The Princess's Revenge Chapter 66

Logan’s POV

The words hit me like a physical blow. I stopped walking entirely, my mind reeling with the implications. The Ogden family - Aldermer's ancient royal line that had ruled before the second civil wars tore the kingdom apart.

"Are you saying Valencia could be..." I couldn't finish the sentence.

"I don't know for certain," Dr. Vance said quickly. "It's just a legend. But the purple eyes, her resistance to fire and cold, the dormant power you mentioned - these are all traits associated with the old royal bloodline."

"It would change everything," he clasped his hands together. "The political implications alone..."

I nodded slightly. My mind was racing. The former king, Caspian Ogden, was a man of peace. He genuinely believed in diplomacy, in finding ways for our kingdoms to coexist without bloodshed. But Now Aldermere is ruled by the Ashwood family, King Winston Ashwood is everything Caspian was not. He's a radical warmonger who believes Aldermere's destiny is to march south, swallow our entire kingdom, and unify all of Vyrmarch under his banner.

"How did the Ashwoods take power?" I asked.

"Ashwood orchestrated a coup," Dr. Vance replied, his voice growing darker. "He seized the throne through violence and betrayal. And when he secured his position, he slaughtered the Ogden family. Every last member he could find."

"So Caspian was the last legitimate Ogden king?"

"Yes," Dr. Vance said. "The Ogden bloodline had ruled Aldermere for centuries. They were ancient, respected, and commanded absolute loyalty from many of Aldermere's most powerful packs. So Winston Ashwood hunted them. He wanted to ensure no one could claim the throne through Ogden blood."

I recalled the rumors about Aldermere's first civil war centuries ago, when all the dragons supposedly died out. "Dr. Vance," I said slowly, "does the Ogden family really have dragons?"

He looked up at me, curiosity evident in his eyes and he was quiet for a long moment, his eyes distant as if reaching back through old memories.

"There are legends," he said finally. "Stories that most people dismiss as fantasy."

"Tell me."

"The Ogden family crest bears the image of a dragon," Dr. Vance began slowly. "According to the oldest tales, the founder of their bloodline came from a distant continent across the western seas. He was a warrior who faced down a great dragon that was terrorizing the lands."

My heart began beating faster. "What happened?"

"The story goes that instead of simply killing the beast, he defeated it in single combat. But the dragon, facing death, offered him a bargain." Dr. Vance's voice dropped to almost a whisper. "A covenant that would spare its life in exchange for power - the ability to shift into dragon form," Dr. Vance said, watching my face carefully for my reaction. "The legend claims that the Ogden bloodline gained the capacity to take the shape of dragons, and that in every generation, at least one member would inherit this gift."

"That makes no sense at all." My mind was spinning. "If the Ogdens have one dragon per generation, that's at least three dragons right there. There's no way the Ashwoods could take them down."

Dr. Vance frowned, "Alpha, you make a fair point, but I think there are too many consistent details across too many different sources for it to be complete fiction." He looked at me, "The Ogdens ruled for a reason. Something made them powerful enough to command respect from every corner of the continent. Don't forget that the Ogdens once unified all of Aldermer."

"Maybe the Ashwoods found a way to kill dragons," he added.

"If that's true," I said, "what's sleeping inside Valencia might not be a wolf. It might be a dragon."

Dr. Vance's face grew even more serious. He nodded slowly. "Most likely."

A dragon would change everything on the battlefield. The political implications were even bigger. Her appearance could convince Aldermer's peace faction to ensure a ceasefire between our kingdoms. My heart pounded faster.

"The King's Fang library has the most complete records, go there," I ordered. "Search through the old records from that time. Find anything about how the Ashwoods took power. Any mention of dragons."

Dr. Vance nodded, accepting the task.

"And send someone to Aldermer," I added. "Quietly. We need to know what they're saying about the old royal family. See if anyone remembers the Ogdens."

"I'll arrange it immediately," Dr. Vance said.

"What about the challenge?" he asked suddenly. "Valencia and Amara's fight?"

"Tomorrow I'm holding a Luna ceremony," I said. "I'll announce that Valencia is my Luna."

