[20 years later.]
"Have you seen him yet?" a lady asked curiously as she tried pushing the heads of her friends out of the way so she could have a look at the dashing prince charming.
"Stop pushing me away. He isn't here yet. Moreover, he is simply passing by. It's not like he is going to stop anyway."
"I have heard about how gorgeous and attractive he is. He is the strongest warrior ever, and many elites won't stop trying to woo him for their daughters."
"Funny to think we would end up with him as his wife."
The talk continued growing, and the screams went the highest immediately after he was sighted on his horse, galloping towards the route where they had all converged to see him.
"Oh my goodness, he is so handsome," a lady pretended to faint.
"How can a man look this gorgeous?" a man muttered with annoyance as they watched him disappear further from them.
"You must be so jealous of him. I bet the Alpha and the Luna hid him for so long from the rest of the world because of how devilishly handsome he is."
~~~
Valen stopped at the gate and got off his horse. The guard standing at the entrance welcomed him and led the horse to its stable while Valen walked into the house magnificently.
His attention was immediately brought to the grunts and shouts coming from his left-hand side, so he turned towards the route instead.
He got to the training ground, and what he saw made her smirk.
The pack's warriors were training under the sharp eyes of their one and only strict and stern Alpha, Draegon - his father.
They were relentlessly tackling each other, hoping for a win over the other, while Draegon watched them intently, looking out for a mistake.
His eyes caught sight of his son, but he didn't instantly pay attention as he stood in the middle, barking out orders, correcting stances, and pointing out weaknesses, too.
Warriors sparred in pairs, some already bruised and panting, others still standing tall and ready for more.
Without a word, Valen stepped closer.
One of the warriors noticed him and nodded in greeting. "My prince," he said, panting. "Want a turn?"
Everyone turned to look at him. Not everyone had a chance to fight the Alpha's son, as he was skillful in art and war. For the few of those who had fought with him, they had great testimonies to give of his mightiness.
Valen only smirked. "Choose someone ready," he said, pulling off his outer layer and stepping onto the dirt floor.
The man stepped back and motioned to another warrior with broad shoulders, a proud stance, and good balance. Valen faced him.
Draegon stepped aside confidently to watch his child.
The sparring began.
Valen moved like the wind — quick, quiet, and sharp. His strikes weren't just strong, they were smart. He dodged without wasting breath, twisted with ease, and swept his opponent to the ground in a blink.
He didn't stop there.
Instead of walking away after his win, he offered his hand to help him up. "You lead too much with your left. It gives away your next move," he said calmly. "Keep your core steady. You're strong, but you use your power without focus."
The man, red in the face from both the fight and the advice, nodded quickly. "Yes, my prince."
Another came forward, then another. And Valen trained with them all — pushing, blocking, striking, then pausing to teach. His voice stayed firm but calm, her movements smooth and exact. He taught them without pride, but with purpose. Every mistake was a lesson. Every bruise was growth.
The warriors respected him not just because he was strong, but because he made them stronger, too.
Alpha Draegon stood at the edge of the ground, arms crossed, watching the prince move like a shadow through the field. His eyes held pride, though he kept his face calm. He was his greatest secret and his greatest strength. The warriors know him as the strongest male in the pack.
After a while, Valen stepped back, rolling his shoulder and letting the others continue training among themselves. He walked to where his father stood, and without a word, he walked with her a few steps away from the rest.
They stood side by side, watching the warriors spar.
"You're teaching them well," Draegon said, his voice low and proud.
"We are all learning from the best after all," he smiled.
"They're learning fast," Valen added, eyes still on the field. "Some more than others."
"Still," he added, a faint smile touching his lips. "None can match you. You are the greatest asset that I have."
He didn't reply. He didn't need to. He simply chuckled and let her fingers brush through her eyes.
"Where is Mother?"
"She is supposed to be inside."
"Okay, Father, I will go and check on her."
"Alright."
He had not made his way any further when he was suddenly pulled into one of the rooms, and the door was shut. He was going to reiterate, but after seeing who it was, she relaxed.
"Mother," she called out.
"Where have you been, huh?"
"I was on my way, looking for you."
"How can you just be walking around carelessly? Don't you know..."
"It's important for me to stay within the four corners of the house because it's the safest for me." Valen completed the words and sat down, spreading her legs wide.
"Valen!"
"Calm down, mother. You are getting too paranoid. No one will know I am a woman. That's been secured already, so stop getting scared," he smiled at her mother, but Seraphim was still not relieved.
"All of these are your father's fault. He came up with this disastrous idea, and now look at what he has turned my flower into an iron and a stone! She can't even behave courteously."
Valen rolled her eyes as she listened to her mother continue with her unstoppable rant, as usual. Someone urgently knocked on the door, interrupting them afterward.
"Come in."
Gray entered. His eyes were red, and he looked apprehensive. Valen noticed this and quickly stood, making his way toward his mother while shielding her with his muscular body.
"What is it? Are you about to lose control?"
Gray shook his head and waved a letter as he tried to get his words out, "The Lycanis. They sent a message. They are coming!" he cried out.
Seraphim took the sealed letter and tore it. Her eyes swept through the scattered words on the line, widened, and she gasped out in shock before covering her mouth.
No, this can't be.