Princess's Revenge: Slave to the Soulbound King Chapter 80

Adelaide

The morning sunlight filtered through the seams of the canvas of the Greywolf Pack's council tent, casting patches of golden light onto the massive oak table. I stood half a step behind Lycanthar, quietly recording the tribal reconstruction plans in my leather-bound journal.

Despite having lived among the werewolves for months, being the only human present still drew scrutinizing glances from some of the elders. I could feel their eyes weighing my every movement, questioning my place in their sacred discussions.

"The silverleaf medicinal fields need complete replanning," Lycanthar said, his voice deep and commanding as he pointed to the detailed map spread before us. "We've lost a third of the eastern farmland."

"But we lack the manpower," Elder Orion complained, his weathered face creased with frustration. His gaze deliberately swept toward me, lingering with obvious disdain. "Especially when those... delicate helpers can only bandage wounds."

The tension in the tent became immediately palpable. I gripped my quill tighter, lifting my chin to meet the elder's challenging stare directly, but Lycanthar raised his hand to forestall the brewing confrontation.

"Adelaide's medical skills saved your granddaughter's life, Orion," Lycanthar's voice rumbled like distant thunder, carrying an unmistakable warning. "I suggest you remember that."

Just as the atmosphere threatened to grow more heated, the tent flap burst open. A dust-covered messenger rushed in, dropping to one knee before our group.

"Honored Wolf King, urgent news from Lycandor Keep!" the messenger gasped, still catching his breath. "The purification ritual has been successfully completed! The insect plague has been completely eliminated! Commander Draven personally signed the confirmation."

The council tent erupted in excitement. Elders exchanged disbelieving glances, their previous tensions forgotten as they broke into hushed conversations of relief and wonder.

Lycanthar's golden eyes blazed with hope, and he turned to me with rare gentleness coloring his deep voice. "Come, let us see for ourselves."

The entire assembly filed out of the tent, making our way toward the protective barriers at the territory's edge. I felt Lycanthar's warm hand settle lightly on my waist, guiding me to walk beside him in the front ranks. This intimate gesture didn't escape the notice of the tribal members, sparking a wave of whispered conversations behind us.

At the barrier's edge, Vespera directed the mages to carefully dispel a section of the protective magic. Beyond the shimmering wall, the land that had once writhed with black beetles was now impossibly clean. In the distance, several forest deer grazed peacefully, completely undisturbed.

"They're really gone..." I whispered in amazement, hardly daring to believe it.

Lycanthar stepped beyond the barrier, taking a deep breath of the clear air. Then he turned to face his people, his face breaking into a rare, brilliant smile. "The plague is lifted! We are free!"

Cheers exploded throughout the camp. Werewolves embraced each other, some so overcome with joy they shifted into wolf form, raising victorious howls to the sky. A young werewolf girl rushed toward me, hesitating for just a moment before suddenly throwing her arms around me in an enthusiastic hug. Surprised, I returned the embrace of this stranger, feeling an unprecedented warmth blooming in my chest.

"Tonight, we hold a grand celebration!" Lycanthar declared, his gaze finding mine, something extraordinary flickering in the depths of his golden eyes. "Tomorrow at dawn, we depart for Lycandor Keep."

As night fell, bonfires blazed in the center of the camp, illuminating the celebrating werewolves. I wore a deep blue dress that the werewolf women had prepared for me, standing nervously at the edge of my tent, watching the gathering with uncertain eyes.

"Afraid?" Vespera's voice came from behind me as he offered me a cup of honeyed wine that glowed faintly in the firelight.

"Not afraid," I accepted the cup with a grateful smile, shaking my head. "Just not used to being the center of attention. Especially among..."

"Among a pack of werewolves who once considered you an enemy?" Vespera finished gently. "Don't worry. Anyone who saves an entire tribe earns respect, even if they were once a rabbit among wolves."

Our conversation was interrupted by the sound of a horn. Lycanthar strode to the bonfire, moonlight and flame dancing across his silver armor. The werewolves immediately fell silent, waiting for their king to speak.

"Tonight, we celebrate two things," Lycanthar's voice rang across the night air. His eyes swept the gathering before settling on me with unmistakable intensity. "The end of the plague, and..." He extended his hand toward me. "The gift that fate has brought us."

"Come, Adelaide."

I felt Vespera's gentle push of encouragement. Taking a deep breath, I walked through the crowd toward Lycanthar. The werewolves parted before me, their faces filled with curiosity and anticipation.

Lycanthar took my hand, drawing me to stand beside him. "Without her courage and wisdom, we would not be standing here celebrating victory. She not only risked everything to accompany me to Ember Peak, but willingly offered her life in our darkest hour."

Murmurs of appreciation rippled through the crowd. I looked at Lycanthar in surprise, not understanding where he was leading.

Lycanthar turned to face me, his voice becoming soft and intimate, though every werewolf present could hear his words clearly. "The Moon Goddess took away my sanity three hundred years ago, but she sent you to me in my darkest moment." He gripped both my hands firmly. "Adelaide, you are my Moon Bride, the other half of my soul. Here, before my people, I declare: you are my only mate. Soon we will perform the soul binding ceremony, and you will become the Wolf Queen of Silverhowl."

I stared at him in shock, momentarily speechless. Lycanthar's golden eyes were filled with tenderness and expectation, his hands warm and strong around mine.

The surrounding werewolves first fell into stunned silence, then burst into deafening cheers and howls. They knelt as one, bowing to me in reverence.

"Wolf Queen!" they chanted in unison. "Moon Bride!"

My vision blurred with tears—whether of joy or fear, or both, I couldn't tell.