Chapter 24 — "The Queen's Truth & The Alpha's Wrath"
Mira's Confession — The Crimson Court in Chaos
Mira knelt on the stone floor, still shaking from Selene's spell. Blood dripped from her lips as she struggled to speak.
"The Crimson Court…" she whispered, voice trembling, "is at war with itself."
Selene's eyes narrowed.
"Explain."
Mira swallowed.
"Your twin—the Queen—she… she's losing control. Several high bloodlines formed a rebellion against her. They've been assassinating nobles, sabotaging feeding routes… dividing the capital."
Selene stayed silent, expression unreadable.
Mira continued.
"She left the throne… left the capital itself… to find you."
Selene's gaze sharpened.
"Why me?"
"Because," Mira said, "you know an ancient spell. One only a true heir of the Crimson Court can wield. A revelation spell. One that forces traitors to expose themselves."
Selene's eyes darkened.
"That spell was forbidden for a reason."
"She knew you'd never help her willingly," Mira said quickly. "So she planned to force you."
Selene stepped closer.
"How?"
Mira lowered her head in shame.
"By kidnapping the boy… Blue."
Selene's rage surged so sharply the air vibrated.
"You dared target him?"
"It—it was her idea!" Mira cried. "She said hurting the hybrid would break your resolve. She said you'd do anything to protect him."
Selene stared down at her, fangs lengthening just slightly.
"…My sister has forgotten who I am."
Mira trembled.
"What—what will you do to me now…?"
Selene held the earring charm up between two fingers.
"You delivered your message. You live for now."
Her tone dropped to a lethal whisper.
"But if you try to contact her again, I'll finish the spell. You will walk out of this estate as a human."
Mira bowed her head, silent and terrified.
Selene turned away, her expression cold and thoughtful.
"So she wants war…" she murmured.
"And she's using my family to start it."
East Woods — The Alpha Unleashed
The clearing was painted in blood and moonlight.
Blue, Kin, Rito, and Gus fought like hell—every spell, every strike thrown with desperate fury.
And still…
The Alpha werewolf towered over them unharmed.
Not a scratch.
Blue's chest heaved, his katana trembling in his grip.
Kin's staff shook as he tried to stand.
Rito's fae aura flickered like dying light.
Gus's dark wings of flame flickered in and out, unstable.
The Alpha sighed, disappointed.
"Well… that was fun," he said, tilting his head with a grin far too wide to be human.
"I haven't had this good a workout in decades."
Blue raised his blade again, stumbling.
The Alpha blinked behind him.
CRACK—!!
Blue flew across the clearing, smashing into a tree.
"BLUE!" Rito screamed—only to be knocked aside by a flick of the Alpha's wrist.
Kin roared and swung his staff, which shattered on impact.
Gus fired a massive blast of shadowfire—
The Alpha swatted it away like a spark.
"You kids…" he laughed, wiping imaginary dust from his shoulder,
"are adorable."
Then his ears twitched.
He froze.
Listened.
A slow, wide grin crawled onto his face.
"…Well now," he chuckled. "I know that sound."
Blue struggled to lift his head.
"What… sound…?"
The Alpha inhaled deeply.
"Wings."
He grinned, eyes burning.
"Fast ones."
X.
Blue whispered, "He's coming…"
The Alpha laughed wildly.
"Who would've thought you brats could make me break a sweat? But I'm tired now."
He turned, stepping over their bodies like discarded toys.
"I'll eat you all another day."
On the ground nearby, Ronan lay unconscious in a heap.
The Alpha grabbed him by the leg.
"Come on, you useless mutt."
He dragged Ronan effortlessly into the darkness of the trees.
Blue tried to crawl forward, hand shaking.
"W…wait…"
But his strength failed.
The world blurred.
And just before his vision went completely black—
A shadow dropped from the sky.
Wings flaring.
Boots crushing the dirt.
X landed in front of him.