Chapter 80 CHAPTER 80
Red Valley was quiet under the soft dusk light, its wooden homes glowing orange and gold as the sun dipped behind the mountains. The valley felt peaceful - protected - even though danger had hung over it just days before.
Inside Alpha Reed’s home, the wooden door opened and a tall wolf guard stepped in, dust on his boots and a sharpness in his expression that came from hours of patrolling. He placed a fist to his chest in salute.
“Alpha Reed,” he greeted respectfully.
Reed looked up from the table where he sat with Paerin, an elderly fae with soft silver hair and calm green eyes. The elder’s presence filled the room with an air of quiet magic, as if the air itself was listening.
Reed nodded. “Report.”
The head guard bowed slightly. “We’ve completed the evening patrol. There is no sign of disturbance. No broken twigs, no disrupted earth, no strange scents. The guardian crystal’s barrier is holding.”
The fae elder smiled in approval. “Good. That stone was crafted to repel dark magic. If witches attempt to break through, we will know.”
Reed exhaled, tension easing from his shoulders. “Thank you. Truly. My pack sleeps safer tonight because of your help.”
The fae elder inclined his head modestly. “Protection is our duty. And your people’s wellbeing matters to the kingdom.”
The guard stepped back. “With your permission, Alpha, I will lead the next round of patrols at midnight.”
Reed nodded. “Go. Make sure every corner of the valley is checked.”
The guard saluted once more and left through the wooden door, closing it softly behind him.
For a moment, silence settled in the home - comfortable, warm, full of mutual respect.
Reed turned toward the elder. “You should stay the night. We can give you a room. And I’ll have warriors escort you back to the city tomorrow.”
But the elder shook his head gently. “There is no need. I can travel safely alone. The witches may target wolves and humans… but not us. Not yet.”
“You’re still one man,” Reed said, frowning. “And you carry valuable knowledge and power. Let me send at least two warriors with you.”
The elder smiled with amusement. “Alpha Reed, I appreciate your concern. But trust me, I carry enough magic within me to render myself invisible if danger comes. Save your warriors. Your people need them more than I do.”
Reed hesitated, but eventually relented. “Very well. But send word when you return safely.”
“I will,” the elder said, rising. “And if the power of the crystal weakens, or if the witches make another attempt, send for me at once.”
Reed accompanied him to the door, and the fae elder stepped into the night, melting into the shadows with quiet grace.
When Reed closed the door, the weight of leadership settled heavily on his shoulders again. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, exhaustion deep in his bones, before heading into the bedroom where his wife awaited him.
Their home was unlike those of modern packs. No electricity. No metal frames. Just hand-carved furniture, woven tapestries, and the scent of burning cedar. His wife was already in bed, her hair braided over one shoulder as she read a thick, leather-bound book by lantern light.
She set the book down on the carved wooden bedside table as Reed sat beside her and began removing his boots.
“You’re late,” she murmured.
“The patrols needed review,” Reed replied, easing himself under their fur blanket.
She shifted closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder. “I heard King Ethan sent his guards. And a fae elder, too.”
Reed hummed in acknowledgment. “Yes. They’ve been a blessing. The fae elder cast the protective barrier. It’s holding well.”
She smiled softly. “That was thoughtful of the king.”
Reed nodded. “Ethan is a good man. He’s always done right by us.”
But when he mentioned Ethan, she stiffened slightly. Her fingers curled into the blanket.
“And what of the princess?” she asked.
Reed’s expression softened instantly. A small, reflective smile pulled at his lips. “She is… extraordinary. She looks exactly like Queen Helena. Not just in appearance, but in spirit.”
His wife blinked. “What do you mean?”
Reed leaned back against the headboard, remembering. “When I saw her in the palace gardens, she greeted me with the same warmth her mother had. The same kindness. She is humble, thoughtful, brave. And she carries a light that… reminds me of Helena.”
His wife’s face darkened ever so slightly. “I hope,” she said coldly, “she is not as ignorant as Helena was.”
Reed’s head snapped toward her, eyes narrowing. “What is that supposed to mean?”
She crossed her arms. “Everyone knows the truth, Reed. It was Queen Helena’s foolishness that destroyed Mooncrest. She trusted witches. She brought them into the kingdom. She let them close. And look what happened - they burned the court to the ground.”
Reed’s jaw tightened. “Watch your words.”
But she ignored the warning. Her voice rose slightly, sharp with fear disguised as contempt.
“And now her daughter is back - and suddenly the witches return too. You don’t find that strange? Convenient? Everything was peaceful for years until that girl came home.”
Reed’s eyes flashed. “You will not speak of her like that.”
His wife pressed on, the bitterness pouring out. “Ethan is repeating his mother’s mistakes. Trusting fae. Trusting magic. Trusting outsiders. Today they put a barrier. Tomorrow they might turn on us. You know witches can never be trusted. One minute they protect us - next minute they burn us alive.”
“Enough.” Reed’s growl thundered across the room.
His wife froze.
Reed leaned forward, his tone controlled but burning with anger. “Queen Helena had a good heart. She trusted people because she believed goodness existed in them. The evil was in those she trusted - not in her.”
His wife opened her mouth to speak, but Reed cut her off.
“And Princess Lisa is nothing like the lies told about her. She is not a curse. She is not a danger. She is a good girl with a kind soul. And she has suffered more than you can imagine.”
She looked away, lips pressed tightly together.
Reed’s voice dropped to a warning growl. “Do not speak ill of her again. Do not insult the queen who died protecting her people. And do not question the king’s decisions. Ethan is doing everything he can to protect this kingdom - and he deserves our loyalty, not your judgement.”
Silence settled between them, thick and heavy.
His wife swallowed, her voice trembling. “I’m just scared, Reed. You almost died. Our pack was nearly destroyed. And now the princess returns, and suddenly witches are everywhere… I just… I’m scared.”
Reed’s anger softened at the crack in her voice.
He reached out and took her hand gently. “I know. We’re all scared. But fear will not divide this kingdom. We stand with Mooncrest. We stand with the king. And we stand with the princess.”
His wife nodded slowly, though worry still clouded her eyes.
Reed pulled her closer, settling under the blankets. Outside, the wind rustled through the tall grass of Red Valley, carrying with it the faint hum of the protective enchantment cast by the guardian crystal.
For the first time in days, Reed allowed himself to close his eyes.
The witches had stolen from him.
But they would not take anything more.
Not while he still drew breath.