Chapter 3

"This is the Alpha King's Signet, a relic of past Kings.

It commands three thousand Grey Wolf warriors."

He slammed the ring hard onto the throne's armrest.

It landed with a dull thud.

"Enough to cover that worthless crown of yours, Luna?"

My pupils shrank.

Every elder in the tent sucked in a sharp breath.

Elder Whitemane shot to his feet.

"Your Highness, reconsider!

The ring must not..."

Bloodfang shot him a cold look.

His golden slit pupils flared.

The elder went silent immediately.

Nayi pressed against Bloodfang's chest and flashed me a provocative smile.

A cheerful pup's voice echoed in my ears.

[The Alpha King Ring!

We hit the jackpot, Mom.

Grab the bow!

Your son will guide your arrow!]

I watched that bastard pair in silence and smiled.

There was a touch of pity in it.

"Since Your Majesty is wagering for her, I shall gladly play along."

Bloodfang's lips curled slightly.

"Round two. Change the targets!"

For years, I stood by his side at every hunt and archery match.

Yet he only ever let me cheer from inside the tent.

He forbade me from touching weapons, saying iron was too rough for my delicate hands.

So earlier, I could barely draw. I barely scored a five.

Nayi grew up on the wild plains and easily scored a perfect ten.

Bloodfang knew all of this perfectly well.

Iron-spine slaves moved on command.

The first-round targets were wheeled away.

Two taller iron racks were brought forward.

Two copper bells hung from iron chains, suspended a full two hundred paces out.

"Change bows," Bloodfang ordered.

His voice was cold as ice shards.

Attendants presented two bows.

Nayi took hers. Rosewood frame, wolf teeth inlaid on the arms.

One of the strongest bows in the pack.

She drew it easily into a full moon.

The attendant set my bow at Nayi's feet.

It was no ordinary bow.

The frame was jet black, heavy as iron.

Three cords of ox tendon twisted into a string thick as a pinky.

Stood upright, it nearly reached my chest.

Hushed voices murmured across the hall.

"That is the first Alpha's Stone-Crusher Bow.

Without godly strength, no one can draw it.

The Luna is pregnant.

The Alpha really is trying to finish her off."

Bloodfang sat high above it all.

"You've never had a bow of your own, so I'm lending you one worthy of your title."

I said nothing and bent down to pick it up.