107
107
Chapter 107
Federico stood at the head of the long console table, his expression grim as the tension in the room deepened. “I just received word from the neighboring pack,” he announced, his voice carrying authority. “They’ve been under constant attack from rogues. Their alpha has asked for our support before the situation spills over into our territory.”
Murmurs rippled through the council members and guards stationed along the wall. Bennett’s brows furrowed, though his lips twitched like he was suppressing a smirk.
“We can’t ignore this,” Federico continued, scanning each face in the room. “I will personally select a team of guards to travel with me to assist in neutralizing the threat. This isn’t just about them, it’s about protecting our own borders before the chaos reaches us.”
Leandro leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms, his tone deliberately slow and mocking. “Why must we endanger the lives of our own men for the sake of another pack’s incompetence? They couldn’t defend themselves; why should we suffer for it?”
Thomas glanced at him, clearly entertained, but Federico’s expression hardened immediately.
“Because it is the right thing to do,” Federico snapped, his voice booming with command. “And because a good king does not sit idly by while chaos brews next door. If we allow this to continue, their trouble will become our trouble soon enough.”
Leandro’s smirk faltered. Federico’s eyes narrowed as he stepped closer to him, every inch the newly crowned king. “And let me be perfectly clear,” he added, his tone sharp as steel, “you will never question my decisions in front of this council again. I will not tolerate insubordination. Are we clear?”
The room went silent. Leandro clenched his jaw and nodded stiffly. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Good.” Federico turned to the rest of the men. “Our chief of security will finalize the arrangements. You all have until sunset to prepare yourselves and speak with your loved ones. This will be a dangerous mission, but we will return victorious.”
He dismissed the meeting with a wave of his hand, his cape brushing the ground as he strode out of the hall. The guards followed him until the great doors closed, leaving the council chamber heavy with tension.
As soon as Federico was gone, Thomas let out a low chuckle. “You really do enjoy provoking him, don’t you?”
Leandro’s smirk returned, sharper this time. “Someone has to keep the mighty king’s ego in check,” he muttered, pushing back his chair.
Bennett stood and straightened his collar, his eyes glinting mischievously. “It doesn’t matter. He’s walking straight into our trap, and he doesn’t even know it.”
Leandro chuckled darkly, the sound low and menacing. “Exactly. I only questioned him, so no one suspects we’re the ones behind these attacks. Now, they’ll all think I opposed this plan from the start. When this mission goes wrong, everyone will believe it was his decision alone.”
Thomas crossed his arms, a twisted smile spreading across his face. “And once he’s weakened from this little ‘heroic crusade,’ it will be much easier to turn the people against him.”
“Let him play king for now,” Leandro said as they walked out of the chamber together. “Soon enough, he’ll regret setting foot outside these walls.”
They all exchanged a look of silent satisfaction before heading their separate ways, each plotting their next move.
___
That night, Azalea’s sleep was anything but peaceful.
Her dreams twisted into dark visions, Federico surrounded by snarling rogues, his sword slipping from his hand as a hidden trap snapped shut around his legs. She saw him fall, blood pooling beneath him, his crown rolling away into the dirt. The rogues circled, laughing.
Azalea jerked awake with a gasp, her heart racing so hard it hurt. She sat up in bed, breathing heavily, her nightgown clinging to her from sweat. Beside her, Federico slept soundly, his arm draped carelessly over his torso, unaware of the storm raging in her mind.
She swallowed hard, brushing her damp hair back. Why do these visions keep coming? Why do I feel like danger is closing in on him every single day?
Carefully, so as not to wake him, she slipped out of bed and pulled a robe over her nightgown. The moon was bright outside, its glow spilling into the hall as she padded quietly through the palace corridors.
She headed straight for the security office. Two guards at the entrance straightened when they saw her.
“Your Majesty,” one greeted, bowing slightly.
“I need to see the latest report regarding the box and the blade my husband received,” Azalea said firmly.
The guards exchanged a quick glance but nodded. One of them opened a drawer and handed her a sealed document. “The results came in this evening. We were about to deliver them in the morning.”
Azalea tore the seal open and scanned the contents. Her stomach tightened.
The report confirmed her fears — the blood on the blade and the fingerprints on the box did not match anyone from within their kingdom.
“It’s from outside,” she muttered, gripping the paper tightly.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the guard said, his voice low. “We believe it’s from a rival territory. Whoever sent this wanted to make a statement. It’s not just a threat — it’s a warning of what could happen.”
Azalea closed her eyes briefly, fighting to stay calm. “Keep this quiet. No one, not even the other council members, must know until I say so. Understood?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the guard replied, bowing slightly.
She handed the report back, her mind racing as she turned to leave. The empty hallways felt colder now, as though the very walls were whispering danger.
Back in her chambers, she paused at the door, looking at Federico still fast asleep. He looked so peaceful, so unbothered, and it broke her heart.
Azalea slipped back into bed but didn’t sleep. She lay awake, staring at the ceiling, silently vowing that she would not let these enemies, whoever they were, take him from her.