Princess's Revenge: Slave to the Soulbound King Chapter 102

Lycanthar

The air in Lycandor Keep's council chamber was thick enough to taste—heavy with tension, anger, and the metallic scent of impending violence. I sat at the head of the great table, my fingers pressed against my temples as the argument that had raged for hours showed no signs of abating. The firelight cast restless shadows across the faces of my commanders, each reflecting the turmoil that threatened to tear our kingdom apart.

"We must strike first!" Garrick's fist crashed against the ancient oak table, the sound echoing through the hall like thunder. "The humans have betrayed us before, just as they did three centuries ago. They have already declared war on us, and here we sit, wasting precious time with talk!"

Vespera's voice cut through the heated air like a cool blade. "We have no concrete evidence that humans are responsible for these attacks. Commander Draven's investigation remains incomplete. To rush into battle now would only lead to needless bloodshed."

"Needless?" Garrick's laugh was harsh and bitter. "For three hundred years, werewolf blood has watered human soil. Our people have been hunted, betrayed, slaughtered—and you speak of 'needless' bloodshed?"

His predatory gaze swept across the assembled tribal leaders, each word carefully calculated to inflame their anger. "How many more of our children must die before you understand that mercy is weakness in their eyes?"

I raised my hand, cutting through the rising voices. "Enough." My voice carried the weight of absolute authority, silencing the room instantly. "Until Draven returns with concrete evidence, I will not make any hasty decisions."

The great doors burst open at that moment, and a young guard rushed in, dropping to one knee before the council table. "My King," he gasped, "urgent news from the border. Human forces are mobilizing. Every village has entered a state of war readiness. They're reinforcing their frontier fortresses and appear to be preparing for an assault."

The chamber erupted in heated voices. Garrick shot to his feet, his eyes gleaming with vindication. "Do you see? They're already positioning for attack! If we don't act now, we'll lose any tactical advantage!"

Several tribal leaders nodded in agreement, their war cries growing louder. I gripped the armrests of my chair until the wood creaked under the pressure. "I said we wait for Draven's return."

"But my King—" Garrick began, only to be interrupted as the doors slammed open once more.

A werewolf warrior stumbled into the chamber, his armor shattered, his face pale as death itself. Blood soaked through his torn clothing, and he moved with the desperate, lurching gait of the gravely wounded. Every eye in the room fixed upon this broken figure, and the hall fell into absolute silence.

"That's Kieran," Vespera said quietly, his brow furrowing in concern. "Draven's second-in-command."

I rose from my seat immediately. "Let him approach."

Kieran collapsed to his knees before my throne, his breathing ragged and labored. "My King... we were... we were ambushed... Commander Draven... he..."

"Speak slowly," I commanded, though I could hear the unusual edge in my own voice. "Where is Draven?"

Kieran lifted his head, and for a moment, his eyes held such pain that it cut through my chest like a blade. "We were returning from the investigation when they attacked us from all sides... black-robed figures emerging from the forest... Commander Draven faced them alone to cover our retreat... he was gravely wounded and... disappeared... I'm the only one... the only one who made it back..."

My expression hardened. "Do you know who attacked you?"

Kieran paused, and for just an instant, I could have sworn I saw a flicker of red light in the depths of his eyes. When he spoke again, his voice carried an odd, flat quality. "Humans, my King. Human soldiers and mages. They were shouting battle cries... 'For Eldoria'..."

Something felt wrong. A sense of unease crept up my spine, but before I could pursue it further, Kieran's body began to convulse violently. Black blood poured from his mouth, and before anyone could react, he collapsed, his life force extinguished in an instant.

"Poison!" Vespera rushed forward to examine the body. "He's been afflicted with some kind of cursed toxin."

Garrick seized the moment immediately, his voice ringing through the chamber. "Now do you see? This is how humans conduct themselves! Not only do they massacre our civilians, but now they assassinate our commanders! Draven may already be dead, and we're still debating whether to retaliate?"

The atmosphere in the chamber reached a boiling point. Even Vespera's supporters fell silent, their heads bowed in defeat. I stood before my throne, studying each anxious, enraged face, feeling the crushing weight of their expectations.

"My King," Garrick stepped closer, his voice low but resolute. "We have no choice. For our people, for Draven—we must strike back."

I closed my eyes, drawing a deep breath. When I opened them again, my gaze held the finality of fate itself. "Send word immediately. The Kingdom of Silverhowl enters a state of war. All three legions are to mobilize for an assault on human territory."

The hall erupted in war cries and cheers. As the voices gradually subsided, Garrick stepped forward, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. "My King, there is one more matter requiring your consideration. Your Moon Bride... Adelaide. She is, after all, human. In times like these, we cannot dismiss the possibility that she might be a human spy. For Silverhowl's security, I suggest we place her under protective custody."

The temperature in the chamber seemed to plummet to absolute zero. I turned slowly toward Garrick, golden light flaring in my eyes as the crushing weight of my royal presence filled the room. When I spoke, my voice emerged from the depths of hell itself.

"Adelaide is my mate, chosen by the Moon Goddess herself as my Moon Bride. Anyone—*anyone*—who dares question her loyalty or attempts to harm her..."

I left the threat unfinished, but my royal aura forced Garrick to step back involuntarily. The other tribal leaders cowered, unable to meet my blazing gaze.

"Adelaide's loyalty is beyond question," I declared, my voice returning to its normal tone but retaining its absolute authority.

After a moment, I approached Vespera and spoke in a low voice that only he could hear. "War is now inevitable, but the truth must come to light. Find Draven, and discover everything he found."

Vespera gave an almost imperceptible nod. "By my life, my King. I will find Commander Draven."

"This council is dismissed. Prepare for war."

The bells of Lycandor Keep tolled heavily, their mournful sound announcing the end of an era of peace. War between werewolves and humans was now inevitable.

Standing alone in the empty chamber, I stared at the spot where Kieran had died, that nagging sense of wrongness still gnawing at my mind. Something about his final words, the way he had spoken—it didn't feel right. But the evidence was overwhelming, and my people demanded action.

I thought of Adelaide, my beautiful Moon Bride. She had brought light to my darkest hours. Whatever came next, I would protect her with my life.

The drums of war had begun to beat, and somewhere in the shadows, evil forces smiled at their success.