Chapter 4 You have a heir, king..!

The rain had finally stopped. Only scattered drops clung to the rooftops of Ravencrest Village as the morning mist settled over the winding roads. Madonna hurried along the muddy path, her worn cloak wrapped tightly around her shoulders. She had barely slept.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw her father’s face disappearing into the storm with her newborn daughter in his arms, Two days had passed. He hadn’t come home. Neither had the royal guards.

Her heart pounded harder with every step toward the towering walls of Ravencrest Palace. She had never imagined she would one day stand before the royal gates. The towering stone walls seemed endless, guarded by warriors in polished silver armor whose sharp eyes missed nothing.

As she approached, two guards crossed their spears in front of her “wait.” Madonna immediately lowered her head. “I… I’m looking for my father.” One of the guards frowned. “And who is your father?” “Garrick Ashcroft.”

The moment his name left her lips, both guards exchanged a glance. “The former village elder?” “Yes.”

“He was summoned by His Majesty.” “I know.” Her voice trembled. “He left two nights ago… but he never returned.”

The older guard studied her carefully before asking, “You are the daughter that gave birth to the queen's curse?” She lowered her head “Yes.” For a moment, neither guard spoke.

Finally, the older one stepped aside. “You may enter.”

Madonna bowed repeatedly. “Thank you.”

She hurried through the massive gates, her eyes darting across the palace grounds. Servants rushed between buildings carrying baskets of linen and food. Royal knights trained in the distance, their swords clashing in rhythmic bursts. Nobles walked the stone pathways dressed in elegant robes, barely sparing her a glance.

Everything felt so different from the quiet village she called home. She had never felt smaller.

A young palace maid noticed her wandering aimlessly and approached with a gentle smile. “Are you lost?”

Madonna nodded. “I’m looking for Garrick Ashcroft.”

The maid’s expression softened. “So you’re his daughter.” Madonna blinked. “You know my father?”

“The whole palace knows him now.” Something in the maid’s tone made Madonna’s stomach tighten. “What… what do you mean?” The maid hesitated before answering. "Come with me.”

The palace was far larger than she had imagined. Serants hurried from one hallway to another carrying silver trays, while knights in polished armor stood guard outside every chamber. As they turned a corner leading toward the royal courtyard, the maid suddenly stopped. She quickly lowered her head. “Your Majesty.” Madonna instinctively stepped aside.

A group of warriors dressed in unfamiliar black armor approached from the opposite direction.

Unlike the soldiers of Ravencrest, their cloaks were embroidered with a silver wolf surrounded by flames. Walking at their center was a tall man whose presence alone commanded attention. His long black cloak brushed against the marble floor with every step. His face was calm, yet there was something intimidating about him.

Madonna lowered her gaze respectfully as he walked past. The man’s footsteps slowed. A strange feeling stirred inside him. His wolf shifted uneasily. He frowned almost imperceptibly. Why… His eyes drifted toward the young village woman standing quietly beside the wall. She looked ordinary. Simple clothes.

No noble blood. No reason to attract his attention. Yet something about her felt or perhaps Familiar.

Before he could think further, one of his generals spoke. “Your Majesty, the council is waiting.” The feeling disappeared as quickly as it had come. “…I’m coming.” Without another glance, he continued walking.

Madonna watched the group disappear down the corridor. She quietly asked the maid, “Who was that?”

The maid lowered her voice. “King Cassian. The ruler of Valeria. They say he’s the strongest Alpha King beyond Ravencrest.” Madonna simply nodded. The name meant nothing to her. She had never seen him before… Or so she believed. The maid gently touched her arm. “Come. Your father is waiting.” Together, they continued toward Without another word,

She led Madonna through a long corridor lined with towering stone pillars until they reached a quiet courtyard enclosed by iron gates.

Inside sat several men dressed in plain gray robes. Some stared blankly at the ground, others swept the courtyard in silence. Among them... Madonna spotted a familiar figure. Her breath caught. “…Father.” Garrick slowly lifted his head.

The moment he saw his daughter standing beyond the gate, relief washed over his weathered face.

He rose to his feet and walked toward her, stopping just short of the iron bars between them.

Neither of them spoke. Madonna’s eyes filled with tears. “Father..!"

Madonna pressed both hands against the cold iron bars, searching her father’s face. “What have they done to you?” Garrick managed a faint smile. “I’m still alive, aren’t I?” “Father…” She called out again but this time, Her voice broke. “I thought… I thought they had executed you.” He slowly shook his head. “The king spared my life.”

Madonna let out the breath she had been holding. Tears rolled freely down her cheeks. “I’ve been so worried.” Garrick reached through the bars and gently wiped one tear from her face with his rough thumb.

“You’ve always cried too easily.” She gave a weak laugh before lowering her head. “I’m sorry.” “You’ve nothing to apologize for.”

