Chapter 37
The Werewolf Realm.
Levi's POV.
Micha arrived at the Pack House early in the afternoon. The moment he stepped through the doors, I felt my tension ease a little. If there was anyone I trusted to handle chaos with me, it was him.
"Kira's with Kate," he said, setting down his bag. "So I'm free to stick with you all day."
"That's great. We have a lot to do," I replied, patting his shoulder. "Come on. Let's head to my room."
As we walked down the hallway, I asked, "How's Kira doing?"
He smiled—one of those soft, stupid smiles only men in love have.
"She's doing well. Actually… she's been really active these days."
I blinked at him.
"You don't mean—"
Micha chuckled.
"Oh yes. She's the one making the first move now."
"Woah." I stared at him. "You're serious?"
"Very. You don't know how happy that makes me," he replied, grinning.
I snorted.
"Just be careful. She's still pregnant. And you're a monster in bed."
His jaw dropped.
"Me?! I'm gentle!"
"Hm-hmm. Very gentle," I teased. We both burst into laughter.
But the moment we entered my room, all humor faded. The book lay on the table, silent and still—too still.
We approached it slowly, both nervous. What if it didn't open? What if we were too late? What if the information we needed simply wasn't there?
I reached out and touched the cover.
Instantly, golden light burst from the pages.
Micha and I both froze.
Then—something that had never happened before happened.
The book spoke.
Its voice was ancient, layered, and echoing like someone whispering from a distant chamber.
"Dearest reader, this book chose not to open earlier because the time was not right. Do not be shocked—I can speak. I am called the Living Book for a reason."
Micha and I exchanged stunned looks but nodded quickly.
The book continued:
"Now is the right moment for you to learn certain truths about Roosevelt's past—and the paths that still exist to defeat him. The elves will explain the method when the time comes."
My heart thudded.
"About the information you seek," the book said, "let us return to Beth."
Micha frowned.
"You mean the girl who entered the palace with the Queen's face—Roosevelt's dead wife?"
"Yes. That Beth."
The book sighed—or made a sound that felt like a sigh.
"I will continue. Speaking uses too much energy. You will read from here."
Words formed glowing letters across the page.
---
The Living Book's Tale — The Human Named Beth
As the human Beth, who bore the Queen's face, entered the palace, she immediately caught Roosevelt's attention. He assigned her as his personal maid. Something led to something, and the cold-hearted king fell in love with the gentle, humble Beth.
As time passed, Beth softened him. The once merciless ruler who killed wolves for annoyance or boredom began to change. She told him, "Even if you rule with spite, treat them carefully. Wolves can be vengeful."
Roosevelt ignored her warning.
Years later, he left the werewolf throne and gave power to a once-slave family he had elevated to noble status. He married Beth. But on the night of their wedding—
---
The glowing words flickered.
Micha leaned closer.
"On the night of their wedding…?" he whispered.
More words formed.
---
The royals who had escaped Roosevelt's early cruelty returned. Enraged that slaves had become nobles, they gathered rogues and assassins. They slaughtered every elevated family.
---
I stiffened.
Micha cursed under his breath.
---
This infuriated Roosevelt. He hated the royals who murdered his wife's people. But what made him hate the entire werewolf realm was…
---
The golden letters dimmed.
Then brightened.
---
They attacked Beth—an innocent human—and killed her. They tore her neck open with their claws and watched her bleed to death.
---
"What…?" Micha whispered. His voice trembled. "They actually killed her?"
My chest tightened painfully.
No wonder Roosevelt became a monster. No wonder he wanted us gone.
---
Roosevelt blamed himself for centuries.
From that moment on, he made it his mission to end the werewolf race.
---
I swallowed hard.
"It makes sense now," I said quietly. "Losing the one you love… and in such a cruel way… anyone would break."
Micha nodded, jaw tight.
"He lived painfully, sure. But whatever happened between him and our ancestors—it's not our burden. And we're not going down without a fight."
I turned back to the book.
"You said this information would help us in battle. How?"
Golden words appeared:
"Distraction."
Micha read it aloud and scoffed.
"Distraction? That man? Can he even be distracted?"
The book glowed again:
"Wisdom is the key to defeating Roosevelt."
"Fine," Micha muttered. "But earlier you said you'd explain how the war started and why Princess Eloise lied about being taken advantage of. We need that."
Golden words formed:
"That detail will not aid you now. My purpose is to provide what matters for victory. The rest can wait."
"No," I said sharply. "It can't wait. We need everything about Roosevelt. All of it. Good or bad."
The book trembled—yes, trembled—like it was annoyed.
Then more words appeared.
"Very well. I will begin."
Micha and I grinned.
---
The Truth Behind the Lie
King Roosevelt was actually cleared of the accusation.
Micha gaped.
"How?!"
The book continued.
A certain person brought a book to the palace to clear his name. I'm sure you already know who it was.
Micha gasped.
"Beth?!"
"Yes," the book answered. "She dared to approach the palace with evidence, despite Roosevelt's reputation."
Micha frowned.
"What book are you talking about?"
Golden letters formed:
"Princess Eloise's diary."
My eyes widened.
Micha nearly jumped.
"Her diary?! Then everything will finally be known!"
We leaned in as new words appeared.
---
Princess Eloise's Diary:
Today, I went into the Vampire Realm. I was excited to see my mate—Raphael.
---
"Mate?!" Micha and I shouted at the same time.
"Do elves even have mates?" he asked.
"I don't know," I muttered.
We kept reading.
---
It's been a month since I've been meeting Raphael. I hate that he has to work for Roosevelt all the time. He hardly has time for me.
Next page.
I'm sad today. Raphael told me Roosevelt slapped him. Why would the king do that?
---
"What?!" Micha cried.
"But Roosevelt said he never touched him!"
More lines appeared.
Today, I realized I'm pregnant. I'm carrying Raphael's child. Now Father can't force me to marry that wizard. I'll be with the one I love.
I rushed to the Vampire Realm to tell Raphael… but all I found was his dead body. He was killed.
---
"What?!" we both yelled.
But before we could turn another page—
THUD.
The book slammed shut on its own.
"HELL NO!" Micha shouted. "You've got to be kidding me!"
I dragged a hand down my face, groaning.
"Of course it closes now…"
Then footsteps echoed.
Zaki entered, blinking at our expressions.
"Uh… why do you guys look like you want to kill someone?"
Micha pointed at him dramatically.
"Because you always walk in at the WRONG TIME!"
Zaki laughed.
"My bad. But the Alphas and the leaders are here. You were asked to come."
I groaned.
"Great… more information waiting to explode my head."
We left the room together.
None of us noticed the silent figure watching from the shadows.
A figure who had been listening to everything.