Chapter 2

Seraphina's POV

The next day at noon, the council chamber.

I stood on the raised platform, looking down at the sea of seats below. Iron Blood Legion generals, pack leaders, and all members of the imperial council had gathered here.

Last night's blood donation had left me severely weakened, but I had to use what strength remained to begin my plan of redemption.

My inner wolf sensed my resolve and whimpered anxiously. It knew that after today, everything would change.

"Everyone." I began, my voice echoing through the vast hall. "I've gathered you here today to announce an important decision."

The crowd perked up, expecting me to announce new conquest plans.

"I hereby declare," I took a deep breath, "the immediate dissolution of the Moonlight Empire and restoration of independence to all packs. This is my only atonement for the sins of conquest."

Dead silence.

Then—

"WHAT?!"

"My Queen, have you lost your mind?!"

"This is impossible!"

The entire hall exploded into chaos.

General Marcus of the Iron Blood Legion was the first to kneel, tears in his eyes. "My Queen! Are you going to destroy our thousand-year legacy? The empire our ancestors built with their blood—you'd abandon it all overnight?"

Other generals knelt as well, some crying, others roaring in anger.

"Your Majesty, you cannot do this!" Young General Leo's voice shook. "The empire is everything to us! Without it, we are nothing!"

"You've betrayed the royal bloodline's heritage!" another general shouted furiously. "How can you face our fallen kings?"

Garrett, leader of the Blackwood clan, stared at me suspiciously. "Seraphina, what game are you playing? Is this some new conspiracy?"

"A tyrant is always a tyrant," came an aged voice from the Grey Wolf leader. "I'm eighty years old, and I've never seen a conqueror truly repent. This must be some bigger trap!"

"Exactly!" other leaders chimed in. "She definitely has some scheme!"

"Probably trying to lure us in, then eliminate us all!"

I listened quietly to these accusations, my heart dead as ash. I knew they wouldn't believe me. After all, I was the conqueror, their nightmare for ten years.

"I have no conspiracy." I said calmly. "I just want... to atone."

"Atone?" General Marcus cried harder. "My Queen, what sins do you need to atone for? You are our pride! You conquered the entire continent and built an unprecedented great empire!"

"Great?" I smiled bitterly. "How many families did I destroy? How many people did I force into submission? Is that greatness?"

"But you unified the continent! Ended the wars!" Leo said passionately. "Without you, this place would remain forever divided!"

"Then let it be divided."

Suddenly, an ice-cold voice rang out.

Everyone turned toward the sound—Lysander leaned against the doorframe, blue eyes full of mockery.

"Continue your performance, Seraphina." He walked in slowly. "This fake mercy is more disgusting than direct conquest."

His words stabbed my heart, but I struggled to remain calm. "This isn't a performance, Lysander."

"Not a performance?" He approached me, eyes narrowing. "Then tell me, why the sudden change of heart? Did you achieve enlightenment during last night's bloodletting?"

Whispers rippled through the crowd. Everyone knew about my monthly blood offerings to Delphine.

"I just want to do the right thing." I fought to keep my voice steady.

"The right thing?" Lysander threw back his head and laughed. "A conqueror, a murderer, suddenly wants to do the right thing? Who do you think will believe that?"

"Whether I believe it doesn't matter." I stepped down from the throne. "What matters is that I've decided. From today, all groups are independent. You're free."

"Free?" Leader Garrett sneered. "You think dissolving the empire makes us free? Enemies lurk everywhere—without imperial protection, we'll be picked off one by one!"

"He's right!" other leaders agreed. "Enemy spies are everywhere. If we're divided, they'll just exploit us!"

"That's your choice to make." I said flatly. "I won't force anyone anymore."

General Marcus suddenly stood up, drawing his sword and pointing it at himself. "My Queen, if you insist on this mad decision, please kill me first! I refuse to watch the empire's destruction!"

"Me too!" Other generals drew their swords as well.

"STOP!" I shouted, my inner wolf letting out a threatening roar. "All of you, STOP!"

The royal bloodline's pressure instantly suppressed everyone. But I felt something draining from my body—my power was weakening.

"My Queen..." General Marcus's voice trembled. "Please reconsider..."

"Impossible." I said firmly. "My mind is made. The council is dissolved. The empire exists no more."

I turned toward the exit, each step like walking on blade edges. Behind me came cries, roars, accusations—like arrows piercing my heart.

But I didn't look back.

That evening, I sat in my private study, candlelight dim. Chief Advisor Elder entered, his face grave.

"My Queen, do you really intend to do this?" His aged voice carried deep concern. "Dissolving the empire will sever your ancient bloodline's power source. Your body has already begun weakening."

I looked down at my hands. The once-smooth skin had grown rough, nails losing their luster. More of my hair had turned white.

"I know."

"You DON'T know!" Elder grew agitated. "Without the empire's support, your bloodline will completely drain! You'll die!"

My inner wolf sensed the threat and grew restless, pacing within me.

"Death is fine." I said calmly. "I only have a few days left anyway."

"What do you mean?" Elder's eyes widened.

I didn't answer, only gazed out the window. The moon had grown fuller, its blood-red glow eerie yet beautiful.

"Any news from outside?" I changed the subject.

Elder sighed. "More enemy spies arrive daily. They're watching, waiting for our internal chaos. Pack leaders are all waiting too—none believe your sincerity. The generals..." He paused. "The generals are considering a coup."

"A coup?" I laughed coldly. "They want to overthrow me?"

"General Marcus says that for the empire's future, they must stop your mad decision."

I stood and walked to the window. The sun was setting, and hurried footsteps echoed throughout the palace. The entire empire was in turmoil, like a pot about to boil over.

"Let them." I said softly. "This is what you wanted, isn't it, Lysander? Your people's freedom, even if I must pay everything for it."

Outside, the blood moon rose, beginning the second night.

I had five days left.