Chapter 19: An Unexpected Visitor

FINNIAN

“Do you all hear what my brother just said?!” Rowan’s voice cracked through the palace hall like a whip. He thrust his arm toward me, clapping my shoulder as if I was some boy who’d just brought home a gold prize.

“An eye for an eye. A head for a head! Blood for blood!”

This time there was no mumbling from the elders. They wanted to speak, their hands went up here and there but Rowan already had the room in his teeth.

He gestured for me to sit while he strode to his throne, chest rising and falling as though he’d just dragged a weight too heavy for anyone else to carry.

He took hard steps to his throne, sitting comfortably.

“Yes, let’s hear what you’ve got to say, Felix,” Rowan said.

Felix stood, his face tight, his bow stiff. “Your Highness, I don’t agree with this. There will be too much bloodshed. Innocents will die.”

Rowan leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. His voice dropped, but it was no less sharp. “It’s not your wife and children marching to war, Felix.”

A few elders scoffed, and I almost joined them.

“It’s the warriors,” Rowan went on, stabbing a finger in my direction. “That’s why we have them. That’s why we have an army. If they knew who they were dealing with, they wouldn’t have trespassed… they wouldn’t have dared kill one of my pack!”

His voice thundered through the room. The rage in it stirred my own. My blood felt hot, racing through my veins with no patience left. I was ready... if he gave the order, I’d be on them before the sun set.

Who did they think they were? Killing us like we were prey? Like we were powerless?

They’d started this. And we would end it.

Felix sat, shoulders slumping under the weight of Rowan’s glare. No one else stood to oppose him.

“If you’ve got anything reasonable to say, say it now,” Rowan warned.

Elixir rose slowly. Felda’s father. “Your Highness.” He bowed. “I suggest we send word to our members over there… alert them. So we don’t end up killing our own.”

Rowan’s mouth twitched into a smile. “Sure, Elixir. They’ll all be aware of the storm that’s coming to carry them away.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

He stood. “Once I receive their response, gather your men. Prepare for war. You’re dismissed.” His voice had gone low again, but there was steel in it.

Then he turned and walked out, his wives gliding behind him with their guards in tow.

The elders muttered among themselves as they filed out. I was about to go find Isolde when one of the guards came running in. He looked uneasy when he realized Rowan was gone.

“What is it?” I asked, my tone colder than I meant.

He stepped closer and bowed. “Someone is here to see Queen Isolde. I wanted to tell His Highness before allowing her in.”

“Who?”

“She says she’s Elsa. Queen Isolde’s sister.”

I raised a brow. Isolde has a sister?

“Take me to her,” I ordered.

We crossed the palace courtyard to the main gates, and there she was. She turned at the sound of our approach, and our eyes met.

The resemblance was sharp... same bone structure, same gaze but her hair was black while Isolde’s was brown. She stood like someone who belonged anywhere she wanted to be.

“You’re looking for who?” I asked, my voice even.

“My sister… Queen Isolde.” Her voice was light, almost teasing, but steady. Those brown eyes didn’t blink away from mine.

“I’m Prince Finnian. The Alpha King’s brother.” I don’t know why I said it... maybe because she was technically family, maybe because I already liked the fire in her.

Her eyes widened. She bowed twice, laughing. “I thought as much! You look just like him.”

I let out a short laugh. “You look like her too... like she’s going to run away.”

“I guessed so,” she grinned.

I signaled a guard to take the small bag she’d brought. If she was staying, even for a while, Isolde would have someone to talk to freely.

“Thanks,” she told the guard before I motioned for her to follow.

We passed through the palace grounds, wolves training, others talking in low voices, pups darting around in play. One small girl nearly bowled Elsa over.

“I’m so sorry, ma’am,” the pup mumbled, looking at the ground.

Elsa crouched to her height. “It’s nothing. You just made a mistake.” She lifted the girl’s chin, kissed her cheek, and ruffled her hair.

“Thank you!” the pup shouted before running off.

“This way,” I said before she could get distracted again.

“Oh yes, Prince…” she tried to say it with mock seriousness, and it almost made me smirk.

I led her to the waiting room. I’d like to tell Rowan myself. At least she’d come while Isolde was well enough... not when she was sick or accused of murder. Whatever the truth was, her quarters had been restored to a queen’s standard, though far from Rowan’s own chambers.

“I’ll be back soon,” I told her.

“Thanks, Prince Finnian, for your warm welcome.”

“You’re welcome.” I turned to a guard. “Bring her cold water.”

Then I made for Rowan’s chamber, my steps quick, guards and maids bowing as I passed.

“Your Highness! Prince Finnian is here!” Rowan’s guard called before I reached the door.

“Let him in,” Rowan’s deep voice commanded.

I stepped inside. Velin was there, her hands just leaving his bare back probably massaging him. She bowed slightly and slipped out. Rowan lay on his bed, the thick, dominant tone was still lingering in the air from his last order.

“What is it, brother?” he asked, reaching for his wine.

“Elsa is here.”

The goblet stopped halfway. His eyes widened. The bottle clinked against the table as he dropped it. He drained the wine already in his cup in one gulp.

“Elsa?” he repeated. “Isolde’s sister?”

I nodded.

“Why is she here? Where is she?”

“To see her sister,” I answered, my voice flat. “She’s in the waiting room. With a bag.”

His stare sharpened. “What? Does she plan to stay forever?”

I almost laughed. The bag was small, but the thought of someone staying here clearly needled him.

“Or did they get wind of her when I tried to punish her?” His words cut like a knife, and my jaw tightened.

Tried to punish her. Or maltreat her... let’s call it what it was.

“Guards!” Rowan barked.

Two ran in.

“Bring Elsa to my chamber,” he ordered.

“Yes, Your Highness,” they said before leaving.

Then he looked at me, his voice low and heavy. “Finnian, make sure she looks her best.”

I stared at him. “Really? Do you care about her now ? What if you had killed her then, Rowan? Who would you have presented to her sister... or her parents?”

“I didn’t. So do what I say and stop questioning me,” he snapped, the dominance in his tone rising like a storm.

“With my help, she didn’t die,” I shot back. “Do you even know how I found her?” My voice had dropped into something colder, my wolf’s energy sparking under my skin.

“I’m not in the mood for this, Finnian. You can tell her sister you saved her and collect your gold prize.”

Ungrateful bastard.

I clenched my fists, forcing my wolf down. Now wasn’t the time to fight him... not with an unexpected visitor from one of the important families in the pack.

I hissed under my breath and turned for the door. He growled low as I left, but I didn’t look back.