The private solar was filled with the warm afternoon sun, and the scent of steeped herbal tea drifted through the air. The space was alive with easy conversation and the low clink of porcelain against silver.

Orin sat back on the opposite plush couch, his posture completely relaxed as he gestured with a half-empty cup. His wife, Calista, with her long wavy strawberry-blond hair and soft facial features, sat beside him, leaning forward with a quiet smile as she listened to a story Valex had just shared.

On their side of the low table, Valex held Odesse’s hand in his lap, idly rubbing circles over the back of her palm. "I honestly do not find it hard to believe that Malrik would do that," Orin said, shaking his head as he looked at Valex. "His changed attitude when we were children hinted at it."

Valex smirked, lifting his own cup to his lips. "My wife over here is my savior." Odesse felt the heat rise to her cheeks, but she smiled and squeezed Valex’s hand under the table as Calista leaned in with an amused look.

Orin looked at Odesse and said, "I would like to apologize again for missing your wedding, Your Highness." Odesse glanced at Valex and then back at Orin. "No, no, it’s alright," she said shyly. "I see no reason for you to apologize."

Valex looked at Orin and smirked. "No, he needs to, because why would he miss the most amazing day of my life?" Odesse looked at him, her eyes soft with love, and replied, "No, my king."

Orin turned to Calista and smiled before looking back at the two. "I really am happy to see you happy, Valex," he said. Turning to Odesse, he continued, "You may not know how much happiness you have brought into my dear friend’s life." He clasped his hands together and tilted his head with a bright smile. "I really appreciate it."

Odesse shook her head. "No..." Valex nudged her waist with his fingers, and she felt it. She looked at him, and he closed his eyes, shaking his head. Odesse smiled and turned to Orin, her face brightening with a full smile that showed her teeth.

Calista looked at Odesse and said, "I hope we can become very good friends, Your Highness." Odesse smiled and replied, "Yes," tightening her grip on Valex’s hand, a broad smile never leaving her face. Valex looked at her, a smile tugging at his lips.

Orin turns to Valex and asks, "So, what are you going to do about your mother?" Valex shifts his attention from Odesse to Orin, his expression becoming serious as he replies, "An invitation letter to the palace has been sent to her, so we can discuss it... together as a family." He glances at Odesse and then back at Orin.

Orin smiled warmly. "That is good." With that, Orin and Calista stood up, followed by Odesse and Valex. Orin said, "We shall take our leave now," and he hugged Valex, giving him a light tap on the back. Calista walked toward Odesse, hugging her warmly. "Until we meet next time, Your Highness," she said. Odesse smiled and replied, "Yes, of course."

As Calista and Orin opened the door and walked out, Odesse turned to Valex and said, "They are so nice." He looked down at her and replied, "Orin has always been like that since we were young."

Valex moved closer to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer to his chest as he rested his jaw on her head. Odesse put her arms around him, and he continued, "Would you believe that he and Calista were enemies when we were young?" Odesse looked up at him, surprised. "Oh my!" she exclaimed.

Valex laughed softly. "They despised each other, but I always teased Orin about her whenever he mentioned her to me. During the mating ritual, her mark ignited when she was near him. I honestly burst out laughing."

Odesse smiled, her cheeks resting against his chest. "That is really beautiful," she said. Valex smiled and kissed her head, saying softly, "Yes, it is."

...

The steady tap of a quill against parchment was the only sound inside the royal study. Valex sat behind his heavy mahogany desk, surrounded by stacks of border reports and trade agreements, but his focus wasn’t entirely on the paperwork. Every few minutes, his gaze drifted toward the empty corner of his desk where the incoming mail usually sat. Three days had passed since the invitation had been sent to the Silverclaw pack, and the silence from his mother was becoming deafening.

The heavy door swung open with a loud bang, bouncing against the wall as Odesse hurried into the room.

Valex immediately dropped his quill, his instincts kicking in at the sight of her pale face, her brows furrowed with anxiety. She twisted the fabric of her skirt nervously.

"My love?" Valex asked, standing up from his chair so quickly that it scraped loudly against the floor. "What’s wrong?"

