Crown Of Moonlight: The Lycan King's Betrayal

hest. Her fingers trembled slightly as she closed the heavy wooden door to her chamber, leaning against it as if it co

ature clawed at her resolve. She needed answers, but the trail was buried beneath layers of guarded truth

ay. They were coming closer, steady and deliberate. Lyra's breath hitched as the sound stopped

ldric's voice comm

nmistakable-this wasn't a social visit. She pulled the door open,

lden eyes burned with intensity, his jaw tight. Behind him stood t

d, stepping into the room wit

of the guards waiting just outside. "Is somet

aid, turning to face her. "Questions tha

, meeting his gaze. "If that involves a

is to save my brother, not meddle

cure, and that's exactly what I'm trying to do. If there's more to this

e. The silence stretched between them like a taut wire, rea

t," he muttered,

ple alive," Lyra rep

yes-respect, perhaps, or frustration. He gesture

is kingdom," he said, his voice quieter now. "T

Lyra pressed. "I can't fi

just a weapon. It's a message-a declaration of war from the witches of the eastern territori

fragments of information she'd gathered.

ic replied grimly. "And if they succ

ords. "Then why not tell your people? They

more than any enemy. If word of this spreads, it could

ts truth. Still, she couldn't shake the feel

rrupted their conversation. Aldric straightened,

," he

there's been an incident near the southern gate. A patrol foun

hardening. "Double the patrols and secu

eft, leaving Lyra alon

he asked, her voic

tted near the borders before, but never this close to the fo

. "Then let me help. If these creatures are tie

, clearly torn.

falls apart," Lyra countered. "You brough

ive wire. Finally, Aldric nodded. "Stay cl

d with precision, their weapons gleaming in the moonlight. The tension in t

scattering to their posts. Lyra followed him to the edge of the g

yra had ever seen. A faint, dark residue clung to the

re," Lyra said, crouching to e

kness beyond the gate. "That's why they're so dang

er. Lyra's heart pounded as a low, guttural growl echoed

ts form was shrouded in shadow, its eyes glowing with an unnatural light. It m

ng in the moonlight. "Stay back," he ord