Chapter 262: Episode 262.

Two days later.

The Wolf Realm had finally begun to breathe again.

There was still an uneasiness hanging over the castle. Nobody had forgotten what happened. Nobody could, but Prince Alaric was alive.

That alone had become the greatest piece of news the kingdom had received in weeks. He still hadn’t opened his eyes, but he was breathing perfectly fine.

That was enough for King Elijah.

The king stood alone beside the enormous window in his study, staring down at the courtyard below.

He had slept a bit in two days.

His eyes were tired, and the usual sharpness in his expression had softened into something quieter. He looked almost peaceful.

A knock sounded against the door.

King Elijah didn’t turn immediately.

“Enter.” He ordered.

The door opened, and Torak stepped inside. He closed the door behind himself before approaching the king.

“My King.”

Elijah finally turned. A small smile appeared on his face.

“Beta Torak.”

Torak immediately noticed the change in him. The last time he had seen the king, Elijah had looked like a man who had lost everything.

Torak’s shoulders loosened slightly. “How is the prince?”

Elijah looked toward the window again. “He hasn’t opened his eyes.”

Torak’s expression tightened.

“But…” Elijah continued. He paused, and added. “He is breathing.”

Torak released the breath he had unknowingly been holding. A small smile touched his own lips. “That’s good.”

“It is.”

Elijah lowered his gaze. He gave out a small laugh of disbelief. “I can’t believe I almost destroyed Aire.”

Torak’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Elijah shook his head.

“I looked at that girl and convinced myself she was cursed.” His voice was quieter now. “I thought everything happening around her was proof that she was the source of our misfortune.”

He looked down at his hands. “I almost destroyed the very person who saved my son.”

Torak remained silent.

Elijah’s jaw tightened. “Fear makes fools of men.”

“Even kings.” Torak added softly.

“Especially kings.” King Elijh accepted.

Torak lowered his gaze.

Elijah turned away from the window. “She brought him back.”

Torak nodded.

“Whatever she did…” Elijah’s voice softened. “Whatever that magic was, it reached him when none of us could.”

His eyes briefly closed. “I spent days preparing myself to bury my son.”

Torak didn’t know what to say. There were no words that could make that sentence lighter.

So he said nothing.

Elijah seemed grateful for the silence. After a few moments, he moved toward his desk.

“There is something I need you to do.”

Torak straightened. “Of course.”

Elijah picked up a sealed piece of parchment. He held it out. Torak stepped forward and accepted it.

He glanced at the seal. He was a black seal. A wolf carved into the wax.

His brows drew together.”Blackfen.”

“Yes.”

Torak’s fingers tightened slightly around the parchment.

King Elijah walked back toward the window. “I want you to go to Blackfen Park.”

Torak looked up. “Today?”

“Today.”

Torak studied the king’s back. “Why?”

Elijah remained silent for several seconds.

Torak waited.

The name alone carried too many memories. Too many years, and too many conversations that had never reached their proper endings.

She was a Blackfen.

He was a Beta.

There had always been a line between them. A line neither of them had been brave enough to cross completely.

Torak still didn’t know what to do with that. He wasn’t certain he ever would.

Elijah finally turned. “Alpha Blackfen will give you everything you need when you arrive.”

Torak’s eyes remained on him. “Everything I need for what?”

Elijah’s expression became unreadable. “You will know when you get there.”

Torak stared at him for another moment. The king wasn’t going to explain. “Understood.”

He turned toward the door.

“Torak.”

He stopped, and looked back.

Elijah’s expression had softened again. “Be careful.”

Torak gave a small nod, then he left.

The door closed behind him.

Elijah remained alone.

His eyes returned to the courtyard. For several seconds, he stood without moving. Then his expression changed.

Torak walked through the castle corridors without rushing. His boots struck the stone floor in steady intervals.

He had expected many things when he woke that morning.

A patrol.

A council meeting.

Perhaps even another request from the witches. He hadn’t expected Adele.

Torak stopped beside one of the enormous windows.

Outside, the morning sun rested over the Wolf Realm. His fingers moved over the black seal on the parchment.

Adele had chosen him. Just recently.

After years of pushing him away.

After years of reminding him that whatever existed between them could never become anything real.

Torak exhaled slowly, then he continued walking.

…..

Blackfen Park was several hours away.

By the time Torak crossed the boundary separating the Wolf Realm from Blackfen territory, the sun had already begun descending.

The forest changed first.

The trees became darker.

Their trunks were thicker, with their branches stretching over the road until they formed a natural roof.

Torak have visited Blackfen territory many times. He continued forward.

The gates of Blackfen Park appeared between the trees. Two guards stood on either side. Both immediately recognized him.

One stepped forward. “Beta Torak.”

Torak nodded. “I was summoned.”

The guard exchanged a glance with the other, then stepped aside. “Alpha Blackfen is expecting you.”

Torak entered.

The massive estate appeared beyond the trees.

Blackfen Park had always been beautiful.

But it wasn’t beautiful in the same way as the Wolf King’s castle. There was something wild about it.

The manor itself stood at the centre of everything.

Torak dismounted.

A servant approached and took his horse. He adjusted his coat before walking toward the entrance.

He hadn’t taken more than three steps when the front doors opened.

Alpha Blackfen stood there.

His expression was serious. “Torak.”

“Alpha.”

Blackfen stepped aside. “Come inside.”

Torak entered.

The doors closed behind him. He expected to be taken immediately to the council chamber.

Instead, Blackfen started walking down one of the quieter corridors.

Torak followed. “What is this about?”

Blackfen didn’t answer.

Torak’s eyes narrowed. “King Elijah sent me.”

“I know.”

Blackfen stopped.

Torak nearly walked into him.

The older Alpha turned. “There is something you should understand before I tell you anything.”

Torak waited.

Blackfen studied him. “You and my daughter have always complicated matters.”

Torak paused, but he didn’t freeze. Whatever this was, he wouldn’t deny Adele. She already accepted him.

He didn’t answer.

Blackfen continued. “Perhaps more than either of you realize.”

Torak looked away. “I didn’t come here to discuss Adele.”

Blackfen’s expression was almost amused. “You came because the king sent you.”

“Yes.”

“But whatever happens in this house…”

His eyes sharpened. “…you will eventually have to decide whether you are still going to pretend that my daughter is within your grasp.”

Torak went completely still.

The words landed harder than he expected.

Blackfen turned and continued walking. Torak remained where he was for another second. Then followed.