Chapter 10

  Koa

  Koa was walking down to the flower field, his mind red as he kept pacing forward.

  Why is she doing this? He thought, sub-consciously trotting faster. He looked up, realizing the trees had parted. He glanced around at the flower field, something that was once so full with life, now dark and abandoned. His eyes fell on the familiar cherry blossom tree glistening in the moonlight beautifully. He walked over and sat under it, lifting his snout and catching the scents within the calm breeze. He closed his eyes, focusing on the scents and the calm night time sounds. The quiet cricket chirping, the sounds of the nearby stream, the occasional hoot of an owl, the far away screaming of Celeste and Kane. Wait, WHAT?

  His ears perked immediately, his eyes shooting open again as he sat up abruptly. What was that? He thought, listening again. There it was, clearly Celeste and Kane. He started running towards the sound, pushing aside branches and leaping over bushes. He ran and saw the usual guards standing at the entrance. He watched their faces flash with guilt and defiance as they moved to block the entrance with their swords as he approached. He skidded to a stop, ears pinned as he stopped right before the swords.

  “What are you guys doing?” Koa asked, ears still pressed to his head.

  The guards didn’t respond, still blocking his way.

  “You aren’t allowed in this territory rouge.”

  The first guard snapped in his face, making Koa flinch back as he did.

  “What is wrong with you?” He said, backing up slowly as he did.

  “Queen’s orders, now back up before we throw you in the cell with the betraying royal and rouge.” The second guard said, stepping forward menacingly.

  “Okay okay!” He stepped away slowly.

  “Don’t come back,” another guard stepped out from the cave, more authority but smaller than Koa. Who is that? Koa thought, confused. He kept backing up, observing the guard.

  Koa ran off back to the forest, mind racing.

  What is going on?!

  Celeste

  Kane paced back and forth through the cell, his ears pinned to his head and positioned to the side. Celeste was sitting in the corner on the cold stone floor, her mind racing through the possibilities. What happened? She thought before realizing.

  Wait…Koa’s not in here? Oh moons…what did he do… She facepalmed visibly and Kane stopped pacing momentarily. He looked at her, his face laced with confusion and curiosity.

  “What’s on your mind?” He asked softly, walking over and sitting down next to her.

  Celeste sighed. “I was just thinking....Koa isn't here with us. So I wonder if he has anything to do with why Alexandra is acting up all of a sudden…” She replied as Kane listened, nodding softly. Kane paused for a moment, trying to recollect the memory of Alexandra’s outburst. Celeste was staring at the floor with thoughtful and worried eyes. “She mentioned something about betrayal maybe?” Kane offered, his tone skeptical. “Betrayal..?” Celeste said, confusion flickering along her face.

  The damp chill of the dungeon seeped into Celeste’s fur, but it was nothing compared to the cold dread and hopelessness settling in her stomach. Outside their heavy iron bars, the rhythmic footsteps of the guards echoed like a ticking clock.

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  "She kept saying we used her," Kane whispered, his voice cracking. "She looked at me like I was a stranger. Onyx was right there, whispering in her ear. I don’t know what he said…. Something’s off with him…” Kane muttered.

  Celeste stood up, her claws clicking against the stone. "We can’t just sit here. If Alexandra thinks we betrayed her, and Koa is still out there somewhere... he’s going to try to reach her. And with the way the guards are acting, they won't just stop him. They'll kill him."

  “Agreed,” Kane said as he stood up as well.

  Koa

  Koa didn't go back to the cherry blossom tree. He circled the perimeter of the cave entrance, his garnet-red aura beginning to pulse with every heartbeat. He knew these tunnels—he and Celeste had spent weeks mapping them during the rebellion.

  He found what he was looking for: a narrow ventilation shaft hidden behind a thicket of brambles. It was a tight squeeze for a wolf of his size, but he didn't care. As he pushed through, the red glow of his sword's hilt illuminated the jagged rock.

  I'm coming, Alex, he thought, his jaw tightening. I don't care what that guard told you. I'm not letting you turn into her. He stepped forward, determination across his face in the dark.

  Alexandra

  In the dim, flickering light of the war room, the atmosphere was thick with the scent of old parchment and cold stone. Onyx stood by the massive oak table, his eyes fixed on the map of the Iron-Ridge. He wasn't rushing; he knew that to truly bend Alexandra to his will, he had to let the seed of doubt grow at its own pace.

  "It’s the timing of it all, Princess," Onyx said softly, his voice echoing with a forced, fatherly concern. He traced a claw along the border where the caves met the forest. "Doesn't it seem... convenient? The Loners have been silent for years. Then, the moment the rogues enter our halls and sit at our table, the Rouge wolves suddenly turn violent?"

  Alexandra looked at the map, her brows furrowing. "You think they’re connected?"

  "I think it’s a classic pincer move," Onyx replied, stepping closer until he was just over her shoulder. "Think about it. Celeste and Koa know these tunnels better than anyone. They know our weaknesses. What if the 'rebellion' wasn't about liberation, but about destabilizing the crown so their allies in the mountains could move in for the kill?"

  He paused, letting the implication hang in the air. "I saw how Koa looked at the ridgeline today. He wasn't looking at it with fear, Alexandra. He was looking at it with expectation."

  Alexandra felt a cold shiver run down her spine. "But they helped us. They fought my mother."

  "Because they wanted her out of the way," Onyx countered smoothly. "A tyrant is hard to manipulate. A young, kind-hearted Princess? Much easier. If they can convince you to lower the guard, the Loners walk right through the front door, and the rogues welcome them as 'liberators.' They don’t want a council, Alexandra. They want an occupation."

  He leaned in, his voice dropping to a low, convincing hum. "Why else would Koa be out in the forest right now instead of by your side? He’s signaling them. While you’re in here trying to be a diplomat, he’s out there acting as a scout for the enemy."

  Alexandra looked at the heavy doors leading toward the dungeons, then back at the map. The sincerity she had seen in Koa’s eyes now felt like a mask. The warmth of the flower field seemed like a distant, manipulative dream.

  "They’re using my trust against me," she whispered, her voice hardening.

  "Exactly," Onyx said, his eyes gleaming. "And as long as Celeste and Kane are 'safe' in their rooms, they can coordinate the strike from within. You must secure the borders, Princess. If the rogues and the Loners are indeed working together, we cannot afford to wait for the first strike. We must show them that the Royal line cannot be outmaneuvered."

  Alexandra straightened her posture, the icy resolve of her mother finally settling over her features. "Double the sentries at the ventilation shafts. If any wolf—rogue or Loner—crosses the Stonefang line, they are to be treated as an invading force."

  Onyx bowed low, hiding the predatory smirk that pulled at his lips. "A wise and necessary precaution, my Queen. I shall oversee the deployment myself."

  Alexandra nodded at him, watching him walk away.

  Onyx walked out of the room, his mind already grimly pleased with himself.

  God, this princess is so gullible and dumb, this will be too easy…

  End of chapter 10