Dr. Vance looked shocked, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Alpha, even if Valencia isn't truly wolfless, whatever is inside her is still dormant. You can't mark her. And a slave becoming Luna - this is unprecedented. This will seriously damage your reputation. When your father learns of this, he might punish - "

I cut him off impatiently. "Ensuring Valencia's safety is what matters most right now. Once she becomes Luna, she'll at least be safe within Cliffwatch Pack. And I don't care about my reputation. A bastard and reputation don't go hand in hand."

Dr. Vance tried to persuade me further. "Alpha, perhaps you could wait until I finish my investigation before making this decision..."

I looked at him coldly. "Announcing Valencia as my Luna will be a deterrent to everyone, including Amara. If necessary, I'll stop the challenge."

"Alpha, if you do that, you'll face unlimited challenges. Every warrior who wants your position will come for you. They won't stop until you're dead."

I kept my face expressionless. "Doesn't matter. I'm the strongest."

He stared at me like I'd lost my mind. "Alpha—"

"This stays between us," I said, cutting him off. "No one else can know. Not about Valencia, none of it."

His face grew serious. "I understand."

We walked toward the crypt entrance. When we emerged, the bright noon sun had turned gray. Heavy clouds hung low over the castle. The air felt oppressive. A storm was coming.

My chest felt heavy.

"I'll handle the funeral arrangements," Dr. Vance said quietly.

I nodded. "Good."

He headed toward the castle. I stood there for a moment, looking at the darkening sky. Then I mounted my horse and rode toward the stone house.

I couldn't stop thinking about it. Valencia might have dragon blood. It meant she was in terrible danger. If the Ashwoods had found a way to kill dragons once, they could do it again. And if anyone discovered who she really was...

My hands tightened on the reins. No. I wouldn't let that happen. I'd protect her, no matter the cost.

I dismounted and tied my horse to the stone post outside. A scrawny black mare was already there. I walked into the stone house. Only a few servants were working now, moving between the beds with bowls and bandages. The room was nearly empty. Two injured warriors lay on beds near the window. That was it. The other beds had been stripped clean, their straw mattresses bare.

Valencia was at the far end of the room with Delphine. They were grinding herbs at the work table, their heads bent close together as they talked and laughed. Valencia was using the mortar and pestle while Delphine sorted dried leaves into small piles.

"And then he just stood there, completely covered in mud," Delphine was saying, her voice bright with amusement. "The look on his face when he realized the pig had won!"

Valencia giggled, a sound I rarely heard from her. "Poor Rhodes. Did he ever live it down?"

"Never," Delphine replied. "We still call him Pig Boy when he's not around."

Every person in the room noticed me. The servants immediately stopped what they were doing and bowed their heads respectfully.

"Alpha," they murmured in unison.

I nodded in acknowledgment, my eyes fixed on Valencia. She had frozen mid-laugh, the pestle still in her hand. Her eyes went wide as she stared at me.

Without breaking eye contact, I walked straight to her. The room was completely silent now, everyone watching. I reached out and took her hand, pulling her gently away from the table.

"Alpha?" Valencia's voice was confused. "What are you doing?"

I stopped walking and turned to look at her. Those purple eyes were searching my face, trying to understand. Her confusion made something twist in my chest - a strange mix of satisfaction and tenderness.

"Just follow me," I said, keeping my voice soft despite my blank expression.

She went quiet at that, her lips parting slightly before she pressed them together. She nodded, just a small movement of her head. Then she looked down at our joined hands and let me lead her toward the door.

We reached the door as I remembered my horse only had a single saddle. I turned back to the room.

"Whose horse is outside?" I asked.

A warrior near the window raised his hand tentatively, trembling slightly. "Mine, Alpha."

"Are you injured?"

"No, Alpha," he said respectfully. "I brought my friend here for treatment." He gestured to the warrior lying on the nearby bed, who gave me an awkward smile.

"I'm taking your horse," I said flatly.

"Yes, Alpha," he replied immediately, bowing his head.

I led Valencia outside, still holding her hand. The black mare stood patiently next to my horse. It was smaller than mine but sturdy enough.

"Can you ride?" I asked Valencia.

"Yes, Alpha," she said quietly.

I helped her mount the black mare, my hands on her waist to steady her. Once she was settled, I mounted my own horse.

"Stay close," I commanded.