Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

Ashen's POV

The silence in the grand hall was almost deafening as I pushed my chair back, the legs scraping against the marble floor. The celebration, the murmurs of nobles, the soft music in the background —it all became irrelevant. My entire focus was on the message I had just received.

Magnus. That bastard wanted to negotiate. Again.

A low growl rumbled from Sam, my wolf. Even he could feel the anger simmering inside me. That asshole was toying with me. A whole king of the Frostfang Pack. Dangling Zara in front of me like a prize, thinking he had the upper hand.

He was wrong. And he will regret it.

I turned to my Beta, Darius, who was standing a few meters away, his sharp eyes locked onto mine. He understood before I even utter a word.

"Get our best warriors," I commanded, sharp and cold. "We drive to Shadow Vane tomorrow morning."

The tension in the room grew thicker with each passing second, heavy with unspoken words, and judgemental stares. No one would dared voice out, but I could feel them lingering in the air.

"Ashen."

Selene's soft voice broke through the moment.

I turned my head slowly, my cold eyes meeting her hesistant gaze. She placed a delicate hand on my arm, her expression a mixture of concern and frustration. "You're leaving? Now? On our wedding night?"

A bitter laugh almost escaped from my lips. Wedding night? Was she kidding me? As if this marriage was of any importance to me. As if I would ever touch her again.

I pulled my arm away —her mere touch repelled me. I stepped away, glaring at her. "Don't pretend you don't know what this was."

She swallowed hard, anger flashing in her eyes. "This isn't about the Pack matters, is it? It's about her. You are going to leave me alone on our wedding day and go risk your life for Zara," she said, her voice cracking from the weight of her anger. "Ashen, this is unfair. I'm your wife."

I didn't answer.

There was no need to.

My silence confirmed her suspicions and she went stiff, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. But I had no time for jealous, or whatever delusions she had about us.

We aren't real.

The earlier she learns that, the easier it will be for her to accept dethronement when Zara returns.

I turned away from her, walking out of the hall without another word. I heard Darius behind me barking out orders, warriors scrambling to prepare, the quiet celebration crumbling into chaos in an instant.

Selene could sit on the throne all she wanted. Play queen. Play Luna. None of it mattered.

Because tonight, I will hunt down Magnus.

And I was going to bring my woman home.

Magnus POV

As the night wore on, Nerissa grew more creative with her torment. She didn't go too far—she was smart enough to keep Zara alive—but she was enjoying herself far too much.

I stood by the door, making sure to keep my face unreadable even as I felt every sharp cut like it was happening to me.

Viktor walked up to me. "I'll tell the guards to get ready so we can move tonight," he said quietly.

"We leave in an hour," I said, my voice cold and decisive. "Only five guards."

Nerissa and Viktor exchanged knowing glances before Viktor scoffed, stepping forward with his arms crossed. "You can't be serious."

"I am," I replied , turning towards him. "This isn't a war. Not yet. I'm going to negotiate."

Nerissa hissed in frustration. "Negotiate?" She let out a bitter chuckle, her grip around the dagger tightening. "That bastard wants you dead, Magnus. We all know that. And you're walking straight into his trap."

I didn't respond.

Because she was right.

Ashen wasn't the type to sit and listen to reason. He was a ruthless Alpha, cold-blooded killer just like his father. He wouldn't come to talk—he'd come to end me."

But I wasn't scared of him.

I needed him to know I had the upper hand. Needed him to think I wasn't desperate to meet him with an army behind men. I already told him we should meet alone. Maybe he could keep to that, and then I show up with an army? It won't speak well of me.

Viktor stepped forward, his face twisting with irritation. "This is a mistake, Magnus."

I turned to him, my jaw clenching. "Are you questioning my decision?"

He held my gaze for a while before bowing in submission. "No. But I don't have to be in support of it."

Nerissa shook her head. "This is suicidal. You might be strong, Magnus, but Ashen isn't some fool you can manipulate. He'll kill you the moment he gets the chance."

I smirked. "Then I won't give him one."

Nerissa muttered a curse under her breath but she knew to argue with me.

Viktor ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. "At least take ten."

"Five," I repeated firmly. "That's final."

As I turned to leave, I cast one final glance at Zara and I noticed something strange.

The candlelight flickered, casting an eerie glow across Zara's skin. And for the first time, I noticed something —a mark.

It wasn't there before. Or maybe it was, but hidden beneath her skin. Now, it glowed faintly at the base of her slumped neck, a symbol that was delicately curved. LU.

My pulse spike.

I knew that mark.

LU.

I had seen it before. But where?

I stepped closer to her. The mark glowed softly like it was alive, reacting to something. To her.

Viktor and Nerissa noticed the Mark too, and they also stepped closer, their gaze curious.

I touched the mark, and Zara jerked awake, glaring at me, her expression guided.

Zara wasn't just some insignificant girl.

She was something more.

My mind raced with possibilities of where I had seen the mark before

Yes.

I remember, but.....this can't be. I shook my head, disagreeing with myself. It must have been just a coincidence.

Crouching down, I held her shoulders firmly. "Are you Beta Lupine daughter?"