The Limits of Loyalty

The morning air in Lycanthra was still frozen, as if refusing to let any sunlight pierce through the gray mist. From the balcony of my chambers, I watched the guards busy repairing the wooden palisades around the fortress, adding layers of protection.

They all knew one thing: war was not merely a threat. War could break out at any moment.

I hugged myself, my breath ragged as the cold stabbed through to my bones. My eyes kept drifting toward the castle gates, as if waiting for the first enemy to emerge from behind the fog.

Yana arrived, carrying a steaming cup.

"You must have breakfast," she urged gently.

I turned, giving her a thin smile.

"I'm not hungry."

"You must not grow weak," she insisted.

"Even a Luna still needs to eat."

In the end, I obeyed, taking the cup and letting its warmth ease the trembling in my fingertips.

Lucan came in soon after, wearing a black war cloak with silver embroidery on the shoulders. His eyes were hard, but I could see the worry behind them as he looked at me.

"Last night was tense," he said quietly.

I nodded.

"I can still feel it in my chest," I answered, tapping the spot over my pounding heart.

Lucan pulled out a chair and sat across from me.

"Hollowtooth won't stop there. They'll come again, maybe with even harsher demands."

I sipped my drink, trying to swallow the bitter reality.

"And if they attack?"

Lucan sighed.

"Then we will stand our ground."

I held his gaze for a long moment, searching for honesty in his words.

"Lucan… if all of this is wrong, if I'm not the Luna they need — will you still stand by me?"

Lucan did not hesitate even for a heartbeat.

"I did not choose you for your Luna blood. I chose you for who you are."

That answer made my eyes sting, though I tried to hold back the tears.

"You don't know how many times I've wanted to give up," I whispered.

Lucan took my hand, holding it firmly.

"You're allowed to be afraid, Elara. You're allowed to cry. But never stop standing."

I nodded slowly, swallowing my tears.

A few hours later, the clan advisors began to arrive. The hall grew loud again, filled with harsh debates about our next steps.

"The Hollowtooth forces are three times our size," one advisor argued.

"If they decide to lay siege, these gates will not hold for long."

Another added,

"Perhaps we can offer a treaty. Share the territory."

Hearing that made my blood boil.

"Share the territory? With those who want to wipe us out?"

The elder looked shaken.

"We are only considering everyone's safety."

I straightened my spine.

"I will not hand over Luna's land. Not today. Not ever."

Lucan stood beside me, his voice firm.

"We will not bow to threats. Period."

The hall grew tense. Slowly, though, a few heads nodded, agreeing even if fear still clung to their faces.

I realized that many of them did not truly believe in me — they simply did not dare to argue against Lucan. But for now, that was enough.

After the meeting ended, I walked out of the hall. My breath felt heavy, as if invisible weights pressed down on my lungs.

Yana was waiting by the door, her eyes full of sympathy.

"You managed to hold them together," she said.

I sighed.

"To hold them, yes. But for how long?"

"You have time," she encouraged.

"Use it to strengthen them. Give them reasons to believe."

I lowered my head.

"How, Yana? Every time I speak, I feel like they only see a monster."

Yana gently rubbed my shoulder.

"Look at yourself first, Elara. If you can accept who you are, they will slowly learn to accept you too."

Night began to creep in as I stood at the watchtower. From there, the view to the north was still cloaked in mist, with no sign of the Hollowtooth forces.

But I knew — that was only a delay.

They would come.

I looked up at the night sky, the pale moon hanging like the eye of a sleepless god.

Mother, give me strength.

Lucan appeared by my side, silent as ever, then stood close to my shoulder.

"If they attack," he said softly,

"Are you ready?"

I swallowed hard, staring far beyond the walls.

"Ready or not… I still have to fight."

Lucan gave a faint smile, patting my shoulder.

"That is the answer of a Luna."

And inside my chest, the burning fear slowly transformed into a resolve that grew stronger.

