The Princess's Revenge Chapter 125

Valencia’s POV

The next week passed in a blur of activity. Every morning, Logan and I attended war council meetings. The great hall's long table was always covered with maps of the northern border, supply lists, and strategic reports.

"The Grey River is our strongest natural defense," Logan explained one morning, pointing to the blue line that marked the river on the map. "It's wide and deep. Aldermere's army would need boats to cross, which makes them vulnerable. If we position archers here, here, and here..." He marked three points along the riverbank, "we can pick them off as they try to cross."

I leaned closer, studying the map. "What about further east? Where the river narrows?"

"Good observation," Logan said, clearly pleased. "The river does narrow there, which makes it easier to cross. That's why we've built additional watchtowers in that section. See these markers? Each tower has a signal fire. If enemies are spotted, they light the fire, and the warning spreads down the line within minutes."

Dr. Vance joined us, carrying more reports. "The food supplies are adequate for a three-month siege. Weapons are being distributed to all able-bodied adults. Medical supplies..." He frowned. "We're running low on certain herbs. I've sent requests to the southern packs, but we may need to ration."

"Do whatever you need to do," Logan said. "Just make sure you can handle casualties if it comes to that."

In the afternoons, Logan took me to inspect different parts of the pack's defenses. We rode north to Ironwatch Border, where the Grey River formed the boundary between Cliffwatch Pack and Aldermere.

We stood on a high ridge overlooking the water. From here, I could see for miles. The river stretched wide below us, its dark waters moving swiftly. On the far bank, I could just make out the shapes of trees and hills. That was Aldermere territory.

"This is where they'll try to cross," Logan said, his voice serious. "The water is deep here, but there are shallow spots further downstream. We've marked those locations and reinforced them with hidden stakes beneath the surface."

"Hidden stakes?" I asked.

"Sharpened wooden poles driven into the riverbed, just below the waterline. Any boat that tries to pass will be torn apart. It won't stop them completely, but it will slow them down and cause chaos."

I shivered, imagining the carnage. "How many soldiers does Aldermere have?"

"Intelligence reports say Winston Ashwood has assembled at least thirty thousand warriors. We have maybe eight thousand in total, and that's counting every pack in Valdoria."

Thirty thousand against eight thousand. The numbers were terrifying.

"Don't look so worried," Logan said, wrapping an arm around my waist. "We have the advantage of defending our own territory. They have to cross the river, which puts them at a disadvantage. And our warriors know this land better than any invaders ever could."

Every evening after dinner, I visited Delphine. The first few nights, she barely spoke. She would lie in her bed, staring at the ceiling, tears silently running down her cheeks.

I would sit beside her, sometimes talking softly about meaningless things. Sometimes just sitting in silence, letting her know she wasn't alone.

"I keep seeing him," Delphine whispered one night. "Every time I close my eyes, I see Isaiah on that mattress in his cottage. He was so angry, so broken. And I couldn't fix him."

"It wasn't your job to fix him," I said gently. "You did everything you could. You loved him. You cared for him. That's all anyone could have done."

"But it wasn't enough," Delphine said, fresh tears falling. "My love wasn't enough to save him."

I took her hand. "Sometimes love isn't enough to save people from their pain. That doesn't mean your love didn't matter. I'm sure Isaiah knew how much you cared."

By the end of the week, Delphine was eating regularly again. She still cried often, but she also started talking more. She told me stories about Isaiah from before the attack, when he was full of life and music.

A week after the trial, Logan called me to his room after dinner. When I entered, I found him standing over his desk, studying a large map.

"Come here," he said, not looking up.

I walked over and stood beside him. The map showed the southern territories of Valdoria.

"Redstone Canyon Pack," Logan said, pointing to a region marked in green. "It's about two days' ride south. We leave tomorrow morning."

My heart jumped. Tomorrow. After all this time wondering if Kai was really alive, I might finally get answers.

"We're traveling light," Logan continued. "Just you, me, Ryan, and Bastian. Four people move faster than a large group, and it attracts less attention."

"What about the pack?" I asked. "With war coming, can you really leave?"

Logan finally looked up at me. "Elias and Dr. Vance can handle things for a few days. The border is secure. Aldermere's army is still assembling. We have time."

He reached out and took my hands. "Valencia, finding your brother is important. I won't let fear of war stop us from doing this."

Gratitude and love swelled in my chest. "Thank you," I whispered.

"Pack light," Logan said. "Warm clothes, but nothing fancy. We'll be riding hard, and the southern territories are warmer than here. You won't need your heavy furs."

That night, I could barely sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, my mind raced with possibilities. What if Kai was really there? What would he look like after fifteen years? Would he remember me?

What if it wasn't him? What if The Whisper's information was wrong, and this was just another dead end?

Logan pulled me closer against his chest. "Stop thinking so loud," he murmured. "I can feel your anxiety through the bond."

"I can't help it," I admitted. "This could change everything."

"Whatever we find tomorrow," Logan said, "we'll face it together. If it's Kai, we'll bring him home. If it's not, we'll keep searching. But you need to sleep now."

I closed my eyes and focused on Logan's steady heartbeat. Eventually, exhaustion pulled me under.

Dawn came too quickly. I dressed in practical traveling clothes, a simple brown dress with leather boots and a warm cloak. Logan wore his usual fighting leathers, his sword strapped to his back.

We met Ryan and Bastian in the courtyard. Both warriors were already mounted, their horses loaded with supplies.

"Alpha, Luna," Ryan greeted us with a respectful nod. "We're ready when you are."

Elias approached as Logan helped me onto my horse. "Alpha, I've doubled the border patrols like you asked. Dr. Vance has the supply reports ready for when you return. We'll hold everything together."

"I know you will," Logan said, clapping Elias on the shoulder. "If there's an emergency, contact me immediately through the mind link."

"Yes, Alpha."

I looked around the courtyard, suddenly anxious about leaving. So much could happen in the few days we'd be gone.

Maya appeared, carrying a small bundle. "Luna Valencia, I made you some food for the journey. Dried meat, bread, cheese. It should last the trip."

"Thank you, Maya," I said, genuinely touched.

My last stop was Delphine's room. I found her sitting by the window, looking out at the morning sky.

"I'm leaving for a few days," I told her gently. "I'm going south."

Delphine turned to look at me. Her eyes were still sad, but there was a tiny spark of life in them that hadn't been there before. "To find your brother?"

"Maybe," I said. "I hope so."

She stood and hugged me. "Go. Find him. Bring him home."

"Will you be alright?" I asked, pulling back to look at her face.

"I'll survive," Delphine said quietly. "Maya will check on me. And knowing you might find Kai... that's something good to think about."

I hugged her again, then left before the tears could start.

Logan was waiting in the courtyard, already mounted on his white stallion. I climbed onto my own horse, settling into the saddle.

"Ready?" Logan asked.

I took a deep breath, looking at the castle one more time. Then I looked at Logan, at Ryan and Bastian waiting patiently.

"Ready," I said.

We rode out through the gates as the sun broke over the eastern mountains. The journey to find Kai had finally begun.