The ground quieted for a moment as the pathway knitted itself back together, and the noise faded into a tense silence. The sudden silence was short-lived; a distant, rhythmic rumbling soon broke the quiet, its ominous vibrations signalling an approaching threat.

Emory’s fingers tightened around Rahl’s hand instinctively. He shot her a quick glance, concern flickering across his face, but she only returned a quick side-eye, focusing on the source of the noise. The thudding grew louder, relentless and foreboding.

“Stay behind me,” Rahl murmured, stepping in front of her protectively.

“Why?” Emory asked, stepping beside him with a stubborn lift of her chin. “Suddenly I resemble a powerless woman who cannot fend for herself?”

“It’s just instinct,” he sighed, his gaze still locked on the path.

Huffing softly, she was amused by his old-fashioned instincts but touched by his genuine concern. They watched as the pathway split open again, and her heart hammered in her chest. A figure stepped out of the shadows, a woman with hair as black as the void, flowing over her shoulders in glossy waves. She wore a crimson dress that flowed like liquid fire, hugging her form in a dance of shadow and light. When their eyes met, Emory flinched at a sudden, piercing headache. The woman’s lips, painted a dangerous shade of red, curled into a sinister smirk, stirring a chorus of whispers in Emory’s mind.

“Seraphine,” Rahl breathed, astonished.

Taking her eyes off the woman, Emory glanced at Rahl, wondering how his regent was here.

“Your regent?” Emory whispered to him, checking Seraphine out of the corner of her eye as she approached.

“Yes, she’s my regent,” he murmured, his eyes not leaving Seraphine as she made her way closer with an elegance that seemed almost too graceful for a human.

“Lord Wulric,” Seraphine said, her voice smooth, echoing slightly. She clasped her hands behind her back, her posture regal and relaxed. “I suspected I might find you here.”

Her gaze then shifted to Emory, dark eyes gleaming. “And the last hunter, as I live and breathe.”

Emory stiffened under her stare, the ferocity unnerving. There was something about Seraphine that didn’t quite fit—her aura was too controlled, too composed. It wasn’t the presence of a Lycan; it was something else, something more” arcane.

Rahl’s jaw tightened. “Seraphine, why are you here? How did you find the lair?”

Her lips curled up at the corners in a slight smirk. “Oh, I have my ways, your majesty. As regent, it’s my duty to know things, to find ways where others see walls.”

The cryptic reply did nothing to ease Emory’s growing concern. She glanced at Rahl, trying to gauge his reaction, but his expression was unreadable. Turning back to Seraphine, she asked, “So, what do you want?”

Seraphine’s gaze lingered on her, assessing, calculating. “What I want is simple—to make sure the Empire remains stable. But with unexpected elements surfacing,” she gestured subtly towards Emory, “adjustments may be necessary.”

Her words sent a chill down Emory’s spine. Adjustments? What kind of adjustment was she talking about? And why did it sound like a threat veiled behind a veneer of concern?

Rahl stepped slightly in front of Emory. “Whatever is between Emory and me is no concern of yours. Tend to your duty to manage the Empire and leave us out of your machinations. Interfering with my plans so blatantly is insulting.”

Seraphine’s smile widened just a fraction, but it was enough to make Emory’s unease deepen. “Of course, Lord Wulric,” she replied smoothly. “I expect nothing less. I am simply here to offer my assistance” should you require any guidance.”

“You should leave,” Rahl’s voice was a low growl, commanding and final.

“No,” Emory interjected. “You should explain how you found us here.”

“My ways are my own business, Lady Chav’re,” Seraphine responded with a condescending smile. “But if you wish, I can show you the way out of here.”

“I believe my queen asked you a question,” Rahl retorted as she turned to leave.

“Queen-to-be, your majesty,” Seraphine corrected with a nonchalant shrug. “And I hate to sound pessimistic, but nothing is really set in stone, not even a prophecy.”

