Kaelen's POV

"The elders seeks your attention urgently," Maya said.

I was a bit sad that moment had been cut short but I needed to attend to the elders because they cause a problem.

"You can leave," I mumbled to the healer.

She stood up and probably bowed before leaving.

"Tell them I'll be there in a while," I said to Maya.

"Yes your highness," Maya replied and left quickly.

I sat up from the bed, feeling the faint pain where the wound used to be. She had done a good job healing me. Her powers were stronger than I expected. Her presence still lingered in the air, and my senses could still catch her sweet scent.

I stood up and took a deep breath, focusing my senses. My ears picked up every sound in the building footsteps, distant voices, even the soft rustle of leaves outside.

My nose caught the scent of the guards stationed at the entrance. The texture of the ground beneath my feet guided my steps.

Even without my eyes, the world around me was alive.

As I stepped out of the small building, two guards came to my sides as usual. They didn’t guide me, they knew I didn’t like that.

I followed the familiar path to the palace, using the wind to map my way. The scent of fresh flowers told me I was walking past the royal gardens, the warmth of the morning sun told me it was still early.

We reached the main palace hall in a few minutes. The guards opened the heavy doors, and I stepped inside.

The room was filled with the faint scent of old books, burning incense, and the mixed emotions of the elders waiting for me. I could hear their steady breathing, but I could also sense their nervousness.

"Your highness," Elder Garrick greeted. His voice was always heavy and deep.

"Speak," I ordered, sitting down on my throne. I didn’t need to see to know where it was. My fingers ran across the carved armrest as I waited.

There was a short silence before Elder Rowan cleared his throat.

"We bring urgent matters, my prince," Rowan began. "As you know, the king’s condition worsens daily. The healers have confirmed… he may not live to see the next full moon dance."

My jaw clenched slightly. Though I had prepared myself for this, hearing it still stung. My father had ruled the pack with strength and wisdom for many years, his illness was robbing him slowly.

"You’ve told me this before," I said calmly. "But what is new?"

Elder Garrick stepped forward. "With the king's fading health, the council believes it is time for you to prepare for full leadership. And as tradition demands, you must have a Luna beside you before your coronation during the moon dance."

I already knew where this was heading. The elders had been hinting at this for months now.

"You’ve all gathered to push your choice again, haven’t you?" I asked.

The room grew a bit tense. None of them wanted to speak first.

Elder Rowan finally said, "Your highness, Sapphira is the most suitable candidate. She is of noble blood, trained in the ways of the palace, and she comes from a strong werewolf lineage, she will bring strength and stability to your reign."

"Sapphira," I repeated quietly. My fingers tapped the armrest slowly. "The woman who worships power more than the goddess herself?"

"Your highness, that is unkind.." Rowan tried to protest.

"Do not pretend you don’t know her nature," I cut him off. "She desires the crown, not me."

"But she will give you strong heirs," Elder Garrick said. "And that is what the kingdom needs. Without heirs, there is no future for the bloodline. The people are already restless, worried for the future."

I sighed. My patience was wearing thin, but I kept my tone controlled.

"I understand my duty to the pack, I know I must give them heirs but I will not be forced into choosing a Luna like I am selecting a battle sword," I said. "This is my life my choice, I will pick whoever the goddess leads me to at the moon dance."

Another moment of silence filled the hall. I could feel the tension in the air. They wanted to argue but they feared pushing me too far.

"Your highness, time is against us," Garrick said carefully. "The moon dance is less than one moon away. If the king passes before then, the pack will demand answers. The people trust you, but they also trust traditions. You need to name your Luna before the dance."

"I will choose my Luna at the moon dance," I said firmly.

"But…."

"Enough," I interrupted. "You are dismissed."

I stood up slowly. The guards immediately stepped closer, sensing I was ready to leave. The elders bowed and kept quiet as I turned to walk out.

As I walked down the long hallway, my mind was filled with thoughts. The pressure was building. The kingdom needed stability, they needed an heir, but I couldn’t just tie my life to someone I didn’t trust.

My thoughts shifted to the healer for a brief moment. Her touch was gentle, her energy pure. She didn't belong to the world of politics and power, but somehow, being around her brought me peace, something I hadn’t felt in a long time.

But she was a peasant. The council would never approve. The kingdom would never accept it. Even thinking about it was foolish.

Still, my heart betrayed me with small hopes.

"Your highness," Maya's voice pulled me from my thoughts as she appeared beside me again. "Shall I prepare your chambers?"

"Yes," I answered shortly.

As she led me down the hall, my mind continued to swirl. The moon dance was coming fast. My father was dying. The council was breathing down my neck. And yet, in the middle of all this chaos… I couldn’t shake the thought of her.

The scent of her still lingered.