Astra’s hand presses firmer against Lucian’s, but her expression remains steady. Calculating. “The prophecy referred to me.”
“Yes. You’re the one with the ability to control a shifter’s wolf. The true queen.” I pause, choosing my next words carefully. “According to the prophecy, your murder, and the murder of your unborn child, would trigger a war that would tear the Wolf Kingdom apart.”
Silence falls over the garden for a moment.
“Why?” Lucian asks in a low voice. “Why would her death start a war?”
I meet his eyes. “Because her blood, hers and her unborn child’s, would be enough to facilitate a transfer of her abilities to another person.”
Astra and Lucian exchange a look. Something passes between them, something dark and knowing.
“Has it been attempted before?” I ask sharply, reading their expressions.
Astra’s jaw tightens. “Once. But we stopped it. Obviously.”
“The threat is not gone,” I say, my tone harsh. “Whoever tried once will try again. They know it’s possible. They know what they need.” I gesture to her rounded belly. “And they’re running out of time. In two months, your child will be born, and the window will close. The prophecy specifies an unborn child. Once the baby is born, the ritual won’t work the same way.”
“So, they’ll be desperate,” Lucian says, his mind already racing through the implications.
“Exactly. More desperate. More reckless. More willing to take risks.” I step even closer. “And if Daciana is standing between them and you when they make their move—”
“She’ll be killed, too,” Astra finishes quietly.
“Or you’ll be killed while they’re targeting her.” I let that sink in. “I didn’t come here for politics. I didn’t come here for alliances or trade agreements or diplomatic favor. I came to warn you because a prophecy revealed that the true queen would be murdered. That’s it. That was my only purpose.”
“Until you saw Daciana,” Astra says.
“Until I saw Daciana,” I confirm, my voice becoming rough. “Now, I have a stake in this. I cannot allow this prophecy to be fulfilled. At any cost.”
Lucian’s eyes narrow. “Can prophecies be changed?”
The question surprises me. Most people accept prophecies as immutable fate. But Lucian is asking if they can fight it.
“Yes,” I say carefully. “But it’s not easy. Prophecies are like rivers. They have a natural course they want to follow. You can build dams, redirect the flow, but the water still wants to go where it was meant to go. It takes tremendous effort and constant vigilance to change a prophecy’s outcome.”
“But it can be done,” Astra says firmly.
“It can be done.” I hold her gaze, letting the weight of my next words settle between us. “And I will help you change it. I have resources you don’t. Witches who understand prophecies, magic that can counter what’s coming, knowledge that has been passed down through generations in my pack.” I pause deliberately. “But only if Daciana is under my protection. Only if you allow me to keep her safe while we work to prevent your death.”
The bargain hangs in the air, clear and unmistakable.
“You’re leveraging our lives for Daciana’s,” Lucian says, eyeing me suspiciously.
“I’m offering you a solution that protects everyone,” I counter. “Separate Daciana from Astra’s side so she’s not caught in the crossfire. Put her under my protection where my people can guard her properly. And in return, I’ll use every resource at my disposal to help you change this prophecy.”
“You still haven’t explained what makes her so special,” Lucian says. “Why her presence changes everything for you.”
“I won’t share that,” I repeat, my jaw tight. “But know this. Whoever is trying to kill her won’t stop. They’ve sent multiple attackers already, each one escalating in skill and violence. They’re willing to murder their own people to cover their tracks.” I gesture toward the forest. “Last night I found the corpse of the person who attacked her in the woods. Someone mutilated the body beyond recognition and left it for the scavengers.”
Astra’s expression hardens. “A conspiracy.”
“A well-organized one.” I fold my arms across my chest. “And as long as she’s serving as your personal guard, you’re in the line of fire. If they strike at her while she’s protecting you…” I let the implication hang in the air.
Understanding flashes across Astra’s face. Her hands spread wider over her stomach. “They could kill me and my baby while trying to kill her. Fulfill the prophecy by accident.”
“Or on purpose,” I say grimly. “Kill three targets with one strike. Daciana dies, you die, your child dies, they harvest your blood for the ritual, and the Kingdom descends into war. And with your due date approaching, whoever wants this prophecy fulfilled is running out of time.”
Lucian’s free arm wraps around Astra, but neither of them looks terrified. They look aggressive. Like wolves who are cornered but ready to fight back.
