Attack

“Your Majesty, King Zachary.” The voice of a messenger rang through the hall, urgent and breathless. “An attack has been launched at the border. The situation is dire.”

Zach’s eyes narrowed as he turned toward the door, his jaw tightening at the news. His movements were subtle, but there was a palpable tension building in the air around him. Daniel, standing beside his son, stiffened but kept his expression carefully composed, though the weight of the news clearly unsettled him.

“Who’s leading the attack?” Zachary asked, his tone sharp but controlled.

“Reports suggest it’s a rogue faction from the outer regions, possibly in alliance with…” the messenger hesitated, glancing nervously between father and son before finishing, “those who seek to undermine the throne.”

Zach exhaled slowly, his fingers flexing at his side. “How many casualties?”

“Several of our guards were overrun,” the messenger replied, visibly shaken. “We’ve managed to hold them back for now, but their numbers are growing.”

Daniel stepped forward, his deep voice breaking the tense silence. “We need to send reinforcements immediately. Secure the borders before they advance any further.”

Zach’s gaze flickered toward Daniel, his father’s calm yet commanding demeanor barely masking the gravity of the situation. He nodded, his mind already whirring with strategies. “Send word to Captain Raine to gather the elite forces. I’ll be there shortly.”

The messenger bowed, his footsteps retreating quickly as he left the room.

Zach remained silent for a moment, his mind processing the implications. Vera, standing quietly nearby, felt the shift in the atmosphere. She had never seen Zach in a moment of such critical decision-making, and yet, despite the gravity of the situation, his control remained unshakable.

“What do we do now?” Vera asked softly, her eyes searching Zach’s face. There was a part of her that understood this world was far more dangerous than she had anticipated, but it was another to see it unfolding so closely.

Zach turned his gaze toward her, his expression softening for a brief moment. “I’ll handle it, Vera. This is nothing new.”

Daniel interjected, his tone pragmatic. “But we must tread carefully, Zachary. This isn’t just an attack; it’s a direct challenge to your reign. If they’re allied with those seeking to disrupt your rule, there’s more at stake than just a border skirmish.”

Zach clenched his jaw, his focus sharpening once more. “I’ll crush them before they have the chance to spread.”

Without another word, he started toward the door, his movements fluid and purposeful. Before he could exit, Daniel called after him. “Zachary, we must consider the long game. This attack could be a distraction. Keep your wits about you.”

Zach paused, his hand resting on the doorframe. “I know.” Then he disappeared down the corridor, his presence leaving an unsettling void in the room.

Vera watched him go, her heart heavy with the uncertainty of what lay ahead. She could feel the weight of his responsibilities pressing down, not just as a king but as the man she was coming to know.

Vera stood still, staring at the space where Zach had just been. Her thoughts raced, the reality of Zach’s world sinking in deeper than ever. She had heard about the dangers, the threats, and the responsibilities that came with the crown, but witnessing it first-hand sent a chill through her.

“He’s strong,” Daniel said, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, yet there was a somber note to it. “But even a king has limits.”

Vera glanced at him, unsure how to respond. There was something about the way Daniel spoke, the subtle concern in his tone, that made her realize how much was expected of Zach. The weight of the crown wasn’t just about power — it was about constant vigilance and endless burdens.

“Shouldn’t we go with him?” Vera asked, her voice soft but steady. She felt torn between wanting to help and knowing her place in all of this.

Daniel shook his head slowly. “No. This is a battle for soldiers, and Zachary knows how to handle these threats. But…” He paused, looking at Vera intently. “Stay by his side when he returns. Your presence will mean more to him than you realize.”

Vera nodded, though her stomach churned with nerves. She was still trying to understand her role in Zach’s world — not just as his mate but as someone who could support him through the challenges of leadership.

—-

Meanwhile, at the border, the air was thick with the scent of blood and smoke. Zach’s forces had already engaged with the rogue faction, their blades clashing in a deadly rhythm. The once-quiet landscape was now a battleground, with cries of pain and war echoing across the field.

Zach rode into the fray with Captain Raine by his side, his eyes scanning the chaos. His presence alone sent a surge of confidence through his soldiers, but he knew this was more than just a typical skirmish. Whoever led this attack was bold — too bold to not have a greater motive.

“Push them back!” Zach commanded, his voice carrying over the clamor. His sword gleamed in the dim light as he charged forward, cutting through the enemy lines with precision and force.

Captain Raine fought alongside him, a fierce expression etched on his face. “They’re better organized than expected, Your Majesty,” he grunted between swings. “This isn’t just a raid.”

Zach nodded grimly, his suspicions confirmed. “It’s a distraction. But we can’t let them gain any ground. Hold the line, Raine.”

As they continued to fight, Zach felt a sharp, unsettling sensation in his gut — a warning, an instinct that told him this was only the beginning of something larger. He had faced threats before, but this felt different. More personal.

The enemy forces were relentless, but Zach’s elite soldiers held firm, slowly but surely pushing them back toward the forest edge. The rogue warriors, realizing they were losing ground, began to retreat. But as they did, one of their leaders — a tall figure with a jagged scar running across his face — caught Zach’s eye.

The man smirked, his gaze locking with Zach’s as if taunting him. Then, with a swift motion, he vanished into the shadows of the trees.

Zach’s eyes narrowed, anger surging through him. This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

Back at the palace, Vera paced anxiously in the grand hall, her mind restless as she waited for news. Every minute felt like an hour, and though she trusted Zach’s strength, she couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in her chest.

Daniel watched her with a knowing look, his arms crossed. “You’ll get used to it,” he said quietly, his voice carrying an unspoken understanding. “The waiting. The uncertainty. It’s part of life here.”

Vera stopped pacing, her hands clenching into fists. “I don’t want to just wait. I want to help him.”

“You will,” Daniel replied, his gaze steady. “But sometimes, helping means staying strong for him when he returns. He’ll need that more than you know.”

Vera swallowed hard, nodding as she tried to calm her racing thoughts. Daniel’s words made sense, but it didn’t make the waiting any easier.

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Vera’s heart leaped in her chest as Zach appeared, his clothes bloodstained but his expression calm. The battle was over, but the tension hadn’t fully left him.

“Zach,” Vera breathed, rushing to his side. She reached out, her hands hovering near his arm, unsure if she should touch him in this state.

Zach’s gaze softened when he saw her, the cold hardness in his eyes melting away for a brief moment. “I’m fine,” he said quietly, his voice weary but reassuring. “The attack was repelled, but this isn’t the end.”

Vera hesitated for a moment, then gently placed her hand on his arm. “What can I do?”

Zach looked at her, his expression unreadable for a moment before a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “You’re already doing it,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Daniel stepped forward, his face grim. “The rogue faction retreated, but they’ll be back. We need to find out who’s behind this before they strike again.”

Zach nodded, his mind already turning to the next steps. “I saw their leader. He didn’t seem surprised to see me there. This was planned.”

Daniel frowned. “Then we’re dealing with something far more coordinated than we thought. We need to prepare for what’s coming.”

Vera stood silently by Zach’s side, her hand still resting on his arm. She could feel the weight of his responsibilities, the burden he carried as king. And though she still had much to learn about this world, one thing was clear: she wasn’t just an outsider anymore. She was part of this — part of him.

And whatever came next, she would face it with him.