Then Live Like a King

The night wind swept through the forest, carrying a biting chill. Branches rustled softly, whispering like old dreams.

Leo stood hidden in the shadows beyond the outpost, a faded gray-brown cloak draped around his shoulders. His fingers lightly gripped the Bloodfang insignia. His heartbeat remained steady, but a tightness pressed against his chest—like a stone sinking slowly into a frozen lake, heavy and impossible to ignore.

He had grown up here. Trained. Fought. Sworn his oaths in blood.And now, he had to rely on human hands just to set foot on this land again.

"Halt!"A voice barked from the watchtower, followed by the flare of torches.Dozens of agile wolf figures emerged from the forest, bows drawn, arrows aimed squarely at them.

Leo stepped forward, raising the insignia and a rolled scroll high into the torchlight.

"Envoy of the Moontrace Council," he said steadily, "carrying a border agreement—requesting passage."

His tone was calm but carried an undercurrent of suppressed instinct, the kind of restraint a banished wolf learned beyond the wild fields.

Murmurs stirred along the outpost walls.A moment later, a deeper, more familiar voice rang out:

"Bring him up."

The torches shifted. A tall, broad-shouldered figure stepped from behind the staircase, clad in armor and bearing an axe. His black hair was tied back loosely. His gaze was as sharp as a blade—though his steps faltered, almost imperceptibly.

Leo lifted his head and locked eyes with him.

Kael Renault.

His former comrade.The Bloodfang vanguard captain—The first to raise a weapon against him three years ago.

No blades were drawn yet.But the glance alone was sharper than steel.

"...Leo," Kael said, his voice like iron falling onto brittle wood."You dare come back."

Leo didn't flinch.His tone was as it always had been—calm, unyielding.

"I'm not here to clear my name.I'm here to stop a war."

"Stop a war?"Kael laughed coldly, his gaze flicking past Leo to Selena, who stood silently behind him.

"You bring a human spy—and call that peace?"

Leo gave no answer.

"Seize them," Kael barked."Hold them for judgment by the Council."

The Bloodfang border camp was built against the mountain slopes, ringed by timber walls and blazing with torchlight.

Leo and Selena were escorted into the main command tent—a vast circular shelter. A brazier of fresh pine burned at its center, filling the air with smoke and the scent of wolfbone.

"Sit," Kael ordered, standing before them, arms crossed."Or would you rather prove your loyalty standing?"

Leo cast him a brief look—then sat without a word.

Selena sat quietly beside him, her movements calm and composed.As she lowered her head, strands of silver hair slipped from beneath her hood, gleaming like moonlight weaving through iron and leather—drawing a few curious glances from nearby wolfguards.

Something stirred faintly in Leo's chest.But he said nothing.

Kael approached, tossing the scroll carelessly onto the table before him.

"Speak," he said."What 'peace' do you think you're bringing here?"

"The Grey Iron Pike is trying to ignite a border war," Leo said evenly."That agreement is real. Signed by Garran himself."

Kael's eyes narrowed sharply.

"Don't you dare pin your crimes on the dead."

"I'm not here for myself," Leo said quietly."I'm here for Bloodfang."

A heavy silence filled the tent.

The wind outside grew harsher, tugging at the fabric walls with soft, tense rustles.

After a long pause, Kael spoke, his teeth clenched.

"You want to see the Elders? Fine.But first—you'll face the Bloodshadow Trial."

"I accept," Leo said.

Kael's lips curled into a thin, cold smile.

"Then be ready to die."

Leo's throat tightened, but he said nothing.

The night deepened.Snow fell in a silent hush across the mountains.

Inside the tent, a small fire burned low in the brazier, casting flickering orange light across the rough fur rugs, weaving shadows across the floor.

Leo sat on the ground, leaning against a wooden post, fingers absently rubbing the old insignia—almost as if confirming he still belonged somewhere.

Across from him, Selena sat quietly, pouring a cup of wild berry wine and handing it to him.

He glanced at her and accepted it with a quiet murmur of thanks.

"Do you regret coming back?" she asked.

Leo stared into the fire for a long time without answering.

"Do you think I came back for revenge?" he asked instead.

Selena blinked, then shook her head slowly.

"No," she said."I think you came back to find answers."

He let out a low, humorless chuckle—so faint it barely counted as laughter.

"When I left three years ago," he said, "I didn't think I'd live long enough to return."

He lifted the cup slightly, letting the firelight catch the rim.

"But now... I don't want to die a traitor."

Selena looked at him steadily, and her voice was soft, but firm:

"Then live like a king."

Leo lifted his eyes.

The wind brushed against the tent walls.Her words were so light they seemed almost ready to be carried away by the night air—And yet, they sank deep into his chest.

After a moment, he asked suddenly:

"If I die tomorrow, will you take the truth back for me?"

"You won't die," she said, her voice calm and unwavering.

He stared at her for a long moment.And then, he smiled.

Good.Even if he died tomorrow—at least tonight, he wasn't alone.

The fire crackled.The smoky scent of pine and wolfbone filled the air.

On this land of wolves and flame,Two bloodlines—two worlds—had quietly taken one small step closer to each other.

From the distance, a low horn sounded.

Dawn was coming.The Trial awaited.