The palace corridors were unusually still, as though the walls themselves were holding their breath. Word of Lyria's elevation to the Alpha's mate had spread, but the tension had not dissipated. Some servants whispered congratulations, others muttered grievances under their breath. Even the concubines shifted uneasily, unsure of how to respond to the sudden reversal of fortunes.
High above, in the private study of the Alpha, Kael Draven awaited a visitor. His wolf stirred restlessly beneath his skin, sensing a presence that was neither hostile nor familiar—but undeniably potent.
A soft knock echoed through the heavy door. Kael's amber eyes narrowed. "Enter."
The air seemed to shimmer as the witch appeared, summoned not by Kael, but by Serina. Her presence carried weight—an almost tangible authority, a calm fury beneath perfectly composed features. She bowed slightly, lips curling into a polite smile that did not reach her eyes.
"Alpha Kael," she said, voice smooth but edged with power. "I trust you are aware of the… situation."
"I am," Kael replied evenly, amber eyes unwavering. "Lyria carries my child. She is my mate, and the pack knows it now. That is all you need to know."
The witch's gaze flicked toward the window, where the moonlight pooled over the gardens. Her eyes softened imperceptibly, a flash of curiosity crossing her features. "The child," she murmured, almost to herself, "is… unlike any I have sensed in decades."
Kael's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
She took a measured step closer, eyes glinting with unspoken knowledge. "The blood of an Alpha, combined with the power she carries… this heir will not be ordinary. There is strength, cunning, and something older, deeper, that runs through them. The pack will feel it, even if they do not understand why."
Kael's jaw tightened, the protective instinct within him flaring. "Then they will have no choice but to respect her."
Outside, Serina and her maid Selena whispered in a darkened corridor, plotting their next move. "If we can undermine Lyria before the pack fully accepts her, we can still shift Kael's favor," Serina hissed.
Selena nodded, eyes gleaming. "I have watched her closely. There are weaknesses… but they are subtle. We must be careful."
Back inside, Kael and the witch's conversation continued, tension simmering beneath polite tones.
"You underestimate her," the witch said quietly. "Lyria is more than a maid. More than just a bearer of your heir. She has latent strength—magic, intuition, resilience. And the child she carries… will shake the foundations of the pack if you are not careful."
Kael's hands curled into fists, but his voice remained calm. "I am aware of my responsibility. I will protect her, and the child, at all costs. Anyone who threatens them will answer to me."
The witch studied him for a long moment, her eyes sharp and calculating. "Very well. But remember, Alpha… the forces around you are older, subtler, and more dangerous than mere mortals. Keep your wits."
A soft breeze carried the scent of the night into the room, and Kael felt a shiver—not of fear, but of anticipation. Somewhere in the palace, threads of fate were shifting. The heir's presence had already begun to radiate subtly, influencing those near them in ways yet unseen.
In the servants' quarters, some began murmuring about the Alpha's choice—some with hope, some with envy. Lyria remained unaware of the full scope of the witch's knowledge, but a quiet sense of destiny began to settle around her.