Chapter 156: The Storm Before the Ball

Words : 1189 Updated : Sep 19th, 2025

Chapter 156: The Storm Before the Ball Zane~ The moment I stepped into my chambers, the weight of the last hour clung to me like armor. My jaw was still clenched, the ghost of my father’s threat ringing in my ears. Make her disappear... Not in this lifetime. I reached for her through the mind link—my anchor, my fire, the chaos I willingly let consume me. "Natalie?" Her voice came sharp and laced with heat. "What?" I winced. Okay, she was still angry. "Don’t be mad at him. My father—he didn’t know any better. He didn’t know who you are... what you are to me. Please, Nat." "Zane," she said, her voice cold, "He insulted me. In front of everyone. Called me cursed. Like I was some plague." I exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I know. I was there. And if I could take it back, I would. But he’s not used to people standing up to him, and you—" I chuckled under my breath "—you didn’t just stand up. You planted your boots on his royal ego and danced." "Damn right I did," she snapped. "Because no man—king or not—gets to insult me and expect me to curtsy afterward. I won’t take that kind of treatment ever again." "I’m going to make him apologize." The words came out like a promise carved into stone. "I swear it. Publicly, if I have to. You deserve that much." There was a pause on her end. I could feel her heartbeat through the bond—still fast, still angry, but no longer spitting fire. "I don’t need him to like me," she finally muttered. "But he will respect me." "He will," I agreed. "And if he doesn’t, well... he can deal with Red." A laugh slipped from her, soft but real. "Your wolf doesn’t scare me." "That’s because you’re terrifying." She snorted. "You say that like it’s a bad thing." "No, baby," I whispered, sinking into my chair as my muscles relaxed for the first time all day. "It’s the hottest thing about you. Speaking of which... can you come back to the palace? I need to hold you. Right now. Like, immediately." "Zane—" "Please? Just for a while. I need you." The silence stretched. I imagined her biting her lip, those stormy eyes narrowing, the way they always did when she was about to give in. But just as she was about to answer, the damn bell chimed. "Of course," I groaned aloud. "Mr Lucky," a voice crackled through the intercom. "The king requests your immediate presence in the throne room. Emergency royal meeting." I glared at the ceiling. "Rain check on the cuddling, babe. Something’s come up." "Let me guess," she replied. "His Majesty’s having another royal temper tantrum?" "Probably," I sighed, already rising from the chair and heading to the armoire. "But I’ll make it up to you when we meet. I’ll bring snacks. And kisses. And maybe some late-night running, if you’re lucky." "Hmm," she purred. "I’ll hold you to that. Be safe, my love. And don’t let him get under your skin again." "Too late," I muttered, adjusting the silver-stitched collar of my formal jacket. "But thanks for the vote of confidence, love." The hallway to the throne room was buzzing—guards everywhere, doors flung open, even the paintings on the walls seemed to be staring with curious expressions. But when I stepped into the throne room? It was packed. I paused, just inside the threshold. Rows of nobles, Elders, pack leaders from across the kingdom, ministers, advisors—even Owen and Michael Blackthorn. How the hell did everyone get here so fast? It had only been an hour since I stormed out of my father’s room. Was there a royal group chat I wasn’t invited to? I barely had time to process it before his voice rang in my head. "Do not come near me." I blinked. Excuse me? "Find a seat among the people," he said flatly. "Now." Well. That wasn’t ominous at all. I followed his order and slid into a seat next to a jittery-looking guy who smelled more like an ancient Elder wolf than any Elder I’d ever encountered—but damn, he didn’t look the part. If anything, he looked like he’d get winded climbing stairs. Still, the power rolling off him was unreal. Sitting down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d just walked straight into a landmine... and the countdown had already started. "What the hell is going on?" I whispered to him. The guy leaned toward me and whispered in a shaky voice. "No clue. But the king looks like he hasn’t slept in a week and might throw someone off a balcony. So... standard Tuesday?" The murmurs died down when my father rose from his throne. He wore full regalia—cloak, crown, blade at his hip. His face was calm, but his aura? Heavy. "Today," he began, "I bring urgent news to the court—and to the kingdom at large." Silence. Every breath in the room held. "The royal ball," he continued, "has been moved up. It will now take place the day after tomorrow—this coming Saturday." Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd like a wave crashing against stone. My brows furrowed. Why was he making such a simple announcement sound so serious? What was he playing at? "And more importantly," my father continued, raising a hand for silence, "the invitation to the royal ball is no longer restricted to noble bloodlines and honored guests." He paused. "Every pack. Every den. Every family—no matter how poor or distant—shall attend." Now that caused an uproar. People turned in their seats, muttering to one another, faces alight with confusion and excitement. Even the Elders exchanged shocked glances. The guy beside me leaned toward me again. "Okay, either the king’s losing it... or he’s planning something insane." I didn’t get the chance to respond because my father’s voice rose once more. "Because this Saturday," he said, "I will make an announcement. One that will reshape our kingdom. One that will alter our path forward forever." I froze. The room buzzed with stunned energy, but I couldn’t hear any of it. My mind had locked on his words. Alter our path forward forever... What the hell was he planning? Then his voice pierced my thoughts—sharp and low through the mind link. "Zane. Make sure Darius Blackthorn is there. I don’t care how. Use any means necessary. Bring him. And Natalie too." My stomach dropped. I stood up in my seat. "What?" I asked, my voice cracking in my mind. "Why would you want—" "No questions," he cut in. "Do as I say." "You said you’d make her disappear if I defied you, and now you want her at the ball?" There was no response. Just silence. And then— "Do it, Zane." I stared at him from across the room, my mouth slightly parted, pulse thudding like war drums in my ears. Whatever was about to happen... It wasn’t just about politics or ceremony. It was something deeper. Something dangerous. And somehow, it all revolved around her. Natalie. And Darius. Moon Goddess help us all.

Chapter 156: The Storm Before the Ball

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