CHAPTER 5 — The Prince With Blood on His Hands
The next morning, the palace pretended nothing had happened.
The dead wolf pup was removed.
The blood was washed away.
The servants were ordered to stay silent.
But Elias was no longer afraid.
He went straight to the throne room and placed the bloodstained note before the king.
“Someone in this palace wants me dead.”
The king’s face darkened.
But Prince Adrian laughed.
“Brother, you spent years with a beast. Maybe you’re seeing enemies everywhere.”
The nobles chuckled.
Elias said nothing.
Then the queen stepped forward.
“Enough.”
Her voice shook, but her eyes were fierce.
“For fifteen years, I was told my baby died. I will not lose him again.”
For the first time, Adrian’s smile faded.
That evening, the royal council gathered to discuss Elias’s future.
One noble suggested sending him away to be “educated.”
Another suggested locking the Black Wolf deeper beneath the mountain.
Then Adrian stood.
“My father is blinded by guilt. The people are terrified. They saw a beast kneel to this boy. What if Elias controls it? What if he uses it against us?”
The room filled with fearful whispers.
Elias felt the trap closing.
Then the doors burst open.
A wounded guard staggered inside.
“The wolf…”
Everyone froze.
“The Black Wolf returned to the mountain cave.”
The king frowned.
“Then why are you bleeding?”
The guard collapsed to his knees.
“Because something else came out.”
A roar shook the palace windows.
Far away, beyond the city walls, flames rose from the northern village.
Not black flames.
Silver ones.
The old healer turned pale.
“There was never only one beast.”
Elias’s blood went cold.
The Black Wolf had not returned to abandon him.
It had returned to fight something worse.
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And somehow…
Prince Adrian did not look surprised.
