Chapter 155
The candlelight flickered against the parchment as I dipped the quill into the ink. My fingers trembled slightly, but I forced myself to steady them. I couldn’t let my emotions get the better of me now.
Rowan needed to know what was happening.
I took a deep breath and continued writing.
**Rowan,**
**I hope this letter reaches you swiftly. I know you are fighting for this kingdom, for our people, for us. But things here are not as they should be.**
**The council disregards me at every turn. They refuse to acknowledge my position and have made it clear that they do not see me as their queen. They left me out of meetings, mocked my authority, and now—now, they have freed Lucian.**
**Rowan, something is happening. Lucian is meeting with the council in secret. He is whispering to the chiefs of the wolf clans. I fear they are plotting something against you.**
**I do not know how much longer I can keep my ground here alone. But I will not fall, Rowan. I will not let them push me aside. Please, come back soon.**
**I need you.**
**Yours,**
**Arin**
I sealed the letter and held it tightly for a moment before standing. The weight of exhaustion pressed down on my shoulders, but I ignored it. I wouldn’t allow myself to be weak—not now.
I stepped out of my chambers and flagged down a messenger loitering near the castle entrance.
“You,” I said firmly, pressing the sealed letter into his hands. “This must be delivered to the Alpha King immediately.”
The messenger hesitated. “The battlefield is dangerous, my Queen—”
“I do not care,” I cut in, my voice sharper than I intended. “Find a way. Get this to him. Do you understand?”
The messenger swallowed and nodded. “Yes, my Queen.”
I watched as he hurried off, disappearing into the halls. My hands were still clenched into fists, my breathing uneven. I exhaled, willing my nerves to settle.
I had done what I could. Now, all I could do was wait.
—
As I made my way back to my chambers, a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Queen Arin,” the royal physician, Aldric, called out.
I turned to find him standing near one of the castle corridors, his wise eyes scanning me carefully.
“Are you feeling well?” he asked, stepping closer. “You look exhausted.”
I hadn’t realized how drained I must appear. I pressed a hand to my forehead, feeling the dull ache behind my eyes.
“I am fine,” I said, though even I could hear the lie in my voice.
Aldric sighed. “Come with me. I want to perform a check-up.”
I didn’t argue. Aldric was one of the only people in this castle I felt I could trust.
We walked in silence to his chamber, where he gestured for me to sit on the cushioned bench near the fireplace. He reached for a small bowl of water and a cloth, dabbing it gently against my wrist as he checked my pulse.
“You’re stressed,” he observed. “That’s not good for the baby.”
I closed my eyes briefly. “I know.”
His hands moved carefully as he continued his examination. “You need rest. Proper meals. Peace.”
I let out a soft, bitter laugh. “Peace is the last thing I will find in this castle.”
Aldric hesitated before speaking. “Have you heard the whispers?”
My body tensed. “What whispers?”
He hesitated again, and I grabbed his arm, my grip surprisingly strong for how weak I felt.
“Aldric,” I pressed. “Tell me.”
He exhaled slowly. “Lucian has been meeting with the council and the chiefs of the wolf clans. More frequently than before.”
Ice spread through my veins. “What is he planning?”
Aldric looked uncomfortable. “It’s difficult to say. But…” He paused.
“But what?” I urged.
“There is a way for him to take the throne before Rowan returns.”
My breath caught in my throat. “How?”
Aldric’s expression was grim. “If there is enough reason to believe something has happened to Rowan on the battlefield, they can declare him unfit to rule.”
The air left my lungs.
“That’s impossible,” I said quickly. “Rowan is alive—”
“But he is gone,” Aldric interjected gently. “And with war, there is always uncertainty.”
My mind raced. Could they do it? Could they truly name Lucian as Alpha King in Rowan’s absence?
The thought made my stomach churn.
“Aldric,” I whispered. “What do I do?”
He looked at me, his expression unreadable. “You do what you must, my Queen.”
—
Later that evening, as I followed Aldric down an unfamiliar corridor, my mind still swirled with unease. But when he finally stopped and pushed open a door, my breath hitched in my throat.
The room was bathed in soft candlelight. And in the center of it, against the far wall, stood a beautiful handcrafted crib.
I stepped forward, my fingers tracing the smooth wood.
“There are more things inside,” Aldric said, gesturing around the room. “Clothes, blankets, small trinkets.”
I turned to him. “Where did this come from?”
Aldric hesitated. “The Alpha King made it himself.”
My chest tightened.
“He… he made this?”
Aldric nodded. “Before he left for battle, he ordered this nursery to be completed. He said he wanted you to see it while he was gone.”
My vision blurred. I turned back to the crib, running my hand over its delicate carvings. Rowan’s hands had shaped this. He had built this for our child.
A sob escaped my lips before I could stop it.
“Arin.” Aldric’s voice was gentle. “Do not show weakness.”
I wiped my tears away quickly, but my heart still ached.
“I won’t,” I murmured.
I wouldn’t let Lucian take this from me.
I wouldn’t let him take what Rowan had built.
I wouldn’t let him win.
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