Vanished Sisters: The Lycan King's Slave Island Chapter 185

Sebastian's POV

The journey back to my territory felt interminable, though it only took my two hours.

I went straight to the war room, where my most trusted advisors were already waiting. I'd sent word ahead during the voyage, summoning them for an emergency council.

The room was circular, with a massive table in the center carved from a single piece of dark wood. Maps covered its surface—detailed charts of every island in the archipelago, every fortress, every strategic position. Around the table sat my inner circle:

Lord Thorne, my oldest ally, a grizzled warrior with more scars than smooth skin. He controlled the southern portion of Darkmire and commanded three thousand of my best troops.

Lord Corvus, younger but brilliant, a tactical genius who had trained my elite forces. His four thousand soldiers were the most disciplined, most deadly fighting force in the archipelago outside of—well, outside of what the Royal Guard used to be.

Lord Ravenna, the merchant prince who controlled Blood Bay Harbor. He was soft-looking, almost effeminate, but his mind was as sharp as any blade. He could strangle our enemies economically before a single sword was drawn.

Lord Blackwood, master of the largest fighting pits. His two thousand gladiator-slaves were savage, brutal, and utterly loyal to whoever fed them.

And finally, Elder Malachar, the oldest Lycan in my service. He was ancient, his face a map of wrinkles, his body bent with age. But his mind was still sharp, and his knowledge of poisons, potions, and dark arts was unmatched.

I took my seat at the head of the table, and the room fell silent.

"You all saw what happened this morning," I began, my voice calm but carrying an edge of excitement I couldn't quite suppress. "The King lost control. In front of the entire court, he revealed his weakness for all to see."

Thorne grunted in agreement. "He looked like a lovesick pup. Pathetic."

"More than pathetic," I continued. "He's vulnerable. Distracted. And I'm done waiting."

That got their attention. Every eye in the room fixed on me.

"I want you to prepare for war," I said, letting the words hang in the air. "We move within the week."

There was a moment of stunned silence, then the room erupted.

"A week?" Corvus leaned forward, his expression intense. "My lord, we're not fully ready. We have the numbers, yes, but—"

"But nothing," I interrupted. "We have twenty thousand troops to his five thousand. We control the trade routes, the harbors, the resources. What more do we need?"

"Mordred himself," Thorne said bluntly. "Numbers don't mean shit if he tears through our lines like paper. You've seen him fight, Sebastian. We all have. He's a monster."

I couldn't argue with that.

"Which is why we won't face him in open battle," I said. "Not directly. We have other methods."

Before I could elaborate, there was a knock at the door. One of my scouts entered, bowing low.

"My lord, I have urgent news."

"Speak," I commanded.

"It's about the boy, Nathan. The one you ordered me to investigate."

I'd almost forgotten about that.

"What about him?" I asked, only mildly interested.

The scout hesitated, then said, "My lord, I believe Nathan is actually a girl."

The room went completely silent.

"What?" I said, certain I'd misheard.

"A girl, my lord. I'm almost certain of it."

"That's ridiculous," Ravenna scoffed. "I saw the boy myself. He was clearly male."

"Please, let me explain," the scout said, speaking quickly. "I've been watching Nathan for a week, as you commanded. He was staying at Lord Fergus's estate on Ashclaw. But a few days ago, he left for Lord Caelan's estate and never came back out."

"So?" Thorne growled. "Maybe he's visiting."

"That's what I thought at first," the scout continued. "But then, at the New Year's feast, Lord Caelan announced his betrothed. I saw his betrothed that night, closely—a beautiful young woman. And there was something about her... the way she moved, her mannerisms, even her build. It reminded me of Nathan."

"You're saying Caelan's fiancée is Nathan?" I asked, my interest growing despite myself.

"I thought it was impossible too, my lord. But then I heard the rumors. About how the King disappeared for two days to help a young woman through her heat. And Nathan still hasn't returned to Ashclaw. He's been at Caelan's estate this entire time."

The pieces were starting to come together in my mind, forming a picture that seemed impossible and yet...

"You think Nathan is the woman who went into heat," I said slowly. "The one who distracted Mordred."

"Yes, my lord."

"But humans don't go into heat," Corvus objected.

"Humans don't," Elder Malachar spoke for the first time, his voice like dried leaves rustling. "But Endurers do."

Every head turned toward him.

"Endurers experience heat cycles similar to female Lycans," the old man continued. "It's one of the ways we identify them. And if this Nathan survived being raped by the King twice and lived to tell the tale..."

"He's an Endurer," I finished, my mind racing.

If this was true—if Nathan was actually a girl, an Endurer, the one who had so thoroughly distracted Mordred—then this changed everything.

"I don't believe it," Blackwood said, shaking his head. "It's too convenient. Too perfect."

"There's only one way to know for certain," I said, a plan already forming. "We capture him. Or her. Whichever it is."

I turned to the scout. "You know where this Nathan is?"

"At Lord Caelan's estate, my lord. He hasn't left since arriving."

"Good. Take a team. Set up an ambush outside Caelan's estate. If Nathan emerges, take him alive. Be discreet—I don't want Caelan or his people to know."

"And if it turns out Nathan really is a girl?" Ravenna asked.

I smiled coldly. "Then she's deceived us all. Deceived the entire court. That's a crime punishable by public execution. And if she's the Endurer..." I let the implication hang.

The scout bowed and hurried out to carry out his orders.

"Now," I said, turning back to my council. "About the war. Corvus, you said we're not ready. Explain."