Scarred Wolf Queen Chapter 84

**Briony's POV**

I hesitated to respond to Nathan's comment about the training center. We walked through the castle's massive doors, our footsteps echoing against marble floors as servants bowed to the Alpha King.

"Look, I don't want to cause any trouble," I finally said. "If I've done something wrong - "

"Quite the opposite," Nathan cut in. "Your performance has been exceptional. Taric says you've shown remarkable adaptability."

We ducked into a quiet hallway lined with ancient tapestries, away from where others might be waiting.

"Trust yourself, little warrior," Nathan said, his voice softening. "Raymond didn't just hurt you physically. That constant neglect destroyed something deeper. But he wasn't the only one. I see it in your eyes - you know you're special, but you've been taught to doubt it."

Colored light from stained glass windows dappled the floor around us. We stopped in a corner guarded only by silent stone statues.

"Speaking of my father," I said, deliberately changing the subject, "does he know about any of this? The royal blood, my mom, all of it?"

Nathan's lips twitched. "We had a rather... spirited conversation recently. He wasn't thrilled about me 'stealing his children.' Few people talk to an Alpha King that way."

"Wait - he actually got mad at you?" I couldn't hide my surprise.

"In his own way, he expressed concern. Said as a father, he needed to protect his daughter from those who might exploit her gifts." Nathan shrugged. "But he agreed that with the current threats, this is the safest place for you."

I took a deep breath, trying to process everything. What started as helping Derek at a fancy dinner had exploded into revelations about royal bloodlines and ancient prophecies. My head was starting to pound.

"Does Layla know about this?" I asked. "What do I tell my friends at the training center who keep asking why I'm here?"

We passed through shadows cast by trees outside the windows. Nathan's expression grew serious.

"Layla's parents know the basics, and she's smart enough to guess you matter to the royal family. But with the Rogue Wolf King hunting female members of our family, I need you to keep this quiet for now." He chose his words carefully. "For other friends, just say you became friends with Derek after the trials. That's true, and it makes sense why he'd invite someone his age to the banquet."

"What about my training?" I asked as we emerged into sunlight. From here, the castle looked like it had grown naturally from the mountain itself.

"Your basic training won't change," Nathan said thoughtfully. "Though some aspects might need adjustment. You've already noticed some unusual circumstances, haven't you?"

His expression suggested he knew more than he was saying.

"I don't know what adjustments would help," I admitted. "But something's been bothering me. Since day one, Seraphina's had it out for me. Back home, people would at least pretend to be nice while plotting behind my back. She doesn't even try to hide her dislike. I get she's establishing dominance, but why target me specifically?"

"Even she senses your natural aura," Nathan explained as we crossed the lawn. "She's never met a female warrior who naturally challenges her authority. She's excellent, but her pride limits her. She'll adjust eventually, but she needs time."

He sounded like he was evaluating her. "You arrived with a reputation. After the trials, everyone was talking about you. When they learned you'd start early, it caused a stir. For Seraphina, that probably felt threatening."

"I just want to train like everyone else," I sighed. "I'm not after any leadership role. I just got there - nobody would follow me anyway."

"That's where you're wrong," Nathan said, the hint of a smile on his face. "You've already proven your leadership abilities, especially in emergencies. You stay calm, analyze situations, and make decisions. Sophia, Mark, and Cyrus have all seen it. Sentinels need to be ready to take charge at any moment, and you do it naturally."

"If you say so," I muttered, looking toward the distant mountains. "I just worry about making mistakes that get people hurt. Polaris City taught me that even small slip-ups can have serious consequences."

"As a leader, that's unavoidable," he replied bluntly.

I looked up, surprised by his candor. I'd expected comfort, not honesty.

"Were you hoping for a pretty lie?" His gaze was both gentle and serious. "You're a natural leader, Briony. That path is never smooth. People might get hurt under your leadership, and you'll need to learn from it. More importantly, you can't save everyone. Some people will make destructive choices no matter what you do."

I nodded silently. It made sense logically, but putting it into practice would be harder. Maybe that's exactly why he brought it up.

We entered a massive dining room decorated like something from a fairy tale - wall-sized murals, gold accents everywhere, everything gleaming in soft light.

The room could hold hundreds, but a small table had been set up beneath stained glass windows. Luna Selena, Derek, and Layla were already there, deep in conversation. Layla spotted us first.

"There you are!" she exclaimed, jumping up. "I thought you'd vanished! Where have you been all this time?"

I shot Nathan a panicked look, hoping he'd bail me out.

"Just discussing tonight's arrangements," he said smoothly. "Royal service involves many details and etiquette points that need attention."

After dinner, Layla got a call from her parents saying she needed to head home. She hugged me tightly, promising to see me at school Tuesday and demanding details later.

Once she left, Derek turned to me with mischief in his eyes. "So Dad told you everything? And you're still breathing normally."

"Finding out I'm your cousin isn't even the weirdest part," I laughed, trying to accept this new reality. "The stuff about special abilities and toxin immunity needs some processing time. By the way, do the elders know we're related? Or will they still try to set us up?"

"I wouldn't mind too much if they did," Derek winked playfully. "At least it would save me from girls who just want to marry royalty." He shuddered dramatically, making me laugh.

"But seriously, why are they so desperate to match you up?" I glanced around the table. "I just heard Alpha Kings only reach full power with a mate blessed by the Goddess. Wouldn't the elders want that? Shouldn't they want the Alpha King to be as strong as possible to protect everyone?"