Chapter 33. Bring Her Back

The square instantly dissolved into chaos. The moment the silver wolf vanished into the night, the air cracked with panic. The silence that had held the ceremony captive was replaced by the terrifying sound of shattering certainty. Murmurs surged like a tide, swelling into frightened shouts. Mothers pulled their children close, shielding small eyes from the torn silk scattered across the stone. Warriors stiffened, hands twitching toward their weapons, but the target was gone.

The people’s awe had instantly curdled into suspicion, their wonder into fear. Whispers of “Monster. Abomination. Cursed child” cut through the night, slicing through the remnants of celebration. The political stability Kaelen had desperately fought for was shattered; the beautiful performance had become a public act of treason.

Then Eleanor rose. She did not stumble. She did not flinch. Her posture was unyielding, her gaze hard as tempered steel. She raised her hand once, and her voice, thick with