They simply looked at each other quietly. There was so much they wanted to say, yet neither knew where to begin.

Finally, Garrick spoke. “How is your grandmother?” “She misses you.” “And…” He hesitated. “How are you?” Madonna understood what he truly meant. She swallowed hard. “I still wake up hearing her cry.” Her words were barely audible. “My arms still feel empty.”

Pain flickered across Garrick’s face. He looked away.

“I never imagined I would ask the Moon Goddess to forgive me for something before I had even done it.”

Madonna frowned. “What do you mean?” Garrick leaned closer, lowering his voice. “When I left the child beneath the Moon Willow…” His expression changed.

“…something happened.” Madonna stared at him “What happened?” “I heard a howl.” “So?” “It wasn’t the howl.”bHis eyes remained fixed on hers “It was the answer.” Madonna blinked. “The entire forest answered her.” A chill crept down her spine. “I’ve hunted those woods since I was a young man.” “I know the cries of our wolves.” “But that night…” He slowly shook his head. “…they weren’t hunting.”

“They were… protecting.” Madonna felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise.

Neither of them noticed the elderly prison keeper moving farther away, leaving them a little more privacy. Garrick lowered his voice even more. “Tell me the truth, daughter. Who got you pregnant?" Madonna’s fingers tightened around the iron bars. she couldn’t answer.

Then she whispered, “…I don’t know.” Garrick frowned “You don’t know?” “I never learned his name.” She closed her eyes. “You remember the day you sent me to Uncle Edwin’s village?” He nodded slowly. “I was returning home before sunset. There was a carriage stopped along the forest road. I thought it had been attacked.”

Her breathing grew uneven as memories she had fought to bury came rushing back. "There were soldiers everywhere… They looked frightened. They kept saying their king had been poisoned.”

Garrick listened without interrupting. “One of them begged me for help. I told them I wasn’t a healer. They said it didn’t matter…” Her voice trembled.“…they were desperate.” She paused, struggling to continue.

“I…”

Before another word could leave her lips, heavy footsteps echoed through the corridor. A palace guard approached. “Time’s up.” Madonna quickly wiped her tears. Garrick looked at her with quiet determination.

“We’ll finish this another day, take good care of your grand mother and yourself too.” She nodded reluctantly. As the guard led her away, Garrick remained standing behind the iron gate, watching until she disappeared from sight.

His heart felt heavier than it had the night he walked into Blackwood Forest. Whatever had happened on that lonely road… He was certain of one thing. It had not been an ordinary encounter.

The journey back to Valeria took three days. King Cassian rode at the front of his men, his thoughts returning again and again to the strange village girl he had seen inside Ravencrest Palace. There had been nothing remarkable about her. Yet for reasons he couldn’t explain, his wolf had stirred the moment she came into view. It had never happened before. He dismissed the thought and urged his horse forward.

Perhaps the long journey had simply exhausted him.

By sunset, the towering walls of Valeria came into view.

Trumpets echoed across the city as the palace gates opened. Soldiers bowed their heads. “Welcome home, Your Majesty.” Cassian acknowledged them with a nod before dismounting. He had barely climbed the palace steps when the chief steward approached hurriedly. “Your Majesty… someone is waiting for you.” He removed his gloves. “Who?” “The High Priest.” cassian raised an eyebrow. “At this hour?” “He insisted it could not wait.”

Cassian made his way toward the temple chamber.

The doors were already open. Inside, candles burned in neat rows beneath the statue of the Moon Goddess.

An elderly man dressed in white robes stood with his back to the entrance. He slowly turned as Cassian entered. “Your Majesty.” Cassian smiled faintly. “It’s unlike you to leave the temple.” The priest did not return the smile.

Instead, he studied the king carefully. “You felt it today…” Cassian expression shifted. “…Felt what?”

“The stirring. The call.” Cassian frowned. “My wolf became restless. It happened only once. It disappeared almost immediately.” The priest closed his eyes. “When did it happen?” Cassian searched his memory. “…Inside Ravencrest Palace.” The priest’s fingers tightened around his staff. “I feared as much.”

Cassian folded his arms. “Will someone explain what this is about?” The old priest took a slow breath. “For many years, Your Majesty… You and Her Majesty have prayed for an heir.” Cassian face hardened slightly. “Yes.” “The Moon Goddess has heard those prayers.” Cassian gave a quiet laugh.

“If that were true, my queen would already be carrying our child.” The priest slowly shook his head. “The Moon Goddess does not always answer in the way we expect.” Cassian's smile faded. “What are you trying to say?” The priest stepped closer. “Tell me truthfully… Within the past year… Did you spend even a single night with another woman?” Cassian stared at him. The question struck like lightning. His mind drifted back to a rain-soaked night… The burning poison in his veins… Voices shouting around him… And a frightened young woman kneeling beside him. His breathing slowed. “…That night…” He looked up at the priest. “…It couldn’t be.”