With those cryptic words, she turned and walked away, her crimson dress swirling around her in a dramatic flourish. Emory watched her leave, then turned to Rahl in curiosity.

“Were you sleeping with her?” she asked abruptly, the question driven by a sudden, irrational need to understand how he couldn’t have seen how evil she was before giving her power as regent.

Rahl spun around to face her in shock. “What? Goddess, no! Why would you even ask that?” His denial was fervent, his eyes searching hers for understanding.

“She just seems very” unafraid of you, and I wonder why you would give someone like that so much power over you. I could only imagine that maybe you were lovers.”

He exhaled slowly, his face softening as he took a step towards her. “I assure you, there’s nothing personal between Seraphine and me. But I admit, her position is a decision I’ve come to regret.”

“Who is she, really?” Emory pressed, feeling a knot of curiosity and concern tighten in her stomach.

“She was my mother’s general, among other things,” he explained, his gaze drifting slightly as he pondered his next words. “You know, I often wonder why my mother, with her ambitions to rule the Empire, didn’t just take the title for herself’”

“She made you appoint Seraphine?” she asked, piecing together the fragments of that was Rahl’s life.

He shook his head. “No, not exactly. Seraphine knew about my” condition, my inability to shift. She used that knowledge to leverage her way into power, essentially forcing my hand, or she would reveal the truth to the council, which would cost me the throne. A king without his authority as Lycan is no king.”

“How did she find out about that? I don’t suppose you revealed it to any soul, I mean, no one in your position would. And how is she able to be here? Is this lair general knowledge to the royals?” she wondered.

“This lair is known among the royals,” he admitted in reluctance. “But only a few at the highest level of power are aware of its mechanisms.”

She crossed her arms, her brow furrowed in thought. “But none of that explains how she found us so easily, or how she appears to know how to leave a lair that’s supposed to be inescapable. What is she, really? How could she find her way in and out so easily?”

“She is a Lycan, yes—a damn good warrior, one of the best. She served as my mother’s general for many years,” he explained as he ran a hand through his hair, looking genuinely perplexed. “I do not know how she knows certain things. Of course, she was never like this before she became regent.” He huffed. “Since she came into that power, I’ve suspected that she may possess—abilities. Abilities that aren’t typical even among our kind. Only the Hunter Wolves have that.”

She said nothing for a while, only observing Rahl. He stood there, shirtless and seemingly unaware of it, his brow creased in thought. If she didn’t already detest the royal court and their devious politicking, she did now.

Just then, Seraphine reappeared at the entrance of the cave, her posture rigid and commanding. “Lord Wulric, Lady Chav’re, we should get moving. We need to reach Eclin Tower before nightfall.”

“Eclin Tower? Seraphine’”

“Your Lady Regent,” Seraphine interrupted her sharply, her voice cold. “I expect you to address me with the respect my title commands, Lady Chav’re. While his majesty may tolerate your overfamiliarity, I do not. Let’s not have this misunderstanding again.”

Emory’s jaw tightened at Seraphine’s interruption and correction, her annoyance clear in her narrowed eyes. The audacity of the witch to demand such formalities was more than just irritating—it was an overt display of power. Her fists clenched at her sides as she stared Seraphine down. She took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure.

“Of course, Your Lady Regent,” she said through gritted teeth, the words tasting sour on her tongue. “But I am not going to Eclin Tower.”

Rahl stepped forward to meet Seraphine. “Seraphine, that’s enough,” he said firmly. “We are not in court, and I will not have you speak to Lady Chav’re—or anyone—with such disregard.”

Seraphine’s eyes flashed with amusement, but she nodded slightly, acknowledging Rahl’s command. “As you wish, Your Majesty. But we really must make haste. The pathways from this lair will not remain stable for long after the disruption.”

“Then lead the way,” he said curtly, but he gave Emory a quick, apologetic look before they started following Seraphine out.

As they walked through the dark, unstable, twisting passages, with the ground shaking occasionally with small tremors, she mulled over Seraphine’s attitude. It felt like she was setting herself up for something much larger, a play for more power.

