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Chapter 3 - The Hunter's Disguise

~ Cairo ~

  The cold stone floor caused unbearable pain to my knees, yet I knelt upright like a statue of penance. I could feel the gazes around me—sympathetic, disdainful, curious—piercing into me like needles. But I paid them no heed. These stares were all part of my plan, the first offering to Her Majesty the Queen—a gift named "devotion."

  I silently counted the time. Ten hours had passed since last night. My body was weakened by hunger and thirst, but this was precisely the effect I had sought. A powerful yet frail Alpha, a man willing to endure humiliation for destiny, would surely move those elders who still revered the Moon Goddess in their hearts.

  As expected, the Grand Elder Augustus appeared. His attire, an old yet dignified Elder's robe, and the aura of antiquity he emanated stirred a deep loathing within me. Yet on my face, I displayed just the right amount of surprised gratitude, as if I were profoundly honored.

  Then came Elaric, the Prince Consort.

  When he ordered the guards to remove me with an air of hostility and superiority, I almost laughed aloud. Such a foolish, predictable reaction. The more he acted like a jealous and insecure husband, the more my innocence and forbearance would shine through. I raised my head, meeting his eyes with a gaze crafted in countless rehearsals—filled with pity and innocence—relishing the helpless rage in his expression.

  In the end, the Queen decided to summon me. This, too, was within my expectations. Selene Wolfgang, a true monarch—proud and rational—would not allow events to unfold beyond her control. She needed to personally examine the pebble that had intruded into her world.

  I was led into the council chamber. It was grander than I had imagined. The massive moonstone dome emitted a soft glow, illuminating murals on the walls that depicted the history of The Silver Moon Wolf Pack. Selene sat upon her throne made of moonstone, her beauty even more captivating than the legends claimed. Her emerald eyes, filled with scrutiny and composure, were like a bottomless icy lake. Elaric stood by her side, glaring at me like a wolf guarding its prey, his gaze full of self-importance and warning.

  I knelt once more, this time willingly. For I understood that I was kneeling before my future queen and my future kingdom.

  "Lift your head," Selene's voice was cool and carried an undeniable authority.

  I obediently raised my head, my gaze devoutly fixed on her, deliberately ignoring Elaric beside her. "Your Majesty."

  "Cairo, is that your name?" she asked.

  "Yes, Your Majesty."

  "Where are you from? Why are you here?" Her questions were direct and sharp.

  "I come from the long-destroyed Shadow Wolf Pack," I replied, infusing my voice with just the right amount of sorrow. "I am the last bloodline of my tribe. For years, I have wandered, guided only by the Moon Goddess, who directed me here, to you."

  "A convenient excuse," Elaric's icy voice cut in, "A survivor of a fallen tribe, coincidentally finding our Queen on the night of the celebration? Too many coincidences for one world, don't you think?"

  I ignored him, my gaze never leaving Selene, as if she were the only person in my world. "I have no need for excuses, Your Highness. The bond is real, and so is my devotion. I seek nothing but the chance for Your Majesty to shelter me, to let me remain in your territory. I am willing to be your lowliest soldier, to guard your glory with my life."

  "Guard?" Elaric chuckled disdainfully, "We have The Silver Moon Wolf Pack's elite guards. We don't need a vagabond of unknown origin. Is your strength as great as your lofty words suggest?"

  This was the moment I had been waiting for.

  I said nothing, merely released a sliver of The Alpha's Aura. It had been tempered through countless life-and-death battles, imbued with frost and blood. It was not ostentatious but was like an ocean's undercurrent—heavy and irresistible. I saw the commander of the guards standing behind Elaric turn pale instantly, his hand instinctively gripping the hilt of his sword, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

  Even Elaric's pupils contracted slightly under the sudden pressure.

  I quickly retracted the aura, once again becoming the humble, harmless man, as if the moment before had been nothing but an illusion. "I am willing to undergo any test to prove my loyalty and worth."

  Selene had been silently observing the exchange. Finally, she spoke again: "Your request, I grant. From this day forward, you will join the Royal Guard under the direct command of Advisor Barnaby. Your position and duties will be determined by your performance."

  "As you command, my Queen!" I lowered my head, concealing the wild joy in my eyes. The first step was complete. I had secured my place, positioned under Elaric's most trusted friend—Barnaby. This presented me with the perfect stage for my next move.

  That same afternoon, Barnaby sought me out. He was a man so upright he bordered on rigid, his eyes filled with suspicion as he scrutinized me. That was excellent because once the trust of such a man is won, it becomes unshakable.

  I candidly confessed my admiration for the Queen to him, explaining how this sudden bond had also caused me distress and pain. I "pleaded" with him to explain to the Prince that I harbored no offense toward him and had no intention of disrupting the deep bond between the Prince and the Queen.

  Seeing the flicker of doubt in Barnaby's eyes, I knew that my words had taken effect. A lovesick fool who prioritized the greater good and even considered the feelings of his rival was far safer than an aggressive challenger.

  As night fell, another act of my performance began.

  I encountered Grand Elder Augustus taking a solitary walk in the garden. This old man was a critical piece in my scheme. He represented tradition, bloodlines, and nostalgia for the glory of the past.

  I performed the oldest of courtesies and, under his curious inquiries, sorrowfully recounted the story of my tribe. How the once-mighty Shadow Wolf Pack had been annihilated overnight by the evil force known as "The King of Curses." I described how my kin fought valiantly, how my parents fell before my eyes, and how I, the sole survivor, bore the weight of vengeance, struggling to survive on the desolate plains.

  "Until the Moon Goddess guided me to Her Majesty," I concluded hoarsely, "Her power reminded me of our tribe's glory at its peak. I feel she is our only hope for revival."

  In Augustus's cloudy old eyes, I saw a spark ignite—a fire called righteousness. It burned with hatred against evil, a stubborn adherence to tradition, and a fervent sense of responsibility toward preserving an ancient bloodline.

  He patted my shoulder firmly and spoke with near-pledge conviction: "Child, the Moon Goddess sees your devotion. Your blood feud will not be ignored by The Silver Moon Wolf Pack. Serve the Queen well—you will not be let down."

  Perfect.

  After sending off Augustus, I returned alone to the laughably simple tent assigned to me. From my personal belongings, I retrieved a dagger. It was crafted from the bone of an unknown beast, its hilt engraved with strange and sinister patterns, entirely out of place with the noble style of the Shadow Wolf Pack, which I had described.

  With a coarse cloth, I calmly wiped the sharp blade. Its surface reflected my cold, unsmiling face.

  Elaric, my clever Prince, must have already sent people to investigate my background by now. Go ahead, investigate. You'll uncover a heart-wrenching tale of revenge, flawless in detail, with every clue lining up perfectly.

  But what you'll never know is who it was that, years ago, led "The King of Curses" into the Shadow Wolf Pack's territory and personally plunged this dagger into my father's heart.

  I smiled genuinely at the blade.

  This carefully constructed trap, veiled in the name of vengeance, lay silently open. And my noble Prince had already eagerly stepped right in.

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