Chapter 21 Message From The Elders
Dane’s POV
I needed air, not palace air.
Not courtesy-burdened air that smelt of politics and duty, I needed wild air.
The kind that burnt the lungs and reminded you that you were still alive.
That was how I ended up deep in the forest, my boots crushing through fallen leaves, the wind ripping at my cloak as if it wanted to tear me apart along with my thoughts.
I hadn’t shifted in months, and every day it frightened me more than I dared admit.
Once, my wolf had been my strength — my anchor, my fury, my certainty in the world. Now… it was like he had gone silent in the depths of my blood, leaving behind an ache that would not heal.
Losing him would be worse than death. I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply, searching.
Come back… Just come back to me.
The warlock had never warned me it would be like this.
When he had given me the mission, he didn’t tell me the mission would be like this; he had said it as calmly as if he were asking me to hunt a deer.
You find her. End her. Reclaim your freedom.
Simple and clean.
Bloodless words for a filthy task.
He made it sound like killing her would heal me; he was certain, like my wolf would return the moment her breath stopped, like my chains would fall away with her life.
But what if he lied?
The fae had repeated the same thing in their honeyed voices.
You will find her, you will end her, and you will be free.
Two powers that despised each other had agreed on one thing.
Her death.
I was more than ready to find her. I thought it would be easy. I never imagined it would be like this. And the moment I did find her, I wouldn’t hesitate. Not even for a heartbeat.
I slowed to a stop in a clearing and yanked my cloak off, flinging it aside like it had personally offended me.
Cold air kissed my skin. I rolled my shoulders, cracked my neck, and clenched my fists hard enough to feel my bones grind beneath my skin.
The way I used to prepare, the old ritual.
The one that always brought my wolf forward.
“I’m ready,” I whispered into the trees.
“Come out.”
My chest burnt, and my blood heated.
I threw my head back and opened my mouth wide, letting out a raw sound meant to beckon the beast within me, a half-growl, half-scream pulled from somewhere primal.
Nothing, no heat waves tearing through my muscles.
No snapping of bones, no glorious agony. no fur. No claws.
And definitely no transformation.
Just a man standing in the dirt like a fool.
I tried again, this time louder and harder.
My voice ripped through the quiet woods like a wounded animal’s cry.
I screamed till I felt pain in my veins.
Still… Nothing.
I stared down at my shaking hands.
“Shift,” I ordered through gritted teeth.
Shift.
My body betrayed me.
A strangled sound tore from my throat as I roared in rage, stumbling forward and slamming my fist into the nearest tree.
Pain ripped through my knuckles.
I didn’t stop; I hit again. And again.
Blood soaked into the wood, smearing it dark.
I kicked the trunk with all the fury left in me.
Then another.
Leaves rained down like mockery.
“Come back!” I screamed. “I need you!”
My voice echoed into nothing. I slid down the tree, breath ragged, heart hammering against my ribs.
My vision blurred red with fury and shame.
Minutes passed.
I don’t know how many.
Eventually, the rage burnt itself into nothing but ash.
I wiped the blood on my trousers, stood, and dragged myself back toward the palace like a man marching to his own execution.
The halls felt narrower than usual, colder.
It was as though the walls themselves were watching me. I was halfway down the corridor leading to my chambers when I heard his voice.
“Dane!”
I didn’t stop walking.
“Dane, wait.”
Darius caught up to me easily.
I reached my door, shoved it open, and walked inside without ceremony.
He followed.
“I’ve been trying to mind-link you,” he said, shutting the door behind him.
“It wasn’t connected.”
I shrugged off my coat.
“The connection must be faulty.”
My voice was flat.
Dead. He frowned.
“You’re not funny today.”
I sat in a chair and leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees.
“What do you want, Darius?”
He hesitated, then sighed.
“The Chief Elder sent word.”
My jaw tensed.
“And?”
“They want to see you.”
He studied my face carefully.
“It’s about your father.”
I barely reacted.
“They’ve been saying that for years.”
“It’s worse now,” he said quietly.
“They’re noticing he’s deteriorating. His mind isn’t as sharp. His strength falters.”
I leaned back.
“They’ve already decided, haven’t they?”
“Yes.”
My lips curved into a bitter smile.
“They want me.”
“Of course they do,” he snapped.
“Who else would they want? You’re the only heir.”
“Tell them they can want anyone else,” I muttered. “I’m not interested.” I added.
Darius stared at me like I had insulted his bloodline.
“No, Dane. I will not tell them that.”
I looked at him sharply.
“Why not?”
“Because the throne isn’t a chair you decline like a dinner invitation.”
I scoffed.
“I don’t care about crowns.”
“You don’t get to,” he shot back.
“You were born for this.”
“Then I was born cursed.”
He ran a hand through his hair.
“You think you can just… leave?” he demanded.
“Abandon your people?”
“Yes.”
Silence stretched between us.
“Once I find her,” I added softly.
“I’m gone.”
Darius’s voice dropped.
“And if you don’t find her?”
I laughed bitterly.
“The warlock said I would.”
“The fae said the same.”
“What if they’re wrong?”
“They can’t be,” I snapped.
“They foretold wars before they happened. They foresaw plagues. Kingdoms falling.”
He looked unconvinced.
“They said you would see her,” he said carefully.
“They never said what would happen after.”
My fingers tightened around the armrest.
“What happens after is obvious.”
I will end her.
A sharp knock cut through the room.
“Come in,” I barked.
The door creaked open. A maid stood there, pale and trembling.
“Speak,” I said.
She swallowed hard.
“The Alpha King…” her voice shook.
“He’s unconscious.”