Chapter 34 Fernanda's Fate
The scroll arrived at dusk.
Alpha Jordan broke the wax seal with a scowl already etched into his features, impatience etched deep into the lines of his face. He had just returned from council matters when the messenger bowed and retreated, leaving the parchment in his hands. Jordan read once, then again, his grip tightening with each word.
His daughter was missing. No... Taken by some forces unknown?!
The room seemed to tilt.
“What is it?” Caroline asked calmly from her seat near the window. She did not rise immediately, only lifted her gaze with mild curiosity, as though he had received nothing more alarming than a trade dispute.
Jordan slammed the scroll onto the table. “Fernanda is missing.”
Caroline stood then, slow and measured, walking closer as she picked up the parchment. Her brows knit together, lips parting slightly. “Missing?” she echoed softly. “How unfortunate.”
Jordan stared at her. “Unfortunate? She is our daughter! And even if you do not consider her yours, she's still my daughter.”
“Yes,” Caroline replied gently, folding the scroll back into her palm. “Which is why I am sure her husband will handle it.”
Jordan’s eyes burned. “Handle it? Sebastian Kozlov is the most powerful Lycan king in Lunareth. The most feared. And yet my daughter vanishes from his palace without a trace.”
Caroline sighed quietly, placing a hand on his arm. “Do not jump to conclusions. Fernanda has always been… unpredictable.” Caroline said with a subtle edge beneath the concern in her voice. Jordan missed it entirely, he was too blinded by rage to actually care.
“I am going to see Kozlov,” he growled. “Now.”
Caroline hesitated, then nodded. “I will come with you. We must remain composed my love.” She told her husband but Jordan was already striding toward the doors.
The icy palace loomed like a blade against the sky, its frost laden towers piercing the clouds as Alpha Jordan approached with his escort. The gates stood tall and unyielding, Lycan guards stationed in full armor, spears crossed as Jordan rode forward.
“Open these gates,” Jordan demanded but the guards did not so much as move an inch.
“You will deny me entry?” Jordan snarled. “Where is my daughter, Kozlov?” He yelled again, his voice bouncing off the icy walls of the palace.
One of the guards stepped forward. “By royal decree, no one enters without summons.”
Jordan dismounted in one sharp motion, his aura flaring violently. “Summons? I will tear these gates down stone by stone if I have to.” He looked ready to take on them.
Caroline hurried after him, placing a hand against his chest. “Jordan, please. This is not the way.”
The guards stood more upright, their stances showing their confidence. Jordan knew he stood no chances if it came down to a fight but he was willing to take the risk. His daughter needed him and he wasn't going to abandon her again.
“I will fight every last one of you if you stand between me and my child,” Jordan roared.
For a long moment, nothing happened, then the gates began to open slowly and deliberately.
A procession emerged from within. Sebastian rode at the front, his expression unreadable, flanked by a small group of Lycan soldiers. Frost crunched beneath their horses’ hooves as they halted several paces away.
Sebastian’s gaze fell on Jordan, recognition flickering briefly. “Ah,” Sebastian said coolly. “Father in law. I was not expecting to see you today.”
Jordan surged forward, pointing an accusing finger. “Do not play fool with me, Your Majesty. Where is my daughter? You are the most powerful and fearsome king in Lunareth and yet you could not keep an eye on her?”
Sebastian’s jaw tightened and for the first time since Fernanda’s disappearance, something shifted in his expression.
Regret.
“I understand your anger,” Sebastian said slowly. “And I apologize for the distress this has caused you.”
Jordan scoffed. “Distress? My daughter has vanished under your watch. You were supposed to be her protector!”
Sebastian inclined his head slightly. “She was taken. And I will get her back.”
Caroline stepped forward, voice soft. “Taken by whom?”
“By enemies who will pay dearly,” Sebastian replied.
Jordan stepped closer, eyes blazing. “You swear this?”
Sebastian met his gaze unflinchingly. “You of all people should know that I do not take lightly my promises. I will bring Fernanda home, even if it means taking the heads of kings and clan leaders across the entire continent.”
The tension thickened. Fernanda's father studied him, searching for deceit, for weakness. He found none. All he could see was a man who was out for blood. One who will burn down kingdoms for answers.
Jordan knew not to say anything more. He stepped aside as Sebastian began to rode away on his horse along with wielders and Lycan soldiers.
Fernanda stood near the door, heart pounding.
She had tried it twice already. Locked. Guarded.
Taking a breath, she approached again, schooling her face into something calm, something harmless. Two shadow wielders stood at attention outside her chamber, their expressions blank.
“I need to ease myself,” Fernanda said plainly.
They exchanged a look, then one nodded. “Follow.”
She kept her steps measured as they led her through winding corridors, her mind working furiously. Left turn. Three doors. Narrow stairwell. Down. Another corridor, wider, lit by dim torches.
She memorized everything.
The cracks in the walls. The slope of the floor. The number of steps.
When they reached the chamber, she did not rush. She took her time, counting heartbeats, listening for distant sounds. When she emerged, she was escorted back the same way.
Fernanda etched it all into memory. She has always been good with memorizing things.
When they returned her to her room, she froze. Damon stood inside.
“You said you needed more answers about who you are and the power you hold,” he said calmly.
Fernanda swallowed, then nodded firmly. “Yes.”
Damon extended his hand toward her. “Come and I will show you.”
Fernanda hesitated, staring down at Damon's outstretched hand. She didn't know what he wanted to show her but now she was done playing games of curiosity. She was tired of constantly scheming to run away and hide. Now all she craves is the truth. “Alright.” She said.