “The decision was made.”
“Please consider my claim, Alpha King Aldrich.”
Caldwell snorted. “What claim? You abandoned your position years ago. My father is beta now.”
“You should return to what you’re good at Cleaning your mother–in–law’s chimney. Doing laundry. Leave the protection of the kingdom to men who won’t flee at the first sign of bloodshed.”
My fist connected with his jaw before I could stop myself. Caldwell stagger
“Seraphine! Aldrich’s voice boomed.
“That felt good. Emogen purred within me.
“What is happening here?” A new voice joined the chaos.
back, eyes wide with shock as a trickle of blood
An elderly man entered the hall. Despite his sixty years, Adonis Draven’s back remained straight, his silver–streaked black hair immaculately combed. Power radiated from him–not the raw strength of Aldrich, but something more calculated. Something sinister. He was nothing like my father, but he wore his royal coat as beta.
Caldwell wiped blood from his mouth. “Father, this… woman struck me.”
Adonis’s cold eyes assessed me. “Ah, the Velkan girl. I heard rumors you had returned.” He stepped closer. I personally knew
your
father, child. He was a formidable beta. I would forgive this insolence if you showed proper respect to your new beta.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Perhaps bow and kiss my feet, and we can put this unpleasantness behind us.”
A laugh burst from my lips, surprising even me. “Kiss your feet?” I shook my head. “You once sent mercenaries to Mr. Grokon’s estate to kill my parents and me. And now you expect me to how to you?”
“I did no such thing. These are serious accusations, girl.”
Chapter 20 The Lycan King’s Letter
Adonis waved a dismissive hand. “A tragedy, certainly, but what has this to do with me
Finished
“You’re conspiring with him,” I said flatly. “What did you need from Mr. Grokon? What information was worth torturing an old man!”
Aldrich stepped between us. “Seraphine, it is forbidden to make such accusations against a standing beta without evidence.
“Listen to our king, child,” Adonis said, his smile returning. “I’ll let this outburst pass because I understand a woman often becomes emotional when she has lost. He adjusted his embroidered sleeves. “Your cowardice cost you your family’s crown, Accept it with dignity, at least.”
Something snapped inside me
“I invoke the Right of Succession by Combat,” I declared, my voice ringing clear through the hall.
“I challenge you, Adonis Draven, for the throne of my family. To reclaim my birthright as the kingdom’s beta. I raised my chin. “In a fight to the death.”
Aldrich’s face paled. “Seraphine, this is too drastic. The law is ancient
“But still valid, I finished. “Unless our king has abolished it?”
Adonis’s composure slipped for just a moment, fear flickering across his face before his mask of confidence returned. ‘I would never participate in war with a child,” he scoffed. “This is beneath me?
“I am no child, I replied coldly. “I am Seraphine Velkan, daughter of Damien Velkan. The Red Phantom. And I demand what is mine by blood and law.”
Yes! Emogen howled within me. Finally!
The confrontation was interrupted by hurried footsteps. A royal messenger entered, bowing to Aldrich,
“Forgive the intrusion, my King. A letter has arrived by special courier from the Lycan King himself.”
The tension in the hall shifted. In my life, i’d only heard of one time in history where the mighty Lycan King sent out a letter. That was in a time of dire catastrophe.
The Lycan King, the man who was like God among us, had the power to easily strike us down if he wanted to. His rule fell outside both werewolf kingdoms. He could choose either to back us, or to support our attackers,
Aldrich held out his hand. The messenger approached, but then hesitated, Bis eyes darting to me.
“It’s… it’s not for you, my King
Confusion crossed Aldrich’s face. He looked at the letter, then back at me with widening eyes.
“It’s for you,” he said, handing me the sealed parchment.
“For me?” My fingers shook as I took it. The royal seal of the Lycan Kingdom–a crowned wolf with golden eyes–pressed into blood–red wax. My name is inscribed in an elegant script on the front.
I broke the seal, unfolding the heavy parchment. Everyone held their breath.
“What does it say? Caldwell demanded.
1 looked up, meeting Adonis’s eyes first, then Aldrich’s. The words burned themselves into my mind, impossible and yet
undeniable.
The Lycan King,” I said slowly, “is summoning me to battle.”
This changes everything. Emogen whispered.
