Chapter 2 Claim Your Right

"Your mother is going to be fine," the royal physician says, closing his medical kit. His words should bring relief, but they barely scratch the surface of my grief. After hours of running through the forest with my mother draped over my back, muscles screaming and lungs burning, I can finally breathe. But the weight in my chest hasn't lifted. "We managed to extract all the wolfsbane from her system, allowing her wolf to begin the healing process." She'll live. But at what cost? My father and brothers are gone. My pack is in ruins. And for what? Because no one would listen to the "mad woman with her visions." "Thank you," I murmur, forcing a smile that feels like it might crack my face. "Seraphine." I turn at the sound of my name. Beta Paul, second-in-command to Alpha Rodriguez, stands near the well. I've known him all my life—he was my father's best friend. They trained together, fought together, got drunk together, and protected the king together. Now, Beta Paul looks like he's aged ten years overnight. His broad shoulders seem heavier than usual, his graying hair disheveled. "I'd like to offer my deepest condolences," he says, his voice rough with emotion he's clearly trying to suppress. Men and their pride. "Your father and brothers were honorable warriors. Their loss will not go unanswered. The Northern Kingdom will pay for this treachery." I nod, not trusting myself to speak. What is there to say? "Thanks, I told them this would happen"? He hesitates, then asks, "Is it true?" When I give him a questioning look, he continues. "There's a rumor. That you saw everything before it happened...in a dream. Is it true?" I nod again, watching his face carefully. Here it comes—the look. That mixture of horror and disbelief that I've seen on the faces of everyone who's ever heard about my "curse." And there it is. Beta Paul, fearless warrior who's faced down armies without flinching, looks utterly horrified. Like I'm some kind of freak. Just like everyone else. A guard approaches, bowing his head slightly. "The Alpha King has summoned you." Of course, he has. The weight of my family's death hasn't even fully settled, and already, politics take precedence. I follow the guard through the towering halls of the court, my boots echoing on the stone floor. The banners of the Northern Kingdom loom high above, the golden wolf insignia displayed proudly. At the head of the grand chamber sits Alpha King Aldrich Bane. He commands fear and respect with his mere presence. But I have never feared him. Not before, when he relegated me to guard duty despite my skills. Not now, when I have nothing left to lose. "Seraphine Velkan," he calls, his voice carrying across the chamber. "You have suffered a great loss." I do not respond. I know better than to mistake his words for genuine sympathy. "The Southern Kingdom has broken the treaty," he continues, getting right to business. "An attack of this magnitude cannot go unanswered. As per our alliance with the Lycans, the terms are clear—any kingdom that instigates war must face the full force of our retaliation." His confirmation does not surprise me. The treaty between the Southern Kingdom, Northern Kingdom, and the Lycans was meant to maintain peace. If one were to attack another, the third would be bound to intervene. But peace is fragile, especially when built on secrets and lies. The Northern Kingdom was once ruled by Alpha King Jude Canan—a fair and wise leader. I met him many times, accompanying my father to diplomatic meetings. He would slip me extra desserts when no one was looking and ask about my training. He would never have sanctioned such a massacre. But he is dead. His son, Alpha King Darius Canan, now sits on the throne. And Darius is not his father. Not even close. "Alpha King Darius Canan has sent his official letter, announcing war," King Aldrich tells the court. "His reason: he accuses our kingdom of having stolen something precious from them two decades ago. He won't say what it is, only that he wants it back." The courtroom erupts in murmurs and whispers. All the betas and alphas present speculate amongst themselves, their voices rising like buzzing insects. "It's a bogus claim," Alpha Ryan stands, speaking what we all know. "He wants a reason to attack so he made one up. A stupid one, might I add." The rest of the court rises up, demanding we fight back and hit Darius where his kingdom would bleed the most: his capital. They're all bloodthirsty now, these men who days ago were sipping wine and laughing at the festivities. Alpha King Aldrich raises his hand, and everyone settles like obedient pups. "Tell the court what happened," Aldrich orders me. I inhale deeply, my gaze sweeping across the gathered Alphas and Betas. These men who never took me seriously. Who thought my dreams were just the ramblings of an overactive imagination. "I had a premonition." "A silly dream, you mean?" Alpha King Aldrich muses, and the court chuckles. My jaw tightens so hard I'm surprised my teeth don't crack. He wants to belittle me, he always does. Ever since I was little, all other beta children would fight before him and he'd praise them—even when I beat them soundly in the training ring. But me? He saw the need to bring me down at every turn. Remind me that I had a limit for how far I could dream, how much I could want. "Why does he feel the need to put us down? We don't pose a threat to him," my wolf, Emogen, growls in my mind. "Sometimes the Alpha King can be a dick," I reply internally. "What was that, Seraphine?" King Aldrich raises a brow. Shit. Had I spoken aloud? Impossible, he can't hear my