Princess's Revenge: Slave to the Soulbound King Chapter 143

Morgana

My heels struck the flagstone floor, echoing through the corridor of the cells, thick with the stench of rot and fresh blood. Garrick followed behind me, his eyes gleaming with an unnatural red light, the Shadow's Blood coursing through his veins like living black serpents beneath his skin.

"Tonight is the moment you become Wolf King, my dear commander," I purred, my voice sliding through the air like silk over ice. "We need only remove the final obstacle."

The guards straightened when they saw us approach, though confusion flickered in their eyes. Garrick's voice cut through their hesitation with cold authority. "By order of the Wolf King, all of you are to leave. This is classified business."

They hesitated for just a moment, but under Garrick's commanding gaze, they bowed their heads and abandoned their posts. As the last guard turned to leave, Garrick's claws silently pierced his throat, and then came the merciless slaughter of the rest.

"No witnesses, no rumors," I murmured with soft laughter. "You learn quickly."

We pushed through the final iron door, and in the center of the chamber, a massive figure was bound by dozens of silver chains. Lycanthar, once the great Wolf King, now completely lost to his feral state. His fur was no longer the pristine silver-white of legend, but mottled and stained with black veins of corruption. He let out a low growl, crimson eyes fixed on the intruders.

"Look at this great Wolf King," I taunted, stepping closer with deliberate slowness. "Defeated by his own power, imprisoned by his own people. How deliciously ironic."

Garrick's gaze swept over that massive form, and for just an instant, he seemed to hesitate. However, the black veins pulsed along his neck, and the dark hunger quickly drowned any trace of doubt.

"Complete it," I commanded. "Kill him. Take the throne that belongs to you."

Garrick drew a deep breath, his bones cracking with terrible sounds as his muscles rapidly expanded. His human form dissolved, replaced by an enormous blood-red wolf, twice the size of ordinary werewolves, eyes burning with the power the Shadow's Blood had granted him.

He roared and charged at Lycanthar, his claws tearing through several of the silver chains binding the Wolf King. Lycanthar seemed to sense the mortal threat, releasing a deafening howl as the remaining chains strained and snapped under his struggles.

The two giant wolves engaged in fierce combat within the confined space of the chamber. Walls cracked under their impact, the floor scarred with deep gouges from their claws. Though Lycanthar was larger, long imprisonment and poisoning had weakened him; while Garrick, enhanced by the Shadow's Blood, had reached unprecedented heights of speed and strength.

Lycanthar's claws tore open Garrick's shoulder, blood spraying forth, but Garrick showed no fear—instead becoming even more savage in his attacks. His fangs clamped down on the Wolf King's neck, slamming him heavily to the ground. The wall crumbled under the impact, dust filling the air.

"End him," my voice rang out through the chaos. "Fulfill our agreement."

Garrick's claws ruthlessly tore open Lycanthar's chest, exposing his beating heart. Lycanthar released a pained howl, yet in that moment, his eyes suddenly flashed with clarity, as if his sleeping consciousness had been awakened by extreme agony.

Garrick raised his claws to deliver the killing blow, but just then, the chamber door exploded open with magical energy. Vespera burst in, leading Thorin and a squad of loyal warriors.

"Traitor!" Vespera roared, green magical energy shooting from his hands, striking Garrick's side and hurling him against the wall.

I laughed coldly. "I knew you would come." Black mist began swirling between my fingers. "But you're too late."

Thorin and the warriors charged toward me while Vespera knelt beside the wounded Wolf King, examining his injuries. Lycanthar's breathing grew weak, dark blood flowing continuously from the wound in his chest.

"Your Majesty, hold on," Vespera whispered, healing magic surging from his hands, but the spreading black veins seemed to resist his power.

After a brief clash with me, Thorin realized they were no match for the vampire. He turned to Vespera. "Take His Majesty and go! We'll hold them off!"

Vespera hesitated, but when he saw Garrick already breaking free from the wall and charging toward them again, he knew there was no choice.

"Protect yourself, Thorin," he quickly cast a teleportation spell, light enveloping him and Lycanthar.

"No!" I shrieked, black energy shooting toward them, but it was too late. Vespera and the Wolf King vanished in a flash of green light.

I turned to Thorin, my eyes filled with icy fury. "You have hindered my plans."

Thorin raised his weapon, the warriors behind him taking battle stances. "For the Wolf King, for Silverhowl!"

My lips twisted into a cruel smile. "For death."

A brutal slaughter began. These warriors fell one by one. Finally, only the bloodied Thorin remained, his back against the wall, still gripping his weapon.

"Tell me where Vespera would go," I approached, "and I'll give you a quick death."

Thorin spat blood and laughed contemptuously. "You'll never be a true Wolf King, Garrick. You're just a puppet, a vampire's lapdog."

Fury flashed in Garrick's eyes as his claws pierced Thorin's chest. Thorin's eyes gradually lost their light, but his lips carried a satisfied smile, as if knowing his sacrifice had not been in vain.

I walked to Garrick's side as he shifted back to human form. "Declare Vespera a traitor for kidnapping the Wolf King. Order your people to hunt down Vespera and that dying king. They won't get far."

Garrick nodded mechanically.

"Excellent," I said with satisfaction. "Now, let darkness embrace Silverhowl."

---

Adelaide

I stood at the border between the human kingdom and Silverhowl territory. The sky was overcast, as if foretelling the storm to come. Beside me were Thalia and Elara, Carl's apprentice, while behind us Alexander commanded his elite forces.

"The border is too quiet," I murmured, scanning the forests ahead. "No howling patrols, no scent of sentries."

Alexander approached, his brow furrowed. "The magical barriers have vanished too. There's always been powerful magical wards here, keeping dark forces at bay."

Thalia leaned weakly against a tree, but her eyes remained sharp. "This isn't normal. Silverhowl would never be so careless with border security."

"Could be a trap," Alexander warned. "Let my men scout ahead."

I considered for a moment, then shook my head. "No, something unusual is happening here. If we enter with a large force, we might be seen as invaders, triggering unnecessary conflict."

I turned to Alexander. "Stick to the original plan. You and the troops stay here. Thalia, Elara, and I will carefully infiltrate and assess the situation."

Alexander agreed after consideration. "Alright, but be careful. I'll maintain position at the border, ready to provide support at any moment."

I pulled out a small communication crystal, handing it to Alexander. "If there's an emergency, I'll contact you."

Alexander accepted the crystal with a grave nod.

I turned to gaze into the forest depths. "Let's go. We must find safe shelter before nightfall."

The three of us carefully crossed the border into Silverhowl territory. This forest, once teeming with life, now felt unnaturally silent—no birdsong, no rustling of small creatures, as if the entire natural world was holding its breath, waiting for something terrible to happen.

Thalia suddenly stopped, her face pale. "There's dark power spreading... not werewolf energy, something else..."

I steadied the swaying Thalia. "Are you alright? Perhaps we should turn back."

Thalia shook her head firmly. "No, my children's father is here, and your... the Wolf King is here too. We must continue."

I hesitated briefly, then nodded. "Alright, but we must be even more careful. The situation here is far worse than I anticipated."

Elara pointed toward an almost invisible path ahead. "That trail bypasses the main werewolf settlements. We can follow it to reduce the risk of discovery."

I took a deep breath, steeling my resolve. "Let's go. Whatever happens, we must find Lycanthar. If Silverhowl has truly fallen into crisis, then the balance of the entire Oro Continent could be shattered."

The three of us silently melted into the forest shadows, advancing toward Silverhowl's heart, unaware of what dangers and challenges awaited us ahead.