Chapter 4 Ghosts, Regret, Crown

Liah's POV

I stood in my father's throne room, my body still felt weak from the torture and the wolfsbane. My father's throne-cold, silent and empty now.

I ran my hand over the back of the chair, my fingers tracing the familiar carvings. It felt like it was just yesterday that I sat there, watching my father and mother rule.

But all that was gone.

A rush of memories flooded me-my mother, my father, the pack, the bond all shattered when I left. The moment I chose to break away from silvermoon. I hadn't just turned my back on them; I had destroyed us.

The pain cut deep, sharper than any physical wound. My knees buckled, and I collapsed to the floor, clutching my chest.

Why did I do it? Why did I leave them like that?

"Liah!"

Rory's voice broke through my thoughts, and I felt her arms on my arms, pulling me up. But I shoved her away with a sudden burst of anger.

"Why couldn't you protect them, Rory?" I shouted, my voice rough and strained with grief. "Why? You're a warrior too, just like me. I left them, but you were there. You were supposed to fill the void I left. You should have protected them!"

Her face twisted with disbelief, her eyes flashing. She stood tall, her stance strong, but her voice full of hurt. "How can you blame me for what you caused? If you had just done what they asked, what was right, none of this would have happened! You chose to run away. You chose to break the bond with us, not me. I couldn't do anything to fill the place you left behind!"

I stumbled back, shaken by her words. They struck me like a slap across the face.

"Goddamnit, Liah! This is all your fault," Rory continued, her voice trembling. "No matter what I did or didn't do, I could never fill the bond they had with you. You broke it. You ruined everything!"

Her words rang in my ears, the weight sinking deep within. I swallowed hard, unable to speak.

"It hurts, doesn't it?" Rory said, her blazing with anger. "But it's not enough to undo what you've done."

Before I could react, Rory grabbed my arm and pulled me roughly to my feet, dragging me out of the throne room.

"What the hell are you doing, Rory? Where are you taking me to?" I tried to resist, but my strength wasn't enough because I was still weak from the wound.

She didn't say a word, but pulled me with a force.

We stepped outside into the cold air. The wind air on my skin, but I could barely feel a thing because of my numb state.

Then, she threw me to the ground, the impact jarring into my bones. I gasped, looking up at her with wide eyes.

Rory pointed ahead, her voice cracking as she spoke. "This is where they are."

I followed her gaze, my breath catching in my throat.

My parents' graves.

My heart stuttered.

I couldn't speak. I couldn't breathe. All I could do was stare at the fresh dirt, the stones marking their resting place.

"If it weren't for you..." Rory's voice trembled. "Father and mother would've been strong enough to fight and the Lycan princes wouldn't have succeeded in killing them."

"What?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Did you say...?"

"Yes, the Lycan princes from crimson pack," Rory said, her voice low and filled with pain. "Father invited them to form an alliance after you broke off the arranged marriages. Once you left, the Teris and Claw-shot packs turned their back on silvermoon. Father was desperate, Liah."

I stood frozen, my heart hammering in my chest.

"He thought the Crimson pack would be the answer,"Rory continued. "At first, it all looked peaceful. Everything was going well, until father was about to sign the documents, black wolves attacked the palace. By the time I got there..."

She stopped, swallowing a sob.

"Mother and father were already gone. In a pool of their own blood. The Crimson princes were nowhere to be found."

"But why?" I demanded. "Why would they do that?"

"I don't know, okay?" She snapped. "Maybe they want to rule silvermoon. They're known for their savage ways. They're Ruthless rulers. The entire Crimson pack is feared across all regions."

"And Father thought they were the answer?" My voice shook with anger. "This is unacceptable."

I turned sharply. "Summon the council. Now. Tell them the rightful heir is back."

***

Later - in the Council Hall

The room fell silent as I stepped in. Elders seated in high chairs turned their eyes towards me, some surprised and some cold. I stepped forward, my chin raised.

"Greetings," I said. "I, Liah Patrick the third, have returned to take my rightful place as heiress-and queen-to my parent's throne.

A loud scoff broke the silence. "What! That's not possible," elder Damian said, standing. "Didn't you abandon the pack?"

"She's here because I brought her back," Rory said firmly. "And I don't regret it. That's what the King and Queen would have wanted."

Elder Derrick rose also. "So we're just letting her waltz back in? If she can leave the back and return like nothing happened, then that means we can too. She defiled the land by going to stay with the humans. Royal or not. Why not let her sister rule? Rory's been here. She fought for us and stayed."

But she's not a pack born, she's adopted and Liah is not, Leon, one of the younger elders added.

"I'm sorry," I said, stepping forward, my heart pounding. "I know I made a mistake. That's why I'm here-to make things right."

"Hmph," Derrick muttered. "Then bring the king and queen back."

I flinched. "I can't," I whispered. "I know how much they meant to all of you. They were the best rulers this land has known. But I swear to you, I will avenge them."

Everyone in the room froze.

"I'll go to Crimson pack," I said clearly, I'll disguise as one of them, then I'll get close to the princes. And I'll end them. Blood for blood."

"Are you nuts?" Rory gasped. That's a suicide mission!"

"I don't care, Rory!" I snapped, my emotions rising in my throat. "They would've died for me. And I'll gladly do the same too."

Damian stepped in again. "So now that you're back, shouldn't you be finding a husband and strengthening our pack? The blood moon is in four months. You'll need a mate by your side."

Lucas nodded. "He's right. You're a white wolf, and you would need a mating companion close by.

Derrick squinted his eyes at me, then at Rory. "Maybe she's not as crazy as she sounds. If she succeeds... if she kills those princes, everyone will want to form alliances with us again. I vote for her, so she goes."

One by one, hands went up. The vote was casted and I had won.

I let out a slow breath. "Then it's settled. Rory," I turned to her, "you are my right hand and Beta now. While I'm gone, you'll rule in my place."

She looked at me, her eyes wide. "But you're injured..."

"I'll be fine," I said. "We're white wolves. I'm a white wolf. I'll heal fast." I smiled faintly. "Now get me the doctor. I leave in two days."