Chapter 168: Aiden’s Diplomacy

Words : 1121 Updated : Sep 19th, 2025

Chapter 168: Aiden’s Diplomacy AIDEN POV I stepped forward before anyone else could react, placing myself between the strange Fae being and Lily. "Wait," I said strongly. "Before anyone claims anyone as family, we need to establish exactly who we’re dealing with and what authority you have here." The old Fae tilted her head, looking amused. "A minister. How nice. Very well, young Alpha. I am Lady Seraphina, First of the High Court, grandmother to Queen Titania herself." My blood went cold. I’d heard whispers of Lady Seraphina in the oldest diplomatic papers. She was older than most countries, more powerful than entire armies, and apparently hadn’t been seen in a thousand years. "With respect, Lady Seraphina," I said carefully, "that doesn’t explain why you’re calling Lily your granddaughter." "Doesn’t it?" She smiled, and starlight seemed to dance in her eyes. "Tell me, child," she said to Lily, "what do you know of your grandmother’s family line?" Lily looked confused. "My grandma was human. She died when I was little. She taught me about healing plants, but she never mentioned anything about being Fae." "Because she didn’t know," Lady Seraphina said softly. "My daughter chose love over life many generations ago. She gave up her Fae nature to marry a human man, and her descendants forgot their true ancestry." "That’s impossible," Prince Ash argued. "Fae blood doesn’t just disappear." "It doesn’t disappear," Lady Seraphina agreed. "It sleeps. Waiting for the right circumstances to awaken. Usually, it takes strong emotional trauma combined with exposure to dimensional magic." She looked straight at Lily. "Both of which you experienced when you sacrificed yourself to become a Guardian." I could see everyone processing this knowledge, but I focused on the diplomatic implications. If Lily was part Fae, it changed everything about the jurisdiction problems. "Lady Seraphina," I said politely, "if Lily is your great-great-granddaughter, then she has rights under Fae law, doesn’t she?" The old Fae’s smile widened. "Very good, young diplomat. Yes, she does. Including the right to choose which realm she serves." "But she’s also part of our pack," I pushed. "She has obligations here." "True. Which makes quite the diplomatic puzzle, doesn’t it?" I could feel everyone watching me, waiting to see how I’d handle this. As future Alpha, pack diplomacy was my duty. But this was unlike anything I’d been trained for. "What exactly are you proposing?" I asked. "A trial by choice," Lady Seraphina said. "Ancient Fae law allows individuals of mixed heritage to show their allegiance through actions rather than blood. Lily would face three tests - one representing her human nature, one her wolf nature, and one her Fae nature. The realm she serves most truly during the trials gets to claim her." "And if she fails the tests?" Caleb asked, his voice tight with worry. "Then she belongs to no realm," Lady Seraphina said simply. "And must be contained for the safety of all realities." I thought quickly. This wasn’t ideal, but it was better than instant imprisonment. It gave us time to figure out how to help Lily succeed. "We accept," I said before anyone could disagree. "Aiden!" Brock objected. "You can’t just—" "Yes, I can," I said strongly. "As acting Alpha in our father’s absence, I have the authority to make diplomatic decisions for the pack." Lady Seraphina clapped her hands together, looking pleased. "Excellent! The trials will begin immediately." "Wait," I said quickly. "We need to set ground rules. What exactly defines success or failure? Who judges the trials? What happens to Lily between tests?" The ancient Fae paused, clearly not used to having her statements questioned. "You want to negotiate the terms?" "I want to ensure fairness," I corrected. "If Lily is going to face trials that determine her entire future, she deserves to know exactly what she’s up against." "Very well. Each trial will test her ability to protect and help others, as that is the core of all three natures. Success means preserving life and keeping balance. Failure means causing needless death or chaos." "Who judges?" I pressed. "One representative from each country. The Fae Court will send a watcher, as will your pack. The human realm..." She paused carefully. "The human realm will be represented by the person whose opinion matters most to Lily." I saw Lily’s eyes instantly go to Caleb, and I felt a pang of something that might have been jealousy. But I pushed it away. This wasn’t about personal feelings. "And between trials?" I asked. "She remains with her pack, under Fae supervision to ensure she doesn’t flee." "Prince Ash stays as the Fae supervisor," I bargained. "He understands both worlds and has already proven he cares about Lily’s wellbeing." Lady Seraphina looked at her great-grandson, who nodded eagerly. "Acceptable." "When do the trials begin?" I asked. "The first trial starts now," she said with a smile that made me instantly worried. The basement around us began to shimmer and change. Not disappearing, but expanding somehow, becoming bigger than it should be able to fit. "The trial of human nature," Lady Seraphina declared. "Lily must choose between saving one person she loves or saving a hundred strangers." The larger space filled with people - some I recognized as pack members, others I’d never seen before. But in the middle of the crowd, bound and clearly in danger, was Elder Iris. "Lily!" the old woman called out. "Don’t worry about me, child. Save the others!" But as I looked around, I realized the horrible truth. There was no way to save everyone. The magical scenario was meant to force an impossible choice. "This isn’t fair," I argued. "No one should have to choose between—" "Life is not fair, young Alpha," Lady Seraphina said coldly. "It needs impossible choices. This trial tries whether Lily’s human compassion will override her practical judgment." I watched Lily look anxiously between Elder Iris and the crowd of strangers. Her face was filled with pain, and I realized that no matter what she chose, it would haunt her forever. "There has to be another way," I said desperately. "There is," a new voice said from behind us. We all spun around to see Luna walking toward us, but she looked different now. Older somehow. More aware. And her eyes held the collected knowledge of every lifetime she’d ever lived. "The trials are fake," she said simply. "They’re meant to break Lily’s spirit, not test her allegiance. Lady Seraphina isn’t who she claims to be." The old Fae’s beautiful face twisted with rage. "Impossible. You’re just a broken beta girl." Luna smiled, and it was frightening. "No. I’m the Guardian of Memories now. And I remember everything. Including who you really are... Mother."

Chapter 168: Aiden’s Diplomacy

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