Chapter 234
Rania, determined to protect herself from the elders’ pressure, uses her status as queen to shield herself. Though slow to learn, she has grasped that the elders will never be satisfied unless they break her spirit, which she refuses to allow. When questioned, she reveals a brief written message explaining that she is following the king’s direct order to stay away from the palace for her safety. This defiance of the elders’ demands silences the room, as the king’s word is absolute, even over the queen.
Despite Elder Gallant’s insistence that the palace is the safest place for her and his frustration at her refusal to return, Rania calmly maintains her position, signaling that Elder Gayle can manage affairs in her absence. She promises to return only when the king arrives and gives further instructions, a stance that frustrates the elders but leaves them powerless. Elder Gayle praises her clever handling of the situation, and Rania feels relief and validation for her careful strategy.
However, the calm is shattered when a bullet suddenly strikes Elder Gayle in the chest. Warriors rush to protect Rania as she cradles the wounded elder, realizing the injury is caused by a silver bullet, which is deadly to shifters and prevents healing. She urgently calls for the healer, despite concerns for her own safety, as the alarm sounds signaling an attack on the pack. Amidst the chaos, Rania is escorted to safety while the sounds of battle grow louder, leaving the situation tense and uncertain.
Chapter 234
If the elders intended to exploit Rania’s position as queen to pressure her, then she was determined to wield that very status as a shield for her own protection.
Though not the quickest to grasp lessons, Rania had at least absorbed something valuable from her past encounters with these elders. At this point, nothing they demanded could truly satisfy them—unless they succeeded in breaking her spirit. But she was resolute; she refused to grant them that victory.
After about fifteen minutes, she finally revealed what she had been painstakingly writing. In truth, the message was brief—so brief that the elders read it in mere seconds. The delay was intentional: Rania had crossed out so many words, rephrasing and erasing repeatedly, deliberately prolonging the process to frustrate them.
On the paper, she had written that she was merely following the king’s explicit command to stay away from the palace, as it was not a safe place for her at the moment.
“The palace is the safest place for you, my queen. Don’t you see? You are responsible for the deaths of our two finest warriors,” Elder Gallant said sharply.
The loss of Deryl and Ares was a raw wound for Rania, especially since their memories remained vivid and painful.
She fixed Elder Gallant with a sharp glare and then wrote again.
[I cannot disobey the king’s direct orders, can I p>
That single line silenced the room. No matter how exalted Rania’s rank was, Maximus’s word was absolute. Defying the king’s direct command was tantamount to treason—even for the queen herself.
Rania had learned to navigate this delicate balance and used it to shield herself from their attacks.
Elder Gayle, on the other hand, appeared genuinely impressed with how Rania managed the situation, though Elder Gallant was far from finished complaining.
“My queen, please return to the palace. There are many matters that require your attention there. It’s clear the king’s plan has failed if you’re still being targeted even in hiding. The palace remains your safest refuge,” Elder Gallant urged, his eagerness to bring her back almost desperate.
Rania responded once more in writing, taking her time as always, which only seemed to rile Elder Gallant further.
[The king will arrive soon. I intend to wait for his further instructions p>
“My queen, you simply cannot do that. The palace cannot be left leaderless,” another elder chimed in, trying to support Elder Gallant, who was visibly losing patience.
Rania glanced at Elder Gayle, silently signaling that he was more than capable of managing the palace in her absence. After all, as the royal beta, it was his duty to oversee affairs when the king was away and the queen absent.
The elders noticed this but still tried to argue, only to be met with Rania’s calm, written reply.
[I want to return as well, but I must honor the king’s orders above all else. If you can persuade him to let me come back, then I will leave immediately p>
From the corner of her eye, Rania caught Elder Gayle suppressing a chuckle.
Honestly, if she had played this card before, she wouldn’t have been standing at the main gates now, vulnerable to the elders’ pressure.
Back then, she had defied the king’s orders, eager to prove her worth. She had no regrets about leaving, as it allowed her to implement Maximus’s plan and save many lives, but she would not make that mistake again. The circumstances were different now.
The elders seethed silently, unable to do more.
[The king will be here within two days. You can speak to him then p>
After writing this, Rania stood up and left the room, with Elder Gayle following behind her, leaving the others defeated and silent.
“You were brilliant back then! I’m amazed you pulled off that move to turn the situation around,” Elder Gayle praised, his voice warm with admiration. It felt good to have someone recognize and appreciate her efforts.
“Thank you,” Rania mouthed softly, a genuine smile brightening her face as relief washed over her. She knew she had made the right call.
As they walked down the corridor, a few warriors lowered their heads respectfully in their direction. Suddenly, a sharp, piercing sound shattered the calm—a bullet tore through Elder Gayle’s chest.
“Protect the queen!” three nearby warriors shouted as they rushed forward, shielding Rania while Elder Gayle collapsed, blood seeping from the wound.
“What’s happening? Call for reinforcements!” another warrior barked urgently.
Everything happened so quickly that Rania barely comprehended the chaos until she saw Elder Gayle struggling to breathe, his breaths shallow and ragged.
Without hesitation, she knelt beside him, cradling his trembling body in her arms, paying no mind to the spreading blood staining her dress.
She pressed her hand over the wound desperately, but her palm was slick with blood—the injury refused to close. Only one thing could cause that: a silver bullet.
Silver was deadly to shifters, as it prevented their natural healing abilities.
“Karin!” Rania called out urgently.
She grabbed one of the warriors and ordered him to fetch the healer, repeating the command until the man understood the gravity of the situation.
“But your safety, my queen!” he protested.
At that moment, the alarm blared loudly throughout the compound, signaling an attack on the pack. Confusion swirled in Rania’s mind. How could the pack be under assault? Alpha Letto had already eliminated half the enemy forces. How could the remaining few pose such a threat?
There was no time to dwell on questions as a warrior lifted Elder Gayle into his arms and hurried to escort Rania to safety.
In the distance, the sounds of chaos and battle grew louder, echoing ominously through the halls.
Rania’s steadfast resolve and strategic patience in the face of relentless pressure reveal her growth and determination to protect not only herself but also those she cares about. Despite the elders’ demands and the weight of her responsibilities, she remains unwavering in her loyalty to the king’s commands, understanding the delicate balance she must maintain to safeguard the kingdom and her own survival. The quiet strength she displays, coupled with her ability to wield her position with both grace and defiance, underscores the complexity of her role as queen.
Yet, the sudden violence that erupts shatters the fragile calm, reminding us that peace is tenuous and danger lurks even within the walls meant to protect. Elder Gayle’s injury is a stark, painful symbol of the ongoing threats they face, and it thrusts Rania into a new moment of crisis where her leadership and courage will be tested once more. This chapter closes on a note of urgent uncertainty, leaving her poised between the weight of duty and the unpredictable storm ahead.
The next chapter promises to plunge deeper into the turmoil shaking the pack, as Rania faces the immediate aftermath of Elder Gayle’s shocking attack. Her determination to protect those she cares about will be tested like never before, especially as the true nature and motive behind this violent assault begin to surface. The tension between loyalty to the king’s orders and the urgent need to respond to the unfolding crisis will create an emotional storm that Rania must navigate with both courage and cunning.
As the pack’s defenses are pushed to their limits, alliances may be questioned and hidden threats could emerge from unexpected quarters. Rania’s resolve and leadership will be crucial in the coming hours, but the cost of this battle might weigh heavily on her heart. The next chapter will explore not only the physical dangers closing in but also the emotional stakes that bind Rania to her people and to the king, setting the stage for revelations that could change everything.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.