Chapter 4
Ember's POV
Two days later, the entire Blood Moon pack bustled with preparations to welcome the Iron Claw delegation.
I stood by the sacred fire, adding wood, my heart dead as ash. Ever since hearing Darius's words, I'd been like a walking corpse.
Horns sounded in the distance, followed by ground tremors.
She was here.
I dropped the firewood and walked toward the pack gates. Even knowing this would hurt more, I still wanted to see this "perfect" woman.
Everyone had gathered at the gates. Darius and the elders stood at the front while pack members excitedly discussed the arriving Iron Claw princess.
I squeezed into the back of the crowd, standing on tiptoe to see.
A squadron of powerful werewolf warriors appeared—tall, muscular, each radiating formidable aura.
Then I saw the figure at the center of their formation.
Princess Lyra Goldclaw.
My breathing stopped.
Golden hair, flawless features, and most terrifying of all—the aura she emanated. Even in human form, I could feel the horrifying dominance unique to golden wolf bloodline.
"God... she's so strong..."
"This is the Iron Claw princess..."
"Alpha Darius and she are truly a match made in heaven..."
Every word stabbed my heart. Looking at Lyra in the distance, then thinking of my own frail body, self-loathing drowned me like a tidal wave.
Lyra approached the welcoming crowd, flashing a perfect smile upon seeing Darius. His expression visibly softened too.
They were absolutely perfect together, I thought bitterly.
"Welcome the Iron Claw princess!" Elder Aldric announced loudly. "Tonight we hold a grand welcoming feast!"
Night fell, and the banquet hall blazed with bonfires.
As the lowest-ranking wolf, I served tea and water, observing them up close. The hall was decorated in authentic werewolf style—a massive bonfire burned in the center, animal skulls hung on walls, and roasted meat scented the air.
At the head table, Darius and Lyra sat side by side, both so powerful, so radiant.
"The princess's golden wolf bloodline is so pure."
"I heard she could single-handedly hunt adult buffalo at fifteen."
"Her union with Alpha Darius will surely produce the strongest offspring."
"The ancient prophecy speaks of exactly this kind of marriage."
I stole glances at the head table, where Lyra conversed with Darius, her every gesture radiating the charisma of a true leader. Darius looked at her with admiration—an expression I'd never seen before.
Suddenly, Elder Aldric rose, raising his goblet.
"My fellow pack members! Tonight we welcome Iron Claw pack's mightiest warrior, the purest bloodline heir!"
"The Moon Devourer threat grows more serious. According to prophecy, only the strongest bloodline union can save our world! Alpha Darius's red wolf bloodline and Princess Lyra's golden wolf bloodline will birth hope against the darkness!"
Thunderous applause erupted.
"Therefore, I announce that Alpha Darius and Princess Lyra's bonding ceremony will be held in three days, on the night of the blood moon!"
The hall instantly erupted. Everyone cheered and celebrated.
Only I—my goblet CRASHED to the floor.
The sharp shattering sound cut through the cheers like a knife. Everyone turned to look at me, including Darius and Lyra at the head table.
I frantically crouched to collect the shards, my finger getting cut, golden-red drops falling to the ground. But the pain in my heart had numbed all physical sensation.
In three days... they would be bonded.
The next afternoon, howls and cheers echoed from the training grounds.
Curiosity drove me over. The grounds were packed with spectators watching an intense sparring match.
"Princess's combat skills are incredible!"
"Look at her technique—absolutely perfect!"
I squeezed to the back of the crowd, seeing the scene in the center.
Lyra was sparring with our pack's strongest Beta warrior, Thomas. She'd already shifted into golden wolf form, her massive, majestic body gleaming in the sunlight.
Thomas was also in wolf form, but compared to Lyra, he looked like a child. Her every attack was precise and powerful, her speed dazzling.
"BANG!"
Lyra executed a side tackle, pinning Thomas to the ground. Her claws stopped at his throat—victory decided.
"Well fought." Lyra elegantly returned to human form, not even breathing hard, showing no fatigue whatsoever.
The crowd exploded with enthusiastic applause and howls.
"Truly the Iron Claw princess!"
"This is golden wolf bloodline power!"
"Perfect match for our Alpha!"
Thomas awkwardly climbed to his feet—he was our pack's elite warrior, yet Lyra had defeated him effortlessly. This was the difference bloodline made.
Just then, a malicious voice sounded behind me. "Since the princess is so powerful, why don't we have our 'lifesaver' try too?"
I spun around to see Diana staring at me with pure venom.
"Diana, what do you want?" I instinctively stepped back.
"Nothing much, just want to see how capable the sickly wolf who saved our Alpha really is." Diana's smile turned vicious. "Come on, let's spar."
"I don't want to fight you..."
"What? Scared?" Diana's voice grew louder, attracting attention. "Or do you only play hero when the Alpha's injured?"
The surrounding crowd began jeering.
"Diana, teach that sickly wolf a lesson!"
"Show her what real strength means!"
I wanted to run, but Diana had already begun shifting. Her wolf form was a standard brown wolf—inferior to golden bloodline but far stronger than me.
Worse, she gave me no time to prepare, lunging straight at me!
"Diana! STOP!" I screamed, but it was too late.
Facing mortal danger, my body instinctively began shifting. Agonizing pain struck instantly, like millions of needles piercing bone, but I gritted my teeth and endured.
Seconds later, a small gray wolf appeared on the training grounds.
Compared to Diana's brown wolf, I looked like a malnourished pup.
Diana mercilessly lunged for my throat. I barely dodged but still got clawed across the shoulder.
"This is your so-called hero?" Diana's mind-voice echoed mockingly in everyone's heads. "Look at your pathetic state!"
"I didn't want to fight you!" My trembling voice transmitted. "Stop!"
But Diana ignored me, attacking again. This time her claws raked deep across my hind leg—I could barely stand from the pain.
The watching crowd erupted in excited cheers.
"Ha! This is sickly wolf strength!"
"Look at that gap!"
"Absolutely hilarious!"
"BEG for mercy!" Diana's triumphant voice rang out. "Get on your knees and beg me to stop!"
"I... I won't..." I gritted my teeth, supporting myself despite bleeding all over, refusing to submit before so many people.
Diana flew into rage, opening her massive jaws to bite my neck.
In that instant, I saw Darius in the crowd.
His expression had changed, brows furrowed, his hand seeming to move but ultimately clenching into a fist as he remained motionless.
In that moment, my heart shattered completely.
He truly didn't care if I lived or died.
Diana's teeth were about to reach my neck—I closed my eyes in despair.
Suddenly, a black shadow flashed past, sending Diana flying.
A magnificent black wolf appeared before me, purple eyes burning with furious flames.
Kai.
"ENOUGH!" Kai's mind-voice carried deadly threat. "Touch her again and I'll KILL you!"
Diana scrambled up, seeing Kai's terrifying gaze, immediately shifting back to human form in fear.
"Kai... I... I was only..."
"Leave." Kai also returned to human form, his voice cold as ice. "Let me see you bullying her again, and face the consequences."
Diana slunk away as the crowd gradually dispersed.
I collapsed on the ground, covered in blood, nearly fainting from pain after returning to human form.
Kai knelt down, gently lifting me. "Are you alright?"
I shook my head, tears flowing despite myself. Not from physical pain, but from the despair in my heart.
When I needed him most, Darius had chosen to stand by and watch.