The sacred forest of the wolf tribe was filled with the scent of pine trees and ancient magic. Sunlight shone through the dense branches and fell on the mossy stones. Lilith knelt there, tracing the marks carved by the wolf claws with her fingertips. System scan: The bedrock is engraved with the alliance treaty from 800 years ago. The wolf tribe was once unified under the rule of the Valtorians.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Kane said, appearing at her side with two steaming mugs of spiced cider. "My grandfather used to bring me here. Said the stones sing when a true leader touches them."
Lilith took a sip, the warmth spreading to her toes. "Have they sung for you?"
He grinned, amber eyes crinkling. "Not yet. But they hummed when you knelt."
Fetal soul resonance: 92%. A soft glow hovered above the stones—a tiny handprint, then a wolf paw, overlapping. Lilith's breath caught. "He's here. Watching."
Kane laid a hand over hers. "Always."
The wolf council gathered at dusk, their fur ranging from snow-white to jet-black, their eyes assessing Lilith with suspicion. At their head sat Elder Morgrath, a grizzled male with one eye, his muzzle streaked with battle scars. "A human dares ask us to unite? After centuries of betrayal?"
"Not a human." Lilith stood, unclasping her locket. The moonstone glowed, projecting a hologram of the Valtorian prophecy mural. "A Valtorian princess. A wolf's mate. And the mother of a child who'll bridge our worlds."
A murmur rippled through the council. Morgrath's good eye narrowed. "Pretty words. But words don't feed clans. They don't stop poachers. They don't—"
"Fix your water supply." Lilith pulled a map from her cloak, slamming it on the stone table. "The eastern clans' springs are drying up. Salt deposits. I can redirect the river. With your help."
System mission: Secure eastern clan support. Reward: +4000 contribution points. Fetal soul manifestation (20 minutes).
Morgrath's lip curled. "Bribery? Typical human—"
"Survival." Lilith met his gaze, unflinching. "Your pups are dying of thirst. Mine's waiting for a world where that doesn't happen. What's your excuse for saying no?"
The eastern clan's camp was a sorry sight. Pups lapped at a stagnant puddle, their ribs visible through matted fur. Their leader, a female named Kira with a missing ear, watched Lilith and Kane approach, her hackles raised. "Morgrath sent you. Why?"
"To help." Lilith knelt by the puddle, activating her environmental scan. High salt content. Underlying aquifer 50 feet below. "We can dig a well. Tap into fresh water."
Kira laughed, bitter. "Humans said that before. Took our furs, poisoned our land, left us to die."
"Not this human." Lilith pulled a canteen from her pack, handing it to a wheezing pup. "Valtorian water. Pure. Taste it."
The pup lapped greedily, then yipped, bounding to its mother. Kira's stance softened. "How?"
"With your claws and our shovels." Lilith smiled. "And a little magic."
The well took three days to dig. Wolf claws tore through earth, human hands hauled buckets of dirt, and Lilith directed the work, her system highlighting the aquifer's path. On the third night, water burst from the ground, clear and cool. The clan cheered, pups splashing in the mud, adults howling in joy.
Kira clapped Lilith on the back, nearly knocking her over. "You have the eastern clan's support. Morgrath can choke on his pride."
System notification: Mission completed. Fetal soul manifestation in 3… 2… 1…
He appeared beside the well, taller now—almost a toddler—wearing a tiny wolf pelt cloak. "Mama! Water good!"
Lilith swept him up, laughing as he squirmed. "Better than the palace, huh?"
He pointed to Kira, who was teaching pups to fish in the new well. "Happy."
Kane joined them, slinging an arm around Lilith's shoulders. "He's right. Look at them."
Men and wolves danced around the well, singing the old Valtorian ballad. For a moment, Lilith forgot about Maugras, about the remnants of Bartholomew, about the long road ahead. That was enough.
Morgrath's rage echoed through the sacred grove when they returned. "Traitor! You've corrupted the eastern clan with your lies!"
"With clean water." Lilith stood her ground, the eastern clan flanking her. "What have you given them? Empty pride. Dying pups."
Morgrath shifted into his massive wolf form, saliva dripping from bared fangs. "Prove your worth, half-breed. Beat me in trial by combat. Then we'll talk."
Kane stepped forward, growling. "She's not—"
"I accept." Lilith laid a hand on his chest, shaking her head. "This is mine to finish."
System Tip: Activate Combat Mastery. Reward: Royal Combat Skill.A surge of power flowed through her—ancient sword forms, pressure points, the art of taking down larger opponents.
The council formed a circle as Lilith drew her sword, Morgrath circling her, his claws raking the earth. "Last chance to run, princess."
Lilith smiled, settling into a Valtorian stance. "I don't run. Especially not from cowards who let their own die."
Morgrath lunged, jaws snapping inches from her throat. Lilith ducked, sliding between his legs, and sliced his hind leg. He howled, spinning, but she was already behind him, pressing her sword to his neck.
"Yield," she said, her voice steady.
He froze, then shifted back to human form, blood dripping from his leg. "You fight like a Valtorian. Like… her." He nodded at the prophecy stone. "The mural. It's you."
That night, the sacred grove glowed with torchlight. Wolf clans from across the kingdom gathered, their howls merging into a single song. Morgrath placed a wolf tooth necklace around Lilith's neck, his voice gruff but respectful. "Clan leader. Protect us."
"I will." Lilith met his gaze, then scanned the crowd—Kane grinning at her, Ella helping serve stew, her son's glow visible only to her, sitting on the prophecy stone.
System notification: Wolf clan unification mission complete. Contribution points: 30,000. Fetal soul resonance: 95%. Final mission: Retake the palace. Secure the throne. Reward: Permanent fetal soul anchoring.
Lilith raised her goblet, the crowd falling silent. "Tomorrow, we march on the palace. Not as wolves. Not as humans. As one. For our children."
The cheer shook the trees. Her son clapped, his tiny hands making no sound, but she felt it—pride.
Kane pulled her close, his lips brushing her ear. "Ready to be queen?"
Lilith smiled, touching her son's glowing cheek. "Ready to be a family."