They reached a more stable part of the lair, and Rahl slowed down to walk beside Emory, giving them a chance to talk away from Seraphine’s earshot. “I’m sorry about that,” he murmured. “Seraphine has become more” dominant since she became regent.”

“You mean since you made her regent?” She glared at him. “But it’s more than just assertiveness. Her knowledge of this lair, her ability to come and go as she pleases—it’s unsettling.”

She was starting to doubt Rahl’s decision-making, wondering if he was truly thinking clearly. Considering Seraphine knew the lair like the back of her hand, Emory couldn’t help but wonder if they were walking into a trap. Her intimate knowledge of the lair gave her the upper hand.

While they followed Seraphine’s brisk stride through the twisting paths, Emory’s distrust only deepened. She kept her gaze fixed on Seraphine’s back, noting every small movement, every pause that seemed just a bit too calculated.

“There’s no reason to worry’”

“Rahl!” Emory cut him off, sharper than she wanted to. He stopped walking, turning to face her directly, and even Seraphine paused and looked back, her eyebrows raised slightly.

Seraphine turned fully and addressed them with a thinly veiled patronizing tone. “Is there a problem, Lady Chav’re?” she asked, her smile tight. “While your relationship may be no business of mine, it is disrespectful to address the king by his name without formal title. You may not be familiar with Lycan laws, but even as queen-to-be, you must abide by these protocols unless explicitly released from them in open court or there will be consequences.”

She met Seraphine’s challenging gaze without flinching. “This really doesn’t concern you, your lady regent,” she retorted, her voice cold but controlled.

Seraphine held her gaze for a moment longer, then with a small, dismissive nod, turned back and continued leading the way through the lair.

“What is wrong with you?” she asked Rahl. “She’s dangerous, Rahl. It feels like you’re under her spell or something.”

His brows furrowed in thought. After glancing at Seraphine’s retreating figure, he turned back to her. “I know how it seems,” he admitted quietly. “But it’s complicated.”

There was a pause as he struggled with his words. “She knows things—things that could destabilize everything in the Empire. I need to keep her close to control the fallout.”

As Emory listened, her frustration softened into concern. He was in a tough spot, between maintaining authority and managing a potential threat. “So you’re keeping your enemies closer,” she concluded with a more understanding tone.

“Exactly,” he agreed, visibly relieved that she understood. “And I’m not entirely sure what she’s capable of or what her endgame is, and that’s what makes her so dangerous.”

Even though she wanted to believe him, she couldn’t. There was something about Seraphine’s control over Rahl that seemed unnatural. With a resigned shrug, they followed Seraphine out of the cave, emerging into the unexpected light of morning.

The fresh air was disorienting, and Emory paused, realizing something was very wrong. “It’s morning already?” she murmured, more to herself than to Rahl.

The battalion of Lycan sentinels that greeted them bowed respectfully to Rahl, but Emory was barely aware of them. Her mind was reeling from the implications of the lost time.

Rahl shared her confusion. “That’s impossible. We were only inside for a few hours,” he murmured, looking to Seraphine for answers.

Seraphine stepped forward with a slight smile. “Ah, I may have neglected to mention you’ve been in there for two days, your majesty.”

Emory’s heart raced and she massaged her chest against the pain that now pierced through. Before she could demand more explanations, a sharp, excruciating pain shot through her body. She staggered, clutching at her sides as her bones began to shift and crack with a violence that left her breathless.

Rahl reached out to support her, but Emory’s transformation was swift and overwhelming. Her body contorted, and a primal energy surged through her veins. Her once smooth skin rippled with pulsating veins, as her bones elongated and twisted into a new shape. Claws sprouted from her fingertips, and her eyes glowed with an otherworldly light.

Seraphine watched with an unfazed expression as her cries filled the air. “Right. I might have forgotten to mention that today is the Hunter’s Moon,” she said almost thoughtfully. “What does it feel like, Last Hunter?’