Odesse crossed the room to his desk, her voice tight with urgency. "It’s been three days, my king. No birds, no messengers, nothing. I tried to tell myself she’s just taking her time, but I can’t shake this feeling that something is completely wrong." She looked up at him, her eyes wide with genuine worry. "We shouldn’t wait for a reply any longer. We need to go to the Silverclaw pack. Right now. Together."

Valex gazed at her, the weight of her words settling heavily in his chest. He tried to calm her down. "My love, I am sure everything is fine."

Odesse looked at him, gripping his arm tightly. "Please, my king, let’s leave."

He studied her face, etched with despair and worry. "I already sent Azure home. We had a little lesson session, but I couldn’t breathe, my king. We have to go."

Valex nodded slowly, holding her face in his hands. "Okay, my love. Alright." He didn’t waste another second. He guided her out of the study. Within minutes, the royal carriage was prepared. Eryx, who was standing a distance away, silently watched Valex help Odesse into the carriage.

As the palace gates opened, the carriage raced toward the borders of the Silverclaw pack, the heavy silence inside the carriage reflecting the growing dread in their hearts. Kael was seated opposite them both, looking at them as Valex held Odesses’ lap while her foot kept tapping the floorboard.

When they finally arrived at the gates of the Silverclaw palace, the carriage stopped. A guard called out, "Who goes there?" Upon seeing Valex’s face, the guard trembled with fear and said anxiously, "King Valex!" He signaled for the gates to be opened, and the carriage rolled into the courtyard.

Odesse hurriedly climbed down, and Valex followed her, turning to meet her as Kael stepped down behind him. Odesse looked around at the palace, her sense of foreboding growing. The air felt thick, abandoned, and horrid. A soft wind blew, causing her to gag as she covered her mouth.

Valex looked at her in panic and bent down to assist her. "My love, what is wrong?"

Odesse stood straight, slowly removing her hands from her mouth, her eyes widening in fear. Valex asked, "What is wrong, my love?"

Odesse spread her palm wide and gasped, "Blood!"

Valex’s eyes widened in alarm. "What? How did this happen?"

She panicked, exclaiming, "Your mother, my king!"

Without hesitation, she ran toward the palace door, and Valex shouted, "My love..." as he chased after her, Kael following closely behind.

...

The servants’ quarters of the Silverclaw Pack were quieter and more unsettling than usual. A little boy playing outside saw Odesse run into the palace and smiled, calling out, "Odesse!" He dashed inside the servant building, running past few men, women, and children. Excitedly, he opened a door wide and exclaimed, "Odesse!"

Inside, Cara stood up immediately, her eyes widening in surprise. "What happened?" she asked.

The boy replied, "She went into the palace, and two men followed her."

Cara’s face brightened at the news, and she quickly ran past the boy. He chased after her, calling, "Wait, Cara!"

She made it out of the building and into the courtyard, gazing at the carriage. "Odesse, is she really here?" she wondered aloud. The boy stood beside her, confirming, "She went into the palace."

Cara stood there, watching the gloominess of the palace building while pressing her hand to her chest and slowly stepping back.

...

Inside the palace, the silence was suffocating. Odesse sprinted up the grand stone staircases, her breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps, with Valex and Kael keeping pace right behind her. The deeper they ventured into the residential wing, the heavier the air became.

Finally, Odesse skidded to a halt in front of the heavy, gilded doors of the main bedchamber. Her hand hovered over the brass handle, her body trembling.

She turned to look at Valex, her face pale. "The smell... it’s worse here," she whispered, her voice tight with dread. "Can you smell it now?"

Valex stepped up beside her, his expression darkening as he closed his eyes and took a deep, deliberate breath. When he opened his golden wolf-like eyes, they were sharp and serious.

"Yes," Valex replied, his voice dropping to a low, grim tone as his hand came down over hers on the handle. "It’s closer now. And much stronger."

Together, they pushed open the door, and Odesse walked deeper into the dark room, followed by Valex and Kael. Suddenly, Odesse’s legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground, covering her mouth. Valex rushed towards her, his eyes widening in horror.