The Princess's Revenge Chapter 78

Logan’s POV

The image wouldn't leave my mind. That boy at the ash ceremony, scattering Garrick's ashes. He looked exactly like Garrick - same build, same way of holding himself. Like seeing a ghost.

It brought back that morning three years ago. Garrick had failed every drill, dropped his sword twice. The other recruits were laughing. I found him later, sitting alone behind the armory, crying.

"Alpha, I'm sorry," he'd said, not even looking up. "I'm wasting your time. I'll never be a real warrior."

I'd taken him to this same cliff edge. Made him look out at the territory stretching below.

"You see all that?" I'd asked. "Every person down there started somewhere. You think I came out of the womb knowing how to swing a sword?"

"But you're... you're Alpha Logan."

"I'm Alpha Logan now. When I was fifteen, I couldn't even hold a sword properly. Knox broke three training dummies just trying to shift correctly."

That had made him laugh. A small sound, but real.

"You'll get there, Garrick. Just keep trying."

He'd looked up at me then, eyes bright with determination. "I'll make you proud, Alpha. I promise."

And he had. Every single day until...

"You're a good Alpha, Logan. You made a mistake, but you're still a good Alpha."

Valencia's voice pulled me back. She was watching me with those purple eyes.

"Thank you," I said, then leaned down and kissed her. When I pulled back, I could really looked at her.

The blue silk made her skin glow in the morning light. The dress fit perfectly, flowing over her curves exactly as I'd imagined when I chose it. She was fucking gorgeous. My heart started pounding harder.

"You're beautiful," I said softly.

Her cheeks turned pink immediately. "I... this dress is too much."

I traced my finger along her jaw. "You're fucking perfect."

"Logan!" She glanced around, embarrassed. "Someone might hearー"

"I don't care." But I started walking back toward the castle, keeping her hand in mine. "You should go find Echo when we get back. Have her prepare makeup and whatever else you need for tonight."

Her expression shifted, tension replacing the embarrassment. Her fingers tightened on mine.

"Don't worry about the ceremony," I said. "I'll be right there with you."

She shook her head. "It's not that. Well, not just that. I'm worried about Maya."

Right. Echo's sister, suffering in the basement. "You can decide what to do about her," I said. "Within reason. Whatever the rules allow."

She nodded, looking relieved. We reached the castle and started climbing to the fourth floor. Servants were already working, but the moment they saw Valencia's blue silk, their eyes dropped to the floor.

The dress was already changing things.

"Alpha," they murmured.

I couldn't stop staring at Valencia as we walked in the fourth floor corridor. The morning light from the narrow windows caught the blue silk of her dress, making it shimmer.

"Stop looking at me like that," she said, her cheeks turning pink.

"Like what?"

"Like you want to..." She glanced down the corridor where servants were starting their morning duties. "You know."

"I always want to." I stepped closer, backing her against the stone wall. "Especially when you're wearing this dress."

"Logan, people can see—"

"You're going to be my Luna. They should get used to it." I braced my hand against the wall beside her head, caging her in.

"But I —"

I silenced her with a kiss. Hard and demanding. She made a small sound of surprise but then melted against me, her hands coming up to grip my doublet. I pressed closer, pinning her to the wall with my body.

"Logan," she gasped when I moved to her neck. "Someone's coming."

"I don't care."

"I do!" She pushed at my chest, but not very hard. "This is embarrassing."

I pulled back slightly, looking down at her flushed face. Her lips were swollen from my kiss. "You're beautiful when you're embarrassed."

"That's not helping!"

Footsteps echoed from the stairs. Valencia ducked under my arm, smoothing down her dress with shaking hands.

"I should go find Echo," she said quickly. "Like you said. For the ceremony preparations."

I caught her wrist before she could escape. "Valencia."

"What?"

I pulled her back for one more kiss. Softer this time. When I released her, she looked dazed.

"I'll see you at the ceremony," I said.

She nodded, still looking a bit stunned. Then she hurried down the corridor toward Echo's room. I watched until she disappeared around the corner.

I turned and walked deeper into the corridor to my study. It had been 24 hours since I sent my last letter. There should be a response by now. My chest tightened with anxiety. If Soren refused...

No. I couldn't think about that.

I pushed open the door to my study. The room was cold, the fireplace long dead. I went straight to the cabinet in the corner and pulled out a wooden box. Inside was chicken, kept specifically for Grimm.

I walked to the window and whistled. Three short, sharp notes.

Within moments, a large black shape appeared against the morning sky. Grimm landed on my outstretched arm, his talons gripping through the leather of my doublet. The white tuft on his head ruffled in the wind.

"Good bird," I said, offering him the chicken. He swallowed it in two quick gulps.

I removed the small metal cylinder from his leg. My hands were steady as I unrolled the parchment, but my heart was pounding.

Dear Logan,

I will send the supply convoy within four days.

Soren

Relief flooded through me so hard I had to lean against the window frame. Four days. We could make it four days.

We had enough food for three days total. Today was already the second day. Even in winter, we could hunt some wolves, foxes, rabbits. The lower villages would have to share what little they had. It would be tight, but we'd survive.

The immediate crisis was solved. But then I thought about Elton. He'd attack again. He'd lost too many warriors and his Beta to just let this go. And with Dorian's betrayal, he knew exactly how weak we were right now.

I needed to write to Soren again.

"Rest for a moment," I told Grimm, setting him on the coat stand in the corner. He ruffled his feathers and settled in.

I grabbed another piece of chicken from the box and tossed it to him. He caught it mid-air, swallowing quickly.

I sat at my desk and pulled out a sheet of parchment. The swan feather quill felt light in my hand as I dipped it in ink.

To Alpha,

Cliffwatch Pack has suffered severe losses. We are at our most vulnerable. I need military support, not just supplies. I will agree to any terms you require.

Logan

I set down the quill and stared out the window. The weather was clear today. Good flying conditions.

Soren controlled the prosperous southern territory of Redstone Canyon Pack. His pack was the largest, most populous, richest in the kingdom. He'd always played neutral, never openly supporting anyone for the throne. But he wasn't stupid. He wouldn't let Elton take the crown.

The current situation was perfect for him. Luna Kestrel's Mistmarsh Pack hated Elton now. I'd always been Elton's enemy. If Soren allied with me, he'd essentially guarantee his position as the next Alpha King.

All he needed was my official support. My promise to back his claim.

This offer would be impossible for him to refuse.

I rolled up the letter and slipped it into the metal cylinder. Grimm watched me with his dark eyes as I approached.

"One more trip," I said, attaching the cylinder to his leg. "To Redstone Canyon. Fast as you can."

He cawed once, understanding. I carried him to the window and released him. He disappeared quickly into the morning sky, heading south.

I watched until he was just a speck, then nothing.

Everything depended on Soren now. If he agreed, we might survive what was coming. If he refused...

I couldn't think about that. I needed to find Amara first. Her absence at the funeral and ash ceremony hadn't gone unnoticed. If she was planning something...