The days that followed were a blur of tension and unspoken words. Liora's world had been upended, and she found herself caught between the life she had known and the life that awaited her—one full of secrets, prophecies, and a power she couldn't yet understand. Kasian was a constant presence in her thoughts, his words echoing through her mind with every passing moment. And yet, no matter how much she longed to confront him again, the fear of what she might discover kept her silent.
But silence wasn't something the kingdom could afford. The world around her had started to shift, and the cold winds of war were beginning to stir. The peace that had once seemed unbreakable was now fragile, held together by nothing more than the fragile threads of diplomacy. The Lycan King's kingdom was restless, and the threats of rebellion, betrayal, and war seemed to linger in every shadow.
Liora couldn't ignore it any longer. She had to face the truth, whatever it might be. She needed to find answers—not just for herself, but for everyone who depended on her. And so, after days of stewing in uncertainty, she made her decision.
She would go to Kasian. She would make him tell her everything.
The palace had become more like a prison lately. The halls were quieter than usual, and the whispers of servants and courtiers alike seemed to vanish as soon as Liora entered a room. She could feel their eyes on her—the weight of expectations, of suspicion, of power.
The Lycan King's wedding was just days away. The ceremony would be an extravagant affair, the culmination of years of political maneuvering. And Liora, as much as she hated the idea, was to be the central figure in it. She had to marry him. She had to become his queen.
But before she could step into that role, before she could claim her place as the bride of the Lycan King, Liora had to know the truth. And the only way to get it was to face Kasian.
Her resolve hardened, and with a determined breath, she walked through the palace halls toward his chambers. The air felt heavy, charged with anticipation. She had no idea what she was walking into, but for the first time in her life, she felt like she was finally taking control of her destiny.
When she reached his door, her heart pounded in her chest. She hesitated for just a moment, wondering if she should turn back. But then the thought of the unknown future—of the forced marriage, of the prophecy, of the lies—pushed her forward.
Without knocking, she opened the door.
Kasian stood by the window, his back to her, looking out at the stormy sky. He didn't turn around at the sound of her entrance, but his posture tensed ever so slightly, as though he had been expecting her. The room was dark, save for the soft glow of the fireplace in the corner. Books were scattered across the desk, papers filled with notes and scribblings that spoke of plans and strategies.
"You're here," Kasian said, his voice deep and calm, but there was an undercurrent of something darker beneath the words. He finally turned around to face her, his piercing eyes locking with hers. "I was wondering when you'd come."
Liora swallowed her nerves. She couldn't afford to back down now. "I need answers, Kasian," she said, her voice steady despite the storm raging in her heart. "You can't keep hiding the truth from me. I need to know what's going on. What's this prophecy you've been talking about? And why me? Why am I the one tied to it?"
Kasian's expression remained unreadable, but his gaze softened slightly as he stepped toward her. "I didn't want you to get caught up in this," he said quietly. "You're not just a pawn in this game, Liora. You're more than that. But sometimes, the truth is too dangerous to reveal. And I didn't want to drag you into it—into all of this chaos."
Liora's frustration bubbled to the surface. "You've been dragging me into it since the day I was born," she snapped. "You've been part of my life for as long as I can remember. How much longer were you planning to keep me in the dark?"
Kasian took a deep breath, as though weighing his next words carefully. "You're right," he said finally. "But the truth is complicated. It's not just about bloodlines or prophecies. It's about power—power that can change everything. The prophecy speaks of the one who will bring balance to the kingdom. And that one is you."
Liora's heart skipped a beat at his words. "Me?" she repeated, her voice barely a whisper. "How?"
Kasian's gaze grew darker. "The bloodline of the Lycanthrope King is powerful, but it's fragmented. The prophecy speaks of a second bloodline, one that will unite the fractured pieces and bring harmony to the land. But that bloodline hasn't been seen in generations—until now."
Liora felt a wave of dizziness wash over her, but she forced herself to stay steady. "But I'm just… me. I'm just Liora. How could I be part of something like that?"
Kasian stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "You don't understand yet, but you will. The blood you carry is not just royal. It's ancient. It's the blood of the first Lycan king, the one who founded the kingdom centuries ago. And you—" He paused, his voice softening. "You are the key to bringing that power back."
Liora's mind reeled. The first Lycan king? The very thought felt impossible, like something out of a dream. Her entire life had been built on lies, and now, it seemed that her true identity was tied to something far more dangerous than she could have ever imagined.
"And the prophecy?" she asked, her voice trembling. "What happens if I fail? What happens if I can't—"
"There's no 'failing,' Liora," Kasian said, cutting her off gently. "The prophecy is not about choice. It's about destiny. You will either fulfill it, or the kingdom will fall into ruin. There's no in-between."
The weight of his words hung in the air, heavy and oppressive. Liora felt as though the ground beneath her was crumbling away, leaving her with no choice but to move forward, no matter how uncertain or terrifying the path ahead might be.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The crackling fire in the corner filled the silence, and the storm outside seemed to mirror the turmoil inside Liora's heart. She didn't know what to say, didn't know what to think. She only knew one thing for certain—her life had changed in ways she could never have prepared for.
Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "What now?"
Kasian's gaze softened, and for the first time, Liora saw a flicker of something—an emotion he hadn't shown before. "Now," he said quietly, "now we prepare for what's to come. And we face it together."
Liora nodded slowly, her mind still reeling. But she knew, deep down, that there was no turning back. The prophecy had chosen her, and whatever it held, she would have to face it. The storm was coming, and there was no escaping it now.
But with Kasian by her side, maybe—just maybe—she would find a way to survive it.