thoughts. "Nothing," I mutter, feeling heat creep up my neck. He waves a hand. "Then go on. Tell us about this dream." The mockery in his voice is unmistakable. I steady myself, digging my nails into my palms. "It was a nightmare, like the others. I saw a man pouring wolfsbane into the ceremonial wine at the courthouse. A maid served it to everyone present—my father, my brothers, the pack members, and our warriors. They drank, unaware of the poison seeping into their veins. Then, the man struck." A hush falls over the room. Even King Aldrich stops smiling. "Weakened, they could not fight at full strength. He slaughtered most of them, then left the dirty work for the army waiting at the woods for his command. When I woke, I ran to my father. I told him everything." I pause, swallowing the shame lodged in my throat. "But no one believed me. They never do." The silence is deafening. I can see it in their eyes—the uncomfortable realization that if they had listened, maybe this massacre could have been prevented. "My father put me on protective duty at the tower, far from the courthouse," I continue, the bitterness clear in my voice. "They remained, unguarded, surrounded by nothing but open terrain. No one expected an attack. But a rogue spying through the woods must have seen an opportunity." I exhale slowly. "By the time I arrived, it was too late. The massacre was complete. I fought the assassin, but when I realized my mother was still alive, I had to make a choice—die fighting him and the army outside or save my mother and live to fight another day." A murmur ripples through the court. The truth is undeniable now, and it sits heavy in the air. "We must move carefully," King Aldrich states, stroking his beard. "The Lycans will not act without undeniable proof of Southern aggression. Until then, we must be strategic." "Strategic? That's another way of saying we will wait," my wolf says, her anger matching my own. "Wait while the Southern Kingdom regroups. Wait while they strengthen their forces. Wait while they prepare to finish what they started." My hands curl into fists so tight my knuckles turn white. My father would not have waited. He would have charged into battle, sword drawn, ready to avenge our fallen. "What would you have me do?" I ask, struggling to maintain a calm voice despite the rage burning inside me. All I want to do is fight. Not just for revenge but to protect what's left of my kingdom. King Aldrich studies me for a long moment. "You are the last heir of the Velkan bloodline. You are a warrior—perhaps the best we have." Is that... respect in his voice? After all these years? "You will remain here," he continues. "You will train. And when the time comes, you will lead as beta. You will take on your father's position while your mother rests and mourns the death of your father and brothers." I think of my father, my brothers, my pack. The blood staining the castle floors. The rogue's smirk as he told me to run. The howls in the distance, signaling that this was only the beginning. I lower my head in acceptance, but inside, I'm seething. More waiting. More training. As if I haven't been training my entire life for this moment. The Alpha King steps down from his throne, walking down the steps to meet me where I kneel. Everyone watches with wide eyes. This isn't normal protocol. My heart pounds so loud I'm sure everyone can hear it. He pulls out his sword and lifts it high. Around us, the gathered court watches in silence. Betas from every pack in the kingdom, warriors who have fought and bled for this kingdom—everyone is watching me. "Do you, Seraphine Velkan, swear to take up the mantle of your father as head royal beta? To serve your Alpha King and defend the Northern Kingdom with your life?" "I do." My voice doesn't break, but my mind races. After years of being sidelined, after years of being the crazy girl with the visions, I'm finally being given what I've always wanted—but at what cost? "Do you swear to honor the fallen, to avenge the innocent, and to wield your strength in protection of our people?" "I swear it," I say, chin up, shoulders back. "I will fight under your command, My King. I will take my father's place: not just for him, but for every soul lost at the start of this war. Wherever you send me, I will go. Whatever battle you call me to, I will fight." The Alpha King lowers the blade toward my shoulder, ready to complete the ceremony… but suddenly- The hall doors burst open with a bang that echoes through the chamber. A gasp ripples through the court as my mother steps inside, standing tall despite her pallor. My breath catches when I see her. She's okay now, she'd healed quickly after the poison left her system. If only I'd gotten there soon enough to save the rest. "No," she says, her voice cutting through the silence. "I will not give my blessing." She turns to the Alpha King, limping forward but with her head held high. "I've seen what this title does. I have lost everything to it—my husband, my sons. The title of beta has taken them from me, and I will not let it take my daughter too." My mother's words shock everyone, but no one more than me. I feel like I've been slapped. I've waited for this moment almost all my life. I've trained to be the beta, never knowing I'd actually get it. And now the person standing between me and my right to battle, my chance at revenge, is my mother. "Make your decision," the Alpha King commands me, his eyes narrowed. "Will you take up this title without your mother's blessing?" The court waits, breathless. And I'm stuck between the revenge I crave and the last family I have left. What will I choose?