Chapter 1 The fall of peace

Cha-1-Renee

The evening was cool as I walked beside my father through the garden. The path was quiet, and I could smell flowers and fresh earth. It should have been a peaceful walk, but deep down, I knew what was coming.

“You’ve been keeping up with your training, haven’t you?” my father asked suddenly. “I know I haven’t had time to monitor things myself, but I hope you’re not giving your tutor headaches or skipping sessions.”

I nodded quickly and forced a smile. “Absolutely not,” I lied. “I’ve been doing great.”

The truth was, I hadn’t trained at all this week, not once, and it was already Thursday.

He turned and looked me directly in the face. His eyes were like he could see straight through me. For a moment, I wondered if he already knew.

But he didn’t push it. Instead, he started one of his talks. The kind that always began with “Listen carefully, Renee” and ended with me feeling like I’d just walked through a thunderstorm of wisdom and guilt.

“You know why I’ve insisted so much on you getting your mind trained, don’t you?” he asked.

I gave a small nod, not really in the mood for another lecture. But he went on anyway.

“Leading people is not simple,” he said. “It’s not just about power or status. It’s about understanding. Understanding how people think, how they respond, and how they change. That’s why I’ve made you read history, study diplomacy, and explore both human and werewolf psychology. It wasn’t just for knowledge. It was preparation.”

I glanced at him, quietly surprised. I didn’t expect this direction.

“I’ve been grooming you to lead, Renee. To one day sit where I sit as the queen,” he continued. “But brains alone aren’t enough. Mental strength must be matched by physical strength. That’s why your training matters.”

He stopped walking and faced me fully.

“Men won’t follow a sharp mind alone,” he said. “They need to believe that when words fail, their leader can fight for them. And because you’re a woman, they’ll need even more proof. That’s the burden and the beauty of fate. You must do it better than the best.”

His words sank in deeper than I expected. I felt a twist of guilt stir in my stomach. Not just because I lied but because I realized he believed in me far more than I believed in myself.

I looked down at the garden path, ashamed. But before I could speak, he placed a hand on my shoulder.

“I know you’ve been skipping,” he said quietly. “I’ve always known. But I also know you’ll get back on track.”

I looked up, blinking nervously. “I love you, Dad,” I whispered.

He didn’t say it back right away. He just smiled.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he said, “The Elders are waiting. I’ll see you later.”

I watched him disappear into his quarters, and I turned and headed back to my room.

Later that night, I was in my room, lying on the bed with a book in my hand. It was a human romance novel I had secretly taken from the library; this one was about a brave knight who went on a quest to find seven magical stones. He wanted to prove his love to a princess and earn the king’s blessing to marry her. I smiled at the sweetness of it. Sometimes, I imagined someone doing something that bold for me. Though, honestly, it felt a bit dramatic. Seven stones? Just ask the girl.

I was halfway through the third chapter when I heard a shout outside.

I sat up, unsure if I imagined it. But then came more voices, a loud shout, running, and a loud crash, and then I realized something was wrong.

I threw off the blanket and stood just as the door slammed open.

“My lady” It was one of my father’s personal guards. His face was bruised, and there was blood on his arm. “The estate is under attack. We must get you to safety. The king insists.”

“No,” I said quickly. “Take me to my father.”

“My lady, please. His orders were clear.”

“I won’t leave him to die while I run and hide,” I snapped. Before he could stop me, I pushed past him and ran into the hall.

The estate was chaos; smoke drifted in from somewhere. Shadows moved fast across the walls. I could hear growls and the clash of steel. I turned the corner and saw two enemy werewolves dragging one of our men across the floor.

I let my wolf take over. A sharp crack echoed as my bones shifted. My fingers became claws, my muscles thickened, and fur spread across my arms. I attacked immediately, slashing through one enemy before the other could react. The second turned and attacked, but I ducked and drove my claws into his chest, and he fell.

Blood on my cheek, but I kept moving; I reached the hallway outside my father’s quarters. His guards were fighting hard, but they were losing. One of them was bleeding from a deep cut to his side. He looked up, saw me, and shouted, “Go, Princess!”

Then he threw himself in front of a blow meant for me, and I watched him fall.

I froze, unsure if it was fear or anger, but I couldn't do anything. Before I could summon the courage to keep fighting, I was surrounded.

Three enemy wolves circled me. Their eyes glowed red in the light. I attacked the closest one, claws tearing at his side. He shouted and fell back, but the other two struck me down. I hit the floor hard, breath knocked out of me. I tried to rise, but another blow forced me back down.

Then the heavy door to my father’s chambers opened.

From the darkness, a tall man stepped out. His clothes were clean, too clean for someone in a battle. His eyes were dark and full of anger.

Beside him stood a woman. Her dress was all covered in blood, but she was smiling like all of this was just a game.