To Slay A Wolf King

Chapter 1: Dying Breath

The marble floor of the hall felt like ice against my cheek as I tried to lift my head but the heavy heel of a werewolf guard ground my face back into the stone. The metallic taste of my blood filled my mouth.

“Look at her “ a sharp mocking voice purred from above.

Brenda stepped into my fading line of sight. Her silver she-wolf ears twitched with amusement as she played with the collar of Lucius's robe. She wasn't wearing her warrior armor anymore. She didn't need to. She had won.

“She actually believed you,Lucius,” Brenda laughed. With her eyes gleaming with malice. “She thought a worthless human could share a throne with a god.”

Lucius didn't look at Brenda, instead his golden eyes that were already empty of warmth were glued to me. He held the broadsword I had gifted him on our wedding day. the very blade my people had forged as a symbol of our peace.

“You served your purpose, Tiana, “ Lucius said. “The human rebels laid down their arms because they trusted their little Luna. They thought they were safe.. Cattle are never safe from wolves.”

I swallowed the blood in my throat. forcing my cracked lips to move. “I gave you... Everything. We built a treaty.”

“A treaty?” Brenda burst out laughing. She steps forward to kick my ribs. The pain flared hot and blinding. “You stupid girl. The treaty was a leash. While you sat in your greenhouse pretending to be a queen our packs were quietly taking over your farmlands. Your people are already in chains mining the silver you used to fight us with.”

My heart shattered. I thought of my sister, Lyra and my loyal soldiers. I had led them into a slaughterhouse. I had trusted a monster.

“Why?” I choked out. “Why kill me now?”

“Because you have nothing left to give,” Lucius replied coldly as He raised the silver broadsword. “The human resistance is broken. A human Luna is no longer a necessity. It's time to clean the palace.”

“Lucius, please let me do it” Brenda begged. “Let me taste the blood of the great rebel leader.”

“No,” Lucius snapped. “ It is only fitting that she dies by the blade she gave me.”

I stopped fighting. I locked my gaze onto Lucius as I gathered every ounce of strength

“If there is hell “ I whispered, “I will drag myself out of it. If I have to live a thousand lives Lucius I will spend every one of them planning your destruction.”

Brenda scoffed. “Dying words from a little monkey. Do it Alpha.”

Lucius swung the blade down.

It was an instantaneous pain . A hot searing line across my neck. Then came the cold.

The world began to blur. The bright lights faded into grey as my lungs burned. And my fingers twitched against the stone.

“I will kill you” my mind screamed. “I will tear your empire apart brick by brick. I will trust no one. I will never love again. I will make you bleed.”

The silence swallowed me whole. My heart gave one thud and stopped.

A violent gasp ripped out of my throat as my eyes flew open. I bolted upright. My hands flew to my neck.

There was nothing. Smooth unbroken skin.

I was panting heavily. My chest heaved as air rushed into my lungs. I looked around. It was canvas. Heavy dark green canvas.

I scrambled backward on a cot. I looked down at my clothes. I wasn't wearing my silk Luna gown. I was in leather armor stained with dirt and dried mud.

“Commander?” a voice called out.

The word hit me like a blow. “Commander.” No one had called me that in five years.

The heavy flap of the tent pushed open. A young man stepped inside. He held a tray with a cup of water and a plate of stale bread. He had a scar across his eyebrow. He wore the blue uniform of the Southern Human Rebellion.

“Jake” I breathed as my voice trembled.

Jake froze as he looked at me with confusion and worry. He set the tray down.

“Are you alright Commander Tiana? You look like you've seen a ghost. You were screaming in your sleep.”

I couldn't speak. I stared at him. Jake had died. Lucius had sent him on a suicide mission.

“What day is it?” I interrupted.

“It's... It's Tuesday, Commander. The thirteenth of May.”

“The year, Jake. What is the year?”

“It's... Well it's five years since the Great Treaty War started “ he said slowly.

The Red Valley border.

My heart hammered against my ribs. This was the day. This was the morning Alpha Lucius sent an envoy requesting a ceasefire and a personal meeting.

I let go of his wrist. I stood up. My legs shook slightly as I walked over to a mirror.

I looked at my reflection. My face was younger. I was twenty-two years old again.

I had gone back. The vow I made in my dying breath, the universe had actually listened.

“Commander,” Jake said. “The scouts just returned from the perimeter. You need to come to the command tent.”

My mind spun as I turned around

“Did they find something?” I asked.

“Yes,” Jake nodded. “A werewolf convoy. They're carrying a flag of truce. The rider, at the claims to be the personal messenger of Alpha Lucius himself. He wants a parley. He says the Alpha wants to end the bloodshed and discuss a partnership.”

A cold mean smile crept onto my face. It was starting. The same trap, set up in the way. In my life I had cried tears of relief when I heard this news. I had gathered my captains told them our sacrifices had finally made the beasts respect us and walked into that meeting room with a heart.

Not this time.

"Tell the captains to meet in the tent " I ordered, with a low and commanding voice. Jake straightened up. ". Jake?"

"Yes Commander?"

"Double the guards on our weapons storage. Don't let anyone from the perimeter near our silver supplies. Not even our own scouts."

Jake looked confused but he saluted. " Right Away Tiana."

He. Hurried out of the tent letting in a gust of cold morning air.

I walked over to my footlocker. Opened it. On top of my uniform was my favorite weapon, a well-balanced dual-blade set with silver crossguards. I picked them up feeling the weight in my hands.

In my life I laid these exact swords down at Luciuss feet during our wedding ceremony as a gesture of trust. I remembered how he smiled, picking them up and praising my bravery while his mistress watched from the front row already planning which human villages to burn.

I put the blades back in their sheaths my teeth grinding together.

"You think I'm that naive girl, Lucius " I whispered to the empty tent. "You think you're going to walk in here, flash your eyes, talk about a beautiful world where wolves and humans live as equals and watch me fall to my knees."

I walked toward the exit with my boots thudding against the dirt floor. With every step my fear and confusion burned away replaced by rage. I knew every move he was going to make. I knew his weaknesses, his secret supply lines and the traitors in my camp.

I was no longer a victim. I was the one in control.

I pushed the tent flap open. Stepped out into the bright sunlight of the rebel camp. The smell of woodsmoke and damp earth hit my nose. Dozens of soldiers were moving around sharpening swords tending to wounds looking exhausted. They didn't know that in a hours a monster would offer them a fake peace.

I walked toward the command tent scanning the perimeter.

Just as I reached the entrance a loud commotion broke out near the barricade. Horns blew, three bursts. The signal, for an approaching party.

"Commander Tiana!" a lookout shouted from the watchtower pointing toward the valley line. "They're here! The werewolf envoy has crossed the river!"

I stopped, turning my head toward the tree line. Emerging from the grey morning mist were five black-furred wolves walking on all fours. At the front of the pack rode a man on a stallion whose posture regal his silver armor polished.

From this distance I could see the glow of his golden eyes.

It was him. Lucius didn't just send an envoy. He had come to the border personally.

My fingers wrapped around the hilts of my silver blades. My heart beat steady and slow. The game had begun and this time I was ready.