**

The next morning, the fog still clung to the castle yard. The air froze to the bone, as if reminding me that danger had not yet left.

I strolled toward the inner courtyard, where several soldiers were practicing their swordplay. The sound of steel striking steel cut through the morning air, rhythmic and full of determination.

They bowed respectfully as I passed. Though I still sensed suspicion in their eyes, there was also a faint glimmer of respect now.

Maybe, little by little, they were starting to believe.

I stopped at the edge of the practice arena, watching two wolves in human form fiercely sparring. Their movements were fast and brutal, revealing a wild instinct that never truly faded, even inside the castle.

Yana appeared beside me, offering breakfast again.

"You mustn't just stand here. You have to eat."

I gave her a faint smile, then took the warm bread she handed me.

"Thank you, Yana."

She sighed.

"You haven't rested in days. Everyone can see it."

"I don't have time to sleep deeply," I admitted honestly.

Some soldiers approached, asking for my instructions.

"Your Majesty," one of them said,

"If there is a siege, where will you hold your ground?"

I took a deep breath.

"In the great hall, with the civilians."

The soldier bowed.

"Understood. We will prepare extra evacuation routes."

I nodded, my chest loosening just slightly because there was at least some kind of plan, however simple.

**

That afternoon, another meeting was called in the hall. The clan elders and commanders gathered, their faces full of worry and doubt.

"We hear Hollowtooth is gathering forces," reported one commander.

"Larger than we expected."

My pulse began to race.

"How large?"

"At least four times our numbers," he answered quietly.

The room fell silent.

Lucan stood next to me, trying to remain calm.

"They want to win before the war even starts," he said steadily.

I clenched my fist.

"If they come, we fight. There will be no compromise."

A few people looked ready to protest, but Lucan's cold stare silenced them.

"We will not surrender," he declared.

"And whoever feels afraid is free to leave now."

No one moved.

After the meeting, I walked alone to the castle's rear garden. There, winter flowers bloomed bravely through the snow — white, fragile, yet standing tall.

I lowered myself, gently touching a pedal.

"You're fighting too, aren't you?" I whispered, not sure who I was speaking to.

Footsteps made me turn. Lucan came, looking at me gently.

"I know this place calms you," he said.

I nodded.

"Here I feel like my mother once stood."

Lucan gave a faint smile.

"I think you're right. The energy is different."

I looked him in the eye.

"Lucan, if tomorrow I die… what will you do?"

Lucan immediately shook his head.

"Don't say that."

"I need to know," I insisted, holding my breath.

He looked at me with such depth, it felt like he could see straight into my soul.

"If you die, I will not leave this place. I will stand here, defending your name until my last breath."

My chest ached, a mixture of sorrow and gratitude.

"Don't die," he whispered.

"I don't know how to live without you."

I almost cried, but I managed to hold it in.

**

Night fell again, spreading its cold deep into the marrow. Fires were lit in the hall, pushing back some of the fear.

I stood there, watching the soldiers on guard, checking their weapons, sharpening their spears, inspecting their shields. Everyone was busy, everyone trying to hide their fear.

Yana approached me, her voice low.

"They might come tomorrow," she said.

I only nodded.

"I know."

"And are you ready?"

I took a long breath.

"I don't know, Yana. But I will not run."

She gripped my hand tightly.

"That's enough."

As midnight approached, Lucan found me again at the tower. The wind bit deep, the half-moon hanging pale in the sky.

"You should sleep," he said.

I shook my head.

"I can't. Too many thoughts."

Lucan stood beside me, gazing into the dark northern woods.

"I will not let anything break through these walls," he said firmly.

I believed him. I wanted to believe.

But deep inside my heart, there was still a fear that refused to go away.

If the enemy truly attacked,

would I be strong enough to stand?

I closed my eyes, taking a long breath, praying silently.

Mother, guide me.

Do not let me break.

And when I opened my eyes, I forced a smile — however small — to calm all those who now placed their hopes on me.